Chapter 5 Are You Getting Married?
939 Words
"Lyla, we're best friends. You can't keep secrets from me, right?" Due to Faye's recent ignorance, Emily protested at the dining table.
She had noticed that Faye hadn't been spending time with her lately. No more games, no picture book readings, no freshly baked cookies. Instead, Faye was always out with Josh.
A child's possessiveness was strong, and Emily, who adored Faye, didn't want anyone, not even her father, to take her away!
"Of course!" Faye replied, feeling a bit guilty. Deceiving a child made her feel uneasy.
However, she couldn't exactly say they were practicing how to kill people. Emily was still too young to handle it.
"Then can I come with you and Daddy next time?" Emily pouted.
"That might not be possible, sweetie. We're handling grown-up matters," Josh replied, his eyes on Faye.
Was he doing this on purpose? What did he mean by "grown-up matters"?
"Actually, what your dad means is..." Faye began to explain, but Emily interrupted.
"Grown-up matters?" Emily thought for a moment, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "Are you getting married?"
Faye choked on her water, nearly spitting it out.
She could never predict how a child's mind worked.
"Sweetheart, you've startled Ms. Lyla," Josh said, smiling helplessly as the maids fussed over Faye's coughing.
"It's nothing. I was just careless," Faye said, coughing a few more times and wiping her mouth with a napkin.
"Lyla, you're such a scaredy-cat, afraid of bugs and getting married," Emily said, perplexed. How could an adult be less brave than she was?
"Yes, maybe I am just a coward!" Faye said, teasing Emily while laughing at herself.
At the shooting range, Faye donned her protective gear, ready to practice.
"Focus, and control your breathing," Josh said, coming over to adjust her slipping goggles.
Faye raised her gun and aimed at the target, firing her first shot, which missed.
Her arm shook terribly from the recoil. She felt like a terrible student. Josh spent hours teaching her every day, but her progress was slow.
"Again!" Josh pulled her close. "Keep your arm straight and aim carefully."
He stood behind her, his large hand covering hers on the trigger.
Their height difference allowed his breath to tickle her ear, making her heart flutter.
His other hand encircled her waist. "Breathe. Don't tense up."
To an observer, they looked like an intimate couple.
Faye realized that she was becoming less uncomfortable with such "intimate contact."
That moment of stopping their "passion" had given Faye a new perspective on Josh. Though she didn't know who he really was, a man who respected women couldn't be all bad, right?
Josh had taken her in, cared for her, and protected her. She had to admit that of all the people she'd met, this stranger actually gave her the most security.
Sensing her hesitation, Josh whispered in her ear, "Imagine that target is your enemy, the one you despise most!"
Feeling Faye tremble, he continued, "They won't spare you out of kindness or fear. They'll only bully you more!"
Her resolve ignited instantly. Those bastards deserved to rot in hell!
She gritted her teeth and pulled the trigger repeatedly. The target was soon covered with bullet holes, and the noise was deafening.
She didn't stop until the gun was empty, panting with exertion.
Sweat dripped down her face, yet she still gripped it tightly.
The practice session lasted late into the evening. On the way back, Faye felt too exhausted to speak and fell asleep in the car.
Josh watched her sleeping face and gently brushed aside the hair on her forehead. Only with her guard down did she look like herself: serene, gentle, and resilient.
Faye woke up to the sensation of breath on her face. Opening her eyes, she found herself inches away from Josh's face.
He had thick eyelashes and a straight nose, and his mesmerizing green eyes happened to meet hers.
At that moment, falling for this man seemed destined—if only she weren't the person she was now.
Feeling she had overstepped, Josh pulled back to create distance, but Faye suddenly grabbed him.
Then, she leaned in and kissed his cheek.
Josh's previously dim eyes brightened instantly. Maybe, just maybe, she was trying to love him.
If only time could freeze at this moment!
As dawn broke, the estate was still enveloped by silence.
Faye finished writing her letter and folded it neatly, placing it on the table.
She had imagined many ways to leave, but never like this.
Yesterday's impulse reminded her that she couldn't stay any longer, or she would only fall deeper.
Everything here was wonderful. If she could, she would stay a coward, avoiding all those messy issues.
But what about her daughter? Every second wasted was another second of danger for her child.
As a mother who failed to protect her daughter, she had no right to seek love.
If she confessed everything, Josh could probably help and might even be willing to share the burden. But after the passion of love, what remained? No one could guarantee that.
Starting a new relationship and loving a new man seemed unwise for her.
So, she decided to bid farewell to everything she cherished.
If she survived this struggle, she would come back to repay Josh.
From the upstairs window, Josh watched her leave. He glanced at the drawer where the gun had disappeared, his expression complicated.
Emily walked in, dragging her toy. "Daddy, will we never see Lyla again?"
Josh knelt down, hugging his daughter gently. He then spoke softly, both to Emily and the departing Faye.
"No, we'll soon meet again."
- Writer
