Vows of Deception: Bound to My Ex's Step-Father

Chapter 7

“What do you think about this, Cole?” I asked, holding a robot toy and waved it on Cole’s face.

“I’m sure every boy kid in the orphanage will like those, Ma’am.” He replied, trying not to focus on the toy in my hand. Unlike earlier, he almost forgot that he’s on the job and smiles like a child whenever he sees some limited collection toys in the shop we just checked earlier. If only Mason didn’t warn him, he wouldn't stay still.

It’s been two hours and their hands are full of bags with some things I bought for the children and Mother Superior. People keep staring at me whenever they pass by not because of me, but because of Cole and Mason. I can’t blame them, Cole and Mason are so calm yet they’re dangerous. They’re both reminding me that I’m no longer a normal citizen- that I’m part of Keirston Clan now, still I don’t want that to get in my head. I still haven’t decided why I’m still here in the first place. And why would Rydell trouble himself to shelter me. Trying to ignore the curious glances from the passerby, I turned into the upscale cafe away from the main hall of the mall.

“Hazel? Is that you?”

I paused when I saw a familiar face coming towards me. A handsome man staring up at me. It’s Leo. My college senior, we’re not really friends but we shared the same beliefs and literature view during college years. He had always been kind and incredibly brilliant.

“Leo!” A genuine smile broke across my face- the first real smile I had felt in days after Ariston’s betrayal. “Wow, it’s been so long.”

“Too long,” he said. He’s about to give me a hug when Cole and Mason instantly stepped forward to keep me behind them. I saw Leo freeze, and his eyes widened. So I had to tap Cole and Mason’s back before I told them.

“It’s okay. He’s a friend from college. Give us some time, please?” I said quickly before Leo’s face completely went pale. I saw Mason’s hesitation, then he checked his watch before giving a stiff nod to Cole. They occupy the table right outside the cafe glass partition, keeping their eyes locked onto us like some hawks.

“Wow, Hazel….you certainly upgraded your social circle,” Leo whispered, rubbing the backs on their neck nervously. We sat down across from each other. “Are you okay? You look beautiful, but… those guys look so dangerous.”

“It’s a long story, but they’re harmless. I think. “ I sighed softly then smiled. “Just security for my husband’s business. Enough about me, are you still working at the archives?”

We caught up for the next twenty minutes, sipping our coffees. The excitement and normality that I had during my college days are back seeing Leo now. Like I’m talking to my professors again, or the late night studies or the stress during the exams. For a moment I forgot about Ariston, Randall and the weird shadow of Keirston's name.

“You know, “ Leo said, his smile fades and his expression changes into something serious. “Seeing you like this…actually makes a lot of things make sense.”

“What do you mean?”

“Back in college,”Leo began. He leaned forward to me a little closer and lowered his voice. “I don’t know if you ever noticed, but I had a massive crush on you. I mean, half of the department did. I had this whole plan to ask you out to the winter gala senior year.”

I blinked. Why is he saying all of this now? “Is that so? You did? Leo, you never said anything.” I said then forced to laugh a little so the situation wouldn’t be awkward.

“Because I couldn’t. “ he chuckled. “The week I was finally going to ask you, I receive a terrifying note on my locker. It’s a threat that if I won’t leave you alone then I’ll die with my fam. I thought it was just some pranks pulled by Randall because you two broke up and maybe he noticed what you can’t at that time so he did that. But after that, I started noticing different luxury cards while sitting outside. Whoever it was, they had people watching you from afar, Hazel. That’s why I backed off.”

Who is it? Is it Randall? Who’s watching me?

The cafe around me seemed to fade, and a strange suffocating knot tied itself in my stomach as Leo’s words echoed in my mind. Are those people after my life? But as I glanced out the window at Cole and Mason.

Just who is it?

*****

“Are you okay?” Mason asked. I just nodded seeing both of them looking at me in the rearview mirror. Who wants to harm me? Is it really Randall?

I focus myself on the bunch of gifts I had for the children and adults of the orphanage. I also bought something for Rydell since I want to thank him for this. If not for him, I won’t be able to go on a shopping spree: boxes of new winter coats, stacks of educational books, and a massive crate of toys. I bought baking tools, and some ingredients. I’ll bake something for him at home.

The two-hour drive out of the city and into the deep countryside usually brought me a sense of peace. It was a journey back to my true self, away from the suffocating shadow of the Kierston name, the memory of Rydell’s bullet wounds, and my art gallery boss who fired me. I couldn’t wait to see Mother Superior Beatrice smile. I want to tell her what Ariston did to me. I want to ask them why they didn’t attend my wedding that day. But I had to pull back that thought because I don’t want them to know how miserable that day was for me.

As the car rounded the final bend of the familiar dirt road where the orphanage was located. I put those bags in my arms without waiting for Cole or Mason to help me. I’m excited to spend my day here all day without worrying about going back to the city because I still have work. But the moment I get out of the car, the orphanage is no longer there. The garden I used to play as a kid is gone. All burned. The air around is black, and the scent of fresh smoke and burning wood makes me sick. My hands began to tremble so the gifts fell on the dirty ground.

“Ma’am, stay in the vehicle,” Mason ordered sharply. I didn’t respond. My whole body is shaking. There was no laughter everywhere. There was no smell of bread. The happy and vibrant place that held me for so many years is gone. The wooden sign of the orphanage had been entirely destroyed. Everything had been burned down.

Unconsciously, I find myself walking towards it even though there’s still fire glowing on the other side of the place.

“Hazel, get back!” Cole yelled. I saw them holding a gun and trying hard to cover me. But I couldn’t move.

“Sister…” I murmured. My visions blurred from grief and anger. This place is my safe place. And now it’s all gone. What happened, who did this. Why? Are they all dead?

I forced my body to get up, but Cole stopped me. “They’re gone, Mrs. Keirston. Pull yourself together!”

“Pull myself together? “ I laughed sarcastically. “If this is normal for the two of you, well it’s not for me. I’m just a woman. A normal woman. And this is my home, and my family. How can I calm down!”

I cried so loud and banged Cole’s chest while Mason was talking over his wired phone. I don’t know what to do, I don’t care if crying would make my chest explode so much but I don’t wanna accept this. Maybe they’re safe. I need to see them.

“Let me go!”

“Wow, what a sight.” A man appeared from the burning structure of the orphanage. Mason and Cole immediately shoved me behind their back and pointed their guns directly on them. The man raised his arms like he’s not afraid to die even after knowing that he is facing the Keirston clan’s men. He walks slowly and calmly. He’s wearing a full face mask with a logo that I can’t recognise.

He stopped a few paces away, his eyes locked on me. “They were screaming, you know,” the man said. His tone is surprisingly casual, even gesturing to the orphanage building. “Before I burned this place to the ground. Every single one of those little bastards.”

My eyes widened, I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t even blink. The world feels like it narrows down to the sound of my own grasps. I wanted to say something but I couldn’t. Who is he?

The man tilted his head. “My boss wants to send you a message. Can I come forward?”

“Step and I’ll blow your head.” Cole said. But the man remained his composure, he even laughed so hard that echoes to the whole place. “Even if I die, there’s a lot of men who will gladly take her head. “

“Give me,” I said, raising my arms. “Or rather, read it.” I’m not dumb, whoever he is he’s clearly targeting me. If I die here, who would bring justice to the people who died in his hands? I can’t die here.

“You’re clever,” he commented before opening the letter. “My dear Aevia, this is what happens when you climb into a monster’s bed. You are destined to be alone, Aevia. Those people you love will die.”

After he tossed the paper, I heard a loud gunshot before he could even speak again. His body snapped backward, his masked face exploded as he collapsed into the dirt, before he even hit the ground. I don’t know who shooted him as Mason and Cole both gasped beside me.

“Why did you kill him? We can keep him and ask him who made him do this, just why did you kill him?” I screamed in pain. “Why?!”

I don’t mind that they killed him, but I want to ask him who wants me dead. My mind is completely blank. I didn’t know who wanted me to suffer this badly, or why my past is completely annihilated. Leo’s words from the cafe, Rydell’s bleeding wounds, and now this brutal m******e of the people I deeply cared about. The very people who watched me grew up.

“Hazel! Hazel!” It’s Rydell’s voice but I can’t hear it clearly. The sheer of unbearable grief crushed down the remaining air from my lungs as my knees gave out. I turned around to see Rydell coming towards me while screaming my name. When he finally caught me in his arms. The words came out of my mouth. The word I don’t want to say but completely needed.

“Help me kill them, Rydell. Help me avenge them. Please, I’m willing to do everything.” Before I could even see his response, my world completely went black.