Terra Violette

Chapter 2

It had been two weeks since I had last seen him, he’d come back once to fetch some clothes then left for ‘business’. I’m not sure. If being a drug Lord and working with other criminal chains counts as business, I mean its practically a gang meeting, right? It doesn't matter, the less I see him the better. I sigh as I look at my graduation dress in the mirror, it is a dark blue low neckline, low back strap dress. The assistant at the boutique had said it would compliment my brown skin, I'm not so sure anymore. I always become insecure when I'm in clothes that reveal my body shape, I've never liked dresses, well I don't think I did. I wore a black straight 8 inch wig, I prefer to rock my natural afro, but I took too long while doing my make-up and I don't have time to style my own hair. "Oh my gosh look at you!" I turn around and look at my best friend, Kayla is dressed in white slim leg pants and a matching blazer with a black tube top underneath and black strappy heels. I am so jealous of her, Kayla has always had better taste than me. Her jet black hair was put up in a simple bun and she had natural looking make up that made her olive skin glow. If it wasn't for Jake and his no-pants rule, I'd be in a suit too. "You look beautiful," she continued, "I can't believe we're finally graduating. I mean how long has it been, forever?", "Oh please," I reply, "Have you seen how gorgeous you look, you look ready for the runway". Kayla and I were both graduating today, She had finished her fashion degree and I my degree in business. Kayla would be moving to Italy to pursue her career and I decided last week that id be moving with her. It was the perfect escape! Kayla's move was abrupt, Jake wouldn't be back until next week, and the flights were booked for tonight. "Knock, knock!" a gentle brown eyed face peered at the door, it was Max. Max is Jakes third in command and my only other friend. I've never really understood why Max is nice too me, he usually helps me clean up after one of Jakes 'lessons' -only if Jake isn't around that is. "Can I come in?" he asked as he walked across the room and sat on the loveseat couch across the room under the bedroom windows, "Max I'm pretty sure that you're already inside." I laughed. "You ladies look beautiful, If I wasn't married and completely head over heels over my wife, I'd definitely try my luck." Max was 28 years old even though he looked younger, he had married his Highschool love and they had a three year old together. I was sometimes jealous of their love, every time I went over for dinner they seemed so in love . It was nothing like what Jake and I had, I sometimes wish I could remember what I saw in him when we got married, if only I could get my memories back, maybe id see whatever I saw in him again. Maybe he'd love me again, because whatever it is he was feeling for me now was not love.

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"Are you ready?" asked Max, The graduation ceremony was over and I was about to get on the cab to the airport, I had everything ready, I was going to use the money id gotten from Max to  open a small shop. I hadn't decided on what type of shop if would open up but I knew it would have to be big enough for me to survive on till Jake stopped searching for me but small enough to not be noticed. Italy was the perfect place to go, Jake did not have any connections there. Jake never took me to any of his business meetings but he had me do all his administrative work; I knew who all his business partners were, I knew all about his businesses profits and losses, I knew which of his 'legit' businesses were used to launder money, and most importantly, I knew where he did business. "Amber!" Max whisper-yelled at me, bringing me out of my thoughts, "Y-yeah, I'm ready," I am making the right decision , "I'm going to miss you though, I wish you guys could come with.". He looked sad for a moment, then he pulled me into a bear hug, "I'm going to miss you too Amber, but you know I can't come with, I have a dept to repay.". That has been his excuse for working for Jake for as long as I have been friends with him, he refuses to tell me what the debt is so I have given up on finding out. If he ever wants to tell me, he will. I walk around him and give his wife, Cassidy, a hug, I then move to the girl in her arms and give her a kiss on the forehead , "I'm going to miss you most Bella." she  giggles and puts her arms around my neck giving me a hug. I am not a kids person but Bella is an exception. I turn around quickly and walk towards the cab as I feel tears forming in my eyes. I get in the back of the cab and close the door. I wave at Max and his family as the cab starts moving Cassidy turns into Max's shoulder and begins to sob. Cassidy has always been the emotional type. I feel Kayla put her hand in to mine and I squeeze it lightly as I turn to face her, "Don't worry buddy, it's all for the best.", She smiles softly,. How could she be so collected? Unlike me Kayla left behind an entire family of five siblings and her grandparents  who are the sweetest people I've ever met. Perhaps it is because this has been her dream since childhood, or maybe she is keeping it together for me, she is thoughtful like that . I on the other hand, have a feeling I don't understand in the pit of my stomach. It feels like sadness but how could that be? I'm supposed to be happy, finally leaving that nightmare of a man and I'm going where he won't find me. Maybe it's because I'm leaving the only family I've ever known since... well since I lost my memory I guess.  I never did recover it, Jake told me what he told me, but I still barely know anything about myself other than that I was an only child and lost my parents at a young age. According to Jake the fire i woke up in was caused by a cigarette I had left on. Apparently I used to smoke before the fire, and the house that had burnt was our beach house. He had explained  that the screaming was from bystanders on the beach. We'd since sold the house, according to Jake it brought back memories of me nearly dying. That doesn't matter anymore though, I am leaving now. I blink back my tears and turn my head towards my bestfriend and smile, she also seems lost in her own thoughts. I turn to face the road which is taking me closer to my freedom and smile again, I am making the right decision.