CHAPTER 3
1057 Words
Eddy didn’t come yesterday. Thoughts of him filled my mind while I arranged the children’s playroom.
Mrs Clinton had noticed my behaviour and called me out on it. I told her I was only tired. The week had been gruesome, and yesterday, after my encounter with that strange man, I was shaken to my bones. I didn’t have a phone to call Eddy, and I couldn’t get one either. My salary was barely enough to pay my house rent and other bills I had.
I was worried, and it sickened me. I remembered my mantra, but for the first time, I cast it aside and pray that nothing is wrong.
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Two weeks gone, and Eddy still hasn’t shown up. I clock out from the restaurant by 8pm and decide to walk to the nearest bus stop.
Something caught my attention from the corner of my eye and I turned towards it. Nothing. It was a quiet night, with few cars passing.
“Isn’t it dangerous for a girl to be outside by this time?”
“You!” I whirl around in the direction of the voice “Were you following me?”
He scoffs. “Don’t flatter yourself”.
He walks towards me with long strides. His tall frame overshadowing my five foot six form, making me look up at him. I hate it. His closeness though makes me heat up. I could smell his cologne, rich sandalwood and spice which makes my head spins at how manly he smells.
“Then what are you doing here?”
“Wandering about” he answers with a shrug.
“Then wander elsewhere and leave me be” I resume walking.
“Let me take you home” it wasn't a request.
“I’m very fine with taking the bus” I say, walking faster, he matches my strides easily, which annoys me even further.
“You have to walk ten more minutes to the bus which will be here in five. Your house is a twenty-five minute drive from here. Fifteen if you go with me, he said and I stopped.
“How do you know all these exactly? Especially my house.”
“You’ll be stranded if the bus leaves” I could only grit my teeth. He was right.
“I’ll get my car.” He nods.
“Who are you” I ask, if only to fill the awkward silence that filled the drive home.
He looks at me, as if contemplating whether he should tell me or not. After a silent battle with himself, he answers.
“I’m surprised you don’t know me”
“I just met you.”
“And I you”.
“And somehow you know my name, how is that so? Are you some kind of CIA agent?” he makes a turn. “You even know the way to my house. Do you have some kind of business with me?”
“Believe me, I wish I didn’t.”
“Excuse me?”
He rubs his face with his hand and released an aggravated sigh. “Do you ever keep quiet?”
I gasp in shock.
“Or close your mouth.”
I did so instantly and tears gather in my eyes. I don’t know this man from anywhere, neither does he and here he is, insulting me. I couldn’t say anything. I should defend myself but I don’t know what to say.
“Which way?” he asks when we get to the last turn before my apartment. I only point.
He doesn’t spare me a glance as I get down from his car. But I do notice the disgust when he looks at the neighbourhood.
“This place is a dump, how can anyone live here?”
I slam his door shut, my only revenge to everything he has said.
I only hope I never get to see him again.
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A knock woke me up and I groggily went to check who was at the door. It was 10am on a Saturday, who could that be?.
I open the door to see two huge men staring down at me. I take a step back.
“h-how can I help you” I stammer “is something wrong?”
“Mr Wyatt has requested for you.”
“Wyatt?” I ask. The name didn’t ring a bell
“You know him as Eddy.”
I gasp in shock.
“I’ll be ready in ten.”
I hurry inside to take the fastest shower ever, brush my teeth, and wore something simple. Packing my hair in a ponytail, I grab my purse and rush out the door, where the men were waiting inside their car.
Two hours later, the car drove through an estate, beautifully adorned with flowers.
The car stopped and I got down to behold a mansion. It was nothing like I’d ever seen. I look to one of the men.
“Eddy lives here?” I ask in awe.
“This way ma’am” is his only reply.
They lead me inside the house and up a staircase, to what I assume would be the master bedroom.
My heart stopped when I saw him. My eddy, in a bed with machines connected to him, an I.V bag almost drained of water, the fluid going into his body.
“Eddy” I rush over to him, tears stinging my eyes.
“Sloane” he calls weakly, moving his hand to pat my hair.
“What happened Eddy?”
“Oh well, as you can see, my time is almost up,dear child” he chuckles, but even the sound is sad.
Eddy has always been a happy, strong old man. Seeing him like this breaks something in me. The first tear drops.
“Don’t cry for me my child.”
“Eddy, you can’t leave me.”
His face twists in pain. I hold onto his hands.
“I’m not leaving you…alone child “
“What?” I ask between quiet sobs
He looks at me “grant an old man a dying wish.”
“Anything Eddy” I say. He has been more than a father to me and if he asks for the moon, I’d do everything in my power to get it.
“Marry my son.”
- Writer
