Falling For Kael Noir

Chapter 4

EVELINA

"Hey, I still need to wait behind because of the science fair, but I will text you when I get home.

"Now who is the Nerd" I teased as Naomi and I both walk over to the entrance of the school.

She playfully rolls her eyes. "Mrs. Diaz came to me, desperately, might I add, saying she needed help planning the science fair. And with my reputation for planning the best party, I couldn't just turn her down. "

"You know it's going to be filled with a bunch of bookworms, right? "

"Maybe. Maybe not" She shrugs, with a sly smirk dancing across her lips.

"Why does it feel like you've got something planned up your sleeves?” I raised a brow, letting out a chuckle.

"Maybe because I do." She shrugs her shoulder, letting out a laugh. "Oh..and you are definitely invited to the science fair"

"I don't…”

"Nope!” she says, cutting me off. "I’m not taking no for an answer. Naomi grabs a hold of my hand, giving me her best puppy eyes till I find myself crumbling, letting out a sigh, and a victorious smile begins to creep its way up her lips.

"Alright then.” She lets out a squeal when I give in, a smile adorning her face.

"Great" She tells me. "We better not keep Harry waiting. Text you later when I get home."

"Sure. Have fun planning your science fair." I wave at her.

"Blah.. " she pouts before waving back. I laughed at this, watching Naomi retreat back into the hallways before making my way over to Harry.

"Miss Taylor." He greets with a slight bow of his head.

"Harry" I smiled at him, getting into the back seat of the car, before whispering a "Thank you" to him. Harry closed the door with a gentle click as I settled in the back seat of the car. He then proceeds to make his way over to the driver’s seat, and the engine hums into a comforting lullaby as we pull away from the school premises.

At a steady pace, we moved from the bustling streets to a seamless highway. Taking a deep breath, I lean my back against my seat, my eyes closing shut as I feel the weight of the day slowly drifting away, and I find myself falling asleep. But as quick as it came, I was quickly stirred back awake when the car began to decelerate.

My eyes opened back up, spotting the familiar outline of our Estate coming into view. I let out a sigh, turning to face the window to my right when something caught my attention. It was a path that led into the woods, and although hidden by the tall trees, I could still catch a glimpse of its tall, majestic form. Its silhouette was etched against the fading light. This was no mansion, no…it was a castle. Right there like an enigmatic sentinel, a blend of historical Grandeur and artistic flair. There was an air of abandonment about it, a quiet dignity that spoke of stories untold. Curiosity builds up inside me, just like every time I laid eyes on the building. I have never seen anyone come or go out from there. No sign of life, but then again, it wasn’t like I hadn’t spent most of my existence indoors. This was a sad reality of my existence.

I shake the thought from my head as the gate to our estate swings open. The car glides smoothly along the cleared path before coming to a stop in the driveway. Harry was the first to get out of the car, hurrying over to my side before pulling it open.

“Thank you, Harry” I gave him a small smile as I stepped out of the car, my bag slung to one side of my shoulder taking yet another deep breath, I walked towards the main entrance of my home, pushing the door open as I stepped in. The familiar, vast, and elegant interior welcomed me in. The familiar main hallway was lined up with floor-to-ceiling windows, all complemented by polished marble floors and deep, rich emerald velvet curtains.

The walls were decorated with frames and abstract paintings, all exquisite artworks, painted in a gentle, creamy beige.

"Evelina love." A soft, warm voice called out, bringing my attention over to them, and a huge smile made its way over to my face.

"Margaret,” I walked over to where a woman who had been there for me my whole life stood. Her skin, lined with the delicate tracery of time, bore witness to years of laughter, love, and life's inevitable trials. Yet, despite it all, her face was a canvas of serenity and kindness, anchored by her most distinguishing feature, her smile.

Leaning in, I peck her cheeks, getting a soft tap on my back. "How was school today, sweetie?”

As I pulled away, I thought back to everything that had happened, from he who shall not be named to the scene at the cafeteria and the like.

“Uh.. I won't say it was eventful, but it sure wasn't boring." I chuckled. Margaret smiled at this, nodding her head. "Why don't you freshen up? I will have something prepared and brought up to your room.”

"Thank you, Margaret."

"There's nothing there." She tells me before turning to make her way back to the kitchen.

I smiled at this and then proceeded to make my way up the stairs to my bedroom. The moment l walked in, I tossed my bag and phone on my bed, then got out of my clothes before walking to the walk-in closet to get something comfortable and making my way to the bathroom.

With a sigh, I veer towards the bathtub, turning on the bath before reaching into the shower to take out some body wash, shampoo, and conditioner. I breathe out slowly as the hot water fills the tub, running over my legs and soothing my muscles. Using the suds, I scrub every inch of my body-not too harsh to leave an injury, but more than enough to feel refreshed. I do the same to my hair, scraping my scalp with soapy fingernails. As I work the shampoo gently against my scalp, I slowly release my grip as I fall backward, headfirst into the water. I remain there. I’ve been playing this game with myself for as long as I can remember.

I tip back into the hot water and try to hold my breath as long as I can, allowing the menacing surge of water to drown out all other sounds. Breathing hard, waiting until the very last second to surface again.

When I start breathing again, I feel a rush of euphoria beyond anything I’ve ever felt. My head and chest both felt that high. My greatest duration was one minute and forty-two seconds. With my eyes tightly closed and the faucet continuously gushing clean water into the bathtub, I begin to count.

I had just made it to thirty-eight when a knock on the bathroom door startled me. I take a breath of water from the jolt from the sudden disturbance as I sit up, my eyes wet, coughing hard.

“Evelina, dear” Margaret’s voice called from the other side of the door. “ls everything okay in there?”

“Yes, I had clumsily sniffed on my bathing soap.” I lied, finally calming down.

“Do be careful, dear.” Her voice had a hint of concern when she spoke again. “I left your food on the table; you might want to eat it when it’s hot.”

“I will be out in a minute.” I run a hand through my face and down to my hair, straining my ears to listen if she was still at the door. After a minute, I heard the sound of footsteps; it was faint as they moved away from the door, followed by the sound of the door closing. Once she was gone, I carried on freshening up. After finally getting the sweat off of me, I threw on a pair of green plaid sweatpants and a white tank top before exiting the bathroom.

Just in time, too, because there was a knock at the door again. It pulled open, and Margaret walked in, this time with a plate of cookies and a glass of juice, “I thought you might probably want to munch on something later once you’re done with your food” She placed the plate of cookies and glass of juice down right next to the bowl of pasta, “they all smell amazing.” I take in the tantalizing aroma before walking over to the table to pick a cookie but get a light tap at the back of my hand, halting my movement. Margaret gave a scolding look. “Food first, dear.”

I pout at this, raising a finger with a pleading look. “Just one bite.. one bite please..” I gave my best puppy look, making sure to pout even now.

And slowly her resolve begins to fall. She lets out a sigh, but I could see the slight shift of her lips to the side. “Fine, just one bite.”

A squeal left my lips at this. I picked up a cookie, taking a bite as I welcomed the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter. It was hard to keep from sighing in contentment from how delicious it tasted. “You’re the best Margaret.!”

She chuckles at this, shaking her head. “You say that all the time.”

“And I don’t get to say it enough.” I tell her honestly.

“You’re too sweet, Evelina.” Her gaze was sweet yet sympathetic. Margaret’s hands were clasped in front of her, her lips parted, and I knew she wanted to say something but seemed hesitant. “I will leave you to it then, dear. Let me know If you need anything.”

She taps on my shoulder lightly before making her way to the door. I stared at the delicious pasta in front of me, contemplating whether to have a taste or to ask the question that plagued my thoughts or not. But know if I did it would only ruin my mood. Then don’t do it, Evelina. You’ve managed to have a peaceful day without having them ruin it. Let’s stick to that but instead I find myself voicing out my question. “Any calls yet?” It was so low, I could barely recognize it myself. Margaret’s expression softened when she turned to look at me. The familiar grief in her eyes, silent but there as she slowly shakes her head. “Not yet, dear” She replied softly. “But I’m sure they will call. They are probably just busy at the moment, probably trying to round up things to get back here before your birthday. You don’t need to worry a thing.”

“I guess you are right” I gave her a feeble smile, trying to stop my lips from quivering.

Silence flowed past us, both of us ignoring the falsehood that was in the room with us. A reassuring fiction that none of us believed, and we both knew it. For the majority of the time, my parents were too busy to be reached, their phones unreachable, and every message ignored. Their work always came first. I had come to accept it, despite how much it hurts.

Margaret reached out and gently squeezed my hand. “You’re special, Evelina. They might be far away, but you’re always in their thoughts. I’m sure they’re planning something for your Birthday.”

I smiled weakly, retreating my hand from her hold. “I need some air.” I get to my feet, walking out the door of my bedroom.

“What about your brunch?” Margaret called out with a voice full of worry.

“I wilI have it when I’m I just.. I just need…” I sank in a deep breath. “I need. I need..”

“Breathe, dear, breathe….” Her arms come up to wrap themselves around my body, her arms rubbing softly at my back. “Just breathe for me, love. One at a time.”

Following her instructions, I take in deep breaths one at a time. And slowly begin to feeI myself relaxed. I pulled away from her hold, taking hold of her hands. “I need some fresh air”

“You know you can’t leave the house without your father’s permis….”

“WELL, HE ISNT FREAKING HERE. THEY NEVER ARE.” I screamed out, instantly regretting it, since I didn’t want to take my anger out on her. She had been nothing but good to me; it would be unfair to have her at the receiving end of my exasperation. “I’m sorry, Margaret”

“It’s okay, dear” She gave a small smile, but I could see a glimmer of tears in those green eyes of hers,

“Margaret…”

“I will have Harry ready the car’”

“No” I shake my head. “I don’t plan on going far; I just want to be alone” I tell her before stomping out of the house.

The evening air hit my skin, a jarring contrast to the tumult inside. The chill seemed to seep through my clothes, grounding me momentarily in the present. I carried on walking, my steps echoing off the pavement with a rhythm that matched the pounding in my head. Rushing out of the estate gate, I was unsure where my feet were taking me, since all I felt was a blur as my mind raced ahead, untethered.

I only came to a stop when I realized I had put in a great distance. The world around me had quieted as if holding its breath in anticipation. With deep breaths, I tried to calm the ache in my chest, each inhale a slow surrender to the coolness of the evening.

A wave of indecision washed over me now that I was out here. I stood there, pondering where to go, but my mind came up empty. I took a deep breath and gazed up at the sky, noticing the sun setting in a blaze of orange and pink hues. I blinked back tears, feeling the weight of everything bubbling up in my chest. The realization that I had nowhere else to go dawned on me. There was nowhere for me to go, no place to escape from all this turmoil inside of me.

It was best to head back inside, back to my prison made with fancy walls and designs. Taking a deep breath, I turned to make my way back home when I heard the distant sound of twigs snapping, followed by something hitting the ground hard.

My heart skipped a beat as I turned my head toward the noise, realizing it was coming from the direction of the house I had seen earlier on my way home. My brows furrowed as I stared cautiously in its direction, this would be the perfect time to race back to the estate and ignore whatever the hell that was. But me being me, I was compelled with an inexplicable urge and a piqued curiosity.

With cautious steps, I walked right into the woods and at this very moment, I wished I hadn't done so and had listened to my rational thoughts telling me otherwise.