Visions

THE MAN BEHIND THE PAGES

Chapter 7

“That was quick. Thank God, we didn’t get all soaked up in the rain,” Alice says.

Meanwhile, I get lost in my childhood memories. I don’t remember much, but I can recall some blurry visions. I used to love the rain when I was a child. I remember that night when I woke up screaming at midnight because of the lightning. My dad came rushing out of his room into my room, and I held on tightly to him as he brushed one of his hands through my wavy hair and said, “It’s okay, princess. I’ve got you.” He said, “Look at me whenever you fear something. Don’t be scared. Face it with courage, and your fear will run away.” And I simply nodded.

“After that memory, I don’t like it whenever it rains. It doesn’t mean I hate it, the reason is because Dad is no more here for me.”

Suddenly, Alice’s voice hits me. “Hey, you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m... I’m fine.”

But no matter what I say, Alice knows this emptiness in my eyes. “Lisa, I know you miss them a lot, but if they were present here, they would be proud of who you are. And they always wanted to see you happy, as I want.”

“Thank you, Alice. I love you.”

“Aww... So do I,” Alice says.

A few minutes later, we are outside my apartment. We both get out of the car. Alice walks me to my apartment. As I open the door and step into my apartment, I hold the door for Alice, but instead, she hugs me and gives me a soft kiss on my cheek.

“I have got some work, so see you on Monday,” says Alice.

She knows how I felt a few minutes ago, so she gives me some space to relax. Oh my! She is a real gem.

“Okay, just take care,” I say.

As soon as she leaves, I close the door and make my way to the bedroom. I change my clothes and get dressed into shorts.

We had planned to have some fun on the beach today, but unfortunately, it started pouring heavily. After having breakfast, we returned home. It’s only 12:00 p.m., too early to sleep, and I don’t feel like sleeping.

Placing the clothes in my cupboard, I decide to have some coffee and read that book, Tears of Love by Alex Hemsworth.

I grab the book. Leaving the bedroom, I enter the kitchen and make coffee. Once I am done, I take the coffee and book and move into the living room. I sit on my gray, comfy couch. I lean back, open the book, and start reading.

January 31, 2004

I went to church today. Whenever I feel drained, I run to God. I lit the candle and knelt down. I don’t know what to say; I can’t find the words. Meanwhile, my face is covered with tears. I am a well-known scientist, yet I don’t have anything to live for. I was always abused by my father after my mother died giving birth to me. He always blamed me for her death. All he did was drink, drink, and beat me. He was out of money, so he decided to sell me. When I found out about it, I ran away and never went back. I wish I could find some meaning in my life.

“Wait, well, it’s interesting, but I thought it was a novel. Turns out it’s actually an autobiography,” I say.

I place the open book on my chest and lay back, my eyes on the printed flower scenery covering the ceiling.I think about life. It’s so strange. I take a deep breath... Huh! The world is like a book, people with different, heartbreaking stories. Suddenly, I feel my eyes closing, and I nod off.

“Shut up and move faster, Lisa.”

“Alice, I’m telling you, this is really a bad idea. We both know it’s a restricted area, and if somebody finds out, we’re going to be screwed.”

“Don’t worry, Lisa. My plans never fail. Remember, we’ll have some fun, and we’ll get out of here without any trouble. So just chill,” Alice says.

“Fine,” I say.

“OMG! What is this smell? Alice, no, please, no way.”

“It’s coming from this room.” Alice quickly opens the door. It’s basically an after-work place for eating, and there is freshly delivered food.

Alice rushes in and opens one of the boxes to see a pepperoni pizza. She quickly grabs a slice and starts eating it.

“Lisa, come eat.”

“Alice, please, I beg you, let’s leave. If someone finds us, we’ll go straight to... Hel—”

As I am about to complete my sentence, we both hear footsteps. Oh s**t! Alice runs towards one of the desks and hides under it. Meanwhile, I am frozen and don’t know whether to hide or pray for not going to hell. I can’t see; my vision goes blurry. With my blurry vision, I look for something to hide me. When my gaze falls on a white lab coat, I quickly grab it and wear it, which perfectly fits my body.

I look at Alice, who is laughing, and in the blink of an eye, the door opens. I turn around to see a tall figure with emerald eyes walking in my direction.

When he’s two steps away, he stops and looks at the pizza box, then back at me. He smiles a little. OMG, no! I can break in here any time just to see his smile.

“He pulls me back into reality.”

“Hi, my name is Lucian Vale, your new research mentor. You are the new one, right...?”