One night, no rules

The unknown number

Jade’s POV

Elma entered, breathing heavily with a shopping bag on her hand.

“Jade?” She called out as she entered.

I rushed toward her, “someone is watching me”

I tell her, terrified.

She looked at me for a couple of seconds, turned around and closed the door.

“Relax, I’m back” she reassured me.

I then pulled out my phone and showed her the messages.

She read them again and again and her face changed

“The Xavier guy came to the restaurant” I explained while I showed her the texts.

“Jade! I asked you to stay away from him” she scolded me.

“And I asked you why”

She avoided the question again and started sorting the groceries.

My phone buzzed again.

“She knows more than she’s telling you”

I turned around but there was no one else in the house.

I didn’t show Elma that one obviously…

I was at crossroads.

“Who sent these?” Elma asked me

“I don’t know. That’s the problem” I answered deleting the last message about Elma.

“What did Xavier say to you?” She asked me

“What do you know, Elma?” I asked her almost losing my cool.

She didn’t answer.

“You know something about Xavier” I continue.

“I know enough to tell you he’s trouble” she shrugged.

“That’s not an answer”

“It’s the only one you’re getting” she sighed, still unloading groceries.

She was getting irritated and I could say the same for myself.

But I was the one being followed.

I had to press a little more.

“Then why do you look scared whenever I mention him?”

“I don’t look scared”

“You do” I countered.

She picked a pack of cereal and shoved it into the cabinet with anger.

“Maybe I’m just tired of watching you make stupid decisions” she scolded.

I froze there.

Was she really bringing this up right now?

I’d used my savings to renovate my room few months ago, a dumb decision as I couldn’t afford it but I thought it was over now.

After all, I took extra shifts at work. I’m literally taking responsibility for it.

“Excuse me?”

“Sleeping with him was stupid. Fine! But the deed has already been done” I raised my voice.

“I don’t know Jade, leave me alone”

“I need to know what I’m dealing with”

“You don’t”

“And you have answers to my questions” I continued

“Some things are better left alone” she stopped and yelled at me.

That’s how people act when they were hiding stuff.

“I’m going to bed” she announced.

“It’s barely nine o’clock”

“I’m tired” she answered, avoiding the conversation entirely.

She kept a straight face and walked past me.

My phone buzzed again.

“Ask her about a scarred woman”

I looked at the text and held my phone down.

“Fine” I sighed.

“If you won’t tell me, I’ll find out myself”

“Jade don’t. Don’t go looking for things you don’t fully understand” she replied.

“I have a date with the man” I continued

She looked at me for a long moment before shaking her head.

“You’re becoming obsessed with this man” Elma started.

“Maybe because everyone around him keeps acting weird” I replied.

“I had a long day Jade, let’s talk tomorrow” she turned and left.

“Elma…” I called out her name.

She shut her door.

I stood there, confused.

I would have sworn she was the one spamming me to get me scared but she was right here with me when I kept getting the messages.

The more I thought about it, the more I got scared.

Who could I talk to about this? Not Xavier, he was a shady man too.

I stood there when my phone buzzed again.

“You really should have listened to her”

I froze as I read it.

“But if you want answers… the cafe at Wellington street tomorrow, 8:00pm”

“Come alone”

I stared at my screen.

It felt like I was literally being watched now.

Me, Elma and Xavier.

“Who are you?” I texted back.

“Someone who knows more” they replied then blocked me.

Insane.

I ran to my room like a scared cat, shut the door and covered myself with my blanket.

… The next morning

I barely slept that night.

Everytime my phone lit up, I expected another message.

By morning, I convinced myself I was overreacting.

Maybe they were just trying to scare me.

Or Elma was right.

Xavier was probably not good for me, she just didn’t know how to explain.

I dressed up for school that morning and left by 7:00am for my morning lectures.

School felt the same, stressful.

My phone buzzed midday while it was in my pocket.

It was the same unknown number.

Same place, same time.

My heart skipped a beat. I remembered the whole thing.

I was definitely going to see them though. I knew not to tell Elma as she’d discourage me.

… later that night

Before 7:50pm, I was in the cafe.

I picked the chair farthest from the door so I could monitor passersby and all movements in the cafe.

I was scared for myself and the truth.

Who was Xavier and what was Elma hiding?

8:00pm came and went.

8:10pm

8:20pm

I was beginning to think I was played.

Then the cafe door opened.

It was her, the woman from that night and the photographs from Xavier’s room.

Long coat, blonde hair, tiny waist and a massive scar that ran down her face. She was beautiful!

She looked around the cafe shortly before her eyes settled on me then she walked towards me.

“Jade Scavo?” She asked.

Goddamn, everyone in this town knew my name already!

I nodded gently.

She took a seat opposite me and sat down slowly.

“My name is Sarah Williams and I’m a model” she said softly.

She did look like a model. I wondered how she was scaring me with that pretty face.

“Why are you stalking me?” I asked with audacity.

“Wrong question” she glared at me.

“You know Xavier?” I asked

All this was obviously about Xavier.

“I know him better than you ever will”

My stomach tightened.

“So tell me why you brought me here” I tilted my head.

She leaned closer.

“Because you’re falling for a man who has not told you any truth about himself”

I folded my arms.

“And you have?” I came at her

“That’s exactly why I’m here” she said slowly.