Chapter Forty one
1009 Words
Elara's POV
"What were you doing just now?" My mother's voice was sharp and laced with curiosity.
Flinching, I had not even heard the footsteps of my mum. Panic washed through me as my gaze averted towards the door where my mother was standing.
A bit of anger grew me as my next words slipped out of my mouth. "That does not mean you can just barge in." I gestured towards the broken door. "It is already bad enough that I can not close it anymore."
"Well, that was on you young lady." Mum snapped at me.
Nope, there was no point entertaining her or going back and forth about the same thing with her.
Averting my gaze elsewhere, my arms were folded as i patiently waited for her to leave.
She sighed and her footsteps drew closer. Of course, mum had invited herself in.
She sat on the empty space besides me on the floor and I could not help but notice how tired she looked.
For once, she did not have that stiff, commanding presence, she was just normal, human.
"I am not here to fight Elara." Mum said quietly, hugging her knee tight. "I came here to apologize."
My brows furrowed in confusion at her. That was sudden and unexpected too. I remained silent, trying to study her.
"I was too harsh on you and I am sorry. Although that was my own way of protecting you but I should not have let fear and pride cloud my judgement." She continued. "I really am sorry Elara."
She sounded genuine but it still felt like something was off, at least not until she blurted out. "I am dropping the charges held against Jordan."
My eyes widened. I sat up straight with a brow raised at mum. "Are you serious? Can you really do that?"
Mum flashed me a proud smirk. "Of course i can. I have connections you know. Trust me when i say it is handled."
Relief washed over me, it was like light shining in a dark tunnel. "Mum." My gaze softened as i threw my arms around her.
"Thank you so much mum, thank you. I promise to try harder to be better, I promise to always listen more."
Mum held me tighter, this feeling of happiness was hard to comprehend. Jordan's freedom was now certain and bonding with my mum again was a bonus.
Mum pulled away slightly, her smile disappeared and a look of concern grew on her face. "No more secrets sweetheart. You tell me everything and I will too."
I nodded my head frankly. "Okay mum, I promise!"
Mum studied me for a brief moment before nodding as well. "Okay but remember, anything strange, anything you do not understand. You must come to me, I am here."
She sounded too specific but my happiness overshadowed everything else.
"I know mum." I whispered. We hugged once more before mum stood and quietly walked out.
The second she disappeared from my sight. The good news was too suffocating for me to handle.
I closed my eyes and my thoughts drifted to Jordan.
"Jordan? Can you hear me?"
There was no response.
I tried a few more times before the assumption that he could be busy dawned on me. Perhaps eating, or resting. The most important thing was that he was now a free man.
For the first time in a long while, my sleep felt peaceful and the next morning, I was so enthusiastic to see Jordan.
My alarm had barely even beeped before I got out of bed and prepared for school.
Mum was already downstairs, formally dressed with the car keys clutched tight to her hands.
"Hey mum." I greeted, taking a bite out of Lorien's apple.
Lorien whined but my attention was on mum's next words. "I am off to the station. I thought it was best to get it done early."
I grinned excitedly. "You are the best!"
Dad walked in from the kitchen with his usual coffee mug in his hand. "I am glad to see you two are not going at each other's throats this morning."
I chuckled. "I know right, it feels good."
Just as I was about to step out of the house, mum offered me a ride but I refused, insisting that she clears Jordan's name first.
"Bye mum!" Waving, my body moved swiftly out of the house.
Walking past Jordan's house, there was a cop car parked in front and an officer leaned against the door, his phone pressed tight to his ears.
Probably here for the daily check in, thankfully all of this would be over soon, just like mum had promised.
"Excuse me, miss." A voice called just as I passed the front of Jordan's house.
I turned around to see the officer crossing his arms and slowly making his way towards me.
"How can I help you sir?" Raising a brow at him in confusion, I could not help but sneak causal glances at Jordan's house, patiently waiting for him to step out but there was no sign of him.
"Do you know where Jordan and his mother went?"
I blinked. "Are they not inside the house?"
The officer shook his head in disagreement. "I already searched the perimeters, there is no sign of him or his mother, nor his brothers too. Since you are his neighbor, I thought you would know where he is." The officer said.
I felt my heart race extremely fast, that was unusual. It was too early for Jordan to already be in school but I still had to ask. "What about school? Jordan sometimes can be an early bird." I added alongside a nervous chuckle.
"I already called the school, there is no sign of him in the school premises."
Wait, what?
I shut my eyes close and tried to communicate with him but not a single sound was heard.
Just as I was about to give up, a familiar voice came through but it was not Jordan.
"He left, he left town."
- Writer
