My Possessive Admirer

11. Secrets

Ben's POV

"F***k!" I kicked the brick wall near the sidewalk in frustration. I was a second away from picking up the hatchet near the tree and landing a swift blow on his neck. "That would be just perfect," The scene of his blood spilling everywhere would have soothed my boiling blood. People might call me paranoid! I don't mind! This is not the first time anyway.

But what stopped me was her. I could imagine the fear and disbelief she would have felt at that time. I didn't wanna do something like that in front of her. I can't let that happen. I need to have complete control over things first. I can't lose her again...not again.

I leaned on the wall next to me. I could feel my knees getting weaker. I didn't think I would survive till now. I was feeling a lot of emotions inside me. Pain, deception, betrayal...

But I didn't wanna die that tragic night. I pledged to see her for one last time... Hold her in my arms and ask her 'Did I not love you enough?' Ask her why she deceived me like that when she knew I had nobody except her.

"Bella…" I whispered her name staring at the path she just passed by, "Will you ever be able to remember me? How much I love you?"

Bella's POV

I looked for the manager after arriving at the burnt building. It's hard to recognise that this is the same building where they organized the haunted house event.

"Excuse me. Can you help me with something?" I saw an old guard sitting near the place, "I'm looking for the manager of the 'Halloween Haunted House' event's organisers. Is anyone nearby?"

"There isn't anyone here but I can give you the address of their office," He said looking for something in a notebook.

"Here you go," He handed me a card. I saw it was the office address of the organisers.

"Alright, thanks a lot," I took the card and headed to their office.

When I entered their office room I noticed a few police officers were sitting there as well. Suddenly I saw the blond-haired boy who was there with us in the haunted house. He was sitting on a chair near the gate. I remember Becky staring at him for a long time. I averted my eyes as our eyes met.

I asked one of the staff there if I could talk to them for a few minutes about yesterday's incident.

"Ma'am all of the organisers are busy right now. Please come later at another time. I'm sorry." The staff left before I could ask anything else.

"Isabella." I heard someone saying my name from behind me.

I looked back surprised. The blonde-haired boy was standing next to me.

"How do you know my name?" I asked, completely shocked.

"That's a long story. I was surprised to see you there yesterday after a long time. You came with Becky right?" He asked.

"Yeah but I don't recognise you at all…" I replied being clueless.

"I first saw you on a study tour for the first time two years ago. You probably didn't notice me but I was stunned by your beauty and had a huge crush on you. Like most other boys on that tour," he said, being a bit embarrassed.

"Why are you telling me this?" I inquired,

"And how do you know Becky?"

"Oh uh, Becky. She... uh...proposed to me on the last day of the tour and got rejected because I told her I liked you. I was surprised to see you were friends with her. Cause she didn't seem to like you at all," He explained.

"That's not true. I'm her best friend. But I'm a bit surprised she never told me about having a crush on you." I was a bit surprised that Becky hid this from me.

"Recently, I saw her talking to one of my friends. Unfortunately, he died in the fire yesterday. He just never came out of the building when the fire started and we couldn't find him either. That's why I came here today because the police had a few questions regarding him." He said taking out his phone. "He was with us yesterday. I don't know if you saw him before," He showed me a picture of his friend.

I looked at the image and became stunned. This is the guy who tried to assault me yesterday when I lost Becky in the mirror maze. So all this was planned! I looked at the picture again in disbelief. This can't be true. She wouldn't go to this extent to hurt me. Why? Why Becky!!!

"I need to go… I'm not feeling ok," I ran from the spot without stopping for a moment. I stopped near a bench beside a park, breathing heavily from all the running. It was hard to believe. I could feel my legs trembling…

I sat on the bench slowly. All my doubts were clear now. Tears were running down my cheeks as I failed to grasp my emotions. Did Becky never consider me a friend? Our friendship was just a revenge game for her. But what about all our memories? Our first time baking together… What about the time when I went to visit her in the hospital because she broke her arm. I remember staying in the hospital overnight and we talked all night, promising each other we'll forever remain best friends. Our first snowball fight, the picnics… Everything we went through together was fake?

I lost track of time reminiscing the happy hours both of us spent together in the past.

It was almost evening. I decided to return home because otherwise, mom would worry. I walked slowly on the sidewalk feeling a bit hungry. Didn't get the chance to eat lunch. I thought about grabbing a sandwich from a fast food stall when I was near our house. I entered the fast-food store and sat at a table in the corner. I ordered my favourite coffee and a sandwich. There weren't many customers. I saw a couple sitting in the other corner. After eating my sandwich I went to pay my bill.

"How much do I have to give you? I am table no nine." I went to the cashier and asked.

"Your bill is already paid, ma'am," The cashier said, looking at me.

"What do you mean? I didn't pay my bill yet!" I was surprised.

"A man came and just paid your bill a while ago," He said looking for something.

"But who? Where is he?" I came outside to see if he was still there or not. But I saw nobody.

"Did you see his face?" I wanted to know how he looked.

"No ma'am. He was wearing a mask. I couldn't see him properly. But he told me to give you this rose…" I was surprised to see a purple rose with a note attached to it.

'It's absurd how I wish to forget about you yet at the same time, I want you to remember me, think about me and smile.

It's crazy, how much I can love you…

Wish I could draw an end to it…

But at the same time, I desire not to…

I took the liberty to follow you because I was anxious about your safety. I hope you didn't mind me being here for you.'

I smiled reading his message on the note. He can be so caring to the point that it almost feels unreal. But I wish he showed himself to me rather than playing this hide and seek game. I left the store and went home that day.

Mom was in the kitchen cooking dinner.

"Mom!" I went near and hugged her. She hugged me back.

"What's wrong dear? Is everything alright?" She asked worriedly.

"Mhm… I am good mom, don't worry about me!" I embraced her closely.

"Even if something is wrong, it's gonna be alright in the end…" She patted my head.

"Mom, can you trust something that you can't see, can't touch?"

Mom took a second to reply, "Don't we all believe in God dear? We can't see Him nor can we touch Him but we do believe because He is always with us, protecting us. We don't need any evidence of God's existence. Just like that, we don't need to see something to trust. Actions speak louder than words."

"Mom, the way you explain things and advice you give, reminds me of Abraham Lincoln," We both laughed, "Sometimes the things we touch and see can be just a facade of lies. You are right mom. Thank you for clearing all my doubts." I hugged her again.

"Are you worried about something dear? You can share with me." Mom asked, hugging me back.

"No mom. No doubts left in my mind, nothing at all…" I replied, assuring her I'm alright.

"Alright then go freshen up. Dinner's ready!" Mom said smiling.

"I'll be back in just a few minutes mom!" I answered.

After dinner, I spent a lot of time thinking in my room.

"I have decided everything," I whispered to myself. I'm gonna talk to Becky face to face tomorrow and confront everything that's about to come. I know I've considered her as a true friend till now but I can't let her jealousy be a reason to ruin my life. I need to end everything and start fresh.

I picked up the rose from my bedside table where I kept it after returning home.

"Thank you, Mr stalker. You gave me a lot of courage today. Thank you for making me feel safe. Thank you for looking after me. I know you can't hear this but, to be honest with you, I love you too. I covered myself under the bedsheets smiling like a fool.

'Why does this rose smell so sweet?

Is it because he gave it to me?

Or because I am in love? I wonder.'