Haunted By The Past

Chapter 2

"Hurry! You're gonna be late for school. I'm sure you don't want your ass whipped for showing up late, do you?” At 7:30 am, Anabel woke her boys. A spacious room that had walls decorated with a collection of paintings had a chair designed for homework and other activities. Hanging on the walls are picture frames of the boys and Anabel and a big closet with wallpaper.

Back when Anabel was infuriated for having triplets because they reminded her of Dominique, now she's got a decent job at a financial institution, and an outstanding car to drive with. To top it all, her kids just turned 5 a couple of days ago. Not getting rid of the pregnancy was the best thing that ever happened to Anabel. Seeing her kids every day has kept her hopes alive again.

"Okay, Mom,” They replied In unison and yawned. Anabel took the three of them to the bathroom for proper bathing. And in a few minutes, they were out. Breakfast was served and they all stepped out, awaiting their school bus.

"I see your boys are up so early and ready for school already, huh?" asked, Lady Macbeth, a middle-aged woman staying next door.

"You can say that again. All thanks to me. I woke them early," Anabel replied as they exchanged pleasantries. After standing outside for over 5 minutes, a long yellow bus conveying some uniformed kids alighted in front of them.

"Mom, the school bus has arrived,” James screamed in excitement as they kissed Anabel on the forehead and ascended the bus. Anabel's joy couldn't be contained. It was the happiest moment of her life. She kept waving at them until the bus was out of sight, then she drove to her workplace.

*****************

Unlike the previous morning, Anabel arrived at her workplace quite early and stunned her Boss, Douglas Reyes, with her punctuality.

"I didn't quite think you'd show up this early. I mean, you nearly got dismissed from work yesterday. So tell me, what changed?” Douglas teased Anabel after she visited his office to announce her presence.

"Let's just say I was up so early to get my boys ready for school. After what happened yesterday, I would be so stupid to show up late again today," Madeline explained, looking sideways.

"Hey! Why are you scared to look at me in the eyes? I don't bite, you know?” Leaning forward, Douglas attempted to touch Anabel, but she edged backward, preventing him from coming closer.

"Sir, this is inappropriate. I told you a thousand times, I can't go on a date with you. I've got so much respect for you. For crying out loud, you're twice my age. You're married with beautiful children. Your last daughter is a bit older than me. How do you explain that?”

“Oh, you shut up. How dare you speak to me in such a manner, I'm still your boss, remember?” Douglas flared up and scolded Madeline for reminding him about his family.

“Apologies, sir. I didn't mean to…"

"Spare me the apology. Now get the f**k out of my office and return to your duty post, you piece of s**t,” he dismissed Anabel before the situation gets worse. Frowning at him, She gestured to her duty post, trying to conceal the sorrow written on her face, but it was too obvious to Mariam, her colleague, to ignore.

"What's that look on your face? Let me guess. You got into a fight with him again?” Mariam asked with keen interest.

"Yeah, you're right. He wants me to go on a date with him. Can you imagine?"

"And what was your response?”

"Hell, NO! That's never gonna happen. Can we not talk about this now? He might just show up again, and I don't want no drama.” Concentrating on her PC, Anabel terminated the conversation to focus on work. Ever since she started working at the institution, Douglas has deployed all strategies to make Anabel go on a date with him but she keeps turning down his offer. Her ugly experience with Dominique made her stop loving men.

**************

The afternoon sun was high in the sky, baking the revelers in summer warmth as they clustered around the intersection of 5th and Main Street, the site of the infamous water fight. It's 3:20 pm and Anabel was already back home after a hectic day at work.

"What a day! Where my kids at? The house is so quiet, I guess they're asleep,” Anabel got to their room and discovered it was empty.

"James, Julian, Jones. Where you kids at?” She combed the four corners of her house calling out to her kids, but still no response. This got her worried as she wondered why they weren't home yet. Hurriedly, she stepped outside and visited her next-door neighbor, Lady Macbeth.

"Anybody home?”

“Hey, Miss Anabel. How you doing? You look tensed. What's the problem?” Lady Macbeth asked.

"Have you seen my kids lately? I just can't find them. Have you seen their school bus around this neighborhood?”

"I've been home for a couple of hours and I can bet your kids aren't home, and neither has the school bus shown up in the neighborhood. What's the problem? Miss Anabel?”

"I gotta go. Thanks for the information,” without hesitation, Anabel drove straight to her children's school searching for them. She met with the driver, Mr. Smith Rowe.

"Hey, Miss. What are you doing here? School Is closed already,”

"I know! I can't find my boys.

Did you drive them home?”

"Not sure. I thought you sent some men to come pick them?” Smith made the shocking revelation that almost made Anabel pee in her panties. She couldn't recall asking someone to come pick up her kids. In the heat of the moment, her phone rang from a private number. With her hands trembling like a hen drenched by the rain, She placed the phone on her ears and answered the call.

"If you want your kids alive, get us $50k,” With a jaw-dropping baritone voice, the caller threatened and terminated the call.