Falling Red

19

♤ Where you are not with me, that place is just like Hell ♤

*unedited*

♦ V E R O N I C A ♦

The rain poured with rage on the afternoon sky. The howling wind rattled the window frames. From the gap on the partially open window which reminded myself to close and still forgotten to do the task, I could see thick mist forming, it depressingly shrouded the view to the garden which I hoped and prayed was spared from the gloomy weather's wrath--particularly the Lilly’s planted by my mother when she was alive. She did nothing else but transplanted some bunches of flowers and looked after them wholeheartedly. She knew she couldn't get anything in return from Romeo, so she made this piece of land her obsession.

A gust of wind trespassed on the crevice of the window and it whooshed past me, leaving me shivering from the cold. The devastating thoughts in my head that keeps me busy faded as I lifted the blanket closer to my chin, trying to absorb the warmth that it could provide. I curled deeper into the bed, hoping my shivering would stop. I feel tired after dealing with Romeo and his bastards--specialy that Josh.

The cold wind was lulling me to sleep, and I fought hard not to succumb to the urge. Not now, I mumbled as I forced my heavy-eyelids open. All have been doing this past few weeks was sleep, and it had not helped me one bit, my unwell state worsened instead. Not that I could help it, I can't just carry on my task with a pounding head and bile rising from my stomach each time made an effort to get up.

I've been sick for over a week now. I was trying to keep myself at ease by blaming my sickness on the extreme stress that I was currently under while shooing the fearful negativity that I am suffering depression. No! I just want to run out of here. Far away so that nobody could find me. But then his face came in front of my eyes. I wonder what he will be doing now? Will he be worried about my disappearance? Or was I just a passerby and a hookup for him?

The reason behind my extreme stress was undoubtedly these constant haunting thoughts. Even if it was just a week that passed since the last time I saw Alex, I still couldn't shoo him out of my mind, which only proved that I do love him. But despite the conflicting emotions weakening my resolve, I am slowly drifting to moving on. One day, I will never feel pain anymore, only peace and happiness.

I pulled the thermometer out my mouth, praying that my body temperature is just because I am not used to the weather here. I then realised that I had gone used to enjoy my life in Seattle. The bright sun and the beautiful water. I feel googy.

The rain pouring outside the window pour like cats and dogs and I lay beneath the blanket, cold and shivering.

I do not know what happened to me or I’m more depressed than I actually though I could be that I see him.

Alex.

He is here. Looking down on me with his enchanting eyes filled with worry, and his eyebrows scrunched into a frown.

His large fingers landed on my bridge of my neck and his thumb caresses my cheek to add some colour to it. His movement became gentler and gentler that I could ever imagine. I want to ask him if he is angry that I didn’t inform him and disappeared from his life. I want to hold him and cry. I want to say him, how much I missed him in just a few days. Loneliness never been so vexing and bugging for me. But only after meeting him, I understand how much lonesome I used to be.

“Veronica,” the melodious voice rings into my ears, “I know you still love me, darling.”

Wait! Veronica? Alex never calls me that? It’s always been Red for him.

I blink my eyes to get the clear image and gasp.

“What the fu*k!” I push the hands away from me and get up from the bed. “Josh, you bastard, what are you doing? And how the hell you get in my room?”

Impossible. I told myself looking at the ghostly apparition in front of me. My ex-rascal-boyfriend would not be here, he must busy preparing his grand wedding, and it would be tomorrow. Yeah. . . Josh and my b***h-step-sister were about to get married. I don’t know what’s good in this. A bastard and a b***h are officially going to be together to make my life worse.

“Oh, come on, Veronica.” He rolls his eyes in an exaggerating manner. “It was clearly you who send me the note to meet you.”

“Me? Oh, please,” I pull my hair up and tighten the loosen bun before pushing him towards the door. “I am not bitten by a dog to send you anything. You are getting married and you still run from one to another like a dog in heat.”

He stops his steps and holds my hand. “Veronica, I really don’t love her. I had always loved you.”

“Shut up! Just shut up!” I yell at him and push him with all my force. I feel nauseous just seeing his face. “Some things can’t be repaired and can never be as it used to be in the past. For Jesus’ sake, stay the hell out of my life.”

When I open the door to get him out of my room, there stands someone who makes me curse even more. My sister. b***h.

“What are you doing here?” I raise my eyebrows as I shoved Josh out. “Forget it. I just want to give you a suggestion—keep an eye on him, especially when you still have to get married. You know, it’s possible he changed his mind.” I click my tongue with my upper jaw.

"I am warning you for the last time, stay away from my man,” she sneers. “I know you are jealous of me because daddy had chosen me as his heir and Josh is also interested in me.

I look up at her and the corner of my lips cracked in a mocking smile. "Oh, then why don't you advise him to stay the f**k away from me and my life?" I really feel disgusted watching her playing ‘I’m superior’ drama. She must be definitely blind if she can’t see the clear truth. It was that bastard who tried to force his way, alright?

Now I even have an idea of the owner of the note that Josh is talking about. It must be her. She must be deliberate.

"I am going let Dad know your true face," She rebukes while snaking her arms around Josh's shoulder and kissing him. Yuck!

"Let me alone!" I bang the door of my room, making sure it is properly locked when I hear her from other side.

"If you are so desperate, I will be a good sister and tell Dad that you want to marry Zubin. He will be really happy, won't he?"

"Fu*k off."

I knew by making me stay here, Romeo was stalling time. He must want something from me and here it is. Is he planning to send me off as a deal to some quirk.