OUR SECRET CONTRACT

Nadia’s POV “Nadia, please, let’s talk about it.” I opened the door and the moment I saw his disgusting, all I felt was anger. Pure rage. I can’t believe this is the man I was in love with. “Talk about what?” I scoffed. “ How you moaned while you f****d my best friend?” I said sarcastically. He went quiet. The look of confusion and embarrassment spread across his face. “ That’s what I thought. Get out.” Slammed the door so hard, it was heard all over the mansion. Each step I took outwards my bed sent chills up my spine. Curled up in the corner burying my face into my palm. All I could think about was the day it all started. A year ago November 21st . I’m small again. My fingers are wrapped around the arms of a fraying old doll. The yarn hair is tangled and dusty. One of its eye missing. I drag it behind me as I walk, it’s body bumping against my legs. Someone else is holding the other arm. A little girl. I can’t see her face, only her hands, tight and stubborn. Without warning she yanks the doll towards herself. My grip slips. My feet tangled and I’m falling to the ground. My knee scrapes on the cold edgy ground when I land. The pain hits so fast and sharp. I look down and see blood seeping through the dust. My skin torn and the doll is gone. A shadow stretches over me, blocking the light. I lift my head slowly, it’s my mother. She looks the way she did when I was little. Hair pulled back, gentle eyes. She kneels in front of me, patting my head, over and over, the way she used to. “Are you going to let her take it?” She asks gently I open my mouth to answer— Ring ring ring ring The sound tears through the dream. I jolt awake, sitting straight up in bed. My heart pounding. Ring ring ring ring “Nadiaaaaa! This is the sixth time this morning. Pick up already or I’ll pick up for you.” Selene said with a grim look on her face. My phone rang all night. And now this morning, the same ringtone repeatedly. I knew who the caller was. I just didn’t know the reason my father kept calling when I made it clear I wanted nothing to do with him ever again. Ring…ring It stopped. “Nadz, I think you’d want to take this” Selene said, looking extremely concerned. stretching out her hands to hand me the phone. The moment I put it up to my ear. I heard his agitating voice. “Father is extremely ill and he needs you home” *disconnected* The line dropped. I tried to call back several times but each call was ignored. My eyes met Selene’s worried eyes. She bit into her lower lips a little , a small furrow appeared between her brows. “ I booked the next flight to New York. It leaves tomorrow morning.” She said. I watched as she left the room, giving me the uncalled space I needed. Within the next few hours, I packed up a small box with everything I’d need for a short stay, at least until when my grandfather got better. Thinking about the state my grandfather would be in made my anxiety grow worse as night fell. I called home multiple times after packing but no one picked or called back. Thankfully Selene was by my side the whole night, reassuring me. I don’t know what I would have done without her by my side. Selene and I share a beautiful bond, we met each other in college and have been inseparable since then. She’s like the sister I never had and never will. “Urghhh! I hate him so much!” I yelled. “Why won’t he take my calls?” - throwing my phone to the soft pillow. Selene wrapped her arms around me. Kissing sides of my cheeks till I giggled. “Don’t worry Nadz. You’ll see Gramps tomorrow” she assured me. “Would you come along?” I asked. “He’ll be happy to see you.” “Uhm…no. I- you” she stammered. “ You know I don’t want to be a burden” Nodding my head, not with agreement but accepting that she rather not be present and watch how crumbled my family is. She held me tight in her warm, cozy arms. Running her hands through my messy hair, until I fell asleep. ******************************** By morning she woke me with kisses. Encouraged me to be strong and helped me make sure I was ready for my flight. “Come on Nadz. You’re going to miss your flight!!.” Selene screamed. Blasting the horn. “I’m here. I’m here.” I said sprinting down the stairs. We got to the airport 45 minutes after our departure. She helped me make way in the crowd as we ran to board my last minute flight. “Wait wait wait…I want you to have this” Selene said, pulling out a silver bracelet from her purse, placing it in my palm before wrapping my finger over it. I hugged her so tight like it was the last time I was going to see her. Then I ran off to my flight. ****************** NEW YORK New York City. The city where dreams are made or destroyed. Or as I like to say, the city where lives are destroyed. *notification* It’s from Selene. I unlock my phone to see the text. From S💗: I can’t believe he stood me up. She started typing again. With my eyes glued to my phone I failed to see the car speeding towards me until the last moment. Reflex locked in and I jumped out of the way. The back windows roll down and the man sitting there casually with a stern look throws cash at me like I’m sort of beggar trying to extort money from him. “Excuse me?” My tone aggregates. He smirks and signaled the driver. They drive off before I could get a word out. JJ-223-IK Got his plate number.