Chapter 6: The Diary Tampering.
1099 Words
The air hung heavy with moisture, and the clouds grew darker by the minute. People ran around looking for shelters— the vendors by the roadside began to close up, and the windows of different buildings were slammed one at a time.
I leaned my head against the window of the cab, my reflection looked as drained as I felt—hair messy, eyes dull, and even my mascara was washing out.
Thunder roared loudly, but all I could think about was him. Marcus.
Every time I closed my eyes his eyes all I could see was that moment:
The message in my hands, his stare, and his exact words “I am watching you.”
“Miss? We're here.” The cab driver's rough voice cut through my thoughts.
“Ohh, okay.” I got down and gave him the cash.
The chilling breeze welcomed me the moment I stepped out of the cab. The sky wailed with expectation for a heavy rainfall, and with my weary legs, I dashed into the building.
I crawled myself up the stairs to the third floor where Emilia lived, but by the time I reached, I could barely lift my hands to the handle.
I reached out to it and immediately I got in, I collapsed onto the bed face–flat
“Uhm…Ama, are you okay?” Emilia sat by the vanity table in a glittering rhinestone bodycon dress, brushing her hair when I collapsed onto the bed.
“Ama? What happened?” Emilia spoke softly.
Reluctantly, I rolled over with my face to the ceiling.
“It's Marcus. He—he...urgh. It's everything. Ahh!”
“Who is Marcus?”
I took a deep breath and adjusted myself, sitting down upright. “The CEO of Starlak. The man I spilled coffee on, he is my boss.”
Emilia's mouth was left hanging open. “Wait…he's your boss?”
“He's determined to humiliate me after what I did to him yesterday.” I said. “Emilia, he said I should be coming to work by six? Six a.m Emilia! And… on top of that—the unknown messages from the unknown number. I think he is the one.”
Emilia turned fully towards me, leaving the vanity table and crossed to the bed. Her perfume filled the air, but in me I could sense more problems creeping in with Marcus.
“Ama, you can't just make accusations, you don't know him yet, Maybe he is just hot tempered and intense.”
“I’m not making accusations. I know what I'm saying. The way he looks at me—he's hiding something. I just have this feeling it's him.”
Emilia sighed, she sat beside me slipping off my heels and tugging my blazer. “Ama, listen to me, if this keeps up, we will have to report to the police. But, are you sure it's Marcus? Everyone is a suspect.
“It’s Marcus… he's the one.” I gazed at Emilia, her eyes fixed on mine and mine fixed on hers.”
“It's okay, stop worrying,” Emilia said, gently patting my lap. " I'm going for a party, but you need to eat, bathe and rest.”
I nodded faintly and dragged myself out of bed to the shower. The water slid down my body, but it couldn't remove the heavy feeling from my chest. By the time I got out, Emilia was already dressed, ready to leave.
“I won't be back till tomorrow night. After the party, I'm staying over at a friend's to shoot content.” Emilia said, checking her reflection one last time
She looked perfect —radiant, dazzling, untouchable. “ You look beautiful.” I whispered.
Emilia came over to where I stood and embraced me. A little peace fell upon me knowing I have her by my side. “Stop Worrying, Ama. Marcus is just using these things to get to you and make you feel low. You are strong.”
She let out a smile as she slammed the door behind her.
Immediately, the apartment fell into total silence, just the scent of her perfume lingering.
I poured myself a glass of water, then left for the balcony with my diary in my hands and my pen, ready to bleed out my worries and into it.
Day 3: Marcus Voss. My boss. His eyes, his words, even his silence are enough to cut. And messages… Who are they from?
I sighed deeply. I closed my diary and went back into the room, placing carefully on the nightstand beside the bed.
And soon enough…I fell asleep.
***
The morning sun rays dragged me awake. I blinked blurrily until my vision became clear. I sat upright.
8:15 a.m.
“No, no.” I dashed out of bed and into the bathroom.
I was late.
I shoved into my white corporate wear, nearly tripping in the process. I hurriedly packed my hair into a ponytail and ran into the kitchen to get water.
But the moment I entered, I froze.
My diary was open and on the kitchen counter
“How? When? Did it get here?” I stumbled over my words in confusion.
“Emilia mentioned she wouldn't be coming back so who? How did my diary get here?
I walked towards it slowly with every sound intensifying— the humming fridge, the tick of the clock and the pounding from my heart.
My pen was left in the middle of the page. The ink was still fresh, and I rushed to the front door, but it was exactly how I left it.
I leaned forward and saw words that weren't mine.
You can't hide from me, Ama. You belong to me.
My blood turned to ice. The hair on my skin stood, my breath locked shut. I gasped for air but no words came out.
Someone was here… someone had intruded on the only place I felt whole.
Goosebumps spread across my body as I trembled violently. I clutched the counter for balance, gasping for air.
Just then, my phone buzzed.
I jumped so hard the diary slipped from my hand.
Caller ID– Senior secretary (Starlak)
My hands trembled as I answered the call
“Miss Ama, where are you? Mr Marcus just arrived, and you are still not at your desk. He is waiting for you. You know the consequences.”
The line went dead.
My stomach dropped. I stood motionless, and my pulse tightened.
I sat back on the seat by the counter.
If it wasn't Marcus…then who?
- Writer
