LEONA
it was as if time stopped moving and the air was like it was sucked from the room.
The air became thicker as an uncomfortable silence engulfed us. No one was speaking and I wondered if a spell had been cast on Kathy in particular.
Everyone seemed speechless.
I expected her to be shouting and pulling my hair now but she's just standing, probably staring at me. Anyway, no one plans a murder out loud. She's probably thinking of the fastest way to get rid of me.
Dave's silence was more than enough for me to realize the truth. He confirmed what Kathie said.
His silence was also a cue for me to go.
I spotted my dress which I had folded earlier. I have no idea where my panties were.
I didn't plan on getting up soon due to the pain but I still have to try anyway.
Kathie's eyes were on me and I know that if eyes could kill, I would've died long ago.
Without looking at either of them, I wiped myself with the sheets and managed to get up. My knees were still weak and I found it hard to stand on my feet.
I doubt if I can take a step but I still have to. I have to endure and besides, I've felt more pain like this before.
I wore my dress and managed to zip it then wore my heels.
When I looked up, Kathie was right in front of me. She raised her hands to give me a resounding slap but I held her hands.
I'm already feeling like hell, she can't multiply my pain. Besides if there's someone she should raise her hands to, then it's Dave. Yes, I mean it.
He's the one who lied to both of us. If he'd been honest with me then this wouldn't have happened.
But I know I'm not in any position to judge him for that. I also have skeletons I don't plan letting out soon and especially not to him.
"Deal with your man first, then come to me," I whispered through clenched teeth and dropped her hands.
I have no strength in me to fight her and even if I had the strength, I wouldn't fight her.
I haven't been in any relationship before but I know that seeing your man in bed with another woman can be heartbreaking.
I feel for her but I refuse to make it my fault. I can't take the blame, at least not alone.
I made to leave but she held me back just like the other time and it happened so fast.
I heard Dave yell.
I didn't see it coming.
My head snapped to the side as I felt a burning sting on my cheek.
It took some seconds before I realized Katherine just slapped me, a painful one.
I tried to swallow the huge lump in my throat as my lips quiver and tears burned my eyes, threatening to fall.
I rolled my tongue inside the cheek she slapped and tasted something metallic. Blood.
I bit my lips to prevent my lips from shaking and took to my heels. Forget the pain between my legs, I've felt greater pain and lived through it. I survived it and so shall I overcome this one.
But what of the ache I was feeling in my heart? How do I manage it or get rid of it since I've never felt it before?
I heard Dave's voice calling from a distance but I ignored it. He should go face his woman.
I splashed into the water only because I was too occupied, I wasn't looking or paying attention. I forgot where I was.
The cold water hit my skin and I whimpered slightly.
I didn't know where I was going, I just wanted to get away from Dave.
Hopefully, this will be the last time I'll see him.
We plan to swim together but here I am all alone in this cold water mistakingly. Thankfully, it was a full moon so I was able to see.
I swam out successfully and ran into the woods. I might as well get lost because I don't know the way.
I kept running, running past plants that have thorns, and got my skin scratched by them.
But I didn't feel it, what I was feeling deep inside can't be compared.
I tripped when I got on a gravel road and fell, spraining my ankle.
Great. How will I get home now with broken feet, no money, no phone, and no direction and these wet clothes which are now stained with sand?
I guess I will be stuck here in the forest and serve my body to a wild animal as breakfast.
Thank God I have Raymond. He'd take care of my Leonard for me.
Poor thing, I couldn't even be there for him as a mother let alone give him a bright future. I should be cursed.
I even refused to give him my milk because Lando felt I would lose my youthful body and won't be able to do his work. I had to get operated on instead of giving birth to him naturally.
I hope he'd forgive me one day.
I removed my heels and managed to get up with the heels in my hand.
I flinched and whimpered at each step I took.
Thank God Dave wasn't anywhere near close else he would've caught up with me.
I saw a random car's headlight and it stirred some hope in me.
I started walking again and after about half an hour, I appeared at the roadside. I stopped for a moment to rest with my hands on my knees.
Now I'll have to get a taxi and go home. I can pay the driver when I get home.
The night street was busy with people and lined up with so many opened shops and hotels but there wasn't any cab in sight. The ones I tried to stop didn't.
I ignored the weird looks people were giving me and kept walking. Not walking really. My ankle was swollen and it hurts.
I threw the heels away in frustration. My entire body hurts and my foot is hurt from walking barefoot. I'm glad my dress has dried partially including my hair.
I passed a pup and thought why not take some drink.
'I had a wonderful day after all' I mumbled sarcastically and rearranged my dress and hair then stood on my tiptoes to pretend I was on heels.
It wasn't easy. You can imagine it yourself. A swollen ankle with blistered feet. The combination is wow huh?
The pup seems big and I am sure there will be security guards around who would stop me from entering.
So far my life has been an interesting soapy. Got pregnant mysteriously and ended up with a gangster who changed me into a racketeer.
I escaped from him because I thought I could do better with my life but ended up sleeping with an engaged man and earned myself a hot slap.
I laughed but it was far from humor. I can't seem to grasp what is going on in my life.
I was an organized person with a simple lifestyle but now everything just seems disarrayed. I don't even recognize myself anymore.
Once I was inside, I limped to the bar and ordered a bottle of vodka.
I sat on the tall stool and faced the dancefloor with my tongue twirling around the mouth of the bottle. My face contorted when I poured it down my throat. I've taken hard drinks like this before so the taste wasn't foreign but I can't help making faces. I actually like the way it burns the back of my throat and stomach.
' congratulations Leona Grande! You lost your virginity today.' I mentally cheered and drank the whole bottle at a go.
I took another bottle and sip it while I plan on how to escape safely without the bar attendant's notice.
I got up cunningly as if going to the bathroom but someone suddenly bumps into me so I have to sit back.
I drank from the bottle and watched people dance and how smoke filled the dancefloor, it's hard to see someone's face.
I wonder why people have to pay just to inhale some synthetic smoke, get drunk, listen to weird songs, and dance with strangers.
I've been to so many clubs and pups with Yolando and this is what always goes on.
Suddenly, everything seems to be moving around me and I felt a sharp pain in my head. It was strange.
I placed my head on the counter and closed my eyes to ease the pain.
I didn't know how long I stayed in that position but I think I must've passed out. When I lifted my head up, I realized that the entire place was now filled.
I got up and tried to walk but whimpered. "Fuck!" I groaned in pain.
Apart from the pain I was going through, I felt strange. A feeling of uncertainty settled on me.
One look around the crowded pup, I knew danger was lurking somewhere. I might be feeling tipsy but my senses are on high alert.
~DAVE~
There were so many questions lurking in my mind after I saw the stained sheets.
My thoughts jumbled as I tried to connect all the dots.
First I saw a mark on her stomach and when I asked her she flared.
I even asked of Leonard's Dad but she won't tell me a word. I really want to know her, I want to be closer to her than this.
I really like her a lot but she seems to be hiding something from me. And now the blood,?
Is she really a virgin? If she is then who's child is the boy?
Well, that's not possible because I took her to the hospital myself when she was just a few months into the pregnancy that was when she fainted in the rain.
So she really got pregnant and she's Leonard's mother but why am I seeing blood after we had sex.
How's all this possible?
I can't seem to understand a thing.
Okay, she was tight alright. Extremely tight but I thought that's because it's been long she did it.
I will assume that she had a C-section because of the scar on her and that was what I thought of the first day I saw it.
Everything now boils down to the bloodstains. It could be that I was too rough with her which caused it or ..or what? She's a virgin?
Before I could ask her, Kathie entered much to my annoyance but I didn't really care about it because I know she's only good at barking.
I never knew she'd dare slap my Leona and when I heard it, I saw red. I lost my cool.
Before I could put on my things, Leona was already out.
I stopped in front of Kathie and just glared at her. I wish to do more but my hands are tied, I can't do anything to her.
"How dare you raise your hand to her?"
"She deserves it, she just slept with my man." She rolled her eyes.
" Your man." I scoffed. How the fuck did she even get to know that I was here? How did she know this place?
" Tell me, Katherine, what do you want me to do before you understand that I don't want you at all. I don't love you and I don't even like you. Stop expecting things I cannot give from me!" I was shouting. I refuse to let her get under my skin.
"Just know that I like her and I won't hesitate to choose her over you if asked to. You mean absolutely nothing to me but she does."
" Are you saying all this because she let you into her pants? If that is the case then am here, I can give you more." She trailed her fingers on my jaw.
" This is why I like her, she's decent and you're not." I brought her hand down from my face.
"What now? You'll go after her?" She asked.
" Yes, and before I return, I don't want to see you around. In fact, I don't want to see you ever again!" I rushed out.
Why did she have to leave when I told her that she means a lot to me than Kathie? If there's someone that should be leaving, then it's Kathie.
How do I make her understand? That she means so much more and what we just shared was something out of this world. I want more of her now than anything.
I didn't see her when I got out, I shouted her name but of course, she won't reply.
She must be hurting so much after everything and even the slap. If something happens to her then I'll forget about everything and make Kathie pay, I swear she'll pay dearly.
When I searched the entire area and didn't see her, I hit the road with the car we came in earlier. I remember buying it from a driver after kicking him out.
Where are you, Leo? We need to talk. I have so many questions and you're the only one who can provide me with the answers.
~LEONA~
With my pounding head, I staggered out of the pup. I thought I'd get a hot chase from the securities for not paying for my drinks but surprisingly all of them seemed not to notice me. Which I know is pretense. Something is just not right. I can feel it within.
When I got to the road, everywhere was dark and there was no one in sight except for the speeding cars. All shops were also closed. It must be late but why would the power go off?
I limped faster ignoring the pain in my leg. I can barely see if not for the light from passing cars.
My heart began to pound along with my head when I heard some footsteps behind me.
I tried to move faster but I just couldn't. The pain in my ankle was too much.
I looked back to see who was stalking me but saw no one. I got more scared and that's what the person wanted. To scare me.
The steps continued when I began to walk again. The funny aspect of this whole fiasco is that I don't even know where I was heading to. I don't know anywhere around here. I was in the middle of nowhere trying to escape from some creeps.
The steps were now closer so I snapped my head back in time to see a shadow disappear behind something.
I'm not in any condition to fight else I would've approached the person and show him just what I'm made of.
My eyes snapped back to the front and saw someone cladded in all black with a hoodie covering the face.
I sighed nervously and looked to my side to see more of them then to my back.
Okay, so what's this now? Why did they choose to show up the day I wasn't feeling well?
I would have taught them all a lesson if I wasn't in so much pain.
'And you're wearing no panties.' my subconscious reminded me.
That's another thing, how am I to fight in just some loose dress and no panties? That's not all, I'm sore all over.
I took in a deep breath and pretended not to have seen them as I walked forward.
They walked closer as well and surrounded me, preventing me from moving any further.
I licked my dry lips and wiped perspiration from my forehead. I began to sweat profusely which was unusual.
They looked dangerous enough to cause me to panic. I can't remember the last time I was this scared.
But I won't give in so quickly without putting up a fight. Yolando will even get mad at me if he realized I gave in so easily to some thugs despite the training he gave me.
Wait! Yolando? I looked at the three hooded men.
What if they were sent by Yolando? Is my cup already full? Is he already here?
"Come with us or we take you by force." One of them said. The voice was deep.
No!
I limped backward and shook my head.
The one who spoke signaled to one of them and soon he was behind me with a soft fabric against my nose with his hand hooked on my neck from the back.
I refused to inhale and elbowed him with all the strength left in me. He didn't budge.
I struggled to hold my breath as one of them began to blindfold me.
My two hands were tied behind my back making it impossible for me to move.
My leg was hurting but I can't just stand and do nothing so I kicked the one I sensed was in front of me and turned sharply causing the chloroform hankie to drop from my nose.
Thank God! I was almost out of breath. I kicked the one who was busy tying the blindfold and the other two sprang to their feet and walked dangerously towards me.
Before they could make any move, a bright light showed on us causing them to halt their movement.
Someone emerged from the car, banging the door close and took swift steps close to us. His stature was familiar and even in the dark, I can't mistake him for anyone else.
I swear I've never been this excited to see Dave compared to now.
I forgot about what happened earlier as a relieved smile formed on my face.
I tried walking.. walking? I tried running but got stopped by the men.
From the light that was coming from the front of his car, I could see his eyebrows raise in amusement when the men tried to stop me.
"Your life or her?" He spoke, his voice was calm but dangerous.
He folded the sleeve of his shirt up leisurely.
"Which do you prefer?"
***