~LEONA~
I paused to welcome any reactions from him and when none came, I moved my gaze to his face.
His face was neutral as if he didn't hear what I said but he did.
I went on...
" After completion of college, a lot of things happened which caused my family to abandon me: I mysteriously got pregnant; something I never planned and no one was expecting. It was unexpected, for me and for everyone. My stepmom especially got furious because I was supposed to finish college first then find a job and take care of my younger siblings. If only I knew how I got pregnant and who I got pregnant for, then things would've been a bit simpler because then I will be able to give reasonable explanations to the questions which were demanded. But I didn't even know how I managed to get pregnant but when I thought I got a clue to how I got pregnant, the nurse denied everything and provided evidence to back her claim. I accepted the idea that maybe I was induced with a sedative and raped or something. Or I was the Virgin Mary incarnate." I laughed but it was so dry and far from humorous.
Dave's face was serious and I can deduce he was paying attention to every little detail.
The room was silent and it was only the soft breathing of Dave that could be heard apart from mine.
I moved to his nightstand where there's water and filled a glass. I sipped and continued.
" After I was kicked out from my home, Raymond took me in but I barely stayed the night when his friend tried to take advantage of me. I managed to escape but ended up collapsing in the rain. That was when you saw me and saved me. You remember?"
" Yeah, how can I forget?" He answered and crossed his arms over his chest and watched me sip the water I was holding.
"Good. So after you left the hospital, I was discharged but I didn't have anywhere to go. I wasn't the extrovert type. I was a typical introvert and a boring nerd. I never went anywhere so as pathetic as it sounds, I won't even find my way back even if I wanted to. I practically never left my house if it's not for school. I felt like Alice in wonderland.
I tried to abort the baby but I couldn't afford the money that was demanded and that was not the only problem.
The doctors said I might die as well if I attempt an abortion. I was confused, I didn't know what to do. I was just a nineteen-year-old fresh graduate. " I paused and signed. Those were the most difficult times of my life. My eyes burned with brewing tears as I recollected everything.
When Dave didn't say anything, I continued. I'm sure he's probably feeling pity for me.
"I decided to look for some menial jobs to do after days of going hungry and with nowhere to sleep, I found a bar where I worked for three months and saved some money to rent a simple apartment."
" What? You worked with your pregnancy? How did you manage? It must've been very difficult. I'm so sorry." He walked towards me but I stopped him with my hand.
I might not be able to complete what I'm saying if he comes close. I might break down and will not be able to continue. It's really not easy trying to remember everything in detail. I'm trying to make everything clear as much as I can and am being completely honest about everything.
He nodded and maintained his distance from me.
If only he knew what other things I did during my pregnancy.
"Yes, I worked when I was in my first trimester because I had no choice. And well, it wasn't long before the manager discovered that I was pregnant and sacked me. My rent was also due and I didn't know what to do anymore after trying everything to get a job. My landlord kicked me out eventually and then I met my doom disguised as my helper that very day..." I stopped when I heard him intake a sharp breath.
I looked at him and his horrified eyes were bulging as if they'd pop out any second. I would've laughed at that if it was a normal day.
"I got flown out of the country in my desperation to look for a job. Little did I know that I dug my own grave. It was when I got to the UK that I realized that I've been fooled. When I realized what I've really gotten myself to, it was too late and there was no turning back. I was trapped with a network of criminals and the boss has some insane claim on me. He used me for his benefits and I didn't have anything to do and even if I did, I wouldn't be able to do anything because my hands were tied..."
" How? And what did you do for him?"
" I told you that I don't know where my family is right?"
He nodded then his eyes widened. " Your family has been held captive?"
"Not really but he's keeping them somewhere nobody knows. It was something we agreed on. He told me that he'll take care of my family and in return, I will have to work for him. I wanted a better life for my family so I agreed.."
" You sacrificed your life for your family then."
" Sort of. I would've still worked if I had not agreed. He has the final say in my life throughout my stay with him and he still does even though I'm no longer with him."
" Why's that so? Was it not a contract you signed?"
" You're silly." I chuckled and gulped the water down.
"What I did doesn't require any contract. It's more like *Do before complaining shit.* I can't complain at all, he dominates every part of me!; My soul, my body, my life, and everything that concerns me. Now that I managed to escape for a little while, I wonder what my family might be going through because of my actions... I just can't imagine. I completely forgot about them before taking drastic measures." I bit my bottom lip harshly in agitation.
Almost everything is at stake and here I'm clinging to Dave like a limpet.
I didn't realize my hands were going tighter around the glass until it shattered in my hands.
"What the hell, Leona" he grabbed my hand and rushed me to the washroom where the first aid kit was.
"Stop it, Dave! This is really nothing."
"You're crazy. You call this nothing? You're bleeding so badly."
" At least the pain from this tiny wound doesn't match up to the ones that have been inflicted on me to talk of what I'm feeling inside now so let go!" I forced my hand from his grasp and stormed out.
"Wait, Leona!" He yelled but I was already in my room, looking for my bag.
"Where do you think you're going at this time?"
"I've wasted enough time, Dave. I need to go. I'm sorry."
"You said you won't leave."
"I'm sorry." I let my feelings consume my senses.
"Just sorry? God, I'm so sick of this back and forth with you."
"Dave." I sigh.
"What work were you doing if I may ask? Better still, who were you working for?"
I finished packing the few things back into my bag including the note I wrote earlier and looked up at him, holding his gaze.
"And why do you have to know? Just think of all the worst things. That should be enough to answer your question."
" I just requested to know the scoundrel you've been working for Leona!"
"What's the point? It's not like there's something you could do."
" You're being stubborn again, Leona. Must you always be like this? And why are you underestimating me?!"
"Stop shouting unnecessarily. It won't do us any good!" I walked past him to his room to his suitcase. I tried to work the combo.
" Tell me, is that person perhaps called Lando or Yolando? Is he the one?"
My eyes couldn't have widened anymore like they're now. I dropped the suitcase and walked towards him.
"How.... how...di... did you know him?" I stuttered.
"I see. To be honest, that's quite a shitload of a mess you've gotten yourself into, sweetheart. And who doesn't know him? Except for some clueless Leona. " He rolled his eyes and went to sit on his bed.
"Now that I know who that scoundrel is, you don't need to tell me the work you did for him. I know what exactly he's capable of and what he makes his workers like you do."
"Dave?" I called. Why is he behaving as if what I told him was nothing? And why does he seem to know Yolando?
"And here I thought you killed a President's son and for once I was scared for you not knowing it was him. You should come, have some rest and forget about going anywhere. There's nothing we haven't seen before."
I hope this dude is not busy bluffing to make me feel better or he's actually mistaking my Lando to be someone else.
" What are you saying?"
" Nothing, I'm just trying to digest all that you said. Who knows, maybe I can get something important from it apart from Yolando's irrelevant hullabaloo in your life. Something like who the Father or your baby might be?."
**..**
What do you think?