Текст книги "The Missing One "

Автор книги: Liz Lovelock

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Текущая страница: 6 (всего у книги 12 страниц)

“I better get to work,” he smiled, releasing me. I go over and stand with Jess again.

“Do you have surveillance cameras? An alarm system?” Blake inquired.

“Yes, I was the last to leave yesterday and set the alarm before I left. I’m not sure why it wouldn’t have gone off last night.”

“It may be faulty. We’ll take copies of your camera surveillance and our tech guys will come check out the alarm system. I’m terribly sorry about this. You should be right to go back into the store after lunch. That should give us plenty of time to gather the evidence we need.” Blake was using his calm, professional voice, trying not to allow Tracey to blow her top and become angry.

Chapter Thirteen

Abby

Three Years Ago

When we were allowed back into the store, we spent well into the night cleaning up the glass and straightening the racks. Tracey ran around to price new windows. Luckily, we were able to have a glazier come in and they had what we were after. Otherwise, we would have been camping out at the store.

Nine rolled around and Jess and I were finally released from our duties. Walking outside together, we walked silently to our cars.

“Are you all right, Abby?” Jess asked, stopping me in my tracks.

I released a sigh. “Yeah, just a lot going on. As I’m sure you saw today.”

“Yeah, your boyfriend…well, he isn’t very nice.”

“He’s not my boyfriend anymore. I finished that relationship last night.”

“Why was he here?” Her question had me wondering why myself. I knew he said he was coming to see me before he left, but something told me that he perhaps knew the shop was in this state.

“He was coming to see me before he went away for work.”

“Oh, yeah. I could see the way that police officer saw red when your boyfriend hit you. I thought he was going to punch him.”

“Yeah, I’m sure he wanted to as well, but being on duty he had to restrain himself.”

“Are you seeing him?” A cheeky smile swept across her face.

I couldn’t help the smile that flooded my own face. “I don’t know, honestly. I need to close things with Jacob, well and truly. But yeah, I really like Blake, the police officer.” We both giggled like little school girls. It had been a while since I’d had a moment with Jess like that.

“Do you wanna go grab some dinner? I can ring Melodi to come as well?” I secretly hoped she wanted to, or I would just get Melodi to come with me.

“Sure, that would be great! It’s been too long since we hung out. I miss it.”

“Yeah, me too. I’ll give Mel a ring and ask her to meet us up around the corner, at that small burger place.”

“Sure, sounds good.”

Once we were seated, we ordered our favourite burgers and fries and a few drinks. We chatted like we did back in the days, before Jacob. It was a good night. I chose to shut my phone off because I was sure Jacob would have a few choice words for me since I pushed him away today. I figured Blake would be okay for now. I would ring him later.

I was still feeling rather anxious about the whole Jacob thing. He terrified me, but I’m glad I’ve finally cut that cord. I’m not sure he sees it that way, though. He probably thought I’d embarrassed him. I couldn’t deal with it anymore and after meeting Blake, I’d decided not to go for second-best and put up with his crap and abuse. Blake wanted to show me what it was really like in a loving relationship and I planned to let him.

“So, what did the police say about the break-in?” I heard Melodi ask, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“They’re looking at the camera footage and surveillance in hope that they can find something. I couldn’t believe how destroyed the place looked,” Jess said, her voice solemn and upset.

I reached out taking her hand and gave her an encouraging smile.

“It’s okay. They’ll get to the bottom of it and everything will go back to normal. Now all it need is just a few small touch-ups here and there,” I comforted her. The table fell silent as we continued our meals.

Out of nowhere, Melodi piped in with something I didn’t want to discuss. “Where’s Jacob? He usually doesn’t let you out of his sight.” I heard the snide tone in her voice. I know I’d hurt her in the past by closing her out because of Jacob. I needed to work on our relationship again and fix it. I needed my sister back.

“He’s gone away on business for the next week or two.”

Jess looked up confused as to why I didn’t tell her the whole story. I eyed her, practically begging her not to say anything. She must have understood because she said nothing.

“Oh, okay, cool. Well, I’m going to head home. Are you coming, Abs?”

“Nah, I’ll be home later. Going to hang out here a little more.”

After the girls had left, I sat looking around the room at all the couples cuddled together, friends and family together and laughing. It brought a smile to my lips.

What am I going to about this whole mess?

I’m going to have to leave my family. I’ll have to tell them that I needed a fresh start, might even go back to Australia for a little while. I do miss that place. Now I have all these crazy full on feelings for Blake. Will he come with me? Could I ask him to leave his family and life just for me? I released a heavy sigh and knew that I couldn’t possibly do that to him. The guilt would eat away at me.

“What are you doing here alone?” I looked up into the kind eyes of the man who’d quickly stolen my heart…Blake.

I smiled at him, my stomach swelling with excitement. “I wasn’t alone. Jess and Melodi were here with me, but they left not that long ago. I decided to stay a little while longer.”

He took a seat as I explained. He nodded, reaching out and taking my hand in his, causing my body to flame up instantly. He sat there quietly, just watching me with his emerald green eyes. Even his gaze does magical things to me. He looked divine in his jeans and fitted plain black tee. He must have finished work not that long ago, he looked fresh from a shower and he smelled fabulous.

“You looked lost in thought before I disturbed you.”

“Yeah, I was just thinking a few things over.” I tried to pretend it was just something casual I was thinking about.

“Want to talk about it?” he asked, rubbing his thumb over the back of my hand, shooting tingles right to my heart.

I shook my head. I needed these thoughts to stay with me because I didn’t know what was going to happen in the future. I didn’t want him alerted to my plans.

“Would you stay with me again tonight?” he whispered, looking me directly in the eyes.

I beamed back at him and nodded once.

We left together, hand in hand. I was so relaxed and at peace. Blake could quite possibly be my happily ever after, but I knew there was a dark cloud lying over me called Jacob. My fear of him had multiplied tenfold, but with Blake by my side, I was home.

Chapter Fourteen

Abby

Three Years Ago

I was startled awake by my phone vibrating like crazy on my bedside table. It had been two days since I stayed at Blake’s. As I reached for my phone, it stopped, so I left it. If it were important, they’d call back. Work was going well and everything was back to running smoothly, almost as if the break in hadn’t happened.

Today was my day off. I was planning to have a day to myself with some shopping and pampering. With Jacob away at the moment, I didn’t feel the need to look over my shoulder every minute of the day. I could never relax when he was in town because it felt like he was always watching me. You would think he would be at work, but honestly I never really knew. He would always call or text to find out where I was or what I was doing.

My phone went crazy once again. I reached over, seeing an unknown number buzzing away on my screen. I quickly answered and instantly regretted it. Yelling in my ear caused my heart to leap into my throat.

“Why haven’t you contacted me since I left!” Jacob yelled.

I was unable to form coherent words as fear gripped me like a vice around my lungs, making my breaths short and ragged.

“Answer me!” the yelling continued.

“I…I’ve been busy…” I struggled with each word.

“You’re a liar!” Every word that spilled from his mouth was filled with anger and hate. “You have humiliated me publicly by not accepting my proposal. You haven’t called or messaged me—”

“Well, have you tried to contact me before now? No! So leave me the hell alone.” I forced the words out angrily, getting over my initial shock of his outburst.

I was met with silence, but even that was enough to tell me how angry he was. I needed to escape this man and move on with my life, but I doubted he would ever allow that to happen. Eventually, he spoke again.

“How dare you!” he hissed at me. “I work hard so I can buy you beautiful things.”

“I don’t want anything more from you because me and you are done.” My words were laced with conviction because I knew deep down in my heart I could never be with this man. A man who tore away at my soul, piece by piece, and if I stayed, I would become nothing but a hollow existence to those around me. An empty shell. A girl who wore a mask every day of her life. I knew I couldn’t be that person, not since Blake had shown me love and compassion. He lit up my life like a full moon lights up the night sky. He was my new life and my own happily ever after.

Chapter Fifteen

Melodi

Present Day

I swear my mouth is hanging open. I still didn’t get all answers I wanted, but I’m sure she’ll give them to me eventually. I glance toward the window and see that the sun is setting in hues of blues and pinks. We’ve been closed up in this room for the entire day. Rachel and Flick came in throughout the day to check if it was okay to give Katie some food. I can’t believe what she went through with Jacob and she never told me.

“Are you okay, Mel?” she asks quietly, the hesitation evident in her voice.

Am I okay? I honestly don’t know. I feel angry at her for keeping this to herself. I’m her sister! Then thinking about what she’d done, making us believe she was dead. How dare she? If she had told us, we could have helped somehow. I sense her watching me, feeling her unease.

“I need a minute.” With that, I get up and walk out of the room to a full house of people.

“Melodi, what’s wrong?” I look up to see Corban walking towards me. He’s who I need right now. I can’t even look at Blake. I’m sure now he’s lied to me about what actually went on as well. I’m even convinced he knew where she was this entire time, so when he put on a show for my family, it was all just a lie.

“I need to get out of here for a minute,” I whisper. My arms wrap around my stomach. I feel sick to my stomach hearing what Abby endured as well as what she has put us through.

He just nods and guides me to the door. “Just wait and I’ll grab your coat.” With those words, he’s gone.

I don’t know what to say to anyone. How could she do this to us? How are my parents going to react to this new information? Oh, man, Mum is going to flip and Dad is going to be furious. We mourned her. It's taken us a long time to finally move on.

Corban comes back, wraps me in my coat, and ushers me out the door. We are silent, but it’s what I need and Corban knows it. So much has happened and the last thing I need right now is my sister coming back from the dead. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy she isn’t actually dead, but she knowingly put me in danger the day she left—or died—or whatever it is that happened. Jacob knew and was probably following me for the last three years, and his showing up at my work was no coincidence. I’m sure he’s been planning and lying in wait for the perfect opportunity for him to bring Abby out of her concealment. Now I have my babies and Corban to think about.

I think Abby needs to come out of hiding and tell the police and get the protection she more than obviously needs. Why didn’t she go to the police? I’m sure they could have helped, instead of just leaving and letting us all think she was dead.

“Are you okay?” Corban’s words pull me out of my dark moment. He has a way of doing that.

“Yeah. I guess as well as I can be with knowing most of what went down.”

“What do you mean…most?”

“I didn’t let Abby finish; it’s all too much for me at the moment. I needed space and food,” I giggle at my last words.

“Let’s get you and these babies some food then, beautiful.” He kisses my cheek as we walk out of the building and into the fresh air.

It’s a beautiful night, but I can’t help looking everywhere, and at everyone around me. Wondering and thinking if Jacob is around here somewhere, watching and waiting.

“Do you think he is out here?” I voice my concern.

He takes a moment to answer. “I honestly don’t know, but if you want, we can go back to my place and stay there if that makes you feel safer?” His idea doesn’t actually sound too bad, but I can’t leave my house full of people who I classify as family, at such short notice.

“I would love to, but I can’t do that to my houseful of guests. I think after we get something to eat, we can sort out our living arrangements.” He looks a little confused by my statement. “What I mean is I can’t have Abby, Blake, and Katie at my place.”

“We already discussed this, don’t you remember? I’m going to let them use one of my properties and they will stay there. You will come stay with me. Jacob might only watch this place and he may not even know where I live, but he won’t find where Abby and Blake stay. I promise you that.”

I nod, not wanting to speak about it anymore.

We stop at a burger place that just opened up a few days ago. We purchase food for everyone and head back to my crowded one-bedroom apartment.

I begin clearing up the rubbish and scraps after our meals. I can’t help but look at Katie and think I’m going to have my own children in the coming months. Mine and Corban’s lives are going to change forever. This is not how I planned my life, I never expected to meet Corban and fall madly in love and then fall pregnant, but he completes me in every way and I couldn’t see my life without him now, just like Abby couldn’t see her life without Blake.

Chapter Sixteen

Abby

The guilt that fills me is unbearable. I honestly thought it was the best thing to do at the time. I didn’t think I would ever be coming out of hiding. I watch Melodi as she clears things up, and she can’t even make eye contact with me. It breaks me knowing I’ve caused her so much pain and now we have this rift between us. I don’t see why Blake had to come for me and ruin it all. I was finally accepting the fate of my life before he walked up to my doorstep a few days ago.

When Melodi left to purchase our dinner, I broke down. Luckily, Melodi’s friends had Katie because I would hate to have her see me break like I did. Blake, my rock, my support, was there as usual. Too bad he wasn’t there when his daughter was born. That right there is another problem in itself because I still haven’t told Blake that Katie is his. So many secrets, and it feels like my world just might crumble beneath me.

“Here, Mel, let me give you a hand,” her friend Flick offers and they disappear into the kitchen.

Tomorrow, Katie and I will be moving to a different apartment. I don’t really know what the plan is after that. I do know I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in hiding, with Katie not getting the kind of life she deserves.

This whole thing with Jacob needs to end now.

“Abby?” I look to Blake, who’s made his way over to me. “Are you okay?” He looks around the room that’s filled with Corban, Rachel, and Katie.

“Yeah, I’m okay. I think this whole thing needs to end, and I still haven’t finished telling Mel everything.” I release a huge sigh. “This is all one big mess. Why couldn’t you just leave me where I was?”

“I’m wondering the same thing,” Corban pipes up.

I hadn’t realised we were talking that loud or that he was even listening. Melodi and Flick haven’t come back yet, which means they’re probably having a discussion about me in the kitchen. She has every right to. She should be mad. I’ve uprooted her life and put her little babies’ lives in danger. She’s at a very critical stage in pregnancy, so stress isn’t very good for her right now.

Blake looks at us, pondering his answer. “I thought you’d want to be back with your family, to end this drama once and for all.”

“I do. Don’t get me wrong, but how am I meant to stop it? You’re the police, so tell me what you think I should do to end this?” Anger slowly rises within me, but I try my best to keep it at bay.

“We’ll go to the police tomorrow. Tell them that he has begun harassing your family and you have been in hiding for the last three or so years. They can take care of it from there,” he states simply.

“Did you think about my family in all this? My Mum, Dad, and Melodi? I know I’m to blame for running in the first place, but I was so frightened back then. No one would believe me that he was, and still is, the monster in all this.”

“Abby, it will all work out. I promise nothing will happen to you, or Melodi, or Katie. No one, okay?” He reaches out and takes my hand, soothing me.

“I know, but you aren’t God. You can’t control what he’s going to do next,” I snap.

“I’ve been watching him carefully for that last twelve months. He hadn’t noticed me until I ran into Melodi that day.”

“So, this is all my fault because I ran into you, or is it because Jacob has had his eye on me since my sister died? Now he’s decided to make his appearance known and him coming into my workplace…is it all part of his master plan?” Melodi asks from the doorway. Flick’s by her side, wearing a stone face. She’s very protective of Melodi, as is everyone else in here, especially me.

“What! No. This is not your fault at all. It’s all my fault. I should have dealt with it all those years ago, and now he has a lot of anger built up and who knows what he’ll try. I was stupid back then when I decided to leave, but I had no choice—”

“You always had a choice, Abby!” Melodi screams at me. Corban is by her side instantly. I hang my head in shame as Katie comes over and climbs onto my lap. I wrap my arms around her and take a deep breath.

“I know. I wasn’t thinking. The whole thing was staged, my death was staged.” There’s silence all around me, and I look up into the shocked faces of everyone present.

“What do you mean, staged?” Melodi asks.

“What I mean is I had been planning it for a little while with the help of Blake.”

“Tell me.” Melodi walks over to the lounge and takes a seat, as does Corban and the rest of them.

“I’ll put Katie to bed first. I don’t think it’s something she needs to hear.”

Blake steps forward taking her from me. “I can do it for you, they deserve all the answers.”

Seeing her wrapped in her father’s arms fills me with a joy that I never thought I would experience, and that’s another thing I need to face. My list just keeps growing with all the mistakes I’ve made.

Chapter Seventeen

Abby

The Plan and Execution

Three Years Ago

I was sitting there, talking, looking over this crazy idea Blake and I had come up with. Who in their right mind would do something like this? Oh, that’s right…me.

I saw no other way to get out of this mess. Of course, there was the police, but I didn’t want my family knowing how terrible my relationship with Jacob really was. Blake was the only one who knew about everything. Jacob was out of town for a few more days, then everything would be set in motion.

We had a plan.

So much thought had been put into this, but was it really worth all the trouble?

I honestly didn’t know.

“Are you okay, Abby?” Blake’s voice pulled me from my thoughts.

I looked over the paperwork spread out in front of us. Plane tickets bought with cash. A detailed plan and notes for how everything would flow. Now we just needed to compile enough money to survive for a little while. Blake was taking care of the new paperwork, new name and security numbers. Once again, there was so much work to achieve something that could easily be fixed by just going to the police, but Blake said that they couldn’t do anything unless there was proof. The only thing was to obtain a restraining order against him, and knowing him he would violate that within a matter of hours. Who knew what would happen then.

“Yeah, this is so much to take in. I don’t think I can go through with this.” So much crazy was running through my head.

“I know you can do this. You’re a strong woman and I’m crazy about you. I want you safe and all to myself.”

“This just doesn’t seem right.”

He moved closer, wrapping me in his arms. As soon as they were around me a sense of relief enveloped me.

“Everything will work out for the best. It might take some time for things to smooth over, but I know it’ll all work out.”

He tried his best to comfort me, and yes it worked for a short time, but once I was on my own again, I thought about things and began to fall back into the doubtful pit of despair.

“Abby, don’t overthink this, it needs to be done. He’s back tonight and you need to be prepared for the following week and what’s got to happen.” The thought of what was going to happen in the next week made me sick to my stomach. “Now do you know what you need to do?”

“Yes, I don’t need reminding, thanks,” I snapped, not wanting the reminder.

“I’m sorry, but it has to be perfect. One slip up, and he’ll know and then this will all fall apart.”

I aimlessly nodded, not really listening anymore. I already knew what was at stake…my life and the lives of those I loved around me.

Blake took a hold of my face, gently lifting it so my eyes met his. His warm hands caressed my face, sending a single shiver of excitement down my spine. His eyes blazed with concern, mixed with a hint of excitement. I leaned into him, meeting my lips with his, such a small connection, but with feelings of the highest magnitude. He made me feel things I’d only ever dreamed.

Our kiss intensified and we both knew what was coming. This could very well be our last moment together for a long time, so we devoured every inch of each other as though we were about to take our last breaths. His touch left tingling sensations over my body as his fingertips danced over my highly sensitised skin.

I could only hope everything worked out and we’d have our time together in the future.

I was startled awake by my phone buzzing with a message. I glanced at the clock seeing it was 1:00 a.m. Who messages anyone this late? Only one person came to mind…Jacob.

After I’d left Blake’s, I went straight home and laid awake for what felt like ages. When it finally felt like I was drifting to sleep, I heard from the one person of whom I was most petrified. I picked up my phone and I was correct, it was Jacob.

Jacob: Hey, beautiful. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. We have so much to talk about and sort out. I love you so much, please forgive me for how I’ve been acting. xx

 

      Wow! I was speechless. Was he delusional? It’s like that phone call never happened, but this is how it goes though. He would try hard to forget the fight or anything that happened, and act as though it never actually transpired. I knew what I needed to do, and that sick feeling I was able to push aside when Blake was with me was back in full force. I thought I might be sick, but I swallowed the lump rising in my throat and sucked up the emotions and did what I needed to do to pull this off. My shaky fingers robotically typed the reply.

Me: Looking forward to it. Yes, we do need to talk about things. xx

 

     Typing those kisses at the end were the hardest buttons to press. Two simple xx’s only because they represented a kiss, and I would prefer to never kiss, or even think about kissing him again. I knew it was going to happen and I don’t know how I’m going to go with that, but hopefully I could pull off the real girlfriend act. I wished I’d met Blake first because then I would never have had to have gone through any of this. My heart ached with all the, what ifs, I’d been experiencing lately. Nothing in life was easy and to get to the happiness we want and deserved, we needed to push through those trials and hurdles that come our way. This was one huge hurdle I needed to get over to be able to achieve the happiness I wanted and deserved.

Sleep finally met me again as I filled my thoughts with all the positives in my life.

My heart raced as I entered the hospital. I was here to give blood, nothing new to me, but today I needed to be able to pull off a miracle. I was there for the next hour or so then I had to go meet Jacob for lunch. Everything was moving so quickly that I was worried I would stuff it all up and not do what I needed to, and I would stay stuck in this almighty rut which was my life.

I can do this, I can do this.

I was shown to my seat as they prepared and gave me the usual speech. My heart felt like it was going to jump through my chest and land on the floor in front of me. I couldn’t believe I was actually going to go through with this.

I sat and waited, the time ticked by so slowly it was as though I was sitting there watching and waiting for paint to dry. Luckily, it was nearly time for a shift change amongst the nurses which was why I planned it at that time. I’d done this numerous times over the years. I liked to give back to those people who needed it, so it was the least I could do.

I looked around at the current nurses who were doing some last checks and making notes for the nurses’ change of shift. I looked to my blood bag and saw that it was about halfway full. Looking up, I saw that the nurses were at their station discussing things and now was my chance. I pulled the needle from my arm, trying hard to ignore the stinging pain. I reached up and took the bag of blood and placed it quickly in my handbag. I kept watch the station and noted that all the new nurses were signed on and beginning their rounds. I was glad there were curtain separators between the patients. This was when this whole process began. The nurse arrived in my cubicle and I was nervous as hell because I needed this to work.

“Hello, dear, weren’t you hooked up?”

“Oh no, they hadn’t gotten to me yet. They asked me to wait those few minutes until shift change occurred.”

The elderly nurse looked at me then back to her notes, I instantly felt sick to my stomach. She was sure to notice something like maybe the small pinhole that I was trying to keep concealed and not bleeding.

“Okay, well, let’s get you hooked up—”

“Actually, I’ve just had a call from my sister and her car has broken down, so I’m unable to do this now. I’ll have to come back next week. I’m really sorry to have inconvenienced you.” I quickly snatched up my bag, keeping its contents concealed and walked past her while not meeting her eyes.

I was shaking so badly that when I got in the car I couldn’t even bring myself to start it. Instead, I broke out in tears. Tears of fear. But what was I more afraid of? Fear of getting caught, or the fear of continuing my life how it was with Jacob and his unpredictability?

Now I needed to mentally prepare myself for seeing him again. Just the thought caused my stomach to fall. I knew Blake would be close by if Jacob tried something or got physical in any way, but it still did nothing to quell my innate fear of what was to happen.