~LEONA~
'oh Leona, you worry for no reason.' I thought and brought my feet down, releasing a sharp breath in relief.
In front of me was just Raymond and not who I thought it was.
"I was scared. I thought there was a thief in here."
"Nope. The lights just went off suddenly so I have to go check if everything is okay." He said and walked into the room while dusting his hands.
" Okay. I almost had a heart attack."
"Really? You looked like someone who's scared of something or someone to me though. " He disappeared into his room.
I ignored his observation. He was actually right.
When I got into my room Leonard was sleeping soundly.
I put the things I bought away and went to take a bath.
After eating I went to talk to Raymond once and for all but saw him busily studying so in order not to disturb him, I left.
We can still talk some other time if Yolando doesn't come then.
I walked to my room and tried to call Dave but his line was unreachable.
Odd.
He didn't call me this evening if not for the video call in the afternoon.
I closed my eyes and tried to sleep but all I see is Yolando.
I believe he's so near to me and just waiting for the right opportunity to pounce on me.
But what do I do?
Sooner or later I'll be gone and back to my previous lifestyle but this time with some few broken bones here and there.
The last SMS I texted Yolando at Seattle was a question and I was awaiting his answer when Dave changed the Sim.
He told me to come and I asked him where. I'm sure he answered me but because of Dave, I didn't see it.
Maybe I should text him back. Yes, I would just do that.
I took my phone to text.
*I'm sorry, where do you want me to come?*
I sent it but unfortunately, it failed. I tried again but it failed. I decided to try again tomorrow.
Do I have to go to work tomorrow?
I picked my phone and dialed Dave's number once again but it was still not reachable.
I would rather stay indoors anyway. Who knows, maybe when I go out I won't make it back again.
I'll just enjoy this little time with my son and my brother. I wish I could see the rest of my family too. I miss them a lot, especially dad and even Tasha. I miss all of them.
But I can't help missing Dave too.
Wish I could just talk to him before I sleep.
***
When I managed to wake up the next day, I quickly called Dave but he didn't pick up.
Why is he not picking?
I tried so many times but he didn't pick.
I got up from the bed thinking of the possibilities why he wouldn't pick my call.
Has he given up on me already?
I guess he doesn't want to involve himself with someone like me or he realized that Katherine is better than me.
This was what I was avoiding and now it has happened.
He probably realized he won't be able to tackle my problem and chose the easiest way out.
If what I'm thinking is right then I'll be crushed. Dave's pledge to support somehow gave me hope. I wasn't expecting him to but I just got some hope that things can get normal. I loved how positive he was about the whole issue and I loved how he made it look less serious and it got me relieved in a way but now... I don't know.
I went to put the phone on the dresser when I saw a note from Raymond saying he won't be home until evening and that I should take Leonard to school on my way to work. He also said he left the car for us.
I wished he had not left Leonard behind then I could go to work alone to see Dave and to know why he wasn't picking my calls.
But since he left, I can't go anywhere with my son. I would rather stay indoors with him than expose him to danger - Yolando.
I busied myself with chores and cooking varieties of foods while I kept checking my phone every ten seconds.
After scrubbing and cleaning the house I had my bath with Leonard and we spent a pretty long time before coming out.
I didn't allow him to sleep because if he does, I will feel lonely so I kept him busy and played with him until we both passed out.
It was still noon when I woke up and it was because Leonard was crying, perhaps hungry.
I picked him up then went to the kitchen and warmed his food. After I fed him, we walked back to my room where I laid on the bed and made him lay on my chest.
I took my phone and scrolled through but there was nothing to see. Few pictures of Leonard and Raymond, no videos, no apps, and just two contacts.
Why's my life so boring? I had no friends which I think is a good thing since I have Yolando in my life but still. There's nothing interesting or different in my life than usual.
Without thinking I typed, 💬*Did you mean what you said when we were in Seattle? That you love me?* 💬Then I send it to Dave.
After a minute it was marked that he had seen and read it.
I waited another minute for his reply but it never came.
After an hour and he hasn't replied, I gave up then resend the message I was trying to send to the number I thought is Yolando's.
I sighed heavily after that then held Leonard close to my chest.
"Baby, I love you. Hope you know mummy love you? "
He raised his head from my chest and stared at me but didn't say anything.
I really wanted to tell Raymond but he's not around.
I made Leonard sit then I also did the same, facing him.
He grimaced and looked at me with all seriousness as if he knew I was coming to say something relevant to him.
"Okay baby, I would like to tell you something. I know you won't understand because you're still very very young but you will when you grow up okay?"
He nodded which made me laugh. I know he barely understood what I said but since he's an intelligent child he tried to give me his attention and a listening ear and I love him more for that.
"Leonard dear, your mum is in some kind of trouble and if I don't leave soon, your uncle, aunts, and grannies will also be in trouble. I don't want them to be in trouble so I'll leave but I promise to come see you when I get the chance. Just promise to be a good boy and don't disturb your uncle okay? "
He made a sad face and before I knew it, he was crying.
He can't be crying because of what I said right? He's just a year and eight months old.
Once I picked him up to console him, my phone beeped.
It was a reply from the second message I sent. Only an address was sent and the time I should be there, which was 8 pm.
I checked my time and it was 1 pm.
I have seven hours until I'm out of here.
So this is really happening. I'm going back to my old lifestyle for real? Not only that, but I will also be earning myself a few broken bones and ribs too.
By now my baby was also done crying so I held him near and tightly. I will miss him so much and I don't know when I'll be allowed to even see him.
Maybe I should get him something as a reminder of me in case I no longer come back.
But what? What could I possibly give him?
I looked at the bracelet Dave bought for me but it won't fit him otherwise I would have worn it around his neck.
Maybe I could get him a charm bracelet, just something or anything at all that will always be on him just like it's done in the movies.
But where will I get it? I can't go anywhere with Leonard.
I can order it online but I don't know how it's done.
Leonard soon fell asleep again so I left the room and started patrolling in the house unnecessarily.
I went to Raymond's room and hugged his things close and even wore his shirt.
I was restless and nervous. I didn't know what to do. I checked the time again and it was 4 pm.
I gasped and rushed to my room and selected the dress I will be wearing which was just a normal jean and a long black jacket. I picked knee-high boots after that, I sat and braided my natural hair then held it in a bun around my head. When I've packed everything, I get my phone and call Raymond. He picked immediately and I heard his voice in the living room.
I padded out of my room and went to meet him.
"The room is sparkling which means you guys didn't go anywhere today." He said.
" Yeah. Thank God you came. We were missing you." I took his bag and his voice traveled with me to his room
" I figured." He nodded, following me.
" I really miss you, Raymond."
" You just said that and besides I am here." He removed his shirt then bent to remove his shoe.
" Yeah, but you left today without telling us and you're now coming back.. so." I took his shirt and hung it.
I didn't know what I was even saying. I just felt like talking to him even if it was rubbish that will come out.
"I'm here now." He said and turned away from me while taking his trouser off.
"Why are you turning away from me? Did you get a girlfriend?"
He laughed and tossed it onto the floor.
" I just didn't want to corrupt your little mind and I don't want to freak you as well."
Nothing I haven't seen before but he doesn't know it so I'll just keep quiet.
"So you never got a girlfriend?" I asked and picked his trouser from the floor.
He's so messy. How does he manage to keep this house clean?
"I haven't found the right girl yet."
"So you're single.." I supposed.
" Kind of. "
" Ever had a girlfriend?" I asked him.
His eyebrows furrowed as a frown creases his forehead.
"Yeah I did have one "
"So what happened then? Did she quit with you?"
"No. She was in her final year at college. She left after completion."
" That was sad. Did she break your heart?"
"I don't know but I still love her."
" Oh. Does she not call you anymore?"
" She stopped a few weeks before you came. I wanted to tell her that you're back but we lost contact."
" What do you mean?"
" She's Rhoda, your friend." He said and walked to the bathroom.
What! I never knew he was dating Rhoda. Besides, Rhoda never told me that she was dating Raymond.
I don't want to think that I was so focused on my books that I failed to notice. But that was the truth.
The reality of what Raymond just told me sets in and I'm mortified.
I caused their separation somehow. When the news came out that I was pregnant, Rhoda's parents thought I was immoral so they separated their daughter from me by sending her away.
My head snapped to Raymond when he came out dripping wet.
"I called you so many times to give me a towel." He said and took a towel from his drawer.
" Don't tell me you were thinking about what I said? Don't worry I was only kidding. I just liked her. We never dated."
" Yeah. I wasn't thinking about it." I lied. I know he said that just to make me feel better.
"I'll get your food ready," I said and walked out.
He joined me a minute later and we prepared chicken tacos.
After we were done eating, I checked the time and it was 6:28 pm.
My heartbeat is faster as I thought of ways of leaving without Raymond suspecting me. Or maybe I could get him to leave the house so I can go.
"Raymond?"
"Mmmm." He replied with eyes glued on the TV.
Thank God Leonard was still sleeping. It will make things a lot easier for me.
"Do you mind getting me an ice cream from the nearest shop?"
" Yeah, why not? We can all go."
" No no, Leonard is sleeping. I don't want to wake him up."
" Okay." He got up and took his keys.
When he got to the door he turned and asked which flavor and I said vanilla.
He nodded and was about to leave when I stopped him. I can't believe this is the last time I will be seeing him.
I ran into his arms and hugged him and tried not to weep if not he'll sense that there's something wrong.
"Hey what are you doing? You can come with me if you want to. You're behaving like a baby now." He chuckled and I stepped back.
" I'll be back okay? Just be here. Don't doze." He disappeared through the door and after a minute, he drove out.
I ran back inside only to see Leonard playing around. He has scattered almost everything in the room.
Since when has he been awake?
I pretended not to have seen him and stepped out of my previous dress.
The clothes I picked have been scattered on the floor so I bend and pick them up then wear them.
Next was my wig so I fixed it and put my phone into my pocket.
I pulled my drawer and took some cash from there.
The last thing was my boots. I was wearing them when Leonard noticed me and ran to me.
"Mama." He called and raised his arms up for me to take him.
I kissed him instead and got on my feet. I won't be able to go if I carry him.
He frowned and followed me as I was trying to check if I didn't leave anything behind. Well, I was leaving a greater part of me behind anyway.
I would've taken Leonard along with me but his future will be ruined if I do so. He'll have a better life when he's with his uncle than me.
Yolando won't pity him enough not to manipulate him to become his kind.
I'd rather die than see that happen anyway. I will kill him even.
All the same, I hope that his dad finds him soon. I don't know how that will happen but I pray it happens.
I should be the one looking for his dad for him but I'm just helpless. Gosh. I hate the unfavorable circumstances surrounding his life. He doesn't deserve it.
It was seven already so I sat down and with a pen and paper, I tried to put something down but I suddenly heard Raymond's horn from outside.
I panicked as I looked at Leonard who was holding my feet then to the door.
How do I leave? How do I leave without Leonard getting upset?
I bent to his level and kissed him for a minute then hugged him.
I got him off me and stormed out.
He gave a loud shrill and began to cry. His cries cut into my heart and all I felt was pain and guilt. It took everything in me not to run back to him. What I was doing is deplorable and heartless of me but I can't help it. I rather risk my life.
I wanted to go back to him but I couldn't. It's all for their good. I don't want Yolando venting his anger on my poor family.
I stepped out of the back door and began to run.
Raymond must've heard Leonard's cry and was already beside him. If I don't run he'll just catch up with me.
There was no gate guarding our house so I appeared at the roadside quickly.
It didn't take time before a car pulled over in front of me which was weird.
I got in without seeing who it was and gave him the address.
We drove for almost thirty minutes and when we got to the venue he dropped me and zoomed off without taking a single penny.
That was strange but I didn't have time to think of it.
I stared at the mansion in front of me which was surrounded by extreme darkness. Fear settled in me deeply.
A message popped and I read it. It says I should get in.
I looked around nervously but got in. I believe it's now or never.
I stood by the gate without walking further since I couldn't see beyond the darkness anymore.
Just then, I felt someone's presence then something warm behind my ear.
" Eager that much? You came here because he told you to, you didn't even think of what I told you. Thought we agreed on something? "
I froze and the lights came on.
Dave.
***...***