MARRY ME NOW

~

I spent three days in and out of the hospital. I went home thrice to prepare food for Anne. She woke up the second day and the doctor said I could take her home on the third day. No, we’re at home. My joy knew no bounds. “Are you crying?” Anne asked.

“What? No, no, I’m not. My eyes are just watery.” I lied. She nodded her head and continued eating her food. Seeing her back home makes me so happy.

I don’t know what I would have done if I had loosed her. She finished eating. I took her to her room, we slept together.

~

It was in the afternoon, and we– Anne and I were watching a movie. I was glad, we’ve been living in peace, not a perfect life but in peace. I heard a click from the backyard. It was sharp and loud.

Who could be there? It was definitely not my neighbour. Recently, I’ve not been comfortable in this house, like someone was watching me.

I was expecting someone later, Loren. She’d asked how was Anne and she’d be coming over to see how she is. After the help I’ve been getting from Loren, I can say she’s actually a very nice person.

She’s being genuine.

I stood up and went over to the door leading to the backyard, I heard two voice whispering, but it wasn’t low enough. “You think all these are gonna work? I’ve never seen you go this far just to achieve you know what.”

“It’s going to work, she believed I’m trying to help her. You just do your part.”

“So, you’re doing all this just so you’d learn how she managed to charm your fiance?” It seems like the friend was trying to get what she meant.

“Yes, that witch. She bewitched him, that explains why he’s so in love with her. I just have to get rid of pretty little face and this is the perfect chance.”

“Loren, I’m your friend and I want the best for you, but..”

“No buts, are you doing this or not? Don’t worry about the cops, I’ve got it. Just do it and then I’d pretend to save her, that’d make her trust me more even if her face is burnt,” she laughed a little before continuing. “I could use her niceness against her, just do it. She’s expecting me right now.”

“Okay, I would. But be sure to get out of the house in 40mins.”

“Sure. Tessa Carl… You wouldn’t know what hit you.” I heard her sinister voice. I quickly looked through the peephole to confirm if it really is Loren.

I told you, you couldn’t trust her. My subconsciousness sang. What was I even thinking? Trusting a person like Loren?

I’m such a fool.

What’d happen in 40minutes? What was their plan? She’d been friends with my neighbour and I knew nothing about it. I really- my thoughts were interrupted when the doorbell dinged.

My heart rate became faster. Should I open the door? I have to leave the house. I went over to the front door and opened the door to meet her smiley face of Loren.

“Hey.” She greeted.

“Hey..” I returned.

“Are you okay? You don’t sound okay..” She said.

“I… I’m okay, thanks..” I don’t know why I was playing along with her, but I might be able to find out what she’s up to if I do. They’re not going to carry out their plan while she’s in the house, would they?

“So, how is Anne?”

“She’s fine, she’s in the living room.” She walked to the living room and sat down next to Anne, I watched as she played with Anne, wasn’t she such a good actress? Should I confront her?

I was scared. What if this whole plan isn’t only between her and my neighbour? What if… Oh no, I have to get out of here.

I looked out the windows for any suspicious activity. I’m so confused. Is it normal for someone to feel unsafe in their own home? Of course, it’s not.

“Why are you doing this?!” I suddenly asked. Loren looked up at me questioningly.

“Why am I doing wh-” her phone rang cutting her off.

“Excuse me, I’ve to take this.” She said and walked out of the house with her bag. Something isn’t right.

I walked to the door and turned the doorknob but the door wasn’t opening. Jesus Christ! Who locked the door? Whoever did it is really fast.

I shook the door. “Loren! I know you’re behind this! Open the door!” I screamed.

Call the cops.

I went over to the couch where I had dropped my phone, but couldn’t find it there. I panicked and searched harder. “Anne, did you see my phone?” I asked. She shook her head no.

Oh my God.

I rushed to the back door. How did they lock both doors? I’ll have to break the handle. I looked for something to help me break it.

I was hitting the handle with it when the fire suddenly breezed through the door. I screamed jumping back. Oh my God.

In less than a minute the fire was already getting bigger. I ran back to the living room. What was I going to do?

I have to get Anne out of here. There must be a way. If I’m going to die this way, I can’t let Anne go with me too… I looked down at her, she was sitting on the couch.

She looks so innocent and vulnerable. I took Anne and ran to the window. To my dismay, it was locked. I could have sworn it was opened.

I screamed when a wave of heat hit me, using my body to shield Anne, I ran back to the front door. “Help! Somebody, help, please! Please, anybody!” I cried.

The fire was getting bigger. Tears streamed out my eyes. “Help!” I coughed out. Anne was already coughing out because of the smoke.

The fire got closer. I’m the cause of all these. So stupid, trusting people. I put myself and my daughter in trouble. If I die now… Hopefully, I’d be wiser in my next life.

But Anne. Don’t give up on her. “Help! H-help please!” I coughed, fell to the ground, and can’t breathe. The heat was killing me. Oh my God. Anne, I’m sorry.

“Tessa!” I heard a voice call. A feminine voice.

“Step away from the door!” I was out of oxygen. “Mommy!” Anne cried. She held my face.

“Mommy!” She cried harder.

“Mommy…” I heard her shaky voice. The door was suddenly slammed open.

Please, Take Anne away from here…

“Mommy!” I heard her scream again.

“Oh my God! We need to get you out of here!” I heard the feminine voice again. Only this time, it was closer.

I blacked out.

~Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

I shot out of the bed. “Anne!” I screamed. My heart was racing so fast. My head was hurting, it hurts more as the memory of the fire incident came rushing back into my mind.

“Tessa..” A voice called from behind me. Gwyneth. “Oh thank God, you’re okay. I was so scared!” She exclaimed hugging me.

“W-what happened- Loren! She’s the one behind all this, s-she tried to kill me, where’s my child, please tell me she’s okay.” I cried.

“Yes, she is. She’s asleep.” She said. I sighed in relief. My mind shifted back to my house… It was burnt, my properties… My important documents are all in there.

“My house… We have to call the cops, Loren… She’s behind all this.”

“You know there’s nothing we could do… Loren could turn all this somehow against you. This is your fault, Tessa,” She suddenly said.

“You’re too nice, too vulnerable, anyone could use that against you, if I hadn’t gotten to your place on time, I can’t imagine what would have happened! You put yourself and your daughter in such danger, what were you thinking?” She scolded. She’s right.

I know she wants to add stupid to her sentence. Stupid? Yes, I’m very stupid.

“Jake was here less than an hour ago, an investigation is already going on and so far no clue on what happened, it’s believed your electric circuit might have been faulty which caused the fire. As I said, no one is going to believe anything you’d say about Loren, she’s very rich and powerful, she could turn this against you, the only way you’d get her back is to fight for revenge… Yourself.”

Knowing what she is saying is true literally wants to make me cry. Loren did such a horrible thing to me, I could have died, worst, my daughter would have also.

Who knows what she’s planning now? She wants to get rid of me, she’d go any length to do that. If I was stronger if I wasn’t this vulnerable she wouldn’t be able to do what she’s doing now.

She’s doing all this because I let her. I let myself fall easily into her trap. She’s probably laughing right now at how stupid I am.

I can’t let her get away with this, I can’t let her keep stepping on me. I have to be a strong independent woman. I have to get her back. To have revenge. I could go any length.

But right now, I’ve to mourn for my lost property.

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…….