Marrying my high school bully

Lorraine

Dexter and I left the office together, after having the most passionate and exhilarating love making session. I was so sore that I couldn’t wait to jump in for a hot bath.

It wasn’t until we returned to the house that I remembered that my life was still under threat. There was no gathering of people, just the police car with detective Steven and another officer who I didn’t know his name.

“Are you alright?” Dexter asked with concern.

I wasn’t alright in any way. Someone was interested in making sure that I go mad with fear and I was doing just that. “I don’t know, Dex. No threatening message has popped in my phone this afternoon, but I’m still anxious.” My admittance was made through a whisper.

Those people who could snap out of reality while present in a conversation needed to be given a gold medal, because I couldn’t do it.

Dexter’s caring gesture permeated through my fears and filled me with the assurance that I had someone. “I’m going to be here with you every step of the way. It’s something I’ve been doing and I won’t stop now.” He promised, his eyes filled with sincerity.

I unplugged the seat belt and stretched over to hold him. His musky masculine scent mixed with his aftershave drifted into my nose, giving me some level of peace.

“Let’s go.” His hug had disseminated some of the fear and now all I had to do was face the ones the remaining ones that lingered.

On our way in, we invited the cops as well while I hoped that Victoria wouldn’t be messing up again. Fortunately, the house looked empty and even if she was in, it wasn’t obvious.

“Good evening, detective Steven. We didn’t expect you to be here by this time. Is there any update as promised?” Dexter asked, plopping onto the armchair then removing his jacket.

Most of the time, he looked like he didn’t want to be in suits at all and I understood him. These formal attires felt like a necessary cage one had to be in.

“Yes, there is.” He replied and my heart skipped a bit.

With every fiber of my being, I wished that it would be good news. I also wanted to let him know about the messages, but he had to say what he came here first.

“Alright, bring it on.”

Detective Steven took a deep breath and darted a glance at the both of us. “The footage was corrupted. It seems like the intruder had been planning this for a long time and he might have had some inside help.” He insinuated.

My heart didn’t just skip a beat, it hammered hard against my chest. A hopeless feeling sank down the pit of my stomach as I gripped the chair tightly.

“Inside help? What do you mean?” I chimed, frustrated and angry as Dexter signaled that I calm down with his eyes.

The hell I couldn’t!

He wasn’t the one getting threatening messages everyday. He hadn’t gone through half of what I’d experienced so he shouldn’t expect me to be calm as he was.

I’d always believed that justice would prevail, but right now, I had never been more tempted to commit murder. Whoever was doing this to me should die a very gruesome death.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

The detective put on a kind smile that had some element of understanding in it. “I know how riled up you are, Miss Hills, but I promise you that we’ll get to the root of the situation.” He guaranteed me then averted his attention to Dexter. “It’s true that the footage was corrupted, but we were able to get a glimpse of the intruder’s gender.”

A ray of hope finally struck on us.

“We’re listening.” Dexter encouraged him calmly to continue.

It was amusing that he could remain this calm in the midst of chaos. I wished I could borrow that part of him for a few minutes.

He sighed deeply like he was about to announce some bad news. “It’s a man.” He paused, allowing the news sink then continued. “We were able to tell by his silhouette and the haircut, but don’t worry, we’ll find him.”

I couldn’t hold back my curiosity anymore. “And what if you don’t?” I spat. “I’ve been having these threatening messages ever since that day and each time I get it, I feel like my life would be taken from me at any moment.” I was literally screaming but none of them seemed to mind.

“We’ll find him, miss Lorraine. This is a promise from me to you.”

I nodded as my eyes churned with hot tears. Dexter got up from the armchair and came to sit beside me. His arm went around my shoulder while I leaned on him, allowing the tears to stream down.

He squeezed my shoulder and planted a kiss on my forehead. “You’ll be fine, baby.” Amidst my tears, I could sense how worried he was for me.

“And for the hunch I’m having about the inside help, I’ll need to interrogate everyone working for you.” He said to Dexter.

“That’s not a problem, but I don’t have any live-in staff. You can interrogate my chauffeur, the gardener and the housekeeper.”

“Alright. I’ll be expecting them at the station tomorrow.” He said and got to his feet.

Dexter didn’t bother to follow him to the door as he was more concerned about me. We stayed like that in the silence, his breath fanning my forehead.

Sadness ate me up like termites in the woods. Why couldn’t I enjoy peace for once in my life?

“What would you like to eat?” Dexter asked.

On hearing about food, my stomach began to make gurgling sounds, reminding me that I hadn’t eaten any serious food since breakfast. “Anything you prepare.” I replied simply. “I’ll just get a glass of juice in the kitchen.”

He headed towards the room to drop his jacket while I left for the kitchen. We’d stopped sharing rooms because of Victoria who thought I was a maid.

The kitchen was quiet as expected but something caught my attention which was the darkness and sniffle coming from an opposite direction. I quickly flipped the switch and listened attentively to where the noise could be coming from.

Enveloped with fear, I picked up a rod beside the trashcan and headed towards the pantry where the sound seemed to be coming from.

It became louder as I got closer, the groans I heard startled me and in quick response I raised the rod, ready to hit whoever was hiding. It might just be the intruder.

I inclined my head as a familiar pair of puffy eyes met mine with a wail. “No!” Victoria screamed.

I stopped dead in my tracks as a muffle followed. She crawled out of her hiding space unclad, her skin red with blisters and her hair a matted mess.

“Dexter!” I called out as I crouched beside her.

Loud footsteps resonated into the kitchen and sooner I felt his presence around me. “She’s sick.” I observed, checking her eyes which were closing.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Victoria stared at the both of us with a stare that showed how dazed she was. Her fingers sought her scalp as she scratched violently.

My lips parted as I realised what might have gone wrong with her. She slumped on my chest then smiled tiredly as she tried to make out a word. “C-Cocaine.” She whispered and immediately her eyes closed.