**Annabelle**
We engaged in a staring contest, after my mini-confession.
“How?” He finally spoke out, I shrugged in a nonchalant manner. I really didn’t care If he wanted to, that was a part of my past I was not ready to discuss especially not with him.
“Annabelle, talk to me please…” He pleaded, I responded with a scoff.
“Wait till your turn, Its mine now.” My grin made it seem like I was’t affected by what i said, but it hurt just a little. I thought it wouldn’t after such a long time, but it did.
“Why can’t you, and Stephanie get married right now?” The question was bugging me at the back of my mind, so I figured I might as well ask him now since I had the express opportunity. Like I said, not that I care, curiosity.
“Well, she said it’s a contract, to her. But for me, it’s an opportunity to see if I want to spend the rest of my life with her.” He said, I shook my head not knowing how to respond.
“Now, It’s my turn…” He trailed off, but I already knew the question he wanted to ask.
“Didn’t you propose to her, so why are you having second thoughts?” I quickly added, and he sighed then stared at me for a second.
“Ask when it’s your turn, It’s mine now.” He used my words against me, and I chuckled.
“So, how did you almost get raped? how is it my fault? I want to know Anna.” His tone was serious, and void of any playfulness.
“It’s in the past so I won’t dwell on it much. Long story short, after your tweet a bunch of guys wanted to know how good I really felt, they ambushed me, and tried to find out, someone saved me, the end.” I finished, I tried to force a smile, and act unaffected, but it was of no use. I couldn’t help the sad smile that crept to my cheeks as I stared at him.
“I did that to you?” He asked, I nodded slowly.
“Anna I…” I placed my hands in front of him, telling him to keep shut.
“Like I said, it’s in the past. As you can clearly see, I’ve moved on so this pity party would have to end.”
“But still, I am sorry.”
“Don’t be.” I countered firmly.
“Let’s continue, my turn.” I beamed thinking of a question to ask.
“After college, how did you get to be successful? Did your parents help you out or…?” He chuckled a little, as if he was thinking of the best way to respond.
“Well, to be honest, I understand why you would think my parents helped me. Like I said, after what happened between you, and I my parents wouldn’t talk to me for months.”
“If you’re expecting me to feel pity for you, don’t bother it won’t work.” His eyes held despair after I stated the obvious.
“Annabelle, I know I hurt you. After what happened, I was broken too.” I rolled my eyes, and scoffed in annoyance.
“You really want to compare what I went through to yours.” I challenged.
“No I don’t Anna, but I want you to think about it from my perspective, I made a mistake. I hurt you. I bore the consequences too. For peace sakes Anna, I lost you!” He yelled making me freeze.
“No matter what happened to you, I lost you…” He trailed off, the air in the room was thick. I focused on my melting ice cream, not knowing how to reply him.
Suddenly, the door knob twisted, Ava walked in. Her eyes darted from me to Fallon, and back noticing the looks on our faces.
“Am I interrupting something?” I shook my head standing up to keep the bowl.
When I got back, If I didn’t know better i would think Ava was flirting with him, but I did know better. I had to. My phone beeped, and another text came in. It was from the bank, my transaction was successful, there was something else. My parents had requested to get a number, they were probably getting suspicious or maybe they realized my cousins didn’t exist, and wanted to know the good Samaritan who’s been helping them and why.
“Another job?” Fallon’s tone sounded like he was joking or mocking me, but I wasn’t in any mood, I just needed to hurry, and fix this before I’m caught.”
“Fallon, you and Ava seem to be getting close, she can keep you company. I have somewhere I need to be.” I announced, he twitched his lips in confusion, clearly not buying my story.
“I’ll be delighted to.” Ava replied with a grin.
“Alright, I’ll get back as soon as I can.” I announced, barely glancing in Fallon’s direction.
“How are you going to get to where you’re going?” He questioned in a tenderly manner.
“I’ll board a cab.” I briskly replied, opened the door, and simply walked out. I memorized how I would tell the manager to stall them by saying they didn’t want to talk yet or he could simply say they haven’t replied with the number. I just needed a very good excuse to keep them off my back just for a little while. I hailed a cab, got in giving him directions to the bank. My palms were sweaty, I was extremely nervous. I hadn’t seen my parents for six years and I wasn’t ready to face then just yet, no much in the condition I’m in. What would they think of me? I already disgraced then with Fallon and now they won’t care to know the “why’s” they would just think of me as trash.
“I can’t take that.” I mumbled, urging to driver to move faster.
Half an hour later, he pulled over at the bank. I handed him the cab fare, adjusted my clothes, and walked in. I spoke to the receptionist for a few seconds, and I was granted permission to go see the manger to explain things. I took the elevator exhaling at intervals. It dinged, and I got to his office, I clicked the door open taking one last breathe.
“Oh no…” I mumbled the minute I opened the door, all eyes were on me. By “all” I meant the manager, the man, and woman seated there who were my parents. I gulped staring at them.
“Annabelle,” Dad called out softly, my eyes watered up immediately.
Just then, the knob clicked again, and pushed open. Fallon walked in. My mom’s eyes darkened with rage as they glared at him. Recognition flashed through them.
“You two are still together after everything!” She fired, like I said no questions asked. She saw and then she judged. It’s like her style, this was a bad idea. I shouldn’t have come here. Fallon shouldn’t have followed me.
******