I’ll Stay Here.
The next day I wake up with someone knocking on my door, I get up and open it, still half asleep I see that Louis is looking at me.
I remember that I’m not wearing appropriate clothes, I look at myself, and close the door quickly.
一 Give me a second… said Ana shouting.一 Damn, did he see?
I open the door of my wardrobe and start rummaging through it trying to find a decent outfit, after a lot of work I find a dress and put it on as quickly as possible.
I take a look in the mirror and see how my face looks, I go to the door and open it again, Louis is still the same way.
What brings you here?
I knocked on the door several times and you didn’t open so I walked in, and came to your room… are you a human rock?
Well, I’m just a little tired, that’s why I didn’t listen.
I just came to tell you I sent Sandra to stay with your parents.
Why?
Because everything is so quiet, if he’s going to do anything to your parents then Sandra will already be there.
一But I don’t think he would hurt my parents.
一I’m just taking precautions…
一Well…
一And I’ll stay here for two days and start taking turns with Zyan.
一I don’t think you need to stay here… I just think…
一Why? Are you afraid of me? Louis raised his eyebrow.
I’m not afraid of you, it’s just that I’m not going to feel very comfortable with you here.
So that’s the problem?
Yes, that’s the problem.
一So get used to it.
Ana looks at Louis who shrugs his shoulders and goes to the living room and sits on the couch, Ana rolls her eyes and goes to the bathroom.
Minutes later Ana prepares her coffee and drinks. Ana glances at Louis who was reading a book.
This is worse than prison, with Louis here.
I grab my purse and the keys.
一I’m leaving…
一…
He doesn’t care much, I close the door and leave, I need to research more about Gabriel.
Ana goes to the bookstore and the Lord goes towards her.
You remember me?
You’re the girl from the book, right?
一Yes…
For an old man, he’s got a pretty good memory.
一I just came to ask a question. Ana looks around and puts her hand on the counter
一You can talk.
The old owner of the book, where did she get it from?
It was here. Joe lowers his head.
How did it get here?
A boy who brought it.
What did he look like?
Tall, dark eyes and black hair.
一 I see… It has nothing to do with Gabriel.
一It looks like this is not the answer you were expecting…
一I thought it was a light-eyed one.
一Clear-eyed… No.
Ana left the bookstore a little discouraged.
一I thought if I came here I would find something….
On the way back home she keeps thinking about what would happen after everything is over.
一Will everything be like before? Tomorrow I will go to the university alone since Sandra is traveling.
I return home and Louis is standing with his arms folded.
一What happened?
Do you want to play?
What do you mean?
一Ah, please, you know very well what I am talking about, don’t play the innocent that we know you are not.
The advice.
I look at Louis not knowing why he is angry.
一…
He points to the book that is on the coffee table. Ana looks at her purse and realizes that she had forgotten to take it.
一 I didn’t remember…
Please, Ana, how could you not remember? You know very well that you need to keep this book with you at all times? you’re not at the beginning of your contract to forget?
一I forgot, no need to get angry like this…
一Do you really want to put your life at risk? Because if that’s the case I’ll stop protecting you.
一Want to talk about protecting? What about the girl who died? Did you protect her? I bet you killed her… Ana whispers.
How dare you talk like that?
一I feel sorry for that girl, she lost her life because of a stupid book. says Ana pointing to the book.
Louis approaches Anne with his sharp red eyes.
Don’t say what you don’t know.
一You must have forced her to make this damn contract just like you did to me.
一I told you not to speak what you don’t know!
He quickly grabs Ana by the neck and lifts her up, Louis is totally beside himself.
Are you going to kill me too? says Ana almost without voice.
Louis hangs her more and more, her eyes get weak and finally he lets her go and Ana falls on the floor on her knees, she puts her hand on her neck.
一cof, cof
一 If that’s the case, you don’t have to take care of the book anymore, I won’t protect someone like you… Goodbye Ana, and one more thing you are forbidden to talk about her….
His voice is that of someone holding back tears I can’t see his countenance, he lifts his head and turns to glance and then disappears.
I get up and go to the book.
一I don’t care anymore, you’ve only brought me trouble….
I go to my room and open the last drawer of my bookshelf and throw the book.
***
一I’m sick of having to put up with that girl.
Zyan lifted his head startled by Louis’s words.
What happened?
That’s what goes by the book.
Did you guys have a fight?
She talked about Sabrina… almost… she would die for talking too much, if I lose my control I don’t know what she would turn into… I’m sick of it, I’m breaking the contract.
一 Not that one. says Zyan getting up.
一 From today on I will no longer protect her, if you want to do it yourself.
You’re just hot headed.
一I’ve made my decision, she doesn’t care about anything, I won’t risk myself for her.
一I’ll talk to her, don’t make hasty decisions.
I look at Louis who is furious and take a deep breath.
一Louis don’t let this affect… if she stays without protection it will be easier, think well go rest a little, and then we’ll talk more, I’ll talk to Ana.