The Close Call: NYSSA
Days passed after the incident, and I felt better even though I had yet to get over what happened. With Kazmir by my side, a man who promised not to leave for work for the rest of the season – not until all of this was over – made me feel very much better.
I woke up this mornin’, better than the other days. Many thoughts ran ’bout in my head as I contemplated whether or not to reach out to the cleaner whose name happened to be Stella, as written on the piece of paper alongside her contact that was given to me.
Kazmir didn’t want me to.
He claimed that she could be a trap, even though I couldn’t wrap my hands around how she might be a trap. Wasn’t she the same woman who helped me run away from that company? I was seated on one of the chairs in the dinin’ unit, inhalin’ and exhalin’ as I wondered also what to make for breakfast.
Ever since I got back from that company many days ago, I haven’t made a sin’le meal.
To Kazmir, I was traumatized and needed all the time in the world to recover from the incident, although he was right. Now was also the right time to resume and act like none of these happened.
Havin’ these thoughts, I was on my feet and headed towards the kitchen door when a sound startled me – scarin’ me and causin’ me to turn around.
“Nyssa,” Kazmir called with a sigh of relief, his hand on his chest. “I thought at some point that you weren’t safe or somethin’ had happened, even though the house is secured and I have almost nothin’ to worry ’bout.”
He caught up with the kitchen where I was in, looked at me before askin’. “Did you have a good night’s rest?”
A smile.
I added a nod.
“I slept well, Kazmir,” I assured ‘im with another nod. “I thought I should make some food for us this mornin’. It’s high time I just returned to doin’ what I used to do, or don’t you think the same?” I looked away from the crops of potatoes I was holdin’, meetin’ his gaze. “Did you have a good night’s rest too?”
He took another knife, givin’ a nod.
“I believe I slept well, baby. You have almost nothin’ to worry ’bout, mm?” He smiled and together, we faced our work. While at it, I thought ’bout somethin’ I must do and set at it, although with the uncertainty of how to go ’bout it – which I had to figure out.
“Can I talk to you ’bout somethin’?” Finally, I let out when we were in the process of fryin’ the potatoes. “I have somethin’ I want to talk to you ’bout, Kazmir. Do you mind?” I walked closer so that we could have access to each other at the slightest.
“What is botherin’ you, Nyssa? I should have known when I walked into the kitchen. Do you want to talk ’bout it?” Even though I was sure he heard me, he still had to ask that question. “Let’s talk then.”
A sigh of relief ran out of my mouth. I smiled and leaned on the table after checkin’ on the potatoes once more. “It’s ’bout Stella, Kazmir-” I began.
“I wanted us to give her a call. Even if it’s a trap, doesn’t she deserve a ‘thank you for helpin’ me’ call, Kazmir? I’m sure she’s even worried ’bout me and needs to hear from me. I also know that she would have reached out if she had the power to.”
The man, obviously frustrated, heaved a sigh.
“I get it.”
“But I can’t open my heart to trustin’ someone else anymore. First, it was Ember and now Jane who we’re not even sure of her name. Then there’s some Stella who might be the next person and guess what? This is all ’cause of me, and not somethin’ else.”
He was right.
And also wrong.
Somethin’ inside of me felt I could trust this lady. I felt a strong urge to call her or even invite her to the house so that we could talk.
“Let’s take one last risk,” I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at ‘im. “Let’s give it one last chance, Kazmir Draven. What do you say ’bout it? It’s just a call, Kazmir. Nothin’ more.”
“I know,” he walked to the burner area to check on the potatoes. “I know, let’s give it a try then, but on one condition. You’ll make that call in my presence and also, I want to hear every bit of that conversation. Do you know what that means, Nyssa Draven?”
I smiled, obviously relieved.
“I’ll do just that,” I promised, gettin’ plates for our mornin’ meal – especially when it was all ready. “Custard or coffee?” I asked, addin’ some water to the kettle so that I could boil for the second purpose.
“I think I’ll have just potatoes,” Kazmir said while I turned the burner off. “You should make it for yourself.” He added but I shook my head, wantin’ the same thing he wanted also.
In moments, we were both seated across the dinin’ table, eatin’ from our plates while I tried to recall where I kept the piece of paper Stella had given to me.
A sigh ran out of my mouth when I recalled it and now, I was on my feet and runnin’ to the bedroom so that I could get my phone. I caught the paper and my phone, rushed back down to the livin’ room, and settled next to Kazmir who gave a condition.
“Let’s do this already. I don’t feel so good ’bout it, Nyssa. Did you get the contact?”
“Yes,” I nodded and dialed the contact, placin’ the phone close to my ear and recallin’ also the condition Kazmir gave to me. “I’m sorry.” I did as told and the both of us now listened to the beepin’ of Stella’s device – waitin’ also for her to do the needful.
“Hello. This is Stella on the line. What may I do for you?” She sounded when she picked up the call. Now I looked at Kazmir who nodded, makin’ me think that he thought ’bout me bein’ safe – since at least, her name was truly Stella.
“Hello, Stella. This is Nyssa Draven,” I sounded, noticin’ a sound from the background. “I’m sorry to call you while you’re at work. I can check in later and I am sorry for not callin’ earlier too. I had a lot to fix.” It was a lie and a truth at the same time.
“That’s alright, Mrs. Draven. Tell me you’re safe, are you?” She asked, her tone lower than it was. “I would have called a long time ago but I didn’t have your contact so I couldn’t do that. I have somethin’ to tell you, too, but give me a moment.”
Myself and Kazmir looked at each other for a moment, confusion written on our countenance. “What could it be, Stella?” I asked and heard the sound of a door, and then footsteps again, scarin’ me the more. “Are you there?” I whispered and heard another sound that happened to be her voice.
“The men are out for you, Mrs. Draven. Many of them that work for Theodore Crowley. I hear everythin’ that’s happenin’-” she now sounded.
“I heard Jane talkin’ to Theodore himself in his office days later and he says he wants you in his custody and the men are out for you – paradin’ around your Estate if I’m not wrong. You must stay safe, and I’ll call you when I get home so that a way to brin’ this to an end can be discussed.”
The call ended and Kazmir heaved a sigh. “I’ll call my men to mount this Estate. I should have known the bastard was out for you. Fear is his name.”