Chapter 42
Tessy’s POV
I stepped into the shower, letting the warm water wash away my worries. But my mind refused to cooperate, drifting back to Anthony’s touch. His lips on mine, his hands exploring my body, his whispers in my ear. I closed my eyes, reliving the passion. The way he would claim me, my body and soul. My skin tingles, remembering the intensity.
As I washed my hair, I recalled Anthony’s hands around my waist, pulling me closer. How his lips devoured mine, our tongues mixed. My breath quickened, desire growing within me. I couldn’t believe how much I wanted him.
Finally, I forced myself out of the shower and dressed quickly. I had to face reality. I arrived at my parents’ house, nerves fluttering in my stomach. Mom rushed to hug me, tears in her eyes.
“Tessy, where were you? We were so worried!” she exclaimed. Dad’s expression was serious. “You vanished without a word. What’s going on?”
I took a deep breath, fabricating a lie. “I was exhausted, Dad. I needed some sleep.”
Mom’s concern softened. “Oh, sweetie, you should have told us.”
Dad’s anger lingered. “You need to apologize to Eddy. He was angry, how could you just leave, even if you were tired, you should have informed him, he is going to be your husband..”
I nodded. “I will, Dad.” I can’t believe my dad will start talking about the husband part.
My mind was elsewhere, still trapped in Anthony’s arms. As I hugged my mom tight, I couldn’t shake off the feeling that my secrets were slowly unraveling. And that unknown person’s text troubled my mind.
I walked into the school campus, trying to shake off the guilt and anxiety. Elizabeth spotted me and rushed over.
“Hey, best friend.” I tried to act normal.
“Tessy, what happened? You just vanished into thin air!” she exclaimed.
“I am here now, so don’t worry.” I didn’t want to talk about the whole thing to her, I knew how she would react.
“No way, you are going to tell me everything that happened, you disappeared girl and now you are telling me you are here now? I need to know everything that happened.” She refused to end the topic so I guess she won, I will have no other choice but to tell her.
“Okay fine, let’s look for a quiet place to talk about it.”
“No problem.” She added.
We found a quiet spot, and I took a deep breath. “I went to Anthony’s.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened. “Are you insane? He cheated on you, and now you’re sleeping with him? What is wrong with you??”
I expected her reaction, but it still stung. “He apologized and he loves me, and I love him.”
Elizabeth shook her head, disgust written all over her face. “Love? He broke your trust, Tessy! How can you forgive him?”
I felt defensive. “He was genuinely sorry. You didn’t see him, he was broken.” How do I tell her the truth? How does she expect me to tell her he was not broken but dominated me with his aura?
“Broken?” Elizabeth’s voice rose. “He’s playing you, Tessy! Don’t be blind. And don’t forget, he’s your father’s best friend! It’s wrong on so many levels and remember one thing Eddy told us, he is not capable of love so wake up from this dream best friend.”
I shifted uncomfortably, knowing she was right. “I know, … but…”
Elizabeth cut me off. “And what about Eddy? You’re engaged to him! Don’t you feel guilty, Tessy? You’re basically cheating on your fiance with his uncle! It’s time to end this forbidden love and start your life with your fiance.”
Guilt consumed me, but I pushed it away. “Enough Elizabeth, how many times will I tell you that my heart wants Anthony, not Eddy.”
Elizabeth’s expression turned stern. “Your heart? Tessy, think about your father, your family, and Eddy. They’ll be devastated if they find out, just stop please..”
I knew she was right, but I couldn’t help my feelings. “I’ll deal with it, Just support me or you let me be, and stop advising me, I will never leave him..”
Elizabeth sighed, frustration showing on her face. “I’m trying, Tessy, but this is madness. Be careful, and don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I heard you already, let’s go, we got an urgent practical class.” She nodded her head.
As Elizabeth and I walked to class, Jackson appeared out of nowhere, his bright smile faltering for a moment before he regained composure.
“Hey, ladies! Congrats, Tessy!” he said, his eyes locked on mine.
Elizabeth excused herself, leaving us alone. I felt guilty for no reason, unsure what to expect.
“Jackson, I…,” I started, but he cut me off.
“I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement,” he said, his voice laced with a hint of pain.
I felt mute, unable to respond. The guilt was suffocating. I saw the pain in his eyes, and it tore me apart.
“You should have told me you know.” He added but how does he expect me to tell him when he has feelings for me?
Jackson handed me a small gift. “I wanted you to have this.”
“Thank you,” I managed to whisper.
He smiled weakly. “If you ever need someone, I’ll still be here, Tessy.”
With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me reeling.
I opened the gift, and my heart skipped a beat. It was a beautiful picture of me at the lake, taken by Jackson during my time at his Lake house. I remembered that day, it was lively…
I whispered, my voice barely audible, “I’m sorry, Jackson.”
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I gazed at the photo. The memories came flooding back his lake house was like my peace.
I felt torn, my heart heavy with regret. I had hurt Jackson, but it wasn’t my fault, he shouldn’t have gotten feelings for me.
Elizabeth returned, concern on her face. “Tessy, are you okay?”
I nodded, trying to compose myself. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Wow, this is beautiful.” She said but I was no longer interested in her conversation, I just felt bad for him.
I walked out of class, unsure how to face Eddy after everything that had happened, so I decided to call him instead. “Hey,” Eddy answered, sounding calm, which relieved me.
“Hey, Eddy, I’m so sorry about yesterday,” I apologized but I wasn’t feeling guilty anyway.
“Where were you? I was really worried.” Eddy asked, with no anger in his tone.
“I was just overwhelmed and needed some time alone,” I lied, trying to downplay my absence.
“Okay, no worries, I was really worried and thought something had happened to you,” Eddy admitted. “Listen, I’m out of town for a meeting, I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Okay, safe travels,” I replied, trying to sound normal.
We exchanged brief pleasantries before hanging up.
As I walked home, Sophia, my neighbor, beamed at me, her sparkling eyes full of excitement. “Congratulations, Tessy! I saw the engagement video online! You and Eddy make a lovely couple.”
I forced a smile, feeling uneasy and trapped.
Sophia settled into the chair across from me. “So, when’s the big day? Have you started planning?”
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal, feeling anxious. “We haven’t set a date yet.”
Sophia’s eyes widened. “Oh, you must be thrilled! Marriage is a beautiful journey. Do you have any ideas for the wedding?”
I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant, but feeling overwhelmed. “Not really, we haven’t discussed details.”
Sophia leaned in, radiating excitement. “Well, I’m here to help! What’s your dream wedding like?”
I felt trapped, unable to share my true feelings, which were filled with doubt and uncertainty.
“Uh, I don’t know… something small, I guess,” I mumbled.
Sophia nodded enthusiastically. “Intimate gatherings are lovely! You’ll make a stunning bride, Tessy.”
As Sophia continued to gush about wedding plans, my mind wandered to Anthony, what if my dad finds out about the forbidden romance between me and his friend? Will he be disappointed in me?
“Have you thought about honeymoon destinations?” Sophia was like a pain in the ass.
I passed on a polite smile, feeling suffocated by the marriage talk, and desperate to escape.
I finally escaped Sophia’s wedding planning enthusiasm and retreated to my room, feeling overwhelmed. My eyes landed on the mysterious text again
Despite my reservations, I felt an inexplicable pull to go. As night fell, I stopped a taxi and headed to the address, my heart racing.
The taxi dropped me off in front of the dimly lit building. The warehouse looked abandoned, and I hesitated, fear creeping in.
“What am I doing?” I whispered to myself.
Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. I spun around, my heart skipping a beat.
“Who’s there?” I called out, trying to sound brave.
I fumbled for my phone to turn on the flashlight. As the light illuminated the darkness, I gasped.
Blood splatters covered the floor, I was so consumed with fear.
I stepped into the dimly lit warehouse, my heart racing with every creak of the old wooden floorboards. The air was thick with the stench of decay and death. What am I doing? I should be running away!! This is scary…
As I ventured deeper, I stumbled upon a gruesome scene. Two lifeless bodies lay on the ground, their faces twisted in perpetual agony.
“Oh my God!!!”
My scream was trapped in my throat as I froze, paralyzed by horror. One body was battered beyond recognition, while the other…
The other seemed to have been killed by a single, devastating blow from an iron fist. The masked figure stood over the second victim, his fist still clenched, dripping with blood. I ended up throwing up…
I turned the phone touch on again and saw him
raising his iron fist, the sound of crunching bone and flesh echoed through the warehouse, making my stomach churn. The victim’s body jerked, then went limp.
I tried to run, but my legs felt heavy, rooted to the spot. The masked figure began to walk toward me, his footsteps echoing through the warehouse like a death knell.
Each step seemed to draw him closer, his presence suffocating me. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream.
Everything went black as I passed out.
TBC.