Chapter One Hundred and Sixty Three

Adian appeared nervous and vague, when he left with Basil, leaving Mel and I to wait for Gerard.

I used the time to finish dressing and mentally prepared myself for my visit to Mr. Knox's office. I also get to see Kathryn again. I haven't seen her since the first day I met Adian at the cafe.

How time has flown with so much happening between us, from then to now.

I decided to dress down today, choosing a light blue skinny jeans that, thankfully still fit, showing off my hips and butt.

Smiling about the days when I considered myself to be fat, only wearing baggy pants and men jerseys to cover my fat.

Thankfully my college roommates, saw the real me and took me shopping three weeks after I started college, throwing away all of my 'old clothes' as they said and in with the new.

My wardrobe took a three sixty that day and I have been dressing to appreciate my body and the way that I look since then.

I used a white button down, long sleeve shirt, that reached my hips, taking a black sport hoodie to use if necessary at the office.

Changing my handbag, I stuffed my phone, wallet and keys into a smaller black handbag, since I decided to go casual today.

Finally I completed my sports ensemble with a black heels.

I heard a whistle while I slowly descended the stairs. stopping for a brief moment when I heard Mel's low chuckle.

I frowned, before continuing my decent and spun around in front of her like a model, laughing with her.

Not being vain, I'm comfortable and assured that I look good, which gives my confidence an extra boost.

"So the husband's away the wife is set to play?" Mel says nodding to Gerard, who steps out of the kitchen with a bottle water in his hand.

Suddenly self-conscious, I turned back to Mel, "when I'm nervous, I dress to give myself an extra boost of confidence, waving to Mrs. Harris as we left the apartment to start another day.

Settled comfortably in the backseat of the black SUV Gerard normally drives, I turned to see Mel sitting beside me, her hands joined together, while she seem to be unconsciously tapping her feet on the floor of the vehicled.

I didn't ask her why she's going to visit Mr. Knox and she didn't volunteer any information, but whatever the reason for her visit, she's definitely anxious.

I turned to look out the window in the other direction at the early morning traffic with the sidewalk full of foot traffic.

Lost in thoughts, I started to recollect what I disclosed to my therapist during my sessions.

My father left me at a place where I stood, with dirt and gravel around me and two cops.

Why was my father arrested and why did they lie to me about him being dead?

Gasping at that thought.

Did my father die in prison? Is my daddy dead? Is that why he never returned to me? Why didn't I think about this before?

Tears started stinging my eyes at these thoughts.

What can I say or ask Mr. Knox now?

Daddy didn't come back to me like he promised, because he couldn't. He died.

This is a wasted trip now, because I no longer need to meet Mr. Knox.

Blinking the tears that threaten to flow, I covered my mouth and my quivering lips.

I was so hopeful. So sure that there's a chance, my daddy was alive somewhere out there.

Ameila!

That horrible, horrible woman, I thought with hate.

If she didn't push my mom, daddy and mommy would have been here with me together with my brother, whom Amelia also took from me.

Determined once again to make Amiela pay for murdering my parents and my brother, I will destroy her peace and happiness the way she destroyed mines.

"Hailey, Hailey" I heard my name being called from the distance.

Spinning around, I realized Mel had been calling me, but I was so lost in thoughts, I didn't hear her.

"We're here" Mel, points behind my head and I slowly turned to see the building that housed Mr. Knox's office.

Without answering her, I slowly got out of the vehicle with Mel following close behind me, so that she won't have to step out in the middle of the traffic.

I stood with Mel outside the building, gazing upwards, to the floor that housed Mr. Knox's office.

Making up my mind and upset with Mr. Knox for still not telling me the truth, I turned to Mel, uncaring of how I sounded to her.

"You go on up and have your meeting, I am hungry so I will go and get something and come back to meet you here." I suggested and she nods in agreement but the questionable frown on her face says that she doesn't believe me.

Before I change my mind and charge up to Mr. Knox's office, I quickly give Mel the floor number and directions to Mr. Knox's office, watching her go into the lobby, before returning to the SUV.

I know that Gerard would not allow me to venture out on my own, so I had to include him in my nonexistent plans.

"There's a cafe lower down this street, can we stop off there so that I can get some breakfast, while we wait for Mel?" I point in the direction of the cafe.

After giving me weird look, Gerard shrugged and turned around in his seat.

"Yes ma'am" Gerard said softly, slowing pulling into the traffic and towards our destination, a short drive away.

As we slowly approached the cafe, I gave Gerard directions to the alley where Adian parked when I first met him, just a few months ago.

Gerard dropped me off in front of the cafe, unwilling to take me into the alley.

"Wait inside the cafe for me." Gerard instructed me.