chapter 3

Angelina-

"Angelina, wake up. You'll be late!"

I groaned in my sleep when my mother called me from downstairs. I ignored her and pulled the pillow over my ears to mute her voice.

I heard her call me twice and then she screamed,

"Angelina Patrick! If you don't get your ass down, I'll personally come up and pull you by your ears!"

My eyes shot open at her angry voice. When my mother calls us by our full name it means she's done being good and will soon turn into the dangerous mom.

Letting out an irritated groan, I got up from my bed and headed toward the shower. After a quick hot shower, I chose to wear a simple white dress and then strode down. I always preferred wearing simple outfits. I didn't have any glamorous figure to show up so I never thought about what to wear.

I looked at myself and smiled. It did look good on me. Applying a hint of make-up, I went downstairs.

As soon as I entered the kitchen the sweet aroma of pancakes filled my nostrils and my stomach growled in hunger.

"Good morning mom!" I greeted her and then kissing her cheek, I sat down.

"Good morning honey." She smiled. "Lexi will be here soon. I won't be there to pick you up so don't forget to ask her for the ride."

"Yeah, mom-uh-well tonight I'll be late. Mr. Peterson wants me to stay up at work because Linda can't makeup and they seem to have some sort of party."

She thought about it for a moment and then nodded. "Okay. Don't be too late." she reminds me. I smiled and ate my breakfast.

I was almost done when I saw Lexi's message pop up

I am here.

"Mom, Lexi's here. I have to go. Bye, love you!"

"Bye honey, stay safe." I closed the door behind me and walked out. I grinned at my best friend who looked amazing as ever.6

"Good morning." I greeted her as I got in the car.

She was staring outside the car which was parked across the street. I waved my hand to snap her out of her thoughts. She blinked her eyes and then smiled, "Hey Angelina. You ready to go?"

"Yeah, I am. But what's up with you? You look a bit worried!" I asked her.

"Look over there—" she said pointing to the other side. "Isn't that the same care you were talking about earlier?"

My face paled.

It was the same car which I saw yesterday. The car was parked in the same place. My heartbeats quickened and I moved my eyes away. "Forget about it, Lexi. It might be some other car." She nodded and started driving.

I tried to calm myself along the ride but my mind seemed to disagree. I kept glancing outside to see whether the car was following me. The feeling of being stalked was making me nervous. I never liked attention in my life. I was always the silent and reserved type of girl. It made me run over hills when all those eyes were hooded upon me. I just hoped that whoever it was, would soon realize that I am way too boring and get tired of me.

"It's been 5 minutes that we're here and you're still sitting in the car worrying about how the world is going to end," Lexi said rolling her eyes.

I then realized that she had already parked the car and was waiting impatiently for me to head out. "Sorry, I just zoned out a little," I said apologetically.

"Angel if something's bothering you, I am there for you anytime, and you know that, right?" Lexi asked me with concern. I smiled "Yeah, babe. I know that very well. And nothing is bothering me, thank you!"

We headed toward our classes.

The day went by as usual and it was time for my last class, which was my favorite one-

Music.

I always loved playing guitar. It made my mind fresh and helped me zone out of this world for a while.

When I entered the class I saw that the benches were already full and the only place vacant was next to...

Oh shit!

It was next to Thomas.

I had a crush on Thomas since high school. He had blue eyes and a dazzling smile. Girls used to drool over him which included me of course. But I never made a move from my side. Apart from Lexi, nobody knew about it.

As the teacher entered the class I hurried towards my seat and sat next to him. He was busy texting someone on his phone so he didn't notice me. As I cleared my throat and smiled at him, he just looked up, nodded, and continued texting.

Uh—did he just wave me off?

"Class, today we aren't going to learn anything new to play. But instead, you'll be trying to find a new tune yourself. Just close your eyes and let your mind and heart work together to guide you and play." Teacher said.

So I followed the instructions and close my eyes and let my mind guide me.

But soon the pictures of the car flashed across my mind. It was weird but I felt some kind of longing towards the car. Was it my curiosity to know the person behind that window? But it felt somewhat good.

The teacher was right. Playing the tune your mind led made me calm and happy.

When I opened my eyes, Thomas was staring at me intensely.

I blushed.

He said smiling, "Hey, I'm sorry for making you embarrassed but you very playing flawlessly. It was so peaceful. I couldn't help but enjoy it".

I blushed ten times more!!

"Uh—thanks. I just followed my heart."

He gave me a breathtaking smile and continued staring at me.

Too much for luck, the bell rang. I practically ran out of the class. I need to get fresh air before I die blushing. I was waiting for the cab when I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and froze when I saw Thomas smiling at me.

I blushed again.

There's nothing to blush Angel, he's just smiling. I scolded myself.

"Yeah?" I asked trying not to sound desperate.

"You forgot this." He handed me my notes.

"Thanks." I took it from him and put it in my bag. He was still there waiting to say something. I raised my eyebrow at him.

"Well, Angelina, I was wondering if yo...you know I missed a couple of classes so uh--I was---I just want to know if you could come today and teach me. We could catch up for coffee and then head towards my home," he said nervously.

I was stunned.

Did Thomas really try to ask me out?

Before I could ask anything, a small boy came running towards me and gave me a paper. I looked at the folded piece and then at the boy. "Who gave you this paper, kid?" I asked confused.

The child just shook his head and ran off.

I opened the paper and it was written—

You have 30 seconds to tell that prick to fuck off. Because if you won't then, I'll do it and he will surely regret it. Now be a good girl and tell him to get lost. Okay, love?

I gulped as I stared at those words. My heartbeats quickened and my palms started sweating. I looked around to see whether I could see the guy but he wasn't visible. I guess whoever sent this note must be hiding in some place and watching me constantly.

"Any problem, Angelina? Is everything okay?" Thomas asked looking at me.

"Yeah. Everything's fine, Thomas, thank you." I hurried. "I am sorry but I don't have time today, I have work. But I'll make it up okay-uh-how about I come over tomorrow and you can tell me all your doubts." I said in one breath.

"Whoa, whoa! Slow down there, Angelina. Don't rush. I am sorry I didn't know about your plans. Yeah, tomorrow is fine. We can first go--"

"Yes, yes. We'll go wherever you want. Now I need to rush...okay bye." I cut him off and ran away not waiting for his goodbye.

I halting a cab and told them my destination. I was beyond scared when I read the letter. I had to blow off Thomas to avoid any scene on the street. The person who wrote the note and sent it to me was sure to beat the shit out of Thomas if I didn't back off any time soon. The paper was still crushed in my hand and my heart was still racing from fear. I was constantly staring at the letter.

My love.

The words were scaring me.

Now the feeling of being stalked was really driving me crazy. The words themselves were enough to scare me. My instincts told me that it wasn't some lame prank by any boys but a threatening note by someone dangerous, someone who wants to be taken seriously. I shivered in fear and decided to tell Lexi about the note the first thing in the morning.

•••

Mr. Peterson was right. Tonight the cafe was very busy. There was an anniversary party of an old couple and even after so many years, they looked like a couple in love. I enjoyed watching them stealing glances and staring at each other lovingly. I never saw that kind of love in my family. It was my mom, Alex, and me, so I hoped that after I get married, my husband would love me. Just like the old couple, I hoped my love would grow old in the arms of my lovers.18

My shift ended pretty late than I expected. After saying goodbye to everyone I headed towards my car and then it clicked,

Oh crap!

Lexi gave me the ride this morning. Oh god! I'll have to take a cab.

Not wasting much time, I quickly dialed the number and booked a cab. I was waiting for it to arrive when I saw two men standing under the street light and had their gaze fixed on me. I tried to ignore their stares and stood there. After a couple of minutes of waiting, I turned around and found them at the same place. Feeling fear creeping through my senses, I started walking in the opposite direction. At the turning, I turned around and my eyes widened in fear when I saw them following me.

I panicked and started walking fast on the street. It was late, past eleven and the streets were less crowded, almost empty.

I glanced behind nervously and a gasp escaped my mouth. Three more men had joined them.

By the end of the block, I started running faster. As I was about to take a turn a strong hand covered my mouth and dragged me to the alley. My eyes widened in fear and I struggled in the man's arms. My breathing hitched when I saw the same man standing in front of me.

My life was in danger.

They were going to kidnap me or possibly r-ape me or worst kill me.

Oh god, I am going to die.

My heartbeat quickened at the thought and so I did what first came to my mind. I screamed loudly. The man immediately punched me right across the face, sending me flying on the ground. I groaned in pain and the taste of metallic blood flooded my mouth.

The man stormed towards me and pulled me by my hair and made me look at his ugly face, "You bitch! How dare you scream?" he snapped making me whimper in pain, "The job was just to kidnap you and hand you over but now," he smiled wickedly,

"Because of a little stunt, we might have added a little adventure to your journey."

Others laughed in agreement. The man laughed along with them and then moved his gaze towards me and then he smashed his lips on mine. I felt bile rising up my throat. The other man came and started dragging me so that I was held tightly against the wall. I couldn't move. I was paralyzed.

When I tried to fight back and struggle, one of them punched me in the stomach. I coughed off blood and cried in pain. One of them kicked me and I fell on the ground. It felt like the end of my life, the pain was too much to handle.

The man who had kissed me earlier stood in front of me with a knife. My eyes widened. I'm over now. I just stared at the shining weapon in his hands.

"My. My, it's such a shame that a pretty little girl is lying on the ground covered in cuts and bruises." He shook his head as if he found my condition funny. "Now where is your dear savior? Isn't he going to come to save his girl?" He laughed wickedly, his eyes full of hatred.

He took my hands in one of his and then started tearing my dress with the knife, making sure that the knife was piercing my skin. I cried loudly in pain.

There was a big noise of a gunshot which made him still, the knife still inside my skin, the blood still oozing out from the cut. And within seconds one of them fell to the ground with a thud.

"You have 5 seconds to back off from her or else I'll fucking chop your hands," A dark and loud voice boomed from dark.

I blinked my eyes open and tried to see him but I couldn't, my body was on fire.

The man holding the knife backed away from me and lunged toward him. Soon the men joined him and started fighting with the unknown man. I tried to move my body, to get up, to run, and to do something but the pain was too much. The sight of blood left a bitter taste in my mouth. So instead I stopped moving and kept groaning in pain.

From my perceptual vision, I saw three more men joining the man who just saved my life.

I kept crying silently, feeling the energy draining from my body. Soon I saw the man rushing towards me and then kneeled down at my sight. He widened his eyes when a sob escaped my mouth and my eyes started shutting off.

"Angelina! Oh shit!" He exclaimed, "Hey, stay awake love."

How did he know my name and why did he seem so worried?

I tried to listen to his words and open my eyes but I couldn't. I couldn't see his face. My body felt limp as I felt myself falling asleep.

He picked me up in bridal style and started running. He was talking something to me but I couldn't understand. My vision blurred. I was losing my consciousness.

The last thing I heard the man saying was,

"Don't worry! I won't let anything happen to you! My Angel.