CHAPTER 3 Was I that good?

　　Genevieve's POV

　　"This is the third time you're spacing out today." Barb observed fixing me with her concerned blue eyes.

　　"What were you saying?" I blink looking over at Barb.

　　"You did it again," she reiterates.

　　"I'm so sorry," I replied.

　　"What is going on with you?" She questions her brows dipping in concern.

　　"Me? Nothing.. nothing's going on." I lied, shaking my head.

　　I haven't been myself ever since that encounter with those frightening men that abducted me three days ago. And since then I feel like I'm being watched 24/7 and it's very scary and highly uncomfortable for me.

　　I haven't told anyone what happened that night, not my fiance Cole or even my family. I'm afraid that the man I treated wasn't bluffing when he said that he'd kill me and my family.

　　There was a glint in his eyes that told me that he would make good on his threat and that scares me to death.

　　Thinking about it brings goosebumps all over my skin. I shudder a bit, rubbing my arms.

　　"Why don't I believe you?" she arches a brow, her eyes perusing me.

　　"I'm okay Barb…I guess I'm just stressed out lately." I said while drinking some water.

　　"If you're stressed, take a leave, it's as easy as that," she shrugs.

　　"Ugh!.. you know I can't Barb. I love working, I love my job." I replied.

　　"If you keep on spacing out like this.. .you might not have a job anymore." Barb said in a concerned tone.

　　I exhale. " I'll be fine and I won't lose my job, okay." I assured her.

　　"If you say so. But I want you to know that if there's anything you want to talk about...anything at all, you can talk to me," she reaches across the table gripping onto my hand.

　　"Thank you Barb." I smiled at her, placing my other hand atop mine.

　　"You're welcome Evie," she smiles back at me.

　　We continued eating our lunch before we went back to work. The hospital reception area was filled with patients being wheeled around or taking a walk around the hospital, or with people that came visiting their family members in the hospital.

　　The constant ringing of the telephone and the voice of doctors or nurses speaking through the speakers were giving me a headache.

　　I rubbed my temples in exhaustion, I wasn't completely lying when I told Barb that I'm stressed. Even before the incident three days ago, I've been under a lot of stress but it's gotten worse after the incident.

　　Maybe Barb was right, maybe I did need a break. Sighing I looked down and continued with my work.

　　I can't wait to go back home. Just a few more hours.

　　I was more than overjoyed when it was time for me to go back home. I hastily picked up my bag and red scarf and headed downstairs with Barb.

　　I lost my lilac scarf that my Mom bought for me at that place. I bid Barb goodnight as she got in her car and drove away from the hospital.

　　"Oh no.. not tonight please." I said walking to my car looking down at my flat tire.

　　I crouched down inspecting the flat tire. "How did this even happen? I'm certain my tires were in perfect condition this morning." I muttered.

　　"This is frustrating." I groaned standing back up.

　　I reluctantly started making my way down the street, my eyes darting around the street. I feel like someone's following me. I remember that man telling me that he's watching me three days ago.

　　So I hastened my step, walking faster, I glanced behind me and saw a tall hooded figure that's far behind me. I panicked and continued walking faster, my heart hammering in my chest.

　　I looked back and saw that the figure started walking faster as well. Scared, I started running down the street after sometime I looked back and didn't see the hooded figure anymore, it was like the person disappeared into the night.

　　I was backing away, still looking behind me, breathing heavily, trembling. I screamed when I felt somebody grab me from behind around my waist.

　　"Let me go! Get off of me!" I screamed struggling against the person's hold.

　　"Jesus, calm down love... it's just me." Cole's calm and smooth voice says from behind me.

　　"Cole?" I turned around looking at his concerned face, before relief washed over my face.

　　"Are you okay?" He asked, his hands still on my waist, steadying me.

　　"Oh my God Cole. You scared me." I said, swatting at his arm while placing a hand on my chest.

　　"I'm sorry if I scared you" he said, his blue eyes perusing me.

　　"What were you thinking scaring me like that?" I said.

　　"I could have had a heart attack Cole."

　　"I'm sorry Genevieve," he said, hugging me as I leaned into his warm embrace.

　　"Please don't do that again." I implored my face still on his chest.

　　"I won't do it again. I promise," he said soothingly rubbing my back.

　　"But hold on...was I that good?" he pulled back looking at me while cupping my face with both of his hands.

　　"Yes..you scared me half to death." I laughed a little looking up at him.

　　"Let me make up for that," he smiled leaning down and kissing me on my lips, I returned his kiss, we pulled away from each other after a while.

　　"Am I forgiven now?"

　　"Yes..." I replied laughing looking at him "You know I can't stay mad at you for long."

　　"I love you Genevieve," he said, stroking my cheek with his thumb, adoration evident in his ocean blue eyes.

　　"I love you too, Cole," I smiled at him lovingly.

　　"Come on, I'll walk you home," he smiled holding onto my hand.

　　"Okay," I replied as we walked further down the street, I glanced behind me again for the last time but didn't see anyone, the semi empty street stared back at me.

　　Was I imagining things?

　　Shaking my head I cleared those thoughts from my head holding tightly onto Cole's warm hands as he walked me home.

　　"You didn't come with your car?" I asked.

　　"No.. I wanted to walk you home."

　　"Oh…" I nod in response.

　　We are at my house twenty minutes later, standing in front of our front door. I turned to Cole.

　　"Thank you for walking me back home," I said, smiling.

　　"It's nothing, I'll do anything for you. You know that right?" he asked and I nodded.

　　"Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?" I offered.

　　"Are you sure?"

　　"Mhmm..." I nod once more.

　　"Sure," he grinned.

　　I led him into the house shutting the door, we took off our shoes heading to the living room. Mom was seated in the living room with my five year old little brother Noah sleeping on her lap as she stroked his dark hair.

　　"Genevieve," Mom called out.

　　"Good evening Mom," I greeted.

　　"Evening dear," Mom replied smiling before looking behind me.

　　"Good evening Mrs Miller," Cole greets.

　　"Good evening Cole, how are you?"

　　"I'm okay," Cole returns Mom's smile.

　　"How are you doing Mrs Miller?"

　　"I'm quite alright Cole, thank you." Mom replied.

　　"You're welcome."

　　"How's your mother by the way... I haven't seen her in a while." Mom asks as Noah stirs on her lap.

　　"My mother's okay... she's on a vacation with my dad. They traveled to New Caledonia."

　　"That's nice… no wonder I haven't seen her these days."

　　"Yeah," Cole nods.

　　"Mom Where's grandma?" I asked my eyes darting around the house.

　　"Oh.. she's upstairs in her room, sleeping," she replied.

　　"Oh..okay," I replied heading to the kitchen to make a cup of coffee for Cole. I smiled softly when I heard him conversing with Mom while I made his coffee.

　　I poured it in a cup and walked back to the living room to where Cole sat on one of the sofas.

　　"Here you go," I handed him the cup.

　　"Thank you love," he collects the coffee while taking a sip.

　　"It's just how I like it," he smiles looking at me.

　　"I'm glad you like it," I replied.

　　"I'll go upstairs now..call it a night" Mom said carrying Noah and getting up from the sofa.

　　"Do you need help with Noah?" I walked up to her.

　　"Don't worry dear, I can manage."

　　"Alright Good night Mom." I said to her, before kissing Noah's rosy chubby cheeks.

　　"Goodnight Genevieve," mom smiles at me.

　　"Good night Mrs Miller."

　　"Good night Cole, bye." Mom climbs upstairs, heading to her room.

　　"I'll see you tomorrow." I said standing outside our front door.

　　Cole heads out before he turns around to look at me before he cups my cheek and kisses me, dropping another quick peck on my lips he pulls away.

　　"I'll see you tomorrow love, goodnight."

　　"Good night honey, love you." I smiled.

　　"Love you more," he grins at me, I wave at him as he waves back before he turns around and walks away from our house, I watch as his retreating figure disappears into the night.

　　I stood there for a little while with a smile tugging at the corners of my lips. I was about to head back inside when I noticed a shiny black car parked a few paces from our house.

　　Squinting my eyes at the strange car, my eyes widened in fear when I realized that it looked exactly like that car from three days ago.

　　Have they been following me? Are they really watching me? My family? Cole?

　　I quickly ran back inside the house shutting the door behind me, fear gripping my insides. I dashed to the telephone and was about to call the police but then I remembered I didn't really have any solid evidence against them.

　　It might even be someone else in that car and not those men. Putting down the telephone I slowly walked back to the curtains and peeked at the car parked outside but I didn't see it anymore.

　　I opened the door with clammy hands and looked outside but the car still wasn't in sight. I didn't even hear them leave.

　　Am I really hallucinating? Maybe Barb was right about that leave.

　　I exhaled before I headed back inside and locked the front door, then I switched off the television and lights before heading upstairs. After checking on my family I headed to my bedroom.

　　I got in and took off my work clothes before entering the bathroom, I brushed my teeth and took a shower. Returning to the bedroom I put my hair in a messy bun atop my head and got dressed in an ivory camisole and matching shorts. Then I plopped down on my bed, pulling the blanket over my body, closing my eyes hoping I wouldn't come across any green eyed monster in my dreams.

　　I woke up and got ready for work the next day, picking up my bag before heading downstairs. I heard voices coming from the kitchen.

　　"Noah.. stop playing with your food." Mom said.

　　"I don't like eggs Mommy," Noah replied.

　　"But you need them if you want to grow as tall as your daddy." My grandmother replied.

　　"Really?" He asked, his big brown eyes twinkling at the thought of being tall like Dad.

　　Dad passed away a year after Noah was born. He died in a car accident, Noah doesn't really remember much of him because he was still a baby when he died he only saw him through pictures.

　　Noah was a dead ringer for Dad when he was around his age, same dark hair and big brown eyes. I got Mom's looks red hair and the same slender body, I got my eyes from Dad whereas mom has hazel eyes.

　　"Of course Noah.. you'd even be taller than Dad." I replied with a smile ruffling his soft dark curly hair. He laughs as I ruffle his hair.

　　"Then I'll eat my eggs, I wanna be strong and tall like Daddy," he says excitedly while eating.

　　"Good morning Mom, good morning grandma." I look at Mom and grandma.

　　"Good morning Genevieve," Mom replied.

　　"Good morning dear child," grandma smiles warmly at me.

　　"Come sit, have some breakfast." Mom said.

　　After eating breakfast I bid my family goodbye and headed to the front door and stepped outside.

　　Looking up I froze in my steps, my breathing picking up as I saw that same car from last night and this time I see a man seated in the driver's seat staring right at me.

　　I wasn't hallucinating or imagining things.