Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88305 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 442(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
When I take the road to my house, I notice a black van behind me.
My heart thumps as I squint, but I still can’t make out any faces through their tinted window.
The memory of the two men from this morning rushes back in. I wish I’d memorized their plate so I’d know if it was the same people.
I step harder on the gas and speed around some other cars. But I don’t lose them.
In fact, they become more insistent about staying in the same lane as me, right behind me.
Oh, God.
They are after me.
My throat closes and my heart beats faster until all I can hear is a low buzzing. My fingers shake around the steering wheel and I keep attempting to escape them. I’m contemplating calling 911 as I’m nearing the exit that leads to my house, but they speed past me.
I release a long, tortured breath even as I watch my rearview mirror all the way home. I stop in our driveway and retrieve my phone. Despite everything that’s happened, the pieces of my broken heart jolt when I find several missed calls from Sebastian over the past couple of hours.
It’s useless to think of myself above this if my heart is yearning for a word from him.
Anything.
But I’m not that idiot. I never will be.
Ignoring his calls and also several from Lucy, I opt to turn off my phone. Just as I’m about to, my screen lights up with another one.
Kai.
After what he told me about the possibility of my father’s death, we’ve barely talked. I assumed he didn’t want to tell me more bad news.
In return, I didn’t push; therefore, I didn’t receive any further news.
Clearing my throat, I answer, “Hello.”
“Hey, Naomi.” His voice is light, not as serious as the last time.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes. Actually, I might have some good news for you.”
I perk up in my seat, my throat dry with the tangible taste of excitement. “What?”
“I had a meeting with a few other people who were present the night that picture was taken. Apparently, your mother left the club with a different man than the one who owned the car we previously identified.”
“And…do you know who he is?”
“I’m getting there. Give me some time and I’ll be able to locate him.”
My chest feels lighter, even if all of this could be smoke and mirrors. After all, Kai could locate this man and find out he’s dead, too. Or maybe my father is, in fact, the man who already passed away and I’m just chasing an illusion.
But I don’t care.
As long as there’s hope to reunite with Dad, I’ll hold on to it with both hands.
“Thanks,” I murmur.
“Don’t thank me until I bring him to you. Or maybe I’ll take you to him if the circumstances allow for it.”
“That would be great.” I swallow as I stare through the rearview mirror to make sure no one is there. “Kai…”
“Yes?”
“I have a friend who thinks she’s being followed by a car, should she call the police?”
He pauses, no sound coming for several seconds until I think he’s no longer there, but then he asks in his serious tone, “Did she see the face of who’s following her?”
“No.”
“A license plate?”
“No…” I was too nervous to focus on that.
“Anything specific?”
“It was just a black van. It’s the second or third time she’s seen it around.”
“Calling the police is pointless unless she has something to back her claim. A license plate number is the very least she has to provide.”
“I see.”
“Is your friend scared? Feeling threatened?”
“A little.” A lot.
“Does she suspect anyone?”
“It could be people from her parents’ past.”
“Maybe you should distance yourself from her then.”
“I…will.” I scoff internally at the thought of distancing myself from myself. I’d love that option more than anything right now.
After I finish the call with Kai, I step out of my car and drag my feet to the house.
I want to collapse and sleep until tomorrow.
Or next week, if that’s possible.
Then I recall Mom’s dark circles and I jog back to the car, get the sleep aid I bought this morning, and go inside.
I head to her room, which is rare as hell for me to do. But I guess I just need my mom right now.
Just like that red night.
It’s ironic how we’re not really that close, but she’s the one person I turn to in my darkest moments.
Her bedroom is filled with model sketches and she has a mannequin in the middle that’s wearing half-black and half-white like the evil guy in Batman.
Countless copies of her couture house’s brochures are spread out on the coffee table and I can’t help my smile as I reminiscence about how far she’s come.
She started with nothing and built her way to the top by the sheer force of her determination and ambition. And that alone is awe-inspiring.