LIA POV
He stretched his body, moving close to me then laid his lips on mine. While we smooched, I wondered what he was up to.
“Tell me all about what happened? I was at your house but it was locked. I saw the paper stamped at your door. You haven't been home for two days because if you were, you'd have taken it out,” he said, still in his bent position.
I heaved a deep sigh, struggling to come up with words. He was no fool so I had to come up with a story that would make it easy for me to stay with him. I was scared to live alone. I could not stay at the hotel nor did I have any female friends. I was a loner until I met Greg.
“A stalker followed me. I could not stay home. I had to stay at a hotel,” I confessed.
“What?! Why do you have a stalker tailing you and why didn't you inform the police?” I asked, watching her speak.
“I – I can't. I don't have any information to give them except he wore a hoodie and he'd be long gone before they got to him,” I lied, avoiding his eyes. Visiting the police station would mean sharing my suspicion. I was more than a hundred percent sure that he was sent by Pat.
“Holy crap! Can you just hear yourself? You should have gone to the police to protect you. He could have followed you into the hotel,” he yelled. That was the first time he'd ever raise his voice at me.
“So I'd sleep in the police station if I went there? Going to that place doesn't make any difference. Besides, I was safe at the hotel cause I beat him up,” I replied with an outbust that scared even me. “And why are you yelling at me? This is why I didn't even bother to call you because you won't understand. Nobody does,” I cried, moving away from him, from the couch to the dining room. He followed me and stood at a distance.
“I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm just so furious at the fact that you were in trouble yet you placed yourself in harm's way and didn't even call me. I should have been here to protect you,” he explained but I was still furious. It was quite apparent that where he had journeyed to did not go so well because he was a bit touchy. He moved closer to me and held both my hands. “I'm sorry, I yelled at you,” he apologized then embraced me without saying anything further.
I know, I know - you'd think our relationship's weird and our conversations were a bit awkward but what do you expect from two lovers who wouldn't share any information about themselves to each other.
The only thing I knew about Greg was his name and home address while he knew my name, home address and family name. Our relationship wasn't built on a steady foundation and I was afraid it might crumble. I felt Greg might not really love me. His present attraction might be born out of pity.
While still in his embrace, I figured it was the right time to ask him for a favor. “Meanwhile, can I stay here for the mean time? I can't stay at my apartment. I feel like someone's going to show up in the middle of the night,” I said and stopped to watch his reaction. He detached himself slowly from me and looked without uttering a word. Whatever! I'll say what I had in mind.
I'd rather receive weird states from him than face another drama at my house or spend all my savings to secure myself a hotel room. “I'll be out before you know it. I just need a little bit of time to find a new place and move out of the other one,” I added, playing with my fingers around his neck.
“Who are you hiding from, Lia? I'm really curious now. You have a family but you stay alone. That isn't even the problem but why you haven’t considered going to your family's house,” he said.
I was caught off-guard.
I least expected the question so I dropped my arm off his neck and looked away. “In short, I can't stay here with you, is that it?” I asked, holding my tears in. Why did I ever think he could solve all my problems. I was doing fine before he came into my life. I could control my emotions and the situations that came up around me but since I met him, I became dependent. I felt I had met someone I could rely on. This could be my inferiority complex taking over but I was definitely hurt.
Screw him! I'll find some place else. To be honest, he had done enough for me. I didn't deserve him and there was no reason to be mad at him for refusing me.
“I'm sorry, Lia but you can't. You might not understand but it’s for your own good. I'll find you a place as soon as possible to —” he said but I broke in.
“You don't have to. I'll sort myself out,” I said, moving away from him. I grabbed my bag by the table and made for the door. Who were we fooling but ourselves? So many secrets yet we claimed to be in love. He moved in quick strides and caught up with me, holding my arm before I crossed to the front yard.
“You don't have to be this way. I'll put in a few calls and you'll get a new place,” he said, gesturing with his eyes for me to stay.
“No worries. I'll sort this out myself,” I said, leaving the apartment.
*******
I never had a friend during my time in college. I got betrayed by a female friend who almost had me abused by her male friend during his yacht party. I turned down every male suitor that came my way, thanks to Pat and Fred. I stayed away from colleagues who wanted to be friends with me. My life was a total mess - no true family, friend, or partner.
However, there was a lady who understood me more than I thought she would. She was the only person I could run to whenever I wanted to drink myself to stupor after Fred had pounded the life out of me. She wasn't aware of all I was going through but she was often there to listen. But you know how things go around here.
Good things don't really last for long at my end. She had to leave New York to Asia during our third year in college. My heart broke to see her leave but her parents wanted her back home because she was Asian.
“Oh my goodness! I'm so sorry about this,” I said, feeling remorseful after colliding with a traveler who just arrived at the airport. I was absent-minded, deep in thoughts about the best way to welcome Celine, my Asian friend back in New York. I was super excited that she contacted me the moment she made up her mind to visit the city.
It was a great way to distract myself from all the sad tales around me. I'd also spent all my savings on a new apartment, somewhere with a bit more hustle and bustle at the heart of New York than my previous home.
“You don't have — to,” the stranger slowly picked up his wallet from the floor with his unwavering face gazing at me.