Maya
Conrad and I headed to my apartment to pick up the last of my things, hand in my keys, and get my security deposit back.
“You are officially stuck with me now.” He chuckles.
“God help me.” I giggle.
He laughs loudly and slips his arm around me as we approach my floor.
“I wouldn’t want to be stuck with anyone else.” I smile.
Conrad smiles down at me and kisses the top of my head, “Me neither.”
We arrive at my apartment, and I notice the door is ajar, “Strange. I locked it behind me when I was here the other day.”
“Maybe the landlord was in to check on everything?”
“Maybe, but I am sure he said he wouldn’t be here until later.”
The look on Conrad’s face changes as he takes a closer look, “Stay out here.”
I look at him, confused, “Why? What is wrong?”
“I don’t want you to panic, but it looks like the lock has been busted.”
“My place has been broken into?” I whisper.
“There is a chance. Stay out here. Do not come in until I check.” He states firmly.
I nod. My mind went to a place I wish it wouldn’t. My gut tells me it wasn’t just some stranger who broke in. I stand anxiously outside as Conrad goes inside to check.
“The fucking bastard!” I hear him yell.
I am not waiting any longer. I barge in and freeze when I do. The place is destroyed. The walls have spray paint all over them. The kitchen units are covered in paint, and some are smashed up. The carpets have been ripped. I burst into tears when I see the place. I need to see the rest of the place. Everywhere is the same. The bedroom and bathroom are worse than the living room and kitchen.
I stare at the bedroom wall. He has written horrible things on them: slut and bitch. Now, I know for sure it was Callum who did this. How did no one hear him? I have neighbours. When did he even do this?
“I will fucking kill him.” I hear Conrad hiss from behind me.
I turn to face him, “Conrad, why can’t he just leave me alone? How am I going to pay for all the damages?” I whimper.
I really wanted my security deposit back since I was running low on cash. Now, that isn’t going to happen.
Conrad pulls me tightly to his chest, hugging me, “Don’t worry about the cost. I will take care of it. We need to call the police to come out.”
We pull apart and he takes my head, leading us back through to the living room. How much longer is Callum going to do this shit? It has been months since I left him. Why can’t he just let me go? What purpose is all of this serving? No, I know what purpose. He wants to make my life hell and continue to scare me even if I am no longer with him. When does it stop? I can’t take much more of this.
I take another look around, and it is enough to make me lose it. I drop to my knees and feel completely defeated. I bury my face in my hands and let the tears continue to roll down my cheeks.
Conrad joins me on the floor and pulls me into his lap. I bury my face in his chest, his hoodie soon soaked with my tears.
“It needs to stop.” I whimper.
He strokes my hair, “I know it does, angel. I am so sorry he is continuing to put you through all of this hell.” He whispers.
“I am sorry you ended up with someone like me who has brought nothing but drama, baggage and pain into your life.” I sob.
“Maya, look at me.”
I sigh but do as he asks. He reaches in and wipes my tears, “I only want you, beautiful. I love you and we are in this together. I will take all the bad with the good if it means I can have a life with you.” He says softly and kisses my forehead.
I don’t believe I will ever understand why he didn’t run the second he found out about my past.
“I love you too. There has been enough bad. Isn’t it time where there should be more good.” I whisper.
“It will all pass, eventually, angel. I promise, no matter what it takes.” He says softly and caresses my cheek.
“I hope so. I need to go find the landlord.” I sigh.
“Firstly, we call the police to come out, and then we can talk to the landlord.”
“Okay, Can you call them, please? I think if I try to tell them, I will break down in tears again.”
“Sure. I will ask to speak directly to the officers connected with our case.” He says.
I kiss him softly and thank him. I pull it together the best I can and get off the floor. Conrad does the same and makes the call. I glance around and feel the tears start again. I spot an envelope on the only kitchen counter that is still in one piece.
I head over and notice my name written on the front in Callum’s horrific handwriting. What fucking more does he have to say? I rip it open and read it.
Did you really think I would allow you to have it all? You don’t deserve a happy ending, and I will make sure you don’t get it. I just haven’t decided what to do next. Focus on you or your rich, cowardly boyfriend. You will find out soon enough. There is one way to end of this. You come back to me.
Callum.
Is he really that delusional he still thinks I would go back to him? I want nothing more than to tear the damn thing to shreds, but I can’t because the police will need it.
“They will be here within the next half an hour,” Conrad says from behind.
I turn to face him and hand him the note. He reads it. I watch his face turn red with anger, and his fists clench.
“Enough is enough. If they don’t find him within the next damn week, I will hire someone private who can get the damn job done without rules. I am tired of him making you feel this way. Tired of the threats and the fear in your eyes every time something happens.” He snarls.
“The police are doing everything they can, Conrad,” I say softly.
“No, they are not. If they were, they would have caught him weeks ago.” He sighs.
“We just need to give them a little time.”
I don’t want him stressing out or picking an argument with the officers when they show up.
“Yes. I will give them another week. No longer.”
I only nod because there is no point in my trying to talk him out of it. His mind is set on it, and I won’t be able to change it, not if he is doing it to protect me. If hiring someone privately is what it takes to get rid of him, then maybe it is what needs to be done because I honestly don’t know how much more either of us can take.