Chapter Sixteen

May’s POV

“Good evening, Bella” I walked into the kitchen, smiling brightly at Bella.

It was Sunday evening, and it means I was ready to go out and meet Adam.

He already called on Saturday to inform me that he’ll be at a meeting and wouldn’t be able to come to pick me up. So, I have to drive myself to the address that he sent and make sure I make it there before eight.

“You look stunning” I looked down at my dressing to try and see what Bella meant by stunning. I was only putting on denim jeans and a top big enough to accommodate twice my size. Since Adam has insisted that the outing was normal and nothing fancy, I decided to wear something casual as well.

“I think you’re only trying to be nice, Bella. I do not look stunning, only Beyoncé can pull that word off” I smiled.

“I’m serious, May. Have you looked in the mirror? I don’t think so, because if you did, you’ll see a really beautiful baby girl that Sir Nicholas adores so much. Did you notice the way he was looking at you this morning? It was different from the usual looks he used to give you”

To be fair, I and Nicholas hadn’t had any argument since Friday, and we haven’t even talked about the kids because we didn’t feel like it. Maybe because I wouldn’t want to discuss it and then start another round of argument with him.

I didn’t want to deny it and hint to Bella that nothing was between us, so I smiled and thank her.

“Can I borrow your car, Bella? I promise to return it in good shape. I just need to go out real quick with a friend and get back home. I don’t like staying late outside and getting into cabs with a stranger. Please, pretty please with a vanilla cupcake on it” I pleaded, with both of my hands closed together.

“You shouldn’t beg that much; you know I’ll give it to you. The car is beaten up, so, just be careful on your way.” She advised.

“Thanks, Bella, does the GPS still work?” I asked the most important question.

“Of course. Just input the address and you’ll be good to go”

“Thank you, Bella. You’re a lifesaver”

I collected the key from her, kissed her on her cheek before running out of the house thinking I was late to the date with Adam.

Ten minutes into the trip, the car suddenly started making these funny noises that I wasn’t finding funny at all. I quickly parked at the side of the road, came out of the car to see if something was wrong with it.

I entered the car again, stepped on the gas, yet nothing came up. It was not even responding anymore. I groaned out in frustration, pressed my head against the body of the car, and stomped my feet on the ground.

Looking around to see if I’ll see anyone on the empty street but no one turned up, the shops have been closed and the only visible things were the Christmas lights hanging out of the shops and the snowman outside some corridors.

I walked a little bit away from the car to see if there were any residential buildings but still, it appeared as if I was in a commercial area of the town.

My phone started ringing and once I brought it out of my jean pocket, I saw that it was Adams calling.

“Hey May,”

“Adams, there’s….” He didn’t let me begin not to talk of finishing my statement when he started talking again.

“I’m sorry that I wouldn’t be able to make it out there today. I’m cramped up with work right now and I’m in an important meeting. I’m really sorry. Hope you haven’t left home yet?”

I breathed in heavily, “No Adams, I’m still at home” I lied.

“Thank God. I would’ve felt bad if you had been on your way. I’ll text you later, okay?”

“Oka...” he dropped the call before I could finish.

I almost cursed myself at how stupid I was. Maybe if I’d taken a cab, it wouldn’t have been this bad. But the way the street is so empty at just a few minutes to nine made me doubt the fact that I’ll get a cab.

Taking my only last option into consideration, I dialed Bella’s number. She didn’t pick up on the first ring but the second one “Sunshine, so sorry I didn’t pick up, I was in the kitchen”

“That’s okay Bella. I just have a bit of a problem here”

“The car broke down” she guessed right even though there wasn’t a guessing game.

“Yes,” I replied, so close to tears.

“That’s really bad, sunshine. Where are you? Are you with your friend?”

“Nope, I’m alone here on an empty road”

I hear a little bit of discussion beneath the fall and I wondered who it was.

“Can you hear me, May?” Nicholas's voice came up.

“Yes,” I replied as the first tear rolled down my eyes.

I hate being alone, and so vulnerable to darkness. Anything could happen to me and I hated being scared this much.

“May, are you there?”

“I can hear you Nicholas” I replied with a shaking voice.

“Where are you? Do you know where you are?” He asked “No”

“Fuck! Why would you go out without knowing your fucking location, May?”

“I’m sorry” I apologized as tears ran down my eyes, fear of the darkness creeping in.

“Baby doll! Tell me anything, a signboard, a street name. Just look around you baby doll, please”

I stood up and looked around to see if anything significant was around.

“I don’t know where I am. There are shops here. That’s all I can see, Nico”

“How many shops are they?” He asked “I don’t know. There are many shops. Big, small, I don’t know how many” I replied “Stay calm for me, May, and put on your phone location. I’ll get there before you know it” He assured me.

“Don’t drip the call, please”

“I won’t” He promised.

I entered the car and locked myself in, the phone still pressed to my ear and suddenly shivering from the cold. I was most vulnerable when I’m alone and when it’s dark. It scares the hell out of me.

“Should I tell you a story?” Nicholas said from the other end of the line.

“Okay”

“The story of a tortoise and the dog. I heard it a long time ago. The tortoise is somewhat cubby and the dog…… shit! I can’t think straight, May”

“It’s okay” was the only thing I could say.

“Sing for me, baby doll. That helps when you’re scared of the dark, right?”

I nodded before I started to sing one of my favorite songs.

A few minutes later, A knock sounded on the car window, scaring me for a moment before I realized it was Nicholas.

Hurriedly, I opened the door and rushed out of the car, colliding with his body. He held me tight Bride I could fall and pulled me into a hug.

“Don’t scare me like that again, baby doll. I was so worried about you. I know how sacred you get when you’re in the dark place and all alone by yourself and I fucking hate the fact that I couldn’t protect you from this. Promise me you’ll always stay safe, promise me baby doll”

“I promise”