Chapter 68 I've Been Thinking About You

Chapter 68 I've Been Thinking About You
Inez’s POV

While Irene and Leo bicker back and forth with each each about the food, my eyes drifted back to the phone Adrian had gifted me. I logged into Instagram, curious and worried about his whereabouts.

“Do you think Adrian would return here before my aunt is done with everything?” I asked, looking up at them.

Leo looked up from where he sat beside Irene, a drum of chicken stuck in one of his hand.

“I think so.” Irene said.

“You could come stay with us for the night while your cousin recuperates.” Irene put in.

“You are going to stay at your brother’s?” I arched my brows inquisitively.

“No. She’s coming to my place.” Leo blurted.

The air thickened with raw silence -enough to be sliced.

Shifting my eyes between Irene and Leo - Irene decided to clam  her mouth shut once she turned to look at Leo.

“You know you  said  you wanted to see Reilly, remember?” Leo said, deciding to reveal what he actually meant by that.

“Yes. I did said,” Irene put in sheepishly.

The awkward responses from both of them had me questioning why they both hadn’t started dating.

Did Leo have feelings for Irene?

If he could go to Irene’s house just to get one comic book - that only proved he was interested in Irene.

Irene on the other hand was beginning to  get piqued by the idea of him already.

Irene turned to me, “You need to come with us. Reilly would love to see you too.”

Heavy footsteps approached the lobby.

I slid out of the iron chair when Aunt Jeanette looked towards my direction.

“I don’t  think coming with you is a good idea. Say hi to Reilly  for me. I will see you guys another time.” I said as I gathered up courage and started walking towards my aunt.

I flipped one quiet look  at the screen of my phone. That was when I realized that I was on call with Adrian all along.

Adrian hadn’t said anything. It was obvious he had been listening to all we’d been saying all along.

Aunt Jeanette shot one passive look at me before she crossed out of the building. I tailed behind her, scrambled into the backseat of the car with my heart in my hands.

Few seconds ticked by as Aunt Jeanette said at first into space then into the rear view mirror which evidently captured my face.

I shot a hand to my face as the rate of my heart storm with heightened aggression.

“What have I ever done to you, Inez?”

“Ma’am?”

“Don’t you dare play dumb with me.”

I didn’t know the appropriate way of replying her, so, I knotted my hands in my laps and lowered my gaze.

“Your mother sent me a message to pick you from Sundale. That was well achieved. I damaged Lola’s hand, I forgave you. And now, this?”

I attempted to say something about Lola hurting herself to frame-but that would simply implicate me if I dare to defend myself.

“You should have been the one in that bed.”

Hearing her say those words pulled my head upwards.

“Yeah - I said it,” She appraised herself in that fact. “Of what use are you to me if all you do is cause mayhem wherever you go?”

Still, I said nothing, biting hard on my bottom lip until I tasted copper.

“I need you to stay with Lola tonight.”

I nodded.

There was no arguing about this. No buts, no ‘let me get changed into a proper outfit’. This was the least I could do.

I pushed the door open to allow myself out of the car.

“When the dawn breaks, you come home and get changed for school.” She added.

“Yes, ma’am.” I said.

The car started even before I managed to scramble out of the car. Then I stared at my aunt's car as it disappeared in the distance.

This was the least I could do, I kept on reminding myself.

“Inez!”

I spurn to the call of my name.

Irene was racing towards me, while Leo stalked behind her with the leather bag in his hand. Over the horizon the moon was already shedding its lights. I was reminded of how thoroughly exhausted I was. I needed a shower and a good soft bed.

“Weren’t you suppose to follow your aunt? What happened?” Inez asked once she caught up with me.

“I’m supposed to stay with Lola.”

“The doctor relayed that she would be fine. You just need a break to shower, eat dinner and rest. Then you can return tomorrow.” Leo said.

I tried a tired smile.

“Inez, come on. Don’t be like this.” Irene grabbed my hand as I tried to walk past her.

“Lola needs me.”

“Lola will be fine. You need to stop blaming yourself, huh?” Irene pulled me into her arms.

A car farther in the distance roared, drawing close to us. It was Adrian’s red Chevrolet. My heart started to jump. Perhaps I was excited to see him. Maybe I was crushed by the mere idea of how I had treated him when he was only trying to extend help to me.

Leo stretched out a hand to flag him down.

Adrian lowered his glasses as he parked his car beside us.

“Where did you go, brother?” Irene sang as she opened the backseat and scrambled in.

Leo followed after her.

I stood still momentarily stunned of what would be my next act when Adrian yanked the front side open from within.

“Get in, Inez.” Irene prod.

My eyes shifted to Irene, then to Leo beside her and Adrian whose lips were pressed into a thin line.

“I_”

I flashed my eyes back to the hospital.

Adrian stepped out of the car, walked it and started towards me. It was as if I was watching a scene from a movie - he didn’t say anything to me.

His eyes never left me as he stalked towards me.