Chapter 47 HIGHWAY
\[NELLY 'S HOUSE\]
Nelly twisted the doorknob. The door creaked open. She walked in completely, but staggered on seeing someone sitting on her couch.
His gaze was on her. She gulped before going in fully.
It was the same guy who splashed muddy water, and instead of apologizing to her, he blew cigarette smoke all over her face and drove off. He was also the same guy who was at the hideout, and now he was here. What was he doing here?
"W... What are you doing here?" she stuttered, dropping the grocery bag on the table.
Maddox's gaze was still fixed on her. Some strands of hair fell on his face, and that made him insanely hot. She traced her eyes to his hand and saw him twirling his phone.
"T... This isn't a bar where you can just walk in anytime you like," she said, her voice going lower at each word.
He didn't say a word, just stared. She lowered her gaze to the ground and began playing with the hem of her shirt. He was making her uncomfortable. Why was he staring at her like that? Did he find out about...?
"No," she shook the thoughts off.
There is no way he'd find out.
She was still in her thoughts when he stood and began walking towards her.
She looked up and began stepping back.
He kept walking towards her without saying a word, and she moved back until her back hit the wall.
He placed his hands on the wall, caging her.
"W... What are you doing? I... I will phone the police," she said, trying to make her words sound more intimidating.
He brought his hand closer to her neck, stopping it just a few inches away.
She glanced at his hand and then back at his face.
His lip curled into a smirk. "Who are you?" he asked.
Nelly blinked. Once. Twice. Her heart sank in fear.
"W... What do you mean?" she asked, feeling choked by his body scent that evaded every part of the house.
His hand found its way to her neck, and he circled her neck. She gasped, trying to remove his hold.
It was not too tight to choke her.
"You are pretending to be who you are not. Tell me, who exactly are you?" he asked, pressing harder.
She held his hand. "L... Let me go. I...have no idea what you are saying," she coughed.
He released her neck, staring at it. It wasn't even red, a testimony to his hold that wasn't tight.
"Deception," he said, stepping away from her. "I didn't miss all those weird actions. You are not naive. You are something more than that, and I will find out who you are," he said, more like a promise, as if he was promising himself to uncover her truth.
She stared at him without saying anything. He walked to the door and left without closing the door.
Nelly stood in the same position, slowly catching her breath. Her eyes got misty.
She rushed to shut the door before rushing to her room.
She opened her wardrobe and took out a box.
She opened the box, tears sliding down her cheeks as she caught hold of the things in the box. But her gaze was fixed on one. A necklace.
She picked it up, staring at the pendant. Slowly, she slumped to the ground, crying heavily.
"I'm sorry, so very sorry," she muttered, kissing the pendant.
\[A HIGHWAY\]
"Mum, you don't have to worry. I'll be fine," Ixora assured her mum over the AirPods.
One of her hands was on the steering wheel while the other was on the clutch. Her eyes were fixed on the road. She was going to the grocery store.
Her mum was worried about her. She was without a driver, and no guards came with her. She had insisted on going alone, even when her mum had refused.
She needed to leave the house, go somewhere far. Even if it was for a few hours, she needed it. Something to take her mind off Drexton.
"Bye, mum, love you too," she said, ending the call.
She exhaled, concentrating back on the road. Getting rid of Drexton's thoughts was hard because, no matter how hard she tried, he was the only thing she could think of.
His silence was disturbing. Blake had punched him; a part of her liked it. Another part was scared, scared of what he'd do to Blake. She had seen his highest display of madness, and she knew his silence meant he would do something worse.
The last thing she'd want was for any of them to get caught in his psychopathic ways. Nelly had told her how she had confronted them, something which she found strange—Nelly's courage to go to their hideout.
And Blake had punched him when fighting for her. She wouldn't let anything happen to Blake.
She was reeled back to reality when her car screeched to its halt.
"What the?" she muttered, trying to bring the engine to life.
It made a few sounds but didn't move.
"Today won't end well I guess." She got out of the car and began walking to the bonnet.
She reached the car bonnet. Before she could open it, her eyes caught a plank beneath the tires.
"What is this?" She picked it up and saw the nails that were on the plank.
"Who'd have dropped this here?" She darted her gaze around before tossing the plank to the other side.
She sighed when she saw her deflated car tires.
"And this is a lonely highway," she mumbled, feeling frustrated.
Just when she thought she'd get away from Drexton's haunting memories, this one had to come up. To think there was no cab in sight made everything worse.
She went and made a call to the mechanic.
It would take time before he'd get to where she was.
She crouched beside the tire, checking if there was anything she could do.
A hand tapped her shoulder.
She stood and turned around.
The person pushed her to the car.
"Who are you?" Ixora asked, wanting to shift away from him.
"Shush." He pulled out a dagger and placed it in her throat.
Ixora's breath hitched. The knife was very close to her neck; any wrong movement from her would be the end.
"What do you want?" she asked, raising her hands in the air.
"That's it, pretty. You are a good girl," he said.
\[HOSPITAL\]
Lorraine walked into the hospital, her black shades and dress making her look so exquisite and gorgeous. She went to the receptionist and made a little introduction.
"You can go in, ma'am. He is in his office," the receptionist directed.
Lorraine did as told, and soon she found the office.
Dr. Hart was carved boldly on the door.
She placed a gentle knock before pushing the door open.
A man was skimming through a file, his white glasses were rigid on his nose. He was in his white coat while his stethoscope hung around his neck.
He closed the file, shifting his attention to her.
Lorraine took off her shades.
"If it isn't the well-known Lorraine," he said, standing up. "You are welcome," he stretched out his hand.
"My pleasure," Lorraine said, accepting the handshake.
"Have a seat," he gestured.
Lorraine sat, placing her purse on his table.
"So, how may I help you?" Dr. Hart asked.
"You know why I'm here. We've already discussed it over the phone," Lorraine replied.
"My bad," Dr. Hart said, "Are you sure you want to do it? It can come with high risk due to your age."
"You are the only one who knows how I destroyed my womb so that I could keep fit. You also know I take drugs to maintain this body of mine. We have been working together for years," Lorraine said.
Dr. Hart took off his glasses and kept them on the table. He also took off his stethoscope and hung it on the wall.
"I know, and that is why I am saying your body might have complications if you get the surgery done," Hart said, looking serious.
Lorraine joined her hands together.
"You are the doctor, and you must get all my demands done as long as you are getting paid. Enough of the question," Lorraine said, feeling annoyed.
"I was just looking out for you. Is Caius aware?"
"Has he ever been aware of the things that go on in my life?"
Dr. Hart chuckled softly.
"You are right after all," he said. "But seriously, why would you suddenly be interested in getting your thighs thick? Your breasts fuller, your hips, butt and even your belly button? I mean you want to add in your size despite having gone on a strict diet to maintain this body," Dr. Hart asked.
Lorraine shifted her gaze to the window.
"There are times we have to change our choices for somebody," she muttered, staring at the sky.