Chapter 14: FIONA

“Ma’am.”

Bertha greeted me as soon as I entered the dining room. There was no one here except the two of us. Bertha had just placed a plate of bacon and scrambled eggs on the table. The aroma made my stomach scream with hunger.

"I'm going to campus today."

"Your driver and your car are ready in the driveway."

"Can't I just drive myself to campus?"

"From now on, you will be escorted by two guards wherever you go. That's what Mr. Craig said yesterday."

I groaned at her very formal and stiff words. Joshua seemed to mean it by saying that I was not allowed to go to campus without heavy security around me.

"Where is he?"

"I haven't seen Mr. Craig this morning."

Bertha then asked permission to go back to the kitchen and left me to have breakfast alone in this giant dining room.

Well, this was better than having to see Joshua's face this morning after he almost raped me last night. I couldn't sleep soundly because I was constantly haunted by the fear that he would suddenly sneak into the bedroom to touch me again. I fell asleep around three after my eyes gave up on staying awake any longer. It seemed Joshua had left the mansion shortly after leaving his bedroom because I could hear the roar of a car engine from the car-port and the squeaking of the gate opening.

After breakfast, I rushed to the driveway and found two men in suits waiting for me. They all had serious faces and they each had guns under their belts. Their appearance was very striking. I couldn't imagine walking into class and having them follow me like bulldogs.

Shit. I hated my new life.

“We’re leaving for campus now.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

One of them led me to a shiny black limousine and opened the door for me. I used to dream of being rich and going to campus in a luxury car. The reality of being rich was not that beautiful. My old car was much more comfortable than a luxury car with all the seats covered in expensive leather. I missed my old car, which always made a sound like a mouse squeak every time I stepped on the brake.

I spent my time daydreaming and lamenting my bad luck on the way to campus. The scenery along the way to campus that usually seemed interesting to me suddenly turned into something bland. We passed the ice cream shop where I used to work. At least, that was three days ago. I never thought that Tuesday night would be my last day working at Edgar's ice cream shop. He was a good boss. He never gave me any trouble during the four years I worked with him. Edgar might be wondering why I never worked at his ice cream shop again and I didn't give him any notice if I decided to quit. All Edgar knew was that I would be working at his ice cream shop until I graduated from college.

"Can't you guys stay in the car?"

"Mr. Craig asked us to always keep an eye on you, ma'am."

"Shit. It's always Mr. Craig. He's not here. You don't have to follow me into class," I shouted angrily.

They didn't respond to my grumbling. They got out of the car and followed me walking to class.

This is so annoying!

Everyone was looking at me weirdly because I suddenly appeared with two guards behind me. The guards should have dressed like students if they were going to follow me around campus all day. That would make them less conspicuous here.

“Babe. Fiona?”

Travis walked up to me, and he was about to put his arm around my shoulder like he usually did. I panicked a little and gestured to him not to touch me at all because the guards were watching me. I was worried they would do something bad to Travis.

“Hey, Travis. Have you done Mr. Patrick’s assignment?”

“What assignment?”

I glared at him and stomped on his foot. He groaned in pain, and was about to protest, but I gave him a shut the fuck up look.

“Mr. Patrick’s assignment is due tomorrow. Have you done it?”

“I-I think I forgot. Have you done it?”

“Yes, but there are some points I don’t understand. Do you want to help me with Mr. Patrick’s assignment in the library?”

“Sure. Let's go to the library.”

The guards still followed Travis and me until we arrived at the library. However, I knew they would not be able to enter the library because they did not have student IDs to open the automatic doors.

“You guys wait here. I won’t be long.”

“But Mr. Craig…”

“You can’t get inside the library if you don’t have student IDs. Just wait here.”

I quickly tapped my card on the automatic door without waiting for their response. Travis had already entered and was waiting for me near the reception desk.

“Who are they?”

“I’ll explain later,” I whispered in his ear.

I pulled his elbow towards the quietest corner of the library. The guards wouldn’t be able to see what we were doing inside the library because this place was surrounded by frosted glass walls and giant bookshelves. And it felt so relieving. For the first time I had some privacy again after days of living under the surveillance of Joshua and his men.

“Are you going to explain it to me now?”

“Oh my God, Travis, can you just give me a moment to breathe?” I groaned and threw my ass down on the hard wooden chair. It was just the two of us in this corner, so my voice wouldn’t disturb anyone else reading a book.

“I’ve been trying to call you since two days ago, but you haven’t picked up any of my calls. You haven’t replied to my messages either. I’ve been worried sick about you, baby,” Travis cupped my face. His gaze softened.

“I don’t have a phone. My phone and my bag fell in the church during the attack.”

“I’m sorry for your mother’s death. I read the news yesterday.”

“Thank you. At least my mother is safe from all this disaster.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. I always pretended to be strong and tough in front of Joshua, but I couldn’t pretend in front of Travis. He had been with me for more than two years. He knew me well and I couldn’t fool him.

“Honey, what happened to you? Why are you crying?”

“I’m in big trouble, Travis. That damn man stole my life.”

“Who is this man you’re talking about?”