Maya
Joshua had just dropped me off at home. I had a job interview today, and it went well. I will find out by the end of the day if it is mine or not. Things are beginning to look up, and I am more than ready. The last couple of weeks have been great with the engagement, the celebration, and my interview, and there has been no sign or work from Callum. May it continue, but I won’t get too hopeful. I will enjoy the moments as they come to me.
I grab the mail before heading upstairs. I don’t have any plans for the rest of the day. I may do some baking and make dinner for Conrad and me. Other than that, I plan to relax and enjoy the peaceful feeling while it is there. I toss the mail onto the living dining table. I will check it later. I wanted to get out of my interview clothes. I change into some sweats and pull my hair into a messy bun to keep it out of my face while I bake. I should have everything I need. I was going to make two batches. One with chocolate chips and another with peanut butter because it is one of Conrad’s favourites.
I slip my ring off and put it safely in a small box. I don’t want to risk it getting lost in the mixture. I am so paranoid about it sometimes because not only do I know how important it is to Conrad and his family, but it is an expensive ring.
I gather everything I need for my cookies, put some music on, and get to work. It won’t take too long. I will make a mess—I always do—but that is fine. I find myself dancing around as I bake, smiling brightly. I had not felt happiness in such a way before I met Conrad. I will be forever grateful. I have the first batch in the oven in no time.
When I start on the second, something I didn’t notice before catches my eyes. One of the envelopes on the table looks familiar, the same one Callum sent me something in the last time. I hope I am wrong. I sigh, cleaning off my hands and going to check. I take it from the pile, and the handwriting catches my eye first. It was from him. I groan in frustration and sit down on the sofa, opening it.
I tip the content of it out. A sheet of paper and what looks like more photographs fall onto the cushion. What the hell is he sending now? I have seen all of the ones he has of me. Does he think if he keeps sending them, it is a way of torturing me? I pick them up individually, and they aren’t of me or Conrad. They are of his family. His parents and Chelsea. What the fuck? Has he been following them, too? He must have hired someone because there is no way he could have done all of this himself without being caught. The photos of Chelsea she is with me or Adrian, which tells me they are recent.
He can do whatever the hell he wants to me, but I am not letting him go after Conrad’s family. Going after him is enough. The tears fill in my eyes and roll down my cheeks. Why can’t he leave me alone? It is getting old now.
I check out the paper next.
*Hello, again, baby doll,
Did you miss me? I wanted to give you some time to celebrate your engagement before I take that away from you, too.
Damn, isn’t Conrad’s sister pretty. I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on her. I may need to “run into” her sometimes. She has no idea who I am, and I could take her boyfriend. What do you think? Do I have a chance? She would be a nice replacement for you.
Anyway, I told you I would be in touch. At the end of this letter, there is a phone number. You better call it because if you don’t, the target will be moved from you and Conrad to his family. I will make you regret it if I don’t hear from you.
I have decided that since I can’t have you, neither can he. You have a choice to make, and the only way you will find out exactly what I mean is to call. Do not tell Conrad about this because I will find out if you have and if you do, then it won’t work out in your favour. I can promise you that.
Callum. *
“Bastard!” I yell and toss everything away, scattering it on the floor.
I do not understand what he is getting out of all of this. Does he not realise that no matter how long it takes, he will lose in the end? He won’t get what he wants. The more he does, the stronger the case he builds against himself, and the longer he will be in jail. I can’t wait to see him behind bars! It is where he deserves to be. He may not get charged with stalking and threats, but he will get charged for what he did to Conrad because he could have fucking killed him. He will get what is coming to him and I will stand there and laugh in his face.
But right now, I can’t let him go after Conrad’s family. I did not like the way he spoke about Chelsea. He would hurt her if he got a chance. I refuse to let him have the opportunity.
I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and massage my temples, trying to calm myself down. Once I do, I pick up the letter to find the number he has added to it. I wish I wouldn’t ever have to hear his voice again, but I don’t have much of a choice. If I don’t call him, I am worried about his next move.
I pick up my cell and text him first. He will probably call me the second he receives the text. I didn’t want him to have my number, but what else can I do? I wish I had an old cell or a burner phone lying around to use. I sigh and open a text.
*What do you want now? Why can’t you leave me alone? *
I am hesitant to send it, but I finally did it.
*I said call me, not text. *
I hate him! I fucking hate him! I wish he would get hit with a bus or something. I am not the type of person to wish harm upon anyone, but he isn’t anyone; he is not a person. He is a monster. I would be happy if he got taken off this earth.
I retake a deep breath, type his number into the call pad and hit the button. It rings only twice before he answers. Here goes nothing!