Maya
I arrive back at my apartment after work. I am in a pretty good mood. Today has been an easy day, which is unusual. I am still relaxed from our time away. I am excited to see Conrad tonight. I missed him more than I thought I would last night. But, at the same time, it was probably good for us both to have a night to ourselves because we have spent most nights together recently, but it didn’t stop me from missing him. I had stopped by the store to pick stuff up for dinner. I decided on something simple: comfort food, a four-cheese macaroni. I make a mean mac and cheese. I had gotten some Italian bread to go with it. I was going to garlic bread but decided against it. I had picked up a bottle of wine for Conrad and some non-acholic beer for myself.
I head inside, putting everything away. I will get started once I have showered. I go towards the bathroom, but I don’t get far because there is a knock at my front door. Conrad must be early. He isn’t supposed to be here for another hour. I don’t know who else it could be. I cheek through the peephole and see my neighbour from across the hall standing outside. I wonder why she is here. We chat if we run into one another, but she has never knocked on my door.
I unlock it and open it.
“Hi, Molly.” I smile.
Molly is an older woman. She stays with her husband. They are a very sweet couple.
“Sorry to bother you, sweetie, as soon as you got home from work, but I thought these were too pretty to wait.” She smiles and hands me a beautiful bunch of flowers.
“These are for me?” I ask, confused.
“Yes, a florist delivered them this afternoon, but you weren’t home. They knocked on my door. Whoever these are from has good taste.” She smiles.
“They are beautiful. Thank you for taking them in for me.”
We chat for a moment before we say goodbye. I smile brightly as I enter my apartment again. No one has ever sent me flowers. I should have known Conrad would do something like this. I am unsure why he delivered them in the afternoon when he knew I wasn’t home.
I set them down on the kitchen counter and take the small envelope attached to them. I open it to read, curious on what he has written inside. When my eyes fall on the piece of paper, I freeze.
Did you really think you could hide forever, Maya? You should know I will always find you.
Callum.
I whimper and toss the note in the trash. How did he find my address? Has he been following me all this time, and I haven’t noticed? I throw the flowers in the trash and rush over to lock my front door. I make sure the two snibs are up and put the chain on to and back away from the door.
I climb onto the sofa and hug my knees to my chest. A familiar fear taking over me. He knows where I stay; I am not safe anywhere. The tears roll down my cheeks. I knew it was too good to be true. He hasn’t disappeared at all; he has just been more careful not to be seen.
I stare over at the trash. The flowers he sent were daisies, my favourite, but he has now ruined them for me. What do I need to do to make him leave me alone? If he has worked out where I stay and has been following me, does that mean he also now knows where Conrad stays since that is where I have been staying? Has he been watching my apartment and waiting for me to come back? Was he outside last night when I was here alone? I have so many questions, and every single one of them terrifies me.
I still can’t understand where he got my phone number, now my address. He must be getting the information somewhere. It can be from anyone I know because I have no one in my life except Conrad, and I know he wouldn’t do this to me.
I try to move to get my cell, but it is like I can’t. I am frozen where I sit. I know when Conrad finds out, he will lose it. Maybe I shouldn’t tell him? I could hide the evidence and pretend like it never happened. No, that is a terrible idea. I can’t lie to him like that. I know he will take me right back to his place as soon as he finds out.
I close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, and finally find the energy to stand. My legs are a little shaky, but I manage to get to my cell in the kitchen. All I wanted to do tonight was make a good meal for me and my amazing boyfriend and relax on the sofa, watching movies. I should have known something would get in the way of it.
I glance at my front door to double-check I had locked it probably, even though I knew I had. I pick my cell up and find Conrad’s number. I go to hit the call button but can’t. I should wait and tell him when he arrives. I don’t want him rushing away from work to me. I can keep it together for an hour.
My building isn’t easy to access, and my door can’t be barged open either. I made sure this place had a strong door before I moved in. The locks on the door are the best and most expensive ones I could find. Callum won’t be able to come in unless I let him in, and I am not going to do that.
I try to pull myself together the best I can and wipe my tears away. I will make a start on dinner. I won’t feel comfortable taking a shower now when I am in here alone. I will be on edge. At least in the kitchen, I can see my surroundings and have things I can use to protect myself. I soon start panicking again, all the worst thoughts running around in my head.
“He can’t get in, Maya,” I say firmly to myself.
I take another few deep breaths and put some music on at a low volume. Music always calms me down. I focus on what I am supposed to be doing and make a start on dinner. Cooking will be a good distraction for me. I pour myself a small glass of wine to hopefully help calm my nerves. My non-acholic beer just wouldn’t have the same effect on me.
I take a large gulp and start preparing dinner. It won’t take long to make. I will wait until Conrad is here to put it in the oven so I don’t need to reheat it. Or put it in Conrad’s oven because he will probably rush me out of my apartment when he finds out the truth. I should have just stayed put at his place. Even if Callum knows where he stays, I would be safer there than here.
Once everything is prepped, I go over to the window to look outside. I look around for any sign of Callum or his car. I am sure he will still have the same car; he wouldn’t have the money for a new one. There are no signs of either. I pull myself away from the window because if I don’t, I will end up standing here until Conrad arrives.
I throw myself on myself and finish off my wine. I keep checking the time, but it seems to be passing slowly. I will keep checking it until Conrad arrives.