Chapter 41 Watched in the Dark
Darcy's POV
I clutch onto the shopping bag as I walk through the quiet road. The sun has set and the streetlights light up the road.
Can someone please tell me why I did not stop at the market when I was on my way back from daycare?
I bite my lower lip and cautiously look on both sides. I'm literally the only one on this road and it's creeping me out.
I walk a few more steps with my head hanging low when I feel someone's presence behind me.
My heartbeat picks up the pace and I raise my head immediately, ready to throw a punch when the person holds my fist in his hand.
"And since when did our sweet Miss Darcy become a boxer?" Gillian asks as he flashes me a bright smile.
I hold my chest and breathe out in relief. My forehead creases into a deep frown. Seriously?
"What the hell, Gillian? You gave me a scare," I say, hitting his hand roughly.
"I'm sorry about that. I didn't mean to scare you," his voice is low and remorseful.
I stare at him for a minute before nodding. I start to walk and he follows behind.
"How long have you been following me, and how come I did not notice?" I ask.
He scratches the back of his head and smiles nervously. "Uhm, some steps away from the market."
I gasp and snap my head to look at him immediately. What the hell?
"And why are you just showing your face now? Following me in the dark sounds like what stalkers do," I hiss.
"It sure sounds weird. I was not sure if you would like to walk with me. Besides, you just agreed to be my friend. It would be somehow to invade your space," he explains, but it still doesn't make any sense to me.
"Your reasons are not valid, Mister."
He chuckles softly. "I guess you're right."
We continue to walk without either of us saying a word, but the silence is comfortable. Although I don't approve of his method, I'm glad he's here with me.
After a while, he speaks up. "Thank you."
I furrow my eyebrows. "For what?"
"Adriana. You know she's a quiet, isolated kid, but since you resumed working at the daycare, she's gradually coming out of her shell," he says.
My heart skips a bit whenever I hear that little girl's name because it reminds me of him.
Adriana. Adrian.
Their names are alike. I remember when I first heard her name, a tight knot formed in my stomach. It's been a month and I'm still not used to hearing that name.
Why do I treat her so well? Am I projecting how I would treat Adrian onto another person because I can't keep my feelings in check?
Tears sting the back of my eyes but I'm quick to blink them away.
I jolt out of my thoughts as I look up at Gillian. His gaze focuses on my face. Oh, shit. I zoned out.
I exhale softly and avoid eye contact with him. "Adriana is a sweet little girl and it really hurts me to see her secluded and sad," I say.
The words are heavy as they roll off my tongue. Is it because I am not totally honest?
"I'm glad you see her, and I must say you're a natural with children. Everyone talks about you," he smiles.
"Should I be scared?" I raise my brow.
He waves his hand, laughing. "Of course not. I mean they talk about you for good reasons."
"I'm glad," I reply.
It's already dark by the time we stop at the gate of the apartment I live in, and I turn to face him.
"Thank you so much, Gillian, for today. I really do appreciate it," I thank him sincerely.
"It's nothing. Besides, it's what every gentleman would do," he shrugs playfully.
"Adrian would do this and even more," my subconscious mocks. Surprisingly, I agree.
"Indeed. Alright, bye," I wave at him.
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
Tomorrow? I roll my eyes internally.
Entering my room, my grip on the shopping bag loosens and it lands on the floor. I walk to the bed and slump onto it.
Both my hands support my head as I look up at the ceiling.
Coming here, I did not have the intention to make new friends because I have to maintain a low profile if I want a peaceful life that doesn't include Adrian in it.
But now, I can't shake off the people who stretch out their hands in friendship. Thinking about it, staying alone will only make me drown in my sorrow and lose myself.
The person who was staring at me on trade fair day is Gillian. I only got to know it was him after we spoke for the first time.
Turns out he wasn't stalking me. It was just me in my head. The relief I felt when I discovered it wasn't a spy from Adrian's mother or Adrian.
Two months is enough time to find me, but after all this time, now I know that Adrian is not interested in finding me.
At eleven o'clock, I'm sitting on the floor eating the noodles I got from the store. My room is silent.
This isn't right. Peace shouldn't feel forced, but mine is. Teaching at the daycare is what I want, but I don't feel fulfilled.
When I look at the children at the daycare, all I can think of and see is Hazel.
Is she doing well? Is she eating well?
The last time I checked, Adrian doesn't know how to handle pressure. Am I wrong for choosing myself for the first time in a really long time?
If only there was another option, no opposition such as Adrian's mother, I would have gone back to be with them.
With them, I don't have to force being happy because it comes naturally to me. There is no reason to be lonely because Hazel herself is my happy place.
My phone buzzes, so I pick it up to know whose message it is. Maybe it's from the daycare because the holiday is fast approaching.
I don't understand the rush, though, because they can choose to pass the message tomorrow.
In no time, I drop the food without a second thought. Beads of sweat form on my forehead. The room spins.
I haven't given my number to anyone because this is the exact thing that I have been avoiding.
The message is a close-up picture of me at the market today. A small text is attached to it.
"Finally found you!" with a smiling emoji.
Goosebumps fill my skin as I shudder and toss the phone on the bed. Quickly, I stand up and start pacing back and forth.
The message is creepy and I can't shake off the eerie feeling it gives me.
No matter how hard I work to keep a low profile, someone still knows I'm here. If it's a person Adrian paid to look for me, I wouldn't be this bothered, but deep down I know it has nothing to do with him.
Who else would be so insistent on coming after me? My life here may not be the best, but I'm thankful for the stability and peace.
If Adrian's mother, my supposed father, or other crazy fans discover my whereabouts, I'm as good as finished.
Tears sting my eyes. What do I do? Should I go back to Adrian or keep running?