CHAPTER 26
He looked at the small piece of digital storage in his hand. This is where all Helene’s photos and videos were stored that Minerva plans to use in blackmailing Helene. Adam clenched his jaw, he knew that the woman was no good for Helene, but he didn’t expect that she’ll come to this extent to threaten her. And just because Helene wanted to quit the job that she offered.
“I should talk to Helene,” Adam whispered and destroyed the memory card.
He knew that this is not the only digital copy. Still, if something terrible happened using those photos, Adam told Minerva that she’s the only one the police will find to arrest. He was about to enter the gate when he saw Helene still sitting alone on the bleachers. Adam took out his handkerchief and ran towards her.
“Helene, are you okay?” he asked, hoping that she’d lookup.
Helene sat up straight but avoided his eyes. “I’m fine…” she said and stood.
“Minerva won’t bother you again, Helene,” he said and reached for her hand. “I talked to her and told her to stay away from you—”
“You talked to her?” she asked with trembling lips. She pulled her hand from him. “W-What did she tell you? Did she show you something?”
Adam pressed her lips together. “Helene—”
“You saw my pictures, aren’t you?” Helene asked him in a shaky voice and teary eyes. “You saw it all?”
“I didn’t…” Adam said, and it’s the truth. “But Minerva won’t spread it. I told her that I will sue her if she does that—”
Helene turned her back at him. And after just a moment, her shoulders shook. “I hate my life…” she said and started crying. “It’s my fault…I’m such a stupid person.”
“Helene, don’t say that…” He touched her shoulder, but she shook his hand off. “Helene, it wasn’t your fault. It was Minerva who forced you to…to…”
“To do the nasty things that ruined my body and dignity,” she continued and wept in tears. “I trusted her…I thought she’s my friend, but I was wrong!”
“Helene—” Helene ran off. Adam tried to stop her, but she didn’t listen. He understood her reaction, and he knew that what she needs now is some time alone. Still, he’s worried about her and about what she could do to herself.
***
She clutched on the strap of her bag as she walked across the school ground with haste. There are many students around, and some of them were familiar faces that Helene doesn’t want to talk to. She avoided looking at them. She has to start avoiding everyone because no one is a friend now.
Helene swallowed the lump in her throat as the tears started to pool in her eyes again. She can’t believe that the nightmare that she had before could happen in reality. And she wasn’t prepared. She wiped the tears that fell from her cheeks before anyone could notice it.
“I’m so stupid and weak…” she mumbled in a hammering chest. “I deserved this because I’m stupid.”
She remembered how Minerva approached her and got her trust with a single album. She smirked at the thought that because she was obsessed with James Osburn, it happened to her. The first reason she entered the job is that she wanted to go to Seoul and meet James. Helene badly wanted to see James. Because of her obsession, Minerva took that opportunity to lure her towards hell. And now, here she is…wholly destroyed.
“Madame Chona might spread my naked pictures on the internet…And, then my mother will saw it…” Tears fell from her cheeks, and she quickly wiped them. “Adam already saw it…He saw everything that Minerva did to me while I was under the influence.”
Helene felt so ashamed of herself that she despised her soul and identity. She wanted to disappear and get lost forever. She wanted to end her life.
“Helene? Helene, are you okay? Why are you crying?”
She turned to her side and saw Arianne’s worrying look at her. On her back was Lexy, and she’s also wearing the same look as Arianne. ‘Did they know? Maybe Adam told them,’ she thought.
“Helene…” Arianne tried to hold her arm, but she avoided her. “Helene, you don’t look okay.”
“I’m fine…” she said and looked away. “Don’t pretend that you cared for me. Nobody cared for me,” she said and turned away from them.
Helene heard Arianne called her, but she ignored them. She wanted to go home now and sleep—sleep forever and have the peace that she wanted in her dreams. As soon as she stepped out of the gate, she hailed the cab and dropped home. She seldom used cabs on her way home, but because of her vulnerable state now, she doesn’t know what she could do if people from public vehicles gawked at her.
“Why are you early, Helene? You don’t have classes today?”
Tears streamed down her face when she heard Malcolm’s voice. She looked up and found him standing on her doorstep wearing a warm smile on his handsome face.
“Malcolm…” she murmured and ran towards him. “Please hug me…”
He wrapped his arms around her, and Helene felt warm and secured. All the dark thoughts in her mind vanished in just seconds while she’s with him.
“Did something happen again?” Malcolm asked and kissed her temple. “Tell me the reason for your swollen eyes.”
Helene shook her head. “Nothing…” she said and snuggled closer to him. “Can we stay like this for a while?”
She heard Malcolm chuckled. “I can hold you like this forever if you want, Helene.”
She looked up at him. “Is it true?”
The man smiled and nodded. “I told you, I’m always here for you, till death do us part.’
Helene started to cry again. “I’m thankful that you’re here with me, Malcolm…” she said and tip-toed to kiss his lips. “Don’t leave me, please?”
Malcolm caressed her hair. “I won’t do that again, Helene…” he said meaningfully. “That’s why I came back here for you.”
Helene knotted her forehead. But before she could ask questions, Malcolm kissed her lips. And instantly, all her worries, fears, disappointments, and even the questions were washed away as the man claimed her lips passionately.
***