Chapter Eighteen

Annika’s POV

It's been a week since I last heard from Andro. The first three days of his absence were hell. I was so worried about him and scared as well. I called his phone several times and he didn't pick up which was unusual.

Why act like I was the air you breathe one time and act like a stranger the next?

I was gulping down the juice boxes I had stacked under my bed like ten times a day. My emotion was out of place, and I could feel a conscripting pain in my heart every time.

On the fourth day, I paid a visit to his place, and to my surprise, the gates were locked. I had no other option than to leave after waiting for several hours.

There was no one I could talk to or call to ask about his whereabouts. I could feel myself drowning away with no other option in sight.

It was at that moment of my life that I realized Andro was the source of the little strength and courage that I'd gained during these past few days. I still couldn't believe he disappeared like that. Sometimes, during the night, a form of calmness and peace wrapped around me as I was deep in sleep, but the moment I struggled to open my eyes, it’d be morning and nobody would be around.

I'd imagined if that was Andro or maybe it was just an imagination.

When I got back home that Thursday, I opened my laptop and tried searching for him on Facebook. Names similar to his came up but none was Andro.

I searched through my phone to see if there was any other contact, anything that Andro had put on the phone and all I got was his office email address. I quickly sent a message, hoping for a reply or response.

Awaiting a reply, I stayed up all night, and by morning when I got no response, I gave up.

My weekend went like a thunder flash. I was in bed all day, locked myself up, and couldn't give myself the chance to use my stepfather's secret to my advantage. I'd planned on threatening him to confess, record it like I did the last time, and get him arrested but now, my strength was gone and so was my will to survive.

The only thing that got me going and kept me alive was my juice boxes.

Monday morning, I woke up with a startle. A memory had come to my head, and it was that of me using Caroline’s phone to call Galina.

Even though it's been a while since I last spoke to Galina, I rushed out of bed, picked my phone, and dialed her number. Unfortunately, it went to voicemail. The next thing I did was rush into the bathroom to take my bath, get dressed for school since that was the only place Galina would be.

I rushed out of the house and met my mother at the front door.

"Where are you going so early?" she asked. I wanted to ignore her, but I couldn't. It was impossible.

"One thing that baffles me is just how heartless you are. That monster in there did unspeakable things to me and you knew about it. The worst parts are you even told him to do it, and you want us to act as nothing happened."

"Annika."

"Don't you dare call me? That day was the day I stopped being your daughter and you stopped being my mother. Annika died that night. Believe it or not," I referred to the night when Andro had saved me and gave me a new identity and a new chance at life.

I walked away from her even though she was calling my name. The taxi I'd called was waiting already, so I got in and he drove off to campus.

I tried calling Galina once more as I dropped from the cab and this time she picked up.

"Hey, where are you?" I asked as soon as she picked up.

"I'm in class."

"Which one?"

"ENG class. The same one we always have on Monday mornings. When are you resuming school by the way?" she asked.

"Maybe next week. Can you come out of class for a few minutes? I need to ask you something."

"Ah, I don't think so Anni, The professor is in class already. I'll talk to you later." She dropped the call before I could stop her.

Since I wasn't prepared for class, I didn't have any other options than to wait for her in the school premises for the next two hours.

Finding something to keep me occupied, I went into the library in search of books on vampires or something similar. I was directed to the shelf that contained books on mystical beings.

I picked the first book I could lay my hands on and opened it to the chapter where vampires were discussed.

"I guess you love fairy tale.," I turned to see a young man, dressed in a black suit. His hands were in his pocket as he was grinning widely at me.

I cocked my eyebrow.

"Vampires aren't necessarily classified as fairy tales," I corrected him.

"You could say so. I mean they're different, strange, and strong. They ain't human."

Whatever he was about wasn't my business.

"Okay, Mr. Stranger." I wanted to call him Nosy, but I guessed that'd be too rude.

"I'm Nathaniel. You can call me Nath," he said, stretching his hand out for a shake.

My guts were telling me something was off about the man.

"Good for you sir. I don't go around telling strangers my name," I replied.

"It might be beneficial for you to actually tell me your name," he bargained.

"How so?" I asked.

"I might end up fulfilling your greatest wish."

"Which could be?"

"Money, clothes, trips."

"I think I understand you now. You're the typical sugar daddy who goes around campus looking for naive girls to turn into your pets, right?"

He chuckled.

"Sorry to disappoint you; I'm not interested."

"It's funny that's what you think about me. That's what Andro, my friend could've said."

The mention of Andro's name made me stop in my tracks.

"Andro? You said your friend, Andro. Can you describe him?"

He frowned. "Tall, handsome, giant."

That wasn't enough, I almost hissed.

"Does he have another friend named Stefan and Fabi?" I asked him.

"Okay…Stefan and Fabi are supposed to be his employee not friends or has Andro dissed me for someone else."

I could hear my heart beat rapidly. The nervousness and anxiety I felt were beyond normal.

"Do you know where I can find him?" I asked him instantly.

"How do you know Stefan?" he asked.

I clicked my tongue. "Does it matter?"

"Of course it does, beautiful."

"Yes, I do know him, and I need to see him now. It's urgent."

"Give me your name and your number and I'll tell you where you can find him."

"What?"

"It's either that or nothing," he responded without remorse.

"Fine!" I gritted my teeth. "I'm Annika and give me your phone."

He passed me his phone and I began typing my number.

"Annika, that means grace, right?"

I ignored him. "Where can I find him?" I asked again.

"His place. If you know him that well, I guess you know his place pretty well too."

"I went there last week, and no one was there. If you're messing with me…"

He interrupted by touching my hand. I swapped his hand away.

"I'm not messing with you, Annika. Get there first."

That was exactly what I did. Surprisingly, the gate was opened and the same guy who was always at the gate was there.

"Welcome, Miss Annika," he greeted me, smiling gently at me. I reciprocated his act.

"Hi, it's so nice to see you again. I was here on Thursday and the gate was locked. What happened?" I asked "We had to rush Stefan to the hospital that morning. It was just the boss and me who were around, and I had to lock the gate and go with them."

Trying not to pry any further, I nodded.

"Is Andro around?" I asked him.

"Yes."

I thanked him and walked towards the house. The first thing I saw was Stefan walking out of the house with a cast wound around his hand and a bandage around his shoulder.

He looked beaten up but recovering.

"Stefan," I gaped as I ran towards him.

"What happened to you?"

"Nothing happened, Annika. You shouldn't be worried about me. I'm totally fine," he assured me.

"No, you're not. You can't look like this and act like you're fine," I told him.

"Seriously, I'm good. What brought you here?" he asked as if I wasn't wanted.

"It's been a while since I saw Andro."

"He's inside. You'll see him in his study room."

I nodded and we parted.

Mentally, I was still hoping for a tangible excuse from Andro about his absence when a lady smiled out of Andro's study room.

She was wearing a crop top and shorts with her hair scattered and her lipstick smudged. Anyone could easily tell she just made out with someone and the only person behind that door was Andro.

Lies!

All he'd told me was lies!

He lied, Annika.

"Hello, who…?" The girl started to say something, but I turned and marched out of the house angrily with hot tears rolling out of my house.

Why must living be so full of pain and heartbreaks?