Chapter 34 Four: The New Nancy Drew

Emily

Being bored was an understatement as to how I was feeling at the moment. Used to being occupied whether at work or at home, I felt useless just lying in bed all day. The staff doesn’t allow me to do anything, if I tried to wash the glass that I had just used, I would be told by one of the maids that it wasn’t my job and that Mr. Jacob will be very upset if they allow me to wash it.

Sighing, I pulled the covers from over my head as I picked up my phone and stared at the latest message that I had gotten from whoever had been stalking me. I never meant to hurt you, but you had left me no choice. Why is it that you can go on dates with a stranger but you won’t give me the time of day when I am the one who clearly loves you? Thinking back to last night, I could’ve died and I was certainly grateful that Adam had found me. I knew that it was my stalker who had hit me over the head, the message clearly explained it but what I don’t get is why me? What could have I possibly done to deserve this? Those were the questions that have been burning my brain the minute the doctor had told Adam that if I was hit a bit harder my skull would have been cracked.

Getting up, I almost groaned as the feeling of laying on silk and how comfortable I was had suddenly disappeared. Trying not to think about it too much, I finally got up. Walking down the hall, I explored the house until I came upon what I was looking for––the library. Smiling like a kid in a candy store, I ran my fingers along the spines of the books that were packed neatly on the shelves. “I see you have found his mother library,” a voice came from the door.

Jumping I turned around to see Sophie standing at the door. Feeling embarrassed, I tried to explain myself. “I wasn’t intruding, it’s just that I was a bit bored and I decided to take a walk and I came upon it.”

Chuckling, she walked into the room and stood beside me. “You didn’t do anything wrong dear, I’m sorry if I indicated otherwise.”

“His mom has quite a collection,” I complimented as my eyes scanned the different genres.

“She loved books, and she was always reading anything that she got her hands on.”

“She sounds wonderful.”

“She was,” came her reply her voice slowly breaking. Seeing that this was a touchy topic, I changed the subject.

“Is it okay for me to step out? I wanted to go visit my mom.”

“I don’t know Miss Emily, I don’t think Adam will be comfortable with you leaving seeing that you had been attacked last night.”

“Sophie, I can’t just stay here. I need to go out plus I will bring James with me.” Thinking about what I said, she reluctantly agreed. Going downstairs, I called James who appeared within seconds. Explaining to him, he agreed without a second thought. Bidding Sophie goodbye, for now, I got inside the car and he drove off. Arriving there, I made my way inside and was greeted by the sight of my mom and Melissa sitting on the couch watching Passions.

“So, I guess no one missed me,” I pouted playfully.

“Emily!” They both cried in unison. Getting up, Melissa wrapped me in a tight hug before she held my arm and walked me over to the couch placing me to sit between her and my mom.

“Oh, my baby,” my mom cried out as she examined my face. “Adam had called me this morning to inform me what had happened, he had apologized about waiting so long to call me. I wanted to scold him but he had good intentions plus he was taking care of my baby girl.” Stopping for a second, she started coughing violently and I had to hold her hand as they were shaking. Bringing her to her room, I put her to lie on her bed.

“Mom are you okay?” I cried out. Looking at her, it was like it was the first time I was seeing her. She looked so different, although she was still beautiful, she had lost a lot of weight and her once beautiful hair was now thin. Seeing that I was inspecting her, she quickly wrapped her head with the scarf that she was holding in her hand. “Mom,” I whispered softly. “I didn’t realize that you had reached this point.”

Sighing, she patted the space beside her and I went to lay down. “Look, Emily, I’m dying and I have come to terms with it and I need you too. The only reason why I am still holding on is because I want you to find true happiness. That way when I’m on the brink of death, I don’t have to feel like I have failed you.”

“You haven’t mom.” Tears had started pooling out of my eyes. I felt so lost and confused. I didn’t know what to do. I don’t know how I will live without her, she was all I have in this world otherwise from Adam.

“Just promise me you will find happiness and you will come to terms with what will happen in a few weeks or months. I know you’re going to say you can’t but I need you to Emily.”

Chuckling, I hugged her tight as she hummed that song she used to sing to me every night. I could feel my tears soaking the material of her dress and that was the last thing I remembered before I fell asleep. Waking up back a couple of hours later, I saw that she was fast asleep. Gingerly coming off the bed, I tiptoed out of the room and into the living room where Melissa sat watching television.

“You know we never had that girl’s night,” I spoke as I went to sit beside her. Smiling gleefully. She went into the kitchen for a few minutes and came back with a ton of food ranging from chips, chocolate, pretzels, nuts, and strawberries.

“What, I went out to buy these stuff from yesterday.” Laughing simultaneously, she sat back down and we ate, laugh, and talked until we heard a knock on the door. Getting up, I opened it and saw it was Adam. Kissing me on the lips, he greeted Melissa before he went to check in with my mom.

“Pack some stuff Emily,” I heard his voice an hour later. Doing as I was told, I came back with a small suitcase before I went back to see my mom.

“I am leaving now mom, why don’t you come with me?” I asked sadly.

“Oh no sweetheart, I want to stay right here.”

“But you are sick, and it wouldn’t be nice for me to abandon you when you are like this.”

“That is why I have Melissa Emily, now stop finding excuses and stalling. Come kiss your mom before you leave.” Shaking my head at her stubbornness, I went over and kissed her on her forehead. I knew that there was no use trying to get through to her, so I just let her be. Bidding her goodbye and promising to call during the few days I was at Adam, I bid Melissa goodbye before promising more girls night to come before we left.

Arriving back at his home thirty minutes later, I made my way to his room before stripping out of my clothes and then going to take a shower. Emerging a few minutes later, I got dressed before going back to the library. Going over to the mystery section, I stared at the Nancy Drew titles when suddenly an idea came to me. If I wanted to fight this, fight whoever was doing this to me, I had to be one step of the game. Pick up on the clues, piece together whatever I have, and hopefully, it will lead me to my stalker.