Chapter 53
Curious who the caller might be, I swiped the screen to answer.
The voice who answered back made me stilled. Tilting his head to the side, Nile narrowed his eyes at me while studying me.
“Selina.” I spoke her name firmly. “What do you want?” I said through gritted teeth.
“Kura.” I could hear she was holding back her tears on the other side of the line. Her voice was restrained and trembling. “Your dad.” I stilled once again. I heard her sniffles in the background. “Your dad is sick, Kura. For his sake… please come here and visit him.” She spoke with sadness.
“Wow, really? I haven’t heard from you for ten years and now you decided to call me. You two could rot in hell for all I care.” I ended the call and slammed the phone on the table.
“Who was that?” Nile immediately asked.
“It’s none of your business, Nile.” I got up with a plan to leave. “I’m going home. If you want to stay here then I won’t bother you.” I stomped my way out, Nile hot on my heels.
“Kura! Kura, wait!” He blocks my path and grabs my arm to stop me. “What the hell! Who was it? Who called you, Kura, for you to act this way?!”
“I said it’s none of your business!” I exclaimed unintentionally.
He was shocked at the tone I used. Concern immediately replaced his expression. I felt guilty about it so I apologized.
I sighed before speaking. “I’m sorry. Let me be alone, Nile. Just this time.” My voice almost that of begging.
He stared at me for a few seconds before submitting to my plea. He looked down while clenching his fists but I continued to walk past him and left him standing in the corridor.
I could feel he was hurt but I tried to be blind. I really can’t handle this right now. I don’t want to explain to him why I am like this. The pain would just double over. I hate recalling the past, especially about my family.
I did return home and that’s not in the Veselov’s. For the first time since I was taken, I finally came home to my apartment. I fell asleep right as I flopped on to my bed.
Tonight went from one of the happiest to the most disappointing night in ten years.
---
The sound of the doorbell woke me up from my slumber. I told whoever it was outside to wait as I got up from my bed groggily. I was still wearing my dress yesterday. I slowly took my time to change and wash my face before opening the door. It’s payback for making me wake up early.
I was shocked when I opened the door. It was Colton. Though I didn’t really expect who’s who behind the door since I was still in a daze.
“Colton?” He wasn’t happy when he saw me. “How did you know I was here?” I asked as he welcomed himself in.
“How did I know? Mister loverboy called me this early morning saying to check on you in your apartment. I had to ask him why you’re here. He said you answered a weird call last night and then you walked out. Rose, what’s wrong? Who called you?” He spoke with a little anger in the beginning and gradually turned to concern as he asked who called me last night.
I sighed before leading him to the couch in the living room. We sat down and talked. Colton knew almost my entire life since we did grow up together so it wasn’t a secret that he knew my feud with my family.
“Damn. Aren’t you a little bit concerned about your father? What if he’s really sick?”
“My grudge won’t let me worry for him, Colton. He abandoned me and chose that bitch over me- his own flesh and blood. Do you think I have the heart to feel even a little bit concerned for that bastard? He never cared for me so why should I care for him, too?!”
He was quiet and I knew he understood my predicament.
“I know what you feel and this might sound as an insult to you… but I think it’s time for you to take a visit. It’s been over a decade and over that time, you cut everything off from them. If I were in your place, I’d be curious about their state.”
“Really, Colton? You’re right. That is an insult.” I sighed before giving out my thoughts. “And you’re right. There are times that I wonder how he was doing. After all, even though he betrayed me, he’s still my father.”
Colton smiled sadly. “You don’t have to show yourself to them. You can take a look from a distance, that’s all.”
I peered at him before sighing. “How did Nile find out I was here anyway?”
“He followed you last night.” I whipped my head towards him in surprise. “I was pretty mad that he didn’t tell me right away. I was worried what might happen to you again. You’ve been really unfortunate recently.”
I rolled my eyes at his comment. He was pertaining to my almost getting killed and then the issue with Jacob. Although Jacob being taken care of by Nile's men was still unknown to them.
“By the way he sounded when he called, he hadn’t had any sleep. I met him outside on my way here. He was watching over you until I came. You should’ve seen the bags under his eyes.”
“What?!” My eyes widened.
“You know what happens when you don’t tell anyone your problems. That man deserved the truth from you. He might really be possessive and full of overwhelming jealousy but I’ve never seen anyone who cared for you more than we do.”
I sighed. He’s right. Ugh, I hate how he’s always right.
“I’m going back today. If you want to come, just tell me.”
“I’ll come.”
“Well, that was quick.” He jokes which manage to make us laugh. I punched his arm playfully.
“Don’t worry. I’ll inform Nile.” I smiled teasingly at him.
“Good. We’ll be leaving after lunch. I’ll stay here with you by then so loverboy won’t go batshit crazy worrying about you.”
---
I listened to the phone ringing for a few seconds before I heard an answer. I felt guilty knowing I woke him up from his sleep.
“Nile.” I answered back as soon as he said hello. His voice was raspy and soft.
I heard a rustle before he started to speak clearly. “Kura. Are you okay?”
Ugh. I’m such a bitch for leaving him last night. “Yeah, yeah. I’m alright, Nile. Listen, I’m sorry about last night. I was acting like you didn’t matter. I’m really really sorry, Nile.” My heart skipped a bit when he went silent.
“I…” I continued. “I’m… I’m going to see my… family. Colton is going with me. I-I’m going with Colton actually since we’re pretty much going in the same way.” He was still quiet. “Nile… I promised when I come back, I’ll tell you everything. I won’t leave anything behind.”
“Whatever you wish.” The phone then went dead.
Fuck.
“You okay?” Colton asked as soon as he got inside the car right after loading my luggage from the back.
“No.” I groaned. “I really really screwed up.” His eyebrows knitted in a frown as he stared at me dejectedly.
My heart squeezed at the thought that I messed up my relationship with Nile. I was stupid and selfish. Stupid and selfish!
“You know…” Colton spoke after a long silence. “This is the first time I’ve seen you sulked about a man. The most serious relationship you had was with Nixon but even you don’t look like that when he left.”
