
"Tessa, I saw what happened earlier." I turned my head to look at Yvonne, she was giving me a weird look.
"What do you mean? And stop with that face, it's creeping me out." 
"Don't pretend that you don't know!"
"No, seriously, I don't know what you're talking about."
"You and Jake! The way you two held each other's hands today, the way you two looked at each other..." She said dreamily.
Oh god. She was talking about what happened earlier, I had incidentally slipped and Jake caught me.
I and Jake have been friends for two years now and nothing is going on between us. "I told you, Jake and I are just friends., I said and she scoffed.
"That's what you always say, even when you know it's not true, just- fine, but that won't stop me from shipping."
I rolled my eyes mentally. "Did you hear?" She asked. "Hear what?"
"About the boss, he's going to come to our branch tomorrow, I gotta go do my b

  
"Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." A voice said the person waved at my face, and I turned to see Yvonne.
"I think I'm in trouble."
"Why?"
"He asked for me... Mr Kings." I said and her mouth formed into an 'o' shape. "Remember? I came late today, what if he wants to fire me-"
"It's okay, calm down... Maybe... Well, he might just want to know why you were late, I don't think he would fire you and I could escort you there if you want."
"Yes. Please do."
"Okay." She chirped with a huge smile on her face. She entangled her arm in mine and we walked towards the elevator.
We entered and the door closed and it started moving. "Relax, you look tensed." I heard Yvonne say.
I sighed. Soon it stopped and we stepped out and walked towards the reception. Yeah, there was also a reception here for those waiting to see him.
"Thank you so much, you can go now-" she cuts me off.
"It's ok


I don't think I can reach out to him with a problem like this, I don't even know him.
Yeah. You don't want to involve him in a matter like this.
I think you should reach out to him, who knows, he might be able to help you.
Two voices argued in my head, I don't think it's proper to reach out to him with a problem like this.
Okay, watch yourself getting married... Or signed off.
I don't want that! With shaky hands, I took my phone and typed the number on it.
The phone rang,  but then it was sent to voicemail. This might be a sign that I shouldn't call him.
Throwing my phone frustratingly at the other side of the bed, I lay down.
What an ill fate I have. I shouldn't have come here in the first place, if I hadn't, I would have been living in more proper life.
Tears streamed down my eyes, with a headache coming along with them. Suddenly my phone rang.
I stretch out to take my phone and looked at the caller's id. No name. I tapped the accept button before putting it close to my ear.
"H-hello?" I asked. "You called." Came a cool manly voice. Was it the number I called earlier?
"Are you... Jake...?" I asked. 
"Yes, I am. Jake Carl."
"Do you remember? That night at the hotel? I'm Tessa." 
"Yes, I do. Never thought I was going to hear from you again, how have you been?" He chuckled.
"I-i'm fine." Say the truth!
"Are you? You sound rather down."
"No... I mean yes." 
"What happened?" You can sense the worry in his tone. "I'm not okay," I suddenly cried.
"It's a long story, can you help me?" I asked hopefully. "Where are you?"
"At m-my aunt's, she's h-holding me, hostage." I stammered. "Do you know the location?"
"Yes," I replied and then I told him the location. "Relax, okay? You'd be alright." He assured and I nodded my head even though he would not see me doing it.
"I brought you juice, you should drink it all." I heard my aunt's voice and quickly hid my phone.
"What were you doing?"
"I was uh... Searching for something I kept... In my bag."
"Okay dear, drink this." She said giving it to me. I waited, expecting her to leave, but she didn't.
"I would leave when you're done with the juice." She said with a smile.
Who knows what she put in this? I gave her something to abort the pregnancy.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and she walked out. I walked towards the door, trying to make out the voices I was hearing.
Had he told someone? Were they the people at the door? "What are you talking about?! I live here with my daughter and niece and no one is pressuring anybody here!" I heard my aunt say.
The other person said something I still couldn't make out. "I'm sorry, but both girls can't speak to you now, they are asleep."
"You can't go into my house without my permission! I told you, they are not available right now." 
I was going to step out to go to them when a hand suddenly clasp my mouth, pulling me back.
I tried to scream, but it came out as muffles. Oh, why?
"Shh." The person whispered. I tried kicking, trying to make a noise, but the person entangled his legs with mine, stopping me from kicking.
Tears streamed down my eyes. I was never going to escape. "See? I told you, I was trying to get sleep myself and then you guys came, oh my, and my blood pressure is high, please go now, I have to rest." Aunty said dramatically.
I squirmed trying to break free or at least hit something to make a noise. 
I noticed the man bringing out something from his pocket. A handkerchief. He was going to make me sleep!
I squirmed harder until something fell making a loud noise, he managed to put the cloth on my face, making me fall asleep.
Someone, please save me.
&bull;&bull;&bull;
I stretch out my body. Where it seemed like the most comfortable place I have ever been in my life.
Where was I? 
My brain suddenly recalled what had happened earlier and I snapped my eyes open.
I heard the door opening and footsteps walking closer to me, when the person reached where I was, my eyes widened.
Jake.
He smiled at me. "You're finally awake, how are you feeling?" His smile was warming and it could light up a dark room.
"I-i'm fine... What happened?"
"Nothing much, what matters now is that you're okay." 
I tried to get up, but he stopped me. "I think you should have more rest, stressing yourself now is not good for your health and that of the baby." 
When he said that the baby making me relax, my baby was okay. I smiled at him gratefully.
"How can I repay you?"
"By taking care of yourself." He said and I nodded my head.
"Thank you so much."
"You don't have to be."
"Uh... About my aunt, d-did anything happen?" I asked in curiosity.
"Nothing much, I'd go bring something for you to eat." He said walking out.
I pinched myself on my arm, to know if this was a dream or not. It wasn't.
Tears flowed down my eyes. Tears of joy. I was free once again. I won't have to see Aunt or that man.
Ever again...
.
.
.
.......


"Tessa, I saw what happened earlier." I turned my head to look at Yvonne, she was giving me a weird look.
"What do you mean? And stop with that face, it's creeping me out." 
"Don't pretend that you don't know!"
"No, seriously, I don't know what you're talking about."
"You and Jake! The way you two held each other's hands today, the way you two looked at each other..." She said dreamily.
Oh god. She was talking about what happened earlier, I had incidentally slipped and Jake caught me.
I and Jake have been friends for two years now and nothing is going on between us. "I told you, Jake and I are just friends., I said and she scoffed.
"That's what you always say, even when you know it's not true, just- fine, but that won't stop me from shipping."
I rolled my eyes mentally. "Did you hear?" She asked. "Hear what?"
"About the boss, he's going to come to our branch tomorrow, I gotta go do my beauty treatment!" 
The boss, he was coming? I've never seen him personally, I have only hea

Chapter 8