MARRY ME NOW

I picked up Anne and stepped away from the wall. Still quiet. That’s a good thing, right? I ran towards the same road which lead me to this place. Minutes later, I reached a crowded place.

Anne began crying. She hasn’t eaten anything since we left Gwyneth’s place and now, we’re in another country. It was hard to believe.

I needed to ask someone what country is this. I was getting attention from people because of Anne. She was crying so loud. I rocked her. “Hey, please excuse me,” I spoke to a woman hoping they speak English here.

“Hello.” She said back.

“Uh… What’s the name of this country?” I asked. She gave me a weird look. I know, it’s funny.

“Switzerland.” She replied. Oh my. That’s like 10 hours from the US by plane. I thanked her and she walked away. What was I going to do now? I don’t have my phone, I lost it earlier. I had to look for a place to stay before those people sees me. I can’t take that risk…

The cloud was getting thicker by the minute, it was like it was going to rain. It didn’t take long before there were loud sounds of thunder and the people began to run.

I looked around for a place to find refuge but there was no place. There were closed shops though. I ran towards where my legs took me. And before I knew it. I was in residential areas.

And then the rain started pouring. Spotting a refuge in front of an apartment. I ran to it to hide from the rain. Anne began crying again. Ah jeez. I have to look for food for her.

I heard her stomach growling. I hope the people in this apartment aren’t at home… The door to the apartment opened suddenly, revealing an elderly woman, probably in her 60s.

“Who is ther- Oh, who are you? Oh my, the little girl is shaking! Please come in! Come!” She invited. I wasn’t supposed to trust anybody. No, I shouldn’t enter her house, what if it’s a trap? Then, what am I going to do?

I shook my head no, “Uh… No thanks?” She gave me a disappointed look.

“But the little girl, she might get sick and you do know medical care is really expensive.” She said with a frown.

True. I didn’t want Anne sick, that’d only cause more trouble for me, I was not ready to take such a risk and I didn’t want any problem near my baby… But still.

Anne was shaking so bad. I looked at the woman again. She doesn’t look suspicious… But never trust anybody! The ones who look innocent almost aren’t innocent.

Trust your instincts…

I slowly walked toward the lady and she gestured for me to get in. It was very warm and cosy inside unlike outside. I watched her lock the door. “Please, make yourself comfortable, I would go get some blankets.” She said and disappeared into a corner in the house and came back in a minute with blankets on her hands.

Handing them over to me, she asked me to sit down. “You shouldn’t be wandering out there… Especially with a child, it’s dangerous!” She scolds.

I just nodded my head, lost for words. If this place was safe, then I didn’t want to go out back there… Not until those men are gone… “Do you have a place to stay?” She asked. I didn’t answer her for a minute and that must have given her a clue to continue as she did.

“It’s just that you have nothing on you and you look shattered so…”

“I don’t,” I replied.

“May I ask why?” She asked. If I wanted to stay here for hideouts. I have to tell her… So I told her.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“Oh my God. You poor souls! Have you eaten? I’d go get something for both of you.”

————

It took minutes before I managed to put a spoonful of food in my mouth. After we had eaten. She showed us a room where she said we could stay in for the time being. But I wanted to stay in the living room, With a sleeping Anne on me. It was 11 pm.

I almost jumped out of my skin when I heard a knock on the door. Oh my, who could be here by this time of night? What if this was all a trap, to begin with? I gulped.

It was a trap! I panicked. Marilyn, for which was the lady’s name came rushing into the living room. She gave me a ‘nothing to be worried about look’. She went to the door and I noticed her look through the peephole. She opened the door and a young lady walked in.

She wore a large jacket on. “Oh! I thought you weren’t coming home tonight!” Marilyn said relieved.

I also breathe in relief. I thought for a second that I was doomed. “Sorry, mom. Mrs Sharon got mobbed and we had to work late.”

“Oh.” They walked towards me. Giving me a view of her. She was very pretty. No doubt, she took her beauty from her mom. I noticed how irritated she suddenly looked.

“Who is she?! I thought we agreed on no strangers in the house!” She snapped.

“Calm down. Come.” Marilyn said. Marilyn said grabbing her by her arm and in seconds they were out of sight.

Oh God, I was sure now that they were going to have me out of their house. My worries proved wrong as she came back a minute later to apologize. “I’m sorry I snapped. My mom told me your situation.” She said.

I couldn’t voice my thoughts so I just nodded my head. She nodded her head too.

——–

Gwyneth knew she had to tell someone Tessa was out of her house. She couldn’t say anything about what really happened because she received threats for like the 100th time now. She could always say Tessa wanted to leave and she tried to stop her but she wouldn’t listen…

And that was exactly what she told Jake. Jake thought maybe she just went somewhere to clear up her head… And probably her mess. Old Jake would be paranoid and let the cops know immediately.

But he changed so much and kept asking himself why. She could be doing all this to play the victim again. We can’t fall for her trap this time. Loren’s voice ranged over and over again in his head.

6 months Later:

I jumped when I heard a quiet knock on the window. I have been living a very quiet and not so peaceful life because I was still scared those men might still be searching for me.. doing daily jobs to make small profits so I won’t feel like a burden. The profits were very little…

Better than nothing. Marilyn’s voice rang in my head.

Marilyn had helped me get an in a small school down the street for Anne to attend.

Anne was asleep in the room. I have gotten used to leaving her alone in a room. I heard the knock again. I stood up from the couch and walked over to the window. Kara. I noticed she was always out every night and most times, Marilyn won’t know about it.

I believe she was hiding something but who am I to question her? I opened the window and she climbed in. “Oh, thank God you’re awake!” She exclaimed.

“Where were yo-” I stopped myself before I could finish the question. Ugh. What was I thinking?!

“No, no. Don’t judge yourself, any sane person would want to know.” She said with a sigh.

“It’s something I have been hiding from my mom for three years now… She has no idea where the food we eat comes from… She has no idea where her medical care money comes from.. She believes I’m just a normal worker with a normal income.” She said. I raised my eyebrow, confused.

“I’m a prostitute. I work at a legal brothel.” She confessed.

“Oh..” I muttered.

“Please don’t tell my mom!” She pleaded. “She can’t know anything about this, please. Promise.”

“I… Promise.” I said.

“Thank you.” She said as she walked towards her room.

A YEAR AND 4 MONTHS LATER:

it was early in the morning. I got up from my bed and did my usual morning routine before walking over to Anne’s bed. I lightly shook her expecting her to jump up like she usually does but she didn’t.

I shook her again. “Anne?” I called. “Anne,” I said lightly tapping her.

Worry took over me. “Anne!” Oh God, Why isn’t she responding?! “ANNE!” I screamed.

“Oh my God.” Gathering her in my arms, I carried her away from the bed and rushed to the living room. “Help!” I screamed.

Kara came rushing towards me. “Oh my God, what happened?! I’d go look for a cab.” She said rushing out the door.

“Oh Anne,” I whimpered. Kara came rushing in a minute later. I got Anne in the cab and it drove off. In less than 20 minutes we got to the hospital.

“Somebody help please.” My voice died in my throat.

———–

I sat down next to Anne’s hospital room. I was going crazy. If the surgery isn’t done in three days, I’m sorry to say, then there’s a 95 % chance that you may lose your daughter.

I was crying so hard. I’m pretty sure my face was a bit red. “You have to go home now, Tessa. Staying here won’t bring money from heaven… I wish I could help, but I don’t have such an amount of money.” Kara whispered.

The surgery costs 12, 034 dollars. My heart had literally flown away.

“Where am I going to get such an amount of money?” I cried. I didn’t want to lose Anne. No, I can’t. I can’t.

Kara stayed quiet for a minute like she was thinking about something and hen said. “I know you’re not that type of person… But you know where I work right? We could together make such an amount of money in a night… You’re very beautiful, I’m sure men would love to spend a lot on you… ” She whispered.

My mind didn’t go on what I was going to do, just the money. I need it so bad… I just don’t want to lose my child…

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