The Unexpected Meeting

I made Nancy promised not to tell my mom nor Colin who we saw today. We don't want then to be worried. And perhaps Erica will never find out where they are. If she does, the security in the apartment building where they live is very tight so she can't go inside that easily.

The kitchen in our place is now filled with every thing one needs for cooking. It even has some stuff that I haven't used before. I decided to prepare dinner. I asked my mom to help me cooking while Nancy takes care of Athena.

It is my first time to prepare food for any man. In Geoff's place, a cook prepares the meal for everyone and I couldn't even move that easily without being noticed by someone. Now, I can do what I want and I can prepare something especial for my husband.

At 6 p.m., Colin arrived home which a typical employee does.

"How's our princess?" He looked for Athena as soon as he arrived. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes." Athena answered. "Whe did you go?"

"Daddy has to work so we can buy more barbies."

"Can I wok too?"

"When you grow up, you also have to work like me."

He then approached me and gave a soft kiss. He is really different from Geoff. I wish I have met him first.

"How was your day?" I asked.

"Tiring, but I was energized when I got home," he said smiling. "I'll take a shower. What will we have for dinner?"

"I cooked pasta. Athena said she wants to eat spaghetti tonight."

"Wow. I will shower fast then so we can eat."

Being at home makes me forget what happened today. Being with Colin and Athena makes me realize that I don't need anything in the world except them.

The next day, Colin woke up early for breakfast. Before noon, I decided to bring Athena to the nearby department store with my mom and Nancy. I want Athena to be familiar with these places since she has not ecperienced going to one since she was young.

Athena was having fun looking at colorful clothes and many people. Marshville never had this crowd. She was scared to walk by herself at first, probably scared of the new faces. She was familiar with all the people in Marshville but now almost all of the people around her are strangers.

We saw a small merry-go-round. I asked my mom to accompany her in riding it. It's so obvious that she enjoys the ride

While they were playing, I asked Nancy to look after her for some time. I wanted to look around and buy something for my mom which I haven't done for a long time.

"That's okay. We will stay in the play area. We will wait for you here. You can give me a call in case you need help." Nancy

I left them and headed to the clothing section. I want to buy a scarf for my mom.

While looking around, I was surprised when someone grabbed me in the arm.

"You bitch!" It's Geoff!

I tried to pull my arm from him but he was holding me so tightly.

"Where is my daughter? How dare file a divorce against me? Give ne my daughter!" His voice resounds in the store. People are starting to stare at us.

A few moments later, Erica arrived. "I knew it, you were the woman I saw last time. So you're really back."

Geoff started pulling me. He was trying to take me somewhere. Erica looks like nothing is happening and just follows us. People around are looking in our direction. I guess some people want to help me but no one dared to approach us. Geoff never cared about the crowd. Two or three men, I'm not sure how many, wearing suit are following us. One of them whispered something to him and he let me go.

"Give me back my daughter and you can rot to hell after, I don't care. Just give me my daughter back."

I couldn't say anything. I wanted to shout at him and tell him how despicable he is but no words came out from my mouth. I was so scared and worried. What if he gets Athena from me?

People are starting to crowd around us. Some people are taking pictures and videos. Another man whispered something to him.

"You're lucky. Give me your address or your phone number. We're not yet done." He then looked at one of the men in black suit. "Make her talk. Don't stop until she tells us where she lives." He, Erica and the others left while one man in suit stayed.

"Please cooperate ma'am. I don't want to hurt you. Just give me your address or your phone number then I will leave." He is giving me his phone and wants me to input the details he is asking.

"Do you think I will really give you the information you need? Do you think I'm that stupid?"

"You don't have a choice ma'am."

More and more people are gathering around us. I got his phone and keyed the numbers.

"You have to make sure that this is correct. You can't hide forever ma'am. We will find you no matter what." And he finally left.

My knees gave in after he left. Some women approached me and asked whether I'm okay. Some were kind enough to give me water and led me to a vacant chair.

"Who are those people and why were they harrassing you?"

"You should call the police."

I can hear what people say but still no words came out from my mouth. After some minutes, I got up and started walking. One woman stayed beside me and accompanied me until I reach my destination.

"Are you okay here?" She asked.

"Yeah." Before I could say more Nancy approached me with a worried look on his face.

"Are you okay? What happened to you? You look so pale."

"One man tried to harrased her. He pulled her for a few meters before finally letting her go. I think you should go home now. Maybe he and his company are still here." The woman warned.

"Thank you so much. Thank you for helping her. Yeah, we will leave here as soon as possible."

"Where is Athena? We have to go." That's the only time I started to speak. I am still shaking after whar happened.

"They are inside. Wait for me here. I will get them then we will go home okay?" Nancy left running. After a couple of minutes, she is back with my mom. She is carrying Athena in her arms and my mom still looks puzzled.

"What's happening?"

"We have to go home now. We can talk at home." Nancy said. "Can you walk on your own?" She asked.

"I'm okay."

We moved as fast as we could and went to the nearest exit. We took the taxi and went straight to the apartment building.

As soon as we reached our place, I started crying. I could finally express my fear and told them what happened. My mom brought Athena in her room and told her to play with her toys.

"It's that jerk right? With that psychopath woman!"

I nodded as a reply.

"Did he ask for Athena?"

I nodded again.

While she was asking questions, we heard the door opened in a hurried way which made me scared again. It was Colin.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" He checked my face and my arm. I have bruises. "Who did this to you?"

"How did you know?"

"Sorry, I sent him a message while we were in the taxi."

My mom started crying. She looks so worried for me.

"I'm okay mom. We are now home. Geoff can never come here."

"Don't worry about me. You have to think about yourself more." She answered.

"What did he tell you?"

"He wants to get Athena. He asked for my contact information and address. I was so scared sk I gave his assistant your phone number."

He tapped my head. "Good job. I can handle it from here. He doesn't know that we are married. I'm sure he will be surprised if he finds out who is helping you."

"What if he gets Athena?" Just thinking about it makes me cry more.

He hugged me tightly. "It will never happen. I promised. Not until I am here."

Nancy and my mom feel reassured hearing this. They are now more convinced that I am with the right person now and they don't need to worry much about me and my daughter.