NINETEEN

  "Holy c-, Haley, is that really you?"

His voice sounds brittle like he has been crying or down. I look over to the woman before me, her eyes never left my body. She looks down, inspecting me.

"Yes." I reply with sob after a long silence.

"Babe, what the hell happen?-"

Distress mixed with ferocious, that's his tone.

Trembling, I look round the restaurant. It is certainly a fancy one, bet their menu costs a fortune.

I cast back to my front and close my eyes, uttering the name that put me into this mess.

"It's Ralph."

"Ralph? I knew it's that bastard."

"He has your Mom, J." I open my eyes, still panting.

I know he will be devastated, but this is the only solution. Maybe if he knows he can save her on time and they will be together and happy again as a family.

"What the hell are you talking about, Haley?"

"You have to believe me, Jeremy."

"Why should I?!"

"Because I saw it! Okay!"

I cling my fingers on the phone on my ear and fling an apologetic look to the woman. Maybe things like this shouldn't be discussed outside.

But I don't care.

"I saw your mom. She didn't run away– he has her in captive all along."

I really wish I can see him and hold his chin in my hands, gazing into his pacific blue eyes while speaking to his soul and he digests my words.

Except he is not here, and I cannot penetrate unhindered through him.

"Did he put you through this?"

I dip my eyebrows together in bewilderment, "what?"

"Did Ralph coin this feculent calumny?-"

"Shut your damn mush up and listen to me," I interrupt him. I bite my lower lips and gaze up at the ceiling, the sparkling Chandelier hovering me shines extremely bright for my dull eye, so I look down back.

How dare him thinks, I want to play with his emotions on ground like this. I break free without caring about my family.

I want to get Stella out of there and now her son thinks I'm playing a game with the criminal.

I laugh, unconscious I survey the restaurant, a plushy one indeed. The black marble floor defines its glory and the walls, and ceiling.

"If you love Stella Olsen, you'll get your fucked-ass to the seaport and get your Mama before she's sailed off. Bye Jeremy Olsen."

"Wait, wait, Haley!" He panics over the phone, "Are you sure about this?"

Seriously?

"Oh, oh, did I forget to tell you, Mr. Olsen. You're a dipshit." I hang the phone and dive it on the table.

I fold arms as my blood cells vapor up announcing my frustration.

I didn't look at the woman's face, obviously, the old lady in a modern blue dress will not appreciate my use of words, and so it is better to look away.

I feel so angry that all the agony I am currently experiencing seems like a joke to him. I wish I have a better plan to duck with Stella.

I run my hands through my hair, whilst I nip not to cry.

Sometimes, Jeremy possesses the ability to make me feel like a dumbass, like this moment. I'm weak, broken, and helpless...

"I think it's your call." I look up and see the woman, pointing the cellphone back to me.

The waitress return with a glass of water, it bridges her a while to get back to me with water. I grab the glass cup and gulp the water, finalizing it at once.

I drop the cup back and appreciate her, there is no doubt, I feel better but still, feel the effect of the wound on my head. I see dizzy.

An intriguing silhouette brushes my sight, I squint my eyes, figuring who is coming in through the white smoked glass. Beach blond and black leather jacket, I wheeze, reifying who it is.

"Oh Christ, he's here. Oh God, my God."

I cry in a low volume and cower low, stealing a glance at him. He walks directly inside the restaurant, sliding the glass open and creating a new aura in the air, my chest slaps in an explosion.

I didn't notice that there are two doors to this restaurant.

"Child? Where did she evaporate to?" I ignore the witty moaning voice of the woman and stay still, scrutinizing Messiah from underneath the opulent glass table.

Still, I can see the couple on the opposite row from where I hide and how beautiful the upside-side view of the pieces of furniture appear.

Messiah trudge directly past me, showing off his boots and probably not noticing me. I did a great job holding up my respiration and squashing myself in the lounge.

"Hola." his deep voice greets.

I mail my hands to my chest in fear that it may fall off.

I sense that he may have seen me disappear until I hear the waitress's voice.

"Hola," she greets back.

"Que te puedo ofrecer? Guapo." I grit my teeth in annoyance. Did she just decide to show her wanton erotic skill?

Maybe some need to talk some sense about his identity to her.

I keep calm, I need to be collected.

"Perhaps... Have you seen this lady?" his voice trail quietly, but I can hear what he's saying.

He is looking for me.

I sit up and stand, slowly I make my way to the door, which I entered through.

It is directly on a side behind the lounge I am.

"Child?" The old call, I spear her glance and look away.

The waitress's eyes connect with mine, her smile falls off as I put my finger on my lips telling her to hush.

Messiah's back blindly turns to me, however, his big, lean body rest on the counter before the waitress as he poses a purple glittery device towards her, my phone.

Abruptly, his neck turns and his blue eyes glue with mine.

I did not waste a sec before swinging the door open and springing.

"Haley!"

I lumber against him. The howling, yet winsome breeze hit me, whirling my hair to my face. I flip my head back to check if he is coming, I'm buried auditing about him to notice that I'm slouching in front of a car.

The honk of the car jolts me away.

"Do you need a ride, Youngie?" the man behind the wheel asks. The vehicle is an Uber.

I look back and see Messiah approaching, without further words. I snap into the backseat of the Uber.

"Drive!"