Emotional Blackmail

I could never understand how they felt and frankly, it was not my wish to. I just wished at that moment that Nate had made better decisions.

'He did not call me back after then, he did not even apologize. Even I wanted to know what really happened but he did not take my calls or reply to my texts.'

'I had to reach out to one of his friends, Desmond, to understand what was going on. Desmond told me to forget about Nate and focus on my life.' She was crying profusely now.

I could not move. I was seeing things from her perspective and it was not a very nice sight.

I remember Nate telling me about Desmond. He said Desmond was his only true friend who showed up for him every time he needed help.

I even saw him once when Nate and I went grocery shopping. They talked at length about different things that I could not understand but I never for once saw him as someone who would treat a rape case with so much levity.

I wanted to know what went on in Nate's head when he invited Victoria out just for his selfish gain.

I looked at the dark skinned lady in front of me. She had a big stature and seemed like someone whose presence was very hard to miss.

How did Nate pull drugging her off?

Did he get help from anyone?

Was Desmond in on the plan?

Why did Victoria not suspect that monster?

She was calmer now and she was not crying anymore, it felt like she had held in those tears for so long and just could not wait to let them all out.

'When did you meet him?' My voice sounded pitiful and I knew it was the last thing she wanted me to feel for her.

'About seven months before the incident. A colleague introduced us.' She said.

I had no idea when the incident happened and I did not want to find out.

Alicia did not ask any questions about it either and I knew she felt the same way. The issue was too sensitive to ask unnecessary questions.

Seven months was enough to build someone's trust.

Did Nate make his victims trust him?

What was my brother thinking?

I felt angry. I wanted to smash anything and everything but I kept calm.

'Did he force you to the party?' Alicia's voice swallowed the deafening silence.

I was very glad she spoke because it began to get uncomfortable.

'No. We had even been planning it for a while. He said he was interested in me and he just wanted us to bond better.'

'He took me to different places but drew the curtain at that party.' Victoria's soft voice made me shake a little.

She had been abused by an animal, but she was here, having a discussion with his siblings.

I knew if I were in her shoes, I would not entertain such.

He played his cards well. He really created an atmosphere where she could trust him without a doubt.

I sucked my teeth.

'I'm sorry.' I whispered.

I wanted to tell Victoria I was really sorry and that I wished I had done anything to stop Nate.

I was very angry. Words cannot even explain how furious I was.

I kept saying 'she did not deserve this.' in my head.

'I'm sorry about everything. I really am.' Alicia stood up and hugged her.

Those were the words I wanted to say. I wanted to sound very reassuring, because a good person like Victoria did not deserve to go through what Nate put her through.

As a matter of fact, no one deserved it.

'Thanks. Means a lot. I'm glad I testified against that monster. I definitely jumped on the opportunity as soon as it surfaced and I would do it again and again.' Victoria was the chatty type.

She did not appear sad anymore. I could not help but wonder if it was just a facade or if she was really unhurt.

'How did you cope with it?' I did not know if it was necessary to ask but I did anyway.

'A full year of therapy. I was a mess Kassy.' She stared at me.

I understood her perfectly. I would have needed therapy too.

I looked at Alicia. She was seated now, legs crossed, arms folded. She did not go through therapy.

How did she cope?

She looked back at me. Her eyes were dull. She was sad.

She probably felt even worse now that she spoke with someone she could understand on a different level.

'That must've been hard for you. How do you deal with the memory now?' Alicia asked.

She was asking for her own sake. She wanted to know how to deal with her own memories.

She wanted help to escape from the reality she had to face.

'I was drugged. The only memory I have is waking up and I chose to forget it. I do things that help me forget it.'

'Sometimes I run, other times I play the keyboard or just draw. I do anything to keep it very far from me.' There was a broad smile on her face.

'I wish it never happened. Everything would have been so much easier.' Victoria was looking straight at Alicia now.

She had a weird expression on her face. I couldn't read it.

'Why did you not testify against him?' My heart sank. She knew Alicia was one of Nate's victims.

My phone fell from my lap but that did not break the eye contact between both of them.

The atmosphere was very tense. It was as if a bomb had dropped and both parties were being consumed by the flames.

I picked my phone up and cleared my throat. I wanted to be anywhere but there.

'Why did you not?' Victoria's voice was shaky.

'I could not.' Alicia was looking at me. She wanted us to leave already.

We were done with Victoria, she did not want the focus to be on her.

'You made me open up to you, I want you to open up to me too.' Victoria said.

She reached out for Alicia's hand and took it. I did not want to be a party to what Vitoria was planning.