Leave Me If You Dare

Aside from Damien, only one person knew her landline number. Whenever there were contact details that needed to be filled up, she always used her mobile number.

“Go ahead and answer it.” Damien said to her nodding his head. “I will take care of Adam’s breakfast.” He added.

Arabella looked at Damien with a thankful expression and strode towards the telephone. Her mind was a bit messy right now thinking about the call.

“Hello, Farrah.” She quickly greeted. She registered a landline number for only one reason. It’s for her best friend.

“Bestie, your mom…” Farrah’s voice was shaking in the other line.

“Tell me… what about my mom?” She asked worriedly.

“Good news, she is asking for you. She wanted to see you. But…” Farrah reported but stopped with hesitation to continue.

“But what, Farrah?” Arabella was very happy to hear that her mother was asking for her. For so many years, she didn’t recognize her as her daughter and she allowed herself to be trapped in her trauma.

“Hmmm… Bestie, please get a hold of yourself… Your mom had a brain tumor that grows and spreads rapidly every day. Her tumor grew unnoticed and just these past days, after her MRI, we saw it’s already big. My brother said it’s dangerous for us to take it out as this may cause her to die upon the surgery. Chances are if she will be lucky, she may live up to 6 months but if not…” Farrah’s words were staggering and liked weighing on her chosen words but still, she explained non-stop as she was afraid, she had no guts to tell Arabella the bad news at all. Telling or not telling her were all difficult.

Farrah was the one who took care of Arabella’s mom. She represented her guardian on behalf of Arabella but Arabella financed her mom’s medical care in a center that specializes in traumatic persons in Capital Z.

Arabella felt shattered again. She was unable to find any words to say. Her mom had suffered enough and now with a tumor in her brain, she would be in pain again physically. Her tears came down instinctively as her heart was crying deeply. She didn’t want to blame her God for the tragedy that happened in her life. All she could think of was one person that was being responsible was Bill Sky.

That day when she got a gift and a flower in the hospital, she had no time to waste and just texted Farrah about her condition and her mother.

‘My dearest Farrah,

Please take care of my mother for me. I don’t know where I am going right now but I know my mom is safe with you. I will contact you again soon.’

Then she threw her phone leaving without any trace of her.

She couldn’t tell her what’s her real reason for leaving as she didn’t want Farrah to be involved in her troubles and also for her best friend’s safety.

“Bestie, are you there?” Farrah sounded worried that made her snapped back to her senses.

“Yeah.” Arabella was trying to hide her weeping as she didn’t want Adam and Damien to notice her.

“I think it’s time for you to come back, my friend. 6 years is enough for you to hide. Be with your mom for her remaining days.” Farrah was right. It had been so long that she abandoned her mom for her own mom’s safety.

That time in the hospital, she received a printed note was placed on top of the black bouquet.

The message:

‘Dearest Wife Arabella Jones,

Flowers and a simple souvenir gift for you. I am sure you will like it. I hope it will help you feel better about your mourning of your father.

Your Loving Husband,

Bill Sky’

Such a lovely message but she couldn’t feel any instead, she felt a catastrophe was up to smashed her again and again.

She slowly opened the box and to what she imagined, she saw a baby boy doll that was full of blood and the head was separated from its body with face covered by blacks and red paint. It portrayed a baby boy brutally tortured before he was killed. She thought this scene won’t affect her anymore but thinking about her baby inside her belly she still shivered and she felt her spirit went out from her body horrifyingly to escape from the situation.

Inside the box, there’s another note with the message,

‘I am giving you 3 hours to leave this country with your baby in peace and do not let me see you again. Failure to do this will cause your mother’s death. If you wish your mother to be alive and live peacefully, hide where no one can see you. Make mistake and you will end up killing your mother and your baby. Remember, I have all eyes in you my dearest contractual wife.’

She felt she saw an evil insanely smiling at the end of the note.

Soo Bill Sky.

Giving her no option.

That time, she’s weak.

She had no power and not enough money.

How could she fight with a murderer like him?

How could she fight with his power?

How could she fight with his money?

Getting her things in the airport luggage room, she jumped on the plane with a weak body, mind, and spirit. She didn’t know what awaits her in the other country but she refused to give up even if she had held just a little drop of hope.

That was because of her baby, Adam.

Leaving her mom was very painful for her but thinking about her mom’s condition at that moment, it’s better for her to be with Farrah and be brought to a professional specialist.

For 6 years, Farrah reported to her about her mom’s mind and physical situation and this was the only time, her mother called for her name.

She was caught in the middle of happiness and sadness at this time. She laughed softly but tears were also flowing in the corners of her eyes.

“You have to make your decision now bestie before it’s too late. Your mom is waiting for you.” Farrah was also sentimental on the other line. Arabella made clear to her that she could only call her overseas if it's too important so they could not be traced.

“I will go back right away.” The words just slipped off her mouth without thinking too much. She had been living in peace for 6 years with Adam and Damien.

How could she abandon her peaceful life right away?

But what about her mother? How could she be so heartless to abandon her mom?

She had to go back and she need to find a way.

Maybe Farrah was right. It’s been too long, maybe Bill Sky would no longer recognize her anymore. Maybe he was fond of another toy now and he had no time to track her doings. But she knew very well that she should not let her guard down.

“Bestie, every moment counts, so please hurry.” Farrah on the other line reminded her. She was right again. Her mom’s disease is like a bomb that would explode anytime soon.

“Yes. Farrah. I will fly tomorrow. Don’t worry and sorry for all the troubles I made in your life.” Arabella felt guilt in her heart. She was lucky to have Farrah in her life but she shouldn’t be troubled by her and her mom’s situation. Farrah had done enough after so many years. She should be the one who should take care of her mother but due to the bad circumstances, she was deprived to do it.

“Bestie, you know that I love you and your family. Whatever troubles came into our life we are strong as long as we are together, okay? We are always a family.” Farrah was a good-hearted person. For all her miseries in the world, she was still lucky to have a friend like Farrah.

“Great! Then, I will pick you up at the airport.” Farrah from sorrowful voice sounded cheerful this time.

“No need my friend. I can take care of myself.” From Arabella’s words, she seemed planning to fly alone.

“Oh. Okay. But you have to promise me to see each other. Okay?” Farrah had quickly understood her decision. Obviously, Arabella was still covered by fear in the past.

The call ended with a simple ‘see you again soon.’

Arabella heaved a sigh of frustration. She had to go back for her mom. If only she had a way to move her mom abroad, she definitely had done it. But weighing the risks, it’s impossible for her to do so. She knew Farrah and her mom was being watched by Bill’s men.

‘Remember, I have all my eyes on you.’

She was always reminded by his words even until the present it still gave her chill. His words kept on tormenting her even after 6 years.

The most difficult part for her now is how to get permission from Adam and Damien. She knew her guys would go frantic upon hearing her story.

Slowly, Arabella stood up and went back to the dining table. She had already wiped her tears as she didn’t want them to be worried about her.

“Mom? Are you okay?” Adam sensed her quickly.

“Sit down first and have your breakfast.” Damien quickly dragged the chair for her to sit and filled her plate with food.

Arabella couldn’t find how to start talking about her dilemma in front of everyone so she decided to fill up first her stomach before talking. She didn’t have the heart to ruin their breakfast because of her matter so she let them enjoy it first.

After breakfast, she served another cup of coffee to Damien and another glass of fresh milk to Adam.

These guys were waiting for her. They already knew Arabella had something to share.

“Mom? The floor is all yours now.” Adam who had an impatient voice sounded. All his mom’s matter was also his. He didn’t her mom suffer inside without him knowing what’s the problem.

“Cool down young man, please drink a gulp of your milk first, please.” Arabella tried to lighten up the mood of everyone but the air seemed not to cooperate. It’s a bit frosty that made her uneasy.

Adam quickly followed his mom to end the conversation immediately. He couldn’t wait for such suspense.

“Okay. Adam, Damien, I had to fly to Capital Z.” Arabella started.

“What??” Surprised, Damien was first to react as Adam had no idea about Capital Z.

“Are you going there to see Aunt Lira, mommy? Can I go with you?” Adam said without any clue for the real purpose of his mom in Capital Z.

“You can’t Adam. Aunt Lira is sick there. I need to take care of her for quite a while. Can you be a man to guard our house while I am away?” Arabella had to lie. Her eyes landed on

Damien liked she was telling him something.

She would explain everything to Damien later without Adam’s presence.

For six years, she tried to hide from Adam where they came from as she was afraid Adam would make his way of finding his dad through online and social media.

“Don’t worry about me, mom. I am a brave man. I would be tough guarding our house.” Adam said while showing his arm muscles.

Arabella laughed softly at Adam but still deep inside her, her heart was racing fast. This would be the first time they would be separated from each other. Though she didn’t want to leave Adam, she couldn’t afford to risk his safety. He would be safer with Damien and in this place.

After Adam had excused himself from them to play, Damien and Arabella remained seated in the dining area.

Damien’s eyes were waiting for her explanation.

“Damien, I am so sorry for the short notice but my mom needs me. She’s dying.” After her last words, her tears couldn’t help but to roll down again.

“Shhh… Adam might hear you.” Using his thumbs, Damien wiped her tears.

“No. I can’t allow you to go there..” Then he added like he’s declaring his final decision.