Chapter 16 - Meeting Quincy

> Maya

I packed up when the classes ended and sighed as I looked at the empty seat beside me.

“Ruda you jerk!” I angrily whispered the words. He left a few days ago and still hasn’t come back.

I stood up and began to leave.

I’m sort of worried too. I’m sure it’s not because of me, because if it was he would have come back after one or two days but it's been more than a week now.

I opened my phone and opened up our chat. He hadn’t read any of my messages.

I wonder why?

I thought about it for a while before texting but then decided to do it anyway. I had been thinking about telling him these words but I wasn’t sure. I thought he’d come back soon.

I looked down on the screen as I typed.

‘Ruda, I’m sorry if you’re angry with me about anything. I won’t ask you about anything anymore. Just reply to me when you see this.’

I pressed send, then suddenly I felt like I had to say more so I typed in some very important words.

‘You little bitch! You’re the only friend I have. Come back to me before I find you and whoop your ass.’

I pressed send without any hesitation and felt quite satisfied.

Taking a deep breath I put the phone in my pocket and began to walk in a direction I go to every once a month.

On my way I texted Yohan, telling him I won’t be coming home tonight and not to worry about me.

I looked down at my ring. Yohan had asked me a few times about it but I couldn’t really tell him it was given to me by my guardian.

I don’t want any misunderstandings but then again I wear it on my ring finger…

I bit my lower lip but it doesn’t fit on any other finger!! If I take it off, somehow, magically, God knows how, Quincy always finds out and I get a call from him immediately.

He said I always need to wear it.

I kept staring at it and then took it off.

Maybe all the other times it was just a coincidence. I examined the ring. It didn’t have anything like a gps or a tracking device in it. In fact it looked like a normal, pretty ring.

It was quite pretty, no doubt. Part of the reason why I wore it.

I put it in my pocket and began walking again.

Oddly this time I didn’t get a call.

Maybe all the previous times, it really was a coincidence.

***

“I’m here.” I entered the big, nicely built wooden house when the sky had turned dark.

“Ma!” Nena came running from the corridor and I dropped my bag before she jumped and caught her in my arms, then twirled her around.

“My baby!!” I stopped and kissed her cheeks while I hugged her. Once, twice, countless times.

“Ma! Stop! My face is wet from your smooches.”

“A few more.”

“No!” She escaped my embrace and ran away. She ran till the end of the corridor.and began to rub her cheeks with her sleeves, “Too much love…”

I giggled, “I have a lot more to give.”

“I’m fine thank you.” She pouted.

“Where’s Quincy?” I asked and she pointed left from where she was standing. I knew that direction. It meant he was in his study.

That’s the place where I often find him.

I walked to his room and knocked, “It’s me.”

“Come in.”

I opened the door and walked inside. He was sitting on the floor pillow, writing on the paper which was on the table at just the right level.

“You took off your ring.” He said while his eyes were still glued to the paper. It startled me, I really thought he wouldn’t know, “I made myself clear didn’t I. The ring doesn’t come off.” He raised his face from the paper as he set his pen aside. His gaze was so sharp it felt like it was piercing me, “Did I not?”

“Yes…”

“Wear it when we do it.”

“Fine….” I took out the ring and wore it.

“Take off your clothes and wait for me in the room.” He looked down at the papers again and began to assemble them.

“I’ll take a shower first. I didn’t get the chance because I came straight here.”

“I can tell.”

I rolled my eyes and left the study. Quincy’s room was on the second floor so I made my way up. The shower was right next to his room so I went in, took off all my clothes and stepped in the hower cubicle.

While I was still in the shower I heard the door of his room open, close and get locked.

I guess he’s here.

I better head out soon too.

***

I woke up still feeling a bit dizzy. I groaned as I sat up.

God, this happens almost every time.

I feel like I have no energy.

I sighed and managed to get up. I have some of my clothes here so I wore something simple and went downstairs.

Quincy and Nena were both in the kitchen. Quincy cooked while Nena waited at the kitchen table.

“Morning.” I lazily said.

“Good morning!!!” Nena jumped off her seat and ran to me, “You’re here today right!”

“Yes, I’ll leave in the evening.” I wanted to pick her up but I didn’t have the energy so we both walked hand in hand to our seats while I glared at the man responsible for my misery.

After making us our share he left us alone and went God knows where but it was most likely his study.

He never really ate with us.

I looked at the food and smiled.

At least the man has the decency of giving a lot of food after what he takes from me.

***

I spent the whole day with Nena uninterrupted by anyone and as evening began to set in I found myself sitting in the open corridor staring at the scenery far off in a distance while Nena fell asleep on my lap.

The sound of the door opening and someone coming out made me look back. Quincy walked up to me and handed me an envelope.

“Yesterday,” I started and looked at him, “It wasn’t like the usual.”

He turned away, “I know, that’s why I’m giving you more too.”

I looked inside the envelope. He was right, there was more cash in it.

I scratched the side of my neck, “Thanks?”

“No need. I’m just giving you the price we agreed on.” I nodded. He’s as cold as ever, “I’ll take Nena.” He crouched down and picked her up, “You can leave.”

Nena comfortably fit herself in his embrace and it felt sort of lonely.

“Yea.” I stood up, “I’m going.”

As I left the place I was once again reminded of the emptiness I feel whenever I leave this place.

I glanced back at the house.. It’s such a big place yet it’s so cold.