Female Novel
Chapter thirty seven
Oregon
What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice cold and distant. I could feel a knot forming in mystomach at the sight of him.
"Why so cold? You don't sound happy to see me," he said, a hint of hurt in his voice. He walkedover to the couch and sat down, leaning back against the cushions.
"Look, I just need some time alone. I have a lot on my mind and I don't want any distractions," Isaid, frustration creeping into my voice.
"I don't mean to be a distraction. Uhm!" He inhaled and got on his feet, before dusting his body.
"Are you leaving?" I asked, curious.
"I have a message for you," he said.
"A message?" I asked, raising a brow. "You could have just sent me a message through the phoneor better yet, mind link me."
Stephen rolled his eyes. "You looked angry back then and you didn't even give me a chance to talkto you. How can I be sure that you won't ignore my texts or even reject my voice through mind link?"
"Well, that's your problem. It's your fault," I said as I sat down.
Stephen looked down at me. "Let me explain," he muttered.
"Stephen! Please, I don't want to hear it. I have forgotten about it and I hope you won't remind me.Everything is fine now… Please, just convey your message and go. What is it? Who sent this so-called message?" I asked.
"It's from the elders," he answered plainly and my eyes grew wide.
"What? The elders?" I asked and he nodded.
"But why? Why did they suddenly send a message? Did something happen?" I asked.
"It's about Vivian, actually," he answered.
"Vivian? What about her?" I asked.
"Well, they didn't say much, but they said the topic of their discussion is about Vivian," he said.
"Why would they want to talk about her now?" I thought as I bit my lower lip.
"Anyway, they want to set up a meeting with you about the matter. They request that you fix a timeand date and send it to them immediately. They want to know when you will be available so that themeeting can be held without haste or interruptions," he said.
"Okay," I swallowed hard and nodded. "I will send them a response later."
"Alright then! I should go now since I have told you all I need to," he said and turned around. As hewas about to walk away, there was a loud sound of rushing water coming from the bathroom,followed by a loud squeal that made Stephen jerk.
"Goodness! What was that?" he asked, staring at the bathroom.
The sound of rushing water stopped and the door opened, revealing a wet and shivering Vivian.Stephen's jaw dropped in shock.
"What are you doing here? Since when have you been here?" he asked, pointing his index finger ather face.
Vivian sighed and bowed her head. "I'm sorry," she whispered and started to walk away.
"She keeps making someone concerned," I whispered and rolled my eyes, then got to my feet.
"Vivian! Wait!" I said and she stopped, then turned to me. I grabbed a towel from the hanger andwent to her, then wrapped it around her.
"No, you don't have to worry. I'm fine," she said and suddenly sneezed.
"Look at you! Clearly, you're not. Hurry back in and keep yourself warm before you catch the flu.You're shivering so much. If the cold persists, let me know," I said, swallowing and glancing at herstomach, which she noticed.
"I will," she replied, nodding her head as she rubbed her stomach.novelbin
I nodded and took a few steps back. "You can go now," I said.
Vivian bowed and walked out of the room. Then, I faced Stephen.
"What was that?" he asked.
"Nothing," I answered.
"Don't say that, please. What was Vivian doing here?" he asked.
"Stephen, I think you should leave. I have many things to do today and I prefer to be alone… I wantto do my work in peace," I said.
"Okay then," Stephen nodded. "I will leave you," he added and walked out of the room.
The door clicked shut behind him, and I released a heavy sigh. I sank back onto the sofa andpicked up the beer bottle, taking a long swig from it. As the alcohol hit my system, I felt the tensionbegin to drain from my body.
I ran a hand through my hair and tried to clear my mind.
A sudden knock at the door jolted me out of my daze, and I frowned. Who could that be now? I wasgrowing tired of all these visitors, and I didn't have the energy to get up and answer the door.
"Come in," I said as I continued drinking.
"You will get drunk," I heard a voice after the door opened and my eyes darted to the spot where thevoice had come from.
"Huh?" I muttered, as I shook my head, my eyes were already getting blurry and I couldn't see theperson.
"What is this? Why am I…" I paused as I couldn't bring myself to say anything more. I felt paralyzed,unable to speak or move. I slumped down onto the sofa, my body suddenly weak and exhausted.
My hand went limp, and the bottle fell from my grasp. It would have hit the ground, but the figurecaught it before it could fall.
"Here," the figure said, placing the bottle on the table next to the sofa.
I turned to look at the figure, my eyes bleary and unfocused. It took me a moment to recognize theface of the person who stood before me.
"Who are you?" I managed to whisper, fighting to keep my eyes open.
The figure chuckled softly. "That's for me to know and you to find out," they replied.
As the last of my energy faded, the room grew dark around me. I tried to keep my eyes open, but Icould feel them closing against my will. I surrendered to the darkness, my final thought being: whowas this mysterious figure?