Chapter 63
1165words
I could only answer her with shaking eyes and a wobbly smile as I would sometimes glance at Brandon for help. But Brandon had none of that as he also gave his own share of questions.
When I could feel their slow rising anger emitting from their body, as I still didn't explain anything, I quickly answered that I would explain everything at work. They both shared a look, raising their eyebrows inquiringly as they didn't understand why I couldn't just explain everything now, but after they saw the pleading look in my eyes, they decided to hold their tongue.
Instead they quickly swallowed down their food and cleared the table. I didn't even had the chance to let the food digest in my stomach as Cher yanked me up from the table, dragging me to her car.
Not getting the opportunity to buckle my seatbelt Cher mercilessly stepped down on the gas paddle. I could feel my head being flung back and my hand clutching at the seat belt from the unexpected force, my eyes brimming with tears.
In seconds we arrived in front of our workplace. I stepped out of the car; my hands still clutched against my chest as my heart refused to settle down.
"Well?"
I turned around to see Cher with her hands resting on her hips as if she was waiting for something.
I tilted my head giving her a confused look. "Well, what?" I queried.
She groaned. "We are at work, so spill it." She said, her tone impatient.
I simpered as I scratched at the back of my head. "Oh, that." I drawled out. "I meant that I would tell you at lunch break."
She narrowed her eyes at me as she stomped in my direction. I held up my hands defensively leaning back as she got close to my face.
"You're not lying, are you?" She asked, her voice on the border of beating me up and beating me up.
I felled myself dwindling away as I stammered. "N-no! Of course not, how could I ever lie to the great Cher. I will really tell you everything at the lunch break." I laughed apprehensively, trying to assure her.
"Hmm." She hummed as she backed away, her eyes still filled with suspicion. "You better." She pointed at me warningly before walking into the building.
When I was sure that she went in the building I let out a relieved sigh. My tense shoulders slumping down and the sweat that almost broke down retreating back into the skin. "That was a close one." I muttered.
The vibration in my pocket made me roll my eyes as I let out a frustrated groan. Pulling out my phone I looked at the message that Mark send me.
Private Number: "Did I tell you that you look gorgeous today?"
April: "Not now Mark."
Private Number: "So you don't want to hear about the surprise that I have planned for you?"
Feeling alarmed at the word 'surprise I swiftly replied back.
April: "What are you talking about?"
Private Number: "Nah, now I don't want to tell you. You'll just have to see it :)"
See what!?
"April aren't you going to come inside?" Cher called out to me from the revolving door.
I darted my eyes between her and my phone before putting the phone back in my pocket with a sigh as I followed Cher inside the building. Please let the surprise be something good for once.
Unexpectedly the whole morning I didn't catch Mark's face even though he would pop up at the most unexpected moment before I knew his identity.
Cher and I both trudged on the stairs as we made our way to the rooftop; carrying our lunch. As we finally made our way up, trying to catch our breath, we opened the door to be met with the amazing few of New York another plus point of working in this building.
We both sat down on the oak colored benches against the wall, but we didn't make any attempt to open our lunches. Instead Cher stared at me with her big penetrating eyes as she waited patiently for me to start and so I did.
I told her everything from point A to Z but made sure to omit Mark's name from the story. The deeper I got into the story the darker Cher's expression became.
"So that's what happened."
I said, finishing the story in a whispery voice.
My eyes were locked with the reddened eyes of Cherry that were brimming with tears. "So, the reason that you became so secretive and the reason that I couldn't get hold of you anymore after that last message was…"
Her voice sounded hoarse as she found it difficult to get out of her words. I silently nodded, confirming her train of thoughts.
"Oh god." Her voice broke, tears streaming down her face as she covered her face with her palms. "I am a fucking terrible friend."
My heart broke hearing that statement. "No, you're not-"
"Don't try to make me feel better April." She glared at me as the mucus still got discharged from her eyes and nose. "You were kidnapped April. Kidnapped! And I fell for that bastard message. God…he even used me and Brandon as blackmail."
Her lamenting voice brought tears to my eyes as I relived the events that had happened. She grabbed my hands between hers. "You must have been so scared." Her words were drowned out by her tears and her sobbing, but I could hear every word clearly; every letter piercing my heart.
"Yes…" I croaked, swallowing the big lump in my throat.
Cher embraced me tightly as we both let our tears flow. We sat like that until we were only sniffing.
Cher let me go wiping her dried tears away. "But you've seen that bastard's real appearance, right? What does he look like? If we know what he looks like we may be able to figure out his identity."
I went rigid at her question and a sudden realization hit me. Mark only said to omit his name from the story. He never said anything about me not being able to tell them how he looks like.
Maybe if I tell her his description, she would be able to figure out that it is Mark.
Hesitant but albeit I opened my mouth to tell Cher how Mark looks like. "He-"
But was abruptly interjected by a dark deep voice that send tremor through my whole body.
"May I also be a part of this?"
Mark came from behind the wall, his eyes fleetingly meeting mine before looking at Cher. His jaw was clenched and so was his fist as anger took over his eyes.
'What is he planning?'
