All Too Late
To my surprise, I enjoyed the creation process immensely. I was adding the final touches right before sunset. The paint may not completely dry in time but as long as Hayden doesn’t touch it, it should be completely fine. I took a few steps back to admire the painting from various angles. It’s passable. Nothing fancy but definitely passable given the time constraint. With a nod of my head, I told myself that I would be satisfied with this for now and promised to do better next time.
Fortunately, I had some time to spare before Hayden got back and the maids came in to set up the dinner table. That meant that I could wash up all the sweat and paint on me. After a relaxing shower, I got dressed and sat at the dining table while I waited for Hayden to arrive. He should be here anytime now…
After Auntie and the maids left the room after setting up the dining table for us, I was all alone in the room again and it was drearily quiet. I couldn’t stop glancing over at the door because I knew that Hayden could walk in any moment now. The clock ticked by as I waited and then waited some more. Half an hour went by, and the food had gotten cold. I didn’t mind though because I wasn’t hungry, and it wasn’t eating the food that I was looking forward to.
Where is Hayden? He’s running a little later today.
It was funny, he was late when I was eagerly looking forward to seeing him. While on days when I didn’t want to see him which was every day except for today, he always turned up to dinner on time. I wondered if the paint has dried up by now.
An hour passed by and then another…and then another…
I let out a depressing sigh. By that time, I was very convinced that Hayden wouldn’t come to see me tonight. Maybe he had to work. Maybe he had dinner somewhere else with someone else already.
Maybe…
I glanced up at the sound of someone knocking on the door. My heart sunk because Hayden never knocked on my door like that.
“Who is it?” I called out loudly as I got out of my seat and headed for the door.
At this time of night, I wasn’t sure who I was expecting. Usually no one would pay me a visit at night except for Hayden.
“It’s me, Luka,” Luka replied through the door.
I walked closer to the door until I was standing right in front of it so that I could hear him better. It was unusual for Luka to come see me and he came quite late. Suddenly, I felt extremely fearful of what he was going to say.
“Is there…something you need to talk to me about?” I asked.
“I just came to tell you that Hayden isn’t coming to see you tonight, so you don’t need to wait up for him,” Luka replied.
I felt slightly relieved that it wasn’t some bad news. Of course, I was disappointed that Hayden couldn’t come see me tonight, but it was no big deal. I had already figured that he probably wouldn’t turn up tonight.
“Oh…I see. Thank you for coming to tell me that,” I thanked him politely.
Hayden came to have dinner with me every day and before I knew it, I guess I had gotten used to seeing him at the end of the day. The slight feeling of disappointment made me realize that I had unknowingly been looking forward to seeing him. It was especially unfortunate that he couldn’t make it today. I even painted something to show him, and I’ve spent hours preparing what I wanted to say to him.
It wasn’t like this couldn’t wait for another day or anything but…
“Make sure you eat your dinner properly and just rest for tonight,” Luka said, and I knew that he was about to leave.
“Wait! Will Hayden be here tomorrow?” I quickly asked before Luka could leave.
“I’m not sure about that…” Luka replied solemnly.
That was when I started to catch some worry and concern in his tone of voice. Did something…happen?
“Luka…did something…happen?” I asked hesitantly.
It was hard to explain but suddenly, I started feeling very scared.
Luka was silent for a while, and I knew that something must have happened. Something bad. The old man heaved a loud sigh that could be heard on my side of the door.
“I’m not supposed to tell you this but…Hayden got into a car accident on his way back here…” Luka said hesitantly.
“What?! Is he, ok? Where is he right now?!” I screamed loudly in my shock.
Why didn’t he tell me this sooner? Was he trying to keep it from me?
“Let me out! Luka!” I cried out as my hands desperately beat on the door.
“Calm down, Malissa. Hayden is fine. It was nothing major…” Luka said firmly.
Oh…
I closed my eyes and breathed out a sigh of relief. That was so bad for my heart.
“Where is he, right now?” I asked softly.
Although I knew that he was fine, I didn’t know what ‘fine’ meant. However, from personal experience, I knew that the mafia’s definition of ‘fine’ was very different from mine. Tears fell from my eyes before I knew it. I was crying like a baby from a mix of shock and relief.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.
“He’s in the hospital. The boss forced him to get some checkups…just to be safe…” Luka replied.
“Can I go see him?” I asked.
“Sorry. You’ll have to stay here under his orders,” Luka replied sympathetically.
“I won’t run! I promise! I’ll just see him and come straight back here. Please!” I pleaded desperately.
I tired turning the doorknob frantically, but it wouldn’t open.
“I know that you won’t run, missy, and even if you did, you wouldn’t succeed in escaping. That being said, I cannot let you out of this room. I am very sorry, Malissa,” Luka said regretfully.
–To be continued…