"Where do you want to go?" Barney's voice filled the police car. Sitting next to him, on the passenger seat was Selena.
She was quiet since he picked her up in front of the hospital, standing there like a lifeless doll.
And she remained quiet, eyes were absently looking in front.
He has been driving around the city, he wanted to drop her at the café but knowing her family, they would just nag why she's paced out.
He sighed, unsure of what is really happening.
He turned the steering wheel on the left, going to the place which he always visited when he's with his sister.
His car entered the forest, the road was bumpy causing their body to shake as they passed the road.
Selena was still quiet even after he stopped the car.
He looked at the playground in front of them. It was an abandoned playground, a place where he and his sister would go and play.
He sighed and took off his seatbelts. He still has a job but he couldn't leave Selena, not with her current estate.
"Can I stay at your place?" she said for the first time.
Barney looked at her, confused.
"What happened Selena?"
Selena looked at him, her eyes were painted with indescribable sadness.
He lifted his hand to touch her but, remembering that she's taken, he withdrew it.
"I have nowhere else to go. My dad put a limit on my card so I can't stay in the hotel," she faintly said, her gloomy eyes were looking down on her laps where her fingers were playing with each other.
"How long?" he asked. If it's only for a night, he won't mind. He had an empty room that was previously occupied by his sister. He had been to that room after her death, he just couldn't take the pain of remembering her.
"Maybe some days, months, or maybe forever," he thought it was a joke but, after seeing her face emotionless, he could not help but sigh.
"Your parents would be looking for you. Especially your auntie and uncle," he worriedly said.
Just like a kid that doesn't want to go home, Selena shook her head.
"I don't want to go home. I don't want to see anyone. I just want to be alone," her voice broke down as she said those words.
"If it's impossible then I will just go back to the city. I have some friends -" her lips frost when Barney patted her head.
"Fine, fine. You can stay at my house but remember it is not big and very simple. You can also hear the neighbors yelling at each other every night. So, is it fine?" he gave her a soothing smile but Selena's face remained emotionless.
"Thank you."
He didn't ask anymore, knowing that she would eventually talk.
--
Alejandro parked his car on the side road and rushed out to enter the café.
There are few customers and all of them were looking at his injured face. He hasn't cleaned it yet; he just used a wipe to remove the blood.
He immediately went to the kitchen, but Selena was not there.
"What happened to you Alejandro?" he turned and found Ethan standing behind him. He was holding a tray with an empty mug and half-eaten cake.
"Where is Selena?" he asked as he tries to catch a breath.
"She left a while ago to go to your office? Who did this to you?" this time it was Leo who spoke. He didn't notice that the boy was just standing next to him.
"Its nothing. Where is Selena?" he was breathing so hard, he can't even feel his face since all he could think of was Selena.
"no idea," Alexa said as she approached them.
"Did you get into an accident?" the girl continued.
"No," he sighed heavenly, wondering where could she be.
He nervously looked around, hoping to see Selena but she was nowhere.
"Why don't we attend your wound before looking for her?" Alexa said.
He looked at her, now that she mentioned it, he suddenly felt the pain on his face.
-
After Barney parked the police car in front of his apartment, he got down and helped Selena to get out. She was not talking throughout the way and just stared at the window as they passed the road.
After Selena heard the sound of the creaking door, her mind went back to reality. She was just paced out, her mind was not even thinking of anything.
Since she left the hospital, her mind was not connected to her body. Not even thinking about what she just heard at the hospital or about Alejandro.
She could feel barney pushing her body inside, and her feet moved by itself.
She didn't even bother to look around, she just sat on the couch by the wall.
"Do you want water?" Barney asked.
She shook her head, her lips quivered as she said, "Barney. Do you think Alejandro loves me?" she knows she shouldn't be asking him, instead, she should be asking Alejandro directly. But she just can't, somehow, deep inside, she felt that she wouldn't believe even he will say yes or no.
"Why would you think of that?"
With the same lifeless voice, she answered, " he's always busy and today. I,' she sighed. Suddenly feeling her heart throbbing.
"I went to the hospital and the receptionist said that his fiancée was with his mother. I thought the engagement was canceled."
Barney sighed. He hasn't heard from Alejandro about the engagement either, he also thought it was canceled.
He got up, not giving her an answer, he doesn't know what is happening either and the only thing he can do to ease her pain is to call Alejandro.
"I will get you a water," he said and proceeded to the kitchen.
His house was small but it has a separated kitchen, he used to complain about it but right now, he finds it useful.
He took his phone out and dialed Alejandro's number.
After Alejandro answered the called, Selena suddenly emerged from the living room. Her head was shaking, asking him to drop the call.
He lowered his phone, breathing heavily as he wondered why was she avoiding Alejandro.