From that day onward, every time I went outside, I caught a glimpse of him watching me. He followed me everywhere, creeping around. With every passing day, the feeling of uncertainty grew stronger. I couldn't tell anymore if he was there to protect me or not. I haven't left my home for unnecessary trips, I was too scared. I have lost my appetite and I forced myself to eat so I wouldn't starve. Eventually, I became so sick I had to stay in bed most of the time. I hated the state that I was in, but I was more afraid of getting up and going out than staying inside my not so safe home.
"Sis, you have to eat! How will you recover if you don't eat!?" Lily tried to force the spoonful of soup into my mouth.
"I am sorry, I'm tired and I want to sleep."
"I don't want to lose you because of this!"
"I know. I will eat later, alright?"
"Fine. The bowl better be empty when I come back!" With that, she gave me one more worried look and left to her job. I closed my eyes, praying for all of the unfortunate events to stop. I missed the peace and quiet life that I had before meeting Vernon. I wish I wouldn't have listened to Sam. Time would have healed everything, every wound and scars that Josh left behind. I could have been dating again or focusing on my studies. My life could have been so much better, and I wouldn't be so ill and weak. It was raining outside. I loved the rain and enjoyed every rainy day to the fullest. Drip, drop. The sounds the rain made were lovely. They were calming and I could sleep as my heart beats matched the rain.
Suddenly, I heard a knock on the window. I looked at it and saw half wet paper, with a few words written on it. I couldn't read everything, but I guessed the contents and the one behind it. "May I enter?" Did I have a choice? Probably not. I was too weak to do anything, so I nodded at the window like a fool. Shortly after, the window opened and the man that only brings curses entered, his cloak damp from the rain outside. After removing the cloak, he looked at me with a frown and gloomy eyes.
"You look worse than yesterday. Your sickness is because of me, isn't it?" I simply looked at him, but he understood immediately. He sat on the floor, his back leaning against the wall. He held his head with his hands and his shoulders trembled. I heard him crying quietly, and I closed my eyes. I couldn't watch him like that, I wasn't cruel!
"Vernon." I called out to him with a soft voice. He looked up at me with tears eyes, a bit confused. "It isn't your fault." I tried to comfort him. It truly wasn't his fault, it was my own panic and fears that lead me to this very moment. He crawled towards my bed. He reached my hand, holding it like it will be the end of the world if he let go. He laid his head on the bed, looking at me with soft and gentle eyes.
"Even if it is a slim chance, would you consider forgiving me?" He whispered, anticipating for my verdict.
"Forgive you for what?"
"For being such a selfish idiot." He got quiet as I closed my eyes. "I wish I was just a bit more patient with you." He whispered, probably to himself.
"I can still hear you." I felt him squeezing my hand, kissing the back of it.
"If I weren't such of an idiot, you wouldn't be sick." He murmured and kept on murmuring sentences of the same nature as the last one. Suddenly, he sat on the bed beside me. I opened my eyes to witness his face right in front of mine. With determination in his eyes, he declared: "I don't know how I will do it, but I will make you mine!" I was stunned by his words. He looked like a lovesick maniac and I couldn't look at him any longer.
"Well, good luck with that." I closed my eyes and somehow managed to turn over to sleep.
"Don't worry, you will fall for me eventually. I will do everything to gain your love" He whispered in my ear, followed by a kiss on my forehead. With that, he left the room through the window. I wasn't exhausted anymore, and I ate the already cold soup slowly. He surely didn't laugh when he said that. It was not a joke. The only good thing from this was that he didn't intend to kill me. His behaviour was sincere and his words came out of honesty. He had so many chances to harm me and yet he didn't do that. It was good enough for me.
I could see myself fall for Vernon. He is a nice person, excluding the hitman thing. He kinda treats me better than anyone that I know. I just hope my taste in men is not garbage, as I always considered my standards to be higher than the moon.
I heard the door unlocking and after a few second, Lily came into view.
"Great, you finished your meal! Here, I brought some medicine, let me bring a cup of water." I waited for her return and took my medicine. I have to get well before the semester begins!