Growing up together., facing the good and bad times together, practically doing everything together.. They had learned to endure pains and sufferings., and learned to enjoy joy and happiness. They've been the biggest source of strength to each other..
But this was the first time that any of them ever came to such drastic ends., the first time that they felt their problem was bigger than them.. The first time they felt completely helpless.. But like always, they had each other..
They cried their hearts out in Grace's kitchen, and then when they were calm, they cleaned up the broken plates even though Grace told them to leave it.. They really felt guilty to the woman. Especially Vanessa., she felt she was overriding the woman's kind heart.. So she didn't want to stay any minute longer. The woman had been too nice to a bunch of strangers..
"Are you sure you are alright now?.. Grace asked as she walked them to the door... I mean I really don't mind., you can stay some hours longer if you like... It was like she had grown attached to them in that short period and was not ready to let them go.. But she could not hold them back either..
"Grace, you have been more than kind to me... I promise you I'm fine now.. And besides., Jenny is here, you have nothing to worry about.. Vanessa assures the woman..
" she's right Grace, you've done more than enough for us.., I'll surely take her home safely... I wish there was a better way to repay your kindness than just washing dishes... Which I ended up breaking... Again I'm so sorry about that... Jenny says apologetically...
"oh it's nothing.. I have lots of plates.. Grace chuckled...
" Well Grace., I guess this is goodbye... Once again thank you so much for your hospitality... I can never fully repay you for it.. Thank you Grace....
Well you're welcome Vanessa., and it was my pleasure taking care of you... I hope I get to see you again... The smile on her face had a hint of sadness in it..
"Goodbye Grace... Vanessa said as she and Jenny walked away from the door and into the hall...
" Grace... Vanessa turned back swiftly like she just remembered something... "yes, Vanessa..
" you never really told me about the man who saved me... Not even his name... Vanessa said..
"Nathan.. His name is Nathan... Her smile was bright once again...
"I wish I had met Nathan.. I bet he would be as nice as you...
Well girl if he wasn't nice he would have let you fall fifty storeys down...
" please tell Nathan that I'm very sorry for disturbing his peace., and that I am very thankful that he saved me...
"I sure will... Grace replied..
And with that, Grace watched them disappear into the elevator..
" oh how I wish... Was the only thing she said as she went back into her once again quite apartment...
********************
Not thinking about the bad side of his own plans., Jason was now forced to spend some days in the hospital.. His mother insisted on him being hospitalized even though he said he was fine., and the doctors also said the injury he received on his head was not that severe., and that just a stitch would be okay..
They also said he didn't have to stay in the hospital that his vitals were fine., there was no damage to his brain or anything else of sorts.. But his mother would not allow that... She insisted that until his wound was completely closed up, he was to remain in the hospital...
Big mama's boy can't say no to mommy...
So here he was stuck in the God forsaken hospital., and he knew nothing of what was happening with his two most precious jewels...
It was frustrating indeed...
*******************
When they got home., Jenny was still angry that Vanessa didn't let her stop by Mark's office., so she could reck havoc...
"Jenny are you really still angry about that., I thought Christians don't fight.. Huh??... Vanessa said mockingly.
" don't even say that Van., My God does not accept nonsense.. He deals with unworthy and disloyal people mercilessly... Oh you should have let me pour some very hot coffee on him., and pull out a few ears from that B*... Oh No that girl almost made me swear.. Oh I can't wait to meet her face to face...
She looks at Vanessa who is just laughing... What are you laughing about huh??...
"I know right.., I didn't think I could still laugh but thanks to you, his betrayal has turned into a joke... Thank you... Vanessa says still smiling...
Jenny looks at her friend with pity in her eyes she just walks over to her and gives her another hug..
" I'm sorry Van., I was just running my mouth without thinking about you... I'm sure you are way more angry than I am but you are just keeping it all in.. I'm sorry... Vanessa uses her index finger to wipe away a drop of tear that escaped her Grey eyes...
"okay.. Enough of this now., I'm now typically jobless so how about we both get ready and go open the Cafe... Vanessa said breaking the hug
These words made the alarm clock in Jenny's head ring so loud that it gave her a headache.. She knew it was time to tell Vanessa everything.., a while ago she was the one doing the shouting., but she knew once Vanessa hears what she is about to tell her, then Vanessa would go crazy with anger that she was keeping something like this to herself... And she was right.
"umm... Vanessa., there is something I've not been telling you about... She started..." what., what are you talking about.. Is something wrong in the Cafe?.. Vanessa asked with all sincerity.
"No.. No.. The Cafe is fine., but... But...it's not safe... She said..
" why.. What do you mean it's not safe... Oh my God Jenny, were you robbed.., huh... Did someone attack you huh tell me... Vanessa was now seriously worried., her best friend was being attacked and she did not know.. She was so busy in her own affairs that she rarely asked after Jenny's well-being..
"No I was not robbed and neither was I attacked... As least not in the way you think... She stood up from the chair they were both sitting on., walked over to the kitchen., took a glass of water and came back to Vanessa..
Sure., you need to be perfectly hydrated to tell her this story..
"Jenny what's wrong., you are starting to scare me"... Vanessa said looking up at Jenny who was pacing in the small space that laid between Vanessa and a small round table...
"He's after me too... She suddenly said... She had to put her right hand over the left palm to stop it from shaking..
" What do you mean he's after you too jenny., who's after you??... A little whisper sounded in Vanessa's head., the name of an all too infamous person came to her mind., but with all her strength and heart., she really wished it wasn't him.. She hoped it wasn't that devil... She could feel hot sweat running down her body., but at the same time a shivering cold swept through her bones... Oh please let it not be who she thought it was...
But this was only a wishful thinking...
"Who's after you Jenny??.. She asked again., the pitch of her voice increasing this time...
" it's Jason., the same Jason that has been troubling you from day one till now... That same Jason Parker has been after me for as long as he has been for you.....
And just like he calls you Essa..., he calls me Enny