"How do you like my gift love?" He asked as he sat on my dresser unwrapping it, it was my 10th birthday.
With excitement spread on my face, I eagerly tore apart the wrap.
I knew what was in it already from the way it was wrapped, but I still wanted to see it.
When the wrap came off, I met the most beautiful ceramic vase I've ever seen.
It was white, with endless pink and blue roses printed all over it.
The pattern of roses covered the most of it, except the bottom that read "Daddy's angel".
"Wow Dad! It's really pretty. Thank you!" I beamed with joy...I was certain my face was glowing.
I've always loved ceramics collection, it was about how fragile they were....they needed to be treated gently and carefully else they break.
"I'm glad you like it hun" He said patting down my hair.
"What did you get Riley?" I asked wanting to know what my sister got and who had the prettiest gift.
"A book, love. She's not as special as you." He responded smiling at me and tugging my hair lightly.
"Thank you Dad!" I responded and carefully placed the vase on my table.
"But I have an even more special gift for you, my love". He said tracing his index finger down my arm.
That elated me.. "really? Where is it?" I eagerly asked looking around the room and behind for any other hidden gift.
"You have to close your eyes my dear" He said in a whisper into my left ear and I did.
I closed my eyes...
I jolted awake from the dream I was having, it's been so long since I had that dream.
I guess Dad breaking the vase did a thing on my brain.
I looked over to my bedside clock and I saw it was just 2am.
Definitely, I can't go back to sleep...I need something to kill time with while I waited till morning comes.
I blindly searched for my phone on my bed, where I had thrown it earlier, before damming asleep.
I drew in my pattern to unlock it.
I had two messages from Nick.
I clicked on the notification and the message opened.
-"I know what you are up to".
-"but it's okay. I understand ".
Understand what? Did he know who I am already?
He knows of my plan already?
I didn't want to believe that, but what if Patricia already told him everything!.
I hurriedly typed in back to him.
-"what? What am I up to?" He might not be available right now so I know I needed to calm my nerves.
I placed my phone on the dresser and tried laying in bed.
My phone buzzed and I got up quickly and picked it up.
He's texted back. I don't know what his response will be, but I hope its not what I think.
I opened it.
-"You're judging me because of my sister and then putting me at arms length".
Wait. What?
That's what he thought....
I replied immediately.
-"so? I see not how that matters....its not like you 'like' me anyway".
-"maybe I do". He typed back.
-"what?" I questioned.
-"go another date with me" was his response and instead of replying I dropped my phone and sighed plopping on my bed.
If I say I'm not seeing the signs that Nick is developing some feelings for me, I would be lying. And maybe I do like him a bit too.
He's cool and nice and sweet....but, it wasn't right.
I'm not who he thinks I am and even though i know how much he likes me as me, right now he thinks I'm Riley.
I can't think of what I'm supposed to do or how to reply him.
My throat hurt as I swallowed from its lack of water, I ifted the jug from my bedside table and realised it was empty.
I got up from the bed and proceeded to the kitchen to fill it up.
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"That would be 2 dollar 76 cents" I told the petite woman with white hair who stood by the counter.
I packed her books up in a pouch and handed it to her, she handed me her payment immediately.
"Thank you" she said and gave a little smile.
"Have a nice day" I smiled back as she walked out of the bookstore.
I sat down and took a deep sigh. Its been a hectic day so far for me, with Nathan not in today and he didn't even call in sick... I hope he is fine.
When I got to work this morning, Nathan wasn't at the store as always and I thought he was just running late....but by what the time says now, it seems it isn't so.
It is currently 12pm in the afternoon and the sun was at its peak.
I got my phone from my bag which was laying on the table.
Going through my contacts, I stopped at his name and rang him up.
It rang for a while and then dropped dead, he didn't pick up.
It was an etiquette of some sort, to call twice and so I did.
I called the second time, it rang and then it dropped dead.
I sighed deeply and relaxed my back to the chair.
I closed my eyes in hope to relaxing my tensed mind when a loud thud distracted me.
I opened my eyes rapidly and tried to navigate where the sound came from.
It sounded like it came from the entrance. I got up and walked towards the door in calculated pace.
First I peeped, when I got to the entrance...I peeped with just sticking my head outside and the other part of my body inside.
I didn't see anything extraordinary out of sight. And I decided to return to my seat, perhaps I was just hearing things.
I had turned back already, but before I could completely....I caught sight of something or maybe someone.
It was a piece of cloth.
I hurriedly opened the door which was a hard job to do cause the weight of the person was holding it down.
I pushed with all my might and eventually I got it to open.
I wen out and was left blown by what I saw.
"Nathan" I stood at first then after moved closer towards him, bending down to his level.
"Oh My God!" I covered my mouth with my palms and my eyes widened in utter shock.
Oh my God, what happened?
"Nate?" I called him but he didn't respond. He was all bruised up, he had cuts on his lips and bruises on his upper body.
Like, he was beaten up.
I cleaned my sweaty palms on my pants and touched him lightly....he responded by wincing.
Thank God! He's still alive.....just weak.
"Nathan, can you hear me?" I asked again this time and he nod his head very very slightly, I could barely notice him leave.
I didn't know what to do, and my brain kept telling me various things like, call my parents or call an ambulance, or call the cops or not call anyone and just tend to him.
I didn't want any drama so I settled for the last option, it was the only one free of drama.
"Okay, I need you to lean on me okay?" I told him as I reached for him....I placed my left hand by his waist and kept my right hand by his neck, that way his weight is bearable.
I lifted him up and we walked into the shop, with him limping and leaning on me.
With every step we took, he winced in pain, till we arrived into the store.
I laid him down and went back to the entrance and turned the "open" sign to the back to show "closed"to those outside.
I went into our little storage behind the last bookshelf and got the first aid kit that laid on top of a cupboard.
I returned back to him and this time he was lying on his stomach, he took his hands to his mouth to indicate that he needed water and I got it fir him immediately.
He took the water in slow sips and dropped the come.
I looked at him in pity, I still didn't know what happened to him, but obviously it was something bad.
I opened the kit and brought out a cotton wool and disinfectant.
I dabbed it on the wounds and he gave tiny whimpers and hisses.
"Sorry, just a little more" I continued dabbing on the wounds and bruises till every bruise was disinfected.
I picked all of the used cotton wool and disposed them, before grabbing an ointment and applying on the face of the wounds.
When I was done, I kneeled in front of him, looking at his face, his eyes were closed like he was in pain, probably from the after effect of the ointments.
He finally opened his eyes and striking Hazel pairs met mine, his pupil seemed a bit darker perhaps from the moisture.
He clutched to his sides and managed to sit up right, I relaxed my knees as well and sat properly.
I grabbed the painkiller from the box and popped two pills for him to take with a glass of water.
He winced and struggled to even his breath.
I wondered what could have happened with him and why he still came to work in this condition.
I'm dying to know, but now isn't the time to ask.
I looked to him sadly as his eyes were still closed from the pain, the pain killer is yet to kick in.
He clutched his stomach and shifted into fetal position and soon his face began to relax.