Dan's POV
Today was Hailey birthday, so i decided to leave school early with Rita to help me plan this all out.
I wanted to surprise her.
I wanted to give her something to wash off every scar memories she had, something she'd think about all the time.
I didn't go to pick up Lorientta as usual knowing she'd be in a bad mood like always and i had to talk to her and calm her down.
I want to ask for her help in surprising Hailey for her birthday cause only she knows about Hailey but she wouldn't be able to give out any positive response in a sore mood.
"Are they still fighting?" was the first i asked her to gauge her mood, it's best to sought out everything now than let it get in the way later or so i thought.
"Yep" she still answered, popping the 'p'
I'd let her think she refused my ride when i didn't plan on meeting her like that this morning.
At least she had an upper hand in something, i guess.
"Stop faking it, I know it bothers you"
I pushed
"So..." she hesitated almost as if she was frustrated before it turned to anger in a swift second as if there was no emotion change just now.
"what do you want me to do about it?" she spoke up now annoyed.
"Why can't you allow them to get a divorce? You have been just fine without them." I have been hinting at it for awhile but she refused to take note or she did, but ignored it.
"Why can't you mind your business?" at this point i knew I had made a mistake, i had touched a nerve but there was no going back.
She was upset, her eyes were staring at me bloodshot, her pupil thinking than ever.
I knew it wasn't going to end this simple, she was going to retort back.
"If it was that simple why you don't agree to stop -" she halted almost immediately she said it.
If i wasn't listening i wouldn't have heard it but I was keenly knowing this would happen.
But i hadn't expected this...
This was a touching subject for me and she knew.
My fists clenched on their own accord as a defensive mechanism for me, she noticed it. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean it, I was so vexed, I haven't been think straight, It was a slip of the moment, I can't allow them, I'm not used to it, and you were not understanding. I'm so so sorry."
Now i wasn't paying attention, i didn't hear anything she was saying.
I got up instinctively "I know you mean no harm" taking a step forward, after much debate knowing i too had hurt her in this same manner.
"I'm sorry I said that too" i apologize leaving it like that and going to get my head cooled.
I didn't go to class, i went upstairs to the school rooftop.
That has been my hideout since i entered this school.
Cambridge High was a 3-storey building, paint in murky colors of white and ash.
Whoever thought about this structure had big plans, at first sight it looks like a modern ship, on entering towards the left look like a plane and the interior itself was so beautifully decorated in vibrant colors that would make you feel lighter and at peace.
The rooftop was exceptionally beautiful, it was a circular shape, by the left it had a splash of the primary color, on the right, it had a drawing of a little boy not a full sketch but the boy had something in his eyes hope, it is usually the first thing i stare at for a couple 5 minutes before going into my thoughts.
On the far end was my makeshift daybed, it was just an empty decking, i really don't know the purpose of this but I thought maybe the painter or artist wanted to leave his mark or something like that.
There were few chairs I had brought up here and a daybed i fixed up here whenever i was here.
I personally put on a captcha at both sides if the door so I only had access to it.
The janitors had tried many times to get it, but no one can.
Its usually more messy but extremely calm when the rain falls, i still clean it up by myself.
I checked the time finding out that 2 hours had passed. I smiled to myself, how i always struggle to leave this place, i forget everything that is bothering me.
I stood up dusting my hands on my trousers before getting ready, not wanting to miss any fun happening in that class, and there's no teacher to begin with.
Only God knows what Mr. Matchel has up his sleeves again, that serpent.
Fortunately, everything was as usual until...
"Announcement Everyone...!!!" i heard Edward saying until a figure walked him.
Hmmm. Interesting. I thought.
He introduced himself as our teacher.
I smirked to myself "why would they send a young man to this jungle?"
He doesn't know what he's up against.
I would have said something.
Done something
But today was Hailey birthday and i didn't want to disappoint her so i kept to myself.
Until he started poke noising into me but i kept still just talking when i needed to.
Finally he was done.
He looked new, challenging and devilishly handsome with that smirk on his face.
He was happy with the effects he had on everyone with his face.
It was a little boring with all his little introduction.
Nothing we hadn't heard before.
"Now that our pre introduction is complete, I'll say again my name is Mr, Derrick and we are going on a trip."
Trip..?
Did I hear that well?
I wasn't sure what i was expecting but definitely not this.
My first thought went to Hailey, i can't leave her or go with her.
Nope.
This is not happening.
The bell rung awakening me from my thoughts.
I sighed.
Then Edward came up with the discussions about scaring him away, it didn't seat well with me, so I opt for the Halloween tricks, but it was passed by Rita already knowing my intent.
At this point, i blacked out.
Till the 'silent bench warmer',that's what I knew her to be came to make a point, It was so ridiculously good.
It made sense...
It just didn't seat well with me
My head was stressed and turning, I'd think about how to go about it but def not now.
Rita was staring at me this whole while but i had refused to meet her eyes.
I had already forgiven her but i was just too proud to admit it to her.
Regarding my decision with Amy, i know she would have a lot of questions, i wasn't ready to answer
I didn't know the answer neither, i somehow know that everything will fall in place.
Or perhaps something more
I didn't know what it was, it was just there pumping silently.
The school finally ended.
I rushed over having to figure how to plan a 5 years old birthday.
I arrived at her school earlier than usual since i didn't have to wait up for Lori and the guys.
She was surprised when she saw me, and even without Lori.
She looked around asking me about her.
"Blue blue, rita isn't around today? Is she not feeling fine again?"
"I guess so" i said recalling how she had walked past me to Edward's car.
That's has always been the excuse i gave whenever Lori didn't accompany me to pick her up.
Together we went to the mall, we arrived at the parking spot. Going to Hailey side to open the car door, she dropped down while smiling excitedly, instinctively putting a smile on mine as well.
We strolled towards the toys and children session, i bought some few gowns, jeans for her, infact, i bought any dress she looked over for more than 2 seconds.
We arrived at the cake section the most important one before unto the toys, i chose this cake because she was indecisive, she'd point at chocolate, vanilla, strawberry cake, and choose all sorts of ridiculous icing that the attendant was looking at me warily.
'Like the fuck I'm gonna allow you get all this sugar for this kid's
I just smiled and chose an oatmeal cake with chocolate icing and some stuffings.
Then we moved onto the toys and gifts section, after i had bought her a cake, some birthday hats, candlestick. I bought her a gift which i knew she wanted for awhile now.
A med set.
'Yayyy...' she shouted alerting everyone
Shooo babygirl i calmed her down.
'Thank you thank you' she said jumping slightly to reach me
I knelt more like half seating on my ankle and squatting with my other knee to be at par with her height.
"Anything and more for you my love, you know i love you, right?"
'Yes Blu Blu, i love you too"
I also included a new barbie bear, and a788í doll house set.
Hailey had always told me on how she wanted to be a doctor, so she could treat Bailey.
Bailey was our neighbor's dog, but since she gave birth to quadruplets she had always been sick.
They called it de.. degenerative myelopathy?
The doctor explained some bit of gibberish but i understood it as a chronic degenerative radiculomyelopathy (CDRM), a disease affecting the spinal cord, resulting in slowly progressive hind limb weakness and paralysis.
It has no cause apparently, so she has to stay seated always.
What i wanted for was not to pressure her, she could choose to be a dancer, singer, teacher for all i care.
I wouldn't mind, i just want her happy and living a fulfilling life, i make sure to point it out at every chance i get.
It was getting late, i knew Hailey had school tomorrow and i had the trip.
I haven't figured out how i am going to leave her yet
We decided to head back, checking the time it was already 5:45, 2 hours gone already.
The drive home was serene, quiet and content.
Hailey birthday is one of the best days in the year, cause i know she's growing older and I'm doing a good job at raising her and i get to put an extra smile on her face.
Smiling to myself, i pulled into our driveway, climbing down over to the back to unbuckle her seat belt, i carried her down with all the gift items she carried along with her.
I went to the trunk to offload the groceries i had bought while being at the store.
Our neighborhood wasn't anything classy or poor l, it was what you'd refer to as the mediocre.
I looked towards the left where i had heard some moving in last week but i had yet to see who recently moved in, hope it someone who wouldn't be a threat to Hailey.
I sign, making movement to the front door, i was appalled when i saw Hailey just standing on our porch.
Fear gripped me, i knew she knew where I'd always kept the key and always entered before me.
But this time she stood staring, i rushed over to her kneeling beside her.
"Baby, what's wrong?" Asking in case anywhere discomforted her.
She just pointed towards the door, i swiftly turned my head to the door returning my gaze back to her, as if, if i had just removed my eyes from her she'd disappear.
My head spin back towards the door again, after my brain had settled in on what was strange there.
The door
It was cracked open slightly ajar.
Something was up
On instinct, i said "Hailey to the car." I spoke sternly.
She didn't move, she was dazed.
I bellowed again "Now!"
She came out of whatever trance she was in, and ran quickly to the car, having a bit of struggle entering into my grey mustang.
I took my eyes away when she was finally situated and locked up in the car.
Opening the door slowly, i took one step inside before the door was pushed against me.
I was fast to block the attack by hitting the door back cause i had expected it, revealing four masked face guys.
"Who sent you?!" I asked quietly knowing the answer.
"The Don wants to see you." The masked guy on my right said.
"I have no business with the Don again" i stated plainly.
"We have orders to you to bring you to the quarters unharmed" The guy who i assumed hit the door on me said.
Seeing the way he said it, he looked like the leader of the mission, i guessed he'd bring me there alive or with a broken parts definitely not going to hold up to his words.
Hmph...
Assassins
"Okay, here's what we'll do, alright boys..." I was coming up with a strategy that hasn't formulated in my head.
I was trying to buy time, for what...? Who...? Did i hope someone would come.
Definitely not
This was my mess and i had to clear it.
I looked towards Hailey for a bit, knowing I had to do this.
I wasn't quick to act, briefly i saw through my peripherals i saw a flowerpot being being hurled towards me.
Not too fast to come up with a counterattacks, i ducked behind my two forearms stretched towards my front acting as a shield.
Wasting no time, they took advantage of my imbalance and launched their attacks on me. I tried very much to resist them but I was pressed underneath them towards the ground.
"Bliss!!!!" I turned towards the sound of my name to see Hailey out of the car with tears streaming down her face, it was getting darker for people to see what's was going on around here and the assassins weren't making much of a noise as they were trained to.
"Get. Back. Into. The. Car." I bellowed with strangled belt.
"Please Hailey..." I continue in a breaks. It was my turn to cry, i don't know what I would do if they hurt her.
I was too late, one of them had left me to get a hold on her.
She was brought to me, this time i knew i had to surrender.
"Pick him up and knock the girl out in the car" the leader gave orders.
She started to thrash around, crying more "Hailey...Hailey...Babygirl calm down. I'll be back before the day ends uh to celebrate your birthday finish."
I continued seeing as she calmed down a bit "Just be a good girl and wait for me, ok, Blu loves you ok"
In her baby tiny voice, she gibber out in between hiccups "I. Love. You. Too. Blu"
I was released a little knowing i can't run now since they got hold on my weakness.
I was able to stretch towards her to hug her,
Then,
I saw him.
Him
What was he doing here?
Did he follow me here?
How long has he been there?
All the questions were swirling inside my head.