Jade's POV
As I walked up the path to Raymond's house, a sense of unease settled in the pit of my stomach.
Something didn't feel right.
And then, I saw him. A stranger lingering by the front door, his eyes fixed on the door with an unnerving intensity, with his back to me.
"Wait, what? What is he trying to do?" I wondered as his every move looked suspicious. He didn't ring the bell nor notify anybody that he was around.
I walked up to the door, slowly and cautiously.
"How may I help you?" I asked. My voice was loud enough to startle him. He jumped up and turned to look at me in shock, actually shocking the both of us.
The shock on his face didn't last for more than a second before it was replaced by his usual cocky smirk.
"Who the heck is Marcus doing here? How did he even know this place?" I mumbled under my breath, looking at him shockingly.
Marcus was my mom's ex boyfriend--the gangster!
Time seemed to slow as memories came flooding back, like a tidal wave crashing over me. Suddenly, I wasn't at Raymond's front door, anymore, but back in our old apartment a year ago...
The day Marcus taken my college fund, my hard-earned savings, and blown it on who-knew-what. I remembered the anger, the helplessness, as my mom had tried to stand up to him, only to back down when he'd lashed out. And then, she'd turned on me, blaming me for his actions.
"Mom, have you seen my savings jar?" I called out, frantically searching the one room I shared with my mom.
"I need to pay my tuition deposit today!" I yelled.
I heard hushed voices from the living room, then footsteps, then my mom, appeared in the doorway, looking nervous.
"Jade, about that..." My mom began, but was cut off as her boyfriend pushed past her.
"Looking for this?" he sneered, dangling the empty glass jar in front of me.
My blood ran cold at the realization. That was the savings jar I had been looking for.
"Why did you have that? And where's the money?" I demanded, my voice shaking.
He shrugged, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.
"Which of the questions do you need me to provide answer to, first?" He asked, nonchalantly.
"Where is the money in it?" I gritted out.
"Oh, okay, that? Well, I needed it for some business. You understand, right?" He said and faced my mom.
"Business? That was my college fund! I have been working my ass off to save that money." I exploded.
"Jade, please, I'm sure he will pay it back. Won't you, honey?" My mom said to me, trying to pacify me, then turned to ask him the last part.
However, Marcus laughed.
"Sure, when I hit it big. Don't hold your breath, kid." He told me, the evil smirk still dancing on his face.
I turned to my mom, disbelief etched on my face.
"Mom, how could you let him do this?" I inquired, feeling sad and upset.
"Now, now... Your mother knows better than to question me. Don't you, Selena?" Marcus growled, his tone turning dangerous.
I scoffed in disbelief at his audacity and turned to my mom, hoping she would stand up to him, at least for me. But I was wrong, my mom's face has turned pale. She was afraid of him.
"Of course, darling." She replied him then faced me.
"Jade, it'll be okay. We'll... we'll figure something out." She said to me.
"Figure something out? My tuition is due today." I cried.
My lips trembled and I clenched my fists. I knew how hard I worked for that money since my mom was busy doing God knows what with her own money and would always tell me she was broke whenever I asked her for money.
I knew Marcus was part of the reasons my mom was always broke.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got places to be." Marcus said flatly and strode towards the door. My mom rushed after him.
"Wait, please don't go. We can talk about this!" She cried after him.
"Mom!" I called out, shocked.
And my mom whirled around, her eyes flashing with a mix of fear and anger.
"This is your fault, Jade! If you hadn't made such a big deal about the money, he wouldn't be leaving. Why do you always have to ruin everything?" She yelled at me.
I blinked, the memory fading as I focused back on the present.
"Hey Jade! It's been a while, isn't it?" Marcus said to me.
I didn't respond, actually I couldn't respond. My mind was still reeling from the flashback, my emotions raw and exposed.
Why was he here? And what did he want?
"What are you doing here?" I gritted out.
He chuckled.
"Oh, Jade, still trying to be the tough girl with that funny, tiny voice of yours? Don't make me laugh, young lady." He stated and laughed.
A sinister laugh that made the air at the back of my neck stood. However, I was determined to not let him know that I was actually afraid of him.
"That is not the answer to my question! I will ask you for the last time, what are you doing here? Failure to give me a reasonable answer, I will call the police on you. Right away!" I informed him and pulled out my phone from my bag.
I was panting heavily while maintaining eye contact with him. That was to let him know that I wasn't afraid of him. But it seemed he could see beyond my facade. He chuckled dryly.
"You won't be calling anyone, young lady. I am here because I am supposed to be." He replied me, sounding and looking so relaxed.
I narrowed my eyes at him.
"You are not supposed to be here. You are not welcome here." I seethed furiously. He scoffed.
"Says who? Sorry to burst your bubble...I've been catching up with an old flame." He shrugged, examining his nails with exaggerated nonchalance.
"What do you mean by that?" I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Exactly what you think I mean! You are smart, Jade. Don't ask dumb questions. By the way, it is nice seeing you again. See you around!" He said to me, before walking away.
I stood still, staring at his retreating figure in confusion.
What did he mean by that?