I had been awake for an hour, unable to shake off the restlessness that had taken hold of me. I tossed and turned, but sleep evaded me. Finally, I got out of bed and made my way to the kitchen to grab a glass of water. Just as I was taking a sip, my phone rang, shrill in the early morning silence. I was irritated, wondering who could be calling me at this ungodly hour. Squinting at the screen, my mood did a complete turnaround when I saw the caller's name.
"Alice, what do you want?" Timothy's voice was curt as he answered the call. I couldn't help but feel a pang of surprise. What was Alice doing calling Timothy at that hour?
"I know I shouldn't be calling you, Tim, but I just miss you so much," Alice's voice was laced with seduction, even over the phone.
Timothy's response was immediate. "Do you realize what time it is, right"? I warned you not to call me again, Alice. "Why are you still doing this?"
But Alice persisted, her voice taking on a pleading tone. "Please, Tim, I miss you..." "I need to talk to you..."
Timothy's tone turned cold. "I mean it, Alice". "Don't call me again." And with that, he hung up the phone, leaving me wondering what had just transpired.
Auntie Francisca walked into the room, her eyes filled with concern. "You're up, son"? What's wrong? I heard you yelling on the phone. "Hope everything's okay?" she asked, her voice laced with worry.
Timothy forced a nonchalant tone, trying to brush off the tension. "It's fine, Auntie". "Just some business stuff," he replied, attempting to downplay the intensity of the phone call.
But Auntie Francisca's eyes narrowed, her expression skeptical. "You need to take a break sometimes, ease off the stress". "You can't keep pushing yourself like this," she cautioned, her voice firm but gentle.
Timothy chuckled, trying to appear carefree, but his eyes betrayed a hint of tension. "I'll take a break when everything's settled," he said, his tone hinting at the weight of his responsibilities.
Auntie Francisca's expression turned curious, her eyes sparkling with interest. "Oh, I forgot to ask", how did your meeting with Nelly and her mom go? I saw you sleeping when you came back, "so I didn't want to disturb you," she asked, her voice filled with genuine concern.
Timothy's demeanor shifted, his expression turning serious, his eyes clouding over. "It went well, Auntie". "I'll give her a chance, like you said," he replied, his voice measured, his words chosen carefully.
Auntie Francisca's face lit up with a warm smile, her eyes shining with approval. "God bless you, son". "Trust me, you won't regret this decision," she said, her voice filled with conviction.
As she patted Timothy's shoulders, he couldn't help but flash a sly smirk to himself, hinting at the hidden agenda he had in store for Nelly. Little did Auntie Francisca know, Timothy's plan was already in motion, and Nelly was about to become entangled in a web of secrets and lies. The smile on his face was a mask, hiding the true intentions that lurked beneath.
Nelly's point of view.
I woke up late, the weight of Timothy's words still lingering in my mind. I had struggled to fall asleep, my thoughts racing with the unexpected turn of events. The memory of him in my house, waiting for me, still felt surreal. And then, his words - "I'll give you a chance" - kept echoing in my mind like a dream.
I had planned to spend the day working on my pottery project, but laziness got the better of me. I just couldn't muster the energy to pick up my clay and mold. Emma, my best friend, had gone back to her home, leaving me to my thoughts.
As I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about what Timothy had said. I had told my mom, Suzan, about our conversation, but she didn't seem too thrilled about it. "I'm not sure, Nelly," she had said, her voice laced with concern. "I just don't want you to get hurt again." I knew she cared for me deeply, and the thought of me getting hurt again was unbearable for her. But I couldn't shake off the feeling that Timothy was genuinely interested in getting to know me. His words had sparked a glimmer of hope within me, and I couldn't help but wonder what could be if we both took a chance.
As I finally got out of bed, I decided to take a walk outside, clearing my mind and trying to make sense of my emotions. The fresh air and sunshine did me good, and I felt a sense of clarity wash over me. As I stood there, soaking in the serenity of the moment, my phone rang, shattering the peaceful atmosphere. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should answer it, but curiosity got the better of me. I checked the screen, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw an unknown number flashing on the screen. I ignored the call, but it rang again, persistently. This time, I answered, my voice cautious.
"Hello, who am I speaking with?" I asked, trying to sound calm.
"Timothy". "Timothy Liam," the voice on the other end replied, his tone low and mysterious.
My eyes widened in surprise as I realized who was at the other end of the line. "Oh, Timothy!" "I am i didn't know it was you," I stuttered, trying to compose myself.
"It's fine, Nelly". I just need to talk to you about something urgent. "Can we meet in person?" Timothy asked, his voice firm and direct. My mind racing, I agreed without hesitation. "OK..."
But then I remembered I wasn't at home. "Wait, I'm not at home right now," I said, trying to stall for time.
"That's okay, just text me your location". "I'll come to you," Timothy replied, his tone brooking no argument.
Before I could respond, he hung up. I was left standing there, wondering what had just happened. I quickly sent him the address of the open field where I was, my heart racing with anticipation.
As I waited for him to arrive, I couldn't help but wonder what was so urgent that he couldn't discuss it over the phone. I fidgeted with my hair and dress, trying to calm my nerves. What did Timothy want to talk about? And why did he need to see me in person? The questions swirled in my mind like a vortex, leaving me feeling anxious and unsure of what to expect.
Timothy's point of view.
As I stepped out of my car and onto the lush green grass of the open field, memories of my childhood flooded my mind. I used to come here with my dad, laughing and playing, without a care in the world. But today, my purpose was far from playful. I spotted Nelly sitting on a bench, her slender figure silhouetted against the vibrant sky. She looked lost, her mind a thousand miles away.
I approached her quietly, not wanting to startle her. But as I tapped her on the shoulder, she tensed, her body rigid with surprise. Then, she saw me, and her expression softened. "Oh, hey...you're here". "Nice to see you again," she stammered, her voice laced with uncertainty.
I cut her off, my tone firm but measured. "Save it, Nelly". I know you're wondering why I asked to meet you here. The truth is, you won't leave me alone, and I need to deal with it. "I've come to a decision."
Her eyes narrowed, curiosity getting the better of her. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
I took a deep breath, my eyes locking onto hers. "We need to start something, something we both don't know where it will lead us". "I want you to come with me to the city."
The silence that followed was palpable, heavy with unspoken questions. Nelly's confusion was evident, her mind racing to comprehend the enormity of my request.
"I am I don't know what to say," she stammered, her voice laced with uncertainty.
I took a step closer, my eyes boring into hers. "Think of it this way, Nelly". If you want this to work, you need to be with me. "I'm not based here, and if I'm away, there's no point in us trying to make this work."
Timothy's eyes locked onto Nelly's, his gaze burning with a lustful intensity as he tried to persuade her to come to the city with him. He reached out, his fingers twirling a strand of her hair as he played with it, his eyes darting at her cleavage.
"Come on, Nelly," he whispered, his voice low and husky. "Don't stay stuck in this small town". You deserve so much more. You deserve the excitement, the thrill, "the adventure that only the city can offer."
As he spoke, his eyes never left hers, his gaze drinking in the sight of her. He tugged gently on her hair, pulling her closer to him. "You're not a kid anymore, Nelly," he whispered, his breath hot against her ear. "You're a woman, with desires and dreams". "And I can help you fulfill them."
Nelly felt a shiver run down her spine as Timothy's words washed over her. She knew she would be offended, but a part of her was drawn to the passion in his eyes, the promise of excitement and adventure.
He dared her to reject his offer, my heart pounding in my chest. "So, what's it going to be?"
Nelly hesitated, her eyes darting away from mine. "I need time to think about it."
I nodded and stepped away from her, my expression unreadable. "You have 48 hours to make your decision". After that, I'll know what to do. "The rest is in your hands."
With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Nelly standing alone, her mind reeling with her thoughts.
As Timothy left, I stood there, frozen in time, as Timothy's car drifted off into the distance. The dust settled, leaving me enveloped in a cloud of uncertainty. I had never felt so helpless in my entire life. The weight of Timothy's proposal hung heavy in the air, threatening to suffocate me.
How was I going to tell my mom that Timothy wanted me to leave everything behind and move to the city with him? She would be devastated, her heart shattered into a million pieces. And Emma, my dear friend Emma, would be furious, her anger a raging fire that would consume me whole.
My mind was a jumble of worry, a tangled web of thoughts that refused to unravel. 48 hours was a ridiculously short time to think about such a life-altering decision. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, with no escape in sight.
I trudged through the front door, my feet heavy with the weight of my secrets. My mom and Emma were lounging in the living room, sipping tea and nibbling on biscuits. The warm glow of the lamp cast a cozy ambiance, but I felt like an outsider, a stranger in my own home.
"Hey Nelly, where have you been?" Emma asked, her mouth full of biscuits. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity, but I knew she sensed something was off.
"The open fields," I replied nonchalantly, trying to brush off her concern.
"Hey sweetie, you're back," my mom said, her voice warm and welcoming. But Emma's eyes narrowed, her gaze piercing through my facade.
"Open fields, huh?" Emma repeated, her voice laced with skepticism. "You've been gone for hours, Nelly". "What's really going on?"
Nelly shrugged, trying to brush it off. "Just a lot on my mind, Em". "Don't worry about it."
But Emma knew her friend too well. She could see the fear and uncertainty in Nelly's eyes. "Nelly, what's going on"? You can tell me. Is it Timothy? "Did something happen?"
Nelly's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what to say, or how to say it. She felt trapped, like she was living a lie. But she knew she couldn't keep it inside forever. Something was bound to spill out eventually.
"Nelly, sweetie, what's wrong?" my mom asked, concern etched on her face.
I hesitated, unsure of how to respond. But then I realized I just couldn't do it anymore. I couldn't pretend, couldn't keep up the charade. I needed to escape, to retreat into myself.
"You know what, guys"? "I think I'm just going to call it a day," I said, standing up and forcing a weak smile. "I'm just feeling exhausted all of a sudden."
Emma's eyes narrowed, but she knew better than to push me. "Okay, Nelly". Get some rest. "We'll talk in the morning."
My mom nodded, but her eyes were filled with worry. "Okay, sweetie". But if you need to talk, "I'm here for you."
I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Thanks, Mom". "I just need to rest my head right now."
I hugged them both, trying to reassure them that everything was fine, even though it wasn't. As I walked to my room, I felt like I was walking away from the world, from all the expectations and demands that were suffocating me. I just needed to be alone, to sort out my thoughts and figure out what to do next.
"Good night, guys," I said, closing my bedroom door behind me.
The silence was a welcome relief, a balm to my frazzled nerves. I collapsed onto my bed, feeling like I was finally alone with my thoughts. But as I lay there, I knew I couldn't avoid the truth forever. Eventually, I will have to face it.
The next morning, my mom banged on my door, her anger palpable. "Wake up, Nelly!" "She demanded, her voice echoing through the hallway." "When were you going to tell me"?.
I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, confusion etched on my face. "Tell you what?" I asked, my voice groggy from sleep.
"Tell me what Timothy was asking of you!" she spat, her voice venomous. "Who does he think he is, making demands like that"? Leaving everything behind for him? "Your friends, your family, your life... it's unthinkable!"
My eyes snapped open, alert. "Mom, how do you know?" I asked, my heart racing with panic. How did she find out? And what did she know exactly?
"It doesn't matter who told me," she said, her jaw clenched in anger. "What matters is that you were going to keep it from me". You were going to consider his proposal without even discussing it with me. Without thinking about how it would affect me or Emma... "anyone who cares about you!"
I threw off the covers, got out of bed. "Mom, please calm down". "Let me explain," I pleaded, trying to reason with her.
But she was having none of it. "Explain"? You were going to upend your entire life for him, and you didn't even think to consult me? Your own mother? I'm supposed to just sit back and watch you throw away your future for some "infatuation?"
I took a deep breath, trying to calm her down. "I was looking for the perfect time to tell you". I just didn't know how you would react to it.
Her expression softened slightly, but her voice remained firm. "How else am I supposed to react"? You're my daughter, Nelly. I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt. And this proposal of his "it's a recipe for disaster."
"Mom, I know you're upset, but hear me out". I haven't even said yes to Timothy's offer yet. But I have to consider it.
Susan's face turned red with anger. "Consider it"? You're going to consider it? Nelly, how could you even think about leaving like this? Without even discussing it with me, "without even thinking about how I'll manage here on my own?"
Mom, think about it. It's not just about Timothy anymore, but about me. Staying here, in this small town, I'll always be limited. I'll always be 'Susan's daughter' or 'the girl who never left'. But in the city, I can be my own person. I can build a life, a career, a reputation. "I can be a boss, not just a small-town girl."
I took a deep breath, trying to make her see my point. "Mom". If I stay here, I'll always be stuck in this rut. But if I go to the city, I can make something of myself. I can make you proud. "And who knows, maybe I'll even make a name for myself, be someone important."
I looked at her, trying to appeal to her sense of ambition. "Don't you want that for me", Mom? "Don't you want me to be happy"?. Susan walked out of the room without saying a word, Nelly sat on her bed, tears streaming down her face as she listened to her mom's footsteps fade away. She had tried to stop her, to apologize, to explain, but Susan had just ignored her and walked out. Nelly felt a pang of guilt and regret wash over her. She hadn't meant to hurt her mom's feelings, but she knew she had. She had always been honest with her mom, but this time, the truth had hurt.
She lay down on her bed, burying her face in her pillow as she sobbed. She had always felt trapped in this small town, like there was a whole world out there waiting for her to explore. And now, with Timothy's offer, she had the chance to do just that.
But at what cost? She had hurt her mom, the one person who had always been there for her. She felt torn, between following her dreams and staying with the person she loved.
As she cried, Nelly realized that she had to find a way to make her mom understand. She had to make her see that this was an opportunity, not just for her, but for both of them. She had to make her mom see that she would always be with her, no matter where she was in the world.