I was in a much better mood after telling the girl off and seeing her running until she nearly passed out. Besides, the food at the prestigious school was as delicious as the dinner yesterday, without these arduous courses and tiny portions.
I felt for the little plate in my pocket and was genuinely happy with the new treasure. It looked handmade and pink, small and round, with bumps in it. The school surely could afford a new one, so now it was mine.
Going back into the teacher's office, which was not as packed because everyone was still eating, I sat in front of a computer. After booking a flight ticket with hand luggage for early evening, I still had time at hand before tormenting the next class.
The black eyes that had followed me during my lesson popped into my mind, and I got curious. Opening Jude's student file, I looked through it. He was one of the best students in the whole school. But seeing his birthdate, I stopped. He was already eighteen; why was he still in school?
Looking through his school history, there seemed to be a gap. Jude had taken a year off last year; only this school calendar year had he continued with his studies.
Since the beginning of the year, there were a few notes that he missed lessons, but aside from not appearing sometimes, he was still the model student he had been before taking a year off.
I closed his file and thought of Thomas. If he had him at twenty-two, it would be feasible for him to be forty or so.
In my eyes, twenty-two is way too young for a child. Imagining myself having an already eight-year-old child made me feel the chills.
Although... I now somehow have a grown-up son. Fortunately, it will only be a few hours longer until I board the plane.
I am thankful that I carry my documents around me constantly; now that habit comes in handy.
A few classes later, the day was over, and I walked outside the campus. Seeing the car that had driven me here, I turned toward its direction and opened the door.
There was already someone sitting. Glimpsing inside, I saw Jude.
Unsure if I should just take a taxi, I heard him say in the voice that I so eagerly wanted to steal away,
"Come in."
My body moved, and I followed his invitation without thinking more about it. That was the fault of his damn voice.
The car was big and spacey, but it suddenly felt cramped as I was awfully aware of Jude's presence.
I looked outside, trying to divert my attention from his amazing-smelling aftershave. These few minutes went by as if they were hours. And when we arrived, I opened the door a bit too hastily and was out of the car, ready to flee, when Jude was suddenly standing beside me.
"Do you have a pet?" He asked me, and I looked up at him. My eyes narrowed at his random question, suddenly fearing that something had happened to my Baby.
"A cat." I answered and saw him averting his eyes to the trashcans at the end of the garden.
My heart started to beat frantically as I followed his gaze. I headed to the trash container. Had they killed it? Was it hurt? I will make my promise true if that would be the case. They would all die if something happened to my cat.
My steps accelerated with each new thought of what these imbeciles could have done when I reached the trashcan. Opening it, I ignored the odor and saw my cat, unharmed.
She just stretched inside the trash, apparently having had a good time.
I laughed happily and put her into my arms. She scratched me a few times, but that just showed that she was unfazed.
"I know, I'm sorry." My Baby leaned against me, rubbing her head against my jaw.
"You need a bath." I said and turned to close the trashcan again.
I saw Jude in the same spot, looking at me. Had he known that it was inside, and had he not even moved a finger to get the cat out?
Or had it not long ago jumped into the trashcan, and he had witnessed that while the car arrived?
When I was close to him, he asked meaningfully,
"That is your cat?"
Now that I had my cat with me, I was not as influenced by his voice as before and could answer him without trying to gather my mind in advance.
"Yes."
Jude leaned toward me and stroked my cat's nose. I noticed that it wanted to scratch and pressed her to myself, not minding it being dirty.
"It needs a bath." I said to him, passing.
"What's her name?" Jude's question made me stop.
"Hmm?" Turning to him, I thought for a moment. Thinking back on the years we had shared together, it seems to have never been named.
"It doesn't have a name."
Jude's gaze made me uncomfortable, so I wordlessly turned around and entered the villa, heading to my and Thomas' bedroom. Now I had my loot and my cat, so I was ready to go. Still, we both needed a bath after going through the trash.
Bathing was always problematic with cats because they usually did it themselves; however, I would take my cat on the plane in the hand luggage.
Don't look at how it scratches and bites; when it has to be silent, cause we move or have to hide, it is silent enough to make one believe it was a statue.
So while I got myself a few new wounds, I finally got it clean again.
I smiled when it started to groom itself all over again, although it was already spotlessly polished and nearly fully dried.
First I went for a new dress, also one with big pockets -to whom I have taken a liking—then I showered as well.
Having changed, I stuffed my Baby in my bag, and we were ready to implement our plan.