Chapter 34.

I will tie you to the bed and keep you there forever.

~~~

"Alex." I whispered, afraid of making him angrier. "What happened?"

He didn't glance at us. His eyes on the blank wall ahead and as he uttered the next words.

We could all feel the reality crashing in and the world suddenly tearing apart.

"Ray Parker escaped prison."

It had been more than a week that Ray Parker had escaped.

Apparently he managed to fool the security guards and hack into their system and escape himself without getting caught by anyone. What a sly dog!

There was no visual evidence since he had hacked into the camera system as well and made sure that we couldn't find out exactly how he escaped.

I had amped up the security on my phone remembering that Ray had hacked my phone too. I shiver of loathing swept over me, wondering if he had really gone through my messages and photos.

I felt naked even with the long green sweater I wore. My privacy had been invaded, personal privacy. And now as I used the phone I kept wondering if Ray could see what messages I was sending.

I had even stopped carrying my phone into the washroom to listen to songs as I took bath, I was afraid that he could see through my phone camera. I had become completely paranoid and it was scaring me.

Alex had been hit the worst with this news.

"Myra you stay inside. Don't even step out for a second."

"Alex, I can't stay at home all the time."

"Yes you can and you will."

"Don't be absurd!"

"I will tie you to the bed and keep you there forever."

I blinked. "Kinky."

"I am not trying to be funny Myra."

"Alex clam your tits. He's a hacker not a serial killer. He has brains now brawns."

"You think he can't hire someone?"

That shut me up. He could, he actually could. But even then what was the guarantee that I wouldn't get hurt at home?

"Look how about this? I promise to let you know where I am all the time. I promise to let everyone know." I suggested.

"No. Stay here. It's that simple."

I sighed at Alex. "Don't order me around."

"Alex is right you know."

I narrowed my eyes at Zivah. "Don't you start now."

Zivah shrugged. "We all know the only reason he escaped is to get even with you. He will come for you. He will take his revenge."

I pressed my lips together. "I know and I can take him. You guys keep forgetting that I can be a bad person too."

"But-" Zivah started and I shook my head.

"I know you two care but I am fine. If I sit at home all the time, I'll go crazy. And like I said, Ray Parker is a hacker not a killer. He won't kidnap and kill, he will hack into my life and destroy it."

Alex scoffed. "You say like that is any better." He blinked at me. "You have any nudes in your phone?"

My mouth gaped at him. "Alex!" I scolded, a shameful blush rising my face.

He didn't budge. "Do you?"

I chuckled in embarrassment. "Of course not!"

"Really?"

I lowered my eyes now awkward as I stood between my boyfriend and best friend. "Yes, really." I hissed, hoping he would drop the topic.

"Then what about bikini shots?"

"Oh my God." I muttered under my breath, rubbing a palm over my face. Take the damn hint and shut up!

I could hear Zivah softly giggling from behind me, making me feel even more mortified.

"Alex, don't you have a meeting to attend?"

He blinked in surprise. "Are you trying to get rid of me?"

I blew a breath of air. "No, pumpkin-"

"Don't call me pumpkin. Eww." Alex complained.

I grit my teeth. "No asshole." I corrected.

He grinned. "Now that is romantic."

I rolled my eyes, pointing at the wall clock. "You are late." I reminded him again.

He looked at the time nodded. "Okay. But you, let me know your location all the time. All the time." He voice turned strict and I nodded.

"Yes sir."

"Good." He turned to go and then stopped. "You know, roses are red, grass is green. I love your legs and what's in between."

I felt my eyes widen at his words. I choked on air. "Wh-what?"

From behind I could see Zivah struggling to hold in her laughter and failing miserably.

Alex grinned, a cheeky proud grin. "It took me whole night to come up with that."

I pressed my fingers to my forehead, a small smile on my face. "You are such a nerd."

"I have one more."

I shook my head, already afraid of what it might be.

"I do believe in gravity. My zipper keeps falling down every time I see you."

I put my face into my palms, blushing and still giggling furiously. "Alex!"

Zivah was having a full blown laughter party at the back, her loud laughs making me even more embarrassed.

"Meeting Alex, meeting." I reminded him again.

"But I have one more."

I shook my head vigorously, pushing Alex's back towards the door. "Tonight." I told. "I'll hear them all tonight."

"But I like this one."

I sneaked a glance to make sure Zivah was out of ear shot and sighed. "Fine what is it?"

"I'll be a trampoline. You can bounce on me."

I bit my lower lip to stop from laughing. "Where did you find these?"

Alex smiled in smugness. "I made them up."

I couldn't stop from laughing lightly. "You have a dirty mind."

"Hey you wanted to sleep with me when I was drunk." Alex gasped. "You were going to take advantage of me." he kept his arms over his chest pretending to be a victim.

"Hey you wouldn't sleep with me when sober." I snapped back.

"I wanted it to be special." He answered back.

I frowned. "Special? What are you expecting roses and candles?"

"Don't you want all that?"

"Ew. I will not be cleaning it all up later. You can arrange it and then clean it all yourself."

Alex blinked at me wondering if I was real. "Are you sure you are a girl?"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "You would know it if you had slept with me."

"Shouldn't I be the one asking you to sleep with me?"

I folded my arms under my chest. "Then ask me."

He leaned back as if frightened. "I don't want to. I am scared."

I stared at him with a blank face. I stood on my toes, looking straight into his eyes. "What are you scared of?"

Alex gulped. He fumbled with words not a single word coming out of his mouth.

I sighed and stood back on my heels. "You have a week to get over your scare. After this week, we are doing it. Do you understand?"

He blinked. "Do you?"

I raised my forefinger. "One week, Rich boy. One week."

He swallowed and took a step back. "I have a meeting." He mumbled. "Goodbye." He said and then whispered. "You weirdo."

I raised my eyebrows. "What was that?"

"Hacker girl." He instantly corrected. "Goodbye hacker Girl."

I waved him off. "Bye bye. Have a great meeting and try not to let gravity work on your zipper."

Alex cleared his throat. "I have one more but I don't want to say it anymore."

I smiled mentally. "Then don't. Just go."

He opened the door and turned to me. "Keep in touch okay?"

I nodded. "Yes."

"Keep calling me every hour."

"Yes."

"Don't go into dark places."

I sighed. "Yes."

"Carry a knife in your pocket."

I bit my lower lip in frustration. "Yes."

"And-"

"Oh my god!" I exclaimed. "Just go."

He pouted. "And I love you."

"Oh." I felt my lips quiver upwards and my heart skip a beat. I cleared my throat. "Um." I scratched the back of my neck. "I love you too."

"Are you shy?"

I scoffed in a high pitched tone. "No!"

Alex smirked and then winked. He leaned down kissing my forehead making me freeze in place.

"Take care Myra."

I nodded.

He turned to go and without thinking I grabbed his wrist making him turn back. I stood on my toes and placed a hasty kiss on his lips.

I blinked in awkwardness after that. "Um I'll miss you."

Alex kissed me back, a peck on the lips and even that made me swoon. "I'll miss you too."

We stared at each other with a giddy smile and I couldn't contain the happiness that I felt whenever I was with him.

I continued to stare into his blue eyes

"Um can I go now?"

I blinked immediately looking away. "Yes. Yes you can."

Alex moved his hand. "Myra, my wrist."

I stared at his wrist, I was still holding onto it. "Oh." I instantly let go. "Oops." I snorted. "Buh bye then. Ciao. Good day!"

Alex smiled chucked. "Bye babe." He then closed the door behind him.

I stared at the closed door heaving a sigh of relief. How do I ever control my feelings when with him?

I turned and walked in the kitchen Zivah was still there, going through some books.

"Aren't your exams over?"

She nodded. "Yes they are. But this is for an interview. It's a huge opportunity."

"When's it?"

"Next week."

"Good luck." I said, grabbing a bottle of water and drinking it.

"Thanks." She looked back up. "Have you heard from Athena?"

I shook my head. "Not the whole week. I dropped a few messages but she hasn't replied. Why?"

Zivah shrugged, looking down. "Just asking. She hasn't picked up my calls either."

I didn't think much into it. I opened the cabinets and frowned. "Did we finish it all?"

"You only bought biscuits and chips." Zivah reminded.

I grinned sheepishly. "Oops. So we have no real food?"

"Not unless Santa came early and brought groceries."

I rolled my eyes at her sarcasm.

"I'll go get some."

Zivah glanced up. "Alone?"

I raised an eyebrow in argument. "Yes and?"

Zivah bit her lower lip in contemplation. "How far will you go?"

"The supermarket next to McDonald's."

"Okay and you'll carry a knife or something pointed?"

I twisted my lips. "Yes."

She nodded. "I want it on record that I tried to stop you."

I scoffed. "No you didn't."

"Do you want to go or not?"

I heaved a sigh. "Fine, you tried to stop me."

"Good. You may go. Make sure GPS is on so I can track it."

I scowled. "You are such a creep!"

"Best friend Myra." Zivah rectified. "The word is best friend."

I rolled my eyes, grabbing the pocket knife and a bag. "You want something?"

"Yes. Snickers, Green Lays, Pringles, a nail polish remover, Pasta sauce." Zivah listed on. "Get some Chocos too. And something spicy."

I glowered. "Something Ziv, I said something."

She ignored me. "I'll message on WhatsApp. Get all of it."

I mouthed curse words at her as I stepped out. "Stupid woman."

As I walked down the streets I couldn't help but feel extra aware of everything around. The smallest sounds, the people on road, the passing vehicles. I felt like everyone was watching me, trying to harm me.

With every step I took, it seemed like someone else took it too. I turned around but it was just my imagination playing tricks on me.

I shook my head, trying to curb the thoughts and instead try to be a little positive.

"Come on Myra." I said to myself. "He wouldn't be here, he wouldn't sit just below my apartment waiting to kill me. he wouldn't stalk me like that."

I patted my heart and then the pocket with the knife.

It didn't take long to reach the supermarket and get all the stuff.

Zivah had indeed sent a long list of things she wanted and I wanted to tell her to get it all by herself.

If she wanted so much couldn't she accompany me? I mean my life is in danger!

I huffed as I placed the items on the counter.

Three snickers.

Four packets of Doritos.

Three packets of Lays.

Two big packets of Oreo.

Skittles, galaxy and Reese's.

Three pens.

The girl at the counter raise her eyebrows at me, judging for buying all of these and then a lot more.

I rolled my eyes at her judgmental expression. "Are you paying for it?" I snapped.

She gave me a stink look and continued to punch the order. "Would you like a carry bag?"

I stared at the 30-40 items on the table. "No I have enough arms to carry them." I sassed.

She just looked at me with a blank face.

I sighed. "Yes. I would love a carry bag." If I knew Ziv was going to order so much I would bought another bag.

She added extra money for the bag and then started to put the items in the bag.

"It's fine." I told her. "I'll do it myself."

Once all the items were inside the bag, I could barely carry them.

"Damn you Zivah." I cussed as I struggled to walk with heavy bags in both my hands.

I exited the supermarket and was just entering the alley to our apartment when I leaned against the wall. "Why does she need so much food?" I thought aloud to myself.

"Need some help?"

I froze at the eerily familiar voice.

Very slowly I turned back, my heart beat rising at a pathetically fast rate and fear gripping me tight in it's arms.

There standing in front of me was Ray Parker.

Dressed in a pale blue tee and dark blue pants, his glasses were new and no longer broken but those creepy eyes were still the same. He looked a little weak but his determination to destroy lives made up for that.

I swallowed hard as I blinked at him and squeaked a 'hi'.

He smiled, a crooked smile that sent chills up my spine. "I have missed you, my love."

And the only thing I could think was how to get the knife out of my pocket when I was holding two huge bags of food.

~~

Finally decided who ray Parker could be - Joe Jonas. Yes or No?