Chapter twelve

John......

I know it was wrong to follow her.  But I just had to. It was like she was going through a lot and carrying way more than she could handle. I deserve to know a little right? It probably would be  better heard from her. "This is stupid, I'm going in and over my head."

"What was that John?" Roland asked.

"Oh uh nothing" I said realising I spoke out loud.

"So are you going in or?" Roland began unsure.

"No I'm not I just, just wanted to know a bit of what she's hiding"

"so you're stalking her"

"what? I'm not stalking her"

"why are you whispering? You know she can't here us from inside" Roland said smiling sheepishly.

"What I'm not-oh... Uh" I cleared my throat.

"Okay fine I'm speaking loud and clear, you happy?" I said raising my brows.

"Get down someone's coming"

whispering, I bent down alarmed.

"You do know that the windows are tainted right?" Roland said to me, I could see him suppressing laughter.

"What.....of course I know. Nope I totally forgot."

"Your still whispering John"

"shush" I said placing a finger on my lips. Looking at the figure coming out of the apartment, I recognized the figure as Luke.

"That's Luke" I told Roland. After seeing Luke's car leave the drive way I began

"Okay uhh let's go"

"so your not going in?" Roland asked.

"What no, I just wanted to be sure she was okay. And well I guess Luke wanted to see her or something."

"Or ask her to get ready for another job"

"what no, no, she has two weeks off, this week and the next"

"you don't know that she prob-"

"she's not going for another job Roland."

Hearing myself, I realized that I wasn't only saying what I wanted to believe but I couldn't deny the hurt, as I thought of the possibility.

"At least, I hope not" I said letting out a sigh.

"Okay let's go." I said after a few seconds.

"Wait" I grabbed Roland's hand on the steering wheels, then I  let go.

"I'm gonna call her"

"are you sure John?"

"yeah I'm, just a sec" I pulled out my phone contemplating on calling. I took a deep breath. I pressed call and my heart started racing as the dial tone went off.

"uh hello? " Mary said.

"Hi! Mary, it's John-"

"you're shouting do you mind lowering your voice" Roland said whispering.

I waved my hand to shut him up.

"John? "

"Yes uh, sorry was a little distracted....just wanted to make sure that you're okay that's-that's all" I could hear Roland laugh at my stutter but I chose to ignore.

"yeah I'm fine, thanks" she said.

"okay we'll uh...you sure? "

"yeah I'm, I'm good"

"Okay we'll...good night"

"good night John. Thanks for checking."

"It's fine, good night Mary"

"Good night, wait John?"

"Yeah? "

"Thank you, really, for everything."

"It's fine Mary."

"Okay, good night"

"good night"

she ended the call and Roland let out a loud bray of laughter.

"I haven't heard you laugh this loud in almost, forever" I said shocked .

"oh, John, I haven't seen you this nervous since you were ten!" Roland said trying to control his laugh.

"what? You know what we're not having this conversation, let's go"

"you can't deny it-"

"let's go"

"okay, okay" Roland raised his hands in surrender.

I shook my head as I smiled, its good to see him get more comfortable and less formal with me.

•~•~•~•

Mary.......

Gosh, what if John called while Luke was here! I don't want to even imagine......well he didn't call when Luke was here so yeah that's, that's good. Its nice he called though. I would totally love to see him again.....no! This can't work remember?

Because of one person, I can't get the chance to have a normal life. Well Luke just confirms the devils existence.

I don't know if it's right to say that. I'm just tired.

I woke up the next morning to my phone buzzing. The ringing tone was getting annoying, I just decided to put it on vibrate. If it was John calling I'd totally recognize the number.

"Hello? "

"Hi Mary,  it's Marilyn"

"I hi good morning"

"morning, sorry I hope I didn't wake you up, you sound-"

"No it's fine. "

"okay, I just wanted to know if you'd have time later in the day we wanted to have a rehearsal, everything's set up so we just wanted to make sure that the singing was, good? Uh-"

"yeah it's fine I'll see you. What time?"

"Do you mind coming 11o'clock?"

"yeah it's okay"

"Thank you again, Mary"

"it's fine, see you at eleven "

"bye."

Well, I just hope Luke won't show up or anything. Well he told me not to get any ideas, he should obviously know I won't.

•~•~•

John.....

I thought about everything that happened last night. Alice came home worried about Mary leaving so soon. I tried to come up with something, but I  really couldn't. It was probably easy for me to tell my parents that she had to  settle some things, but I couldn't to Alice. Well because with my parents, well just my Mom actually, she just called asking if everything was alright. But Alice living with me.... I had to tell her everything, but I begged her not to mention it to my parents, or even Mary, if she gets the chance to meet her again. But I can trust Alice so it's nothing to be worried about.

I apologised to her about the way I spoke to my Dad,  and she told me to apologise to my Dad instead. Speaking of which.... Mary made me realize a lot.

I should let my Dad know that I still love him.

And I'm going to do it today. I'll go over to his house and let's see what happens. God forgive me for the way I treated my Dad, please help me today and lead me with the right words. Amen.

Later that day, Winston dropped me off at my Dad's pent house. Taking the elevator, I started thinking of the right words to start the conversation with.

I tried my best to ignore any thoughts from the past.

"Just give him a chance, don't raise your voice, just, you know what, whatever happens happens."  I said to myself as I reached the floor. I took a deep breath as I pressed against the door bell.

The door opened to my Mum. Wait my Mum?!

"Mum?! "

"John honey, you could have just taken the elevator directly here, you know right? " She said.

"Umm....Yeah, I haven't been here in a while so....is Dad in?"

"Oh yeah he's taking a shower, come on, come sit."

I looked at my Mum, who didn't seem bothered by the fact that she was at my Dad's.

"Mum, what are you doing here?" I asked tired of waiting for her to explain the obvious.

"Me?" she said placing her hand on her chest.

"Yes you, stop pretending like its normal. "

"Well John, I'm just here for the Ball and that's all I can tell you"

"are you getting back together?"

"Just because I'm here doesn't mean we are"

"well you could have stayed at a hotel or with me!"

"Well your father offered so, I didn't decline."

"What are you- unbelievable"

"oh stop it, we don't sleep in the same bedroom if that's what your wondering."

"Umm Elizabeth, who are you- o.... John"

My Dad said walking in, well he cleaned up fast.

"Oh wow, done already, I'll give you two some time." my Mum said, she kissed my forehead and left.

"So uh, Dad" I started unsure as I stood up.

".....About last night-"

"it's fine son," he cut in.

" I shouldn't have judged what I saw, she seems like a nice girl." he continued.

"No, I was wrong Dad, for the way I treated you, I judged you, I thought I forgave you, I obviously didn't. I should have given you a chance"

"it's okay John, i-its all my fault. I should have been a better father. It's my fault, you  didn't want anything to do with me and I pushed you away"

"it's not that I didn't want anything to do with you, I just, I still held on to the pain of the past, and I have to let it go and, give change a chance. "

My father nodded, then he said.

"I'm sorry.... For everything."

"I'm sorry too Dad, I  should have been a better son-"

"No, I should have been a better Father. "

We stared at each other for a moment,  then I walked to him and gave a hug.

The first time we hugged in years.

"And I'm sorry about Stella, I didn't say that so....." He said as we separated.

"I-its fine, and just to be clear, I'm glad she broke up with me." My Dad tittered and I smiled to show I meant it.

"Hmm, it's about time you two let down your egos" My Mum said walking in with tea.

"Here, have some" she said to me.

"Mum I'm good, I'm about leaving." I said.

"No, no I can't remember the last time I ever served you  anything, drink up" she's right.... Well I have no choice.

"So how did you meet Mary?" I spat my tea back into the cup at my Dad's question.

"Now John, that's just disgusting" Mom scolded.

"I'm sorry" I said as I put the tea on a table.

"So how did you?" My Mom continued.

"i-its, hehe, you won't believe it actually.....uh it's complicated." I said nervously.

"Complicated?" Mom asked.

"You know it's a funny story....you know I really have to go so I'm sorry but I'll give you full details very soon." I said as I stood  up.

"Are you hiding something?" She asked, staring intensely at Me. Nope that only worked when I was kid.

"Hiding something? Nope, I'll tell you guys, don't worry about it, I just have to leave."

"Where are you going" Dad asked.

"Actually.....it's going to be Mary's birthday in a few days so.... I have to get her something nice. " I smiled at them thankful for my memory.

"well okay," My Mom said.

"Son, there's going to be another Ball, a week from now, and a meeting also a week from now."

"Dad another Ball?"

"yeah.....its actually a party sorry, Mr Collin's sixtieth birthday party."

"Oh Stella's Dad"

"yeah."

"You don't have to come if you don't want to." My Dad said.

"No, no it's fine"

"Okay. And the meeting. Don't forget about the meeting. "

"Okay Dad, so I guess I can come with Mary then?" I smiled then it began to fade as I remembered she only has a week off. But I could call in and say I wanted another night, yeah.

I smiled as I figured out a plan.

"You okay John?" My Mom asked a bit concerned.

" I'm good Mom,"

"yeah I guess you can, I mean she attended the Ball so yeah" My Dad said.

"Okay then great. Well see you two soon. And I'm guessing Mom you'll be here until the birthday party."

"You bet I will."

"And son the meeting is about the merging with that new company, actually it isn't new as you remember they are just opening a branch here so, I want to have you here a few days before the meeting, you have a lot of catching up to do."

"Okay Dad." I smiled at the both of them and left.

Wow, I didn't think it'll go that well, seems like my Dad is actually changing so......Thank you God.