Chapter fifteen

Mary......

The Truth....

I walked out feeling a bit hopeful, I kept telling myself that it was going to be okay. I scanned the crowd looking for John but didn't see him. I left the building then a familiar voice called. "Mary? Mary" I turned to Mrs Patterson.

"My you look lovely, but your make up i-its, are you alright?" she said asking concerned.

"I'm fine Mrs Patterson, I'm just looking for John."

"oh.... Uh, I was told a bit about what happened. We don't see you differently okay, we're not judging you, I'm not judging you. Just know that, okay? "

"Okay Ma'am" I said with a smile. Just like her daughter, trying to let me know that they're not holding anything against me. How the heck did I get so lucky to meet this family.

I was about to walk back into the building, then I heard John call. I turn back and Saw him running towards me.

"Hey. I-I'm...uh, are you-"he stuttered catching his breath.

"I'm fine John." I said saving him from his stutter.

"Mary, I'm really sorry about what I said, I shouldn't have." Mr Patterson said a bit ashamed.

"It's okay Mr Patterson."

"You gave a good first impression, I never should have-"

"it's alright, sir. But not all first impressions tell the truth so-"

"yours did Mary, yours did."

"Th-thank you." He smiled and nodded as his wife held his arm, I mean ex-wife.

Hold up, Exes don't act all cute and romantic.

"They're getting back together." John said as if he read my mind.

"Wow... Uh congratulations. That's good."

"Thank you Mary," Mrs Patterson said gratefully. Come to think of it I've always seen her as Mrs Patterson, even when divorced. Well I don't know her last name, Oh well.

"Can we go some place private?" I said to John.

"Sure, I mean, this place isn't exactly-"

"how bout the limo."

"oh...okay. let me just....get the kiss-uh I mean keys, keys, yes keys. "

I laughed as I waited for him to collect the keys.

We sat in the limo quite for a moment.

"Sorry about my Dad, he-"

"it's fine, he apologized." I said cutting in.

I could tell that he wanted to ask questions and get honest answers, but he wasn't sure how to ask. But can I trust him? I mean come on, he has defended me and helped me out in ways I didn't deserve. And, And he loves me, right? I mean he's showed it. And I can't deny that I feel the same way......He deserves to know the truth. At least a little.

"I'm sorry about Stella." John said nervously.

"It's fine" I sighed.

"John.." I began.

"What I'm about to tell you, promise me you won't try to do anything, nor say a word to anyone, even to Alice."

"What do you mean not do anything, I-"

"promise me John, if you want to know the truth, just promise me you won't try to do anything."

"Okay," he sighed.

We sat silent for a minute.

"I, I do remember Emily. But at the time she was working at the strip club...I was sixteen"

"What?" John said as worry gracefully played on his face.

"Luke.....Luke is actually my uncle."

"Luke? How did, I don't, I don't understand." He said confused and concerned.

"When my parents passed, well when my Dad passed on. I was ten, and My brother was eighteen. A few months after my Dad's death, my brother was so busy,  he never had time for me. "

I said as the painful memories starting Flooding in.

"Ten year old me, wanting to play and live a normal life as a kid. But he didn't have time for me I can't blame him though. He had a lot of responsibilities that was given to him unexpectedly.....I never blamed him, but I just wanted a little time at least. I lost my Mum, and then my Dad. I just wanted a little hope, a little love to be shown. I needed comfort, a little time created. But no, I couldn't get it." a tear escaped and John reached to wipe it away.

"He decided to send me here to my uncle." I continued.

"An Uncle my Dad barely spoke about. An uncle in a different country.

He could have at least sent me to a boarding school. Or another relative.

I just like to think he wanted me here in America to have a better life I guess." I took a deep breath and continued.

"Wait you said a different country?"

"Yeah I was born in Nigeria. I miss it honestly.

"I'm sorry" He said.

I sighed then continued.

"Luke. Luke has a strip club, as you know....but he also runs a prostitution organization, illegally of course. And I've been a slave for what now, nine and half years, what am I saying, ten. Well four while working with him but the other six years weren't any better. I'm probably not the only one forced."

John Looked at me worried, and a flash of anger grew across his face.

"And you expect me to keep shut about this?"

"John please don't-"

"No! You keep telling me not to. You're being held against your will and you want me to keep shut about it? What kind of person would do that?"

"You don't understand, he has connections. Even if Luke's apprehended, he'll send people to kill me or you if they found out you helped."

"I can't let you-"

"I know John....I know."

"Well how about your brother, just give me his name and Address if you remember and we'll hire an investigator and-"

"No, John you've said this before-"

"That's the least I can do if you expect me to do nothing about Luke. "

"I've forgiven my brother, well I think I have, but, I need some answers and how am I even sure he wants me back-"

"There's only one way to find out an-and that's finding him"

"Thank you John, really but, I don't want you too."

"How do you expect me to just-"

"Hey, no matter what it's going to be fine, maybe not soon, but soon, if you know what I mean. You have no idea how I feel, finally telling you the truth. And...I gave my life to Christ John, this night actually. Emily helped."

"That's, that's good. You mean Emily Lockwood?"

"Yeah" I said.

"I'm really happy she helped then." John said.

"Yeah.....in fact, I believe that everything will be alright. It's hard, but I do."

"Mary I can't just-"

"I know John. And I'm telling you not to get involved. Not yet at least, Not when signs would point to you, okay?"

He didn't reply.

"okay?" I said again reaching for his hands.

".....okay," he sighed.

I let go of his hands and reach out for a hug and embraced each other.

"I love you Mary."

"I love you too, John"  I could feel a smile grow in his face as we hugged. I smiled to myself  thinking how blessed I was to have a man like John love me.

We went back to the party. And was thankful for the drinks and delicious food they served. Alice came asking if I was alright, I told her I was fine and everything was good. I wasn't holding any grudges. She introduced me to Samuel and man.... what a fine young man he was. It's just a compliment, I've got John, who else do I want.

Alice was told about her parents getting back together and she was so excited she literally started crying.

Everything seemed to be going good but I couldn't help but notice John force a smile. Maybe it was too much for him to bare. Not helping the person you love and care about, when you know you could help, is almost torture.

But I really needed him to be out of sight.

I won't forgive myself if anything should happen to him. I thought to myself.

But I'll trust God, I will get out. I will.

•~•~•

John........

I couldn't understand why Mary wouldn't want me to do anything. She'll probably be forced to sleep with another guy and she wants me to do absolutely nothing!

It was better when I  didn't know she was forced, no it wasn't, but I now know that she is forced and she wants me to do nothing and tell no one!  How am I supposed to cope with that! What if something happens to her, I'll have myself to blame! God help me, I can't keep shut. I can't, not do anything!

She doesn't want me to get involved with Luke but I don't care I don't.

Patience...

Patience? I'm not sure God it's too much.

Trust me

I do.....you told me to be patient about her opening up to me so.... Yeah I trust you.......Please protect her.

"John?" I heard a knock and a familiar voice called from behind my door. I'd know that voice anywhere.

I walked to the door and opened it and looked down at Mary.

"Long night huh?" She said to me.

"Yeah, I guess. "

"Just wanted to know how you we're holding up...."

"I'm....I'm fine."  I was totally not.

"okay" She began walking away, I reached for her arm and she stopped, then I let go.

"Sorry....I just. When can I see you again?"

"I, I don't know, but I hope we do"

"okay..." I sighed

"Well, dinner's almost ready so....Get ready as well."

"Okay I will" I said with a  smile and she smiled back. So I'm not going to be seeing that gorgeous smile for while huh... Just great.

"I'm going to miss you John." She said to me with sincerity.

"I will too, I definitely will." I said as we hugged not wanting to let go. we weren't sure when we'd meet again. But I hoped it would be soon.

"Eh, em" Alice interpreted clearly her throat.

"Sorry to interrupt, but dinner is ready" she smiled sheepishly.

"You couldn't wait could ya" I said to her.

"Hey, I mean no harm." Alice said while raising her hands in defense.

"Of course you don't." I said shaking my head as I laughed.

We went down stairs and dinner was already served. Dinner was roasted chicken with guacamole salad and man was it delicious.

I wished the night wouldn't end, but the earth will definitely find it's way round it's axis.

•~•~•

Mary......

The next day, Luke came as promised. John and I didn't talk when Luke arrived. We already said our goodbyes the night before. And Something was off about Luke. He wasn't so excited. Had he spent the money already?

"Good job, but like I said, you ain't getting no time off." Luke said sternly.

"Yeah...Okay." I replied.

He stared at me for a while.

"I hope nothing romantic is going on between you and that white boy. "

"What? No, n-nothing. Just my job"

"You know there was something unusual about him wanting you back." My heart began racing as fear crept through my veins.

"What, what was unusual?" I asked trying to keep my cool.

"You didn't protest or try to resist going."

"What, I, I mean come on its a thousand dollars, even if I tried to resist you wouldn't let me."

"Yeah you're right, I wouldn't. But then again he still took a risk, considering his family's reputation." God please help me.

"What are you trying to say?" I asked.

"What I'm trying to say is that I hope nothing is going on between you two. And I hope there weren't any slip ups."

"There isn't and there wasn't. He just got a little attached. But I made it clear to him that the next time he called, it won't be me."

"Okay, okay. It's alright keep it up and you might just get your ticket to freedom."

He was totally being sarcastic.

Or Maybe not?  Come on its Luke.

"hehe...okay...so how much are you paying me? "

"oh yeah that. Uh $200." He said bluntly.

"two hundred, only?"

"Yeah, what's wrong with two hundred it's a good pay. "

"Why not just three  or even four hundred." I protested.

"Who are you to tell me what to pay you?"

I kept shut.

"One hundred" He said bluntly.

"But I-"

"one hundred." He said with a smirk that made me cringe.

I didn't say a word again. Neither did he. How could he be so cruel. I still had some money left but how could he, he did nothing! We'll neither did I, but he doesn't know that. I should just let it go. I shouldn't be surprised. But come on!

When we reached "The house" he said to me.

"When it's time for your next job I'll let you know." I nodded as I left stepped out of the car. There can't be a next time God, please.