But let’s just say I’ll make him regret the day he went after you.
i’d kind of like to do that myself if he is.
Then I’ll keep him safe until you gethere.
i feel so weird that i hope it’s him
Me too.
what happens if it’s not?
Then I won’t stop until we find them.
i think i’ll tag along for the journey.
I’d say no, but you’re pushy, if you haven’t noticed.
so i’ve been told.
i’ll be home by 4.
kiss me at 4:01?
Deal.
I read those messages back all morning, and they made me happy enough to open the curtains.
Marcus felt like my break, you know? My childhood wasn’t the greatest; my dad left us all out of the blue, my mum got poorly, and my sister, for lack of better wording, abandoned me because she couldn’t face it, and just when things were starting to look up, just as I’d found a way to give Mum her care andI’d wedged myself into a friend group that felt like a family I was born into, this happens.
I ran my hands through the knots in my hair and groaned, falling back against my mattress, wanting it to swallow me whole—
Three knocks on my door sounded, and the hinges creaked.
“Cora?” It was Daisy.
I kept my sheets over my head, muffling my voice. “She’s not available today.”
I heard her giggle and enter the room, my bed creasing as she perched on the end. “Someone’s here to see you.”
I pulled the sheets away just enough for my head to poke out and find her, a big chunky cable knit jumper covering her, with butter-yellow joggers I knew were Goldie’s. “If it’s not Lily Allen or Stevie Nicks, or God here to apologise for all the shit she's put me through, I really don’t care.”
Her head bobbed to the side. “I think you’ll care about this one.”
My brows pinched and, because I’m just hot-wired to be nosey, I threw on a marl grey hoodie and some lavender bike shorts, slipped into my Crocs and followed her down the stairs.
Dais led me into the living room, and I caught her smile as she clocked whoever was waiting for me. My steps quickened as I rounded the doorway, only for my eyes to land on a woman I’d never seen before in my life.
She smiled as she saw me. A toothless one, but one that made the dimples appear in her left cheek, both of which popped, showing off how rosy they were. Her eyes were a shade ofbrown I felt like I’d seen before, and so was the shape. Her nose was prominent, strong and narrow, perfectly complimented by her deep olive skin. Thick, chocolate-brown strands of hair fell over her shoulders, curling at the ends.
She was beautiful, basically. But I still was oblivious as to who she was and why she was here.
“I’ll be in the kitchen.” Daisy’s palm smoothed over my shoulder before she closed the door ajar and her footsteps disappeared down the hallway.
The room was silent for a good few seconds before she spoke. “Hi, Cora.”
Her voice was just as beautiful as she was, laced with a slight accent. Something Latin. I was sure.
I wandered to the couch on the far wall, directly opposite the armchair she was occupying. “Hi…”
