Repressed (Wattys 2014 Winner)

Chapter 36

I screamed, “Sissy!” And hugged her so tight, I thought I might have cut off her circulation. After these few days, I had wondered, whether I’ll even see her again. Hellenia screamed back, “Baby!” And her hug was equally, painfully tight. She dragged me into the room and then released. Once she pulled away from me, her hand sliced through the air as she slapped me. My head snapped to the side, I rubbed my cheek.

“What was that for?” I asked her, tears in my eyes.

“You should have told me, about this before. Not now. Do you even fucking know what went through me?” Hellenia screeched.

I rubbed my ears and replied, “He had me under lock and key, Hellen. What do you think I could have done, huh?”

Hellenia scoffed and gestured for me to take a seat as she bought me a can of Diet Coke. She was dressed in a white shirt with black slacks. She was shoeless. But I could see her Louboutins haphazardly thrown in two directions. Her chestnut hair was frazzled and her blue eyes looked happy, sad and pained all at the same time. I popped open the can and took a swig. I stared at the same room wherein Alex had discovered my scars, wherein we had made love, wherein we had done so many things.

“Does he know?” Hellenia asked, snapping me out of my trance. I shrugged, “Who are you talking about?”

“Alex. Does he know about Adrian?” Hellenia inquired. I took her hand in mine and ran circles over her palms, with the pads of my fingers.

“No, he doesn’t, Hellenia, don’t push this please!” I said as Hellenia snatched her hand away. “He doesn’t deserve that. You should tell him.” Hellenia said with a frown.

“Tell him? Tell him, what? That, my ex was an abusive monster? That, he whipped me so hard, it ripped open my inner thighs? That, he had employed spotters to find me in hotels all over the fucking globe? WHAT HELLENIA!” I screamed as the tears began to pour. Hellenia frowned, “Alex needs to…” But I interjected her, “Just get me the fuck away from Adrian and then I’ll think about it.”

“He deserves to know. You know, that he will support you.” She replied solemnly. I have a short, cruel laugh, “Support me? Get one thing straight, you don’t know what his reaction will be. For all I know, he might get disgusted and ask me to leave.”

“No, I don’t think he will do that.” Hellenia said. She got up from the couch as I grumbled sweet nothings to myself. She went into the master bedroom and came back with a huge envelope in her hand.

She gave it to me. I opened it and a British passport and a plane ticket fell out. I opened the passport. It had my picture, but not my name. My name was Juliet Davidson, a simple and inconspicuous name. The plane ticket had the word VIP stamped on it.

“What’s this?” I asked her, hinting for her to explain.

“Milla, this is your passport. Hide it and keep it till tonight. The plane ticket is for Caleb’s plane. You have to go via the VIP terminal. The plane is a straight ride to New Delhi. I just got the message from Zara saying that they’ve reached. Zara, Alex, and their parents are safe and sound in Delhi, they are waiting for your arrival. Milla, whatever you do, please be careful. If this fails…” She didn’t have to complete the sentence for me to understand what she was about to say.

“I understand. But what time is my flight?” I asked confused. Hellenia smiled, “It’s for any time from one a.m. to five a.m. I told you, the plane is not commercial, it’s private. Adrian, if he comes to know about your escape, the VIP terminal will be one of the last places to check. He’ll probably think that you are flying commercial. Anyone would think that.” Hellenia said and gave me a reassuring smile. I smiled back, “Do you think…do you think that I will make it?”

“Oh, I know you will. We, Devonians have never backed down.” Hellenia said proudly.

“Technically, you’re a De Leeuw.” I pointed out.

“Which means lion in Dutch.”  Hellenia snorted at me, “And if the lion is anything but majestic and magnificent, it is not a lion.”

“You say sooth.” I said. I ran my eyes over the passport and the ticket.

I would be leaving.

I would be running away from Adrian, all over again.

Tonight.

***

I left Hellenia after taking the manila envelope from her and walked to a taxi stand. I glanced over my shoulder briefly but that briefly was enough to cause me to bump into someone.

“Oof!” I said, rubbing my collarbones as I stared up at the person, who I collided with. The person stared into my eyes and I was taken aback by the deep blue colour it had, “I’m sorry,” he spoke. He had a light French accent. His dusky blond hair was short at the sides, but long on the top, one arm was filled with tattoos and the white t-shirt he was wearing showed off the expanse of his chest and ridges that he possessed to full extent. The black jeans fit tight to his waist and the leather jacket added a whole new ‘oomph!’ to his ensemble.

“Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t watch where I was going.” I said, transfixed by his gaze. He smiled at me, his pink lips stretching as he replied, “It’s okay. I’m Reine, by the way. My name is Reine Arran, and you?” He extended his hand to me. I hesitated but took it, “My name is Milania Devonian. Nice to meet you.” I smiled.

A taxi came and I reached for the handle but he reached for it at the same time.

“You should go.” He said, gesturing for me to enter. I refused, “No, I can’t. I think you were here before me.”

“Milania, please…go.” He said smiling. I hesitantly got it, thanked him and then gave the cabbie my address. I was still in shock by the intensity of his blue eyes. It wasn’t like Adrian’s, at all. Adrian had pale, icy blue eyes, but Reine, his eyes were deep blue, almost regal blue and they were beautiful.

He was beautiful. Oh God, what am I thinking! I slapped my forehead and smiled to myself. I was acting like a teenaged girl all over again. I glanced at my watch. It was four in the afternoon. Few more hours and I’d be in an airport and on a plane to New Delhi. And I’d be on the way to an awake Alex.