Jack & Destiny

Chapter 19: Destiny

Destiny's revelation about Chloe opened a locked box.

Her voice broke while talking and she paused often as if trying to find the words to say but she continued.

"Nobody talked to me after. They were all trying to wash their hands off on what happened. They found someone to blame. I was new to that place. It was easy to make me the target."

"How did you deal with all of it?"

"I didn't."

"I was moving on autopilot. I went to work and left when it was time to go. No one wanted to be friends with me afterwards. Grandma Lucy decided that perhaps it would be better if I quit and find a job somewhere else. She let me borrow her car. Chuck knew people at a different town. He called around and helped me get another job. It was at a grocery store. I stayed there for two months then found a job at another coffee shop."

Inamin ni Destiny na ang nangyari kay Chloe ang isa pang dahilan kung bakit siya umalis.

"I thought it was about Liam breaking up with me. But when I was in BC, there was a guest in the hotel who looked just like Chloe. Auburn hair, dark green eyes and a smile so wide it would make you believe that everything's all right with the world."

"When I saw the girl at the counter, I almost fainted. I thought I saw a ghost."

Sinabi niya na pinili niyang itago ang nangyaring trahedya kay Chloe.

"I never talk about it because until now, I still think that maybe it was my fault. Maybe I said something in passing and didn't even notice."

Bigla siyang tumigil sa pagsasalita.

"Oh my god."

"What is it?"

"Annie." Humigpit lalo ang pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko.

There was something else too.

Her eyes were filled with fear.

"What about her?"

"How could I be so stupid?"

"Did you tell her?"

"When I got home, she saw me and asked what was going on. Jack, I told her what Chloe said to me."

"I thought you said you kept your promise?"

"That's what I thought too. Oh god. I'm so stupid. Why did I tell her that? Of all people, Annie is the last person you want to tell a secret to."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. It's all coming back to me because she was in the kitchen when I got home. She made apple pie and she asked if I want to talk about what was bugging me. I was so confused with what Chloe told me. While we were eating, the words just slipped right out. Chuck and Lewis warned me not to tell Annie anything because word will get out. I didn't listen."

"When I realized what I have done, I made Annie swore not to say anything to anyone."

"You think she told anyone?"

"No doubt."

"What if you're wrong?"

"She told you about Chloe."

"That's right."

"I'm going to kill her." She wrung her hands in anger.

"Until now, I carried the guilt with me. If I could take back what I said, I would. Then maybe Chloe would still be alive."

"Hey. You have to stop blaming yourself. Nobody knew it would happen. Maybe there was something else going on with Chloe that nobody knew about."

Hindi pa din siya kumbinsido.