Villain || TAENNIE FF

⚓Chapter 31: Second Time Around

WHISPERING SECRETS

Dwayne panted heavily. She couldn't control her tears after seeing what really happened that day. Coming to think of it, Dwayne wasn't the type of person who would resort to self-harm even if the problems overwhelm her. She has been through a lot as an orphan, and she never thought of ending her life then.

Dwayne quickly reached for her phone from the table and called Greg. She wanted him to go home for now and deal with Abby later. She was feeling too unstable, and she needed his comfort. 

Greg picked up the phone after two rings. "Hey. Did you miss me already?"

"Yeah. Can you come home now? I want to see you."

"All right. I'm about to tell Abby the truth right now. I'll head straight home after. Don't fall asleep yet, okay? I'll be right there." Greg sounded gentle over the phone, making Dwayne's heavy emotions slowly lighten in weight. 

"I'll see you." Dwayne ended the call and sighed. "I wonder how it'll go. Cutting ties with Abby is another change in the story. Will Greg be okay?" She grabbed the "Nancy Drew" book again and continued reading to, at least, calm her thoughts.

One hour...Two hours...Three hours passed, but Greg still had not arrived. Out of concern, Dwayne quickly called him again. This time, Greg never answered. 

 "What's going on?"

Suddenly, her phone rang, and Monique's name was on the screen. Dwayne answered it immediately. "Dwayne, I'm in front of your room. I kept ringing the bell, but you weren't answering. Are you in the hotel right now?" Dwayne ended the call and decided to just go to her.

Dwayne left Greg's room and headed out. She found Monique with a bunch of shopping bags surrounding her, indeed, in front of her room. "What are you doing in there? Isn't room 44 your room?" Monique asked.

"I-I was staying at my boyfriend's room." Monique mouthed an "oh" and nodded. "What brings you here? And, what's with the bags?" Dwayne locked Greg's room and went inside hers.

"My parents wanted me to check on the hotel," Monique said as she entered the room. "I decided to stop by at the mall to treat myself after. Can I crash in tonight? I figured I'd be too lonely if I get myself my own room."

Dwayne chuckled and showed Monique to her bedroom. "You can crash in whenever you want. It's your family's hotel, anyway."

Monique brought her bags inside and sat on Dwayne's bed. "By the way, who's the guy? Do I know him?"

Dwayne smiled, sitting beside her. "Shane Gregory. He's the only son of the Campbells. I'm sure you've heard of him," Dwayne explained. "It only happened recently, and we just made up after an argument. That's why I was waiting for him in his room."

"You're old enough to make your own choices. I won't meddle with your life. Just remember to wear protection. Don't be like my parents who had me because they got drunk and made out in the car." Dwayne laughed and covered her face at Monique's sudden life story. "No, seriously. I know you can't hold your urges sometimes."

"Fine, fine... Greg and I have no plans of doing that. What the heck?" Dwayne crossed her legs on the bed and turned to her cousin. "Thanks for coming here, Monique. I...kinda needed it." Monique widened her eyes when Dwayne suddenly hugged her.