Watched

Chapter 5

Julia

My heart stopped working for a second before it came back to life. What the hell? Who could be the one who threw me this strange letter? What did he mean by "Ready?". I was sure that I didn't see anyone near our building when I checked the balcony. I folded the letter again and put it on the table. I was so terrified, especially because I was alone in the room. I thought about calling my friends and telling them to return, but I didn't want to rush them and ruin their time together. I decided to get my manuscript and some pens to write a new chapter for my novel. I hoped that writing could distract me and ease my stress for a little bit. I sat down on the bed, pressed my back to the headboard, and used my knees as a surface to write on. I distracted myself and kept thinking about different ideas for the end of my book. Almost half an hour passed while I was living in my own world of writing. I checked my chapter in the end as soon as I finished writing it. I was so proud of myself that I could write more than three thousand words in less than half an hour. I closed my manuscript and put it back in my bag. I couldn't think of anything else to do for more distraction. I grabbed my notes and books to study and do my homework. Just anything to distract myself. The idea that someone just threw me an eerie letter which I didn't understand what was written inside it, dreaded me.

I started revising my lessons and did all of my homework assignments. Thankfully, I was done by six-thirty. It didn't take too long to finish my studies. I frowned as I checked the clock on the wall to see that it was six-thirty and my friends hadn't come back yet. I checked my phone and found no missed calls from them. I just didn't want to stay alone for so long. Another hour passed and they hadn't returned yet. I gave up and went to bed. Maybe some sleep would diminish my fidgets and pass the time quickly. As I was just about to climb onto the bed, my phone rang.

"Oh, come on! Can't I just sleep peacefully without anyone calling me?" I barked to myself as I went back to grab my phone.

Dad's name appeared on the screen and I didn't hesitate to answer his call. I missed him so much and I really needed to hear his voice. It just frustrated me that he and mum didn't call me all day and chose to call me whenever I tried to sleep.

"Hey, Dad," I greeted him.

"Julia, how have you been, dear? I miss you," Dad pattered.

"I'm good," I simply replied, not knowing what else to say.

"Look, I'm sorry. I know that I haven't been asking about you for the past couple of days. I was just busy. I know that I'm a horrible father, but please forgive me," Dad sighed.

"It's okay, dad. I'm not mad at you or anything. Well, it's just that I wish I could spend more time with you before I came in Chicago, but you were busy all the time. The only time I talked to you was when you were driving me to the airport," I mumbled and couldn't fight my tears anymore, so they automatically found their way out.

"I'm really sorry. You have no idea how much I wish to spend more time with you too. I'm an awful father," Dad placated.

"No, Dad. You're not. You just don't know how to find time to spend with us. You're always busy. You never tried to take some time off your work. I'm concerned for mum who will spend most of her time alone, because you are always out," I sobbed.

"Julia, please. I hate hearing you cry. It's all out of my control. I am just-"

"You what, Dad? You what, huh? You hate hearing me cry for once? What about telling you that I spent every day of my life crying myself to sleep because of you. I never felt that I have a caring and a warm father like all my friends have. You always made me feel worthless and unimportant. Dad, when was the last time you spent a whole day with me and mum? Like, you even went to work last Christmas for God's sake! Who the hell goes to work on Christmas? You never try to find some time for us even on the holidays," as I started to cry harder and couldn't resist my tears anymore, I could hear dad sighing in sorrow from the other side of the phone.