Hörny Boss

Chapter 31

VERA'S POV

I stared at Nathan's door for over twenty minutes, wondering why he was always distracted these days. His door was open, but he didn't even notice me entering the building.

I decided to go into my house and mind my business. He's an adult, good-looking young man, successful and at the right age to find his missing ribs. I can't dip my nose while he has done nothing but be so caring and nice towards me.

As I fumbled to open my door which suddenly became a hard thing for me to do, I recalled an hour ago when I was still at Jay's house.

I had gone there, created a big scene by slapping him in front of his girlfriend, and made a total fool of myself because of false assumptions that led to me raising a false alarm.

"What makes you think I would do such a thing to you?! I was indeed carried away by your looks, I mean every guy I know was a prey to that, but I swear to God, I have never even thought of that," Jay had protested.

"How do you explain coming to someone's house, accusing the person wrongly, and embarrassing the person without contempt just because you think that person is behind your mystery without proof? You've got to be careful or get sued!" His girlfriend had reprimanded me.

I couldn't say any other word, I had stumbled to my apartment. When the key finally opened, I pushed the door open, stepped inside, and turned the lights on.

"No!" I screamed when I saw the condition of my kitchen and parlor.

My walls were splashed with red paint and papers were scattered all over the kitchen. All the pictures and paintings in the parlor were hung loose with damaged frames.

I ran outside and flung myself on Nathan's broad chest. He must've run outside when he heard me scream.

"Someone broke into my house!" I gasped, pointing at the entrance to my kitchen.

"Calm down, I'm here for you." He hugged me tightly.

"I'm horrified, Nathan. Who's doing this to me? Why can't he just show himself and tell me how I offended him? I could apologize, you know, or maybe give him whatever he wants so he can leave me the hell alone?!" I broke into tears.

"Hey, don't cry… Vera, it's gonna be all right. I think we should report this to the cops, they'd investigate and…" He trailed off.

"Your suggestion is gonna help a great deal, I haven't even thought about it. How the hell am I going to fix my kitchen? Everything is scattered and whoever he is has poured red paint on the walls," I told him as he took a closer look at the room.

"I will help you take care of everything by tomorrow. I'm just wondering how this person got access to your keys,"

"I thought about it too, but there are many fake and master keys out there. Plus, if we are dealing with a thug, he should know how to open keys with other objects."

"What, then, should we call this? I have the feeling that whoever is doing this is a psycho, no one in their right mind would do something so terrifying to his idol?" Nathan wondered.

"Idol? It sounds funny and crazy at the same time. I just wish it was a dream that I would wake up from," I stepped away from him.

"Why did you come back today?" He asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"Shouldn't I come back to my house? Oh, maybe I should take permission from you to do so? You shouldn't be at home by this time, too; it's very unlike you, and I'm beginning to suspect that," I threw at his face.

"Vera, you can't possibly think I would do this… to you!" He said, pointing at my kitchen.

"Right now, everyone is a suspect." I blurted.

"I know why you are sounding like this. What's his name again? It's that Jack of Guy that is poisoning your mind! Vera, remember that you don't know much about him the way you know me. I think you should be more careful with him," he said thoughtfully.

I opened my mouth to disagree with him, but I closed it when I saw it from his perspective. I doubt his assumptions because I know Jack much more than I know him. It's wrong for me to say it out loud, I know how stupid it would sound because he won't understand.

"I will just go. Don't worry about cleaning the mess, I will do that when I'm ready to…"

"Why? Do you believe anything that comes out of his mouth that much? Vera, do I have to spell out how I feel about you before you notice? C'mon babe, I know you aren't that slow-witted," He cut me off.

Wait, was that an open confession? Jack was right about my good neighbor having feelings for me while I looked up to him as a good friend and took him like my own brother?!

"What exactly are you trying to say?" I asked him in surprise.

"Vera, I… I like you. I feel jealous that he took you away from me when I thought we were heading somewhere." He confessed in all seriousness.

He tried to touch me, and I moved back; he just gave me more reasons to suspect him. "Tell me the truth, Nathan, have you been the one doing this to me?"

"I'm not… Vera, I…"

I didn't wait to hear him spit out his rubbish, I locked my door and walked out of the building that housed both of us.

I need to talk to Jack now. I can't take in all of this alone! I ran inside the first taxi I saw on the road and gave the driver directions to Jack's mansion.

When the taxi parked in front of the mansion, a twinkle of hope splurged in my heart. I ran inside happily to see Monica and some group of other ladies partying inside his big and spacious parlor.

I felt disappointed. They smoked, drank alcohol, and danced around the parlor. I wondered why Jack would allow her to turn his home into a clubhouse.

"Sweetheart, there you are! Come on and join us," One of the women invited me immediately when she saw me.

The others noticed me as well and the atmosphere changed when the boss lady, Monica, twirled around to see me. She laughed loudly and walked around me.

"So babes, this is the husband snatcher I have been telling you all about. Can you imagine, the bîtch thinks she can control my husband and call the shots in my family?!" She accused

"Oh, she's Vera…no, sèx doll? You just disappointed me, Monica, I was looking forward to seeing some hot chick! She's not Jack's type of girl. Don't you guys agree with me here?" Another lady mocked.

"You're right, Emma, that's why Jack left without even letting her know. She offered herself cheap, he took advantage like he always does and left her to figure things out on her own!" Another laughed.

I wasn't moved by what they were saying and didn't mind knowing that Monica must've told them trash about me out of jealousy, but I was hoping the fact that Jack left was a lie, too.