Illuminate

Chapter 7

She knows. She has to know, I kept repeating in my head.

Margaret stared blankly through me.

Oh no.

She finally came back from her tired trance. "Yes, I do. You'd have to be blind not to know where it is. Here, I'll write you directions. I have a sore throat, and it hurts to talk," Margaret croaked as I followed her inside. Ruth came out of her bedroom and yawned.

"What are you doing here?" she asked.

I smiled at her disheveled state. "Just getting some information."

"Oh. Well, I'm going back to bed," Ruth said as she headed toward her bedroom. "See you tomorrow, Veya."

Margaret finished and handed me a slip of paper. Looking at it, I realized I did know where Oliver lived. He lived on Gracechurch Road in surprisingly modest conditions.

"Wow! I thought he would love in a mansion," I said with awe.

"Well, when you've known someone your whole life, you realized their convictions. He doesn't believe in high-society life," Margaret explained.

I smirked. Margaret fantasized over Oliver too much.

"Thanks, Margaret, but I have to go. That is, if I want to sleep at all tonight." I bid her farewell and let myself out.

This was turning out to be a strange night.

______________________________

After work the next day, I pulled the paper with directions to Oliver's house from my clutch and set off. it was only a few miles, so I decided to walk.

The brisk winds made me feel cold; though I had brought a coat, I still shivered in the late October weather.

Once I confirmed I was in Oliver's neighborhood, I located his dwelling and knocked. He opened after a few seconds of waiting.

"Veya! Come in! I wasn't expecting you. Is there something wrong?" he asked with concern in his voice. Fake concern?

Stop judging his character, I scolded myself.

"No, there's nothing wrong. I just have a few questions," I replied. Suitable answer, in my opinion.

He seemed genuinely interested. "Oh?"

I nodded. "Can we sit down? This might take a little while."

"Sure. Make yourself comfortable. Would you like some tea?"

"Yes, please. It's chilly out." As if to make an emphasis on my statement, my teeth involuntarily chattered.

He stood and walked to the kitchen, and a couple minutes later returned with two steaming mugs.

"You wanted to ask me something?" Oliver confirmed as he set the tea in front of me.

"Okay, there's no way to ease into this, so here I go. How do you know about Roger? And why is he coming to London?"

Oliver cleared his throat. "My father is acquainted with him and his family through business. I personally met Roger a few months back when we collaborated for a project. We spent significant amounts of time together, and through that I learned of you. He pretended to care deeply for you, but I could see through it. Social status, perhaps? Anyway, we had planned another meeting in November. He was going to come and have a conference at my fathers business. Over our letters, I found out that you two were no longer together. Roger explained that nobody told your parents of this, so he was regularly informed of your circumstances by your mother."

"That little snitch!" I cried. My eyes filled with tears. "How could he do this to me?"

Oliver looked puzzled but continued. "Roger found out about your increased salary ad of the checks you were sending home every month. He became jealous. See, Roger hasn't been doing too well financially lately. He thinks by finding you and convincing you he's sorry, you'll want to get back with him and get married. Your monthly checks would then go home to him, and nobody would be the wiser. Except you, since we had this conversation."

I sniffled. "But I'm still safe, right? He can't find me here. London is a huge city. It would take him ages to find where I live."

"Or so he makes it seem. He's either derived your whereabouts from your parents, or he's looked somewhere else, such as the enlistment offices to find where you work. It's just a matter of time. I wouldn't advise refusing him, to be honest. Better to make him unable to reach you at all than to make him seriously angry and act impulsively. He can be dangerous."

"It's absurd how he wants my money. I mean, I don't get paid that much. Besides, how can he afford a trip across the ocean if he's so pressed for money?" I challenged.

Oliver had an immediate answer. Smart guy. "Private funding. And from what I hear, you're quite popular in your hometown."

I checked my watch. Quarter to eight already! My stomach grumbled on cue. "Thank you for telling me all those things. You have no idea how helpful you've been, Oliver."

Oliver chuckled. "My pleasure. And, speaking of food, because I noticed your stomach noises, would you like to accompany me to dinner sometime?"

A month ago, my automatic answer would have been no. Now that I knew Oliver better, I felt that I owed him one.

"Sure, I'd be happy to. I'm free most nights."

"Thank you. It's been a while since I've had a chance to relax, you know?"

I nodded. "I'm sorry, but I really should be getting home. Its late."

"Of course. I'll show you to the door." We got up and walked toward it.

"Well, I'll see you soon," I said awkwardly.

He smiled. "I'm sure we will. Goodnight, Veya."

He closed the door behind me, and I began the walk home.

Once safely inside my own apartment, my mind started racing. I silenced myself and ate dinner.