Secrets We Keep

8

As more days go by, the more I feel comfortable with Will. I don't want to, and my heart is telling me that there's more to this whole marriage "keeping me alive" situation but for now, while I'm still alive, I'm going to figure it out. I just need to be smart about it.

The guards stand outside Will's office, one guard on each side of the door, I walk past them giving them a small nod which they nod back. I need to get myself out of here. I think as I enter the bedroom. I jump in surprise as I see Rodriguez sitting on the edge of the bed, abruptly closing the journal she was reading. "Oh, Lorrie, I didn't hear you come in... how're you doing?" She asks with haste, as if she was out of breath. I give her a strange look and glance around the room.

"This is my room... I just needed to lie down for a bit." I sit down on the opposite side of the bed beside her and plop onto the bed with a heaving sigh. What is she doing here unannounced? I think as I close my eyes, trying to get as comfortable as I can.

Rodriguez places the journal beside me and plops onto the bed too. "I get that... It's been a hectic week, huh." She says, looking at me. When I don't reply she looks away, almost in annoyance. "Well... okay. I'm going to go for a shower, I'll leave you to it."

She gets up from the bed, giving me a small wave and leaves the room, without the journal. "Rodriguez-"

And the door is slammed shut. I look down at the journal, it has to be old from all the dust collected on the insides. I watch as the footsteps reside and go further and further away from the room. Oh well... I think as I observe the details indented into the journal. Let me just take one look inside it, I mean she had to leave it for some reason. I opened the first page of the journal, The Owner Of This Journal: William Thorne.

My eyes widen in surprise as I flip through all the pages of this journal. This is Will's journal. Now I have to read it.

I flip to the middle of the journal, the bright highlighted words blind my eyes for a moment before I bring the journal close up and read,

Dear Journal,

This isn't one of my old vents or sad poems, I'm a changed man, a grown man. I've finally hired another thief. Lorelei... Lorrie... She's a pretty girl, her hair is magical. But I can't forget who I am and what I do. Worst case scenario, I fire her. I'd rather fire her and keep my dignity than keep her around and lose control. Finally, I have control. I can't let it go. Not until I gain the respect I deserve and desperately need.

Until then,

Will.

I finish the entry and place the book beside me in shock. This entry was taken when I was hired?! I think as I recall the memory. This journal keeps getting more and more interesting. I skip a few pages and land on a random page near the very end of the journal.

Dear Journal,

It's been a while since I last wrote here, and I just need to get my feelings out so that nobody else can judge me. I've completely fallen for Lorrie. I can't help it. Too bad she's with Malachi, or was, all I know is that I need to get rid of him if I want to have a chance with her. Even though I'm her boss, does it really matter? The title doesn't really mean anything other than me bossing people around. Plus, me being the boss means I can do whatever I want. They signed a contract, and their lives are in my hands, I'll tell her eventually I just need to find the right time.

Sincerely,

Will

Dear Journal,

I've finally done it. I've gotten rid of Malachi. Too bad Lorrie's baby had to go, she was so cute. I wanted to spare her, after all, she'd be my step-kid if all went accordingly, but she didn't like me, so she had to go "bye-bye". But unfortunately, they both "died" in front of Lorrie... the look she gave me when Malachi was shot, even though she didn't exactly care for him, almost broke me– almost. Well, he better be thankful, the only reason I kept him alive was because of Lorrie. I just hope the medics fixed him permanently. We'll see.

Sincerely,

Will

I toss the journal to the other side of the room. MALACHI IS STILL ALIVE?! After all that's happened, I don't even care about my history with Malachi, it's history. Forgotten forever, I just want my old life back. But why did Rodriguez have the journal? Did she give it to me just to see this? How would she have known?

I placed the journal back on the vanity hoping that was where it was originally. If Malachi is still alive, he's got to be here in this building. With a new sense of hope, I leave the room, looking for any hidden rooms or restricted areas within the residence. Will's still in his office... I can use that to search outside in the backyard.

I walk into the backyard, the cool breeze gives my exposed shoulders visible goosebumps as I look around for any hidden doors or areas. I scan the yard, the decor from the wedding is still here, not taken down. I walk further down the backyard, distant mumbling and arguing catch my attention from the corner of the yard. Rodriguez and Will? I think as I quickly look away, hoping they don't see me, but close enough that I'll hear them.

"...have you done your part? Your part of the deal?" Will asks Rodriguez. Her part of what deal?

"Yes. I left the journal in your room. Hopefully she read it. Then we can move on to the text part of the plan." Rodriguez replies, her heels clicking against the tiled interlock, walking towards my hiding spot. So she knew about Malachi this whole time?! Is that why she gave me the diamond? Was she sent by Will from the get go? All these unanswered questions roam in my head, but the sound of Rodriguez's heels clicking louder helps me get back into reality. I quickly went into a room hidden in the backyard, hoping they hadn't seen me. Praying that they hadn't seen me.

I turn on the lamp beside me, my eyes adjusting to the light. A bunker? I grab the lamp and walk around the area, looking at all the decor and pictures mounted on the wall. I continue exploring the area with newfound interest and intrigue, until I feel a presence nearby. I turn around, standing behind me– Malachi. A poorly wrapped bandage around his head and other bandages wrapped around his shoulder and arms. I stare at him with a mix of horror and fear. "It was about time you found me, hm?" He mutters, rolling his eyes as he sees the ring on my finger. "You married him?! After what he did to me?! To Maeve?!" He looks at me with disgust before slumping down on a nearby beanbag, the dust visible as he sits.

I walk beside him, tears threatening to fall. "Malachi, you really think I'd marry him? I didn't have a choice, you know what he can do." I slump beside him, gently touching his bandages. "How could I purposely marry the killer of my baby-"

His lips touch mine. Whether to shut me up or for any other reason. Either way it worked. I look up at him, an eyebrow raised in confusion. It's wrong to do this, but why does it feel right?

"Sorry... I shouldn't have done that. I'm just happy to see you, that's all." I glance at him with a small smile. I hate being vulnerable. Now even more than ever. I tried being vulnerable not once, but twice, and both of them turned their backs on me, pretending to be someone they weren't. It's not like Malachi has a clean record with me either, he DID leave me...

I stare at him with continuous silence, my smile faltering. "Yeah... you shouldn't have." I get up from the floor, dusting myself off. I carry the lamp and find my way out of the bunker.

"Good luck getting out of here, Lorrie."

I roll my eyes at him, slowly so he can see my annoyance. I unlock the door to the bunker with a grin, getting out of the bunker. It's just a shame it can't always be that easy.

Because why is my husband pointing a gun at my head?