The Stranger

Chapter 26 - Cassandra

The way home was awkward. I was quiet on my way to the airport from Alex's house and on the two-and-a-half-hour flight to London, I pretended to sleep. When I arrived at my apartment, I could tell Alex knew something was wrong when he didn't ask to come in when the uber dropped us back. Valeria's visit and comments had thrown a curve ball at what had been a dream weekend in Spain.

"I know who you are".

John's words kept repeating in my head after Valeria had warn me about Alex, who had been nothing but amazing since we met. But what if it was just a façade? What if I didn't even know him? I had let him in so quickly that I had forgotten to put my walls up to protect myself. Or was he just good at putting my walls down? Valeria was right, he had hurt me, even if I had liked it at the time, he had hurt me. I was ashamed of the marks on my wrists now and I could not help but cry while I was in the shower.

I had to go to work tomorrow and for the first time in a very long time, I didn't feel like it. I didn't want to see Alex and forget about what Valeria said as soon as I saw him. My phone buzzed.

"Good evening. Please don't think I am ignoring you. I noticed you weren't ok after meeting my ex-wife, understandably so. I am giving you some time, so you don't feel pressured when you are ready to talk about. See you tomorrow at work.

Goodnight, Alex"

My finger lingered on the screen while I stared at the text from Alex. I didn't know what to say but he had a way of always saying just the right words. It was rude not to reply but I didn't know if I should, so I left him on read for now. I needed to clear my mind, so I started unpacking. There wasn't a lot to unpack as I was only gone for a few nights, and I didn't wear a lot around Alex. While I was checking the pockets on my pants before putting it in the laundry basket, I noticed something weird. A card in one of the pockets. It was from Valeria. It was a simple yet elegant business card with something written on it, she must have placed it in my pocket secretly when we were talking.

"In case you need to talk."

A thousand thoughts came to my head all at once.

"I know who you are".

"Be careful with him. There is dark side. He has already hurt you."

I placed the card on my kitchen counter and headed to bed. I didn't want to think about Alex or Valeria or John, or anything. I opened my phone, Alex's text still on the screen. I replied.

"Goodnight."

The next morning, I got ready to go to work but on my way there I decided to text mum to see how she was.

"Hi mum. How are you feeling?"

"I'm great thank you. I'm going home today".

"That's great. Need me to pick you up?"

"No thank you. I know you have work".

"It's ok. I could use a day off. I can come see you."

"A day off? Who are you and what have you done with my daughter?"

"Very funny mum"

"Well, if you can come that would be ok. If not, the hospital offered to take me home in an ambulance."

"Nonsense. I'll take you home."

"Ok. I'll tell the people here. John left his phone number for you yesterday. He said he needed to show you something. That it was important."