The Babysitter

20

𝗥𝗢𝗬𝗖𝗘

I felt bad yelling at her like that, but that topic was off-limits for me. No one, absolutely no one, dared to talk to me about it because it hurt me, broke me. It haunted me every night. The scene of Angelina, her body lying down on the ground, flawless, with only one eye left and cuts on her body. The bullet got into her eye, I know - I truly know that the bullet wasn't meant for her, but it did. It killed her and went through her eye.

The image of Angelina's body haunted me for years, and it still does. I couldn't shake it off my mind. I even went to therapy, but my cruel dad said I didn't need it. I only went two or three times to therapy. I knew who it was. I knew who did it. And I'm taking my revenge. Slowly but surely. No one knew who did it. But me? Sure, I did. I did my whole investigation, searched through everything until I found that fucker.

I was in the office, having finished my shower and preparations. I let Tate sleep comfortably; I didn't want to wake her up. Recalling my thoughts, why did I tell Tate about what happened? She changed me.

She really did. With everything, she has a bad influence on me, and I hated it. I hated her for being so genuine and sweet. I hated her cuteness, calmness, her clumsiness, and her sweetness. And most of all, her damn innocence. She's too innocent, goddamn it. It turns me on every time I think about it. She doesn't even know what the word "fuck" means. She's turning twenty soon. But how? How does she not know about all those things? Did her parents never teach her? What about her best friend? I think Angela knows, and Tate doesn't.

She's small, tiny, and so perfect. The way she looks at me with her big doe eyes, it makes me want to protect her. Cage her between my arms and save her from all those cruel people out there. But I'm one of them; I'm not any better. And that's what I'm scared of. If I did anything with that girl, I'd ruin her innocence. Did I really want to do it? Maybe. Yes.

I had plans with Melissa. Today was her uncle's birthday, and we were going to their house. They're throwing a masquerade ball-themed party. It's going to be really cool. I promised her uncle Alex that.

My family isn't going. Lately, all the work is on me. Dad and mom aren't doing much. They always take Angela and go on trips with her outside. I know why. I know so well. This always happens because they used to do that with Angelina.

It's been a while since we've heard about Nathaniel. I'm starting to feel like there's something wrong, and he's planning something big. Like I even care. He can do whatever he wants, but I know deep down that he's not going to touch Tate. I won't let it happen. On my damn grave, it won't happen.

I got a call from Melissa. Where has she been? I'm starting to suspect something from her. She's up to something. I'll find out soon enough.

"Hello, baby, I missed you," she says. Weirdo.

"Don't baby me. What time should we be at your house?" I reply rudely. I was only using her. Melissa was nothing but a key to my revenge. You'll probably ask why, but you'll know soon enough.

"Okay. Anyways, it starts at eight, but we should be there at seven. Plus, I'm coming over after an hour. See you, babe." I groan, ending the call. Even her voice annoys me.

"Something came up." Enzo storms into my office with Miguel behind him. If it was anyone else, I would've shot them.

"What happened?" I ask, not taking my eyes off my laptop.

"Nathaniel. He's going to do something soon. His men were here, Royce, well not here exactly, but they were stalking and following us. Me and Miguel. If this guy is playing this game, we need to do something about him. Let's kidnap one of his men. But that won't work. He won't care. Think with me, Miguel, who should we kidnap?" Enzo turned to face Miguel, who was leaning on the door. His muscles flexed, and he always had a mean face. His jaw twitched.