Traces of Her

CHAPTER 21 Past

Mishka suddenly felt that she was suddenly standing in the dark. How come I am in here? I was just sleeping on the sofa....

"Why, do you think you could escape?"

That voice....it is him! Impossible you are already dead!

"Yes, I am dead but I will always haunt you! Ha ha ha!"the voice sneered,"then not long enough you will be with your Tyler!"

No!!!

"You can never escape,ha ha ha!"

Why...why is this happening? Why can I hear his voice and not His? Might be it went off....I need to find it but I can't move my body....only my hands...

Her hands reached out under her pillow but she could not find it. She reached on her side and touched the MP4. She then touched the wire of the headset that was plugged in it then put the earpiece back on her ear.

"What? Still using that to escape from me? Ha ha ha!" the voice said in insult.
Please! please! please!....I must do it faster....With trembling hands and unclear eyes sight she press the "on" button. Then the familiar voice suddenly starting to talk. Her heart beat suddenly calm down and she slowly close her eyes and smiled. She knew the voice will be gone for the meantime as long as she can hear His voice while going back to sleep.

Hmmm...is that coffee? Stephen thought as he woke up. He stretched his arm as he smell the aroma of the coffee down to his nostrils. Smells good...

He slowly opened his eyes and saw the rays of light cascading on the window. He abruptly stood up when he noticed the place was neat and clean. All of his scattered clothes and trash are gone. He can already clearly see his floor. Woah! Is this really my place?

He took his phone on the side table and saw it was already seven o'clock. Usually, he would wake up at five in the morning, since after Katrina died, but right now it is the first time he had a relaxing sleep. He suddenly notice Mishka was sitting on the small round dining table at her back. While reading a magazine. He slowly tiptoed and suddenly grab her at her shoulders causing her to jolt.

"Do you really need to do that?" Mishka said in a calm voice.

"Wait, why are you drinking that?" Stephen asked when he notice she was drinking coffee. He suddenly rushed in his drawer and pull out a pouch of powdered milk. "Here, drink this instead," giving her the milk while pulling the cup of coffee to him," while I'll have this." He took a sip."Hmm...taste good. I like it."

Mishka looked at him for a moment then stood up and walked at a small cabinet where he keeps his plates and cups.

"By the way, thanks for cleaning my room," Stephen said while pulling a chair to sit, "How about we go out and go shopping for the things you need,"

"Nope," she abruptly respond, declining his offer.

Stephen furrowed and his left eye brow went up."And why is that?"

Mishka went back to her seat while pouring the powdered milk into the mug. "I need to do the laundry. Your used clothes stinks,"

Stephen felt a stab on how bluntly she says. Can't she say it in a manner that can't give insult?

"Well... I am so sorry for it. Anyway, you could leave it there, I'll just wash it tomorrow,"

Mishka paused for a moment before replying, looking at the cup while stirring it, " I'll just do it since I am staying with you. Also, I need to do my own laundry."

Stephen was giving a sigh while putting the things he bought for Mishka. At the very end he still have not convinced Mishka to go with him. He was already at the parking lot of the mall where he did his shopping.

Stephen was pissed and at the same time amused while looking at Kevin who is happily eating his meal. An hour ago,Stephen finished buying the things Mishka needed and to his surprise Kevin is standing behind him and still asking him for his treat.

He was pissed because he wants to treat Mishka not this guy.

And was amused since when they entered the place this guy was looking around ,as if it is his time to enter this kind of place.

Also he asked for what purpose is the number(waiting number to be served) when he brought it with him after he paid the bill at the counter and the most intriguing part is when Kevin asked for a knife at the waiter who served them (which actually at the place they usually eat with their bare hands).

"Hey, Kev, you're not used to eat in this kind of place aren't you?"he asked.

Kevin suddenly widens his eyes in reaction." Well, I am sorry since my parents can't afford to treat me on this kind of restaurant. Anyway," changing the subject," This might be the last time I can hang out with you,since I quit on being an escort,"

"Why?" Stephen asked and its attention diverted to the topic, forgetting the scene a while ago.

"I am going back studying nursing,"

"What? Really? You're a nursing student?"

"Haven't I told you?" he respond indifferently.

"Nope," What the hell! I wouldn't react like this if I knew!

"Sorry for not telling you, bro," Kevin replied.

"Good for you. Isn't that course is expensive. But maybe you have enough money saved for your fees,"

"In a year with that kind of job? Well, compared to your rate, I'm far to low for that. Actually, my auntie--"

"The doctor you mean, which is my client before,"

"Yeah you're right. She's the one who will finance my expenses,"

"That's good. Me I might also quit. Since, I don't have to pay the bills anymore also, Mishka is already with me,"

"Oh, 'the adopted sister' you are always talking,"Stephen nodded in response."So you're gonna be a good big brother huh,"

Stephen smiled in response.

"By the way, it seems you're okay having a new sister? Aren't you shocked on taking the responsibility
that your Mom left?"

Stephen smiled again. "Actually, she is not a stranger to me. I actually met her when I was sixteen years old. She used to cling to me most of the time when she was young. And now I can't believe that she was already eleven years old,"

"It seems your fond of her,"

"Yeah, that's why I can't believe she refused to go shopping with me," Stephen complained feeling miserable.

Kevin suddenly laughed.

" What are you laughing?"

" The look on your face seems looks like a guy who was rejected by a girl. And to think of it's a eleven years old,"

Stephen glared at him in silence, then started to speak,"Where's your wallet?" he asked.

"Why?"

"Just give me your wallet," Stephen insist.

Kevin pull out his wallet and gave it to him.

Stephen looked inside it and pull a two hundred bill, gave back the wallet to him and stood up, "I changed my mind. I'm charging you for the meal." Stephen started to walk.

"Huh, wait, why?" Kevin asked confused while following Stephen outside.

"Try reflecting it on yourself,"Stephen simply replied irritated on his comment a while ago.