M.I.A 2 : New Beginnings

4

Talia...

"That van is out there again, Mia."

"Well, babe, I don't know. Maybe it's not that big of a deal. It's probably the neighbor's, like you first thought."

"It is that big. This time it's not even in front of Mike's house, it's one house down today. Closer. It just fucking sits there, it's bothering me. I feel like whoever is in there is watching us. If this happens again tomorrow I'm going over there and breaking their fuckin' neck. That better not be who I think it is!"

"Cairo, baby, relax. Please. I-It could just be paparazzi if anything, this isn't the first time they came around. Don't overreact and hush before Talia hears you.."

I stood on the second to last step listening to my parents talking, hidden behind a wall. Only reason I eavesdropped was because of how angry my dad sounded, I thought they were arguing. His temper is on another level, I've seen it firsthand.

But what's this van they're talking about?

I made stomping noises with my feet to make it seem like I was coming from the top of stairs and then walked down the last one. I didn't want them to know I heard anything and as soon as they heard me "come downstairs", they dropped the subject.

My dad's face changed immediately. He smiled at me and gave me a hug.

"Goodmorning, Ladybug. How'd you sleep?"

"Pretty good. Hey Mom, what'd you cook?"

"Pancakes, eggs, and sausages. Your plate is in the microwave"

Unlike my dad, who's an incredible actor, my mom was terrible at hiding her anxiety. It was plastered all over her face and evident in her voice. I didn't want to say anything now but I'll probably ask about it later. I retrieved my plate, something to drink, and sat in the living room to watch TV.

___

Mia...

I walked upstairs to my bedroom. I wanted to run, but the last thing I felt like doing was alerting Talia. I felt a wave of fear and stress I thought I got rid of years ago, rush over me.

When I made it, without collapsing from feeling so dizzy, I shut the door and reached for the safe behind a painting over our bed.

In the safe was valuable things, money, and something I should have burned, but didn't, so many years ago. When Talia was just a baby.

I pulled the letters from the back corner of the safe. I don't know why I felt the need to, but I did. My fingers trembled, remembering how scared I was my first time reading them.

(2011)
Hey mia, you don't know who this is but I'm aware of who you are. Not just because your famous haha. But on another level. You've matured so beautifully since I last saw you. Starting to look more and more like Chanel everyday

(2011)
Hey..it's me again. I'm pretty sure you got my last letter, i saw you get it from your mailbox last week. Maybe you don't take the time out to read fanmail but I'm not just a fan. You might as well call me family as long as I've known you. Just write me back and put it back in your mailbox after reading this so I can expand further on who I am, I'll get it..hope I hear from u soon..

(2012)
So you move and I still haven't heard from you wow..I know your getting my letters Mia I can fucking see you! I don't wanna act crazy but your pushing me. I know where you live.. Just respond Jesus Christ it's not that hard. Is this how u treat family now that your in the limelight?? Oh and congrats on Talia turning two she's just as gorgeous as you. Tell the family I said hello..

(2013)
ok..i see how it is now. I'll be seeing you real soon.

After the second letter I was trying to get the police to track this person down any way they could. My home was under patrol for years. They were about to end it, being that they never saw anything suspicious. Then one night they caught someone sneaking to my mailbox at three in the morning, delivering that very last letter I've ever received. They immediately detained him, some guy name Johnathan, and I was told he wouldn't bother us ever again. Ever since then, I haven't gotten another anonymous letter or seen anyone around my house.

I was comfortable again after being paranoid for months.

And now I feel like it's all coming back.

I heard Cairo shouting and it quickly ripped me from my thoughts. I rushed downstairs and saw Talia sitting on the couch looking towards the front door, wide-eyed.

Cairo was outside, keys in hand, rushing towards his car. I ran up to him, grabbing his arm that was flexed and displayed rows of veins from his balling his fist so tight. He immediately froze on his tracks and when he turned to me his face was red with anger.

"Baby relax, where are you going? What happened?"

He slowly walked past me and back into the living room. He sat down to catch his breath and I sat next to him rubbing is back. When he finally calmed down he said,

"That same van pulled up in front of our house and the pussy ran up, putting something in our mailbox. I saw him out the window and when I ran outside to beat his ass he had already sped off. I was going to chase after him, but you stopped me. Probably wasn't gone catch him anyway, but I couldn't see his face he had a hood on."

My heart dropped. I held Talia who looked beyond frightened and told her to just go in her room for now. She quickly complied.

I slowly walked towards my mailbox, feet feeling heavy. Opening it I retrieved the envelope and brought back inside, shutting the door behind me.

I carefully opened it and inside was a letter. At the bottom was necklace with a gold heart and a gold chain attached. Engraved in the heart was 'Talia'. I recognized it as the necklace I got my daughter for Christmas three years ago. The same one she thought she lost..a year ago.

Surprised I hadn't passed out by now, I unfolded the letter with shaky hands. Written in scrawled and sloppy writing was:

Here's Talias necklace back. I just thought it was pretty. Tell her not to leave her bag unattended while shes at the mall.

did you miss me?

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I'VE BEEN AWAY FOR SO LONG IM SORRY I MISS YALL. I️ had this chapter sitting here for a while I figure I'd post it now and get it out the way. Once again imma try to get back on here more often because as usual, school is taking up my time.
But I'm also in the process of joining the Army (Active Duty) so that's keeping me busy too 🌝

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