The Handsome Devil

Chapter 45 - Good news, Bad news

The day after their fight, Deya woke up to an empty flat, the fact filling her with contradicting thoughts. On one hand, it was relieving not having to face Hunter and potentially risk another tantrum. On the other side, the unlimited possibilities of what he might be doing have preoccupied her mind for the better part of the morning.

Did he leave for good?

That would be quite ironic considering he went off on her for trying to do the same.

But it wouldn't be his first act of hypocrisy either.

The rumbling of her stomach let her know someone surely does miss his presence but she didn't give in until the nausea threatened to turn her stomach upside down, which was shortly after noon.

Let's check the fridge.

She has long forgotten all the recipes and prepared herself for the uncertain results. However, before her hand yanked the door open, the white paper folded in half and bearing her name caught her attention for the first time.

Is it from Hunter?

Internally, she face palmed right after the question popped in her head. Who else would it be from, Einstein?

It became impossible to think clearly as her trembling fingers reached for it.

Is it a goodbye letter?

A suicide note?

With the last thought, she sped up her movements and turned to read.

The words kept dancing in front of her eyes, but it didn't take long to determine his life is not in danger.

In reality, it was an 'apology letter'.

It seems that Hunter - just like her  - spent quite a while to contemplate the fight and came to the conclusion his behaviour was over the line.

For most part, he talked about his inability to handle her rejection and overreacting when he thought he's about to loose her. Unsurprisingly, this part was followed by promises he'll do his best to come to terms with it - even if she decided to leave.

He also offered clarification to the statement made about the Kings. Supposedly, the reason he took the mission in the doghouse was to keep a protective eye on her and to prevent the Kings from going through with the kidnapping. Yesterday he decided to leave that part out because he wanted to hurt her.

Although his emotions seemed sincere and the word 'sorry' appeared in nearly every sentence, the girl wasn't quite sure whether to believe it. That is both the part with the Kings AND his promises that it won't happen again.

After all, isn't it how the cycle of abuse starts?

Her belly gave her another vigorous warning and she decided to deal with problems one by one. It's not like someone's gonna solve them for me, right?

But it proved that even her 'self' wasn't of much help, and when Hunter's keys finally jingled in the lock, she still had no idea how to react to the apology and her stomach was empty except one half-burnt toast.

The letter.

Right as he walked through the door and their eyes met, she had an absolutely unrelated realisation.

"Do you think we could go check my PO Box?" She blurted in half-absent voice, catching the man completely of guard.

Since they moved in, there were too many things on her mind to think about correspondence from her father.