Chapter 33 - Tom

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I finished clearing up my dishes and retired to the sofa, turning to my usual movie channel. I glanced at the clock and knew Maia would probably be drinking by now. It was almost 6pm and she had texted me around two hours ago saying she was loving the place and already having fun. It settled me greatly knowing she was enjoying herself and I could focus on keeping an eye on things here while she focused on having some well-deserved time away.

I lay back on the sofa and focused on the film, even though being here alone without her was starting to cause my paranoia to rise. The fact someone was targeting Maia in a seriously messed up way had weighed heavy on my mind since the day she had told me. Now that I was here, in the very apartment this person had let themselves into and destroyed the place, I was anxious. There was no telling when this person would return and I was nervous they would try it tonight. If this person was close to her, if they knew she was away tonight, they would surely seize the opportunity. Little would they know, I would be here to greet them when they came through that door.

I could here the light mumble of the television from her neighbour and the voices from the neighbour on the other side. The walls were thin, but the sounds were comforting. Every now and then, I would hear footsteps pounding through the corridor outside that would cause me to sit up in my chair then settle again once they disappeared. I heard a bang from the neighbour that caused me to jump up and I cursed at myself for acting so flighty. I had convinced myself this person was coming and I was psyching myself out for their arrival, trying to be prepared.

Outside the open window, I heard a car door slam and I moved to look outside, trying to glance down onto the street to see if anyone was entering the building. I couldn't make out anyone on the street below or notice anything suspicious.

I breathed to calm myself down and returned to the sofa, turning down the volume on the movie. After a few minutes, I heard footsteps again out in the corridor. I continued to focus on the movie as I paid attention to them growing closer to the door and waited for the person to pass by. They didn't. I sat up quickly in my chair as I heard the person stop right outside the apartment door. There was no knock. I moved quickly across the apartment and glanced out of the peephole on the door. There was no one in sight, but I could still hear moving around outside the door. I stepped back from the door and glanced around the apartment, trying to think of a plan to prepare myself for whatever was about to happen.

Suddenly, the sound of a key in the lock sounded and I frowned as I wondered who would be unlocking this door with a key. A million thoughts raced in my head. Had Maia come home so soon? Had she travelled alone? Did she fall out with her friend?

I braced myself as the door slowly opened and was expecting to see Maia's face appear through the dim hallway, only to be greeted by another.

The girl turned on the light and glanced up, jumping out of her skin as she saw me.

'What the fuck?!' she screamed. 'Who the fuck are you?!'

'Calm down,' I told her, sternly. 'Who on earth are you and what are you doing here?'

This had to be the stalker. This was how she had been getting in here; she had her own key. She must be someone known to Maia to have a key. The idea of the stalker being some huge, intimidating guy went out of my mind as I realised I couldn't put my hands on this small girl in front of me.

'I'm Lola!' she screeched. 'Who are...oh my god. Maia's not even here tonight; are you the creep that's been stalking her!? Oh my god, I'm calling the police.'

She started to back out of the door again and her face was full of fear.

'No!' I cried. 'I'm not the person that's been doing these things. I thought you might have been for a second there. Maia didn't say you were coming.'

She frowned and stepped forward again, kicking the door shut.

'She doesn't know. She keeps a spare key in the wall lamp. So, who are you and why are you in my best friend's apartment when she isn't even in town?' she questioned, sternly.

Suddenly, I didn't know what to say. I now knew this was Maia's best friend, who must have been here to keep an eye on things too for Maia while she was away. I didn't know how to explain who I was or why I was here, and my loss for words caused me to just stare at the girl making myself look more suspicious to her.

'Oh no...' Her face changed to a sense of clarity. 'Are you...? You're not...the consultant?'

My heart seemed to jump out of my chest as I realised she knew who I was. Maia had told her. She knew what was going on. I should have known she would tell her best friend; she was young and young girls did that sort of thing. I felt a small sense of annoyance at the irresponsibility of her actions, especially since I knew this girl was also working at the hospital. Who was to stop her from telling her own friends in her department and it getting around the hospital to ours? The only thing I could do now was be honest, considering I didn't know what Maia had actually told her.

'Yes, I am,' I replied.

'The surgeon she's been sleeping with from the hospital?' She raised an eyebrow.

'It's not like that,' I said, feeling myself getting annoyed at her words.

'Sure it isn't,' she sighed, and rolled her eyes. 'It wasn't too long ago she was almost crying to me at Harry's over you. Why are you here?'

'I'm keeping an eye on things in case this person tries to come back,' I told her.

'Well that's why I'm here so you can leave,' she told me.

'I'm not going to leave you here alone to deal with this person,' I said. 'They could be dangerous.'

'Don't play the hero,' she scoffed. 'I'll be fine.'

'Look,' I sighed. 'Just get yourself home, I'll take care of things here.'

'No!' She threw her bag down to the floor and moved to the lounge, dropping down onto the sofa.

I sighed and followed her, sitting myself down on the far end.

'Looks like we're both staying put then,' I told her.

She rolled her eyes. 'Fine by me, just don't talk to me.'

I followed her order and returned my eyes to the T.V where she had snatched up the control and changed it over to some reality show.

'Great,' I sighed, and sensed her roll her eyes for the millionth time, a habit both she and Maia shared.

I headed to the kitchen and began to make myself a coffee, sensing my night of peace was over and was going to be a long one.

'Coffee?' I forced myself to offer.

'Black!' she called, eyes still focused on the T.V.

I continued to make the drinks and forced myself to see the situation positively. At least she was back on good terms with her best friend and it was a nice gesture the girl had come here alone to look out for her. I told myself to focus on changing this girl's clearly negative opinion of me. If it was going to be a long night spent with her, the least I could do was make sure she saw how much I cared for her friend.

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