Falling

22 | Option One

It took me about 30 minutes to calm Tatum down after I told her about Dante. I left out all the intimate parts... for now.

Talking to her knocked some sense into my head. Reminded me that this man had threatened such a sensitive part of me. And for that I hated myself for giving him a part of me.

But another part of me wondered if he knew the real history. I never asked.

Number 6 on the contract stated;

"If you fail to comply. Your true identity of Amelia Johnson will be released. The forged documents of foster residential care will be uncovered."

I had memorized those lines. Remember the feeling of reading them for the first time.  It felt as though my world crumbled before me. I knew that there was a string of hope that Dante didn't know what Matt had done. If he did, he wouldn't have used that against me would he?

"Why don't we order some Chinese food, watch a movie and have a little recovery day?" Tatum questioned.

I nodded my head yes and settled next to her on the couch as she brought her phone up to her ear to order us some food.

While she was on the phone, I heard mine ring from the room over. Confused on who could be calling me I sat up walking to my room and grabbing it from the nightstand.

Unknown.

Fuck.

Declining the call, I slid my phone into my back pocket and headed back out to the living room. The last thing I needed was to deal with Dante today.

"I ordered it, will be here in 30 minutes!" She said excitedly and turned on a random Netflix movie. I settled in opposite of her on the couch, her legs next to my body and mine next to hers. The movie had just started when I felt the back of my pocket vibrate. As discreetly as possible I moved my hand to retrieve my phone.

Unknown: Stop ignoring me Amelia. Answer your phone.

Sliding my eyes to see if Tatum had noticed me, I came across her engrossed in the movie.

Me: I've kept my mouth shut. No secrets spilled. No need to call.

Unknown: Cut the shit Amelia. Call me back ASAP, it's important.

Unknown: It's about the pictures, I just want to fucking discuss it with you.

Rolling my eyes I tucked my phone in my back pocket.

"Hey, I'm gonna run to the bathroom." I said while standing up, Tatum just shook her head too focused on the movie in front of her to notice me leaving.

Sliding into my bathroom I pulled my phone out again and closed the toilet lid sitting down. I clicked on the contact and hit call.

"You finally came to your senses," came his voice after the third ring.

"What do you want, Dante." I shook my head wanting to make this quick. "Tatum is in the other room. I can't talk for long." I waited for an answer.

"The pictures. You've seen them?" He asked, his voice sounding hard and stern.

"Yes." Was my only reply.

"I've gotten almost all the articles taken down except one. I'm working on getting the authors contact now. I know you missed work today." He spoke again.

So much in one sentence.

"What do you mean you're working on getting the authors' contact?" I shook my head, "you're not threatening anyone are you." I said getting a bit angry.