me with an inscrutable expression. Despite being involved in the altercation

e. The thought filled me with a surge of anger and resentment

ion to mother, making a zipping motion across my lips to indicate that I would keep quiet. Without ano

ng force. Despite the biting cold, I welcomed the discomfort, preferring to free

y. With no subway or bus in sight, and the ride-hailing app canc

ating whether to wait out the storm or brave the rain and continue on foot

the chill, a car pulled up beside me. The driver emerged, h

ou home," he said, his voice barel

m," I replied, my voice tinged with suspicion. After all, in

t of my stomach. Deep down, I knew he was the one who had been anonymously sending me tho

e, ""Sir, Miss Oprah doesn't trust me and doesn't want to get in the car."

ived a message from him. "Get i

lance of comfort. Yet, I couldn't shake off

ng like a heavy weight upon my shoulders. And when a bolt of lightning tore through th

nst my soaked clothes. Inside the confines of the vehicle, I couldn't help but fe

hoping to glean some insight into the mysteri

?" I pressed, my voice trembling wi

formation. "Miss Oprah, please don't make it difficult for me. I

questions swirling in my mind left unanswered. Who was h

t ponder the motives behind his actions. What kind of man relentles

we continued on our journey, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that ling

*

ing heavily upon me. Without bothering to change out of my soa

message from him, there was nothing. Not even a single message or call from mother

he one to safely escort me back from the rainy night. It was

rget the events of the day. But my respite was short-lived, as a high fever

the fever subsided in the early hours of the morning. Exhausted and

stumbled to the door, expecting to see mother on the other side. Instead, I was met

take the hint and leave me alone. But to my dismay, I

Burgess standing by the bed, holding a key in his hand. His usual col

u the key?" I snapp

nd asked me to come and chec

udden concern for my well-being. If she truly ca

coldly, urging him to leave. But he remained stubbo

unbothered at what I just said and

," I retorted sharply when

me like this?" he cou

ce. "How should I speak then? Why don't you teach me, Mr.

nce to leave, I couldn't help but provoke him further. "Why aren't you leaving? Are y

denly reached out and grabbed my chin, h

" he brea