Jayvion
I propped my elbow on the table, scrolling through the security details of Aurelia's house that Trevor sent me. It was to distract myself from the thoughts of Aurelia. How ironic. She asked the question I least expected and almost showed her my weakest point. Or maybe she'd already seen my weak point. The question brought out a lot of reaction from me and I'd been stupid if I didn't feel like a coward running away from the question. I'd buried my past pretty well until she saw the name tattooed on my skin. The curious writer wouldn't stop until she had her answer. I just know it. The name burned in my skin as I carried the weight of my past, my fears, my weakness and my mistake.
My earlier statement to her had been a double entendre: "It's safe as long as no one breaches the security". I was referring to the security of her house and also my own security. I am safe as long as she didn't break my illusion of being safe after my past mistake.
"Mr Carell" I heard Trevor's voice behind me and I twirled around from my seat to face him, slamming the grief of Twyla and my wallowing self- blame into a mental box, where thought like that were stored.
"You will want to check the feeds from Ms Blackwood's residence" he stated, eyes darting with professionalism.
Something was wrong. I could feel it. See it in Trevor's eyes. Hear it in the coldness of his voice. Aurelia is in trouble.
I turned back to the computer, clicked a key and wore a headphone. The hidden cameras lit up different rooms in Aurelia's house. I studied the screen for a while listening to the audio. I saw her enter the house. Then she was using her old phone. Stubborn Little Writer. Then, she was on the couch, crying. My Twyla, in tears. Whoever made her cry is already a dead man. Next, she was at the door with her friend. What caught my eyes was the phone in her friend's hand-- and the image displayed on its screen. My eyes darkened as I watched the screen with severe intensity. Anger rose from my gut, so potent I could taste it bitter on my tongue.
I removed the headphone and turned to Trevor. My eyes were bloodshot, smoldering with impending violence.
"Get the cars, Trevor"
Aurelia
A knock came at the door but I ignored it. It came again, this time more urgent and nonstop. I reluctantly got up and went to open the door.
There, at the door was Freya. She stood there, staring at me with an expression I couldn't name. It's either worry, annoyance or disappointment.
She held her phone up to my face, the nude picture Felix sent me visible on the screen.
"Aurelia" she said, her voice dangerously quiet.
"What is this?"
I stood there, defeated. My worst nightmare just turned real and I was left with no defense. Freya will never respect me as a woman. She'll always see me as the girl who sent intimate pictures to a guy not as a lady being blackmailed.
"Say something, Relia" she pleaded, her voice cracking as I stood there, mute.
I tore my gaze from the screen and sank to my knees, every defensive wall crumbling as I cried.
"Oh c'mon, Relia. What's wrong" she crouched down, hugging me close.
"I... I'm.. I'm sorry" I sobbed. I don't know what to tell her. There's nothing I could say to convince her. This was my fault.
"Shhhh. It's okay, it's okay. " she hushed, helping me up and guiding me to the couch.
"Stop crying and tell me what's wrong. I'm here. I promise I won't judge you" she cooed, wiping my tears away. I stared into her eyes which was glistening with sincerity and concern that made my heart clench.
I finally gathered the courage to tell her what's going on and she listened with rapt attention.
"You're hurting yourself trying to deal with this alone. Why didn't you tell me you were going through hell?" She asked, her voice soft.
"I..I didn't want to involve you" I said in between sobs.
"You were scared I'm gonna judge you? We are best friends for a reason, Aurelia. You should have trusted me" she ran her fingers through my hair in a comforting manner.
"Right now, I see my best friend being blackmailed by her heartless ex boyfriend" she added. That made me cry some more. I should have trusted her with my secrets.
"Now you have to stop crying and let's think about how to solve this. Let's find a way to delete those pictures and deal with Felix" her voice was firm, laced with a protective ferocity.
"Did you know anyone who can help?" She asked. I stayed silent. My eyes darted from the sleek black phone Jayvion gave me then back to Freya's curious ones. Should I tell Jayvion? No, it'll be awkward considering how our last conversation ended. Moreover, If I tell him, it'll be handing the piece of my shameful past to him. I'll be--
"The clock is ticking, Relia!" Freya voice cut through my internal debate.
I reluctantly picked up the encrypted phone and opened the dial pad. Jayvion's number appeared on the speed dail. Freya watched me keenly as I called him. He picked up in the first ring. At that same moment, the door opened and there at the door, stood Jayvion, the phone on his ear. Trevor stood behind him like a sentinel. A wave of dangerous, focused energy emanated from Jayvion as his gaze locked on my tear-streaked face. Fresh tears rolled down my cheeks as his voice, both on the phone and in the room reached me.
"My Little Writer"