The Revelations of an Innocent Mind

CHAPTER 9: THE GIRL IN THE COFFEE SHOP

Anthony Platt, Jr., son of Elizabeth and Anthony Platt, Sr., 28 years old multi-millionaire CEO of Platt Corporations in England, UK.

I don't believe it for a minute. No CEO would think of staying at some cheap and grimy apartment if they could stay at a luxurious, five-star hotel. In addition, I hadn't even sensed an English drawl in the way he spoke. No. The information in my hand is falsified – something to tell the public when they ask about him. If anything, the only piece of information I believe therein was his age.

I browsed more of the document given to me by Mr. Jenks, finding his two office numbers, his address in England and here in the US, and a little bit about his hobbies. They all sounded superfluous, as if looking into the profile of a man who has everything in the world and who has the skills and capacity to do anything he wanted.

This isn't the same man who wouldn't go to the hospital when he had been stabbed.

I lie here three in the morning finding it hard to sleep, feeling as though all the information I've gathered today would crush my brains. Sipping my fourth cup of coffee, the question was once more brought to the forefront of my mind: what should I do now?

I know that keeping the information I have from the FBI is socially and morally wrong. Moreover, it makes me feel tremendous guilt. But at that time, when they had asked, I couldn't bring myself to say what I knew. But why couldn't I do it?

I sighed, hoping that sleep would finally find me.

When I woke up the next day, my dreams were still vivid … As if they had been real.

I remembered everything, and still felt the emotions I had experienced in my dream; Edward was dancing with me – the setting was the same as in the auction – and he made me twirl. When I faced him again, I didn't see the same, attractive man. Instead, his face was covered in blood, and in his right hand was a gun. He was smiling that same crooked smile, but it didn't have the same impact on me; for the first time, I was afraid of him.

I ran away from him, only to stumble on something. When I looked at what it was, I saw a body. Frightened, I screamed. Then Edward fired a bullet into the body, and the blood gushed from it.

As I inspected the body more, a gasp escaped my lips. Because I realized that I knew who the man was.

It was Jacob.

That was when I woke up.

A cold bath and more coffee did nothing to erase my dreams, either did praying.

When I arrived at work around seven in the morning I was surprised to be greeted by a jolly Jessica, making me briefly wonder how she got over her depression.

"There's a guy waiting for you. And F-Y-I, prepare yourself, 'cause he is hot, like capital H-O-T."

My heart beat faster as my mind conjured that it could be Edward.

"Where is he?" I asked as I put down my bag on our small locker and pulled out my apron.

"He's right there, the table at the very back."

"Thanks." I put on my apron and took in three, deep breaths. My heart was drumming as I walked, looking down at the floor.

And then, I looked up.

When I saw who wanted to see me, I exhaled loudly.

"Hi."

"Hey," I greeted back – disappointment coloring my tone to find that it wasn't Edward who was waiting for me.

It was Jacob.

He noticed my reaction and his expression changed to one of worry.

"Is everything all right?"

"Yes," I replied, taking a seat in front of him.

"You look tired. Are you sure you're not sick anymore? I was so worried about you."

"I just couldn't sleep well yesterday. Had a bad nightmare. And these cops came to my house asking me about what happened at the auction."

He relaxed, swallowing my excuse.

"Yeah, they also went to my place."

I nodded. "So, what brings you here?"

"Oh, umm, I brought you something." He placed a container of food on the table between us. "It's soup. I asked my housemaid to make it for you. I just thought it would be good for you to recover after being sick."

"Oh," I uttered, surprised and touched. Then I smiled a genuine one. "Thank you. That's very thoughtful of you."

"Nah. I was actually planning to come to your place yesterday, but there was some stuff I was working on that I couldn't postpone."

"Of course. Your work is important."

He bit his lip, as though there was something he was not telling me. However, he said, "Yes, work is important."

A moment passed – neither of us talking – until Jacob broke the silence.

"So, have you heard from the guy that bid for you that night?"

The feeling of sadness filled me again.

"No. And I don't plan on that happening."

"Oh, really?"

I took a huge breath. "It's probably for the best. We are so unlike and lead very different lives."

"I thought you didn't know him?"

Alarmed at what I had said, I immediately covered my answer "If he could go to the auction and bid that much money … what could we possibly have in common? Should I ever see him again I wouldn't try to initiate any conversations."

"Really? Then why did you try looking for him through Mr. Jenks?" A hint of cynicism colored his tone.

Dumbfounded, I looked at him finding it hard to speak.

"Y-you know about that?"

Then it all clicked.

"Oh my, you were looking into him. That's your 'important' work, isn't it? You were investigating E-Anthony?"

Like a deer caught in the headlights, Jacob's eyes grew wide and his mouth popped open.

Feeling irate, frustrated and tired of his attitude, I questioned him in a high-pitched tone "Why did you do that, Jacob? What do you want to know about him?"

"Look, Bella, he bid for you for a God-damned million dollars. The guy is obviously more than crazy about you. I had to know his motive, and you already know that I like you. I can't let him ruin the whole game for me."

"Jacob, I AM NOT SOME KIND OF GAME!" It was the first time in my life that I had ever shouted at someone, and somehow, it felt good to let my emotions out. Right now I felt conflicted; I was annoyed, aggravated and indignant. At the same time, I was both guilty and sad, and Jacob just showed me that his possessive nature was ruling him again.

Somehow, I found myself already standing as I continued my rant.

"And I've told you I don't date. I only want friendship from you. How is that so hard to understand? It shouldn't matter to you if I talk to someone else, or that I like someone else, or if I don't. We danced – that's all. And you want to dig everything up about him. I'm not some kind of possession you could have by being so utterly demanding and stubborn. I have a mind of my own, and my decisions shouldn't concern you. This can't go on any longer – you can't always get in between my life like this. You have to grow up, Jacob. I can't be a mother to you."

I remained standing with my hands shaking. Everyone from the café was looking at us, but I couldn't find it in me to care about what they thought. All I knew was that I wasn't in the best of moods and Jacob ruined it more with his misplaced possessiveness.

"I'm sorry, Bella," he stood up as well and tried to speak in a calming voice as if I were some animal going berserk and he was trying to tame me. "I knew I shouldn't have done that, but I can't help it. It was wrong of me, I know. Please forgive me. Give me another chance."

"You can't always try to rule me."

He nodded saying "Yes, and I'm sorry."

I still wasn't placated, however, and he seemed to sense this.

"Would it help if I tell you I didn't learn anything about him?"

I blinked once.

"You didn't?"

Seeing that I was starting to calm down, he grasped this chance to speak. Taking his seat again. I also took mine.

"I couldn't find anything more than what you already did. I learned that he was from England and that his business was there, but I didn't find anything useful. What is he doing here? Who is he? Is he married, or dating? What made him come to the auction?" He shook his head, as though he was helpless.

What he didn't know was that what he told me only strengthen my guess about who Edward was.

"Yes. I also didn't learn anything different," I lied – again, constantly lying this many times – and fiddling with the corner of the food container as he eyed me.

"Have you forgiven me now?"

I sighed and finally relented.

"Yes. But Jacob, this – I couldn't use a better word – this obsession you have of owning something has to stop. You can't possess me. And I don't date," I emphasized the word.

He nodded.

"All right. But I can still be a friend, right?"

"Yes. But nothing more," I warned.

Jacob smiled, and I hoped that he finally would stop pursuing me.


Days passed – as they should, but every ticking of the clock seemed like a lifetime to me.

I knew that I had to get on with my life and that what I had told Jacob about not seeing Edward anymore was true. That day, I vowed never to search for anything about Edward, finally understanding how complex his situation was, and that I should not be dragged into it. I knew it was the right thing to do.

I have tried to make every day a typical one. Going to work, helping the inmates, going to church, spending time with Jacob. However, if I were truly to divulge what was deep within the confines of my mind, I know that what I am showing everybody is not how I honestly feel.

I still feel lost and empty.

And I don't know why, but somehow I felt as if there was a hole in my chest – as though some pieces of my heart were missing. I have not been able to find an exact word to describe what that means.

However, there were times when I would come across some news about him, about Masen. I felt like such a fool that I'd never noticed them before. But now, they seem to be everywhere. Updates from the police about him, more descriptions about who he could be, his latest whereabouts, etc. And I would release a huge breath whenever there was no mention about him killing another person.

I haven't talked to the Southern inmate anymore, and he still always keeps to himself. However, whenever I would observe him, I would always see him grinning as though there was something he was finding amusing. One of the nuns cautioned me that he might be daft.

I still pray each day, and my confession to the priest that Sunday after my continuous lying had led to a lengthier prayer. But quite frankly, though I feel guilty for lying, I do not regret all that I did. Every day, I would pray for Edward's safety, and that God would guide him and that somehow, someway, he would receive help.

I pray for him even more than the children at the orphanage.

Life is normal.

Boring and normal.

However, I feel as though my perception about life and the world had a permanent change, as though the past events had opened my eyes to many other things that had never concerned me before. Because of this, I feel as if I have grown a year or two.

"She's looking at you again."

"That girl?"

"Yes, like she does every day."

I stared back at the girl with short, black hair, as she sipped her coffee and pretended to read the magazine in her hand. She was tiny, thin, and had big, dreamy eyes.

"When did she first arrive?" I asked Jessica, my eyes not leaving the girl.

"You mean when was the first time she came here, decided to spend the whole day just sipping coffee, reading a magazine and acting as if you hadn't noticed her? About three weeks ago. Why?"

I chuckled at the tone Jessica used to describe the stranger… As though she was some stalker.

"I just think I have a very good idea why she's here."

At first, I hadn't believed Jessica when she told me that the girl was spying on me. However, I see her here, all day, whenever it's my shift, so I wondered if she could be right. After Jessica revealed to me that on the days that I don't work she is not present, I finally took her word for it. It would be too much of a coincidence for her to be around only when I am.

"Do you plan to talk to her?"

I busied myself with wiping the countertop.

"I don't know. Maybe."

Right on time, Jacob entered the with our lunch.

"Your boyfriend should get a gold medal for punctuality – he never misses our lunch break."

"He's not my boyfriend."

Jessica gave me a teasing smile.

"Sure, he's not."

Ever since the day I told Jacob to stop pursuing me, he made good on his promise and treated me as a regular friend. He never showed me his possessive nature, and I was hoping that it would stay that way.

"How about you and Mike? You guys seem to be very secretive these days."

Jessica made a sign of zipping her lip and throwing away the key.

"All right, all right. I get it. Now, go to your secret boyfriend."

She made a chuckle as she ran towards Mike's office.

Even without Jessica confirming it, I know she and Mike were already in a relationship. I couldn't understand why they try to keep it a secret in the first place – they were so obvious to me. But whatever their reasons are, I'm just glad that Jessica's wish had finally been granted.

"Hi Bells. Lunch?"

Jacob has somehow developed that nickname for me. And every day, his greeting has been the same.

"Sure. I'll just ask Tyler to sub for me."

When Jacob and I were eating, I noticed the girl keeping a closer eye on us.

It made me a bit uncomfortable.

And because of that, at the end of my shift, I planned to confront her.

However, that was easier said than done.

Before confronting her, I spent about half an hour in the girl's room rehearsing what I would say. After which, another half hour was spent just getting the courage to walk the few steps towards her table.

When I did reach her table, all the things I wanted to say came out as "What do you want?" And it was said through a shaky voice that didn't come out quite as expected.

It sounded pathetic.

She smiled at me as she put her magazine down on the table.

"Why don't you sit first?" She had a very pleasant voice, like a voice on a TV commercial.

I did as she has asked – my fists closed as I tried to be confident.

"I know who sent you here, and I know you've been watching me all the time. Tell him that I don't need anyone watching me."

She chuckled – even her laugh was like music.

"He's right – you're incredibly observant and brave, though I'd suggest you loosen your fists a little bit. That has to hurt."

Again, I did as I was told, and took a huge breath. She leaned closer to me, crossing both her hands below her chin.

"So, who do you think sent me here?"

"Don't play games with me – I know it was Edward."

She chuckled again.

"Bingo. He'll be pissed that you guessed right. I guess I wasn't as discreet as I thought."

I wondered if she did that on purpose – make me notice her watching so I would come over and talk to her.

"What does he want?"

"Your safety, of course. And I have to agree with him on one thing – I also don't like that Jacob guy hovering over you like a hawk."

That pissed me off a little.

"Well, tell him, his debt is paid. He doesn't need someone to watch over me anymore – I am safe. He doesn't need to do this out of guilt or as payment to me for saving his life. Also, reiterate to him that I already told him that Jacob was a friend and nothing more."

"Honey, trust me, Jacob is not just a friend. I know the likes of him. And though you may treat him only as such, I'm sure that's not how he interprets your intentions."

I huffed.

"One more thing: I don't think he sent me over out of his guilt or payment. I think he genuinely cares for you."

Hearing her say that made my heart begin to beat in a different way – a beating that had only happened when I was with Edward. It was as though some of who I had been before had returned.

Nevertheless, I squashed it as soon as I noticed the change in my heart – I could not have this hope anymore.

"I thought he told me to stay out of his life?"

"Anthony is overprotective about the people he cares about. He's paranoid about their safety. He doesn't want to lose anyone again."

Does that mean that he had lost someone important before?

"Well, tell him I made good on my promise. He won't see me ever again. So please, have him make you stop following me."

"I'll try."

"Also, I know the truth."

This changed the girl's expression, making her focus on me even more.

"What do you mean?"

I sighed, drawing strength to say my hunch, knowing that this could be the moment to prove that I'm correct.

"Edward. Anthony. Masen. That's him, right?"

The girl gasped in shock.

"You know."

"Yes."

"So now you don't want to see him again because you know."

"Yes."

A look of sadness crossed her feature.

"I thought that you were the answer to what we've always wanted. I guess I was wrong. This is sad."

I took a huge breath.

"I didn't decide not to see him because of what he does – it's more that I don't think our worlds could ever be the same. I know that he has to have his reasons to have done the things he has done – It's been said that he had never killed an innocent person; that's what I've heard."

She stared at me for a solid minute as I fiddled with the edge of the magazine cover before she spoke.

And when she did, it made me question so many things.

"Are you afraid of him now?"

Am I?

I was afraid of him the first time I dreamt of him. For the rest of the nights that he had starred in my dreams, it was always the same scenario with little to no variation. In these dreams, I see more of him than what I had noticed from the previous night.

There was sadness in his eyes – a deep anguish and torture. And those were the same eyes I had first glimpsed upon when I nursed him back to life.

So, am I afraid of him?

"No. I am not afraid of him. I think more than feeling fear, I feel hope for him – that he will find his way. Hope that whatever anguish and sorrow he carries with him will finally leave."

"We all do."

When the girl said that, her eyes fired with a determination I had never seen before.

"What's your name?"

She smiled. "Alice."

I smiled back. "Well, Alice, it was great meeting you."

"I hope this isn't the last."

She offered her hand for me to shake, and when I did, she stood briefly to hug me.

With a smile, Alice left the shop, making me wonder if I would ever see the vibrant girl again.

I had decided to do a little grocery shopping before I returned home. There was a familiar feeling of sanctuary that I find whenever I do the mundane task of picking grocery items. It feels as if I'm in my element, and that I have at least some control over my life. It is numbing, and it makes me momentarily forget the talk I had with Alice and all that had happened the past few months.

I had been stuck in traffic and arrived home a little later than usual.

When I had reached my apartment, I was surprised to see Jacob outside my door waiting. He reeked of alcohol and seemed to act differently.

"Hey, Jacob, what are you doing here?" I greeted with a smile while cautiously eyeing him.

He turned his head towards me and I could see how intoxicated he was.

"Why can't you love me?" He said sounding a little slurred.

"Jacob, I thought we were over this and were friends?"

"Why do you still love him after what he's done? Why have you never loved me?"

Hearing him say those words made me realize that he was thinking about his mother.

"Jacob, I'm not your mother. I'm Bella."

He walked slightly unbalanced towards me until he was only a few inches away.

"Bella…"

"Yes," I answered.

He took a few breaths.

"You're just like her."

"What do you –"

And then he grabbed me forcefully and crashed his lips on mine….


A/N: Again, thank you to my amazing beta Fran and her superb editing prowess. (You know how betas are the greatest and they put a lot of effort on what they do, I think even as much as the authors do? Yeah, they're generous like that).

Enjoy!