Chapter 9
After the day she had for herself, Tanya became more confident. Now she felt in control of her life. At work she kept Emily on her toes, never letting her make more snide remarks about Heidi. Emily only answered with a disturbing smile, like she knew something that Tanya doesn't. but knowing Emily, maybe it was the only way she thought to annoy Tanya.
At home, she was sure Irina knew about her escapade but it turn out to lighten her mood and improving her health.
And Jacob... now he acquired the awful habit of making 'puppy eyes' to Tanya when she wanted to do something alone; which made her feel guilty. Jacob was also talking about their long-term plans. He told her about his project to become independent and starting his own business. Then they could get married. Tanya was elated to think how her future was shaping; the white picket fence, 2.5 kids and dog where at her hands reach.
She was daydreaming in a bench at the park. She took another day off again, though this time wasn't her fault. Today she had to take her aunt to the doctor, but Irina decided to invite him to have brunch and discuss a few things with him, alone. So here she was, with a day off work, her aunt encouraged to roam in the city, and frankly she didn't feel the need to call Jacob. Though she felt curious about where he lived. That's why she was seated in a bench at this particular park. Jacob said it was near his house, now if she only remembered... he never gave her the real address, but told her lots of things about the zone and his neighbors. Well, she'll have to walk and search for his house.
She started to walk and to her right she found a bakery. This was 'Longbourne' the bakery from which he bought the pastries he always brought to her house. She was on the right path. Oh, and there in the corner, it was 'Lucy's'! The dinner where he bought coffee and pie for was now at the corner. She looked around. The neighborhood wasn't what she expected. Very humble homes, some of them needed painting and repairing.
"Well, I didn't know Jacob have money problems. He never mention money with me. He lives in one of these houses, one peach colored." She said to herself while walking through the street. A couple of abandoned rusted cars were parked right in front of an abandoned house. She couldn't believe Jacob didn't trust enough in her to tell her about this. But maybe this is the reason he's so reserved about his past and family. He's ashamed.
She kept walking. There it was. The peach colored house. It was a big old house, with a umkempt garden. In the front part, a quince tree stood. Now she knew where he got that awful fruit.
She felt shivers. Like somebody was watching her.
She looked around. In the window of the second floor of the house, an old woman was looking at her with hatred.
Tanya blushed and turned. The old woman caught her spying on her house. She started to walk, and she passed a mailbox. It said Crowley.
She walked back on the street, to get back to the park.
She felt someone was behind her. Tanya turned around, maybe the old woman wanted to admonish her for spying on her house.
"Hmm, weird." She said. There was no one behind. Probably her imagination. She continued her way, now she was back to the abandoned cars. Halfway to the dinner.
She heard steps behind her. She pressured her own steps to go faster. The steps still sounded behind her, but she was too afraid to turn. In front of her was the empty street, no one near. Now she started tu run.
Right beside the dinner stood a phone booth. She ran the fastest she could and felt relief when the phone gave line. She called the only one she could think of, Jacob.
He answered, so he was home, near to her!
"Jacob please"
"Tanya! What a wonderful surprise!How was the doctor?"
"I'm at Lucy's, the dinner near your house. Come for me. Please!" And she started to cry.
"Easy baby. I'm coming." He hung up.
Tanya had to wait. Alone. The dinner had a small window where she saw a tired waitress filing her nails, bored. She could scream and the waitress would hear her, right?
She looked back to the street. As far as she could see it was empty. But she was sure someone was walking behind her. Suddenly she saw Jacob's tall figure.
"Thank God! I was so scared!"
"Why baby? Wat are you doing here?" He took her hand.
"I, oh!, I... The doctor visited my aunt at home and she told me to go out. She wanted to talk to him alone. And I thought why not look for your house" She started to cry again.
"Wait here, don't move." Jacob ran to his house for his car, and came back in a rush.
Then he took her home.
When they got to her garage, Tanya assaulted him. She kissed him fiercely and took his hands to her breasts.
The only thing Tanya wanted was to be in his embrace. To be close to him. Here she was safe.
His hands covered her breasts and it felt so right. He caressed her skin with such passion... then he stopped.
"Tanya, please stop."
"Hmm."
"T stop. I want to do this, but not here and not when you're scared."
"What?"
"T, you're shocked. Look, I know my neighborhood is creepy, and I'm sure one of the kids wanted to scare you. But I want you to relax, you're fine. Here you're safe."
Once inside her house, she felt ashamed. She acted like a hussy! Sensing her inner turmoil, Jacob went to get her some tea. He was glad Irina was asleep.
He gave her the tea while she sobbed.
"Tanya, promise me the next time you want to go for a walk, you'll call me. I will accompany you. Always. I want you to remember that with me you're safe. Ok, T?
After the shock, then her lust, and all the crying, Tanya fell asleep. Jacob carry her to her bedroom and left a note asking her to call him when she woke.
When Tanya woke, she went to Irina's room. She couldn't believe she slept for so long. Her aunt was sleeping.
Tanya tried to comb Irina's hair softly, but it woke Irina. Then she began to shake and couldn't breath. She was having an attack. Tanya called the doctor.
"Yes Mr. Clearwater. I'm so sorry, but I can't do anything else." Tanya was talking on the phone with her boss; well now ex-boss.
Doctor Stanley told her that Irina would never recover, and now they were waiting for her to pass. It could happen today, if they were lucky; or in a week. Tanya knew she had to quit to her job. She had to stay with her Aunt, Irina was like a mother to her. The attack Irina had, led her to a coma state, and with the way her heart was beating... it would be over soon.
Tanya hung up and went to sit with her aunt again. Mr. Clearwater was pissed off. Sure, he lost two of his better employees but it wasn't the end of the world. He was still alive, right?
She took a little comb and brushed Irina's hair.
"I'm going to miss you so much Auntie. You're like my mother and best friend. What am I going to do alone?" She started to sob. "Oh Auntie. I wanted you in my wedding. You know Jacob and I will marry soon, right? He said he has your approval, though he haven't proposed yet."
Suddenly, Irina's hand shook and took Tanya's arm. Irina opened her panicked eyes and grumbled something.
"Calm auntie, what do you mean?" Tanya pushed the button to call the nurse. They told her Irina was sedated and that she wouldn't woke.
"Dr-rrink."
"You want water?" Tanya rushed to get a glass with water she had for her.
"Drink taste"
"What?"
Irina collapsed, she was dead.