Welcome back! This is chapter 10 and I hope you like it...
"You're like a celebrity now," Christina smirks, tilting her head to the side.
I roll my eyes, truly sick of hearing that.
She has invited us over to dinner. Us= Me + Eric + Violet.
None of us knew Jake was going to be here. Although from the way they were flirting at the photoshoot, I knew something was bound to happen.
Eric takes a sip of his water, looking very cramped in my old apartment. We are all sat around the kitchen table, Christina being the only one who is drinking. Eric told me to try a bit of wine if I wanted to because he is driving us back, but I declined his offer. Violet keeps popping in and out of the kitchen, showing her dad what she found in the living room cupboards. It makes Christina uncomfortable, and I can see why, knowing what kind of things she has in her drawers. But that would not stop Violet.
A couple of minutes ago, she came in with a naked Barbie doll. I gave Christina a look. It's not my property. She shrugged.
"I'm not like a celebrity," I lean back in the creaky kitchen chair, feeling Eric's arm there.
"Oh, come on," Jake smirks, showing his dimples, "You've had the paps following you all week."
It's true. I remember on Tuesday Eric had to put his hand over my face and lead me into the nearest hotel because some especially stubborn photographers were following us down the street.
"That's doesn't make me a celebrity," I look down at the clean plates on the table, feeling Eric's fingers working circles on the back of my neck.
"Whatever you want to call it," he grins, glancing at Christina and receiving a smile.
We stay until 6, knowing that it's a week day tomorrow and work for Eric is inevitable. It won't be a full day at work but he must get up early nevertheless.
Christina and Jake walk us down to the lobby, and by the way Jake has his arm around her waist I begin to think that they won't be saying goodbye to each other tonight. Eric shakes Jakes hand, and I give him a quick hug. Violet high-fives Christina and receives a pat on the head from Jake.
After we all exchange our little gestures, it is time to walk outside. I hold Violet's hand as Eric dawdles behind us, calling something to Jake.
Then I stop in my tracks, not quite sure of what is in front of me. My snow-white car is supposed to stay snow white. There was no rain, no mud or anything that could have made it dirty. And as I get closer, I realize it is not dirty. It is red.
It is smeared with red. I step closer, furrowing my eyebrows. It looks like paint has been poured over the bumper and the windows. And then I read what it says on the side: SLUT.
Eric is quick to react, mostly because I am still quite confused about the whole situation. I read the word repeatedly, trying to fit the puzzle pieces together. There is only one person who has done this before and could do it again. I look around my shoulders, holding Violet close to me. She is saying something, but I ignore her.
"Tris, get inside," Eric mumbles, starting to push me back into the lobby. He takes Violet's arm and sends her inside from where we came from. Somehow Jake runs out of the building, taking hold of both of my arms, as if he was a trained body guard. I find myself inside and safe with Eric making phone calls, Christina looking puzzled, Jake trying to talk to me and Violet clenching her jaw.
SHSHSHSHSHSH
It's silent in our bedroom. The time is about 10 in the evening. We sent Violet to bed after telling her that everything is okay, which is clearly a lie. I pace the room with my hands on my hips and Eric sits on the bed watching me.
My car was replaced in a matter of minutes. Police have been informed. Extra security has been placed around the city. And I am still feeling like we are not safe at all.
I fold my arms, looking down at him, "It was her, wasn't it?"
Eric rubs his beard with one hand, taking a deep breath. When he doesn't answer within five seconds, I raise my voice.
"I thought she was in prison!"
He gets up and hushes me, "Keep your voice down," it sounds like he wants to say more, but he doesn't.
I glare at him, shaking my head, "I can't believe you- "
"You're saying this is my fault?" he tries to keep his voice quiet but at this stage it is impossible.
"She is supposed to be in jail! Do you not remember what she did?!" I gesture to my face, "What if she got her hands on Violet? What would you have done then?"
Eric scrunches up his face, as if not wanting to hear any of this, "She wouldn't hurt her."
"She's a psychopath," I state, "And you did not jail her." I close my eyes, the red letters jumping out at me again.
I put a hand on my face, sighing until a little squeak comes out. And then suddenly, I am crying. Eric's arms wrap around me. I push him away quickly.
"I want her imprisoned," I say, wiping my cheeks. Eric nods in agreement, probably just for the sake of agreeing with me.
"Tris," he sighs, a hand on my shoulder, "I promise you… there are people looking for her out there right now."
I glance into his eyes and start feeling angry again. She is supposed to be locked up. And she is not. And I feel that Eric has something to do with it.
Uh-oh. Susan is back. Review and tell me what you think :)