A/N: First off, I want to apologize for the long wait. I was caught up in a family issue and it occupied every bit of my time and energy. All I can say is, I need good wishes. :/
Secondly, I am beyond thrilled to reach a 100 mark in reviews. When I started this story, I had no idea that it'd be loved so much. :) Thank you for your support. And my apologies for the delay. And yes, I'm not going to give up on this story. I enjoy writing this a lot. :) Thank you again to each one of you lovely people. I LOVE YOU ALL! :)
"Mystery Of The Mystery Girl"
It was late at the night hour. The clock was reaching to midnight. For Clyde and Eunice Pickett, each minute felt like an hour. Bailey was still not home.
"I'm telling you, Clyde. Something is really wrong..." Eunice continued pacing. She was frightened, she was terrified of one thing happening that she'd give anything to make it stop..."What if? No no, this can't be it." She started to panic..."Natalia can't get to her. Not this time, Clyde."
Even though Clyde was thinking along the same lines and was equally worried, he was just better at hiding. And for Eunice, he had to be strong. He took a deep breath and moved forward to get a hold of her. He was half way to her when they both heard the door opening. Through it appeared a tired Bailey. She barely had the energy to announce her arrival. She just merely waved at her parents and began to head to her room. But it seemed like that her day wasn't quite over.
"Wait, Bailey." Her mother stopped her. She turned around clearly annoyed. She had a long day and was not particularly in a mood to explain anything. She knew that she would have to tell her parents about her plan of getting married to Cody Martin, she also knew that she could not possibly tell them that it would be a contract marriage because she feared that they would not let her do it. But right then, all she wanted to do was sleep.
"Momma, whatever it is, can we please do it in the morning? I'm really tired." She nearly begged. But Eunice was too paranoid to let go of the issue right then...
"No we can't..." She denied her request. She walked closer to where Bailey was standing..."I want to know where were you? Why didn't you feel the need to tell us you'll be late? Don't you know I get worried?"
Bailey just sighed. Yes she knew her mother always got way too worried, she just didn't know why..."I know, momma!" She continued..."I am sorry. My phone's battery died that is why I couldn't contact. I was with the Martins. And please let me go to bed now? I'll tell you everything in the morning. Okay?" She asked again, hoping her mother would agree this time. But to no avail, she was stopped yet again...
"Bailey, no! I need to know what happened today? Where exactly were you? Do you remember being anywhere near the building that had a fire incident this afternoon?" Eunice asked but she was afraid to listen to her answer...
And that was the problem...Bailey did remember that she passed by that building right after she left the Martins with her warnings. She remembered being upset, severely hurt and felt like she had lost everything. She also remembered that she suffered a terrible headache, but she just didn't remember anything afterwards. She was suddenly on a road miles away from that building and it wasn't until later that day that she learned about the fire incident. She didn't understand that if she was there like she remembered, why didn't she know about the fire? Why was there an emptiness in her head?
This was Bailey Pickett's whole life. At times she would feel that there were loops in her head. Like some puzzle pieces were missing. She would find herself at a place where she didn't remember going to. She would wake up in cold sweat at nights and would not know if she had a nightmare or she lived through something terrible. The most alarming part to all of this was that it seemed like her mother knew a lot. Bailey felt like she knew why she always missed out on things. At times she would get so mad that her mother would not tell her anything. Just like she got then...
"You know what, mom? I do! I remember being there. I know I was there but I don't remember how I got out of that place. And I certainly don't remember the fire. Why are you asking me this?"
Bailey tried to stay calm as she made her mother tell her how she knew it. It was always like that, everytime Bailey felt these loop wholes inside her head, her mom seemed to ask such questions. She knew that there was something that her mother had kept from her.
However for Eunice Pickett, an answer from her daughter had left her in shivers. She was afraid of that one thing and it had happened. The news was not false, it was true. Natalia really had returned. Learning that didn't leave much energy in her to continue anything with her daughter. All she wanted was to lay down. She had hoped, begged and pleaded to God. But it was now all over. Bailey would have to face Natalia again.
"Mom?" Bailey clearly noticing the constant change of emotions on her mother's face was now getting worried..."Is something wrong? Please tell me, mom"
Eunice forced herself to talk..."Nothing, sweetie. I just got worried when I watched the news of fire and then you were not answering your phone. You know how I am don't you, honey?" A painful smile emerged on her face. Bailey was fast to catch up on her lie. She was not ready to buy it...
"Tell me what really is the matter? Why are you so shaky? Momma please?" She reasoned with her. Eunice lightly tapped on her back and smiled. She tried to assure her that there was nothing else. Her mother constant denial left Bailey in anger. She couldn't hold it in anymore...
"You know what, mom? Forget it! Just forget it. Do you even have any idea what I go through? Its like I'm missing some pieces of my life's puzzle. I get these weird nightmares of me doing things that I could never do. Sometimes I feel like I have missed time. It had all stopped and I was so glad it did but today, I felt the same. You know what hurts the most? Its that you know something and you won't tell me. Obviously you don't care. Good Night, momma!" Bailey held in her tears and stormed off. She was tired of this. She didn't have any answer to all of this. She didn't know why she felt like that at times. All she knew was that the only people she thought could help her would not tell her anything. For Bailey, after a long day it was going to be a long night. Not to mention that she still had to tell her parents about getting married to Cody Martin.
Right outside her room, Eunice had buried herself in her husband's chest. She was sobbing uncomfortably while he stroked her back gently.
"Shhh! Its all going to be okay, honey." He whispered trying to assure her. She lifted her head up and looked at him...
"Our baby girl, Clyde. She's sick. Our poor baby." She wiped a tear from the corner of her eyes..."She wants to know the truth. How can we tell her? Would she be able to handle it? What will happen when she'll find out that she...she is...NATALIA..." Between stammers she finished. And in response, Clyde could only shake his head.
The next morning, the door to Cody Martin's room flung open way before than his own alarm was supposed to go off. Being the light sleeper that he was, his eyes shot open and he immediately sat up to make up the figure that was approaching him. The darkness was making it harder. He couldn't tell it was none other than Zack until he reached right beside him and slapped him in the back of his head. He winced and wined before he got up and turned on the lights...
"Are you out of your mind, Zack? Its not even 6 am yet. Why are you here?"
Cody was clearly angry but just like every time, his anger only made Zack chuckle. And on that he was shot by a dead glare from Cody. He tried to put on a serious face...
"Sorry, buddy. But you have to get up and get dressed. We are seeing the lawyer at 7 sharp." Zack explained and was about to head out when Cody stopped him.
"Wait. Why the hell so early?"
"Because after 8 I won't be able to catch you till...I don't know, midnight maybe? You have all these stupid, sappy, boring meetings..."
Cody couldn't help but laugh. For the first time in life his brother was helping him deal with something related to their company. But then again it was like one of his pranks. Obviously he had to play the best part in the whole plan.
"Okay." Cody smiled..."I'll be ready in a few. Lets get over with the final details to contract, so that we can also plan on how exactly to tell mom." Cody suggested...
"And so that you can also go buy a ring..." Zack reminded him and he was stopped in his tracks. He gave Zack a look that clearly asked him if he was crazy...
"A ring? Why?" He paused..."Oh no! No. Don't even think about it. There is no way I'm buying that Bailey Pumpkin a ring..."
"And thats why I call you a dimwit..." Zack shot at him..."Its not like you have a choice. You have to do it if you want mom to believe you."
Cody had to agree of course. They had already decided that they'd do everything in a proper way so that Carrey would buy it. Soon enough, both Cody and Zack found themselves sitting with the lawyer. They presented their terms and he guided them about the legal and lawful justifications to what they wanted. He also gave them a clear idea about how to end the contract before one year time period. They both asked him to keep the contract confidential and he agreed. When everything was settled, he told them that he'd devise it fully with all the clauses and would hand it over to them to sign by the end of the week.
For Cody, the moment he stepped outside the lawyers office, breathing became easier. He was getting suffocated by hearing him talk about marriage and living with Bailey for a whole year. But his misery was not over. He was literally pushed into a jewellery store by Zack. Even though he was not interested at all, he looked through every ring very carefully. He didn't know why but he wanted to select the perfect one...
"Are you sure you don't love her or anything? Because the way you're wanting a perfect ring for her says a different story." Zack gave his brother an eye. Cody slightly blushed but tried to cover it. He turned around still well focused on the ring he currently had in his hand...
"Well...I am a perfectionist and you know that. Even when I have to select a ring for my fake engagement with my fake girlfriend..."
It almost felt like forever to Zack in the jewellery store. After picking up the right ring for her, they were off to Cody's office...
"Here we are, brother..." Zack announced as they both entered in Cody's room..."Done with the contract, got the ring. Now all that is left to be done is tell mom and get the preparations ready for your big day, buddy."
"Easy there, Zack..." Cody held out a hand. The thought of wedding was frightening him..."Don't talk about that right now. I never even thought I'd ever date and now suddenly I'm getting married?" He started pacing..."Oh no. I don't think I can do this..."
Zack took a hold of him and calmed him down. When he got his attention, he slapped him and left Cody's mouth wide open in shock..."Would you stop being a sissy?"
"You could've said that without a slap?"
"I could have but it wouldn't have been this fun." Zack joked and Cody just shook his head. At that point, all Cody needed was some fresh air so he got out of his room to get just that. He made his rounds and was back in no time. When he entered the room he found his brother watching TV. The same news was on that Cody had read in the newspaper that morning...
"Return of Natalia has brought many questions to us..."
Cody heard the anchor say..."Who is this Natalia anyway? She's all over the news..." Cody came forward and asked Zack who had casually propped his feet up the desk...
"Oh she is the mystery girl. Someone who likes to serve justice at any cost. Even if it means breaking all the laws..." Zack explained and left Cody puzzled. Zack guessed that right away through his expressions and continued...
"Natalia, as she likes to call herself. Nobody knows if that is her real name. She is a die-heart protector of innocent. She goes to places where she is called and helps those in need. People contact her through an email. She access that through private servers so that nobody can catch her. The most interesting part about her is that nobody has seen her. Not even those who had contacted her for help. However when she solves a 'case', she likes to tell the world that it was her by leaving her signature "Natalia" at the place of incident. The only thing that police knows about her is that when she visits someone, she wears a knee length over coat and ankle high black boots. Her face is either covered with her own hair or a mask..."
"Wait..." Cody stopped him..."How come the police has never used her email as a trap? I mean, a fake email to call her for help and bam, she's arrested..."
"Yeah...its not so easy..." Zack started again..."I'm not sure if she's super natural or anything, but I do know that she is super smart. Police has used that method a couple of times. Failed. She never showed up. Somehow she gets to know if somebody is faking being in need or they really are. She is a load full of mystery, brother."
After hearing the story Cody's mind was actually blown. Being occupied by business and the news only related to that, he had missed out on such a thing? Through all the things that Zack told him about her, he felt that he had met this girl somewhere. He kept thinking hard until it suddenly hit him. Knee length over coat? Ankle high black boots? Face covered with hair? Cody gasped...it was her. Natalia was the girl who made him hate every girl on the planet. She was the girl who with such cruelty walked away from helping his father. She was the one, the reason he got the way he was now.
He started to feel sweat in his palms. For years he didn't know who that girl was and now that she did, he was determined to make her pay. He wanted her to suffer, just like her "no" made him suffer.
"I...Zack, I'll be right back..." He told Zack and stood up and went out of his cabin. He took the seat right outside his room and laid back. He sighed...what was he supposed to do now? The girl he always blamed for his father's death, was out there somewhere, causing havoc for everyone. He had to do something.
"Hey, Cody. What are you doing out here?"
Cody looked up and saw Bailey standing there. Right, he almost forgot that she was suppose to come. He forced a smile and looked at her...
"Nothing." He said..."Look, why don't you go inside and I'll be right over. Zack will brief you about the contract details till then..."
"Okay..." Bailey started to walk but then stopped right at the door. She turned around and walked back towards Cody. He didn't look so good. Something was wrong and she couldn't leave him like that...
"Are you alright, Cody?" She asked sympathetically. Cody again looked at her. He wasn't alright but why did it matter to her? "I'm fine. I just need some time alone. Okay?"
"Okay!" Bailey said and then she sat down on the chair next to him. Cody turned to face her and looked at her questioningly. He thought she agreed to leave him alone then why was she sitting down. Bailey caught up on that and smiled...
"You can stop me from talking to you but you can't stop me from being somewhere. Free country." She smiled again..."And I'm not leaving until I know you're alright."
A small smile spread across Cody's face. He never had anyone who was a complete stranger think so much about him. That was actually sweet of her. No matter the amount of their differences, she really was a nice person. Lost in his own thoughts, Cody didn't realize that he was looking directly at her...
"What?" She asked still smiling. Cody slightly looked away but still kept an eye contact..."I was just thinking that you're different. You're so not like her..." He said without even thinking...
"Her who?" Bailey was confused..."ex?" She asked...
"Oh no! Not ex. Its a long story but there was a girl who had the chance to help me once and my whole life was kind of dependant upon her help. But she refused...she...walked away. That was cruel. I had lost so much after that. I lost myself..." Cody could feel some fresh tears in her eyes. Yes she didn't know why, but she felt bad, Bailey felt bad for her "fake boyfriend". She wished she could do something. But it wasn't like she could, she didn't even know the whole story...
"I'm sorry for whatever happened." She said sincerely..."I just want you to know that you can talk to me if you want to." She assured her and Cody smiled..."Maybe some other time..." He paused and laughed..."And we'll have plenty of that since we are going to be married for a whole year..."
Bailey broke into a giggle. Yes, they would be married for a year. Maybe it would not be so bad after all. They both thought as they entered back in Cody's office.
To be continued...
A/N: I know I know, you guys must have several question...how come Bailey is Natalia? And she is not even aware of it? Huhhhh :o lol.
Wait for the next chapter and all your questions will get answered. Also, the girl Cody hates so much for causing his father's death is actually Natalia? :o drama drama drama! Haha!
Stay tuned, folks! :)
Love, Ash! xx