Chapter 2 - Riley
I arrive at campus with time to spare. I park my car and before I can make sense of anything, I hear a knock at my window and nearly jump out of my skin. I smile as I see Brittany at my door.
“Hey, I thought it was you.”
I grab my things and get out of my car, hugging her tightly. “Hey Brit.”
“Hey Riley, where have you been?”
“It's been a bit hectic,” I admit. Though I will never tell her exactly what kind of chaos my life dived into, I'm happy to see her and for life to get back to normal. I plaster a smile on my face as we walk along campus together. Brittany is catching me up with all the latest gossip from our lectures. Political science wasn't my first choice, but now that I've been studying it for over a year, I'm really into it. I originally wanted to be a nurse, but life has a weird way of changing courses and minds.
We go to class and I sit through the lecture, taking notes as the professor lectures. We're given our exam timetable at the end of the lesson and I panic slightly. Gwen has been collecting notes for me, but I'm going to have to try to catch up on all the work before exams in two weeks. Once we're through with the day's classes, Brit twists my arm into going for coffee with the girls before I meet Gwen for lunch. I'm my usual bubbly self because that is what is expected of me.
We arrive at the cafe in time to see Jordan and Sasha grabbing a table. We place our coffee orders and join them.
“Hey, Riley.”
“Hey, Ri.”
“Hey girls, it's good to see you,” I say with a small smile. I set my binder on the table and hang my backpack over the back of my chair.
“Where have you been? You've missed so many classes,” Jordan says. “And exams start soon.”
“Don't remind me,” I say with a pout. “Gwen collected notes for all my classes. I just need to go through them.”
“She wouldn't say where you were either,” Sasha points out. “Oh, there's mine and Jordan's coffee. Be right back. Do not discuss anything without me.”
We all giggle as Sasha rushes to get the coffees and brings them back. “Where were you? Like, I've never known you to skip class.”
“I had to go away for a family emergency,” I say, trying to sound lighthearted. “It turned out not to be as serious as I thought, so I came back early.”
“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that,” Jordan says before she sips her coffee. “Is there anything we can do to help? Want to study together?”
“No, it's okay,” I say quietly. Our coffee order is called out, and Brit goes to fetch it. When she comes back, she hands me mine and sips her own.
“Well,” Sasha says. “The latest is that Professor Wing is having a little affair with that blonde girl, Carrie.”
The girls lean in, all exchanging gasps of horror.
I look at her, puzzled. “Which one is Carrie?”
“The one who always sits right up front. Probably so he can see her legs,” Sasha giggles. “Apparently, they've been spending a lot of late nights and weekends together going over exam prep.”
“I'm sure it's prep of some kind,” Jordan jokes.
They all laugh and I force a smile. There's nothing funny about the situation to me. Not after everything that's happened. I sip my coffee quietly as the talk turns to the cute boys in class. Luckily, I'm not required to take part, so I simply listen. I'm lost in thought when Brit touches my arm and I jump lightly.
“Sorry, what?” I ask.
“We asked who you think the cuter boy is—Roger or Daniel,” she repeats.
“Oh, I don't like either,” I admit. I can't really recall what they look like, and Brit gives me a strange look.
“Are you okay?” she asks. “You seem a little spaced out.”
“A little stressed about exams.” It's all I can think to say. “Sorry, I totally zoned out.” I get up with my coffee.
“Where are you going? You don't have to meet Gwen until lunchtime.”
“I want to see if I can find Professor Stein and get the class notes for Domestic Politics.” It's a lie, but I need to get out of here before the questions become too much. Truth be told, Gwen has gotten all my notes for me, but it might not hurt to check in with my lecturers. After all, I just disappeared without a word. They probably think I dropped out.
“I'll see you all later,” I say.
I walk out amid their protests and head back toward campus. I then walk to my professor's door and check his consulting hours. He isn't consulting now, so that plan is blown out of the water.
“Riley. What a pleasure to see you,” Professor Stein says from behind me. “You've been missing from class.”
I turn around and smile graciously. “I had a family emergency. I'm so sorry I didn't let you know. It was all so sudden.”
“I'm sorry to hear that,” Professor Stein says. “Is everything sorted?”
“Yes, Sir, everything is fine. It turned out not to be as serious as we first thought. Gwen did collect notes for me, but I just wanted to know if there's anything special you may have mentioned that I should look at for the exams?” I ask.
“I have a list in my office,” he says. “Come with me.”
He unlocks the door and heads in. I hesitate to go in. I don't do well with small spaces anymore and his office is tiny. I take a shaky breath and walk in, waiting in front of his desk as he prints off what I'll need.
“Thank you,” I say as I take it. “I'll be sure to revise everything I've missed.”
“I'm sure you will do well, Riley,” he says with a genuine smile. You have always been my top student.”
I smile at him and nod. “Thank you, Sir, I'll see you in class.” I leave quickly and as I do, my phone buzzes. I check it and it's a message from Gwen looking for me. I text her back that I'll meet her in five and I go to the bathroom to splash some water on my face. I look at myself in the mirror and nod. Smiling at myself, I feel like I'm haunted.
I go to my car and drive to our meet-up spot. It's a restaurant that Roman's family owns. That doesn't make me feel any better. I pull into a parking and get out, leaving my backpack in the front. I walk into the restaurant, and Gwen waves me down.
“Hey, how did your first day back go?” she asks, getting up to hug me.
I put on that big smile for her. “Great. Had coffee with the girls. Idle chit-chat.”
“Did they ask you where you've been?” she asks curiously.
“Naturally, but I told them I had a family emergency that had been sorted out and turned out not to be serious.” I look at her with big eyes. “I feel bad about lying to them, though.”
Gwen nods. “Good. I'm glad no one pushed for more answer.”
“I think they would have if I'd stayed any longer,” I admit, picking up the menu.
“I've ordered us each a coffee.” Gwen smiles at me. “Two sugars for you.”
“I've switched to four.” I flag down a waitress.
“Sorry, please bring us four sugars with the coffee,” Gwen says.
The server nods and leaves.
“So, what's new?” I ask, sitting back.
“Nothing much,” Gwen says. “Roman is thinking of taking a holiday. Just a quick trip somewhere. Maybe an exotic island.” She smiles broadly. “I won't lie. I would love that. Lying on the beach drinking cocktails with my man.”
I give her a smile. “Sounds heavenly.”
“You could come with,” she offers.
“I've missed too many classes,” I say quietly. “And exams are coming up. I need to concentrate. But you have fun.” I smile at the server who brings the coffee. I stir in four sugars and sip it.
Gwen watches me and says quietly. “Are you okay Riley?”
“I'm perfect,” I say. “And thank you so much for letting me stay at you and Roman's place. It's very kind of you.”
“Anything to make you feel safe,” she says with a smile. “Shall we order some food?”
“Yes, I think I want something hearty and hot,” I comment. “Do they have a good stew here?”
“Yes, they do. I've had it before,” Gwen says with a smile. “I think I'm going to have it too.”
For the rest of the lunch date, Gwen talks about Roman and I listen with a smile on my face. I don't want to dampen her parade. When I leave, Gwen mentions she's going to see Roman at the offices. I let her know I'm just going to go home.
This is how it is for me for the next few days. Whenever I'm with Gwen and Roman, or with my friends on campus, I smile and wave. I put on that fake grin and I take part in the way I'm expected to. And I try to study. I get some studying done with my friends on campus, but they're not always available and it's when I'm alone that I feel it.
I remember everything, and I feel as though someone is watching me. I struggle to fall into a daily routine. I can't pick up where I left off. It's not just because I'm living in the mansion with Gwen and Roman—they're both so welcoming, and I'm genuinely happy that Gwen has found her one. She is so happy. But I'm not, and that's the truth. I jump at shadows, and twice on campus, I've screamed out loud when someone suddenly approached me from behind. People just stare at me when I do that, and I hurry off, embarrassed.
The silence during exams is deafening, and I remember being in that room with only the distant sound of voices far away to keep me company. It was suffocating. I don’t feel confident when I walk out of them, unsure if I've done well, and a week later, the results confirm my fears. I failed. I feel like a failure. My professors look so disappointed when they hand back my examination papers. I can see it written on their faces, and I hurry out of class before they can try to discuss it with me because I don't know what to say.
The only thing that plays on my mind is the kidnapping, and I don't want to talk about it. I can't discuss it. I promised Roman I wouldn't. His family went out of their way to save me, twice, and that was all he asked of me: not to bring it up or file charges. He didn't want to drag his family into the spotlight. I realize now they're dodgy, shady mobsters. Even so, they saved me from a fate worse than death. I thought no one would ever find me, and I had given up hope when they barged through the door. I was confused, not knowing how I had ended up kidnapped or why these people were now rescuing me. Gwen had to explain everything to me, and afterward, when she said she was pregnant and in love with Roman, I was initially apprehensive, but I didn't say anything. This was her life, and I didn’t know what Roman had done to earn her trust. I couldn't judge her for that.
With the disappointment of failed exams looming over me and the feeling like I'm being watched on campus, I decide to head home. I hop into my car and drive straight there, not stopping to visit Gwen or any of my friends. I don't want to have to explain to them how straight 'A' Riley has failed her mid-term exams.
When I arrive at the mansion, the guards let me in. I park in my designated spot and walk to the front door. As I shut it behind me, it opens again, and I shriek. Roman's brother Viktor stands there looking surprised. “What was that for?”
“You scared me,” I say, putting my hand over my heart.
“Sorry, I thought you were already inside,” he says. He looks at me awkwardly.
I shake my head and plaster on the fake smile. To be honest, though, Viktor makes me extremely uncomfortable. I know he was one of the men who rescued me, but out of all Roman's siblings, he seemed to be the most cutthroat and ruthless. He's the scariest of the brothers and he intimidates me to no extent. I take a few steps further inside so I'm not blocking the doorway. He comes in and shuts the door behind him.
“How are you doing?” he asks. “You've been back awhile. You getting back into things okay?”
The conversation seems forced, but I don't want to appear rude, especially not to him. Who knows how he will react? I nod. “It's fine, thank you.”
An awkward silence falls between us, and I can see Viktor's hand fidgeting with his pants. I hug my book bag closer to me and look around. “Are you waiting for Roman?” I ask quietly.
“Uh, not really. I thought I'd come and check on things here. Make sure everything is up to scratch.”
“Oh, okay,” I say. There's a look in his eyes I don't like, and I shuffle from foot to foot.