Chapter 11
After two months Mariyah was finally allowed to visit with Caleb. He looked so much healthier, he seemed more positive. "They said if I continue to progress the way I have been I should be out in a few more months."
"That’s' excellent news Caleb, so what do you do in here?"
"They train my mind, they cleaned out my system from the shit. They want me to talk a lot. Anyway it was exactly what I needed. I'm so sorry about hurting you, I really didn't know what I was doing."
"Hey you are forgiven. As long as you’re getting better. I got offered a full-time position at work. I'm going to take it."
"That's great Mari."
"Turns out I was the only teacher who was able to handle and control these kids. I felt so important." It was just so nice to be able to sit and chat with Caleb, her brother was back and that's all that mattered. "So I get to visit you once a month. I will definitely be here a month from today.”
"I might even be allowed to call you soon, see what good behavior does?" She smiled and waved as he left with the nurse.
***
Busying herself with work Mariyah was elated that Caleb was on the road to recovery.
She was making a cup of coffee when she heard the front door.
Who the hell could that be? Mariyah had to fight the urge to panic.
Still she took a knife and held it behind her back.
"Who is it?" She yelled out. She heard a reply but couldn’t quite make out what they were saying.
Opening the door, she was glad they had installed a security door as well, which stayed locked.
It was a dirty looking guy, about early thirties.
"Sorry to bother you, but is the guy that drives this truck here?" Mariah’s heart dropped.
"No, he left months ago, I have no idea where, if you find that asshole can you tell him he owes me money for rent." She was trying hard to sound believable.
"Do you have any idea where he could have gone?"
"Sorry hun, he left me as I said without a single word. You’re free to take the truck, I have no use for it." The guy nodded his head. Relieved when he turned and walked down the front stairs. Once he was off the front porch he turned to look at her.
"If you see him, pass on a message to him, tell him that he's a dead man." Mariah’s face drained from color. Holy shit they had to run again... Would this never end. At least he was safe for the time being. It was good that they couldn't get to him. At least for now.
Mariyah visited Caleb and told him what had happened. He knew the guy she was talking about, Fernando Rodriguez. She told him they took the truck and Caleb nodded.
"You used your wits, I'm impressed." He praised her
"Seriously Caleb he seemed dead set serious. What the hell are we going to do now?"
"Nothing at all. I'm in here for at least three more months, it's a great hideout, by the time I'm released they would have moved on. Don't worry about it. If anybody comes around to the house again you call the police and you leave, understood?"
"Yes I understand. Wow we seem to be on the run forever... I just wish it will all just settle down for us."
"I know, we went through a bad patch, it has to get better." Mariyah hoped that was the case.
***
Nobody came around to the house, that Fernando must have believed her story. Lucky she thought to say that, usually she buckled under stress. Turns out she was getting used to it. It had to get better for both their sakes. How much more could life want to hurt them?
Mariyah was readying herself for her visit with Caleb, she dressed in dark denim jeans and fitted blue tee shirt, with a vee at the collar revealing a little cleavage.
She tied her hair in high ponytail and applied a little makeup.
When she arrived at the rehab center and asked to see Caleb Hayworth, the nurse behind the reception looked at her a little weird.
"Honey he left three weeks ago." Mariyah felt the world freeze
"What do you mean he left?"
"Some guys came to visit him and he signed himself out that day, we tried to reason with him but he wouldn't listen." Mariyah shook her head
"Can I see the names of the men who came please?"
"I'll find it for you." The nurse looked through the signature book and turned it around for her to see.
There it was in black pen, Fernando Rodriguez had visited the day Caleb signed himself out.
Three weeks, that meant he was in some serious trouble.
Mariyah felt like she was going to faint.
This was not happening, not Caleb, what would she do without her rock?
"Ma'am are you okay?" Mariyah nodded as she fled from the building. Making her way into her car she drove off like a maniac. Where could she go for help? Who could help her? She had nobody in the world. The police… She would go to the police.
After reporting Caleb as missing the police said that not much could be done, they would get on and check out this Fernando guy.
When they got back to her about it apparently Fernando was clean.
What the hell? She couldn't just sit and do nothing.
Oh my god, oh my god this was really bad.
Zak popped up in her mind. Would he help her?
She would beg him and plead and do anything he wanted as long as he found Caleb.
She had no other choice in the world, at this point Zak Michaels was the lesser of the two evils, he would have to help her.
He could kill her afterward, just as long as Caleb was safe.
Packing some toiletries and a few changes of clothing Mariyah headed to the car on her way to see the one person she had been avoiding for almost a year.
This had to work, if it didn't than Caleb would have no chance of survival, that was if he still lived and she would be as good as dead anyway.
It didn't matter anymore, it was a long shot but it was the only shot she had.
Driving in the dead of night was a freaky experience. Mariyah stopped off at motel to sleep and rest for a few hours, she had something to eat before she continued on. The drive was exhausting for her, she just wanted to reach Zak and not waste any more time.
Finally as the sun lit the pink sky, Mariyah had reached her destination. Looking at the mansion, Mariyah almost lost her nerve. She drove in the long driveway until she reached the gates. Of course they were locked. She pulled her hand out of the window and buzzed. "Name?"
"Mariyah Hayworth, I need to speak to Zak, it's important.
" To her surprise the gates opened allowing her entry.
She parked the car and drew in a deep breath as she made her way to the doors.
She held her breath before she pressed the doorbell.
A scary looking man opened it, armed with enough weapons to go to war with.
"Can I help you?" Mariyah swallowed hard almost losing her nerve
"I need to see Zak, can you please tell him Mariyah Hayworth is here to see him?" The man looked at Mariyah and raised an eyebrow as if the name was familiar to him.
"Mr Michaels is asleep, if you wish to wait for him you may.
It's only five in the morning so you understand why I won't disturb him.
" Mariyah nodded. "You’re welcome to rest in the guest room, looks like you have been driving for a while.
" That sounded ideal, if she had to wait she might as well sleep for a bit. Heaven knows her body needed it.
"Thank you, I would like that." The guy who she assumed was a bodyguard brought her some water and juice and closed the door of the guest room behind him.
She looked at the furnishing of the room and was awed by how elaborate it was.
Moving the covers she snuggled in the bed falling asleep almost instantly.
Feeling very rested, Mariyah opened her eyes yawning. She stretched her body before sitting up. She covered her mouth when she noticed Zak sitting on the sofa looking at her. She had to stop herself from screaming. "Jesus Christ, you gave me a heart attack." He looked at her studying her intently.
"Where have you been Mariyah?" His voice so low. So calm… She bit her lips feeling overwhelmed. "Where the fuck have you been for over a year?"
"Zak I will explain everything to you but first I need to..." He held his hands up to stop her speaking.
"Get the fuck up…" Having said that he walked out of the room leaving her alone.
She quickly used the adjoining bathroom and put her shoes back on before leaving the room to find him.
The guy that let her in earlier on came and led her to the dining room where breakfast was being served.
It smelt heavenly. Zak looked up at her "Sit.
" He ordered. She did as he wanted and sat down on the right of him.
It suited him to sit at the head of the table.
"Zak please I need..."
"Mariyah, I need you to shut the fuck up for now okay?
" She nodded knowing what that meant. If she continued to talk he would smack her mouth shut.
"Eat…" Fine she was hungry anyways. Looking at him now her heart did leaps and summersaults.
Zak Michaels the love of her life. "Mariyah stop fucking looking at me and eat your breakfast." She jumped and her face colored that he caught her looking at him.
"Why… Who do we have here?" A stunning woman walked into the dining room dressed in nothing but a lacy black nightie, her breast were visible as was her thong under the piece of material she was wearing.
She moved and kissed Zak on the mouth, using her tongue and all.
Mariyah almost cried. She wanted to smash her face in.
Then the tramp sat in his lap. "Baby, why is there a strange girl eating breakfast with us? "
"Olivia this is Mariyah." Mariyah looked up at the green eyed beauty and faked a smile
"Charmed." The bitch said tartly to Mariyah. "Why is she here Zak?"