Chapter hundred and fifteen

Dallas

Three days have passed since the break up and I have been taking it surprisingly well. I've managed to refrain myself from answering any of Oliver's calls. I've fought off the urge to read his texts, because if I did, I was sure my resolve would break down.

Despite that I've been soaking my pillow with tears everyday, I had still kept my distance from him. It was getting harder with each passing day, but anytime I want to give up, I have to remind myself the reason I was doing this. It was to keep him safe. To keep everyone I love safe. I wasn't going to let them get caught up in my mess. I was going to deal with my problems myself.

I hadn't even realized the problem existed until Ron pointed it out. Ron, that had dumped a huge revelation on me and vanished. He'd simply told me to calm down and he'll get back to me soon.

Ron had told me what I've always wanted to hear my whole life. But now that I have it, I wasn't sure I wanted it anymore. I wasn't sure I wanted him anymore. I meant it when I said it was too late.

I spent the last three days convincing myself that I did the right thing by rejecting him. That I wasn't going to regret it. I pray I don't. I wasn't going to refuse his help though. I was going to protect the people I love.

If I didn't see the video with my own two eyes, I would think he was deceiving me because of the complete silence from his side. I almost thought he did. The video could be fake. But it didn't seem like he gained anything by asking me to break up with Oliver. I was certain he didn't.

The news of Jenna and Oliver's engagement being called off had gone viral. I wouldn't deny that a part of me felt excited by the news even if the circumstances weren't right. But I still couldn't help the slight twinge of guilt I feel each time it crossed my mind.

He'd broken off the engagement in a fit of rage. Sometimes I wonder if he regrets it. If he feels guilt because he couldn't fulfil the promise he made to his father because of what happened between us.

But I force myself not to think about it. Not when there's still so much for me to worry about.

I shot a quick text to Heather, asking her when she'd get here. I had stayed at a hotel the night I broke up with Oliver. It didn't seem right to go back to his house and I had no where else to go.

The twins were still living at my mother's house. Not like I would ever go back there anyway. It's the last place I would ever be. I did go back to retrieve the car. I needed a source of transportation. The place was in worse shape than the last time I saw it. But I didn't hang around much.

After I left the hotel and got the car, I came to the only place I could think of. The cabin. I had no where else to go and the cabin was technically mine.

I texted Heather and gave her directions to where the key to the place was in my room. She brought it to me and a few other things I might need. I made her swore not to tell Oliver where I was.

She was supposed to help me bring a few of my things today. She was the only one aside from Oliver and me that knows about this place. I didn't tell Ron even when he insisted. I didn't entirely trust him yet.

It felt wrong to tell people about this place. Even after our breakup, it was still our sacred place. I didn't tell any of my friends that main reason behind my breakup with Oliver and they hadn't probed. But I knew it was only a matter of time.

“Earth to Dallas!”

I flinched slightly at the sudden scream and almost threw my phone to the floor. Thank God I was sitting on the bed.

I picked my phone up to see my best friend with her brows arched.

I had zoned out and completely forgotten that I was on video call with Lisa. Lisa and Heather had rotated between calling and texting me almost every hour. They'd taken my need for solidarity even more serious than it is.

“Yeah yeah, sure.” I said quickly.

I didn't know what she said, I just replied that.

“Did you even heard what I said?” She asked, as if reading my thoughts.

I stared at her, blinking innocently and then slowly shook my head.

She sighed.

“I was talking about the crazy theories people are spinning about Oliver and Jenna's engagement saga. Someone said Oliver had a secret child with a woman and Jenna found out about it, so she got mad and broke off the engagement.” Lisa said calmly.

“Oh, that's pretty wild.” I said absentmindedly.

I've read crazier theories but I wasn't in the mood to talk about it.

“Are you okay?” Lisa asked, her voice lower this time. Her eyes were filled with concern.

“Yes, I'm fine.”

That had been my mantra for the past three days. I'm fine. I'll be fine. Everything is going to be fine. Maybe if I repeat it so many times, I'll start believing it too.

“You don't look fine, Dal. Talk to me, please.” Lisa pleaded.

I really wanted to. I really, really wanted to tell her everything. I've always been able to talk to Lisa. Except in this moment. I risk putting her in danger too.

“Should I come over there?”

“No,” I said immediately.

She couldn't be here. He couldn't harm her there. She was safe in Korea. I couldn't let her out herself in danger because of me. If anything happened to Lisa–

I swallowed hard and forced the image away. Nothing is going to happen to her or anyone. They're all going to be fine.

“You're clearly not fine. You're refusing to talk to anyone. You haven't even told me why you broke up with him. I know it's not because of Jenna. You can talk to me, Dal. Please.”

I sighed. I should probably tell her something. Not the whole truth, just a kernel. Maybe that would stop her from whatever she's planning to do. I can't afford having Lisa here.

I took a deep breath and said something I never thought I would say in my whole life.

“I found my Dad.”
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Lisa hung up about an hour later. She was still shock by what I just told her and hadn't recovered from it. But she'd tried to put on a brave face for me which I appreciated.

The doorbell rang few minutes after my call with Lisa. I sprung up from the bed and hurried to the front door. I was glad Heather was finally here. The silence in the cabin was killing me and I could really use her company.

“I texted you hours ago. What if I was about to get kidnapped and texted you to help me out?” I chuckled.

I expected to hear Heather's answering chuckle about how I was being really dramatic, and that she was only a few minutes late. But when I opened the door, it wasn't Heather on my front porch. It was–

“Hello, little monkey.” a very familiar masculine voice purred, his heated gaze fixed on me.