Chapter sixty seven

DALLAS

“Your refreshments are here,” I turned my head to the direction of the voice to see Heather walk in. She sunk into the seat next to mine.

I flashed her a smile as I collected the tray from her and placed it on the heap of pillows before me.

“Alright, let the sleepover begin.” I declared and Heather cheered.

“So which movie should we watch?” I asked as I grabbed the remote.

Heather was sleeping over in the main house with me tonight. We were in the living room, nestled between pillows and heavy blankets, a big bowl of popcorn, ice-cream, and lots of candies. Oliver would lose his mind if he sees all these junk food, despite that he gave us permission to have the sleepover.

He had left the house three days ago for a business emergency in D.C. I was a bit worried when I saw the news about his pharmaceutical company few days ago, but he assured me that he got everything under control.

I watched his press conference the other day and was amazed by how effortlessly he tackled the reporters. I would definitely pass out if I had to answer all those reporters. But he didn’t even show a hint of discomfort. It was like he was born to do this.

We’ve exchanged a lot of texts during the time of his absence, but it didn’t stop me from missing him. It wasn’t the same as having him here with me. I didn’t even realize how lonely sleeping here was until he traveled to another city. It’s not like I’ve never slept alone in the house before, but this time something felt…different.

I spent the entire night yesterday turning and tossing in bed. Partly because I missed him so much, and also because I was having really strange nightmares.The nightmare was about the moment I learned about my mother’s accident right before the competition. It was like reliving the moment all over again.

It was so strange that my brain chose that particular time to haunt me. And I couldn’t shake off the feeling that something bad was about to happen. Or had already happened. I ended up laying in the cold bathtub to keep myself from falling asleep till dawn.

I asked Heather to sleepover because I couldn’t take it anymore. Oliver had told me he might not be back till the end of the week. It was only Thursday. It took a lot of convincing before she finally agreed to stay. She was worried about Oliver’s reaction. It wasn’t until I got him on video call and he told her that he didn’t have a problem with it did she agree to stay.

But even now, while sitting with Heather, I couldn’t quiet down the loud voices in my head. It’s like the nightmares decided to haunt me in real life too. I tried to steady my breathing and force myself to be in the present.

“Dallas?”

I flinched slightly as I felt Heather nudged me slightly. I turned to see her staring at me with a concerned expression on her face.

“I’ve been calling you for a few seconds now. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. I was just thinking about something and spaced out.” I said and flashed her a smile.

Her eyebrow knitted as she narrowed her gaze on me. Whether she believed me or not, she didn’t let on. She simply gave me a nod and turned her attention back to the screen. I was glad she didn’t probe further.

“How to lose a guy in ten days.” she said slowly.

“What?” I asked, my tone laced with confusion.

“The movie. I was asking if we should choose that or ‘picture perfect, maid in Manhattan, the proposal’. Or we should choose another genre entirely?”

“No, romance is fine.” I muttered.

“Okay, but Hollywood or K drama? I’m learning a few Korean words.”

“K-dramas are usually in series with each episode an hour or two. Let's just watch Hollywood today. Old school romance. Don't worry, I'll gladly be your Korean tutor and make you fluent in Korea.” I said.

“You said you don't know how to teach very well.”

“I know Korea. I lived there half of my life. How hard can it be to teach someone the language?” I argued.

“Remember what happened the day you tried to teach me how to make Haemultang?” She raised an eyebrow.

I tried to teach Heather how to make a Korean spicy seafood stew but it turned out to be a total disaster. I ended up calling Lisa and asked her to help.

“That was different. It's food. This is a language. I can definitely do it.”

“Yeah yeah,” she said and we both laughed.

“Hollywood it is then.”

I nodded in agreement, stuffing my mouth with popcorn.

The movie began soon and we watched in silence. We were a few minutes into the movie when my mind wandered away again. This time, a pleasant image flashed through my mind and I couldn’t stop the smile that tilted at the corner of my lips.

It was the memory of my date with Oliver, few days before he left for D.C. How he took into the details everything I have ever said and brought it to life. From the location down to the food then the sex in the cabin afterwards.

A blush crept on my cheek as the image flashed across my mind. He had done all of that. For me. It was the best thing anyone has ever done for her

By the time I glanced at my sides, I realized that Heather had fallen asleep. My eyes darted to the wall clock to see the time was a few minutes past midnight.

I switched off the TV and packed the rest of the snacks to the kitchen. When I was done, I tried to wake her up and make her go upstairs.

Despite how late it was, I couldn't bring myself to fall asleep. I kept turning in bed, restless. My phone pinged on the nightstand indicating a text notification.

I picked it up, thinking it was from Oliver. He sends a text before he goes to bed and that's usually around this time. I've told him to go to bed earlier but he doesn't listen.

“I can't fall asleep without you by my side,” he had said on the phone the last time I insisted he goes to bed early after another of his tedious meetings.

I blushed hard at his words and he continued to whisper sweet things to my ear till I fell asleep. That was two days ago. I really can't wait for him to return to New York.

But as I checked the text, I realized it wasn't from Oliver. It was from a strange number. I felt a tinge of dissapointment but I quickly pushed it away.

I contemplated opening the text or leaving it till morning. But since I couldn't fall asleep, I decided to click on it.

My heart stopped as I skimmed the content. I reread the text message multiple times and made sure the content sunk in. I let out a shaky sigh.

“Do you want to know the truth about what happened to your mother? Come to this address tomorrow morning. Don't tell anyone.”

The text read. A location was attached to it.
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