Page 150 of Don't Leave Me

She shook her head. “No. We need to do this when he has no idea it’s coming,” she said sternly.

I sighed heavily, my hands shaking. I nodded, taking in long, deep breaths. “Okay,” I nodded to her.

She mimicked me and took some deep breaths as well.

“Okay,” she repeated back to me, no hint of confidence in her voice whatsoever.

35

Chapter 35

We were only in the bathroom for less than three minutes – just enough time to not have Jack start to worry. We walked out smiling, as if we just had the best laugh together, and she sat calmly next to Jack. He eyed us for a moment but didn’t seem to figure out that we had just planned Hana’s escape.

“Let me pay, please,” I said to Jack kindly as we sat down and as the waiter brought us our check.

You fucking asshole.

“I got it, no worries, ladies,” he smiled, quickly taking the bill.

I glanced at Hana and smiled. “Thanks, Jack,” I said to him.

My mind was racing. I need to tell Michael immediately. I need to involve the police in this somehow. Shit.

“If you’re paying, let’s do this again sometime,” I laughed as I took a sip of my iced tea.

Jack smiled and glanced at Hana. “Yeah, we’d love to,” he put his arm around her chair again. “We’ll be going away for Valentine’s Day though. Perhaps after?”

I quickly glanced at Hana. She looked surprised and confused.

“That sounds nice. Where are you guys going?” I quizzed him.

Jack raised his eyebrows at me. “Oh, it’s a surprise for Hana,” he put his pointer finger up to his lips, gesturing a secret.

Hana forced a laugh. “Well, it’s not a surprise anymore,” she smiled at him crookedly.

“I know. I’m terrible at keeping secrets,” he gazed at her lovingly. “I think Hana is too,” he turned to me, his smile fading.

I tried to keep the tone light but my heart felt like it fell to my feet. “Is Hana planning a special Valentine’s surprise?” I teased her, but her face turned pale as she forced another smile.

“Well now I have to if Jack is going to whisk me away on a holiday,” Hana’s smile grew – she was hiding her terror very well, but I could see it in her eyes.

“It’s nothing big, love. Don’t worry,” he smirked at her quickly, then started to get up as he grabbed his coat off the back of his chair.

Hana quickly followed. I didn’t want to leave. I slowly got up and started to put my coat on, trying to figure out what else I could possibly say or do to get them to hang out with me for a little bit longer.

“Do you guys wanna grab a drink or something? I’m not itching to go back to my empty apartment,” I said, my tone full of self-loathing to try to put on my best lonely face.

Jack glanced at Hana quickly. “We should head back. But maybe next time,” Jack answered for the both of them, taking Hana’s hand.

Hana looked defeated.

I nodded. “Okay,” I smiled sweetly.

We started for the door. As we hit the street, the bustling of people and honking of cars mixed with the cold, biting air brought me back to reality. It almost felt like I was in a nightmare in that restaurant, and now I knew that Hana was living one. I wanted so badly to take Hana’s hand and start running and screaming, but Hana didn’t know if Jack had his gun or not. I turned to Hana as we stopped on the sidewalk, bundling ourselves with scarves.

“I’ll see you soon?”

Hana’s eyes were widened and she looked down. “Of course,” she said, then turned to Jack, waiting for him to speak.

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