Page 56 of Deadline for Love

Nia followed me quietly, still looking disappointed, but what could I do to cheer her up about something like this?

When I reached the door, I used the bell and waited patiently for Janette to open it. So, we waited a while before ringing the bell again, and the door barely cracked open.

“Hey Janette, it’s Bella and Nia,” I greeted, but instead of answering, she opened the door entirely and stared at me with tired eyes. Her hair was messy, and her skin was ashen.

“Are you okay?” I asked right away and gave her a worried glance.

She just shook her head in reply.

“We got you something from the bakery,” Nia spoke up, but Janette’s eyes fixed on the package and grew wide, and her body began to tremble. “Get the fuck out of here! I want nothing to do with you.” Her scream rang through the whole hallway. Nia took a few steps back in shock, and I stood speechless in the same place.

“I don’t want to see you. Stay away, Bella. You’re only putting everyone in danger. Don’t show your face here again, please!” Towards the end, her voice softened, but it was loud enough to resound slightly.

She turned around briefly, mumbling something to herself before returning to us, and then she pushed a letter and a flower into my hand—An Aster flower.

“I won’t tolerate this anymore! Someone came here three days in a row. And recently he started knocking on my door and then left me this yesterday! I informed the police, but they didn’t do anything! So, I have to protect myself. Get out of here, Bella.”

Terrified, I looked down at the items in my hand, the same envelope and that flower again. I felt terrible.

“Have you seen him?” Nia asked, but Janette started yelling again and slammed the door in my face.

“Wow,” Nia uttered and looked at me, stunned, but I remained in my position.

“What the fuck?”

I could only agree with her, shaken.

“Let’s get out of here.” Nia took my hand and pulled me out of the building. I let myself be led as if in a trance, the scene playingover and over in my head. Janette was behaving strangely because she was scared. She was terrified, and I was responsible for making her feel unsafe. But what shocked me about the whole thing was that the police didn’t help her.

With an overwhelming feeling, I sat in the car. Nia leaned over and watched me open the letter. We both read the text together.

Where are you? I can’t find you near, lost, and distant you appear.

My love, have I wronged you so that your anger does still grow?

I’m sorry for the pain I’ve caused, I’ll make amends, no matter the cost.

Let me create and prove that my love for you will always move.

No other shall claim your heart; let my art be our fresh start.

Your words bring me joy and light, even when they’re harsh, I’ll hold you tight.

So, forgive me now, as I forgive, mend our bond, and let love live.

Chapter 20

“Okay, he was guessing where you’ve been, so that means he was watching you, and because he couldn’t find you at home, he’s getting desperate.”

Nia uttered her thoughts out loud as we sat back in the office. I had the letter on my desk, and Nia spun around the room as she thought out loud. Aicha and Eric were no longer in the office, so we were alone here, mulling over this rhyme.

I supported my head with my hand, my gaze remaining fixed on the written words.

At some point, I looked up the meaning of Aster flowers on the internet and realized it was both a negative and a positive symbol.

“Richness and diversity, but it can also stand for ulterior motives, disappointment, and transience,” I read out loud.

“Hmm... doesn’t sound great.”

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