A Life

When the taxi arrives at the address, I start to panic. Did I really make the right decision? Even if I did, I can't go back now.

The place is kind of far, so I had to pay well the taxi driver. I have to be careful with money from now on. And find a job, cause my savings will barely keep me alive for a month.

I stare at the house in front of me, a red light is illuminating the gate. There's a small flower garden in the front porch. I check the card again, yes, it's the right address.

But where's this Leomord Watson person?

So I wait. I stand there quietly, with my suitcase, which has all of my belongings. The weather has been cold for a while, thus I tightly wrap the wool cardigan around me.

"Anastasia?"

I flinch as someone calls my name from behind. Then I exhale in relief when I see that man.

He is standing a feet away from me, all tall and dominant, wearing all black. In the red light, his green eyes seem like a weird mixture of black. The corners of his mouth curves into a smile, and I melt seeing how gentle that is, he nods his head like he understands, "So, you finally came."

"I did," I say.

We go inside the house, and I examine everything with utter attention, and being amused by myself, how I don't feel uncomfortable at all. He has that comforting aura about him, though my heartbeat speeds up as I see him taking off his gloves.

There are blood stains on them.

As if he senses my thoughts, he raises his hand in motion to excuse, "I work in the jail. An inmate got violent today, I think he has some psychiatric disorders."

"I see," I respond, not wanting to drag the matter.

"Follow me, I'll show you your room."

Then I follow him like an obedient girl, thinking that he might be the savior of my life.

He opens up a door in the corner, a door made of black wood. I try to peak to see the inside, and he moves aside to let me examine.

The walls are painted sky blue and the room has a simple, cozy vibe about it. The bed is big enough to hold two of me. And the flower garden can be seen through the window.

"Do you like it?" he asks me, reading my expression.

"I love it," I reply, grateful.

"Alright, then, I'll leave you to it," he runs a hand through his hair. "By the way, have you had dinner yet?"

"No," I smile awkwardly, because I'm hungry, a lot.

"No worries. Fresh up and come to the dining room," he closes the door before leaving.

And I still don't know how he knows me.

He kind of lives in the woods, doesn't he? No wonder that the taxi driver gave me a weird eye. Beside the road, as far as my eyes go, I only see mysterious green.

After washing up a bit, I slowly walk to the dining room, as he said.

Delicious smell of curry hits my senses, and I start to smile unknowingly. The past weeks have been heck for me. Nothing is wrong with having some good food. Though my mind covers with guilt as I think of my mom.

"Sit down, please," Leomord glances at me from the kitchen. "I made curry and rice, I hope you don't mind."

"Excellent," the smile grows bigger.

We eat in silence, and he seems to be deep in though. He has changed his clothes, into a light blue shirt and trousers. I see him taking big scoops of rice, while I chew my own.

"So Anastasia," he finally breaks the silence after gulping down two glasses of water. "Are you alright?"

He himself knew that it was a dumb question, but I know what he means. So I brighten my face to make myself look alright, "I'm going to have a child."

"Jesus," he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. Must be a habit. "Are you going to keep it?"

"I'm not sure yet," I smile again. "I'm not inhumane enough to kill a fetus. But I don't know what I'm going to answer my kid in future. That their dad is a rapist?"

"That bastard has to be punished," he mutters.

"My mom said reporting him to police won't get me back what I lost. And his family is pretty dominating, so police might not arrest him at all. My brother told me to abort the baby though. He said if I have this baby, people are going to call our house 'the illegitimate child villa'. Well, not 'our' house anymore," I exhale sharply. "Because, I left home."

"How old are you, Anastasia?" he asks suddenly.

"I'll be eighteen in three weeks."

"What do you plan to do now? You can stay here as long as you want, and I don't recommend going back to your home even though it hurts. Your brother is turning into a monster. And I can't lie that, even if a little, I'm responsible for that."

"You know my brother?" my tone turns sharp.

"I'm not his friend or anything. It's just I know him from some work."

"That some work isn't anything legal, right?" I sigh.

He doesn't respond.

"Can you find me a job?" I suddenly grow impatient. "Anything that I can work from home."

"Are you good with any sewing stuff? You haven't finished high school yet___"

"And I'm not going to," I interrupt. "I'm good with crocheting stuff. Can you get me the materials? I'm going to be a burden to you, but hey, you're the one who offered me to help."

His eyes grow soft, he slowly puts his hand on mine, just a gentle touch, "You're not a burden, Anastasia. Surely, I will get you the items tomorrow."

"Alright. Thank you for everything, Leomord."

He gives me a nod and stands up, holding the plates. I stare at his figure, the way he walks, the way he rolls up his sleeves to wash the dishes, the way his hand veins pop up as he moves.

Is it just hormones? I'm having impure thoughts about a man who's in his thirties. Or my mind is playing games? Trying to erase that traumatic night with the thought of someone else?

"Goodnight," he says, as I stand in my new bedroom.

"You sure you don't want to come in? We can play games or something," I utter. And I don't know what's wrong with me.

"Goodnight, Anastasia," he implies, and closes the door.

And my heart starts hurting.