Chapter 61

Priscilla's Perspective

For the past two weeks, my life has been peaceful even though I miss Max a lot. I have been trying to keep my thoughts away from him and focus on my job. Fortunately, the workshop where I work has only three people. It is a small shop where only shoes are designed, which makes my job easy. I am not sure how Mrs. Cooke makes money from this shop because there isn't much to do, but I hope to get paid at the end of the month. The shop looks hopeless, but I must keep my job to survive.

"Ma'am, I've printed the copy for this sketch. I want you to take a look at it and tell me if I should change anything," I said, placing the paper on top of Mrs. Cooke's desk.

"Okay, you can leave it. I will check on it later," she said, without removing her head from her laptop.

I had a question in my head that I couldn't help but ask. "Ma'am, do you have a shop somewhere? I mean, we only design shoes here, where are they made or sold?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Mrs. Cooke closed her laptop and looked at me through her glasses. "Well, I own a few malls, but most of them are overseas. I love Camptown, that's why I decided to open my workshop here, but my factories and malls are overseas," she explained. I let out a sigh of relief, at least I would get my money at the end of the month.

"Oh, I was just curious, that's why I asked," I said.

"The CEO of the company you used to work for, Liana Cooke, is my daughter," Mrs Cooke said, and my eyes widened. The world was indeed small, and I didn't even imagine that she was Mrs. Liana's daughter.

"Oh wow, I didn't expect that at all... You and your daughter are quite different," I blurted out, immediately regretting my words. How could I tell my boss that? To my surprise, Mrs. Cooke chuckled.

"Yeah, we are very different indeed. I'm a businesswoman. If I'm too nice to my employees, my business will suffer. But if I'm a bit strict and cold, people take me more seriously," Mrs. Cooke explained. "Anyways, it's already late. Go home and rest." I smiled at her before gathering my things and leaving the workshop.

As I stepped outside, the darkness enveloped the streets. I sighed, realizing I still had to walk home. The quiet streets were only illuminated by the streetlights, making the journey less eerie. But now that I was pregnant, I had to be extra cautious and aware of my surroundings.

While walking, I felt a strange presence following me. My heart started racing, but I kept walking without turning back. Suddenly, someone grabbed my arm tightly from behind and pressed something against my back. Fear gripped me - I was being kidnapped. And I couldn't help but think that Max was behind it.

"You better not scream, or I'll shoot you!" the man threatened. My forehead started to bead with sweat, but I refused to show my fear. I needed a chance to escape, to hit him and run.

"Is this how you kidnap someone? No proper introduction or anything? What happened to your manners? Didn't your mother teach you anything?" I asked, my voice laced with sarcasm, all while continuing to walk. I masked my fear, searching for an opportunity to strike and get away.

"Ma'am, please don't make things difficult for me. I'm just doing my job. If I don't bring you back, Sir is going to fire me," the man pleaded. Did he think I was going to let him kidnap me without a fight?

As I surveyed the empty streets, an idea formed in my mind. If I used my elbow to strike his stomach, he would stumble, giving me a chance to escape. I kicked him hard, causing him to groan in pain. Taking advantage of his weakened state, I struck him again and again, ensuring that he wouldn't recover anytime soon. He whimpered in agony.

"Tell your boss that I'm never coming back to him!!!" I said and kicked him again.

Deciding it was enough, I turned and sprinted away without looking back. I knew he wouldn't be able to find me. The adrenaline coursed through my veins as I ran towards safety, grateful for my quick thinking and determined spirit.

****

I was panting heavily as I leaned against the door. Running all the way home was really tiring, and to make matters worse, I was pregnant. I just hope that the guy didn't see me coming here or leaving the workshop. I know that Max must be trying very hard to find me, but unfortunately, I don't want him to find me. I want nothing to do with him. I've started my life, and I don't need him to ruin things for me. I might not be happy to be all alone, but I'm glad that I'm alone without anyone in my life.

After I calmed down, I walked to the couch and placed my bag on it before sitting down. Now I was alone in this apartment. The childcare didn't allow me to adopt or live with five kids on my own at my age, so they decided to send them to boarding school. It's good that the government has agreed to take care of them and send them to school, but it's bad because I'm all alone. I don't know if they will be allowed to visit.

I have always believed that being alone is the best thing in life, but now I am starting to realize that it is not good. It's just me in this apartment, and I don't want to lie; I'm a bit scared. The silence is suffocating me even more. Although Max used to irritate me, I miss spending time with him. I remember the first time I poured water on him, and he was so angry, but when I faked my sobs, he looked so helpless. A chuckle escaped from my mouth before I could even stop it. I don't even know why I'm thinking about him, but I can't help it.

I frown when I hear the doorbell ringing, rise from the couch, and walk there. I look through the small mirror on the door and sigh in relief when I see Liz. I open the door, and she enters before I close the door.

"Hi Liz," I say, frowning when I see how pale she looks. Something must have happened to make her like this.

"What happened, Liz?" I ask. She covers her face with her hands, sobbing. I wrap my hand around her shoulder before leading her to the couch, and we both sit down.

"Priscilla, Max is really struggling lately. He has been increasingly miserable with each passing day. Last night, he was so drunk that he cried all night long. It's heartbreaking to see him like this," Liz whispered through her tears. All she needed was someone to listen, so I just let her pour her heart out.

"Our father was a terrible man. He used to physically abuse our mother right in front of us. He constantly brought different women into our home and drank a lot, and this affected Max greatly." Liz hunched over, trembling with sobs but she continued.

"He had a difficult and troubled childhood. He started drinking and taking dangerous drugs at a very young age, just 14 years old. He became addicted to alcohol and engaged in dangerous behavior, even attempting to rape a girl while under the influence and accidentally killing one of his friends when he was only 16. His behavior was so appalling that our father sent him abroad, hoping for him to change. However, before he could return to Camptown, he was involved in a severe accident that nearly took his life. Though he survived, he lost all his memories at the age of 18. Even now, he still doesn't remember anything from his past. But Priscilla, I'm scared. I'm terrified that Max will regain his memory and revert to his old, destructive self," Liz confessed, her sobs growing louder. I was stunned beyond words. I never expected to hear all this. While Max did give off a rebellious vibe with his earring, I could never have imagined the extent of his troubled past.

" I'm not asking you to forgive him for what he did to you, but please, Please I'm begging you! Come back for me, do it for me because I would die if Max remembered his past and went back to his old self again, I won't be able to tolerate it, I —-I just can't." Liz said between her sobs, a heavy feeling settled in my stomach. I can't see Liz crying like this nor do I want to watch Max suffering, but what about me? And all the things he had said to me? I can't just forget it all just like that, what if he keeps on insulting me again and again? Can I really bear it all for him? I know myself very well, I can be selfish sometimes because I know that If I don't think about myself then no one will and that is the fact.

Max's POV

I sat on the bar stool, holding a glass of whiskey in my hand. Today, I wasn't as drunk as yesterday, but I wasn't sober either. All I wanted was to see her face or hear her voice. Without that, I couldn't gather myself or go to the office. Guilt consumed me, as I missed her and it was driving me insane. This was unlike anything I had experienced before. Even when Nelly cheated on me with my uncle and we spent time apart, I didn't miss her like this. It has been 5 years since I last saw Guccie, but I have never felt this level of longing. It made me believe that I am truly in love with Priscilla. Love has the power to make a person go crazy. And I'm unfortunately going mad.

"Hi, Max!" My body froze in place. Was I dreaming or was I hearing things? It couldn't be possible, could it? I turned and our eyes met. My heart skipped a beat and started racing. It was indeed her. I just hoped I wasn't dreaming. I prayed in my heart that it was really her. I didn't even know how, but my feet started moving towards her. Before I could stop myself, I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close to me. I had missed her so much, and I couldn't explain it.

"Priscilla, I've missed you so much!! I'm really sorry about everything I said that day, I was just angry and I was not In my senses, please forgive me, please." I said I could feel tears gathering in my eyes, Priscilla pushed me away from her before taking a step back.

"I've already told you that I can never forgive you for that day. I just came here to check on you and see if you're doing alright now that I've seen you. I'm leaving," said Priscilla. She turned to walk away, but I quickly grabbed her hand to stop her.

"Please don't punish me like this! I know my words hurt you a lot, and I can't take them back. But please, I beg you to forgive me. I will do anything to earn your forgiveness," I said, meaning every word.

"Anything to earn my forgiveness?" Priscilla asked, and I quickly nodded.

"Stop drinking, pull yourself together, go back to the office, and forget about me. I promise you I will forgive you for everything you said that day! Can you do that for me?" Priscilla asked. My heart raced as she spoke. How could I forget about her? It was impossible.

"I can stop drinking and go back to the office, but I can't forget about you. You've become a part of me that I can't live without or forget easily. You're holding my heart in your hands, and I can't live without my heart with me," I said, tears flowing out of my eyes.

"I'm sorry to hear that you're upset, but we both know that you're alive because your heart is beating on your chest right now. Please try to calm down and stop saying hurtful things because I'm never going to return here, nor am I going to forgive you. It's better if you forget about me and move on with your life," Priscilla murmured, though her anger was still evident.

"Please don't leave, at least stay for tonight. You can leave in the morning," I begged, desperate to spend more time with her.

"I came to check on you, not to stay. If you're truly sorry for what you said that night, you need to stop drinking, go back to the office, and leave me alone. I want nothing to do with you. I know it's selfish, but I'm only thinking about myself. I don't want to keep getting hurt. Staying away from pain is the best option before it consumes me." Priscilla's words felt like a dagger to my heart. She walked out of the bar without looking back. Tears streamed down my face as I watched her leave.