Chapter 14: Let’s Hide It From Him
Chapter 14: Lets Hide It From Him
Is it a note, miss?
As Julia quickly leaned down, I was frightened and snatched the note. I just hope she didnt notice my trembling hands.
No.
I tried hard to make an insignificant voice.
Its just a piece of paper. It doesnt say anything. Ill throw it away.
Huh? its nothing.
Julia pouted her lips, perhaps thinking this would be like a secret letter of love. Well, how painful must it be to suffer from housework every day at the age of eighteen.
Ill do the rest, so you can go out now, Julia. They will need to help prepare dinner.
Yes, lady.
After leaving the room, I heard Julia walking down the stairs. Only then did my body, which had been released from tension, collapsed down as if it were sliding.
My mother has not been feeling well recently due to chronic blood pressure problems. Its only a matter of time before Julia finds out and my mother finds out about it too, so I hid it for now, but the person who wrote it must be that red-haired man.
Im sure, because of the circumstances.
Haa
I got goosebumps thinking that he had been near me again today. If he heard my conversation with Toby, it means he was very close..
Did he catch up to me on the street while I was on my way home?
No, if he left the note to a street beggar, its highly likely that he was already watching everything from the coffee shop.
Whatever it was, it was completely unbelievable. My hands trembled from fear. I couldnt even stand up and just sat on the floor with a devastated face.
What do you want from me?
It wouldnt be a trick to threaten me and steal my familys property. If he had watched me closely, he would have clearly seen how I dressed up. Unless he is blind.
Then, does he really admire me?
Well, I got a love letter from Tobias Miller, but it was definitely the first time in Melissa Collins 20-year-old life.
Its hard to comprehend.
Another hypothesis is the probability that the unidentified man chasing me is a weirdo with a strange taste.
For example, when he sees a mysterious woman with brown hair in an old dress, he follows her around.
Some kind of pervert..?
This third hypothesis was the most terrifying, but at the same time the most likely. That makes it even more terrifying and creepy. Its completely outside the scope of normal thinking.
* * *
Mel, this is not normal.
At my complaint, Viola clenched her fists and added in a low voice.
As expected, I think its right to quit the New Ditch trip.
But
I want you to go, too. Its just that its not now. What do you think that crazy stalker would actually do to you?
.
I buried myself deeply on the sofa with mixed feelings.
But, he could be just baffling.
No, no matter how much I think about it, Youre going to regret it.. Listen to me this time, Mel.
It could be just a joke, but maybe I am making it into a bigger deal then it is
Melissa.
Viola said in an unusually stern voice.
What are you going to do if its not a joke?
.
You, really you may get hurt if you ignore this. You can get in trouble if you do that.
Her determined words suddenly flooded me with shame.
I was used to pretending to be rational with the fact that I was quiet.
(TL/N: well, not being loud or flashy can make one appear more sensible whether they truly are or not.)
To pretend not to be conscious of my timid personality this was part of my trivial daily life and couldnt easily come out in front of others.
In fact, I had a more vulnerable and emotional inner self than anyone else.
Even so, its such an ungrateful attitude. I felt pathetic for myself. The fact that I was like an immature child and didnt want to see the seriousness of my situation and only saw my willingness to travel
I dont know what the red-haired mans plan is, but in the worst case, the end may be my death.
I should send a letter to postpone my trip.
Yes. Youd better watch the situation for a while.
As I nodded helplessly, Violas small hand grabbed my hand tightly.
Cheer up. Since hes a stalker who suddenly stuck behind you, he might come off sooner than you think.
I really hope so.
If this had happened in my previous life, I would have reported it to the police right away. Stalking is definitely a crime.
But unfortunately, in the Sourne Kingdom, the perception that stalking is considered as a bizarre act, nothing more or less. Sadly, most of the victims of stalking are women, and I cant help but get the impression that the current era with recent womens rights is fueling this situation.
The point is, even if the culprit is known, it will only end with a light criticism and there will be no significant punishment. In other words, the victim has no other option but to hide in fear..
Of course, there is clearly an agency called the police. Even because this is Florin, the capital of the Kingdom.
The problem is that they only move for a strictly influential family or person. It is unimaginable here that an individual asks the police for protection.
Then when I thought about who I should be protected by, the first person that came to mind was not my mother, my guardian, or my fatherwho is far away. It was Tobias Miller.
You know, Viola.
However, I wasnt sure whether it would be better to tell him the reason for delaying this trip.
Isnt it better to tell Tobias the truth? The reason for delaying travel.
Well
Violas forehead gradually narrowed.
You and Mr. Miller havent talked about the stalker since the day he saw someone near you, right?
Yes. Maybe he thinks its a coincidence. He wouldnt imagine that he(Stalker) is repeatedly stalking me.
Then youd better not say it. I think hell just worry for no reason. There is nothing he ought to do.
.
I nodded my head slightly. I want to avoid making Toby worried for no reason.
However, it was somehow uncomfortable to hide the situation after showing such expectations(for the trip). If he asks why, Ill have to make another excuse, then Ill have to lie.
Then Viola added,
It will be a relief if this blows over and the worst thing that happened is just our worries
What are you talking about?
The stalker might even harm him(Toby). If it is Mr. Miller, he will try to solve the problem, and if he gets caught in the eyes of that crazy stalker for no reason.
.
Viola must have sensed that the stalker was not an ordinary person. Seriously, its not normal to borrow someone elses hand to send a note.
At that time, Viola clapped her palms and said,
Mel! Your stalker might be a gangster? Like the king of the back alley.
Well
Viola seemed to have made such an inference when she heard that he had used the old woman to get to me. Hmm. It wasnt a bad hypothesis, but I shook my head.
Mr. Greg and Toby said that he was dressed neatly and his hair looks like its a mess.
So, hes not only just a beggar but actually the leader.
Viola muttered with a serious face. She nodded her head a couple of times, but my thoughts were different.
No. She smelled like the streets, I would have known when he was hovering around me.
Smelled like the streets?
When the old woman came close, I thought my nose was falling because of the terrible smell.
When I remembered it again, I involuntarily frowned. She smelled like a hundred-year-old sewer..
Viola, rather.
Rather?
It may be an absurd idea, but I continued with a strange conviction.
I think he may be a wealthy man. If he is able to bribe people for something like this.
What is it that wealthy people lack to do this?
Viola crumpled her nose, putting the teacup down so that it could make a clattering sound. It was an expression that came out whenever she thought deeply.
Only a person who lacks something or misses someone would commit such a depressing thing. Dont you think so?
Hmm
Well, as one of them*, not everyone takes these crimes for granted just because they are lacking or deficient.
[* She is referring to herself since she is also lacking]
Since I am in that position, it does seem rather objectively or critically suspicious. Though it creates an illusion that it was another low-quality crime, but in real it was quite dangerous
Suddenly, an old saying (quote) came to mind that one should be most wary of being trapped in the framework of thoughts.
Perhaps the man is running around freely using peoples perceptions as a shield.
His real appearance might be rather straight and sane..
By the way, Mel.
As I was sipping my tea while thinking, Viola spoke to me,
I dont know when you will be able to go to New Ditch, but if you do, you will owe Mr. Miller, right?
(T/N: shes saying melissa will owe toby because she will travel and stay with his family)
Yes.
You that
Viola lowered her voice and looked into my eyes.
Are you serious?
Oh.
But my heart was at peace. Because I knew what she was going to say, and I had already concluded.
I think Ill get an official confession in New Ditch.
Oh, my god.
Viola covered her mouth. She had a face that seemed to be deeply moved.
Are you thinking of accepting it?
Hmm I guess so?
Oh my god!
Viola, who slapped me on my arm, made a fuss. Pushing her slightly, I was rubbing my arms continuously and reflecting on whether my answer was awkward.
I dont have experience in this field.
Melissa, your face is so red!
It is not
I cant believe youre dating! Its something Ive waited and wanted to witness for a long time, really.
Actually, I was surprisingly thinking the same as Viola. Isnt it funny that two 20-year-old girls talk about living together for a long time?
Did you start liking him already?
Well
I could clearly see what kind of answer the bright-eyed Viola wanted.
He doesnt make my heart tremble. This is for sure.
Although I cant give her the answer she wants.
But Tobias is a really good person. To the point where I realize every moment. Hes not the one who makes me nervous, but hes the one who makes me relax.
.
Im sure of this, too.
Then Viola touched my hair with a strange expression and said,
No matter how much I think about it, He is the person you need right now.
Just like fruits ripen If I cherish it like this, I may like it in the near future.
Did you engraved my words like that? Its a little touching
Viola, who began to braid my hair loosely, laughed slowly. Her voice was husky as always, but it sounded very comfortable.
Hes a really good person.. to the point where its too much.
He came to you because youre a good person, too, Mel.
* * *
That evening, I wrote a letter to Toby. It was about wanting to postpone the trip a little bit because I caught a mild cold.
I added that I still want to meet his family as soon as possible, and that I am unbearably curious about New Ditchs lake and potato dishes.
Of course, I didnt write anything related to the stalker.
***
Comments from Korean Readers:
Ugh Im worried. You dont even know who the stalker is, whether he is a man or a woman.
As expected, I thought the female Leads thoughts and actions were weird, but she accepted she is lacking.
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As I read this, there are some touching moments that come into my mind.^^ As expected, the only thing I can think of is your writing skills.
Wow, Toby is the best
Alan, I dont like you, youre a jerk.
It says stalker Alan in the introduction. So, I hope hes not the real male lead.
No, its in the introduction? Then, does the black haired like the main character, too? Well, its the worst. ????
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