After hearing the news from Philip that Nicholai dropped the case, the cops went inside where Philip and I were talking and told me that I was already released.
That was why they removed my handcuffs earlier. They knew from the beginning that I would be free. They didn't tell me not until Nicholai left.
I was thankful that he dropped the case, but it didn't mean that I would forgive him in a jiffy. I didn't know when it would be. Only time would tell.
Philip opened the door of the police station for me, and the afternoon breeze greeted me. I smiled the moment I stepped out of the building.
I am free.
"Are you going back to your parent's house?" Philip asked next to me. I looked up at him and smiled wryly.
"You know they've abandoned me." My eyes went to the road where there were passing vehicles. "I don't want to go back there knowing that they abandoned me. I'll go back to my old condo. Can you drop me there?" I turned to him again and looked at him with a timid smile.
"Of course. Anything for you. Let's buy food too while we're on our way," he said with a sweet smile on his lips. I nodded again.
I was about to take a step forward when Philip held my hand. I halted and looked at him.
"They may have abandoned you but remember that I am always here. Everyone will leave you but expect that I will never leave you no matter what happens. You always have me. Then until now."
***
We drive-thru at Jollibee to buy food. Philip purchased a bucket of chicken joy, jolly spaghetti, fries, sundae, and drinks. I knew the amount he ordered was too much for us, but he said to let him be because we were supposed to celebrate my release. So I just let him do what he wanted. I also missed eating Jollibee.
The food inside the jail was not that good for my liking, but I didn't have a choice. Philip often brought food for me whenever he visited me. But I didn’t want him to get food for me every day. It was too much. I couldn't do that.
I noticed that it was still early, and SouthRidge was on our way to my condo. Maybe I could stop by and get some of my important things. I remember I didn't have clothes in my condo. Even my belongings were in our house in SouthRidge.
"Can we stop by our house in SouthRidge? I need to take some things," I said to Philip, so he turned his attention to my side and slowed down the car.
"Are you okay going there now?" he worriedly asked.
"Sure. There's no one there right now, Phil. I'm going to be fine. Okay?" I assured him with a smile.
"And one more thing, Cheni is still in jail, isn't she?" I added another question.
"Yes. The last time I checked, she was still in jail," he replied.
"That's good. I will definitely visit her tomorrow. I want her to rot in jail," I said seriously. "By the way, did you already catch who was following and shooting you?" I curiously asked.
"Not yet. But we are almost there. Kraius is helping me."
"I have a strong suspicion that Cheni had something to do with it. During the trial, she was smirking at me when the judge asked where you were. I am positive that she did it," I said. "I even thought that you abandoned me that day too. I'm sorry for doubting you," I sincerely added.
"I understand. You don't have to say sorry." He grabbed one of my hands. "I'm just here. I'm not going anywhere. And for Cheni's case, we will check her whereabouts before my accident, and maybe we can get some leads. Don't let her stress you out. She can't do anything to you, hmmm. "
"Thank you so much, Phil," I said with a smile.
He didn’t let go of my hand. He was driving with one hand only. My heart felt warm the way he took care of me. Why did I even succumb to my fear and left this gorgeous and kindhearted man at all? He was not even comparable to Nicholai, who was selfish and only thought about his happiness. With Philip, I always felt secure, safe, and cherished. I have nothing more to look for in him. And I knew that Philip wouldn't dare to hurt me. Not even physically.
We were about to enter SouthRidge when Philip looked back at me again and stared at me with a worried face.
"Are you sure you are okay?" He worriedly asked again.
"Seriously?" I chuckled. "I'm fine. No one can hurt me inside the house, Phil," I assured him.
"I know. I'm just concerned. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable. If you still can't go back to the place where something painful happened to you, don't force it," he explained.
I squeezed his hand lightly. I was reassuring him. "I know. And thank you for considering my feelings but, I am really okay. I can do this. I want to be strong for myself this time, Phil."
"Fine," he surrendered. "You will just get some important things inside, and then we will leave," he added.
"Thank you," I replied, smiling.
Philip's car was parked in front of the gate of our house. It was dark inside. The light at the gate and outside the door was the only light that was lit. I smiled bitterly. The house looked so gloomy.
Philip came out and opened the door for me. I thanked him and got out of the car. I went into the gate, and it was locked. I didn't have the key, but there was another way to unlock it.
I went to the side and checked the CCTV if it was still working. Good thing that it was working. I stood up so it could scan my face and the gate opened immediately.
"Did the gate open on its own?" Philip asked in astonishment.
I chuckled. "It's automatic. It scanned my face and recognized me, so it unlocked itself," I said to him and went inside first.
We were in front of the door when his phone suddenly rang. He fetched it from his pocket and saw that it was Atty. Montreal.
"What does he need this time?" Philip frowned.
“Answer it. That might be important,” I told him.
"Okay. I'll answer this first," he replied once turning away and walking away a little.
I picked up the key under a pot on the side of the door. Good thing that I put one key in case. I unlocked the door and went inside. I turned on the lights, and I saw that the house was still the same.
I sighed and went upstairs to my room. I just got some clothes and the important documents. I'd just be back tomorrow because it was getting late.
After getting my things, I went out of my room. I was startled when the lights were suddenly turned off. The living room was dark too. With forehead creasing, I strolled down the stairs.
"Philip? Did you turn off the lights?" I called him, but no one answered.
I was in the middle of the stairs when I heard footsteps. My eyes widened when I saw Cheni in front of me. She was smiling like a devil incarnate.
"What the fuck are you doing here?!" I shouted angrily at her. "How did you get in here?!"
What the hell? I thought she was in jail! What was she doing here? She even trespassed.
"Surprise!" She beamed. The size of her grin was so big. She was standing at the end of the stairs.
"How dare you show your face to me?! You are supposed to be in jail! You belong there! Traitor!" I screamed in anger. I clenched my fist. I wanted to slap her hard. Damn her!
The smirk disappeared from her lips and was replaced by anger. "Not until you are dead," she snarled as he pulled out a gun from her bag and pointed it at me.