chapter 5

JULIANA'S POV 

"Do you need a ride home" He asked

Cráp. I couldn't let him see where we were living at the moment

"Um no it's fine, I'll just call a taxi. I don't want to bother you any further

"I insist" he said. He doesn't give up doesn't he?

"Okay, sure" I gave him a tight lipped smile

He nodded, picked up Luca and showed us to his car.

Woah. He had a Ferrari?

He put Luca in the back seat and opened the passenger door for me. I thanked him and placed Estella on my lap, her eager hands reaching out to play with the buttons.

"Where to?" He asked, getting into the drivers seat.

"I'll show you the directions, it's not too far from here"

The engine roared to life and I began showing him directions until we pulled up into a nice random apartment complex.

"Thanks for the ride" I said getting out the car. Before he could get another word out, I rushed towards the building waiting for him to leave. When I got inside, only then did I hear him drive off.

I sighed in relief. That was a close one.

I called an Uber and waited outside and we arrived to the motel quickly.

*-* *-*

A couple hours had passed and the generous amount that Tyberias had given me would be more than enough to buy us another month here. But I did notice that he gave me more than our agreed amount which was unusual. 

I was about to give Estella a shower when I heard a knock on the door.

Shit. Maybe it was Tyberias. What if he saw me leave the building and followed me here. This is so embarrassing.

I slowly opened the door and began explaining myself.

"Look I'm sorry I lied but-". My words came to a halt as I saw who was stood at the door.

"Mom?" I asked as my eyes laid in the woman I front of me dressed in her military uniform.

Estella slid in between my legs to see who was at the door

"Mommy!" Screamed Estella while crying and hugs her like her life depended on it.

"My baby. I missed you so much" she cried as she lifts Estella up and spins her in circles.

She puts her down and hugs me tightly. I cry into her shoulder.

"When did you get back. How did you know we were here. Have you spoken to dad? Are you okay? You've lost weight why haven't you been eating properly" The questions flew out of my mouth

"One question at a time" she smiled.

"I just got back from Afghanistan and spent a couple days over with my family in Barbados before returning here. I went to your father's house when he told me you ran away and took Estella with you. Why would you do that? I always thought you and your father got along. So then I told him I knew where you would be and would bring you both back."

My eyes widened. We were not going back. I knew what would happen if my father saw me again.

"I'm not going back there, mom"

"Why? What happened?" She said concernedly 

"Estella go wait in the bathroom for your shower, I'll be there in a bit" I said and she got up and ran to the bathroom.

"Mom, nothing's right and I don't know what to do anymore." I said and broke down in tears as my mother wrapped her arms around mine.

"Since I was young, dad's been hitting me but always threatened me not to tell you. He would always remember to hit me somewhere not visible that would be covered by clothes so no one would notice. That's why I would always beg you not to leave me with him when you wanted to go out with your friends." I said but stopped as I began choking on my tears.

"It got so much worse when you left for the military. He would always take out his anger on me. And I thought I would be able to take the abuse but I caught him doing the same thing to Estella and I panicked. I couldn't let her go through what I went through." I hiccuped and my heart clenched when I saw my mother's eyes also tearing up.

"I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I wish I never left. I'm such a bad mother, how could I have not realised." She cried as she squeezed me tighter.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry" she repeated to me as she rocked me back and forth until our tears had dried up on our faces.

"Don't worry we're not going back. I've saved up enough money to buy us three a nice apartment" said my mother, wiping any tears left on my face. I nodded slowly

"How did you find us anyways" I asked

"I know you don't have any close friends that would be willing to let you stay at theirs and that you were tight on money so I knew you'd go to a motel. So I drove around the nearest motels and asked if you had checked in. I was going to lose hope until I finally found you here. We should only need to stay here for a couple for days before I finalise some paperwork's first our new apartment" my mom said.

"We're going to be okay" she added

*-* *-* *-*

Between moving into an apartment with my mother and catching up with her, I had been very busy.

I ran my hand through my hair as I looked for Estella, who insisted we played hide and seek.

I saw a little shadow move under the bed and just when I was about to catch her my phone buzzed. This was fairly unusual seeing as I didn't have many friends.

I gasped, maybe it was Tyberias.

I ran to the nightstand like an excited little girl who's crush texted her for the first time and opened my messages.

You've used 80% of your data

I sighed disappointedly. 

All of a sudden I received another message, a smile finding itself on my face as I opened it up

The Domino's 50% off pizza deal! Spend $30 or more and get 50% off! Just use code SAVEBIG2.

I was so naive, why did I think he would text me anyway.

I jumped on the bed into a lying position, frustratedly. I frowned when I heard screeching from below. I quickly jumped off and checked to see if Estella was okay. I totally forgot she was there. I looked underneath and found her giggling quietly. 

•-• •-• •-•

The next day I was baking when I heard my phone buzz.

I knew better than to get my hopes up again so I decided not to check it. I frowned when I heard it buzz again. 

Let me take you out tonight 

Tyberias?

I knew better than to assume again.

Yes, it's Tyberias, were you expecting a message from anyone else?

Nope, only a strangely demanding guy who took a week to finally message me

I should probably apologise for that, however, it's not in my nature to do so

Not in you nature? I guess I'm going to change that

But how can you change it if you don't let me take you out

Touché but I need to check my schedule first, I'm a busy girl

My schedule literally consisted of playing with Estella. Damn, I should really start looking for a proper job soon.

Lucky for you, I can slot you in at 6

Perfect. I'll pick you up then. Same place as last time? 

No actually we're not living there anymore. We moved in with our mom . Pick me up at 13 Green Close

Okay, see you at 6. And dress nice,beautiful.