Chapter Twenty-Three

My phone rang, waking me up. I groaned as I reached under my pillow. I took out my phone and didn't bother looking at the caller ID.

"What?" I asked. I suddenly heard Nathan chuckle from the other line. "Did I wake you up, Princess?" He questioned.

I groaned.

"Yes. Thanks a lot, Blue Eyes. I was dreaming," I told him. "I sure hope you were dreaming about me," he shared.

I snorted,"You wish, Blue Eyes. I'll dream about you when pigs fly." He laughed, making me smile.

"Okay. Enough of that. I came to tell you that I won't be able to come this morning," he informed me. I frowned. "Why?" I whined.

I heard him sigh. "Well, my mom wants me to take care of something in the office. I'll only be able to come to you in the afternoon," he answered.

"Your mom?" I asked, confused. "Yes. I believe that's what I said, Princess," he joked. I didn't laugh, though. "Since when does your mom ask help from you?"

"I don't know. But it's pretty important. I'm going to be the CEO of that business soon, remember?" I nodded, even though he couldn't see me.

"Uh...yeah. I know. I'm just curious why she needs help so sudden," I told him. "I wondered about that, too. But I looked at the situation. It's pretty bad. It's understandable to me why," he said.

"Okay. I guess I'll see you later. Go take care of whatever you need to take care of there," I said to him. He laughed.

"Okay, Princess. I'll see you later. That's a promise. I love you, baby." I smiled. "I love you too." After that, he hung up.

I turned off my phone and placed it on the bedside table. Knowing I'm definitely not going to go back to my sleep, I woke up.

I stretched myself and yawned. I opened the door to my room and walked to the kitchen, not before taking my phone. No one is here with me, so I have no other choice but to watch TV.

I made myself some cereal and went to seat down on the couch. I threw myself on it, and almost spilled the cereal.

I turned on the TV and watched some cartoons. Specifically, some Teen Titans Go. I continued watching, but I got bored by each passing second.

I groaned out loud. Can't I just call someone?

And definitely not Reese. Maybe I could try Bella. However, I'm not in the mood to be calling anyone. I'll just text her.

So, I entered my WhatsApp. Fortunately, she was online.

-Hey, Izzy-Bear. I'm bored at home. Can you come pleeeeaaase??

10:15✅

-Sorry, babes. I'm only going there to drop off my clothes for this week. But, I'm busy today. With stuff

10:15

-Argh! Fine. I thought you would come save me from being murdered by Boredom.

10:16✅

-I'll make it up to you. I just have plans with Daniel today😉❤ well, later on. I'm busy with something else this morning.

10:16

-Seriously? So nice to be you. Blue Eyes is at the office. I miss him already. But it's fine, we don't have to be together 24/7😕.

10:16✅

-Why don't you call Danny?

10:17

-Daniel? But you have plans with him.

10:17✅

-I said later on, Vee. You must be super bored. I know Danny is known to be the best entertainer.

10:17

-Well that's indisputable. I'll text him, now.

10:17✅

-Good. I'll see you in a few.

10:18

-Sure.

10:18✅

I exited our chat and searched for Danny. I clicked on me and Danny's chat and started typing.

-Hyy, Dan-Dan. I'm bored. Can you come be my entertainment for the morning, please?

10:19✅

-you didn't even ask if I'm doing good or not this morning.

10:19

I rolled my eyes at his message.

-Fine. How are you doing Daniel?

10:20✅

-i'm doing very good, thank you. So, what did you say again?

10:20

-I was asking you to come visit me. I'm bored out of my life. I'm not used to not having company.

10:20✅

-okay, then. I'll be there. Give me an hour.

10:20

-An hour?!

10:21✅

-yes, an hour and probably even more. I'm pretty busy here, Vane.

10:21

-What are you so busy with? And why are you typing so serious? That's not like you.

10:21✅

-See you in an hour.

10:22

And then, he was offline. Gone! Just like that. That was so weird of Danny. He's hardly ever that serious. Even when messaging.

I have a feeling something is wrong, but me being me, I shrugged that feeling off.

My eyes focused on the TV, again. At least five minutes later, Bella entered my apartment. I turned my head around to face her.

"Hey, you're finally here," I said. She placed her bag on the floor. "Yes, I'm here. So, did you text Danny?" She asked, placing her hand on her hip.

"Yep. I texted him. He said he's coming in an hour or so," I replied. Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.

"An hour? Did he say why?" I shook my head. "Nope. He said he was busy with something. Didn't tell me what precisely."

"Oh. Probably something at the bookstore," she assumed. "Yeah...probably. Anyway, do you mind staying until he comes?" I asked, hopeful.

"Mmh...fine. Perhaps I could stay," she answered. "Yes!" I exclaimed. Bella chuckled. "Let me just go and put these things in my room. I'll come back and we'll watch something."

I nodded and watched her as she picked her bag up and walked down the hallway. I heard her bedroom door open and then turned my head back to the TV.

I started scrolling through channels. Bella plopped herself down on the couch next to me and took the TV remote from my hands.

She surfed the channels herself, until she stopped on TLC. Say Yes to the Dress was playing, at the time. I grinned.

How couldn't I have seen it? It's one of my favorite shows.

We watched the show in silence. Until I decided to break it. "So, where are you and Danny going for your first date?"

"He said it's a surprise," she responded, with a smile on her face. She looked so smitten. "You've been waiting for this for a long time, haven't you?" I teased.

She shook her head as she answered,"You have no idea." I chuckled a little. "How did your date with Nate go, yesterday?" She asked.

"It was great. We might have had a little argument while at the restaurant but it was a minor thing. I had fun for the most part," I replied.

"That's nice. You guys really love each other," she said. "Yeah...I guess so," I agreed. "What are you going to do with your parents?"

I groaned. "That's exactly what got Nate and I arguing yesterday. I honestly don't know what we'll do," I answered, truthfully.

"You'll see when they do something?" She suggested. "Yes. We'll see." It was silent again, after that. We shifted our focus to the TV.

After minutes, I got a text. I guessed it was Danny and I was right.

-i'm coming.

11:10

-Okay.

11:10✅

"Danny is coming, now," I informed Bella. "Well, okay. I guess I should go then?" I nodded in response. "I'll see you later, Vee," she said to me and stood up.

"See you later." She walked out of the living room and left the apartment, totally.

Not wanting Daniel to arrive with me smelling like a fish, I went to my own room. I entered the bathroom and stripped.

I stepped into the shower and took my time inside. After a while, I stepped out and wrapped a black towel around me.

By the way, my hair is still in cornrows. Haven't felt like combing these days. I will maybe undo it when university opens.

I walked back into my room and wore some comfortable clothes. A slouchy T-shirt, some sweatpants and sneakers.

I also decided to add a beanie. I feel like a dude today. I smirked at my reflection in the mirror and proceeded to exit my room.

I walked to the kitchen to get a snack. I opened the fridge and took out a red plum. My favorite. I took a bite and moaned while eating.

This plum was exceptionally juicy. Just the way I like them.

I closed the fridge and that's when I noticed I had gone with my phone to my room and somehow forgot it there.

I sighed and went back to my room. I found it on top of the bed and quickly exited it again. I was still scrolling through Facebook when something told me to look up.

When I did, I witnessed the shock of my life. Danny, was holding a gun. Pointed at me.

My plum dropped to the ground. I tucked my phone in my pocket. "D-Danny, w-what are you doing?" I whispered, lifting up my hands.

His hands were violently shaking and he looked scared. "I-I'm sorry, Vane. B-but I have to do this," he whispered back.

"Did Heather put you up to this?" I questioned. His silence was enough of an answer for me. "Danny, please don't do this. I know you don't want to kill me. She blackmailed you, didn't she?"

I took a step closer.

"Stop! Stop, Vane! I don't want my parents to die, okay?!" My face softened. "I know you won't be able to pull this off, Danny. You're my future cousin-in-law," I tried softening him up.

"Please. Just...keep quiet," he pleaded with me. I only took a step closer. "Shoot me then. Shoot me and save your parents. After all, your parents are more important than me. A cheap black girl."

The gun was now directly pointed to my head. I closed my eyes, awaiting for him to shoot. "Shoot me, Dan-Dan. Shoot me," I whispered.

I did feel the gun shaking on my forehead. But after a moment of silence, the coldness of the gun pressed on my forehead disappeared.

I opened my eyes to see Danny lowering the gun. "I can't do it. I love you too much, cuz," he whispered. I instantly wrapped my arms around him.

He reluctantly hugged me back. "I have a plan," I told him. "What plan?" I pulled away and looked deeply into his eyes.

"You have to shoot me," I said. His eyes widened. "I can't shoot you!" He yelled. I sighed. "Look Danny, I'm trying to protect your parents here. Just listen to me."

He clenched his jaw and nodded his head. "So, you're going to make up an excuse. You'll say that you pointed the gun at me but I fought back."

"You ended up getting a few bruises and me too. The gun went off as we fought for it and hearing me tumble down to the ground, you thought the job was done."

"But in reality, you only shot my leg. You ran after leaving me there on the ground. What we have to do, is give each other a few bruises so that our story can be believable. Then, you shoot me on my leg," I finished explaining.

"Are you crazy?! I can't beat you up! And what?! Shoot your leg? What if it never works again?" He shouted at me.

"I'll cross that bridge when I get there. Remember, we're doing this for your parents. And also for me. I don't want to die," I told him.

"I can't believe I'm going to do this. I'm so sorry for dragging you into my mess," he apologized. I shook my head and gave him a sad smile.

"No. Don't apologize. This is all my fault. I'm the one who decided to be in a relationship with a white man," I said.

"Bu-" I cut him off,"No buts, Dan-Dan. Now, let's get this over with. Who gets to punch the other first?" I asked him.

"C-can I punch you first? So that when you punch me, it'll feel like it's revenge?" He suggested. "Gosh, this is so weird. But okay," I agreed.

I clenched my fists and squeezed my eyes shut, anticipating being beaten up. I can't believe I'm going to orchestrate all of this.

But I think it's better than actually dying.

He punched me on my cheek first. My head tilted on its own to the right. Dang! That hurt. But I tried my best not to showcase it.

It would undoubtedly bring Danny to a halt.

"Sorry," he whispered. He kept whispering that after each punch and I was getting annoyed but didn't say anything, thinking it made him feel better.

After a total of six punches(not the face only), it was my turn. This is such a story to tell. A story to tell our kids, I tell you.

I punched Danny square in the jaw. I have to admit, it did feel good to hit him back after he hit me like that. He doesn't have to know, though.

I kept on punching him and after at least eight, I stopped. Of course, he had the bruises on his face. But they weren't that much and not that bad looking.

"Okay, time for you to shoot me," I reminded him. Never in my life did I think I'd once order someone to shoot me!

I made sure I stood at the end of the hallway, while he stood right at the door, so that the bullet doesn't hurt me to that big of an extent.

I still want to use my leg. I'm too young to lose it.

"Okay, Danny. Just make sure you aim perfectly," I instructed him. He slowly nodded and started lifting his gun. Second later, the gun went off.

It instantaneously pierced my skin and I let out a low scream at the excruciating pain. "Vane, are you o-"

"Leave. Leave, now," I commanded. He seemed like he wanted to protest but the glare I was giving him made him think otherwise.

He nodded at me and left the apartment. Goodness! I didn't know it hurt this much to be shot with a gun. All I know, is that I'm losing too much blood.

And I'm scared to even move. My left leg is all numb. I'm going to have to limp to the living room.

I gathered all my strength and started limping. After what felt like thirty minutes, I plopped myself down on the couch.

I know nothing about treating wounds. The only thing I'm learning about is teeth. If you want to know which toothpaste is the best for you, come to me.

I took out my phone from my pocket, my vision starting to get blurry. The pain got even more agonising. I dialed Bella's number, not wanting to disturb Nathan.

"Hello?" I heard a feint voice. Before I could utter a word, I was out like I light.

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A/N: I don't think I wrote that scene right. But...what do you think? I'm not so sure about it. I didn't even know how to describe the pain Vanessa was feeling.

Are you surprised that it was Danny?

What do you think will happen next?

I surely couldn't have let our dear Princess die. Never ever.

Anyway...I gotta bounce.

--°Sauce°