All Too Late


    To my surprise, I enjoyed the creation process immensely. I was adding the final touches right before


    sunset. The paint may notpletely dry in time but as long as Hayden doesn’t touch it, it should be


    Nothing fancy but definitely passable given the time constraint. With a nod of my head, I told myself


    that I would be satisfied with this for now and promised to do better next time.


    Fortunately, I had some time to spare before Hayden got back and the maids came in to set up the


    dinner table. That meant that I could wash up all the sweat and paint on me. After a rxing shower, I


    got dressed and sat at the dining table while I waited for Hayden to arrive. He should be here anytime


    now…


    After Auntie and the maids left the room after setting up the dining table for us, I was all alone in the


    room again and it was drearily quiet. I couldn’t stop ncing over at the door because I knew that


    Hayden could walk in any moment now. The clock ticked by as I waited and then waited some more.


    Half an hour went by, and the food had gotten cold. I didn’t mind though because I wasn’t hungry, and it


    Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    wasn’t eating the food that I was looking forward to.


    Where is Hayden? He’s running a littleter today.


    It was funny, he waste when I was eagerly looking forward to seeing him. While on days when I


    didn’t want to see him which was every day except for today, he always turned up to dinner on time. I


    wondered if the paint has dried up by now.


    An hour passed by and then another…and then another…


    I let out a depressing sigh. By that time, I was very convinced that Hayden wouldn’te to see me


    tonight. Maybe he had to work. Maybe he had dinner somewhere else with someone else already.


    Maybe…


    I nced up at the sound of someone knocking on the door. My heart sunk because Hayden never


    knocked on my door like that.


    “Who is it?” I called out loudly as I got out of my seat and headed for the door.


    At this time of night, I wasn’t sure who I was expecting. Usually no one would pay me a visit at night


    except for Hayden.


    “It’s me, Luka,” Luka replied through the door.


    I walked closer to the door until I was standing right in front of it so that I could hear him better. It was


    unusual for Luka toe see me and he came quitete. Suddenly, I felt extremely fearful of what he


    was going to say.


    “Is there…something you need to talk to me about?” I asked.


    “I just came to tell you that Hayden isn’ting to see you tonight, so you don’t need to wait up for


    him,” Luka replied.


    I felt slightly relieved that it wasn’t some bad news. Of course, I was disappointed that Hayden couldn’t


    tonight.


    “Oh…I see. Thank you foring to tell me that,” I thanked him politely.


    Hayden came to have dinner with me every day and before I knew it, I guess I had gotten used to


    seeing him at the end of the day. The slight feeling of disappointment made me realize that I had


    unknowingly been looking forward to seeing him. It was especially unfortunate that he couldn’t make it


    today. I even painted something to show him, and I’ve spent hours preparing what I wanted to say to


    him.


    It wasn’t like this couldn’t wait for another day or anything but…


    “Make sure you eat your dinner properly and just rest for tonight,” Luka said, and I knew that he was


    about to leave.


    “Wait! Will Hayden be here tomorrow?” I quickly asked before Luka could leave.


    “I’m not sure about that…” Luka replied solemnly.


    That was when I started to catch some worry and concern in his tone of voice. Did something…


    happen?


    “Luka…did something…happen?” I asked hesitantly.


    It was hard to exin but suddenly, I started feeling very scared.


    Luka was silent for a while, and I knew that something must have happened. Something bad. The old


    man heaved a loud sigh that could be heard on my side of the door.


    “I’m not supposed to tell you this but…Hayden got into a car ident on his way back here…” Luka


    said hesitantly.


    “What?! Is he, ok? Where is he right now?!” I screamed loudly in my shock.


    Why didn’t he tell me this sooner? Was he trying to keep it from me?


    “Let me out! Luka!” I cried out as my hands desperately beat on the door.


    “Calm down, Malissa. Hayden is fine. It was nothing major…” Luka said firmly.


    Oh…


    I closed my eyes and breathed out a sigh of relief. That was so bad for my heart.


    “Where is he, right now?” I asked softly.


    Although I knew that he was fine, I didn’t know what ‘fine’ meant. However, from personal experience, I


    knew that the mafia’s definition of ‘fine’ was very different from mine. Tears fell from my eyes before I


    knew it. I was crying like a baby from a mix of shock and relief.


    “He’s in the hospital. The boss forced him to get some checkups…just to be safe…” Luka replied.


    “Can I go see him?” I asked.


    “Sorry. You’ll have to stay here under his orders,” Luka replied sympathetically.


    “I won’t run! I promise! I’ll just see him ande straight back here. Please!” I pleaded desperately.


    I tired turning the doorknob frantically, but it wouldn’t open.


    “I know that you won’t run, missy, and even if you did, you wouldn’t seed in escaping. That being


    said, I cannot let you out of this room. I am very sorry, Malissa,” Luka said regretfully.


    --To be continued…