I have to maintain a space between Joy after knowing that Martin has been keeping an eye on us, and it's killing me inside.
Today, my activity was only school work and playing video games with Jessie. I bought FIFA 2021 today, and I guess it wouldn't hurt a little to play on a school night.
"Dude, you can't keep doing this- mother trucker!" Jessie exclaimed as I made another goal.
"Doing what? Beating you at this game? You're just a noob, Jess."
"What? No, I don't care about the game. I was talking about Joy," Jessie said.
"Oh, what about it?" I said and turned my attention to the game.
"You can't keep avoiding her all the time-"
"That's another goal right there!" I said joyfully
"Claude!" It scared me when Jessie said my full name in high intonation, "give me this damn controller," she grabbed the controller from my hand and walked to the window.
"I'm going to throw this damn controller outside if you don't pay attention to me," Jessie threatened me, and I had to give in.
"Alright, fine. Let's talk," I said, patting next me on the bed, "I'm not avoiding her. We went on a date, and sometimes I went to her mother's house too. We're still together, Jessie. She's even okay with it. Why are you the one who's complaining?"
"Because I care about her. She deserves all the attention she needs."
"I am giving her the attention that she needs. Did you know last week I made her cum three times-"
"Oh fuck that! that's not my point, Claude!" Jessie made a disgusting face, "please don't tell me about your sex life. I can't even imagine seeing you naked."
"You're hopeless, Claude," Jessie said, shaking her head.
I grabbed the controller, and we went back to the game. I didn't want to talk about it because I was not too fond of it too. I hate that there's a gap between us. I hate that I have to keep my distance for her safety.
"I'm giving Joy her time to study, Jess. You know our last semester exam is in a month, right?" I reminded her.
"I am aware of that, thank you," Jessie said.
"She's also studying for Oxford."
"Damn, that fast? I don't even know where to go- oh wait, I got a scholarship."
"And next week is her birthday. I remember everything about her," I said, "just because I'm keeping a space between us doesn't mean I don't care about her. I'm still aware of everything that's happening."
I care about her. I love her.
I need to do this for her sake.
"I hate that you two are keeping a distance," Jessie's remarks touched me because she rarely complements my romantic life, "I want to see how stupid you are when you fall in love."
Nevermind.
"I hate you," I said, giving her the middle finger.
"I love you, and I scored a goal. Finally!" Jessie exclaimed, "in your face, doofus."
"You only have one point, Jess. Mine is seven-"
"Shut up."
I kept beating her in soccer, and we finished the first round. We went to another game and star with a zero-zero point. Suddenly an idea came to my head, "what if I try to find the guy stalking me with Joy?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I mean. Martin threatened me with those pictures. We should be getting the head start first before he does."
"Okay, and how do you tell Joy's dad about it?"
I thought for a second and spoke, "Well, I was thinking about Joy telling her father how crazy Martin is and finally telling him how bad Martin treats her. Maybe her father had a change of heart and then canceled the engagement."
"That's a risky move, Claude."
"I know, but we should try it."
Jessie paused the game and looked at me, "alright then, how do you execute this plan?" then I told her about the plan I'll do tomorrow.
***
Today is the day I'll uncover this person who's stalking us.
The plan is simple. I walked Joy to the car, and we would act lovey-dovey in her car. On the other hand, Jessie is hiding in a bush, looking for the person holding a camera toward Joy and me. When I found that guy, I described Jessie to the guy, and she was going to chase after them.
The bell went off, and after waiting for Joy to finish her cheer practice, we walked together to the car, "Hey Joy, can we talk for a second in your car? It'll be just a second."
"Talking about what?"
"Something I can't tell you here."
"Okay, sure. Just make it quick because my father and Martin are here."
Perfect timing. We could take the guy to Joy's house and show Wayne about Martin's stalkers.
"Alright then, what do you want to talk about?" Joy asked as we entered the car.
"I missed you," I said. I could see a blush on her cheek as I looked around the parking lot.
"Yeah, me too. I feel like we are no longer close at school or in public. I said we couldn't be seen in public, but I hate it," Joy said.
Now I feel bad, "you think so?" I pulled her for a hug and apologized.
"I'm sorry, it's just. I have a lot on my mind, and I'm giving you time to study."
"I'm not a robot, Harris. I need time to cool off my head, and I need you."
I nodded and stroked her hair for comfort. As I looked around for a suspicious person, I found him. Wearing a green jacket and a brown cap. I took my phone and called Jessie, "Green jacket, brown cap."
"On it," she answers through the phone.
Joy pulled away and looked confused, "what was that?"
"That was me telling Jessie about your stalker."
"Stalker?"
"So what I want to tell you is that Martin sent a guy to stalk us and used the photo of us to blackmail me."
"H- how did you know about that?"
I took a deep breath and spoke about how I met Martin at the abortion.
"You met Maritn at an abortion clinic?! You didn't tell me?!"
"Claude! He's running away, and you should catch him!" I heard Jessie say from the phone.
"I know I should have, but ask later. We must catch the guy. Hit the gas, Joy!"
"You promise?!" Joy started the car, and I said yes. We left the parking lot and followed the guy running away.
"That's him!" Joy drove in the direction I pointed.
I saw Jessie running like a psychopath behind him. Both fall over the pavement when Jessie pulls the guy by the jacket. Thank god Tesla has an automatic brake. I got out of the car and held down the stalker. I took his hat to see his face and shook him by the collar.
"What's your name?! Who sent you?!" I asked, but the guy kept silent.
Jessie took his camera, "Holy shit, there's a bunch of photos of you and Joy."
"Answer, dammit!" I said as I balled my fist.
"Punch me. A fist from a girl won't even make me cringe," the stalker said in his deep voice. I punched his face hard, and he groaned, "shit, that hurts for a woman."
"Oh my god," I heard Joy mutter after she looked at the camera, "who are you?"
The stalker didn't answer. I shook his body again and asked, "Martin Clifford sent you, didn't he?"
"Claude, what are you talking about?" Joy asked me.
"Martin sent a stalker to stalk us and blackmail me with the photo."
Joy covers her mouth in shock, "w- what?" I can feel her anger flowing and making her blood boils.
"You have to tell this to your father, Joy."
"I sure will," Joy cracked her finger, "but first, we must deal with this guy."
Joy called her butler Benson to take care of the stalker. Then after that, we went to Joy's house, and sadly, Jessie couldn't come because I didn't want to drag her into this mess.
Joy didn't talk to me on our way home, and we took the stalker's camera for proof. We arrived in front of her house, and Joy paced to the entrance door; she didn't even wait for me. She just burst open the door. Screaming for Martin, "are you fucking kidding me, Martin!" She went to the dining room, and I found the whole family, including Martin.
"What's the meaning of this, Jocelyn?" Wayne asked as Joy aggressively put the camera in front of him.
"Martin sent someone to stalk Claude and me," Joy said to her father as he examined the photos.
Dion got up and went around the table to check the camera. He looked at me and shook his head, mouthed, "you're fucked"
What does that mean? I did the right thing.
I'm sure he doesn't mind about the photos and focuses more on Martin, right?
Right?
Are there any photos of us kissing?
Fuck. Why didn't I think of that?
"What is this?!" Wayne looked at me and then at Joy. Dumbfounded. I watched Martin smirking all the time, "of course, Martin would send someone to look out for you. Were you screwing around with your friend?"
"What?" Joy asked.
"I told you, father, something is going on between them," Martin shook his head like he was shocked at the truth.
"Shut your mouth-" Dion approached Martin, but Wayne stopped him.
"Dion, stay," Wayne said sternly, and he looked at Emilia, "Emilia, please."
"Sit down, Dion. It's alright," Emily took her fiancé by the hand, and Dion did as he told her.
Wayne got up walk around the table to approach me. I can feel myself walking backward, but security is already behind me, "I trusted you with my daughter, I took you to my event, and I came to yours. This is how you repay me?!"
"Mr. Wayne, I- I can explain," I said. In reality, there's nothing to be explained.
Everything is in the camera and clearly shows I'm dating his daughter.
"Get her out off here." Wayne gritted his teeth, and I was pulled from behind.
***
JOY'S P.O.V
I have mixed up feelings about this.
When I saw the photos that the stalker had taken, I was angry and scared.
Then I told my father about this, but he focused more on me and Claude dating. Why can't he say that Martin is not a good person? He even kicked out Claude!
"Father, I'm telling you, Martin isn't as good as you think he is," my voice was starting to break, "he choked me plenty of times. Verbally and mentally abuse me."
"What?!" Dion stood up and reached for Martin's collars, "what did you do to my sister?!"
"Dion!" my father called him. Dion instantly let Martin go.
"What proof do you have?" Martin asks.
"Proof?" my father asked, "she doesn't need proof."
My father stood and faced me, "What makes you say that about Martin? You know that's a heavy accusation."
"I'm not giving you proof or even having the evidence. I need you to trust me, father," I said, "don't you think it's cruel when your daughter told you she has been abused?"
My father threw his wine glass next to me. I flinched at the sound of breaking and closed my eyes.
"Shut your mouth, Jocelyn. I'm tired of you. Now, go back to your room," my father told me.
"Unbelievable," I heard Dion mutter. He went to the entrance door with Emilia following behind.
I saw Martin smirking at me in triumph as I walked upstairs to my room.
Water streamed down my face as I approached the bed.
Why does he never trust me?
He trusts Martin more than his daughter.
What do I have to do for you to trust me, father? Do I need to kneel? Crying my eyes out? Or maybe killing myself so you'd feel regret?
If you only thought of me as a bad daughter, I'll show you how bad I can be.
***
Heya! We're close to the end, and please vote if you like this chapter!
PS: Thanks for the 14k readers!! <3
-chicken