I don't know to whom I should be mad at. Towards Harriett? Towards fate? Towards Josh? Or towards myself?
I really don't know but right now it's pretty clear that I am angry. As I turn Harriett around only to see her worn out shocked face. I knew I was simmering deep inside.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
I asked again not knowing if I do want to hear her answer or not. But she was just looking at me wide-eyed like she had seen a ghost. And maybe she had. Because this is the first time we're meeting again after nine years.
"Pierce?"
She muttered weakly and all that did was make my heart ache as I felt my yearning for her grow stronger.
"Qian answer the damn question"
She flinched at the sound of my voice but the shock in her eyes was still there. My eyes narrowed at her. She had gained weight, her cheeks rounder than before. Her hair dyed ruby red like a fire in the night sky. And in her exposed neck and collarbone were bruises.
Dark colored bruises that were decorating her skin like they were a necklace on her neck. And I knew all too well what those bruises meant.
Someone is hurting her again.
I felt my anger seethe right through my skin. Who is it? Her mom? Her dad? some new bullies? or Josh?
This is making me crazy.
I thought as I carried Harriett. Her middle at my shoulders, her legs locked in my arms as I carry her off.
"Pierce put me down"
I felt her panicking as I carried her towards my car. I don't have a plan but I know that I am not gonna spend another minute on this bridge knowing all too well that she had just tried to jump off of it earlier.
I would never look at this bridge the same ever again. Harriett ruined that for me.
"Pierce!"
She called again as I opened the passenger side of the car and placed her inside.
"Don't even think of coming out"
I warned her before closing the car door and hurrying to the driver's side. I locked the doors once I got in and looked at Harriett who was just staring at her fingers.
I didn't even bother hiding the anger in my voice. I want her to know exactly what I'm feeling right now.
"I'm taking you home"
At that she jolted and looked at me and there I saw it again. The same fear decorating her eyes back then. Back with Anna.
"No, my mom can't see this"
Can't see? So it wasn't her parents. Then who?
"Please Pierce just drop me off at the station, my apartment is nearby so…"
She trailed off but my eyes were still on those bruises. It's making my blood boil.
I didn't let her go, didn't suffer through that heartbreak for nine years just to see the woman I love be hurt like this. To see her want to die, no, I didn't give shit just for her to be like this.
I gave her my phone as I said.
"Pin your apartment, I'm taking you there"
She was reluctant, that was evident in her face but she took my phone nonetheless and typed up her address.
I guess she moved out as well. Is she living with Josiah? Speaking of, what the hell is that asshole doing just letting her get hurt like this? Or was he the one hurting her?
"He… here"
She stuttered, I stared at her. Qian Harriett actually stuttered. It's a surprise because I never heard her stutter and yet. I looked at my phone and squinted my eyes at the address she had put on the GPS.
I started my car nonetheless but the question still hovered around me.
"How long have you been living here?"
I started and I felt her gaze move to me before it went back to the window.
"Two years"
I clenched my fist on the steering wheel and silently cursed. I'm gonna kill Annika.
"Guess we're neighbors then"
At that she finally looked at me and all I could do was let out a sigh. Annika was the one who told me about the place. Never would I have considered that she'd actually set me up right where Qian's apartment is.
"Neighbors?"
She asked confusingly as I drove past the building and underground towards its parking.
"You live here too?"
She asked almost as shocked as how she was earlier.
"You're right above to be exact"
I can't believe Harriett was so close to me after all of this time.
"I can't believe I haven't seen you around before"
"I don't… actually go out that often"
She answered as I parked the car. At that I stared at her. Doesn't go out often? So she's a housewife now? I looked down at her fingers and found no ring marks or a ring at her ring finger.
Haven't they gotten married yet?
No. Pierce, don't get involved any further. The more you ask questions, the more you get curious. No, you just need to know about one thing.
"Pierce, the door"
She rattled the handle of the car's door but all I did was unbuckle my seatbelt and leaned towards her.
"You haven't answered my question yet Qian, what the hell were you doing at that bridge?"
A sliver of pain flickered in her eyes as they looked away from mine. She clears her throat and after a minute.
"I… just needed to breathe"
Breathe? Just needed to breathe and yet she was fucking gonna jump off from that bridge.
"Who is it?"
I know I didn't need to elaborate what I meant because she'll understand it. She always does.
"No one"
I felt my anger boil once again as she tried to hide the bruises with her long hair.
"Bruises don't just fucking appear on your skin magically. Who is it Harriett?"
At that she looked at me before a small smile tugged on her lips. Not a forced smile but a sad smile. Her eyes don't crinkle the way they do when she smiles genuinely so I know. It's a sad one.
"You finally called me Harriett"
At that I was the one who froze. I decidedly not called her Harriett because I didn't want to become familiar with her again. I thought she wouldn't notice but she did.
Was that why she was hurt and why she flinched earlier? Because I called her Qian and not Harriett?
Before I could even stop her, she had pushed the unlock button for the car doors and sprinted towards the elevator.
I was torn between going after her and staying where I am. Ultimately I chose the latter as I banged my head to the steering wheel.
"What is wrong with you Pierce Kael? We've moved on. Why are you still so affected?"
I muttered and questioned myself even though I know exactly why. I've known it since I saw her again earlier.
I haven't moved on. Qian Harriett was still the one that made my heart beat. She was still the love of my life. And I was still digging my own grave.
"Fuck"