Page 46 of Unspoken Obsession

I lift the shower lever, pushing it to the hot side then I strip down and wait for the water to heat up. I stare down at my hands.

I thought that girl was Daniela. I grabbed her.

I shake my head, pushing away the thought. I will find my sister.

The hot water streams over my skin, burning me, and turning my body red. I stand under it for ages, letting it soothe away my tension and ease the pain in my shoulders.

When I step out of the shower, I am exhausted.

I dry off and collapse into bed - ready to sleep away all of this stress.

FRANKIE

Iwake up frightened as someone pounds on my front door. I hear Damion's cries from his room.

What the hell is going on? Who would knock so loud?

Is it Clarissa - oh shit - is something wrong?

I push away the dazed confusion of sleep and run to the door. As I pass Damion's room, I call to him. "It's ok, baby boy. It's just someone at the door. I'm going to see who it is."

He gurgles something I don't understand, but at least he stopped crying. I think he was startled just as I was.

No one likes to be jolted awake like that.

Just before I open the door, I realize I am wearing a long t-shirt. No pants.

Shit.

Ok, but if it's Clarissa, and she needs my help…

I yank the door open and stand frozen, in shock, staring at my father.

He looks me up and down with an expression of distaste.

"Dad?" I say in disbelief.

"This apartment building really isn't the safest place for you to be, Francesca," He says, pushing into my apartment.

I don't try to stop him because I am so surprised to see him here. His two goons are standing just outside my apartment door.

I glare at them briefly, but they are just standing, doing nothing - so I close the front door.

My father walks into my living room. I glance to the right and see Damion wandering from his bedroom. For a second I am terrified. Is my father here to take him away from me?

I run towards my son and pick him up. He snuggles against me, oblivious to my tension.

"Dad, what are you doing here?"

"What - a father cannot visit his daughter?" He sneers.

I bite my lip. I don't know what he is up to - but I hate that he is in my home. This is my safe place - where my son can be at ease, and I don't need to worry about anything. His presence here is making me very tense.

"Can I - um - do you want a coffee?" I ask. This is ridiculous. I should tell him to leave. But I can't. I just don't want to cause unnecessary issues between us. Fear settles deep inside me, and I hold my son tighter.

"No, no coffee. I came to tell you it is time to move back home. All of this bullshit with you staying here is a waste of my time and resources."

Between the fear, anger surges in me. "How can it be a waste of your time for me to just be living my life with my son?" I snap.