Page 57 of Wicked Arrangement

Kimberly

I’m sipping on my sixth cup of coffee this morning, trying not to show how shaken I am as I sit across from Abigail in her apartment. Thankfully, she was discharged from the hospital after only one night, and apart from a faint whiff of smoke coming from the smoldering remains of what used to be my home, her place is otherwise unscathed.

After witnessing the horrors at Yaroslav’s, I immediately packed a bag of only essentials and left, making it seem as though I was just going out for the day. No one stopped me when I said I couldn’t sleep, and that I wanted to visit my grandmother. Of course, I was provided with a car to drop me off, but I insisted that I would be out all day and that I’d call a cab home. It was far too early for visitors when I arrived, and I wasn’t up for seeing anyone just yet, so I walked around the impressive grounds, trying to figure out what the hell Gran and I are going to do now.

After visiting Gran, I decided that I would come home to see the damage for myself. After everything I witnessed this morning, I no longer know who to trust. I need to see it with my own eyes to know that my home is truly gone.

As I stood sobbing outside the place I used to call home, I asked myself what the hell I should do now. Where can I possibly go? And how the hell did I get myself into this mess?

Will Yaroslav even let me leave?I doubt it, if he knew what I saw. And yet, there’s an overwhelmingly big part of methat still trusts him. I don’t think he’d hurt me, despite what he might be capable of. Despite who he is. Am I crazy for thinking that?

Abigail found me, gently guiding me into her cozy house and instructing me to sit on the couch as she brewed a strong pot of coffee. Now, as I sip the hot, sugary coffee, she sits calmly watching me.

“I’m sure it must be quite a shock, seeing the place like that,” she says sympathetically.

“Yes, I admit. I have no idea what to do now, where will Gran and I go?” I reply, choking back tears.

“I thought you were staying with this gentleman friend of yours and that he was taking care of your gran’s living costs too?” she asks, frowning slightly with concern.

“I was… I am… it’s complicated.”

She tilts her head sympathetically and I’m grateful that she doesn’t push the issue by asking more questions. “Well, you and your grandmother are more than welcome to stay in my spare bedroom for as long as you need. It will be a tight fit with all of us here, but we can make it work.”

“Thank you, Abigail, that’s incredibly generous of you,” I reply, overwhelmed by her kindness. “But I’m sure I will figure something out.”

Despite everything, I believe Yaroslav when he says he will look after Gran and me. As much as I love Abigail and feel safe here, I need space to think through what to do. What will I even say to Yaroslav if I decide to go home?

Home. Already I’m thinking of his place as my home. How can I even contemplate going back there after what I saw? And yet I am.

“Sorry Abigail, I’ve just remembered I’ve got some errands to run in town,” I lie. “It was great seeing you, and thank you again, for everything,” I add as I get up and head for the door.

“You’re welcome here any time, dear. Oh, will you do me a favor if you’re nipping into town?” she asks. “Would you mind taking this prescription to the pharmacy for me? It usually takes them a day or two to get it all together, so it saves me an extra trip in battling the traffic,” she explains, grabbing her purse and handing me the prescription slip from inside.

“Of course,” I agree, taking it from her, “That actually reminds me, I should go there anyway and update my number on their system, I haven’t gotten around to it yet.”

“Thank you, honey, see you soon.”

“Bye Abigail,” I call as I head out with renewed purpose, now I have something to take my mind off things, even if only for a while.

***

The mundane task of getting the bus into town and going to the pharmacy feels jarringly normal compared to the scene I witnessed this morning. In fact, it feels surreal compared to the past four weeks. I’ve been living in a fairytale, but it turns out Yaroslav isn’t Prince Charming, he’s the big bad wolf. The worst part is that I only have myself to blame. It’s not like he didn’t warn me. Sure, he didn’t outright tell me ‘Oh, and by the way,I’m a crime boss who has a torture dungeon in my basement’, but he wasn’t exactly pretending to be Mr. Nice Guy either.

I’m so deep in thought that I almost miss my bus stop. I race to get off, pushing past passengers and apologizing profusely as I scramble to leave.

“Kimberly, long time no see,” the kindly pharmacist Mr. Green greets me when it’s my turn at the counter. “I hope your grandmother is alright?” he says with concern.

“Hi Mr. Green, she’s doing well thank you. She’s currently staying in a care facility, so they’ve been taking care of her medication. I’m just here to drop off a prescription for a neighbor and update my number on the system.” I hand him Abigail’s paperwork.

“I’m glad to hear it,” he says with a genuine smile, taking the slip from me, “Please tell Mrs. Williams her prescription should be ready in a couple of days, we’ll call her when it’s in.”

I nod, “Sure thing.”

“Now, let me just pull up your records and we can update that number for you,” he adds, clicking away on the keyboard. He surveys it for a moment before speaking, “Hmm, well it’s a good job you came in to do this, it says here your doctor’s office has been trying to get hold of you to book an appointment with your OBGYN. Says you’re six weeks overdue your contraceptive shot, shall I book that in for you now?” he asks.

I shake my head, confused, “That can’t be right, I’m sure my shot isn’t due for another couple of weeks at least.”

“Not according to this. You’re in luck, they can squeeze you in the day after tomorrow at two if that suits you?”

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