Chapter 5 Charity
Hauling her luggage, Yolanda left Antwan’s villa. Outside, the traffic was busy. People came and went. Yet she felt a sense of loss.
She had spent eight years of her life in this house. It was her home.
Although she had moved out, she hadn’t found a new place. Where should she go?
Just then, her phone tinkled.
Yolanda took it out of her purse. It was a voice message from Brent.
“I’m in Friecvine. It’s a fine day today. I’m very busy. I had a piece of toast for breakfast. It was yucky. Most likely, it’s because I’m not used to the taste. I was too busy to have lunch and have to socialize tonight. I guess I’ll be drunk. I hate socializing…”
”
It was a long message with many details about his life, like a work report.
Yolanda was confused, but the last sentence in his message was somewhat soothing.
“Oh, by the way, I live in Block VIII, CloudSea Villas. Feel free to move in anytime. It’ll be our home. Certainly, we can buy another house if you don’t like it.”
CloudSea Villas? He lived in the same residential complex as she! And
his house was close.
Yolanda came to Block VIII and opened the door with the code Brent told her. A desolate atmosphere greeted her immediately.
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This house’s layout was identical to Antwan’s. But it had a distinct decor.
Antwan’s villa featured warm hues. Accessories were spread across the walls. Furniture filled the house.
On the other hand, the furnishings in Brent’s home were black or white. He had little furniture. There wasn’t even a couch in the living room.
Was this place habitable?
Thinking of this, Yolanda went upstairs. The second floor had sparse furniture, too.
Among the three bedrooms, only the master bedroom had a bed. But that was all. There wasn’t even a closet.
Yolanda figured Brent didn’t live here or scarcely lived here. So, he didn’t make an effort with the decoration and bought a few furnishings.
What an eventful morning. There was no time for breakfast. After settling down, Yolanda went to work on an empty stomach.
Kaylen gave her a pancake and half a cup of milk. And she didn’t forget to praise her husband. “My husband got everything prepared last night. He made pancakes with my favorite fillings early this morning.”
Yolanda was envious. “Don’t ever let him go. Or I’ll have him for myself.”
Kaylen gloated, “Humph. You can’t because he only loves me.”
Yolanda was in a good mood all day, feeling unburdened.
In her eight–year relationship with Antwan, she kept giving and giving. The unrequited love exhausted her.
Now that she let it go, for the first time, she knew life could be so simple and comfortable.
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Antwan sent her a message in the afternoon.
“Do you still want those books? If you don’t, I’ll throw them away.”
Yolanda read the message but didn’t reply. Next, she deleted his WhatsApp account from her contacts and blacklisted his phone number.
She had left many things in Antwan’s house. They lived together for eight years. She couldn’t pack all of her things at a time. Among those things, the books were the least significant.
Brent replied to Yolanda’s message when she was getting off work.
She said, “I’ve moved into your house.”
He replied, “Welcome.”
His message was concise but somehow soothing.
Yolanda asked, “Can I sleep on your bed?”
Assuming he might not reply immediately, she went to the subway station.
On the subway, she realized her message sounded weird.
So, she took out her phone to tell him she’d buy a new bed. It was too late, though.
He’d replied, “Sure.”
She couldn’t help blushing. There was a time difference. It was supposed to be 3 a.m. in his city. Was he still up?
After coming out of the subway station, Yolanda went to the supermarket. Brent’s place wanted so many things.
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Hardly had she reached the entrance to the supermarket when Kieran called.
“Yolanda, help!”
Yolanda was confused. “What’s up?”
“I was knifed.”
“Huh?”
When Yolanda got to Elvis‘ bar, the customers had left.
It was a mess inside. The bartenders were cleaning.
Seeing her, someone pointed at a private room.
She came to the room. It had been smashed, too. One of the table legs was broken. The chairs had been knocked over. Shattered bottles were
everywhere on the floor.
Antwan was reclining on the couch at the far end of the room, his face grim, his head bleeding.
At the sight of him, Yolanda turned around to leave.
“Yolanda, you’re finally here. Help!”
Kieran ran to her and grabbed her hand. “I was really wounded.”
He pointed to his arm.
It was true. His arm was bleeding.
Elvis came over. He pushed Kieran away and handed a first–aid kit to Yolanda.
“That guy over there won’t go to the hospital. He won’t let anyone touch
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him. We could only call you.”
“He and I broke up. Whatever happens to him isn’t my concern,” Yolanda said.
“I understand. But you two can still be friends, right?”
“He and I will never be friends.”
“Yolanda, consider it a favor for me, OK?”
Silently, Yolanda took over the first–aid kit.
When she walked forward, Elvis grabbed her.
“Wayne is the father of Jaslyn’s baby. But he wouldn’t take responsibility and asked Jaslyn to have an abortion. To defend Jaslyn, Antwan called Wayne. They met here and began fighting soon after. Wayne was at a disadvantage. Then, Jaslyn came. She wouldn’t let Antwan hurt Wayne. So, Antwan stopped. But Wayne ambushed him and smashed a wine bottle against his head.”
Yolanda raised her brows. “Where’s Jaslyn?”
“She went after Wayne.”
“Huh. Interesting.”
Elvis sighed, “Don’t mention Wayne or Jaslyn in front of Antwan, in case he flares up again.”
Yolanda disagreed and walked inside with the first–aid kit.
Seated on the couch, Antwan was breathing heavily, apparently enraged. At the sound of the footsteps, he looked up immediately. The sight of her seemed to aggravate his anger.
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“How dare you come to laugh at me!”
Yolanda ignored his bad attitude. She took out a cotton swab from the first–aid kit and dipped it in Iodine tincture to dress his wound.
“I’d rather bleed out than let you touch me!” Antwan yelled.
Yolanda knew him well. He was irrational, obsessed, and unreasonable.
She took no offense in his remarks. After disinfecting his wound, she bandaged it with gauze.
“The wound is deep. He needs stitches,” Yolanda said to Elvis..
Before she could leave, Antwan grabbed her hand.
“You blacklisted my number?”
Yolanda withdrew her hand. “I want a clean breakup. Meanwhile, you’ll be liberated.”
“Friend me again now!”
“Huh. It seems you have brain damage. Go see a doctor before it’s too late.”
She made her way toward the door.
“Jaslyn backpedaled. She wouldn’t marry me. So, I’ll marry you.”
Yolanda stopped and looked back at Antwan. He made it sound like by marrying her, he was doing charity.
“Spare me your ‘generosity.‘ I’m marrying someone else.”
