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Ysaline took another turn and nearly tripped when she tried to look behind. Her lip was trembling. Now, she was sure the man was following her. He seemed taller than her, dressed in a long black coat with his hands in his pockets. His face was covered with a pair of sunglasses. There was no way anyone would walk the route Ysaline took. It was getting her from where she came. He was following her.
For a second, Ysaline thought about going back to her work. However, if the man followed her, he would know where she worked. It could be even more dangerous. Then, she saw it. There was a small market in front of her, maybe she could ask the workers for help.
Ysaline walked faster. The man behind her did the same. She tried to find the keys in her pockets, but she knew that they were in her backpack. She was always putting them there, to make sure she never forgot them in any clothes.
The market was nearly empty. There was no worker in the sight. The young woman took a deep breath and walked through the aisles. Then, she saw someone in the uniform, leaning towards the lowest shelves to arrange some products. Nearly running she approached them. A young girl, barely one and a half meters, and probably not older than nineteen, turned to her with a tired smile. She raised a brow. Ysaline took a step back to give her some space and asked where was a product she didn’t care about. When the girl told her where exactly she could find it, Ysaline tried to walk towards it. Her hands were trembling while she looked at the jars with jam. From time to time, she was raising her head to look around her. She didn’t know if the man entered after her or not. He probably did considering he was following her closely and saw exactly where she was.
Suddenly, she felt a vibration from the inner pocket of her jacket. Ysaline had no idea who could message her and what they wanted, but she thanked them for reminding her about the option of calling someone. She opened her phone and called the person who sent her the message, without even looking at who it was.
“Wow! Such an honor to get a call from you. How can I help you, Little Kitty?”
Ysaline wanted to end the call without answering, but the peak of a long black coat caught her attention. She gulped and tried to stabilize her voice.
“Hi, love,” she said with closed eyes, holding hard on the shelf near her, “I’m on my way home and decided to go to the market. Maybe you know it, the one a few streets, I think three, down my office. It’s not a big one, no Lidl, Carrefour, or Franprix. I want to buy some snacks for our movie night. What do you want?”
I hope he gets it. Jason, please, I beg you, please, get it. I need you. Please, please, please.
Ysaline’s knuckles got white from holding onto the shelf, but she couldn’t let it go. She was afraid she would faint if Jason didn’t answer in the next second. Her vision started to blur and her lip hurt from how much she was biting into it.
“If you want me to come after you, say that you are okay with cola if you want some…”
“I think they have cola,” Ysaline answered fast. She straightened her back and walked towards the aisle with beverages. She felt someone’s big presence near her. He was on the other side of the aisle, looking at her from behind the sunglasses. “I’m afraid,” the woman whispered. At this, the man with sunglasses grinned and started to walk towards her. Ysaline’s voice trembled: “I’m afraid I am too tired to get a two-liter bottle with me right now. Do you want something smaller or are you coming to help me?”
“You’re doing a good job there. I’m coming. I’m in the car. Stay on the line, I’ll be there as soon as possible. You can continue to talk to me about whatever you want, office gossip, movies, food. I’ll listen and come take you. Don’t care about what you are saying, just talk. Make him believe I’m yours. Please. Please, stay safe.”
Ysaline nearly dropped the bottle of Pepsi she took in her hand. A tear ran down her cheek and she had to blink away other tears. She begged the universe not to let the man see how afraid she was and thanked it for making Jason understand everything.
“Can’t wait to see you. Can’t wait to see you and watch the movie together,” she paused and tried to laugh. “I know I watch Pride and Prejudice every year, but let a girl dream. Why do you think we are together? Because you remind me so much of Mr. Darcy!”
At this, Jason laughed. “Really?” She wasn’t as panicky anymore. It was good. She had to remain calm.
Ysaline laughed too. “Really. I can’t believe you didn’t get it yet. For someone so smart, you are not the sharpest tool.”
“You love him because he’s a man in finance, trust fund, 6'5” and blue-eyed.“
"Yeah. The same reason I love you. Poor thing you are not 6'5”.“
"I never thought I would get bullied for being only 185, and not 195,” a voice said from behind Ysaline. She turned towards it and took a step towards its owner. Then, she turned back towards the aisle, put down the Pepsi bottle, and ran to him. Jason caught the girl in his arms. He kissed her temple and walked towards the bottle she just left. Taking it and a pack of chips, the couple walked towards the checkout. Jason was looking around them but was keeping Ysaline strong in his arms so she didn’t do the same thing. He didn’t want her to panic again.
In the car, Ysaline finally relaxed. Jason asked her home address and she probably said it because he started to drive. She tried to look at the road, but she couldn’t. Streams of tears were going down her cheeks.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry to bother you. I should have been more attentive, maybe take my car, or…” Ysaline was holding tight on her short skirt. She tried to rearrange it to look longer. When she understood she couldn’t do it, she took her bag and put it on her legs.
Jason parked the car, looked at the girl and what she was doing, and put away the bag from her legs.
“It wasn’t your fault. It never was, and never will. Nothing could have changed what just happened. So don’t blame yourself.”
Jason looked at Ysaline’s profile. He wanted to pat her head and kiss her temple. If he knew it would reassure and comfort her, he would do it. But he didn’t. So, he stopped midair before holding her hand. Ysaline probably didn’t want anyone to touch her right now. He waited for her to calm down and offered her his handkerchief.
“Thank you,” Ysaline finally whispered with her hand on the door.
“Don’t mention it. If you ever need my help, you know my number.”
Ysaline nodded and left. Jason’s eyes fell on the chips and soda. Maybe he would try to watch Pride and Prejudice.