Hate To Love You, Love To Hate You

Here You Are, Again...

Luna Barlow

I stared at my reflection in the glass window. It looks like I haven't slept in a day, which is true. I have been receiving barely any sleep for the past week. My exams are only a week away, and I am stressed. It is getting extremely hard for me to keep up with my work and studies. Since I have been staying up late to prepare for my exams, it is affecting my work. And since I study after a long day at work, it is affecting my studies. I don’t know how I am going to pass the exam this time. I can’t afford to fail again. I need to pass.

And if my life wasn’t difficult enough, Andrew was sitting in front of me at the back of the bar, at the same table where we met before. He blew his cheeks out as he put a piece of paper in front of me. I frowned, “What is this?” I asked.

“Another one of Forte’s victims.” He spoke croakily. My eyes widened as I looked down at the information about the patient. This time, it was a woman. She was in her late forties. She was a mother of two. She was a single mother, who left her two children behind. I felt a lump in my throat. Although this was someone I didn’t know, all I could picture was my mother. The details were so similar to hers. “Her case was similar to his last seven victims. She went to Dr. Forte for minor treatment and ended up brain-dead in a matter of two days. She was registered as an organ donor – like all of his other victims,” Andrew added. His shoulders were stooped. His eyes were red. I could see the bags under his eyes – just like me, he didn’t sleep either.

I gulped as I let out a shaky breath. My hands were shaking and my eyes filled with tears, “Am I the reason that this happened? If I had gotten Claudia’s confession before, she could have been alive, right?” My lower lip wobbled.

Andrew shook his head, “It is not that simple. Her confession wouldn’t immediately put a stop to Dr. Forte’s crimes, but it can help open up an investigation on a bigger level.”

I gulped and put my hands flat on the document. I felt like that piece of paper was mocking me. I hid it under my palms because I couldn’t take it. “I promise, I will try harder now. I am so sorry, Officer Andrew. I will do my best to stop Dr. Forte. I am going to get closer to Claudia.” I told him.

I know it is going to be hard, but the fact that Dr. Forte killed another woman took a toll on my head. For the next few days, I focused mainly on my job and spying on Claudia. I had to put my studies aside. Officer Andrew helped me find Forte’s new location. My eyes popped out of the socket when I saw their house. They weren’t this rich when we were in high school. She had a huge house then as well, but their new house was – it was like a mansion. I clenched my jaws as I thought about how Dr. Forte built this house from others’ blood.

“My team has been keeping an eye on Claudia and her mother’s movements. Marisa Forte will be out of the country for the next two weeks. As for Claudia, she will be in town. She often spends her time with her friends. She hardly spends her time at home.” Andrew told me as we were parked a few houses from Forte’s residence. I couldn’t tear my eyes off the house. It was magnificent. “Jame Forte is hardly at home as well. It is harder to keep track of his location other than when he is at work. He is always surrounded by disreputable people. We can’t risk this mission by making them suspicious. You are the only least suspicious person,” he said.

I looked at him as he continued, “How many times have you met Claudia’s parents before?”

“A few times when we were in school.”

“Did you ever go to her house?” He asked.

“Not this one, but yes – to her previous house – I did go there a few times. We used to spend a lot of time together then. Dr. Forte was hardly at home then as well,” I replied.

Andrew nodded his head, “That means if you start hanging out with Claudia again, James Forte will not suspect you for spying on them. You will be a familiar face for him,” Andrew suggested.

I quickly nodded my head, “True. I thought Claudia would stay in touch with me. She took my number, but it has been a week and she has yet to contact me.”

Andrew rolled his jaws, “She might not do it. You will have to catch up with her.”

“Where am I going to meet her?” I shrugged.

“She often shops and hangs out with her friends during weekends. I can tell you her exact location and you can catch up to her, and this time – make sure you make progress. We can’t afford to lose more time.” He pointed out to me. I took a deep breath and nodded my head. I get it. I will do it. I have to do it – for the innocent lives that were taken and the ones that are in danger, and for the money I so desperately need.

“Just let me know if that Austin fellow is there. He is always in my way. He already eavesdropped on my conversation with you, he knows I am onto something.”

Andrew raised his eyebrows, “Austin Elsner?” He asked.

I nodded my head, “I don’t know his last name. Do you know anything about him?” I asked.

Andrew exhaled loudly, “I know he is one of Claudia’s closest friends. His father is a businessman and he helps him with it. His older brother lives in Singapore. He looks after their family business over there.” he added.

I scoffed, “Why couldn’t his father send Austin to Singapore instead?” I asked Andrew distastefully, earning a soft chuckle from him. “And, it doesn’t look like he helps his father with the business. That man is always around Claudia.” I rolled my eyes. “He is the reason why I can’t do anything. He had already threatened me. I am sure he will not let me be alone with Claudia.” I replied bitterly.

Andrew sighed, “Let’s not get on his bad side. Don’t make him get suspicious anymore. Just act naturally around him. If he is still a problem after that, we will see what we can do, okay? For now, just bear with him.” He asked. I wish he could have come up with a better plan. I blew my cheeks out and nodded my head. Looks like, for a while, I couldn’t do anything but tolerate him around.

Soon the next week rolled in. I have my exams in a couple of days. Thankfully, Andrew excused me for a couple of days. He said that he would contact me after my exams and then I could start snooping around Claudia more. I am glad he gave me time off. I will be able to study as much as I can after my shift at the restaurant. Gavin has also given me off till my exams are over. I am so thankful that I have Gavin as a manager. Now, after my shift ends here, I will go to the library to prepare for my exams.

“We have a business meeting going on the second level. Luna, please go up there with Danny and see if they need anything. They are a few of our regular customers. Make sure you and Danny serve them well.” Our manager, Kim, said to us.

Danny is younger than me. I don’t know much about him, but he is a nice and respectable fellow. I like working with him. I smiled at her and nodded my head before Danny and I went upstairs. “I wish I had my CV with me.” Danny giggled.

I was tying the apron around my waist as I looked at him and chuckled, “Why?”

Danny fixed his hair, “The executive members of DE groups are having a meeting up here. I applied for an internship twice here and each time I was rejected.” Danny pouted, “I would have served them food on my CV, for them to finally notice me.” He joked, making me laugh.

I shook my head, “You are something.” I commented and shook my head. Danny brightly grinned. This is why I like working with him. He never fails to make me laugh. I picked the tray with drinks on it, while Danny picked the one with desserts. “Come on, let’s serve them, and get over with it. I need to leave after this.” I told him, to which he nodded and we stepped up.

The upper part of the restaurant is magnificent. It looks even better at night. The walls are all made of glass. Although the view from here wasn’t extraordinary, the sun could be seen setting in between the buildings from here. I find the view pretty decent. Danny and I were approaching the table with seven to eight gentlemen – all dressed in suits and ties. All of them were older men except for one. I halted in my way when I saw who that young man was.

My eyes widened when I saw Austin sitting among the other businessmen. Danny noticed that I had stopped walking. He looked at me and nudged me with his elbow, “Come on, what are you waiting for?” He muttered. I nervously looked at him and nodded my head.

I took small steps, unlike Danny, who was already at the table. He smiled and greeted the men around the table. Austin heaved a sigh and lifted his bored gaze to look at Danny when his gaze fell behind him – right on me. He froze for a second before he narrowed his eyes at me.

When will I ever get rid of this man?