Meeting With Jessica
1150 Words
REYNA'S POV
I barely slept after reading that message.
Every time I closed my eyes, the words flashed again.
Jessica wasn’t alone. Be careful who you trust.
I kept turning on the bed, pulling the blanket up, then pushing it away because my skin felt too hot. My mind wouldn’t stop running. I watched the window turn from dark to grey to silver, and when the sun finally came up, I already knew what I was going to do.
If someone warned me… then someone wanted me to act.
So I would.
I sat up slowly. My hands were cold even though the room wasn’t. My heart felt tight inside my chest, like someone was squeezing it. I looked at my phone for a long time. Just looked at it, like I expected it to move on its own.
I whispered to myself, “This is it. No turning back.”
I didn’t want to call Jessica.
Even thinking her name made my stomach twist. But I needed answers, and she loved seeing me weak. That was the only way she would come close enough for me to see what she was hiding.
I took a slow breath, forcing my voice to soften, to shake a little… like the old Reyna she believed she broke.
My finger hovered over her number.
I pressed “call.”
My throat closed up as the phone rang once… twice… three times. I almost hung up. But then I heard her voice... sharp, awake, annoyed.
“What do you want, Reyna?”
My mouth went dry. I dug my nails into my thigh just to keep steady.
“Jessica…” I let my voice tremble, very softly. “Please… don’t cut the call. I… I need to talk to you.”
Silence.
I could almost see her expression, eyebrows raised, lips curling in that small cruel smile she always had when she heard pain in my voice.
“What is this about?” she asked, sounding bored.
“I just…” My voice cracked a little on purpose. “I’m tired, Jessica. I’m tired of fighting. You’re the only family I have left. Please… please talk to me.”
Another pause. Longer this time.
Suspicion mixed with something else, curiosity. She liked when I sounded broken. She liked when I begged. She fed on it.
“What happened?” she asked finally.
“I can’t say on the phone,” I whispered. “Please… can we meet? Just for a few minutes. I don’t have anyone else.”
She hummed. A tiny sound that told me she was thinking.
“Why now?” she asked. “You’ve been so quiet.”
I pressed my hand against my forehead, letting my breath shake. “Because I remembered something. And I don’t know who to trust. I thought… maybe you could help me. Before things get worse.”
Her tone changed slightly. No longer bored. A little tense. She liked secrets more than anything.
“Where?” she asked.
“There’s a small café on Rosewood Street,” I said quickly. “It’s quiet. Not many people go there in the morning.”
“When?” she asked.
“In an hour,” I breathed. “Please.”
She let out a small laugh, low and mocking.
“You sound like a mess, Reyna. Fine. I’ll come. But if you waste my time, I’ll make sure you never call me again.”
The call cut. I let the phone fall onto the bed and covered my face with both hands. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of my chest.
But it worked. Jessica took the bait.
I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my hair slowly. My hands were still shaking a little. I didn’t want to look “good.” I didn’t want to look strong. I needed Jessica to see someone tired, confused, broken around the edges.
I picked a simple dress. Soft color. Nothing bold. I looked like someone who didn’t sleep. Someone who cried last night. Someone who wanted peace.
Perfect.
I grabbed my bag and walked downstairs. The house felt empty. Too quiet. Nicholas was already gone for work. Good. I didn’t want him asking where I was going. I still didn’t know what he knew, or what he was hiding.
The anonymous message echoed again in my head. Be careful who you trust. I stepped outside. The air was cool and soft, like early morning always is. But inside me, everything felt sharp.
The driver opened the car door and stepped aside.
“Mrs. Hall,” he said. “Where should I take you?”
“Rosewood Street Café,” I said quietly.
He nodded.
As the car started moving, I stared out the window. Buildings passed by one after another, but I barely saw them. All I saw was Jessica’s face. All I heard was her laugh. All I felt was the tightening fear in my stomach, but also something else.
Strength.
For the first time in a long while, I wasn’t waiting for things to happen to me.
I was making them happen.
We reached the café faster than I expected. I stepped out of the car and told the driver to stay parked far down the street. I didn’t want Jessica seeing the Hall family car. I wanted her to think I came alone… small… helpless.
The café was quiet, just like I chose it to be. Soft music. Warm smell of coffee. Only two other customers. Perfect.
I picked a table in the corner, facing the door. My heart beat hard as I sat down. My fingers kept touching the edge of the table. I didn’t like the shaking, but I let it show. It would help my act.
Minutes passed slowly. Then the door opened. Jessica walked in. My breath caught.
Black heels. Sharp coat. Hair pulled back tight. Face full of confidence. She looked around, spotted me at once, and that small mocking smile slid onto her lips.
She walked toward me like she owned the whole place.
“Well,” she said, pulling out the chair and sitting across from me, “I didn’t expect to hear from you. Look at you. You look… tired.”
I lowered my eyes, letting my shoulders drop.
“Thank you for coming,” I whispered.
Her smile widened. She loved this.
“Now,” she said, crossing her legs, her voice calm but sharp, “tell me. Why did little Reyna want to meet me?”
I lifted my gaze slowly. My throat felt tight even though I knew this was an act.
“It’s about the night Jeremy died,” I said softly.
Her eyes flickered, just for a second. Fear. Annoyance. Or guilt.
I couldn’t tell yet. But I saw something. And it gave me strength.
- Writer
