Chapter 36

After fitting and choosing the gown, Collette brought us to this cute little cafe near the boutique to get our lunch. Sophie got spaghetti and fries with ice cream, and I had my burger and iced mocha.

We were happily chatting when my phone dinged. I took it out of my purse and opened the message. The color on my face drained, and I trembled in fear. I am staring at the photo of us in the cafe with the message. I am watching you.

Collette noticed my reaction and snatched the phone from my hand. Her eyes grew wide, and she looked at me in horror.

" What is this, Bels. Who sent this?" She asked in a panic.

" I don't know, Cols. This morning I received a call, and a distorted voice said I'm coming for you. Mom said we should report it to the police. We were supposed to go today, but you called, so I told her we would do it after. Collette, I am so scared. They are here, and they are watching us. I cannot think of anybody doing this to me."

" We have to call Liam. I am scared, Bella, but we are safe here. I don't think they will do anything with people around and in broad daylight." She said and started dialing her phone. I took Sophie and placed her in my lap, holding on to her tightly.

I roamed my eyes around the cafe and outside to see anyone is acting strange or looking at us. I am starting to get paranoid and am looking at everyone in suspicion. Then I heard Collette got through Liam.

" Liam, please come with the police. We are at the cafe near the boutique. I will send you the location, and please hurry. Someone was stalking Bella and followed us here. We will explain everything when you got here, okay? Please hurry!" She cut the call and looked at me in distress. She sent Liam our location along with the photo sent to me by the stalker.

" Let's wait for him here, Bels. He's coming, and we are safer inside. Todd is coming with him too, and he is calling the police now." She held my hand and squeezed it. I nodded, unable to say anything. I hugged my daughter close to me and said a silent prayer for Liam to hurry up.

20 minutes later, we heard the siren, and we saw Liam's car parked at the side of the road. I've never felt so relieved seeing him and Todd walking fast inside the cafe. Collette went flying up to Todd's arms. I stood there, frozen with Sophie in my arms.

Liam went straight to me and knelt in front of me and hugged Sophie and me. He kissed my head and cupped my face.

" Are you okay, baby? when did this start, and why didn't you tell me right away?" He asked me, worry is written all over his face. He took Sophie from my arms and sat on the chair next to me. He held my hand and kissed it, urging me to talk. The police came and asked me the same question.

" I received a call this afternoon from an anonymous number. I couldn't recognize the voice because it was distorted or some device to change the voice. The voice said he's coming for me. I told my mom about it, and we were planning to go to the police after we were done here. But just now, somebody sent me this photo." I showed them my phone and the photo taken of me, Sophie and Collette inside this cafe.

" Do you know anyone who might have a grudge towards you? A potential admirer that you rejected maybe?" The police asked. Liam has been holding my hand the whole time, silently watching me and listening to the police.

" No, I've just come back from Denver. I can't think of anybody who might want to harm me." I shook my head and looked at the police, then at Liam.

" What about Tom, baby? You said last night that he was acting strange. Did he say anything or got mad somehow?" Liam asked me, and then I got to thinking. It could be a possibility, but Tom wouldn't be that stupid to do all these. He wouldn't jeopardize his career over this.

" I don't know, babe. I don't think he would be stupid enough to do this. It's someone else, someone who wants me gone." I told him, doubt, and apprehension on my face.

" We will sweep the whole area and check if anyone is looking suspicious. In the meantime mam, I suggest you don't go somewhere alone. We will track the number used by the stalker and get back to you for the result. But if this guy is smart, I'm pretty sure he used a burner so as we can't trace the location or the number." The police advised, and I nodded. They went outside to check the area while we remained inside the cafe.

" We should get going, babe. Aunt Agnes is in our house waiting for us with mom and dad. We'll talk there, alright?" I nodded, and he stood with Sophie in his arms. My daughter was oblivious to what was going on around her.

We left in a separate car. Collette is with Todd, while Sophie and I went with Liam. Liam's face is on full alert. He keeps looking at the side mirror to check if someone's following us. I, too, am checking the side mirror for signs of a car following us.

Liam is gripping the steering wheel so tight until his knuckles turned white. His jaw clenched, and his lips grew thin with anger. I touched his arm, and his attention snapped to me in alarm. I squeezed his arm and smiled wearily at him.

He smiled back, but it didn't reach his eyes. His eyes are full of worry and fear. He brought my hand to his lips and kissed it. He then squeezed it and interlocked our fingers tightly. We were holding hands until we reached his house.

Collette's car was already in the driveway when we parked behind it. Liam got out and opened the door for me, then opened the back seat to get Sophie out. He held a hand for me before going inside the house.

Everyone is in the living room, waiting for us. When we came in, mom came rushing in and hugged me.

" Are you okay, hon? Was it the same person who called you this morning?" Mom asked worriedly.

" I believe it is, mom," I told her wearily. Liam put Sophie down, and she went straight to Collette's waiting arms. Aunt Carmen and uncle Demitri fondled her and kissed her head.

" Let's take a seat, baby, and I'll get you water." Liam guided me to the sofa and got me a glass of water.

" Any news from the police, dear?" Aunt Carmen asked me.

" Not yet, auntie. They said they would try to track the number and will let us know as soon as they have results." I told her, distressed about everything that's happening.

" Can't it be Taylor? She did threaten us when she left, Liam. It could be her or Tom as you said at the cafe. Who else would have a motive of scaring Bella like this?" Collette asked Liam, obviously stressed out as well.

" I don't think Taylor can do such a thing, Collette. She will be an easy suspect if ever she is behind all these. I know Taylor, she's all talk, but she'll get over everything fast. My first bet is Tom, but I doubt it as well. He is a Principal, for Christ's sake. I don't think he will put his profession on the line just because he got rejected." Liam answered and raked his fingers through his hair.

I touched Liam's arms, and he looked at me with concern and anxiety. He pulled me to him and put his arms around me, kissing my head, which didn't escape from Liam's parent's watchful eyes and Collette's.

" Let's not talk about this crazy stalker for a while and talk about the two of you. Why didn't you tell us you two are a thing now?!" Collette stared at us accusingly, and her parents laughed.

" Yes, son. When did this happen? You two are together, right?" Liam's dad asked, smiling at us.

" I decided to find courage as you've told me and declared my undying love to her last night, dad. Fortunately, she said she loved me too, or I would die of embarrassment and heartache if ever she rejected me." Liam joked and kissed my now blushing cheek.

" I am so happy for both of you, dear. It's about time! It is so frustrating watching you both playing hide and seek with your feelings." Aunt Carmen said, grinning at us and obviously happy. We were all laughing when another message sounded on my phone.

I took it out and opened the message. I gasped loudly and covered my mouth. A photo of all of us laughing has been sent to me with the caption, " Laugh all you want bitch! You will soon die along with your precious daughter!" Liam took my phone and cursed under his breath.