When word got out that I was back, Nathaniel started showing up at the house almost every day.
I had no choice. On the second day of the new year, I told my mother I was leaving. Once I left home, I got back on the bus heading
into the city. I had barely sat down when I heard shouting from the station.
Nathaniel had spotted me. He hadn’t even bought a ticket and just tried to rush inside. The security guard caught him and blocked
the way. “Let me through! I need to find someone!”
The guard didn’t budge. “Sir, buy a ticket first. Once you’ve got one, you can go in.”
Grinding his teeth, he had no choice but to go back and get a ticket.
Thankfully, the bus I was on was already full. By the time he came back, the bus was just about to pull out.
He threw himself in front of it, waving his ticket frantically. “Stop! I need to get on this bus!”
“Sorry, sir, this one’s full. You’ll need to wait for the next.”
Of course, he wouldn’t give up that easily. He clung to the bus door like a madman. “No! My wife’s on this bus. I have to be on it,
too!”
The driver glanced inside, clearly uncomfortable, and asked, “Which one of you is this man’s wife? Maybe you could both wait for
the next bus?”
Nobody answered.
Finally, I said calmly, “Mister, since no one’s stepping forward, just go ahead. I’ve got things I need to take care of.”
Standing outside, Nathaniel must have heard me. He started pounding on the door. “Bella, it’s me! It’s Nathaniel! Come down
and talk to me!
“I have so much I need to say to you!”
But inside the bus, it stayed silent.
This time, it wasn’t just me urging the driver, other passengers started yelling for him to drive, too.
Soon enough, the guard dragged Nathaniel back, and all he could do was watch as the bus pulled away.
When I got back to the theater, I threw myself into work.
It was the holiday rush, and the place was packed with moviegoers. The whole theater was overwhelmed, and even I had to step in
as a greeter.
Thankfully, the New Year season passed quickly.
One afternoon, I received a call from Catherine again.
Somehow, Nathaniel had found out I was working at the theater. He was already on his way over. I knew why she was calling, but
I didn’t care.
After exchanging shifts with my colleague and making sure everything was covered, I left the theater and went back to my little
rented room.
As soon as I stepped out of the building, I saw Nathaniel running toward me.
Of course, things didn’t work out again this time.
But once he knew where I worked, he started showing up every week, trying to catch me off guard. Luckily, Catherine would warn me in advance every time, and I managed to slip past him.
Until one day, after countless attempts, he finally planted himself right at the box office doors, blocking the only way in and out.
I holed up in the theater office with a blank face, not even stepping out for dinner. My colleague had to bring it to me instead.
By late night, the theater was deserted except for the overnight staff.
Nathaniel’s whole body gave out, and he collapsed to the ground with a hoarse, desperate roar. “Bella, get out here! I know you’re
in there!
“If you don’t come out this time, I’m not leaving!”
If he wouldn’t leave, then there were ways to make him.
I had a colleague call security, who helped drag him away. After making sure he was gone, I snuck out the back door.
To get away from his endless stalking, I put in for a transfer the very next day. A new theater had just opened in another city and was short–staffed, so they sent me there.
For the next three years, I heard nothing from either Nathaniel or Catherine.
I would send my mother a letter every now and then, just to let her know I was safe. I never mentioned where I was or what I was
doing, as I found it too risky.
It wasn’t until the fourth New Year that I came home in secret.
This time, my mother was sitting all alone, but the table was still set with three places.
That was when I found out Catherine had divorced Nathaniel. He had beaten her so badly she was left crippled and unstable, living in a mental hospital, while he had gone to prison for assault.
They said he wouldn’t be out for at least ten years.
It all started when he found out Catherine had been tipping me off every time. Enraged, he’d grabbed a stick and beat her
mercilessly.
After I learned what happened, I went to see Catherine the next day.
She sat on the bed, flailing her arms. “This time, I’m the real winner!”
I could only shake my head. I paid her medical fees in full, then took my mother with me to the city where I worked.
I’d let everything in the past go, as the days ahead were still long.
