Chapter Four

That was so creepy, I must admit that! I never had experienced things like that—since I didn’t believe in paranormal things but what exactly happened earlier at my apartment?

Crazy! I breathed out and walked fast heading to this restaurant where Ella was waiting for me. It was almost eleven thirty in the evening but we had not eaten our dinner yet. Ah, right! I was seeing things out of hunger and work-stress!

That was unreal earlier. Maybe I missed out, I circled Nixon’s name on my diary because even until now—I loathed that guy!

I forgotten everything when we started eating delicious foods in this Asian restaurant—the ambiance was really good and I loved how they played soothing music while people were dining. There were still few people around—we drank glasses of strong wine that Bell ordered for me.

“We should do this once a week, Ella. It’s fun!” She said toasting her glass. Well, I must agree—I had vowed to myself that I needed to let loose. Eating out with my close friend would be such a good start!

“I agree. I hardly remembered the last time I had a good time. I was too focused at work.” I drank my glass of wine and poured another. I felt so damn great! I like drinking but you know, not that much—of what happened to my mother before? I got trauma—but surprisingly, I was strong enough to raised myself and placed it on where I was stepping now.

“No, El. You were busy looking back your past and hating it. That’s the reason!” She yelled and yes, she got me there. I was completely trapped and even if how much I tried, it was so damn hard to get out from that pain.

“Can we exclude this day, at least? I want to have fun tonight.” I bitterly smiled at her. I wanted to close that matter. Everything about my past was too painful to remember and what I remembered earlier was enough to bring back the pain.

She nodded and respected me once again. Really, I wanted to enjoy this day. I knew, tomorrow’s the reality of my life again—back to normal. We went out the restaurant laughing—I was feeling cold as we walked and head to this club. But that feeling brought by that wine made me feeling good.

That night, we danced to our extent. I forgot myself for a bit and held unto what I had. After spending an hour, urged Bell to go home since I forgot to file a leave for tomorrow—damn. I still need to work after lunch and I was pretty sure, I’d woke up lunch time!

“Hey, I enjoy this night.” I told Bell before we parted ways. “Let’s do this again, Ella! Bye!” She waved goodbye and got inside the taxi. I only need to walk few blocks to get into my apartment’s building—I had a car though but I chose to walk.

It was almost two in the morning. Few people were along the road but most were bystanders—and it was not safe to walk alone, actually at this hour. Now, I felt that I need to be extra cautious by how this man eyed at me as I passed through his side. He followed.

“Beautiful miss, why are you walking alone?” I paced faster but he kept on buzzing and walking closed to me—I pushed him away!

“Hey, back off!” I learned martial arts but I should be extra careful if he got metals in his pocket—he was about to pulled out something.

“Tough woman, huh? I like that..” He grinned like a dog and pulled out this shiny metal but I heard loud sirens coming from a police car—but the man still had his evil plans.

He raised his dagger but before he could do anything—something hard smashed his head! Damn, w-what.. He instantly rested unconscious on the street still holding his dagger on his left hand. The police stopped right at us—I raised my hand.

“I-I..didn’t do anything!” I yelled out while raising my hand.

Damn it. Will I be put in jail?! My heart thrashed out loud—I was not ready for this but really, I didn’t do anything yet. The man suddenly lost his consciousness but I knew something hard smashed off his head and caused him this.

“Put down your hands, maam.” The police officers told me to. Oh? He approached the man resting unconscious along the side road and put cuffs around his wrist—t-they knew? T-That fast?

“It’s good that you called immediately our hotline, maam. And you did a good job in defending yourself against this criminal.” W-What? I was seeking the right words but hell, I felt the very same creepy feeling earlier! No way! I didn’t call them—and I did not do anything to him. Who then! Bell? No way, she got home already!

Maybe some concerned citizen saw me, err yes! That must be it!

***

I took a cold shower right after I arrived my apartment. I was drinking but I controlled myself—I knew I was not drunk or something. I wore my pajamas and slammed myself on my bed—but suddenly got up to get my diary inside the drawer. I needed to write what had happened today—though it was a bit eerie.

Maybe, yes, maybe a concern citizen phone the police hotline. I must thanked whoever that maybe! I got my pen, rested my back against the bed’s headboard. I flipped to a new page but..cold ran down my spine..

Dear Diary.

Today, Ella, went out to celebrate her birthday with Bell, her closest colleague. I didn’t know much about Ella but my angel told me about her.

I saw her for the first time, smiled and laughed while having her dinner at this Asian Restaurant. I listened to their conversation about how awful their supervisor was and how they wanted to get a promotion but others were trying to be leechy to their boss. I heard a lot, actually.

She then went out clubbing. I had seen many women danced but she, Ella, danced crazily when she was tipsy. She kept on declining those men who wanted to joined them and she really got a total bad*ss back there.

She walked after spending the night with Bell. Since, her apartment was only few blocks away, she decided to walk alone.

Didn’t she know how dangerous it could be for a woman who wore fancy clothing and as pretty as she is?

This suspicious man tailed her. I knew it. So I called the police station and gave her exact location. Surely, after checking the man’s jacket, he was secretly holding a dagger. Before he could do anything to Ella, I pulled out this stone and smashed right unto his head.

I was the hero tonight, wasn’t I?

Signed,

Nixon Brook’s Ghost

I threw my diary away from me! “N-No way..” N-Nixon Brook’s g-ghost?