-VEA-

Unease crept into me as I stood over the underwear on the ground, and a few possible scenarios went through my mind. I had thought that nobody knew that I was the person behind the entire fiasco that happened recently, but now, I wasn’t sure anymore. The very fact that this had been sent through the mail slot on my front door was proof that someone knew about my involvement with everything that happened, and not only that, that they were aware about where I lived. But that still wasn’t it.

Mailing it back like that, it somehow felt like a challenge had been issued to me. Like they were saying something.

‘I know what you did, and you should watch out.’

I picked the panties up from the ground, and went to wrap my other hand around the handle of the front door. I pushed the door open, and stepped outside. The chill and breeze from the night air grazed my cheeks, and I sent a few looks around my surroundings. It was quiet, and there were a few people jogging down the pavement, or bringing their dogs in. I tried to recognise some of the features on the faces I saw, but found none of them familiar. Nobody of note was nearby.

Turning over the underwear in my hands, I realised it was indeed the very underwear I had slipped into the boy’s pocket. Still musing, I stepped back inside, and looked behind my shoulder to close the door. When I faced the front again, I did a little jump when I saw my godfather standing in front of me, his eyes fused to what my hand was holding.

I quickly balled it up, and hid it behind my back. Freezing for a moment there, I hoped that he did not see what I thought he might have seen.

“We’re going to have a talk,” Ruthlow said. “Bring that to the kitchen now.”

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My shoulders slumped down as a sigh ripped from my throat. I rolled my eyes as he stepped past me to bolt the front door. Dragging my feet all the way to the kitchen, I climbed onto the tall stool, and placed the panties on the counter. After a while, he came over and stood on the opposite side of the kitchen island.

He reached into his back pocket and removed a wallet. Opening it, he took a card out before he set the dark leather wallet on the counter.

And he used the invite-only black credit card to lift the underwear up for me to see.

“I should’ve known you were involved,” he said. “I had a hunch, but I tried to think the best of you.”

I locked eyes with him.

“What?” he said. “What’s that look? Don’t you see the havoc you’ve wreaked on that poor boy’s family? Don’t you feel any remorse?”

“He’s a little kid lover, Ruthlow,” I said.

“That’s what they’re assuming,” he said.

“Why, nobody is guilty until it is proven?” I said, with a grin.

He sighed. “Vea,” my godfather said. “How many times - “

“Alright, alright! I’m sorry,” I said, holding my hands up. “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

He watched me, eyes narrowed.

“I’m serious,” I said. “You know how I’ve been going to school early to attend those church sessions. You made the right choice sending me to this school. I finally feel like I connect with something, like there is a higher purpose for me. I’m serious about turning over a new leaf and embracing God.”

He released the breath he was holding. “Alright, I believe you.”

I smiled. “Can I go now?”

“Sure,” he said, and I got up, preparing to head for my bedroom. As I was walking there, he spoke again. “There are some leftovers from dinner last night in the fridge. Eat them if you want.”

“Okay,” I said, and disappeared into my bedroom. I closed the door behind me, and the wood thudded. I turned the lock, and it clicked. I leaned my back against the door for a while as I continued to let my thoughts wander. Turning around, I slowly touched my fingers to the lock and turned it to unlock as silently as possible. Then, I pushed my door slightly open and peeked an eye out. My godfather was still at the kitchen counter, his elbows on the marble.

And his hands were feeling their way around the silk lining of my underwear.