in threes
chapter 78

Chapter 78

Chapter 78

Lottie’s POV

Anna arrives at our new home, and I can’t help but feel a surge of excitement wash over me as shewalks up my front lawn…

After much pleading with Alex, I finally convinced him to at least let me invite Anna over to see theplace. He told me to wait another week, until the garden was done, before we had everyone overbut I just couldn’t keep this from Anna – I would have exploded!

Seeing Anna here, sharing this moment with me, means the world. I greet her with a warm smileand invite her inside as she squeals…

“Anna, I’m so glad you’re here! Come in!” I say, leading her into the cozy space which I proudlypresented.

“Girl! You have scored gold big time! That man seriously adores you… and I never thought I wouldsay such a thing about Alex!” Anna chuckles, as I give her the tour just like Alex had given me theprevious day.

“Watch it!” We hear Alex yell from the kitchen in defence, as Anna rolls her eyes causing me togiggle.

We take a full tour of the house, and I proudly show her every room, sharing the story behind eachchoice and decoration Alex had picked out.

Alex has poured so much love and effort into making this place perfect for us. It feels like a dreamcome true…

“THIS CLOSET IS TO DIE FOR!” Anna spins around the large space, as I clap and nod eagerly inagreement.

I have to admit this was my favourite part…

“I still can’t believe that I live here… none of this would have even happened if you hadn’t taken mein that night! I probably would have never spoke to Alex either!” I tell Anna truthfully, as she wavesme off.

“You deserve all of this! Fate brought you into our group Lottie – you would’ve found us eventuallyeven if we hadn’t met that night! Unlike Clara… I don’t know what force sent her in our direction, butit certainly was not fate!” Anna throws in, as I laugh loudly.

Yeah that’s for damn sure!

As we head back downstairs to settle in the living room, I sink into the plush sofa, feeling a sense ofcontentment wash over me.

Anna sits beside me, and we start catching up on each other’s lives… since so much had happenedover the past few hours that we hadn’t seen one another!

“Do you want to come back to my place with me for an hour? I’m waiting on something coming inthe mail!” Anna checks her phone before groaning, as I laugh and nod.

“Sure! Let me tell Alex first!” I state, getting up to head out towards the back yard.

I walk through the kitchen, unlock the patio doors, and step out to replace roughly twelve guys allworking hard and doing different construction jobs around the garden…

–

I scan the space, before my eyes fall on Alex‘ large back, as he stands broadly – seeming irritated.

I approach him, before I soon come into ears reach of their conversation…

“I didn’t want that shade of tiles! If I wanted that one, I would have fucking paid for that – but I didn’t!Get me the grey porcelain or I’ll cancel the job all together and replace somebody else!” I cringe at hisharsh tone, as the young guy before him also seems irritated, however seems to choose the wiseroption-

“Sure. I’ll have these sent back today. Although, the cream porcelain tiles are slightly cheaper if youwould…” The guy doesn’t even have the chance to finish, before Alex seems to lose his shit.

“Cheaper? Does this house look cheap to you? If I couldn’t afford the grey then I would’ve gottenthe shitty cream colour in the first place so don’t fucking insult me!” Alex rages, as I take this as mymoment to step in – not wanting the guy to leave with a broken face…

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Chapter 78

“Alex?” I place a hand on his muscled arm, causing his head to whip around in an instant, his eyesholding a fire.

“Piss off and fix it!” Alex turns to the guy and cuts him off, as he wastes no time on moving awaywith the tile box.

“You don’t have to be so angry… we’ve talked about this… people make mistakes Alex.” I attemptto scold him, earning a slight glare in return.

“Doll, I don’t want the damn cream tiles! Is that too much to ask? I wanted the grey and I paid for thegrey so I’ll get the fucking grey!” He states matter–of–factly, as I sigh.

“Yeah sure… I was just coming out to let you know that I’m going back to Anna’s for an hour or two,she had a parcel coming that she has to be home for.” I tell him, as his eyes study me intensely.

*Sure. But if you decide to run off again without telling me, I’ll come get you myself and don’t thinkthat I won’t Lottie.” He warns, as I nod and smile – brushing off his threatening demeanour.

He leans down slightly, as I peck his lips, before I turn and head back inside – leaving him tocomplain about the work being done in the yard.

“Ready to go?” I replace Anna in the living area again, as she stands and nods – grabbing her carkeys.

We head out front, climb into her car, before she drives off in the direction of her own place – whichwas thankfully only a ten minute drive from mine.

We listen to the radio, singing along to the pop songs that play, before pulling up to Anna’s place inno time!

We head inside, as I smile at the familiar home that I had called my own for probably the mostimportant part of my life…

This place was my refuge…

I plop down onto the sofa, as Anna follows my lead, before my gaze drifts over to the stack of letterson the coffee table, all sealed within the same off- white envelopes.

“They’re more letters from Tommy – all addressed to you. I came home to two more after Miami!He’s getting ridiculous with it.” Anna states with a sigh, her voice filled with unease.

I can’t help but feel a sense of trepidation as Anna mentions the letters.

Tommy’s relentless pursuit has taken a dark turn, and I can sense the ominous weight they carrydespite it only being a piece of paper.

Yet, a part of me knows that I can’t keep avoiding them. I need to face whatever he has to say andat least try to do something about it.

Perhaps we can report it to the prison? Tell him to stop writing to me?

I don’t know…

Anna reaches out and places a comforting hand on mine, her eyes filled with concern and support.“Lottie, we can open one together, if you want. You don’t have to face this alone.”

Her words resonate with me, offering strength in the face of my fear as I stare at the pile – knowingthere were also currently eight others hidden away in a drawer upstairs.

With a deep breath, I nod in agreement, and together we select one of the letters…

I carefully tear open the envelope, my hands trembling ever so slightly.

Inside, I replace neatly written words, chilling in their intent…

‘I won’t be locked up forever you know? You can avoid my letters all you want princess but I’llalways be here… ready to strike again when the time is right…‘

The first sentence was chilling, causing a dark shiver to run up my spine as Anna also reads it frombeside me…

‘You and your little group have completely underestimated me and my connections! You better keepa desperate watch over your shoulder Charlotte, you never know what could happen… maybe

someone will come and whisk you away in the middle of the night? Bring you straight to me hmm?You

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would like that wouldn’t you? You know that I’ll be back for you soon enough princess… back tofinish off what we started… so in the meantime, stay pretty x‘

My mouth opens and closes at the black ink on the page, as Anna groans once finishing readingthe letter too. How can mere words on a page cause such an effect?

“He’s such a god damn creep!” Anna complains, as I silently agree with her.

A psychotic creep…

In the letter, he taunts me, his words filled with malice, revealing the depth of his obsession and thedanger he poses, even from within the confines of prison.

“I have to tell Alex,” I eventually say, my voice filled with conviction.

Anna nods in agreement, her resolve matching my own.

“I’ll take all of the letters home… and I’ll tell him then… he will know what to do about this.” Iswallow the thick lump in my throat, knowing that Alex will no doubt have a fit when he replaces out…

But It is the right thing to do… at least, I think?

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