Never Meant to Be by Yarro Rai Read Free Book Online Page B

back and saw my bodyguard following us stiffly.
    “Oh! That's my bodyguard.”
    “I mean, really? You really don't trust me?”
    “Mr. Brad is concerned. He thinks I shouldn't meet up with you. That's why he's here. There may be even more somewhere in the crowd.”
    “It’s terrible. I mean, where's your freedom?”
    “I know, but what can I do? I have to follow protocol.”
    He looked at me with those mischievous eyes, as if he was trying to suggest something.               “What? What no, no, don't do it...”
    Johnny broke into a run.
    “Come on, come on!” He shouted back.
    “Hey!” I sprinted after him through the people on the streets.  Just we turned down a side lane, he grabbed my arm to stop me and put his hand on mine.
    “Shhh... your bodyguard is following.”  We quietly peaked out to the street. I could see the man scanning through the crowd.
    "Do you want to get some ice cream?" Johnny whispered. I felt like a kid again.
    “Shhh! Shit, he saw us! Run! Fuck you, you steroid-filled jack ass!” Johnny shouted as we ran through the crowd on the street. My heart was pounding with excitement.
    “This way! this way!” Johnny shouted and grabbed my hand to pull me down another street. The bodyguard ran after us. Johnny started to jump over trash cans and obstacles as he passed, probably showing off his skills. I started to fall behind, but he stopped to wait, grabbed my hand, and we both started to run together.
    “Fuck, he's good,” Johnny looked behind us, impressed by the bodyguard’s commitment.
    “The subway! Quick, the subway!”  Johnny kicked someone’s luggage back at the bodyguard. The man tripped, which bought us some time to jump on the nearby train just as the door closed. We both waved goodbye as the train left and he reached the platform.
    “That was so fun!” I shouted at the top of my lungs, scaring all of the people travelling in the car. I just couldn't contain my excitement.
    “So, it turns out that it is a small world, after all.”
    “Yup,” I panted, happy to have participated in one of the most exciting thing I had done since leaving home to study art. I looked at Johnny, who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. His right hand was in his pocket, as if he was rubbing something. That was when I saw the shape of gun bulging out of his pocket.
    What is he trying to do? Did he bring me here away from my bodyguard on purpose? Is he trying to kill me? After all...he tried before... My heart sank and I felt a sick feeling in my stomach. Was I really so naïve to trust him after eleven years? No, what am I thinking... he'd never do that.
    I glanced back at his hand. It was still in pocket, and the outline definitely looked like a gun. Johnny looked at me, as if trying to warm me. The train shook with the motion of the tracks.
    Maybe I should have taken the hint. Maybe I should have gotten off at the next stop and never seen him again. But the little girl in me was still there, fascinated and drawn to the mystery that was Johnny. And in the end, Johnny just took me home.
     
    ***

Chapter Four
    Deeper
     
    Esther’s Diary
     
    The summer was slowly fading, and autumn was knocking at the door. I was sitting in my office sketching, and there were piles of files around me that I needed to look over, but I had no idea what to do or where to begin. I tried to look busy so Mr. Brad didn't say anything. I wanted everyone to know that I was putting forth my full effort.
      Then I remembered that I was supposed to meet Johnny at lunch time. I reached for my jacket, but then realized that I had an employee meeting. I looked out from the window and saw Johnny waiting for me below. He was holding an old piece of cardboard, and on it was written: Did you forget?
    I took a dry-erase marker and wrote on the glass window slowly, trying to make my handwriting neat even though it was backwards. 
    Can’t. Sorry. Meeting.
    “Fuck meeting! I'll buy ice- cream.”  He scribbled