Chapter 20: I don't exist

"Little bird"

I steep in a breath trying to control my anger. When I just happen to be in a damp mood, this Blondie had to disrupt my day.

"Miss me?" He says flashing me a dazzling grin intent to get me infatuated, but it rather makes me feel murderous.

"I can't believe you stoop so low to lure me in here using a child" I eyed him with disgust and fury.

He smirks moving closer to me, circling me like a prey he wants to devour. I felt trapped in his clutches. He grins strangely looking at me. his face darts into an odious expression, making a steep of fright grip me.

"The things I could do to have you" he muttered into my ears, I felt the rasps of his breath at the nape of my neck. I flinched dropping the shopping bags on the floor.

"What do you want from me" I breathe out, my breath getting heavier from fret due to this creepy stalker.

Suddenly he stepped away from me, his face easing back into that lazy cocky grin I noticed of him

"Little bird did I scare you," he said in a soft soothing tone

"Aww, that was me just jesting" he grins wriggling his brows at me.

"You called this a joke, scaring the hell out of me" I screech at him

"Stay the hell away from me," I said through a hiss, I was quivering deep within.

"No little bird, I don't think so. Deep within you, I know that is not what you truly want. You are seeking for something, a truth and you know perfectly well I know all about it" he winks at me

I recall the creepy conversation we had. I know he is just going to dance around the truth, playing games with me. I'm not going to give into that.

"Just tell me that secrets you are preaching of, I got no time for your chivy games" I firmly said sneering at him

He grins smacking his lips and waved a finger at me.

"Eager are you, tell me what do you want to know, The whereabouts of your dear mother or the name of the father you never knew"

"Which one is more important" he sings out whistling. I cringed, He is so creepy.

"I got that at the tips of my fingers," he snapped his fingers at me.

"How desperate are you to find out the truth?"

"What do you want in return" I bluntly asked.

His eyes flick. "I'm impressed, you know the rules of the game. I like that. I just want to be your friend, that's all I need from you little bird"

I chuckled. What does he take me for? How naive and stupid does he thinks I am.

"Chris Anderson" I addressed him by his name.

"I know who you are, and I know there is something else you want from me. I'm yet to find out. But I assure you I will soon" I confidently said hoping that could be. I pray Audrey is a guru with the PI thing if not this devil could keep taunting me with that secrets

I turned away from him, crouching down to pack up the clothes littered on the floor back into the shopping bags. I pick them up insuring it safe in my grip.

I plastered a vexed smile at him. "Nice seeing you again Blondie"

One of the shopping bags fell off again.

I grunted. "Stupid bags" I cursed nearly kicking it.

" Need a hand?" he offered

I ignored him picking it up.

"I don't need your help " I hissed at him

He chuckles " You need my help that is inevitable. I will be expecting your call soon" he laughs

"In your dreams" I muttered to myself

I ignored him walking out of there with my Chin high.

The Smiths were sitting in the hall when I walked in. Suzy immediately helps me with my load relieving me of it. I thank her shifting my attention to the siblings.

My heart flutters when my eyes landed on Mr. Smith. He gazes back at me without blinking. I averted my eyes from his hot penetrating stare that was intensifying the melancholy feeling in my heart.

Veronica shoots a smile at me. I smile back.

"Come join us" she gestured her hand. It seems they were having a pizza night. There were three piles of boxes of pizza on a small coffee table close to where Veronica was sitting.

"I'm sorry, I'm eating out today"

Disappointment drew on her face, making me feel a little bit terrible.

"Why?" She asked.

"I'm going out on a date" I blurted out. Mr. Smith suddenly glanced at me with a query, surprise look. Jeez, why did I say that? I had to, I wouldn't stand being around him. I should keep a safe distance from them.

"Really," Veronica said staring at Mr. Smith with a confused expression. That was odd.

"I got to go freshen up" I announced interrupting them from their gaze.

I beam a weak smile at her. Striding in my room quickly.

I freshen up quickly and dressed up in comfortable jeans with a T-shirt. I sat on the bed cross-legged, pondering on what to do. If I stay here, they will realize I just don't want to hang out with them, and that will be so rude of me. I got nowhere to go, AJ isn't an option too. Maybe I should just take a stroll around the neighborhood. It will be ridiculous doing that dress in a fancy dress meant for a dinner date. I chuckled.

Think April, I tapped my head.

My phone suddenly beeps. It was a message from an unknown number. It reads

I smile at the last sentence. I'm sure Audrey got my number from AJ.

I leap from the bed with enthusiasm. Curious about what she has to tell me.

Without wasting much time. I quickly put on my sneakers and sprinted out with haste.

Starbucks was crowded like always when I stepped in. I craned my head looking for Audrey.

A hand wave at me. I sighed in relief and made my way over.

I slid down into the chair opposite her. She was sipping coffee.

She offered to order me one. I shook my head. I was so anxious that food is the last thing on my mind even though I haven't eaten anything today.

"Down to business, I got no time I have to meet someone after here" I took a glance at her. She was dressed nicely in a cocktail dress. With her platinum blonde hair resting beautifully at one side of her shoulder. Must be going to a party. But what is so important is that she couldn't wait to tell me.

"Since you accepted my business card. I presume you have accepted my service. So I didn't waste time to dig into your life, with the little information provided to me by AJ"

Whoa, that was fast.

She snapped her fingers together looking at me intensely.

A jolt of anxiety grips me. I was scared of what she is going to reveal.

"I got nothing," she said. My face twinged into a frown

"There is no record of your existence. It's like you were never born. "

My eyes flickered open. Racked up with confusion.

"What do you mean by that"

She sighed taking in a gasp of air.

"April Jackson doesn't exist. No birth records, neither records of your family. No school records, no medical records. Nothing of you. It's like everything about you has been wiped away from the surface of the earth."

I gaped

"What about my grandma, the town I grew up in"

She shakes her head.

"There is no record of that as well. I'm sorry. This is so strange to me"

"But …. I... I'm a real person. " I stuttered, my body shuddering in shock. What is happening? This can't be real. It is insane!

She squeezed my hand warmly.

"Take a deep breath April, relax" I nod doing what she told me.

"What about my mother," I asked praying she got something about her

"Same, No records of her"

I run my hands through my hair. I don't exist the words shattered like a broken mirror in me. This is worst than death.

"I'm a ghost I guess" I joked sadly.

She rolled her eyes.

"I think someone is behind this. This doesn't normally happen except when a person's records are confidential to an organization or the government. They conceal it or erase it from anyone's reach. I think that seems like the case here"

"You thinks so?"

She shrugs. " You must be important to someone or a group of people, with that kind of power and influence to do this "

Hmm, my mind drifted to AJ's theory of me being a daughter of a rich elite.

Could that be? But if that is the case why would he wipe out everything about me?

"But that shouldn't discourage you" she assured me.

"They only erased out the documentation of your existence," She said with a sly smile.

What is she getting at?

"You need to speak to that old lady"

How will that be possible? How am I going to get the chance to? I gauge out a sigh. This getting complicated. I combed my fingers through my hair in frustration.

There is nothing Audrey could do to help me. I either let this all go and live as a ghost in this world. Or find my roots.

I got up from my seat. And placed a few dollar notes on the table hoping it is enough for the bill.

"Thanks for your help, Audrey"

She confusedly arched a brow at me.

"Month are you okay" I was far from being okay. Being hit with this big revelation.

"Yeah I'm totally fine, see you around "

"Wait Month where are you going…" she called out as I walk away.

I was walking on the street feeling lost and devastated. Everything she said played on my mind. An idea festered in me. My throat clogged thinking of it.

But I got no option, I need to find out the truth. And dreadfully, Chris Anderson is the only person who can give me that.

I know I'm going to regret this. I'm afraid I'm going to bargain with the devil. I pray I don't get burnt.

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