CHAPTER 231: GOODBYE

While Genevieve slept, Barry, hacked into her phone and diverted all her calls to ensure she doesn’t receive any call from the Pilot or the hospital about Ryan’s condition.

They were concerned that if she knew something had happened to him, she might not want to leave with Stefan as planned.

At exactly 6 a.m, her alarm went off, and she was jolted out of her dream by the sound.

She had been dreaming of Stefan. In her dream they’d been walking by the beach barefooted, with their hands entwined and their shoulders rubbing.

Her heart raced with anticipation as she picked up her phone, expecting to see a message from Jamal, but when she didn’t, she decided to freshen up and get ready for the day.

As she freshened up, her stomach was tied in a knot as she thought about her plans once again. She hoped she was doing the right thing. She hoped she wouldn’t regret her decision.

Her thoughts drifted to her father again, and she sighed softly, wondering why he was yet to call or return her call. She hoped he was fine wherever he was.

No matter how much she wanted to get away from him, he was her father and she wanted him to be fine.

Just as she stepped out of the bathroom in her bathrobe with a towel tied around her hair, her phone started to ring, and her heart skipped a beat as she rushed to get it.

When she saw it was Jamal, her pulse quickened, and she cleared her throat as she received the call. "Hey," she greeted breathlessly.

"Rise and shine, beautiful," Stefan greeted pleasantly.

He had touched down thirty minutes ago, and was in the car on his way to her place. He was yet to give Jamal a call, but he had spoken with Harry and had been updated on the recent events. He was more determined now than ever to take her away.

Genevieve smiled and bit her lip, "I was up already. I’m getting ready for work," she lied, choosing to act like she didn’t know he was planning a surprise visit.

Stefan smirked. "Hm. "What if I don’t want you to go today?"

Genevieve stuck her tongue in her cheek. "Why wouldn’t you want me to go to work? It’s not like you’re here."

"What if I am? Would you skip work and hang out with me?" He asked, playing along since he knew very well that she knew he was coming.

"Hmm. I don’t know. I’ll have to think about it," Genevieve drawled.

Stefan chuckled. "Is that so?"

Genevieve grinned. "Yes, that is so. But who knows? Maybe if I were to see you for real I might just change my mind."

Stefan laughed. "Pete told you, didn’t he?"

Genevieve threw back her head and laughed. "Told me what? I don’t know what you’re talking about. Is there something you asked him to tell me?"

"Cut the act, I know he let it slip. He confessed to me. So, since you know what I’m up to, do you think your Dad will let you leave on such short notice? Pete mentioned he’s not around right now. Will it be okay for you to come with me for a getaway trip now?"

"Now?" Genevieve asked, raising a brow.

"Yeah. Now. Like right now. It’s called a getaway for many reasons, you know?" He asked, and she laughed, though her heart was racing. "The jet is waiting, and I am on my way to your place right now."

Genevieve drew in a deep breath, "Well, why not? I mean, you already got Pete to clear up my schedule, and there’s really no difference between leaving now and leaving in two days. So, yes. Let’s do it. I’ll be ready by the time you get here."

"Great! See you in five minutes..."

"What? Five minutes?" Genevieve asked, laughing.

"Why? You need more than that to fix your blonde wig and blue eyes?" Stefan asked, reminding her she didn’t need to bother with the wig and contacts now.

Genevieve laughed. "I just got out of the shower. I need to dress up and stuff. I need a minimum of thirty minutes."

"Alright. Can I come in and wait? It’d be nice to get a cup of coffee. And maybe I can chat with Pete while I wait."

Genevieve hesitated for a moment, thinking about what might happen if either Abigail or Jamal recognized the other.

What if everything became exposed before she got the chance to leave? What would she do then? But wouldn’t Jamal be more pissed later when he realizes she had kept him from coming inside to see Abigail just because she was scared that she would be exposed?

"Viv? Are you still there?" Stefan asked softly when she had been silent for some seconds.

Although he couldn’t see her face, her silence told him a lot, and he could understand why she was silent and what she was possibly thinking.

Genevieve let out a deep breath. "Yeah. I’m here. I’d rather you don’t come in," she said apologetically, "but I’ll ask Pete to meet you outside with coffee. He will come out with the car and you can both sit and chat. I suppose you’re in an Uber?"

"No. I borrowed a car. Pete can just meet me outside with the coffee," Stefan said, not the least bit surprised that she had chosen not to let him inside.

Although he had been hoping to see Abigail and Josh, but that could wait. He could always see them after they were out of here.

"Great then. I’ll try to be as fast as I can," she said before hanging up.

Genevieve took a deep breath before calling Pete and instructing him to take coffee outside to Jamal.

She has barely dropped the call with Pete when Jamal’s text entered her phone informing her he was waiting outside.

She set down the phone and quickly dressed up. She applied light makeup and didn’t bother with the wigs or contacts.

Once she was ready to leave, with her big luggage bag in hand, and her handbag in another, she looked around the room.

She smiled as different memories flooded her. Not all were good. She had done pretty childish and stupid things in here.

She was going to miss the room, the house. But she believed she’d be more at peace with herself far away from there.

She stepped out of the room and went to knock on Abigail’s door, expecting her to be getting ready for work.

Abigail opened the door, still dressed in her sleeping dress. Her eyes widened in surprise when she saw Genevieve without the contact and wig as usual. "Good morning. You look... different."

Genevieve shrugged. "Dad is not around."

Abigail laughed. "True. You look beautiful. More beautiful without those."

Genevieve smiled. "Thanks," she hesitated, then added, "I’m sorry about your face."

Abigail let out a deep breath but didn’t respond. Instead she looked from Genevieve to the luggage, "He’s here already?"

Genevieve smiled and nodded. "Yeah. I’m leaving now. Wanted to let you know. Is Josh awake yet?" She asked, looking down the hallway towards Josh’s bedroom.

"No. He’s sleeping on my bed. But you can wake him up now. He needs to ready for school, anyway." Abigail stepped aside for Genevieve to get in.

Genevieve was grateful, since she didn’t want to leave without saying goodbye to Josh.

Genevieve walked in, and went to sit by Josh’s end of the bed. "Hey, Jojo," she whispered, tapping him softly.

Josh stirred in his sleep but didn’t open his eyes. Genevieve didn’t have the heart to disturb his sleep, so she ruffled his hair and kissed his cheeks, while Abigail watched.

Abigail’s heart ached a little. She wondered if Genevieve was really planning to run off without totally coming clean. Maybe she needed to ask Jamal to warn Stefan that Genevieve might be preparing to run away.

Genevieve leaned down so that only Josh could hear her voice as she whispered in his eyes. "I’m going away for a while. Take care of yourself and your Mommy. And make sure you remain a good boy."

Josh’s eyelids flickered and he slowly opened his eyes. "Genny," He said focusing on her as she leaned back.

Genevieve smiled. "I’m traveling. I was hoping I could get a hug from you before I leave. I’m running late already."

Josh looked from Genevieve to Abigail, and then sat up and hugged Genevieve. "I’m going to miss you. Buy me lots of stuff when you come back."

Genevieve’s smile faltered and she quickly blinked away the tears that were gathering in her eyes.

How could she buy him stuff when she wasn’t sure they would meet again?

She nodded without making any promises, and rose. "I have to leave now. My friend is waiting."

Josh stood on the bed, and hugged her again before she could turn, and then he kissed her cheek.

"Let’s see her off to the car, Josh," Abigail said, and Josh got out of the bed, and together they all walked out of the bedroom.

"You didn’t ask me why Josh didn’t seem surprised that I spoke to you last night," Abigail said as they walked down the stairs.

Genevieve shook her head. "I told you I wasn’t going to ask you any questions. I don’t have any right to do that until I’m totally honest with you."

When they got to the door, Genevieve stopped Abigail before she could step out, "You don’t have to follow me all the way out. You need to go get ready for work and Josh needs to get ready for school. Dad’s going to be mad when he comes back and sees I left. I’m turning off my phone after now so you might not be able to reach me." Genevieve hesitated before continuing. "There are lots of things I want to say to you, but I can’t face you. I can’t say them to your face, so while I’m away I’ll send you something that might help you understand everything."

Abigail nodded, relieved that Genevieve still had plans of coming clean. Abigail stepped forward and embraced Genevieve, "I’ll miss you."

Genevieve smiled as she hugged her back. "Thanks for saying that. I’ll miss you too."

Once Genevieve pulled away, she waved at Josh, and then walked through the door without looking back, because she didn’t want them to see her tears.