Chapter 13 - Hop-in (1/2)

Picking up his phone and car keys, Adam headed outside. He found Stella coming out with her stuff in her hands. They headed downstairs taking the elevator. Outside the building's entrance, Adam asked her, ”How are you going to return back home?”

”I usually take the bus, but since it's late, I'll have to take the subway.” Stella replied.

”What? No! It's too late. You aren't taking anything. I'll drop you off.” He exclaimed in response.

”It's alright! I am used to it. So, it won't be a problem for me.” She replied politely.

”No way. It doesn't matter whether or not you are used to it, I am not going to let you go home alone at this hour. Not in the bus or the subway.” Adam was adamant.

'How could I let her be on her own, and that too late.' He thought furrowing his brows.

”Where do you live by the way?” Adam spoke without giving her a chance to say anything.

Stella told him her address to which he replied, ”That's great. I live close to that place, so, I will drop you off.”

”But---” Stella was cut off once again by a certain someone, ”It won't be a problem for me since I am going in the same direction. You have no reason to decline me now.”

Stella could only reply with an okay to the unrelenting man before her who always wanted things to go his way.

”Stay right here, I bring out my car.” He said heading to the underground parking lot.

In less than two minutes, a sleek black car stopped before Stella, the window on her side rolled down, ”Hop-in.”

Stella sat inside quietly and fastened her seat belt.

The car headed to its first destination for the night. It was uncannily quiet inside the car. Adam decided to strike up a conversation.

”So, you live alone or with your family?”

”No, it's just me.” Stella replied looking outside.

”No roommates?” Adam was adamant to know more about her.

”No. At least not at the moment, but there was one. We used to share the apartment but then she left and moved in with her boyfriend around three months ago.” She replied calmly, still looking outside the window glass, deep in her thoughts.

The only response Adam gave her was an 'Oh'.

Stella actually came from a well off family. She was an only child and was adored by both of her parents. But when she was eleven, she lost both of her parents in a car accident. They had gone to attend a party. They wanted Stella to go with them but she wasn't in the mood that day so she stayed back at home with her maternal aunt. When the news of their death came, the little girl was utterly devastated. It was as if she had lost her entire world in just one night.

She spent her next few days locked up in her room, refusing to eat or drink. Her aunt had to take  her to a psychologist. Though she did return to her normal daily routine after a couple of sessions but she was never the same again. The lively young Stella who always caused troubles for others was no more. It was as if she had suddenly grown up.