Death Date - Part 3

“What are you planning to do now?”, Michael asked Joanna.

It had been 6 months now since Joanna had been living in M’s studio apartment, where none of his colleagues ever visited, and neither did he have any friends. She had gotten well acquainted with M now and knew much more than his real name. Michael had had a tough childhood, being arrested now and then for petty thefts. With not much education and knowledge, he landed into spats with various mobsters from time to time and finally started working for Allen.

“You will be delivering in a few weeks, Jo”, M said, “What will you do now?”

Joanna and Michael both knew that Becky had reported Joanna missing the very next day when Joanna did not return from her planned trip. Her family was desperately looking for her and was frequently visited by the cops for investigation. But Becky had not taken Allen’s name yet, and neither did she reveal that Jo was pregnant. Joanna understood Becky’s emotions behind this. Becky had always warned Joanna of how dangerous Allen could be. Becky feared for Joanna’s and her own life after she found out about the pregnancy. “He is immensely powerful. He would finish us in a click”, she would say.

“M, I am being a burden to you, I know. But trust me, as soon as I deliver my baby, I will be gone; never to bother you again”, Joanna often told him.

“No Jo, I like it that you live here”, Michael said as he patted Joanna’s arm, “I have never had a family and will be incredibly happy to live with you and your child. I will do all it takes to make you both happy. And, believe me, I am not expecting anything here in return”.

Joanna smiled. She knew everything Michael was saying was true. He had been living with him for months now. But she was not looking for a new beginning; not until she finished off the tearful chapters from her past life.

“What are you planning to do, Jo?”, Michael asked curiously.

The violent streak and the rage in Joanna’s eyes concerned him, but ‘I will stand by you, always!’ was his promise.

“My revenge is on, Michael”, she said.