Session 𝓝inety

Session 90:
"The Mystery Woman”

It felt like time had paused.

Like I had misheard what Monroe just said, but it was hard to when her words echoed in the air for seconds to come.

I didn’t know how to react.

Or how to feel.

She’s coming to Seattle.

My mother.

I’m genuinely surprised, especially because I didn’t make any headlines.

But I knew better than to assume she cares.

“You don’t have to speak with her,” Monroe’s voice echoed from beside me. “It’s all up to you, darling.”

I nodded, even if her words didn’t quite process in my head.

I’ll have to tell my mother about Monroe.

It’s only logical to do it now rather than later.

Fuck.

I flinched slightly, glancing down at my hand that Monroe gently grabbed.

“Liberty,” she said, her blue eyes trailing my face. “Tell me what’s going on in your mind.”

I blinked a few times. “Nothing,” I said before I could think it through, “Just processing this. I think.”

Monroe nodded, her eyes still analyzing my face.

I knew she had probably fallen into her therapist default, trying to read me deeper than the average person.

“Give me an emotion, darling,” Monroe murmured, gently interlacing her fingers with mine.

I let out a soft sigh, glancing down at our hands. “Confused, I guess,” I said with furrowed brows. “She doesn’t actually care about me, and this didn’t make any headlines. I don’t know why she’s coming here.”

Monroe nodded, “I agree. It’s very confusing,” she determined, reaching her other hand up to cup my cheek. “We don’t have to decide anything today. Her assistant told the doctor she would be in tomorrow.”

I sighed again when Monroe pulled me closer, letting go of my hand to wrap me in a hug.

I pressed my cheek against her chest, relaxing against her as I closed my heavy eyes and tried to push my mother to the back of my head.

But now it’s not just her.

It’s what I have to tell her.

This is my opportunity.

I just don’t know what to say or even how to plan it all, which I spent hours thinking about.

I was allowed to leave once the doctor checked in on me and ensured I was okay to go.

The test results were also going to be in a little later, which would tell the doctor and us if I had been drugged.

All I wanted right now was to be at home, whether that’s my apartment or Monroe’s house.

I planned to sleep for a little while, too—given, I could barely keep my eyes open during the car ride.

Monroe ended up taking me back to her place, which I thought was good, given my mother could show up at my apartment at any time.

I don’t think it would be great if she walked in and Monroe was there.

 That definitely wouldn’t help me get a decent reaction from her.

Somehow, I already know she’s going to judge me either way.

“How is that, darling?” Monroe asked, pulling away from me.

I snuggled deeper into the bed, “Really good. I’m comfortable,” I murmured as I closed my eyes.

Monroe had made sure I drank plenty of water and also ate a few bites of a pizza she had made me once we got here.

I took a quick shower and changed into one of her sweatshirts and a pair of leggings.

She even fluffed the pillows and made sure I was comfortable enough in bed, but if I’m being honest, I could fall asleep on concrete right now.

“I’m going to get my work done downstairs so you can sleep in peace,” Monroe told me as she flicked off the lamp, allowing darkness to gather in the room due to the blackout curtains. “Let me know if you need anything, darling.”

I hummed in response, “Thank you, I will,” I whispered, relaxing deeper into the bed with hopes that my dreams would revolve around one person.

The only person who couldn’t physically be here with me.

My dad.

But if I’m being honest, I didn’t remember a single detail of my dream.

It was all blank.

All I remember was waking up to the sound of a phone vibrating.

My phone, I think.

I’m not sure—I just immediately answered, even if I was half-asleep.

“Hello,” I murmured, my voice raspy and my eyes still closed.

“Libby.”

My eyes immediately shot open at her voice.

Kaia.

I unblocked her?

Drunk me probably did that one.

“Hey…” I trailed off, lying up from bed even if my head ached in the worst way.

“I was really worried—you never updated me or anything,” Kaia’s voice flowed from the phone speaker.

“I know,” I said, trying my best to wake up better. “I’m all good now. Maybe it’s best if we don’t talk anymore?” I said, not even trying to sugarcoat it.

It wasn’t purposeful—I could barely gather my thoughts right now.

All I knew was that I needed to conclude this with Kaia.

“Why? I thought you were okay with being friends again?” Kaia asked, making me awkwardly purse my lips.

Especially when the bedroom door slowly opened, and there she stood.

Monroe in black leggings, an oversized grey sweater, and her soft brown hair pulled into a bun.

Her bangs framed her bare face, not a piece of hair out of place.

“Did she tell you to do this?” Kaia spoke again as I watched Monroe walk further into the room, her stare zoned in on the phone in my hand.

“No,” I unconsciously answered Kaia’s question as my girlfriend stopped by me, gently tucking the frizzy hair away from my face.

“It’s weird, Libby,” Kaia just had to say again, something I recalled her saying so many hours ago. “Anyone would think so—she’s supposed to be your therapist.”

“Zion and Sarai are fine with it,” I pointed out as Monroe gently caressed the back of my neck, probably listening in on my phone call.

“And your mom? Is she okay with it?” Kaia just had to ask.

“It doesn’t matter if she is or not. I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions,” I emphasized, growing irritated by her need to run my decisions by my mother.

If I had just left with Zion and Sarai last night, none of this would’ve even happened.

“I’m just worried, Libby. That’s all. I feel like you’re mad at me for actually seeing what’s wrong with this,” Kaia said as Monroe gently squeezed one of my shoulders. “I think you see what’s wrong with it too, and that’s why you don’t want to tell her.”

I honestly didn’t know what to say to that.

Because she was right.

Sort of.

I mean, I know it’s not an ideal situation.

“There’s nothing wrong with it,” I corrected her, knowing that much was true, “It’s not a normalized dynamic, that’s all.”

“Because she’s your literal therapist,” Kaia emphasized, letting out a long sigh, “It feels like you’re not hearing me.”

“I’m hearing you, but this is my life and my choices,” I clarified, feeling my face grow hotter and my head pound worse.

I fucking hate this.

“I’m just going to tell her,” Kaia suddenly said, making my eyes immediately widen.

“What? Tell who?” I quickly asked, pushing the covers off of me, which immediately confused my girlfriend next to me.

“Your mom—clearly, she’s the only one who can get through to you,” Kaia said, making everything around me blur.

“No, you can’t do that, Kaia—this is my news to tell,” I said, my voice unconsciously rising in volume, making Monroe instinctively step closer to the bed.

But I swear everything felt hot around me.

“Well, you’re not going to tell her,” Kaia pointed out as annoying tears burned in my eyes.

I threw my phone across the room the moment she hung up, causing it to clatter against the floor.

“Liberty,” Monroe’s voice echoed, but I swear I just wanted to be alone.

I can’t believe Kaia.

I can’t believe she would do this to me.

This isn’t even her business.

It’s not her life.

“She’s going to tell her,” I whispered, quickly climbing out of bed as I messily wiped my tears. “She’s going to tell my mother, Monroe.”

I felt my girlfriend follow behind me as I walked to pick up my phone.

“I’ll handle it, darling,” Monroe assured me, gently grabbing my waist.

I only pushed her hands away, “No-no, because your way of handling it involves hurting people,” I pointed out, realizing I probably shouldn’t have even told her.

“It could just be a warning. Perhaps something to buy you time, darling,” Monroe offered, making me shake my head. “She hasn’t signed an NDA either. She could tell anyone, darling.”

Fuck.

I didn’t think of that.

Now Monroe is, and I’m sure this could even involve her family at this point.

If Kaia talks publicly, that would be it.

The Leclair’s would ruin her.

God, what have I done?

“You’re not handling her,” I said as firmly as I could, but I swear my tears and how overwhelmed I felt didn’t help right now.

I sounded weak.

“Liberty, sweetheart,” Monroe said, her voice gentler with me as she grabbed my waist.

I didn’t have time to push her away.

She firmly pulled me into a hug before I had a chance to, holding me so close to her body.

I could smell her familiar scent, relaxing in her arms that wrapped protectively around me.

All I could do was crumble from the contact she made, wrapping my arms back around her waist as I cried into her chest.

I hate this all so much.

I can’t believe Kaia.

Why can’t she just leave it all alone?

“I have to call her now—I have to tell her before Kaia does,” I forced out as Monroe ran her hands up my back.

“Liberty,” I heard her say in the softest tone, running her hands down my back, “Please let mommy handle this for you, darling.”

I wanted to.

I really wanted to leave this all up to her, but my conscience would never let me.

I shook my head, not even wanting to think it through any longer.  

“No,” I whispered, hating that I couldn’t just take the easy way out, “I need to call her.”

I didn’t let Monroe counter my statement—I just pulled back from the hug and softly kissed her lips.

“Thank you for offering,” I murmured before pulling away entirely, hoping that we could just leave it there.

But Monroe’s silence never equated to that.

I could tell by the look on her face that she wasn’t happy, especially with the position Kaia put me in.

Or even us.

Kaia could talk.

She could spread the details of our relationship without an NDA signed.

“Don’t do anything, baby,” I made sure to clarify before walking away, “I’m going to handle this phone call alone.”

Monroe didn’t say anything—she didn’t acknowledge or agree to my words.

I wanted to stay and ensure we were on the same page, but I also knew I was running out of time to call my mother and tell her.

At least before Kaia does herself.

I would have to talk to Monroe after—right now I need to focus on talking to my mother.

I purposely headed away from Monroe’s bedroom, wanting to have this phone call as privately as possible.

I had to walk downstairs, just to head back up a different set of stairs to her main bedroom.

The more controlled room that was bare, and everything had its own place.

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the closed door as I contemplated the last few hours that got me here.

This was on me.

I did this.

I’m the one who talked to Kaia, knowing what it could all come with.

Now I’m put in a complicated position.

I let out a deep sigh, unlocking my phone even if I wanted to stall as much as I could.

As I navigated to my mother’s contact, I contemplated taking the easy way out and letting Monroe handle it.

But I just couldn’t.

Regardless of how fucked up Kaia is for forcing this on me.

I clicked the call button under my mother’s contact name, shaking my head as soon as it began ringing.

So many thoughts ran rapidly through my head, especially as I tried my best to think of how I would tell her.

I never actually planned it out—I never had the time to.

This was all just sprung on me, and now here I am.

Worst-case scenario, she doesn’t approve, and we never talk again.

That’s probably the only scenario here because—

“Liberty, you’re awake?”

I blinked a few times at her familiar voice.

How she sounded… concerned, maybe?

Was she concerned?

“Yeah,” I spoke, clearing my throat when I heard how soft I sounded, “I mean, yes.”

“I’m flying in tomorrow morning,” my mother said, making me draw in a deep breath.

“So, you’re mad?” I asked, knowing I would probably get a lecture the moment she touched down.

“Oh, I’m past mad, Liberty,” she emphasized, making my stomach twist. “Someone potentially drugged you. I plan to take this up with the university. That fraternity will be shut down after something like this.”

I was silent for a moment.

A long moment.

All I could do was stare forward, processing that she was on my side for once.

“I thought,” I whispered, blinking a few times when tears burned in my eyes. “I thought you were going to be mad at me.”

The line was silent for a moment.

Then all she said was—

“No, Liberty.”

It was painfully silent for another moment between us.

I almost considered if the call got disconnected.

“I know I’ve been hard on you,” she finally spoke again as I wiped under my eyes, “But I would never be mad at you for something like this.”

I nodded a few times, but I couldn’t get any words out.

There was a lump in my throat, especially as I recalled the version of her that I missed so much.

I also knew this moment wouldn’t last long.

Not with what I have to tell her.

“Has Kaia called you?” I suddenly asked, “My friend who you had spying on me?”

“Now, Liberty—”

“Never mind, she probably hasn’t,” I quickly determined, realizing that we would be having a completely different conversation if that were the case. “I have something to tell you,” I rushed out before I could stop myself.

At this point, prolonging it would only make me back out of it completely.

“Go on,” my mother said, and I could already feel my heart pumping in my chest.

“I’m dating someone,” I forced out, squeezing my hand in my lap to keep me somewhat grounded.

“As I’ve heard,” my mother said, making me distantly recall when she had mentioned me seeing someone.

Now I realize Kaia had probably mentioned that to her.

“It’s not someone you would think,” I whispered, unable to physically say that it was Monroe.

Or Dr. Leclair, as she knows her.

“You’re dating Kaia?” my mother asked, making my eyes immediately widen.

“What? No,” I quickly shut her assumption down.

I mean, I guess it makes sense why she would think that, especially after that club situation she had to clean up.

Or the picture of me and Kaia that she had to handle, along with those boys she had to pay off.

“I don’t have time for guessing games, Liberty,” my mother impatiently said, making me draw in a deep breath.

Because this was it.

This was the moment I told her about the mystery woman, as Kaia or Zion would say.

“Dr. Leclair.”

The name fell from my lips in a lowered whisper, nearly inaudible.

But she heard it.

“She knows who you’re dating?” my mother asked, making me shake my head.

Fuck.

Okay, I can do this.

“No, I’m,” I went to say, but I swear I couldn’t physically get it out.

It feels like I have to pee and throw up at the same time.

“Liberty Junia.”

She knows.

Fuck, she knows what I’m trying to say.

Now I don’t know what to say.

What do I follow that up with?

“You’re dating, Dr. Leclair, Liberty?” she asked me, and I could already hear the disbelief in her tone.

“Yes,” I whispered, squeezing my hand tighter in my lap. “I know it’s craz—”

“Where are you?” my mother suddenly asked me, making my brows furrow.

“I’m at her house,” I said, slowly opening my hand that I had previously been squeezing. “But it’s normal now. I’m here most of the week now. I promise it’s not weird.”

I knew I was rambling, but I didn’t want another Kaia situation on my hands.

“Liberty,” I heard her sigh.

It was a long sigh.

I could almost imagine her rubbing her temples like she would do when she’s stressed out.

“Libby.”

I froze at the nickname she used, one she hadn’t used in years.

It made me go into this weird fight or flight mode, anticipating what she was about to say next.

I couldn’t tell if this was my mom or Maris talking.

“I need you to leave,” she finally said, her voice almost rigid.

It scared me.

Her words.

The way she said them.

It genuinely scared me.

“Why?” I whispered as softly as I could. “It’s fine. I swear it’s fine. I’ve even met her parents—”

“You met them? Leon and Clarisse?” she cut me short, her voice rising with shock. “Liberty, no. God, no.”

I was confused.

Really confused.

“You know them?” I asked.

“Anyone who can pull strings knows them, Liberty,” she emphasized, letting out another sigh. “What have I done? I leave you alone for a few months, and you’re entangled with the Leclairs?”

I shook my head, “I-I, they liked me sort of. It’s fine,” I whispered, feeling the edges of my face grow warm.

“This is not fine, Liberty. It’s far from fine,” my mother quickly emphasized, and I could hear shuffling on her end of the phone. “We can’t finish this conversation. Not over the phone.”

I furrowed my brows.

Even if I knew what she meant.

We’re being watched.

Someone could be listening to this conversation.

“I’m flying in tonight, Liberty,” my mother spoke again, her tone final. “I need you to get out of there. I’ll send a car. It will take you to an undisclosed location.”

“Undisclosed location?” I emphasized, blinking a few times. “It’s really not that deep.”

I heard my mother laugh, or maybe it was a scoff.

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with,” she determined, making my stomach twist in the most unsettling way. “You’re dating their daughter.”

“So you don’t care that she’s my therapist?” I asked in confusion.

“I care that she’s a Leclair, Liberty,” my mother emphasized, “God, I’m not sure if I should fly right now.”

Her words felt like a bucket of cold water was poured over me.

Because they reminded me of Maricel.

Does she know?

“Why?” I decided to ask, not wanting to ask her the obvious question about Maricel.

Especially not on a phone call.

“They,” my mother started, briefly pausing for a moment. “They make people go away.”

Her voice sounded rushed for once.

She lost her edge.

Knowing that Monroe was a Leclair made her lose her edge.

“I’ll figure out a way to get to you,” she suddenly spoke again, and I could hear drawers opening, “Liberty, get out of that house. I’m sending a car.”

Her words made goosebumps crawl down my skin.

I didn’t know how to feel.

What to do.

What do I do?

The woman I trust most is right downstairs.

Not the one on this phone call.

But if this is my mother—if this is my mom, the woman who would hold me after my nightmares or make me my favorite homemade gummy worms…

I trust her more.

“Wait,” I suddenly said, needing more to go off of.

“I love you, Liberty. I’ll be there soon,” was all my mother said.

Then the call ended, and I was left staring at the wall, unsure what to do next.

I hadn’t heard those three words from her in so long.

Much less hear the motherly tone—that protective tone she used.

But I can’t leave Monroe.

I can barely think that thought, much less go through with it.

But my mom.

She… she sounded genuinely worried about this.

I glanced down at my knee, noticing it rapidly bouncing up and down.

I quickly stood from the bed, trying my best to gather my thoughts.

To make a logical decision here.

I can’t leave Monroe.

It was an echo in my head.

One that I wanted to trust, but my mother’s tone, her words, kept breaking through my head.

It made me feel dizzy.

Okay-okay, maybe I should just leave.

I can always come back, but I need to leave and hear what she has to say.

That’s logical, right?

Clearly, she’s worried for a reason.

She’s never been this worried before.

That’s clearly a red flag.

I quickly walked towards the door, trying to think of an excuse as to why I needed to leave.

But any kind of lie Monroe will see through.

I quickly opened the door, squeezing my phone in my hand as I walked down the hallway.

The house was eerily quiet.

I could hear my heart pounding in my ears, especially once I approached the stairs.

My footsteps echoed in the silent air as I tried my best to think of what I would say to leave.

It couldn’t be a lie.

She knows when I’m lying.

I flinched as soon as I noticed her at the end of the entry hall, standing with her arms by her side and a concerned expression on her face.

“How did it go, darling?” she asked, walking towards me when it was clear that I wasn’t about to close the space between us.

“Good,” I whispered, making my girlfriend tilt her head as she stopped in front of me.

Good was too easy.

It was too off-brand for my mother.

“Not good,” I quickly corrected myself, “She wants to talk to me in person.”

Monroe nodded, “That could be productive,” she said, gently grabbing my waist and pulling me closer to her. “How do you feel about the phone call?”

“Not great,” I admitted, knowing it wasn’t technically a lie, and it sounded believable. “But I think talking to her in person could be good.”

She nodded, leaning down to gently kiss my lips, “It will be good,” she assured me as I naturally kissed her back.

It was hard not to melt into her touch.

Especially with how she kneaded her fingers into my waist.

“She’s flying in tonight, baby,” I whispered against her lips when she gently backed me against the nearest wall, “So I have to leave.”

“I’ll go with you,” Monroe determined, kissing me even deeper. “I don’t want you to be alone after what happened.”

“I won’t be,” I tried my best to say, especially when she slid her tongue into my mouth. “She sent a car.”

Monroe only hummed in acknowledgment, holding my hips in place against the wall.

I was breathless, and my lips were swollen as our kiss became deeper and more passionate.

“Baby,” I whispered, turning my head to the side to break the kiss. “I have to go.”

“Not alone,” was all my girlfriend said, trailing soft kisses down my neck.

“I’ll call you every half hour,” I offered her, trying not to fall into the kisses she was leaving on my neck.

“Not enough,” Monroe determined, dragging her bottom lip up my neck, “I need to be there with you.”

“I’ll be with security until she gets there, Ro,” I breathed out, closing my eyes when she sucked on my neck just right.

“No,” was all my girlfriend said, pulling back from my neck. “I don’t trust her.”

 “She’s my mom, Monroe,” I reminded her, meeting her darkened blue eyes.

“We need to figure the Kaia situation out as well,” Monroe decided to say, completely breezing past my words. “She hasn’t signed an NDA. She’s a liability.”

I quickly shook my head, “No-no, she was only threatening to tell my mother.”

“We can’t be sure of that, darling,” she whispered, gently cupping my cheek in her hand. “Let’s go upstairs, sweet girl.”

“I have to leave,” I reminded her, gently nudging her away from me.

But she didn’t budge.

I slipped under her arms, anyway, tugging out of her hold.

“I’ll be back by the morning,” I determined as she followed right behind me.

“Liberty—”

“And I’ll call you every half hour, baby,” I said as I approached the door, slipping on my sneakers that were always left there.

“You passed out a few hours ago,” Monroe pointed out, “Liberty, I need to go.”

“Monroe,” I said, turning around to face her once my sneakers were fully on. “Baby, I’ll be fine. I’ll keep you updated.”

My girlfriend just stared at me for a moment, and I almost considered whether she was acting like this for a reason.

If she didn’t want to let me go because she listened in on my phone call.

But then her expression crumbled, and the worried look I had witnessed hours earlier weighed down her beautiful face.

“Okay,” she whispered, blinking a few times as she glanced away from me entirely. “Okay,” she repeated to herself.

“I’ll be okay,” I assured her.

“Okay,” Monroe repeated again, and I could tell by her stiffened body or the way she wouldn’t meet my stare that she was spiraling.

Or she was about to spiral.

I reached my arms out, instinctively pulling her into a hug by her waist.

Monroe was still stiff, and her breathing was more drawn out, like she was trying to stay grounded.

“I get you,” I whispered in her ear, squeezing my arms around her waist so she could feel my presence.

Within seconds, her entire body loosened.

She relaxed against me.

“I worry about you.”

Her words were weak and inaudible.

And that’s when I knew this wasn’t about the phone call or not trusting my mother.

Not even the Kaia situation.

Monroe genuinely wanted to make sure I would be okay.

Being with me ensures that—it helps her feel in control.

“I’ll be okay, baby. I promise,” I whispered softly.

My girlfriend only hummed, even if it was soft and almost weak, hugging me back tighter to her by my waist.

I stood there with her for minutes on end, wanting to make sure she would be okay.

But eventually it grew time for me to walk out of that door.

I pulled away from Monroe reluctantly, hating the idea of even separating from her.

Especially to an undisclosed location.

All this could be is bad.

There was not a single good outcome in my head, and that was terrifying.

My mother definitely has a lot to say, so I was already preparing myself.

I just hoped it didn’t involve my girlfriend.