by L. Foster
CHAPTER 11
“Hmm! I find it very difficult to believe that all this happened and I was unaware of it. I still can’t believe my ears at this moment. So, do you mean Mathew was responsible for Emily’s death?” “No!! I don’t mean it that way. Mathew was not responsible for Emily’s death; on that very day he was too strung out to harm anyone but himself. I just wish you really understand what I mean. I just told you this in order to let you know that I have you in mind, but I can’t tell no one about it, I really want us to forget about all this and move on with our relationship. Please!” Michael replied “Michael! It is very difficult for me to understand. I really you for taking you time to explain the whole story but I feel indifferent about it. I have to go” Chelsea replied The look on Chelsea’s face doesn’t look like she had been convinced with what she heard from Michael. She told Michael she needs to go and she biked away looking for Cecilia so that they will go back home together. Michael regretted his action having explained his absence to Chelsea since it didn’t look like she believed him and she didn’t even give him the second chance he wanted. He was very sad at that moment, his look changed and he felt guilty for betraying his family by letting their secret out. They have actually been trying to keep the secret since all this while, but unfortunately for them Michael just let the secret out. Michael thought of family and he knows they will be furious at him for letting the secret out. Most especially, Lawrence and his Dad will be mad at him for that action because of governorship-post Lawrence was aspiring for. Michael was still ominous when Mathew found him standing near a well-trimmed flower. Mathew moved closer to him and he could sense that something has happened to him. Michael looked worried and it was very obvious on his face. Mathew asked, “I hope you are good?” “Yeah! Anything you want to say” Michael replied “You looked worried and I hope she has not said anything provoking to you,” said, Mathew “No! Not at all! She is not the type. I am just feeling guilty of what I just did” Michael replied “Really! Feeling guilty? Let me know about it, I hope you have not told her the secret?” Mathew asked. “What secret?” Michael asked “Stop acting like you don’t know, I mean the secret behind your absence after Emily’s death” Mathew answered “Oh! It seems you are right, I just told her now and she doesn’t look convinced. For real, I don’t know what came on me, I just explained all to her and you can’t even believe she left me here. Damn! I just fucked up” Michael blame himself “No man, you don’t have to blame yourself for that. After all, I know you want to reconcile with her and that is why you told her. To be sincere with you, I hope the two of you reconcile and continue with your relationship” Mathew replied Michael was stunned to hear that from Mathew, his thought was that Mathew will be mad at him when he comes back and finds out that the secret has been told. But to his greatest surprise, Mathew was supportive. Michael looked at Mathew in the face and asked him if he really mean what he just said; Mathew replied him and said, “Yes! Why won’t I mean it, you did that all because of me. I have no reason to be angry with you on this, you have your life to live and I have mine too. You even went ahead and be part of my life, I should be thanking you for that” Mathew replied with a sincere heart. Michael couldn’t believe his ears; he moved closer to Mathew and hugged him for being supportive. They held themselves for minutes before they separated. The two of them started laughing at each other and they started jogging back home. As they were jogging, they were discussing some other things. Chelsea on the hand was still looking for Cecilia while she was riding her bike, she was looking around if she will see her, but she didn’t see her at all. She stopped the bike and started trekking while moving the bike with her. There were many people moving around, some were jogging and others were riding on their bike as she did. Cecilia had stopped in a coffee shop after getting an ice cream with Mathew. She doesn’t take the ice cream, but she informed Mathew she will get coffee in place. The two of them separated and they were unable to see each other again because of the population at the place. As Cecilia was looking around maybe she will see Mathew in the midst of the people, she suddenly saw Chelsea looking around. She moved closer to where she was standing and tapped her on her shoulder. Chelsea was first shocked when Cecilia tapped her but when she finds out that Cecilia was the one, she said to her.
CHAPTER 12
“Where have you been?” Chelsea asked Cecilia in a furious tone. “Calm down girl! I thought you were going to spend more time with Michael”. “No, not anymore... I will rather be home in my bed” Chelsea replied. Chelsea and Cecilia biked home and though Cecilia presses her for details, Chelsea remained silent about what she and Michael talked about. You know you can always talk to me about anything, Cecilia said. Yeah, I know Cecil. It was dark now by the time they got home. Chelsea got down from the bike while Cecilia drove into the garage. When Chelsea entered the house, she went straight into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of cold juice. As she sipped the juice, she heard her sister's voice calling out to her. Immediately, she ran out of the kitchen following the voice of her sister. She found Cecilia in Antonia's room. Antonia was found pale and shaken. Chelsea asked, what happened to Mum? I really don't know. I found her this way, Cecilia said in a concerned tone. Chelsea turned to her mother now, asking why she was in that state. She was hesitant to speak so Chelsea asked her sister to get her a glass of water to help calm her nerves. Mum, please sit up and have this, Chelsea insisted!! After a while, she narrated what she encountered to her daughters, she told them she just heard from Wendy that Georgina Yardley had been found dead in the park. It seems to be a case of suspected drug overdose. It was around 6 pm in the evening when I received a telephone call from Wendy this afternoon, she sounded angry and devastated when she told me to meet her at the park. I left the house hurriedly to see what had happened. There was already a crowd when I drove into the park. Thank God, the police were there on time to control the adverse reaction of the crowd. I was able to spot out Wendy in an instant because of her distinct glasses and curly hair. We exchanged greetings and she quickly took me to the spot where Georgy's body was found. I felt terrified at the sight of her body which prompts me to leave the place hurriedly. I could not help but think of the crowd and all the side talks. Some people were even worried it might be the killer again; they said they were no longer safe in Hatton. Chelsea was shaken by the news; she's got an eerie feeling that there’s more to the death than a drug overdose. She was somehow convinced that it was connected to Emily’s murder. Colin and Bobby got in few minutes after Antonia was calm. Cecilia explained all that's happened to them and they were also taken aback by the news. To Chelsea's surprise, she couldn't help but notice that Bobby seems especially broken up about the news and wonders why, since she doesn’t think he knew Georgina that well. Bobby panicked and ran to his room. When he got to his room, he couldn't stop thinking about the last time he had met with Georgina. She was really confident about leaving the job at the foundation soon, as she had plans on starting up her own business. He remembered asking where she was going to get such huge amounts from, but she dispersed the conversation by starting another. They met at one of the functions held by the foundation. They got along and they've been intimate since then. Bobby never told anyone about them. I just hope no one will find out about us because this might complicate matters for me. Colin was still with his girls in the room, the atmosphere was calmer now. He decided he was going to see the manager of the foundation tomorrow. He was one of their major contributors. He needed to understand fully the reason for the murder of one of their staffs. Also, he wanted to meet with the detective in charge of the case. They all agreed with the decision before leaving for their rooms. The next morning, Colin was out like he said he would. He got to the foundation and met with Sadie, the lady in charge. They discussed for a while before he stood up to take his leave. I give you my word that such won't occur again. We would love to maintain the long built prestige of this honourable foundation, Sadie said. I will love it no other way, thanks for your t
ime. Colin extended his hands, they shook and he said "Goodbye".
CHAPTER 13
When Michael and Matthew returned home, they also got the news about Georgina’s murder. Michael was surprised and felt sad, but the rest of his family seemed to brush it aside, even though the Yardley's’ are good friends of theirs. Michael recalled they were both interns at the foundation and he wondered what could have led to their murder. Could it be that it has something to do with the foundation? He got embedded in the thought, why had they not thought of Emily's murder that way. He snapped out of it when Joseph and Lawrence start discussing their political plans. They plan to work with their political advisors to minimize the connection as a mere coincidence. Michael’s thoughts drift back to Chelsea, knowing once she finds out about Georgina; she’ll probably distance herself even further from him. He picked up the phone to call her in order to confirm if she's heard the news or not. Chelsea was already in bed when she heard her phone ring. She picked up the phone. “Hello, how are u?” Michael asked. “I'm good,” Chelsea said. “Can we meet up at cafe delight by 3 pm tomorrow? I have something to share with you” Michael asked. “Ok! I will try to make it over”, she replied. “Please do, I really need to see you”, Michael pleaded. As Chelsea dressed up to head out, she got a call from her mother who wanted them to meet at her office. Antonia had overheard Chelsea when she was telling Cecilia about meeting with Michael. Antonia who has always contradicted the relationship they had decided she won't let it happen. And of course, she knew Chelsea would be stubborn if she told her plainly not to go. Mum! Do we have to meet now? Yes, my dear, I've got a terrible headache. Please, I need you to drive me to the hospital. Alright mum, I'd be right there. She got into her car and drove off to her mum's office. She forgot in the midst of all that she didn't call to cancel with Michael. Antonia was attended to by the doctor while Chelsea sat in the waiting room. When she got out, she told her daughter she needed to get to the pharmacy. The doctor has prescribed a drug I need to use, Antonia said. Alright mother, how do you feel now? Still the same. She drove straight down to the pharmacy, got down to purchase the drug. She still didn't realize that her phone had been on silent. Her mother heard the vibration of the phone in the car. Chelsea must have left her phone. She picked it up, saw the caller ID, it was Michael. She switched off the phone to prevent her daughter from receiving the phone call. Mum, here is your drug. She got in the car and drove straight home. Michael was impatiently waiting for Chelsea at their rendezvous. He ordered a cold bottle of drink while he waited. She was running extremely late when he concluded she wasn't going to come or else she would have already done that. He tried calling her to understand her reason for not being there, but she wasn't picking up before he noticed that her line was now switched off. He left eventually but with a troubled mind. When Chelsea got home with her mum, she took her into her bedroom so she could rest. She suddenly realized afterwards that she hasn't checked her phone or called Michael to explain the reason for the delay. She started searching for her phone in her bag but couldn't find it. Mum, have you seen my phone? Asked Chelsea. Not at all my dear, her mother replied. It was with me before I got your call. Let me check the car, it's probably dropped in there, said Chelsea. She dashed out of the house, went straight into the garage where she had parked the car. She was able to find it, but she was surprised to see her phone switched off. She switched it back on, saw a couple of calls she got from Michael. Oh! He must be mad at me or think that I probably did this on purpose. She tried calling him and the call went through. Hello Michael, how are you? I'm sorry I was unable to make it down. She explained all that happened to him. You should have called me up at least once to let me know, Michael said. I guess it skipped my mind in the middle of all the rush. I'm really sorry. We can fix up another time to meet, she said finally. It's fine, I will let you know. Bye, Michael replied. Chelsea went back into the house, checked on her mother to see how she's faring. Not long after, Colin got back from work. He went straight to the bedroom to see his wife. He loves her so much, he'd given everything and more, Chelsea thought. He has never made her feel like a stepdaughter or an abandoned child. Chelsea's father had abandoned her and Antonia when she was 3 years old. Her thought got interrupted when Cecilia got in and told her sister she had applied for a job as an intern at the foundation. Father said he will call in to ask as a special favour for me. That's good sister, I'm glad. The experience will make you all better. You are growing up really fast uh. She moved closer to her now and they started tickling each other. When Colin got down, he asked after Bobby but no one seemed to know his whereabouts. Bobby got in late that night. It was unlike him. He had gone to the foundation to look around for something that might help him understand why Georgina she was killed. He's convinced she was involved in something shady. While going through her space, he found one of the drawers locked. He tried all he could to open it but all to no avail. While he was at it, Sadie who is always at the foundation walked in. What are you doing there? She asked. Now that I see your face well, I've seen you before. You must be Mr. Colin’s son, aren't you? Yes, I am, he replied. And you are Georgy's secret lover. I would appreciate if you don't come back here because I'm sure you won't like anyone finding out about your little secret. I'm sure you will be the main suspect for the police, who knows you could be the killer!! She said in an aggravated and sarcastic tone. I'm not a murderer ma'am, Bobby said. You can take your leave now, Sadie ordered. After Bobby left, she went to check the drawer. She also found it locked. She got an extra key since she has access to all the keys. She found the evidence Georgina had against her and kept it to herself. To hell with that chic!! No one threatens me!! Now I've got it.
