50
-Eri Jones-
“Okay Suzy, bye. Take good care of yourself.” I waved at Suzy, who just nodded, then watched me enter the car whose door was held open by a bodyguard and Hane followed, not looking too happy.
In fact, she'd had a weird expression on since lunch when we were at work.
It made me wonder what seemed to be bothering her so much.
The driver started moving once the door closed.
Just like when we were coming here, she kept nervously fiddling with her fingers, staring out the window.
“You alright?” I had to ask, and she turned looking lost in thought.
“Huh?”
“You've been unusually silent.” I pointed out. “Is something wrong?”
“No,” the smile she offered didn't reach her eyes.
In fact, it was obviously not real.
“You sure? You know you can talk if something's bothering you.” I placed a hand on hers. “Don't consider me your boss, but a friend.”
“Yes, I'm aware of that.” She nodded a little. “But trust me, everything's fine.”
I knew I couldn't force her to talk so I just dropped my hand, staring out the window as silence surrounded us.
Still, my mind couldn't help but wonder what she was worried about.
Did it have anything to do with her sister's wedding?
Were they having some problems? Financial problems?
Maybe she thought it would be weird to ask me for money as we are friends.
Is that why she said she's aware of that.
Was she embarrassed to ask for financial help?
If that was the case, then she should be aware I'd gladly help her out.
I mean, what are friends for if we can't help the other when they're in need of it.
She shouldn't—
I sighted a familiar face standing beside the road and waving at me to stop.
“Stop the car.” I ordered and the car immediately came to a halt.
June walked towards the window of my car with her personal maid ambling behind her.
“Why did you stop?” Hane asked in a whisper.
“She signalled for me to do so.”
“And you did? Don't you know this girl's only problem.” She made it sound like I was stupid, actually making me feel that way.
What on earth was I doing actually stopping for someone that openly admitted to wanting my husband.
Gosh, maybe I was stupid.
June leaned closer to the car window, giving it a light knock.
I wound it down, raising a confused brow at her. “Do you need something?”
“Oh not much,” her smile spoke her intentions.
Certainly not good ones.
Again, why did I foolishly stop?
“You remember when I said I wanted us to be friends, so why not just have a drink.” She said before adding, “just as friends.”
“Uh, I've got to go.” I was not planning on drinking with June.
Who knew what was in that mind of hers.
“Listen,” her tone was calm, but the type of calmness that held hidden venom to it, “I promise I won't do anything bad to you.”
“I know, but I really have to go.” I turned to the driver. “You can go.”
As soon as he started the car, she added.
“Catherine.”
“Stop.” I ordered to the driver who immediately complied again, obviously eavesdropping.
But that wasn't my concern.
My concern was on the June who I hurled a glare at.
How on earth did she know my mom? Mom wasn't someone so important that she'd be known by June.
Now, curiosity got the better of me, because I really wanted to know all she had to say.
“How do you know her?” My brows dipped to a frown, while a lopsided smile found its way on her lius.
The smile spoke malign, and my sane self warned me to just leave at that moment, because this girl wouldn't have any good news to offer.
But the insane part of me wanted so eagerly to know what she had to say.
And sadly, insane towered over sane, because, I mean, this was my mother we were talking about.
“Why don't we have a drink?” She moved back from my car, so I could get out of it.
And well, I did.
“Just tell me what you want to. And now.” The curiosity in my tone obviously let her know she'd gotten to me.
I didn't know Hane had gotten down from the car till I felt her hand on my arm.
“Don't you think it's time to go.” She whispered to my ear.
But I totally ignored her worried words and touch.
“Tell me how you know her.” My attention was on June.
“Well,’’ she dramatically tucked some strands of hair behind her ear, obviously biting back a smile, “I don't know much but the much I know is that she died thirteen years ago because of a friend of mine.”
The words made my blood boil, and yes, I could feel myself ired.
This was a feeling I hadn't felt since the day I vowed to destroy Kelvin.
My life goal had been to find him and crush him till he wished death would take him.
And here I stood, being told that guy —the one person I wished death for— was within reach.
I clenched my fist, and when I spoke, the words were gritted. “Who is it?”
It was obvious my face was red from rage, and at this point, I no longer felt like myself.
The anger had overtaken me, so much that if Kelvin was standing in front of me, I could do something that'd lead me to jail.
She sighed like she felt bad for me, but no one needed to let me know it was all feigned.
Still, that didn't matter. “Stop your fucking drama and spill it out.”
“Okay then, if you want.” She held my gaze when she said, “it turns out the Kelvin Jones who killed Catherine is your husband.”
I blinked.
It took my brain a second to process the words, and immediately, all anger vanished, replaced by hot hurt.
But then I remembered who was talking to me.
I mean, it's June we're talking about. Why would I even believe her.
“You fucking bitch, how dare you waste my time.” With a huff, I was about turning to leave when she continued.
“We've been bestfriends for fifteen years Eri, don't you think I'll know more about him than anyone else.”
I rolled my eyes, though a part of me trembled at the thought of her being correct.
“If that was true, there's no way I wouldn't have noticed him or his mom. If you want to lie, use your senses when forming the words.”
She stared at me like I was a moron, “why would you think I'll lie. What have I got to gain.”
“Well, for one, you've loved him for a billion years stupidly, and so you think you can lie to me so you can get him or whatever.” Obviously.
Her sigh proved she saw me to be dimwitted.
Then stretched a hand to her personal maid who handed her a bag I hadn't noticed.
“If you don't believe me, I'll just hope your memory's still sharp enough to notice this.” She dug through the bag, then fished out a picture.
My brows furrowed when she handed it to me. “What's this?”
“Check.”
It was only when I reached for it that I realized my hands were trembling.
In fact, my entire body was trembling.
Oh no, please, don't let this be what I think it is.
But when I took the picture, all my spirit and soul left my body.
No!
It was a photo of the Kelvin I know with Mrs Nice Woman, and a female that looked like she could be June, with another woman.
“This was the month after Catherine died.” Though I wasn't looking at her, I could see the smile on her face.
“No.” Tears blurred my vision as the picture shook in my hand more than ever.
Now that I looked at it, Mrs Nice Woman did look like Don's mom.
“No.”
“Yes Eri, I've known Kelvin for fifteen years. He changed his name to Don when he turned fifteen because he thought bla bla bla—” I had already stopped listening to her, my mind racing almost as fast as my heart.
Don could not be the one who killed my mom. That was not possible.
June was lying. She had to be.
In anger, I ran to grab the collar of her shirt, locking gaze with her.
I ignored the fact that her personal maid and Hane were trying to pull me apart from her.
Anger and hurt seemed to give me enough strength that I wasn't affected by their pull.
“Don't lie to me you fucking idiot. All you want to do is get Don and you're using my mom to get that.”
The words were gritted, and hot tears rushed down my cheeks than ever.
No, this couldn't be.
“Let go of me.” She was able to push me from her, smoothening her shirt, but before I fell, Hane caught me, steadying me.
“I've known Don long enough to know everything about him. He killed your mom but if you don't believe me you go ask your fucking husband.” She scoffed.
“So he knows?” The tears were just coming freely from me.
This can't be.
Don can't be Kelvin.
Her lips pulled to a smirk. “Oh hon, he knows.”
That made my heart break totally.
He got married to me knowing he caused my mother's death.
The journey back home was filled with tears, rage, pulling of hair and cussing.
I'd never felt more betrayed than I felt at that moment.
When I'd opened the door, I hoped with everything in me that he'd not be the one.
He couldn't be the one, but the pictures proved it.
Still, hoping against hope.
I hated Kelvin with my whole being, but I loved Don with my whole being.
Tears surged out with each thought.
A maid appeared in front of me. “Mrs Jones, Mr Jones is waiting for you.”
She looked confused at my face, but didn't say anything as I moved past her.
The house was decorated beautifully but that wasn't what I cared about.
It was the figure that stood at the center of the room.
Just staring at him made the tears gush out of me more.
He was smiling at first but then it dropped to worry.
“Eri,” my name in his mouth now sounded irritating.
I noticed he was about to come towards me but I stopped him immediately by stretching my hand.
“Are you Kelvin?”
Still, hope against hope, right? There was still a possibility, right?
I wanted June to be wrong. I wanted him to ask me why I'd think in such manner, but when I noticed his change in expression, I got my answer.
The tears poured out from me more and I could hear myself sobbing.
How could this be happening?
He caused my mother's death. He was the reason she didn't get enough money to feed.
He just stood there, staring at me in a mixture of fear and concern.
“Did you know you were Kelvin?” Maybe if he didn't know, I could have tried to forgive him.
“Listen Eri,” he reached for my hand but I snapped it away from him, stepping backwards a little.
“Did you know!” My tone was louder this time.
I suddenly felt claustrophobic staying here with him.
He was the man I'd spent most of my teenage hood searching for.
His nod made me even more angry. He knew and just acted like nothing was wrong.
“But,”
Before he could continue, I pivoted, running away from him as fast as my legs could go.
Tears were gushing out of me.
“Eri!”
I ignored his shouts, running out of his house to the car Hane had said she'd stay in till I came back.
I opened the car door, closing it as soon as I was in.
“Get me out of here.” I ordered through my tears.
Don started towards the car, and the driver seemed hesitant to go.
“But—”
“Get me out of this fucking place!” I ordered causing him to start the car, zooming off.
This couldn't be happening.