Chapter 87 - TRUE FRIEND
Three in the afternoon came. A soft knock then sounded on the door. It must be Elisa. Excitedly, I left the bed in a hurry and walked to the door and pulled it open. Elisah stood in the doorway, her eyes lit with glee. She has her large suitcase behind her.
My mood brightened at the sight of her.
"Please come in, Lis." I pulled the door wider. She mumbled 'thank you before entering.
She entered the door with ease as she pulled her large suitcase inside. I followed her with my gaze until she stopped at the foot of the bed before closing the door.
I noticed that she was still wearing her school uniform, a sophisticated tight-fitted long sleeves and black pencil cut skirt, the garment clung to her slender frame perfectly. She tied her hair into a ponytail using a pink ribbon.
Elisah is taking fashion designer at Harvey University and she is the classroom president in their section. She's smart, witty, and creative. Those are the reasons why she excels in her studies. Aside from that, she too is born talented. I've seen a few samples of her sketches and I'm quite impressed by her designs.
"I missed you Bea."
"I miss you too Lis."
We hug each other tight. We haven't seen each other for months but it almost felt like years. When the hug ended, Elisah moved to the bed and gently picked Faith Vienne. "You too my princess, I miss you too." She said chuckling and brushed the tip of her nose to Faith's cute upturned nose. The baby giggled.
Elisah sat on the edge of the bed. I watch her play with my daughter for a moment. I can't help but smile as I look at them.
"Beatrix, I haven't thank you enough for sharing this room with me. I just want to let you know I'm forever indebted with you."
"You don't need to thank me, Lis. Your parent's saved my life. If they didn't find me the night I will never have the chance to meet Faith Vienne and my whole family."
Slowly, she raised her head to me. "They just happened to be there.?Whoever was in their position will do the same Bea."
"Yes. But their kindness doesn't end there. They sheltered me after I lost my memory. And then I met you… You became the sister I never had."
Fondly, Elisah smiled, her eyes crinkled at the corner. "You will make me cry if you don't stop." She teased.
"I was doing it on purpose." I replied.
We both laugh.
Dinner was served around six in the evening. Madam Stella spoiled her guests with a lavish feast. The dinner is almost perfect if not for the idea that Carter was seated on the chair opposite me. If Elisah noticed the tension between Carter and me she didn't say anything…. That makes me safe… for now.
The mouth-watering aroma from the food served on the table permeated my nostrils. If the situation were a bit different and I just haven't discovered that 'the gardener' could possibly be my ex-husband, I would enjoy the food served at the dinner table.
Awkward silence hung in the atmosphere. Madam Stella must have sensed it, that's why she'd spoken.
"Are you enjoying the food? Most of these dishes are from french cuisine. I just hope you like it."?Unperturbed by the strange atmosphere she provided a welcoming smile to her guests.
"Do not worry Madam. I assure you the foods are excellent." Carter spoke politely. "I'm sure Beatrix will have something to say about it?"
He was looking at me.
I roll my eyes heavenward. So much for my hopes for a quiet dinner. "Carter is right Madam Stella. The food is superb."
"Oh, thank you." She exclaimed and resumed eating.
After dinner, Madam Stella served a bottle of expensive vintage wine which I politely declined. "I apologize Madam, but I couldn't stay longer. I have return to my room. I'm worrying about Vienne." Madam Stella nodded in understanding and allowed me to retire early since Faith Vienne was waiting for me upstairs.
I rose from my seat and avoided Carter's eyes as much as I could before finally moving a beeline straight to the door. When I reached my room, I allowed the servant to leave and thank her for watching over my daughter.
My daughter had fallen asleep. I moved towards her and transferred her on the nearby crib. And then I sat there on the bed and watch the rise and fall of her chest.
Half an hour later, the door to my room opened. I don't need to look up to see Lisa enter. The door closed before approaching footsteps sounded. I felt the bed moved as she sat next to me.
"There's something you haven't tell me Beatrix." Elisa said, her tone was smooth and soft and full of understanding.
Perhaps it's the perfect opportunity to tell Elisa. There might be no perfect timing such as this. I didn't tell her right away. Instead, I rose from the bed and paced back and forth. Arms folded beneath my breasts.
"Just say it, Beatrix." Lisa urged, she too left the bed and held both my shoulders when I stopped walking.
"I'm little by little recovering my memories, Lisa."
"Does that mean you recall the crucial part? Did you remember who attempted to murder you."
Lisa fingers tightened on my shoulders. Her beautiful eyes gleamed with worry. I should not tell her, it will fill her with alarm but I couldn't keep the truth either. If I don't tell her now, she will find another way to discover the truth.
"It's too complicated Lisa."
"No matter how complicated it is, I will patiently listen, Bea. We have all night."
I took a deep long breath, summoning all the courage I could muster to begin. "I found the woman who try to murder me."
Shock shot through her eyes, pure disbelief was written all over her face. As if strength escaped her legs, Lisa sat on the bed, her fingers flew to her mouth. "Oh my god."
"She knew I was pregnant, but it didn't stop her from killing me. She tried to shoot me thrice on the night of her wedding." My leg trembled while I narrated the short detail I could recall from the dream. I wonder how I survived that night. The thought fills me with dread. Fearing my legs would crumble, I stepped closer to the bed and slumped on the edge.
"Beatrix, the night Mama found you on the deck of the cargo ship she works as a supervisor, you're lying amid shattered glass. You have three badly bleeding gunshots—which you miraculously survived. I wonder what could possibly happen if the murderer didn't miss her target and the bullet didn't simply graze your skin. And I wonder what would possibly happen if you didn't fell on the heap of bed cushions which Mama ordered to be taken out on the deck before you fell from nowhere."
Shivers run down my spine and my blood run cold at the possibility. I abruptly rose from the bed, trying to shake my negative thoughts away. I picked the laptop on the night table and handed it to Lisa who was confused after I handed it to her. "That woman—I am one hundred oercent sure—was the woman who try to murder me."
Elisa lifter her startled gaze to me. "I-I don't know what to say Bea. Are you really sure? This is Angela Smith…. She's no ordinary woman. She has a promising modelling career before she became a secretary of a CEO. Why would she kill you?"
"Good Question. That's what I'm trying to find out. I'm trying to find her ulterior motive."
With eyebrows scrunched in confusion, Elisa abandoned the bed, leaving the laptop behind, and paced back and forth in front of the tv. "It would be Ace Carter, I guess." She finally pulled into a stop. An idea hit her. "Yes, It would be Ace Carter." She repeated.
"You mean Carter?"
"Yes! That reminds me of?the question I've been itching to ask you. What was Mr. Greyson doing with you?"
"Would you believe it if I tell you he was our gardener? Papa promoted him and now he's my bodyguard?"
"This is proving to be more complicated than I thought." Lis exclaimed. She moved closer until her palms were resting on my shoulders. "Are you aware that before Angela married Vince, she was supposed to marry Ace Carter?"
I shook my head. I almost read all available articles online concerning Ace Carter Greyson but I haven't found anything that points to the connection between Ace and Angela.
"Ace Carter might be the reason why Angela try to murder you Bea. Could it be possible that you're the ex-wife he's trying to hide from the world."
"That's possible." I muttered softly. "There's only one way for us to discover the truth."
When our eyes met, understanding dawned in Elsa's eyes and she nodded.
"I think I could help you with that Bea. I know a Private Investigator. I shall contact him tomorrow."
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