XXII.
"Do you live here or you're just visiting?" Annie asked as she placed the dress she just folded on the king sized bed in her new room.
Alix had given her a tour of the room and Annie loved every bit of the white and blue designs. But her most favourite part was the bathroom. It was a combination of a toilet and bathroom with a tub, several cabinets with two towels hanging from their knobs, and a window directly above the tub which gave her the perfect view of the sky. Annie could also see some fir trees in the back, and she couldn't wait for night fall. There was nothing like taking a bubble bath and watching the stars high in the sky.
After the tour, they decided to unpack her things, since no one was around yet. Thus, Annie found herself folding some clothes while Alix hung some in the walk-in closet.
Alix stuck her head out of the closet, where she just hung new sets of clothes. "No. I'm just visiting too. I was told grandma wasn't feeling too fine and was demanding everyone's presence by the time she got back from the hospital tomorrow."
"You must be really close to your granny for her to demand that from you all."
Alix shook her head. "No, we're not. Not until last year anyway. And while I still haven't forgiven her for what she did, I do not wish for her demise."
"Oh." Annie placed another folded jeans on the bed. "It's seems every family has their own problems. I do have mine too, seeing as my father and I don't get along."
"Wow." Alix came to stand beside her. "At least dad and I are really close. But you're right all the same." She held out her left hand and pointed. "Pass me that dress please."
Annie didn't turn to the dress in question. Instead she stared at Alix's ring finger- or more specifically, at the diamond ring glistening there.
"You're engaged!" Annie yelled. "I'm so happy for you."
Alix laughed, then they were hugging and jumping up and down together.
"It's so beautiful," Annie said, grabbing her hand and studying the impressive three-cut stone surrounded by rubies. "When did this happen?"
She stared down at the ring. "It was last night. David and I had talked about getting married before, I mean we have been seeing each other for six years now, when he came to his senses and realized he loved me. We actually met in London when I went to a concert in Wembley Stadium. But between then and now there hasn't been a word. I was willing to get used to the idea of being in a relationship."
They moved to the right corner of the room and fell onto the blue sofa beside the fire place. Annie smiled at Alix's happy expression.
"You're one lucky lady." She said. "He is a really great guy."
Alix sighed. "That he is, and he is just... Incredible. Last night we went out for dinner after sleeping away the jet lag. It was so romantic and there was music, flowers, my favourite chocolate and he suddenly went one one knee and held out the ring and saying he wanted to marry me and be with me forever." Tears filled her eyes. "I never thought my life could be so wonderful."
Annie hugged her again. "I'm so happy. Delighted. Ecstatic. Giddy. The list is endless."
"I am happy, too." Alix said.
Annie leaned against the cushion. "Funny thing is everyone I know is either married or getting married. I'll be the old maid aunt, a favourite of the children, and also wedding planner. And adults would simply think I'm slipping into madness."
Alix rolled her eyes. "Please. You're too smart for that. Besides, you're with my brother. Also, I'll say be careful. Love is in the air."
Annie shook her head. "Like I said earlier, there's nothing between your brother and I. He's just helping me plan my parent's wedding Anniversary."
"I'll have you know that Jovon do not just plan wedding anniversaries. Especially after what happened."
"What happened?"
Alix's expression became somber. "After he lost Americus to that fire accident two years ago, things were not the same anymore. He moved to Mercer Island after that and isolated himself from the rest of the world and his family. Today was the first time I saw him smiling after two years."
Alix leaned forward in her seat, her brows furrowed. "Who is Americus?"
That seemed to snap Alix out of whatever trance she was because she turned to Annie with wide eyes. "He didn't tell you?"
"No."
"Oh." She gasped. "Seeing that you're so close I thought he would have told you about... I'm so sorry, but it's not my place to tell you. He would tell you when he is ready, and please don't ask him either. That triggers him off."
Although Annie wanted to demand answers from her, she held her tongue. "Okay. I won't."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you." Then she took a deep breath. "What about falling in love?"
"Maybe next year."
In truth, she liked the idea of falling for a guy. But along with the desire to be in love was a healthy dose of fear. Giving away her heart looked too much like giving her sense of self. First Cassie, then Ella. Annie wasn't willing to be like either of them.
"So, do you love my brother?"
That made her pause. Was she in love with Jovon?
She shoved that thought into the back of her mind to dwell on later when she was alone. "Have you two picked a date?" Smooth subject change.
If Alix caught on the sudden change in subject, she didn't mention it. "We're thinking summer. That way everyone would be available."
"I can help with the planning. Just let me know when you are ready."
"I would love that." Alix told her. "I wouldn't know where to start."
"Just ask me anything, or Jovon. He's actually good at the whole planning thing. Just don't tell him I said that."
Alix shifted so they were facing each other. "Really? He's not awful?"
"No." Annie said. "He's actually nice. Funny, charming, sexy... I like him. I didn't expect that at all. Since he was a jerk to me from the beginning, I knew he was hurting somehow so I didn't hold it against him. I even though he would refuse the anniversary planning proposal, but even though we don't agree on everything, I like having him help. It's a big responsibility and I like having someone to share in the process. Plus, he so good looking. Even if my day is going bad, it's fun to have a little eye candy to look forward to."
"For someone who doesn't love him you sure do talk about him a lot." Alix teased with a playful smile on her lips. "Besides, I don't think he's the kind of guy who likes being called eye candy."
"Probably not,but we won't mention it."
Alix studied her. "So this is good?" She asked. "With Jovon helping you plan the anniversary and you wanting to help me plan my wedding, you're kind of family now. We'll all be friends?"
"I think so. We'll mock his choice of women when he brings dates,but that will be entertaining."
"Something to look forward to." Alix said. "Jovon isn't the kind of guy to be with just any girl."
Annie nodded in agreement, but found herself wondering about the other women who was going to come into his life later on. No doubt she would be pretty and sophisticated. Who would she be? Some socialite or heiress? A high-powered business woman? Annie would guess that whoever she was, her wardrobe would consist of more than jeans and few dresses.
"I am actually going to ask him to be my date to my parents anniversary party." Annie said. "It's the least I could do to thank him for his help."
"I encourage you to marry him and you would be the next missus Phim. A multi-billionaire." Alix said with a grin.
"My parents has money."
"Yes, but that's their money. Think of us going on exotic trips together and visiting the Phim's holiday resort in the Carribean."
Annie's jaw dropped. "Your family owns a resort?!"
"Yes. And cruiser liners, hotels, publishing companies, restaurants and several auto dealerships all around the world." Alix grinned. "And since Jovon is the only son of our parents, most of it are going to him. So, are you reconsidering that marriage offer now?"
Annie shook her head. "Sorry,I don't have any big plans about marrying your brother. Besides, I don't think he likes me that way."
"What?" It was her turn for her jaw to drop. "Jovon asked you to come to Santiago with him. He has never interacted with another female after Americus. And have you seen the way he looks at you? And I don't think you would be here either if you don't feel anything for him."
"You're misinterpreting friendship for love,Alix."
"I'm not stupid you know. When I opened the door earlier, you were all flushed and your lips were swollen, not to mention your hair." Alix said. "I know that my brother and you have a relationship other than friendship between the two of you."
"Yes, you're right. But we are two consenting adults having sex, and it's a no strings attached thing."
Alix sighed. "Fine. But I would be here to say I told you so when it all happens."
"We'll see."
Suddenly the door to her room flew open and a girl, not more than six or five years old, with curly red hair flew into the room and headed straight for Alix. Annie watched with a fond smile as Alix caught her little body and landed a wet kiss on her freckled face.
"Aunt Lix." The girl giggled. "I missed you."
Alix laughed fondly. "I missed you too my little baby. How are you?"
"Good." The girl laughed as she sat on Alix's lap. "Grandma said she's coming tomorrow and also that my daddy is coming today and..." Her light brown eyes widened at the sight of a smiling Annie. She leaned closer to Alix and whispered loud. "Who is she?"
Annie giggled at the not-so quiet whisper and held her hand out. "My name is Annie Mckade. And you are?"
"Genesis." The girl said shyly as she quickly shook Annie's hand and withdrew immediately.
"You're very pretty Genny. Can I call you that?"
"Uh uh." She nodded with a timid smile. "Is she your friend, Aunt Lix?"
Alix shook her head. "No. She's your daddy's friend."
"D-daddy?" Annie stuttered. Her eyes remained on Genesis who looked nothing like Jovon at all. Maybe she was friends with a father she had never met before or had met but didn't remember.
"Yes." Alix nodded. "Genesis, this is Annie Mckade your daddy's friend. And Annie this is Genesis Phim-"
Let it not be what I am thin-
"-Jovon and Americus' daughter."
° ° °
"Would you like to order now,sir?"
Jovon looked up from his wristwatch to see the blonde waitress from earlier standing in front of his table with a warm smile. But beneath that smile, he sensed impatience. He had been waiting for over two hours for Demetria in one of the Phim's restaurant and there was no sign of her. He even tried calling her phone,but it kept going to voicemail.
He was anxious about the news she claimed she had for him. He vowed that the moment he learned the culprit's name, he would find him and make him pay for Americus' death.
"Yes. Just give me a glass of water."
"Yes,sir." She gave him a small smile before walking off, but not before he saw her roll her eyes.
Jovon frowned at her retreating back. He would have a talk with the manager later after his meeting with Demetria. His was jerked out of his thoughts when his BlackBerry began to ring. Demetria's name was displayed on the screen, which made him breath in relief.
After steadying his jiggled nerves, he answered the call. "Demi, I have been trying to-"
"I lied when I said I knew who killed Americus. It was a mistake,and I apologize Mr. Phim."
He frowned. "What are you talking about, and where are you?"
"I'm currently out of the country. And I meant what is said about me lying. I know how much it meant to you. I'm sorry."
"Demi... Wait, i-" He was cut off by the beep which signaled the end of the call. "Demetria!" Jovon pushed his chair back and threw his phone on the floor.
Several heads turned towards him in question, some even went as far as taking pictures,but he didn't pay them any mind. A waitress and a man dressed in gray suit rushed towards him. The man's eyes widened when she saw him.
"Mr. Phim." The man said. "What's the matter, sir?"
"Nothing, I was just leaving." He pushed the chair back in it's place. "And fire that rude blonde waitress!"
With that he spun on his heels and marched out of the restaurant, neglecting the flashlights that greeted him at the entrance. Jack had already brought the car to the front. After settling in the back seat, Jovon loosened his tie and removed his jacket.
"Where are we going to,sir?" Jackson asked as he pulled away from the restaurant and onto the road.
"Take me to the best bar around here."
° ° °
"Please, don't kill me." Demetria cried as the man ended the call to Jovon and tossed her phone in the far corner of her room.
Demetria Konstantin was an undercover crime detective for the Santiago Police Department. She had offered to help Jovon uncover the mystery behind the fire that claimed Americus' and almost claimed his own life too. Demi began to grow suspicion when she found that the wire of the gas, which caused the fire, had been cut into two. She also found that Americus' had been hit on the head, which rendered her helpless enough for the gas to paralyse her.
She was dead before the fire even begun.
After several investigation she found out who the arsonist was and was excited to tell Jovon that she forgot taking the evidence to the police first. She was about to enter her car in her garage when two men wearing ski masks approached her.
And now here she was tied to her dining chair in her sitting room,her whole face battered and her right shoulder was dislocated.
The slimmer man of the two with light green eyes laughed menacingly. "You should have kept your nose where it belonged and maybe you wouldn't be here now."
"I was getting justice for a dead woman you bastards!"
"Awnn, isn't that sweet?" The man cooed as he nodded at his companion.
Demi's eyes widened when she was the man raised the butt of his bullet over his head. He brought it down, hard, on her right thigh. A scream tore out of her throat as he delivered three more blows in quick succession.
By the time the burning pain finally numbed into a dull throbbing, Demi couldn't feel her right leg anymore. Blood spread across her brown shorts, staining it a dark red. Blood dripped down the sides of her face from the several cuts littered across them. Her head and throat burned with pain.
"It wouldn't have happened like this if you were not such a patronising little bitch." The man with the green eyes said. "You almost ruined my already perfect plans. And as much as I love playing with you, I'm afraid that I have to now."
He showed her the can of gasoline in his right hand and lighter in the left. "Let's see the news headline tomorrow." He tapped his feet against the wooden floor. "'Undercover and hardworking detective Demetria Konstantin dies in a fire in her little one story house because she forgot to turn her gas off'. Nice, isn't it?"
"No,please."Demetria whimpered.
"You did this to yourself." He reminded her and inhaled the air in the room. "Oops, your gas is leaking."
"No,no. Please don't kill me. I will leave the country. Stay away from Jovon. And even destroy the evidence. Just please..." She sobbed. "Don't kill me."
The man opened the gasoline can and began to circle her. "I don't need the evidence because you will be dying with it." He tilted the can and poured it over her head. He basked in her screams as the fuel cascaded down her hair, body and onto the floor.
"I wish we met under different circumstances." He came to a halt in front of her and threw the empty can of gasoline at her feet. "You would have been a great asset to me."
"No,please."
" See you in hell, Demi."
He and his accomplice walked out of the house,ignoring he cries for help and mercy. When they were a good distance away from the house, he grabbed the bottle that had a white rag dangling from it and lit the rag.
"Good thing that the bitch chose to live faraway from the neighbourhood, ain't it?"
The man with green eyes laughed in answer. Then he drew his hand back and let the bottle sail through the air. The moment it broke through the kitchen window, the house went up in flames with an explosion. Both men laughed at the screams that came within the burning house.
The man with the green eyes removed his mask with a sigh. "Ah! I missed the thrill that comes with setting fire. It's been so long."
The other man removed his mask too. "But Lukas man, I hope we won't be caught. I don't want to go to jail."
Lukas grinned. "No. They have never caught me before."
"And they never will."
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