Name: Harry Thomas
Location: Portuguese island Mozambique - The great Cooper palace hotel.

Harry's p.o.v

I wake up to the loud buzz of people unpacking their goods outside. I close my eyes as soon as I open them to adjust to the bright sunlight beaming through my open windows.

Oh dear! By the shine of the bright sun, I figure that it's too late. Probably 10:00 am. I dig under my pillow for my two phones and sigh when I find them both. Well my guess was almost correct. 9:48 am flashes on both my phones. I jump out of bed in panic.

The cruise was supposed to anchor here today at 9:00 am. It's already time for my next move.

I take a quick shower, take my time to shave the untidy stubble staring back at me, and then stand clueless infront of my 6 foot closet. The number of clothes stacked in there is uncountable yet I am unable to decide what to wear. Ugh, I feel like a teenage girl.

Finally, my hands pull out a grey tuxedo. I think this will be good for today. I must look formal and proper. After all, this is the day I had been waiting for since forever.

I take a step out of my room into the long hall way that leads to the left wing of my immaculate so called  house. My home. The Great Cooper Palace. 

The phone in my left pocket buzzes and I answer it immediately.

"Yes Tuesday. Any news on the sapphire mermaid? "

"Yes sir. The cruise has successfully anchored here in Mozambique a few minutes ago."

"And what about the guests? No matter what happens, you make sure that the Durban guests come over and stay at our hotel. The last time I checked, Sandra had accepted the offer for the Sydney guests without my permission. Make sure it is changed. I want the Durban guests over for lunch here today. Understood!"

"Ye..ye..yessir. It'll be done."

"Good!"

"Uhm sir. Your...your father has asked for you.", the timid voice of my secretary squeakes.

"Tuesday! How many times have I told you that when you are talking about that man, do NOT refer to him as my father. Anyways, tell him that I am in Paris. No wait! India... Argentina. Ugh anyplace besides Mozambique."

I shove the phone into my pocket and take a walk around the beautiful hotel I live in. My index finger brushes across the marble walls as I walk. Sure, this place is beautiful. But...not as beautiful as home. Sometimes I wish I could go back home and forget about all of this.

But then, the face of my sick mother lying helplessly in her death bed returns. The stone, hard, cruel face of my father flashes before my eyes. And I know that I must do this for my mother.

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John's p.o.v

"Dad you have known Amy for the past three years right. What do you think of her? Don't you sometimes feel like she... she...I don't mean to sound rude or anything but it seems like she doesn't belong. Like she is not one of us. Like she is hiding something."

Dad chuckles. "Now why would you say that son.", he pats my back as we walk through the busy crowd in the streets of Mozambique. I didn't get to spend anytime with my parents the whole time on the cruise, mainly because they were so happy and lost amongst each other, but also because I had wanted to be around Amy. I wanted to figure her out.

But the more I get to know her, the more I feel like I don't really know her.

"Cashews! Fresh cashew nuts sir." , a street vendor tosses tightly sealed packets of fresh cashew nuts in front of my father's face. Dad buys them immediately and shoves it in the already full bag he is carrying. 

"I have noticed that you have been particularly interested in Amy recently."  

"Umm well it's because she is a puzzle. I never understand her."

"Son...I've been married to your mom for 22 years now and I haven't figured her out yet. That's how women are son. You never will understand them."

I chuckle as I turn around to look at a very awestruck mom as she stares at the locals trading and bartering with others. There are many tourists around this area and the locals sure know how to extract money from them.

"By the way Dad, I hope you know the way back to the bus. The others will be there soon and I don't think that rude driver will be patient enough to wait for us."

"Yup you are right son, let's head back to the bus."

We turn around and walk back towards the beach where the bus will be waiting to drive us to the hotel. The warm sun kisses my skin and I am beginning to love the colour of my skin.

"By the way Dad, what is the name of the hotel we will be staying at?"

"Actually it's more of a resort. Not a hotel really. But it's one of the best around here. Or so I have heard. Is called The Great Cooper's palace. "

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Amy's p.o.v

"We saw these huge earrings made from lion's teeth...but Sabby said that they were fake so I didn't buy them.", Layla complains to Richard as we enter the small bus. I shake my head and wink at Sabby who already has a seat booked for me at the back. I decide to leave Layla with Richard at the two seats right in the front and I walk towards the back of the narrow bus.

As I pass the other occupied seats, my gaze falls upon the two blue eyes that stare back at me. I pause at the moment of eye contact but he flutters his blue eyes in encouragement, urging me to carry on and ignore him. So I do just that and walk pass him towards Sabby.

"Here! Try these roasted and salted cashews. They are so yummy. Nothing like the cashews back at home.", Sabby offers me a packet as I sit down next to her.

Before accepting the offer, I look towards the seat he is sitting at and notice him throw a few cashews into his mouth. I smile in relief and accept the cashews from Sabby.

"Are you looking at James? Please leave him alone. You told us what a liar he is right... We don't want him back in our lives." , Sabby sternly voices out. I do notice the disappointment in her voice again as she avoids to look towards my brother. 

I nod and look out of the window to hide my now watering eyes. I wipe the tears away with my sleeve, plaster a forced smile and turn back to Sabby.

The day before yesterday, I told Jameel everything about Malak and the murder. I told him about how Detective Brian was helping me out. It was nothing new to him besides a few things here and there. However, he became very concerned when I told him about the unknown caller.

At first, I suspected the unknown caller to be him, but he swears that he had nothing to do with the unknown calling. We both realised that there are many dangers hovering over our heads. First there is the monster who murdered Malak. Then, there is this unknown caller.

I told Jameel that the caller was telling me the truth. I had began to trust this caller, but Jameel was still unconvinced. Someone knew our secret and as long as anyone knew our secret, we were not safe, even if the person claimed that he wanted the best for me.

So... Jameel said that it's best that we stay away from each other for now. No one must know our identities, or that he is my brother. In the meantime, he would try to find out about this caller and he would shadow me to protect me. And I must focus on the murderer.

So yesterday, I told everyone that James Whittaker was just a con who pretends and lies in order to steal and rob people off their money. I told them that James was after my expensive heart pendant. Guess what? They fell for it.

But...I saw a glint of suspicion in John's eyes. He sensed the lie and I know it.

"Hey Missey!", the familiar bold voice brings me back to the present.
John smiles at me as he sits down on the seat in front of Sabby and I. The fake, plastered smile turns into a genuine one when I see him.

"What is that conman doing on this bus?" , he asks no one.
"I guess he will be staying at the same resort we will. But who cares, we just have to stay away from him." , I try to explain.

"But he is not from Durban. This is the Durban bus right!", he persists.

"Oh John, forget about that conman. What is the name of the hotel we will be staying at?", asks Sabby.

"Actually, it's a resort. It goes by the name of The Great Cooper Palace."

I freeze for a moment. One word catches my ears. Cooper. Could this mean danger?

Or is it just a coincidence?

My eyes find their way back to my brother. The bus roars to life and moves towards the resort.

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Dear readers

I am so sorry. I know that it's been a long time since I have updated. I have been so busy lately. So here is another chapter. I hope you like it. Do remember to vote, comment and share.

Love you.

Amina