Chapter 11

Yvonne's eyes widen when she hears it. 

"What?"

"Why are you surprised?" she said calmly, her gaze unwavering. "You have to be willing to kill because..." a bitter laugh escaped her lips. "...right now, I am putting my family in danger by agreeing with you."

There was a tense silence between them. The living room, dimly lit and filled with a strange stillness, seems to amplify the silence. 

Yvonne struggled to comprehend the words spoken by Helen. Her thoughts were swirling in the silence that enveloped them. 

"So, who are we supposed to kill?"

"Those bodyguards and that maid, of course."

Yvonne has never thought of killing someone, especially those people. They were just doing their job, but why should she kill them for her goal?

"We can just knock them out instead of killing them." Yvonne suggested, her voice wavering slightly. "I mean, there are different ways to handle it instead of killing."

Yvonne's gaze flickered between Helen and the living room. She thought she might succeed in convincing Helen because killing is not what she signed up for. 

"What if we are not successful in knocking them out? Dead people don't talk."

Yvonne hesitated, her mind grappling with the question, "I haven't done something like that before."

"I know. There is always a first time to it." Helen said, her tone unwavering. "If you want that thing, you will do whatever it takes to achieve it."

"I want to leave here, but not at the detriment of killing them." Yvonne confessed, her eyes reflecting fear. "Ever since I got married to Javier, Jenny has always been nice to me, and not only that, she also has two loving children who she rarely sees because of me. How can I kill someone like her? I just can't do it."

Helen sighed and stood up. "I think you are not ready to escape."

As Helen was about to leave, Yvonne's hand reached out, catching hers, and their eyes met. "Have you killed someone before?"

Helen met her gaze, a flicker of guarded emotion in her eyes. 

Yvonne's grip on Helen's hand tightened.

"Why are you asking?" Helen inquired, her tone edged with caution.

"You are acting like someone who has killed before."

"Who will I kill? I am just....just worried that we might get caught." Helen looked away from Yvonne. 

"Sit down," Yvonne insisted, tapping on the couch. 

"I don't want to," she replied defiantly, crossing her arms.

"I promise you," Yvonne said, raising her right hand with a two-finger salute. "If we get caught, I will use my life to protect you."

Helen put Yvonne's hand down, "Don't use your life, but instead find ways to deal with them and meet me tomorrow at 10 p.m. at the Flowing Creek. I will prepare a boat for you."

"Tomorrow?"

"Yes. If you do not come at 10 p.m., I will think you are not coming."

"Okay, I got it."

"I am leaving." 

Yvonne walked her to the door, and they said their goodbyes.

Yvonne felt a wave of relief, knowing she would finally escape this hellish hole. She didn't even know where she would go, but at this point, she didn't care. She would prefer the uncertainty of the streets over the suffocating atmosphere of this house.

Yet, amidst her newfound optimism, the reality of her predicament struck her. Bodyguards watched her every move like a constant shadow. How would she navigate her escape with such bodyguards? What can she do?

Yvonne pondered for at least five minutes, her mind working tirelessly to find a solution. Then, like a spark in the darkness, an idea illuminated her thoughts. A smile curled on her lips as the pieces of her plan fell into place. 

She made her way to the kitchen and noticed Jenny was in the midst of preparing food.

"Jenny,"

"Yes." She looked back, as her hand was wet.

"I want to cook for my husband tonight."

Jenny gasp. It has been two months since Yvonne stepped into the kitchen. Yvonne had always enjoyed cooking for Javier.

"You want to cook?"

"Yeah." Yvonne walked over and put her hand on Jenny's shoulder. "So you can go home and stay with your children. I am sure you miss them a lot."

"Well, I am very surprised because this house has been gloomy for the past two months."

Yvonne smiled with her lips tight. 

"You can leave now, so I can prepare food before he comes back."

"Okay," Jenny said. She removed her apron and gave it to Yvonne. 

"Enjoy your couple time." She offered a warm smile before making her way towards the exit, leaving Yvonne alone in the kitchen, surrounded by the clinking of utensils.

Six hours later, she was done cooking, arranging the feast with meticulous care. When Javier walked in, he caught sight of Yvonne, and was immediately in awe. 

He stood there, staring at her, unable to tear his gaze away. When was the last time he had come home to see her like this? He couldn't remember. 

"Why are you standing there?" she smiled.

He walked over, his eyes scanning the different dishes before him. "What's the occasion?"

"Well..." she paused a little. "I have been thinking these past months that there is no point blaming you for, you know, listening to what my sister says. I trust my sister, so I should trust that she wants the best for me."

He nodded and sat down. 

"When I left this morning, you were very down. Did any good things happen while I was gone?" He inquired, taking a bite.

"No, not really. I just told you the reason."

He put his utensils down, and looked at her. 

"You do know, you can't tell a lie, right?"