1 The Wrongfully Accused

Heavy rain poured that night.

Blaire was in front of the gate of the mansion, soaking wet, and seems to be waiting for someone- or something- to arrive any minute.

It's already past dinner time when she decided to go to the mansion. No one in her family noticed that she sneaked out of her room and she didn't bring anything with her, hence when the rain poured, she have nothing to protect herself from the cold and the heavy raindrops.

'It's been two hours, he's still not home?' Blaire muttered to herself when she sat down near the bushes and hugged herself to keep her heat within her. She was actually referring to her childhood friend, and the man she loves, Rainier, waiting for him to come home. Two hours have passed since she arrived at the mansion.

At such a young age, he's been the one managing the businesses of his family in this country since both of his parents are outside the country, managing their international businesses. Only his grandfather is the adult that Rainier has been living with in this mansion, aside from all the butlers and maids and the workers of the Coleman family.

Blaire was obviously shivering when she started seeing a faint light from afar. Squinting her eyes, she noticed the light she was seeing were the headlights of an approaching car. Even with the heavy rainfall, Blaire could clearly see that the approaching car belongs to Rainier. Shrugging the thought of her shivers, she started to walk and stand in the middle of the gate to block the car from entering.

When the car stopped in front of her, she took the opportunity to knock on the passenger's door, shouting for Rainier's name.

"Rainier! Hear me out!"

"Rainier!"

"Look! You were mistaken!"

"I didn't kill anyone!"

"Please listen to me!"

With all her calls, no one responded on her. Not even the windows rolling, she did not receive any response from him.

Being desperate as she was, she started knocking loud on the window.

"Rainier!"

"Holy God, just please! Hear me out!"

"I didn't kill her!"

"I didn't kill anyone!"

She continuously shouted for the same words again and again to the point that she didn't noticed that another car had stopped behind Rainier's car and witnessed Blaire's desperate pleas.

It was then when the car door behind opened and revealed Mr. Kiefer Coleman, Rainier's grandfather, who stepped out of the car and went near Blaire.

"Blaire? What's with the commotion?" Mr. Kiefer asked immediately.

"Mr. Kiefer! I-" Blaire was about to tell him about her pleas when the window on Rainier's car rolled down.

"Pops, don't mind that selfish girl. Go back to your car and let's go inside"

Blaire took this opportunity to tell Mr. Kiefer what she wants to say.

"Sir, please, believe me. I didn't kill Leila. I have nothing to do with her death! I have been wrongfully accused!" Blaire pleaded.

The old man just looked at her pitifully before holding her cold and wet hands. "You've been through a lot. My grandson is mad at you, you won't be able to convince him while he's at his rage. Please, go home now and change your clothes. You will be sick if you continue to stay here at cold"

With that, Mr. Kiefer was escorted by his butler to the car. Both the cars started their engines once again and went inside the mansion, ignoring the calls of Blaire. Blaire, on the other hand, was left on the driveway, and kneeled, hoping that she would be given a chance to explain her side.

She doesn't get it, why does she have to experience the anger of Rainier? Why doesn't he trust her? They're childhood friends, right?

Did he really forget all their childhood memories just because of an incident? That's ruthless!

Blaire stayed for another hour in front of the mansion. The rain had already stopped, but she wasn't planning on leaving until Rainier listened to her. She's shivering, yes, but she keeps on rubbing both of her arms so she could at least generate heat to keep her body from shivering.

It was then Mr. Kiefer's butler started approaching the gate while carrying something.

He stopped by the mansion's gate, and commanded Blaire to get nearer to which the latter followed.

"The grandmaster wanted to send you this message: I've known you since you and Rainier were both young and I believe in you. However Rainier do not agree with me and he believed that you planned this crime because you hated the fact that he was in love with Leila and not you. He will do everything he could to make you pay for what you did. I may not be able to help you convince him that you're innocent, but I will assure you that I will do my best to prevent this to escalate further. For now go back to your home because your family might be worried, and use these clothes and coat that my butler will deliver so you won't pass out due to cold. Also, I already called for a cab to send you home, but take the pocket money with you. My butler must not return with the money or I will immediately fire him"

After that, the butler gave Blaire the bag he was carrying and the envelope with the pocket money that the grandmaster had given.

"Mr. Kim, please, the clothes are enough-"

"Please take this, Miss Blaire. The grandmaster would be disappointed if you did not accept his only way of comforting. I don't want to lose my job too, so please"

In the end, Blaire had no other choice but to accept all that was given to her. She changed her clothes in the nearest bush and put her wet clothes in the plastic bag. Mr. Kiefer's butler was still there when she finished changing and did not even left her while she was waiting for the cab.

"You're a good child"

Blaire stared at the butler when he blurted those words out. The butler seemed to be aware of Blaire's stare but he did not returned the stare he was receiving.

"I've watched you grow, and I know you won't be doing such things. You may not accept that the master doesn't love you back, but I know and trust you that you won't resort to such things just to make the master yours"

Blaire was taken aback when she heard the butler. She was indeed moved by his words. The cab then finally arrived at the mansion.

Blaire sighed and looked at the butler to which the latter finally returned the gaze. "Too bad your master doesn't share the same perspective."

The butler stared at the leaving cab with shock. What he saw was a sad and lonely Blaire depicted in her eyes when she muttered those words.