40| Murder Case

TRIANA'S POV

I've been staring at this test tube for a whole fucking minutes, I still can't believe that all the symptoms of fever, restlessness, fatigue dizziness, etc, just name it! I've been experiencing these for the past few days now and until now, I never knew that it was all about the pregnancy.

I was pregnant?

Jesus! For the love of God, please I don't want to recall it in my head twice. I'll rather faint than to give it a second thought.

This was absolutely the last thing I'd imagine for myself right now. What am I gonna do? Where do I start from? I'm about to have a baby with Dexter, is this a joke or something?

My least expectation!

I know I'm enjoying whatever we're having in our relationship but.....it still doesn't change the fact that I wanted to abstain from more kids. I know my story of motherhood and I know the consequences that follows.

I don't think Dexter would come to understand me if I tell him. He'll be super excited over the news and the rest of the family too but I wouldn't.

Oh God.... Triana, I thought you were smart to shut the gate? But you just let it open like the broad way to hell.

What the hell?

My brain cells are almost wearying out. I have to do something to end this.

My eyes glance at the little plastic bottle on my desk. I took three tablets from it without reading the instructions. My breath hitched.

What if I die in the process? But it's not a surgical thing, its just pills and everything will automatically be flushed out.

I took one deep breath for the one hundredth time and then, I swallowed the tablets with the help of my half drank bottle water on my desk.

God!

I bang my forehead lightly with my palm. I feel like poking out. I gat to control myself or else I'll end up throwing everything away. Including the pills.

God help me this works. I hope God almighty understands my reason for doing this. I don't want to risk my life during labour or the baby's life either. So it's best if I just avoid it why it's freshly growing in my womb.

I swear, I wasn't prepared for this at all.

I leaned on my ergonomic chair, swirling it side by side slowly as I keep my eyes closed with head facing the ceiling.

No one must find out about this. Not even grandma the big mouth. Neither would I tell mom too. She'll only end up crying like a little baby. I know how much she loves kids than I do. Too bad she only got Shawn and I—

"Hello, Aunt."

"Jesus Christ!" My heart races as I place my hand against my chest. Looking at the person that almost made me passed out in fear, "Nina?" Now that's a relief.

"Sure, it's me." She giggled, taking the seat across my desk.

"When did you arrive Zürich?" Anyone can tell how nervous I am asking these questions. My fingers scratching the back of my head with a weird chuckle like I just killed someone and his its body under my bed.

"Um, about an hour ago." She feels so relaxed, taking my bottle water as she opened the lid and gulped the whole thing down.

If there's anyone who has less issues in the family, it's always Shawn's girlfriend. And I like her personality and lifestyle. I wish I could just be like her.

"You know," She tossed the empty bottle into the nearby wastebasket. "Waiting for Shawn at the airport could be like forever, Aunt." When will she put up with the formality? "But guess what? My waiting was worth it. He came picking me up at the airport with bouquet of roses. I was so embarrassed, knowing that was what took his time."

"Oh really?" I chuckle, awkwardly. "I see." My brain telling me I'm missing something. "So.... where's the flower?"

"Oh," She crossed one leg over her knee. "Shawn took it home. I told him I was gonna stop by at the hospital—holy shit! Aunt, are you pregnant?!"

Preg— my eyes bugged when she found the test tube sticking out under the papers. She took it, gasping in amusement.

"Give me that." I quickly snatched it from her. "It's nothing, actually." I tossed it into the wastebasket, clearing my throat and clasping my fingers on the desk like a serious human being. "What?" I inquired when her eyes and mouth never left the AGAPE position.

Instead of her to answer or just shook her head, she went forth to pick up the plastic bottle of pills. "Whoa—"

"I'll have that too." I grabbed it, throwing it to the wastebin. I rubbed my palms, dusting out the invisible dirts. "Keep out of reach of children."

"Aunt," She gasped, "That was an abortion pill—"

"Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah," I laughed sarcastically and became serious again. "No!"

"Aunt, it is. I know what these things means."

I crossed my arms against my chest, narrowing my eyes. "And when did you start studying medical science, miss DOBREV?" I quoted with my fingers.

She sighed, "Aunt Triana...." And stopped when I poke a finger in front of her.

"You didn't see anything, you didn't know anything, okay?" When I realize this must sound like a threaten to her, I cool down, taking a deep breath. "Okay, yes I'm pregnant and I took the pills..." When she gasped, covering her mouth with both palms, I quickly added, "Hey, don't blame me, okay? Besides, I have my reasons." I mumbled the last word.

"Scared of having more kids? But aunt, I love kids, everyone in the family does too. Just think about how Uncle Dexter is gonna feel if he—"

"Dexter won't find out and you won't tell him a word, get it?" She shook her head slowly. I exhaled in relief, "Good girl."

"But aunt," She came back to reality after a while of keeping quiet. "Don't you think this is a sin? Aborting the baby without informing Mr. Martinson about it? It's also his baby too, right?"

I know she's having guilty conscience but I have one question for her. A smirk appeared on my lips, "Nina my dear," I leaned my arms on the desk. "You and Shawn usually do something hot, isn't it? You know what I mean? Hmm?"

"Sure!" Glad she didn't deny it.

"So, when you guys are ready for sex..." I'm getting real now. "Don't you stay up on pills or don't he uses protection on you?"

Her brows tilts like she's thinking of what to say or maybe she wasn't expecting me to be specific. "Well....."

"Be candid." I chided like she's my daughter.

"Yeah." She shook her head.

A wicked smile takes over my lips. "So now tell me, where do those sperms go to, ma'am medical scientist?" She scratched her head as I lean forth. "Isn't that also classified as a very big wastage of fertility?"

"Hmm.....well....yeah....?" She hesitated for a while and I tilt my head to one side like a victorious bitch, faking a smile. "But, you know we're still in college and still very young to have babies."

"Aww," I clasped my palms underneath my chin, squealing for a while. "So sweet. That was your own point of view and reason, wasn't it? But I'll tell you mine too." I forced a big smile on my face as I stood up to pack up some files on my desk. "Death what's I'm avoiding in my case."

I think that was a big gulp I heard dropping down her oesophagus.

"I have a patient to attend to. Just my last patient for the day. Then we'll be leaving." I left with a big smile after she shook her head, still wearing the same nervous smile.

*******

I flipped over the patient's medical report, cross-checking where I'd stop with his last medication. "Um, think you'll be set free tomorrow morning." I shut the booklet, holding it in my arms with a sweet smile as I gaze at the charming middle aged man on the bed. "Be happy."

"Happy?" He laughed, shaking his head and my smile didn't dissipate, instead, it looked awkward on me. "I've been here for weeks without my children knowing what happened to me and you think that's happiness?"

"I'm sorry if my words provoked you." Did I say something weird earlier?

"No, it's alright." He sighed. "I purposely didn't want any of my kids to know about my health issues as a diabetic patient." He said and I shook my head, tucking a strand behind my ear. "Some of them are here with me in this country, still yet, we haven't seen each other. Besides, I know you very well but you don't know me."

"Sorry? Pardon?" How is that even possible? I only come in here whenever it's time for his medication—only on my shifts and we don't usually share conversations or top gists like what were doing now.

"I know you won't understand." He sat up a bit, keeping his back against the headboard with his fingers clasped on his stomach. "Anyway, that aside. The necklace is beautiful just like you."

Holy lord, is this man flirting with me now? If I tell him I'm taken, I don't think that will change his speech. Men will always be men.

I touched the pendant with a smile, "Thanks, my boyfriend gave it to me." Now that's more like it, Triana. You shut him up.

His brows lifted in surprise. "Ah, he must have meant it when he said he loved you."

"Of course! You have no idea how much my sweetheart loves me. I don't think there's another man like him in this planet, right?" My boyfriend is worth the defence.

"Absolutely not." He joined me to praise my almighty boyfriend. "And that's why that necklace is priceless like you I guess. It's very expensive and can cost like five Maybach."

I gasped, the file falling from my hand. It took me less than one second to pick it up. Still in the same shock, I asked the middle aged man, "Are you serious or you're just kidding when you said FIVE MAYBACH?"

"You think am joking?" He scoffed, brushing his nose. "Go to any jewelry stores and ask for yourself if you think it's a lie."

"Dexter would not..... spend too much on me and at the end of it all—" I terminated the pregnancy? "Fuck!"

"Whoa, whoa, take it easy, kid." He got confused about my sudden reaction. "You got a problem to share?"

I shook my head vigorously, "No. I just gat to go home and clear my head. It's been a hard day for me today."

"Okay, have a nice evening ahead and say hello to your heartthrob for me." I heard him yell it over the room as I left.

*********

"Aunt? Is anything the matter?" Nina asked, standing up from her seat when I rushed into my office breathing heavily.

"No," I answered quickly, picking up my purse and setting few things in my locker.

"Meh, you look nervous over something."

"I'm fine, Nina." I simply stated. Sounding a bit harsh.

"Okay, if you say so."

"I'll be dropping by to see a friend on the way," I informed her as I carry my purse over my shoulder. "I won't stay long but you can still tag along if you want."

She smiled. "Gladly."

************

THIRD PERSON POV

"If someone would tell me that the famous footballer coach Hendrix, would cancel the match for the weather, I'd say it's a big fat lie." Dexter walked into the balcony with two glasses of freshly crushed orange juice.

"It's sure an opportunity for you and the rest of your teams to relax afterwards." Dave picked a glass and took a sip. "The human body is not robotic, you know."

"Hmm," Dexter agreed, taking a sip as he nods his head. "Hey, Billy, don't yell at Rebecca, okay? You're a man and men don't raise voices on women, got that?" He scolded from the balcony, watching over the kids as they catch some fun in the jacuzzi outside.

Dave chuckled like he was the one in Billy shoes. "Like I haven't seen you so many times chiding your coach's daughter?"

Dexter heaved out a deep sigh, swirling his juice. "Viruca is a stubborn bitch. She always has this habit of flirting with random guys—crazy dudes that she meet everywhere. Like seriously, who does that?"

"Doesn't make sense to me either." Dave said quietly as he takes a sip of his juice. After a while, he asked, "So, what are your plans?"

"Plans?" Dexter's brow arc.

"Triana, come on."

He exhaled sharply, a proud smile crest on his face as he takes another sip, staring at an invisible spot in the air. "I won't lie to you, brother." He looks at him now. "You have no idea how much map I've drawn on this plan. I really want to make it up to her. I really want to nail it, call it forever and place a ring on it."

"Nervous, aren't you?" Dave chuckled, patting his shoulder like a father does to his son. "I understand. I've undergo that process before, believe you'll get through it, it's not difficult."

"Am not fucking saying it is, man. Cyrus and Maverick already gave me hints on how I should go about it." He shook his head. Then, afterwards, a wicked smirk entered his lips. "All I'm waiting to here from her is that she's carrying my baby and the deal is sealed." He snapped his finger in one go.

"A baby?" Dave tried not to laugh but failed.

"What's crazy about it?"

"I don't wanna tell you that you're acting below your age but um...." He scratched his head, leaning his elbows on the handrail. "Do you think that's really necessary? I mean, what if it doesn't happens so fast?"

"Yeah, yeah, I also thought about it. But Triana should understand too, right? I really want us to share something like a thick bond that'd make her remember me all the time. Just a word 'Baby, am pregnant' and I'll purpose."

"Why?" When he did not answer, Dave kept his focus on him. "Do you believe what those fake sorcerers said in the past about your genetic illness?" He shook his head helplessly. "Dude, if it didn't work on me, it probably wouldn't on you, believe me. I have a son today." His arms spread like he was waiting for a hug. "Proudly a father, kiddo."

"And am happy for you." They cheers to that. "Have you told Dad and mom yet? Remember you asked me not to push forward until you go first."

"Uh-huh, I already told mom about it. I asked her to keep it a secret until I bring Christian and his mother to introduction." He scoffed, "I want everyone who said I'm infertile to witness something that'll cause them the shock of their lives."

"Precisely," Dexter supported him.

The buzz sound of Dave's phone interrupted their conversation. "Oh men, who's this now?" Dave mumbled as he scans the unknown number.

"You should take it, maybe it's Miranda testing your intelligence again." Dexter sipped his juice, keeping his eyes on his brother who was ready to swipe over the red button.

He could only groan over it in frustration, hearing his girlfriend's name mentioned in his presence sometimes usually makes him furious.

He hesitated before picking up, "Hello?"

"Hi," The sweet familiar feminine voice answered from the other side. "Sorry if it scares you seeing an unknown number." She chuckled. "It's me, Alyssa."

"Oh Alyssa," Dexter has no idea why his brother is suddenly smiling out of the blue when he literally knows that he doesn't like her after the drama he witnessed the other day. "Yeah you're right, I was wondering who's calling at first. So this is your number, right?"

"Yeah—just a minute, someone's at my door." He overheard the flipflop slippers heading somewhere in the background. Then the door made a little sound as it opens, meanwhile, he kept his ears attentively paid to every thing on the background while Dexter kept scrolling over his phone. "Yes? Sorry, wrong room. I said wrong room! Don't touch me!" She yelled at the anonymous person in the background.

"Alyssa?! Alyssa, is everything fine over there?" Dave's heart panicked. Even Dexter bear witnessed that he overheard a female's voice screaming consistently on the other side. Though it wasn't on loud speaker. But he has a good ear sensor like a wolf.

A loud thud hit the background and Alyssa's voice increased in a loud cry. "Let go of me, stop. I say stop!"

"Alyssa, I'm coming right away, okay?"

"What's going on? Did someone attack her?"

"Alyssa is in trouble, Dex." He stated nervously as he dug the phone into his pocket and head out immediately. "Whoever it is, am going to rip off that person's soul and I swear on it."

"Am coming with you," Dexter ran after him.

"No," Dave stopped him, rage of anger filled his eyes. "Stay with the kids, I'll handle this alone." He left without waiting for his response.

***********

TRIANA'S POV

"It doesn't look like a three star hotel to me, Aunt." Nina complimented as we walk through the hallway. She's been drooling on the building since we got in. "Your best friend must be having a good time enjoying this almost lookalike five star hotel."

I laughed, adjusting my handbag over my shoulder properly, "For the record, Alyssa is a girl of fancy. She's a bit picky when it comes to material things and always appreciative."

"She has good eyes too, Aunt." Nina's eyes went to the ceiling and then her hands trailer the smooth walls, feeling its texture. "This country seriously has good taste in construction. I wonder what a five star hotel would look like here—"

Ding!

The elevator chimed open and the footsteps approaching behind us made our brows creased as we turn around.

"Dave—?"

"Where's Alyssa? I've you—fuck! I should just go in instead." He cursed and swift away, causing my brows to furrow deeper.

"What's up?" A sarcastic chuckle left my mouth but turned into something else immediately after Dave pushed the door open and the first thing we saw made us scream. "Ah!!!!!!!!!!!"

"Alyssa!" He rushed in. My handbag fell off my shoulder and Nina was in deep shock as well.

Alyssa was fully naked on the cold tiled floor in the bathroom. She was seated on her own pool of blood, her head wedged up on the bathtub's slab with blood dripping to the ground.

"Oh my God, what is this?" I cried, seeing my best friend lifeless. "Who did this to her?"

"Alyssa, hey, wake up, come on." This is the first time I'm hearing a man cry. But it didn't matter to me at the moment. Dave was crying, tapping her cheeks simultaneously but lifeless Alyssa refused to wake up. "Call the police and ambulance immediately. Inform, hotel staff ASAP!" He instructed Nina because I'm too fragile to do anything at the moment.

I crawled to hold my best friend, she's not moving. Dave checked her pulse, "She's still alive, we have to rush her to the hospital immediately."

"Yes, yes," I'm trying not to cry but I'm failing. My best friend is in the worst condition. A condition I can never wish for my enemies. Who did this must be very close to her, I'm sure about it. When Dave carried her in his arms, my eyes bugged, "Wait, you're not gonna take her out like this, she's naked."

"Here, wrap her up with this." Nina tossed us a big white blanket that got stained in blood instantly. "The ambulance is here."

Both Nina and I followed Dave as he rushed out of the room, carrying Alyssa's body in his arms.

************

At the hospital.....

"Don't fucking tell me to calm down, officer." Dave's voice was going to break and pull the roof down. "The mother of my son is in a coma and you expect me to chill? We spoke few minutes ago before the incident, getting there, I saw her body covered in blood and you tell me to calm down?"

Hearing those words again made me sob harder. Nina was patting my shoulder and urging me to stay strong but I couldn't. How can I? Its my best friend we're talk about here. I was planning to come see her this evening as promised. I even got her some girlie stuffs. I even got a hot gist for us and getting to the hotel, she was assaulted and beaten.

Dexter was busy making steady phone calls I'm afraid he's about to do something as I hear him speak with a lawyer or someone highly powerful in the supreme court. His anger coming from his voice tally's with Dave's. I don't even know who's more furious right now. The two brothers seems like they share the same pain.

He finished with one call and entered another, "Yes, I want it burned down to ashes." Dexter yelled over the phone. "I want to see the pieces of the hotel, infact roast the staffs and bring the MD to me."

"Your grace, we're going to do everything in our possible power to find the culprit that did this." The detective promised Dave.

"I don't care how you're gonna do it or how it's gonna work out but all I know is that I'm going to find this culprit myself and I swear to you all, I'll skin the bones of this person." There's no way he'll listen.

"Your grace, just leave this case to us. My boys are on it."

Dexter finished with his multiple phone calls and approached the officers. "You won't believe that the hotel has no CCTV footage."

"What?!" Dave provoked. Dexter just added petrol to his fire. "Who doesn't have CCTV cameras in their building these days?" He faced the detective. "I've said mine. Get the manager, director, and every staffs working there. I want them locked up immediately. And the hotel should be shut down too."

"Your grace—"

"Hey! Don't piss me off than I am now." Dexter shunned him. Anger visibly reddish in his eyes. "This is a planned work. Someone might have paid the manager or bribed him beforehand. This is almost a murder case. Those staffs are all suspects and they should be behind bars now."

I watched as the detective whispered something in one of the uniformed officers ears and they coded instantly, walking away.

"In less than 24 hours, we'll get the culprit, your grace." He said politely.

"I'm giving you now till 12 hours," Dave warned him. Darting deadly shots to his eyes. "12 hours, detective. If by 12 hours I don't get to see the culprit.....?" He chuckled nastily, "I'll keep my words until further notice."

The detective gulped in fear. He surely knew who he's interacting with, so he better keep everything neutral. He nodded, bowed his head and walked out. His men followed as they did a little bit of talkie-walkie.

************

Day 1— Coma

Day 2— Coma

Day 3— Coma

Day 4— Coma

Day 5— Coma

Day 6— Coma

Day 7— Coma

Day 8— Coma

Day 9— Coma

Day 10— "She's awake and has been taken to the private ward." The doctor informed us. When we were eager to speak at the same time, he added, "Calm down, you'll see her, all I ask is that you guys give her few minutes to study herself first. Will you?"

"Yes of course, doctor." We shook our heads vigorously same time.

On that same day of the incident, the police caught the culprit and placed him under custody. When Dave got the good news, he specifically went himself alongside with his stubborn brother, Dexter. I wonder what those two did to him before the police gave the guy third degree punishment.

According to what I heard them say, the guy still refused to speak up after all the torture from the police. Dexter insisted they burn him alive maybe he will speak but the guy suggested that he rather die than to open up the truth about the person who sent him.

A person?

I knew I was right when I said someone sent that guy. He didn't only laid his filthy hands on my best friend but he also raped her. The doctor confirmed that the sudden assault almost caused a terrible damage in Alyssa's body. Thank God everything was well taken care of and all her system was flushed and cleared to normal.

But what about the pain this so-called person put her? She passed through alot, infact, she was already having the worst days of her life, battling with the debts on her shoulders before this came through—

Wait a sec, must this have been that the guy was sent by one of her money lenders? But, I don't think so. Alyssa would never disclose her address to anyone, irrespective of who they are or who they might be.

I really pity my best friend alot. I feel her pain and for the past ten days now, I've not been feeding well. Dexter is also worried about my health. He's afraid I might go sick. I haven't even spent time with my kids either. I asked mom to bring few clothes and stuff for me at the hospital. I never left the hospital for a moment. Alyssa has nobody here other than me. I can't leave her, though, Dave was here 24/7 too. He only went out when the detective called him.

Meanwhile, Dexter was making sure everything was okay with me. He always bring food for I and his brother but I always end up refusing. He'll have no but to force me to eat. And grandma would come threatening me about my ass getting spanked by her.

Funny. But still not funny.

Yesterday, Nina took the kids out for dessert and brought some for me also. Charlotte and Scarlett forced me to take several bites from it. Those two are so sweet, they sympathize with me after they heard what happened.

Come on, why is it sounding like I just lost someone?

Still yesterday evening, the detective brought Alyssa's phone. He complained that a particular number has been calling nonstop. And when I cross-checked it, it was Christian.

The poor boy was worried, he haven't heard from his mother in a week plus. The feeling of a child left alone with distance parents broke my heart. It was only yesterday Christian and Dave got to meet and talk on video call.

Jesus, I cried joyfully. Seeing the father and son sharing one bond of love for the very first time melts my heart.

Dave promised to fly him and his grandparents over here today. He told him what happened and the boy cried. Mr. And Mrs. O'Brien felt sad hearing the bad news about their daughter, my heart broke like it was actually me this thing happened to.

Now the good news is everywhere. Dave is so happy to see his son for the first time. I hope he can't wait to hug him so tightly and kiss the hell out of his forehead. To be honest, the boy is so handsome and looks more like his father. He has nothing in resemblance with his mom, except for her teeth. Every other part of the boy's figure and facial features goes to his father, Dave.

Infact, you don't need to find Dave when you see Christian. But why is it always like that?

That most guys gets the looks of their father more than their mother? I can use mine as a start. Billy doesn't look like me. He's still the only one that reminds me I was once married to Leo. Because he has Leo's facial features but doesn't have his personality.

"Oh my goodness, he looks so much like Dave's clone." Scarlett gasped as Dave, Christian and Alyssa's parents walked in. He just picked them from the airport.

"Tell me am not seeing the younger you, brother." Dexter smiled, bringing the boy to his embrace. "She's awake."

"Mom is awake?" Christian pulled out of the embrace, now staring at everyone enormously. "Where is she?"

"Have you guys gone to see her yet?" Dave asked, looking impatient.

Cyrus shook his head, "The doctor said let's give her a little moment to recover."

I was wanting to meet Mr. And Mrs O'Brien but all of a sudden, I felt a sharp pain coming from my abdomen. My God, it hurts. "Ow, ouch." I clutch unto my stomach tightly.

"Triana?" Dexter panicked.

Everyone's eyes darted towards me. Okay I know what they're thinking.

Now it's Triana's turn too.

"Are you okay?" He asked, squatting beside me.

I shook my head vigorously, "No, I'm not."

"What's up with her?" Mr. O'Brien asked.

But not until...........

"What's that? Is she bleeding?" Mrs. O'Brien gasped.

That's when my eyes went down to my thighs. Oh my God, I'm finished. Totally gone.

"Oh my, Triana, you're bleeding?" Dexter stated in a low tune as his eyes intently fix on my thighs.

God please help me, please, please, please, please, please. I don't want it to outburst, I beg of you.

"Aunt, this must be the repercussion of the abortion pills, you know I told you not to terminate—" Nina quickly covered her mouth with her palms but it was too late.

"Abortion?!" Everyone exclaimed in shock.

Dexter looked up at me, "Did you....had an abortion? Where you... pregnant?"

I passed out instantly.