Chapter five

Chapter 5

Alexander walked into the store, attracting the attention of everyone. Yes, he was related to Eleanor afterall, disappeared for three years, and now, was coming in all of a sudden.

He put on his hood and walked to the counter, putting a note from Angus out to Daniella.

She just stared blankly.

He smiled and shrugged. She could remember that bright smile and green eyes anywhere;Eleanor.

Alexander spoke charmingly, "Your brother sent you this letter, he asked for it not to be opened until it reached you."

Daniella studied his face, "You are Eleanor's brother, right?"

Alexander nodded and raised a brow, "Yes, and one of your brother's abductors."

Dani grimaced, "Well okay, thanks. Can you go now? I can't stand you."

Alex's smile was most tempting, "Unfortunately, you have to start getting used to being around me. I live here now, I'd visit occasionally. We'd be good friends."

Daniella thanked her lucky stars when she looked behind Alex and found Andrew in his usual black outfits and a beanie trapping his extremely dark hair to his face.

Then she smiled at Alex, "Please, move aside for a customer."

He took off his hood and faced Andrew, "Hey..... Here comes the guy who would have made the best brother-inlaw."

Andrew ignored him and faced Dani, "I need you to come over and see me today."

Alex gave his most surprising look, "How'd you two become this close. How'd you do it Dani? Andrew it seems you have forgotten all about my sister."

Now, Andrew looked at him, "Danielle, I want cabbages, add some knives too."

Alex laughed at Andrew's hidden threat and the way he ignored him. He knew exactly what to do at a point like this, "Daniella, I hope we could be this close someday." He really achieved it, crossed the limits. Now, Andrew turned completely to Alex with a hard glare.

Two tall males from somewhere in the store approached and stood behind Alex. The target smiled. He knew the males were clearly part of Andrew's gang, ready to take orders and execute it there and then. Killing him was not an exception.

Andrew eyed Alex for a while, as if thinking, nodded to Daniella and then walked out. Dani broke into laughter.

Such a shame, she thought

Andrew's friends gave Alex a daring stare and walked away.

He smiled and left the store, ignoring the amused Daniella.

* * *

Daniella walked through the Stephen's mansion but could not find anybody. Where were they? Walking a bit towards Andrew's room, she found the entire family, except Andrew gathered at his closed door.

He had locked himself in and was screaming, scattering everything within.

She finally asked, "What's going on?" It was then they recognised her presence.

His mother answered quickly, "He has been angry since he came home today, I don't know what's wrong with him."

Daniella walked through to the door and knocked, "Andrew, It's me Danielle. Please open."

Almost immediately, the door came open. Andrew dragged her in and locked it again. At least that relieved his family as they dispersed hopefully.

Inside, Andrew hugged her, giving no sign of wanting to let go.

Daniella hugged out of impulse, confusion clearly on her face, "What's wrong. Talk to me."

Andrew broke the hug and bowed his head, "Alex, Eleanor... What does he want? I saw her green eyes, her smile, on that good-for-nothing's face. I can't live with this." He let her go and turned, walking to his window. Daniella noticed, for the first time, he was without a jacket. He had scars everywhere and a new wound on his wrist. She walked up to him.

As if reading her mind, he smiled, "I can be a real maniac sometimes, my own way of being calm when I'm freaked out."

Daniella took him in again, "Talk to me."

He rested his head on her shoulder and burst almost immediately, "Alex killed Ashley."

Daniella could swear she had heard that name before, "Ashley Thomas?" Andrew nodded and lifted himself from her. Daniella wiped tears off his face and watched him in pity. This was the same Ashley that her brother, Angus was being accused of killing.

Andrew continued, "They all did. I know it, Eleanor did know too, even Jennifer. They killed Eleanor, Jennifer, and now, they're after me."

It all made sense now. Dani shook at the thought of losing him so brutally, "So you did not kill Eleanor."

Andrew moved away from her angrily, "How! I loved her. She was everything to me. Why would you even think that of me?"

Daniella looked around and sighed heavily, "I need to tell you something Andrew." Recalling the letter Angus had written her, she walked closer to him;

I'm sorry I had to put you in all

this mess. Andrew has nothing

to do with Eleanor's death. I

know who, Alex. But we can't

get out of this mess unless we

prove to the inspector his son

killed his daughter. You have to

and that certainly means you'll

tell Andrew. Tell him, he would

help you out. Find out the truth

and save me. Alex has gone

away with so much murder.

Even if it means you risk losing

me, tell Andrew Dani.

With love,

Angus.

Andrew's tears wet the letter he had just finished reading, "So you came into my life with the purpose of betraying me."

Dani bowed in shame, "I'm sorry."

Andrew sniffed sadly, "Why does everyone who comes into my life have to leave me Dani."

She put a hand on his shoulder but he shrugged it off, "Leave me alone." Getting up, he walked to his bar and poured out some whisky.

Daniella blurted impulsive, "I'm very sorry Andrew, I had come to realise the type of person you were and I couldn't just do it. I had to decline. He then took my brother and threatened to kill him if I do not betray you. I just... I'm sorry."

Andrew turned and studied her, "I understand, I think. It's fine. You were under a threat of losing the only person in your life. But Danielle, did you not think of telling me?"

"I did. A million times I did Andrew! But he was watching me, he tells me what's gonna happen even before it happens. I was afraid, " Dani cried; something Andrew hates the most.

Dropping his drink, he walked up to her and hugged her, "It's okay Danielle. It's okay."

* * *

Matthew blew a smoke ring up to the sky. Andrew looked up from where he drank, content with anger and got the signal;Matthew had found Thomas Becker.

He nodded to the rest of his clan who got up and walked to the point where the smoke ring had possibly come from. Sooner than not, Thomas Becker had been beaten up to a pulp by all except Andrew. He liked keeping his punishment for the tough ones. Matthew held Thomas's hand to his back as Andrew made his way to them. The sight of Andrew alarmed Thomas who moved uncontrollably, "Andrew!"

Andrew drew pictures with his foot on the ground and then looked up at Thomas, "I'm going to make this quick and easy for you in every possible way I can. I'd advise you do the same unless..." Matthew punched Thomas in the face.

Andrew continued, "Straight to the point, what do you know about Ashley and Alex?"

Thomas stammered, "Nothing, who's Ashley?" Matthew then pulled Thomas's hands beyond the hinges of their joints, watching him scream, "Stop!"

Andrew nodded to Matthew who listened and violently let go.

Then Andrew pushed on, "I will not give you the importance of touching you. For the last time, what do you know about Alex and Ashley?"

Thomas kept quiet fearfully, reluctant to speak. Another one of Andrew's friends, Alan, walked up angrily with a knife. However, Andrew stopped him, he had his own plans. Going closer to Thomas, he placed his smouldering cigarette butt to his face. Thomas screamed and cried, too helpless as Matthew held his hands back.

However, Andrew smirked, "Unfortunately, you've run out of chances. Beat 'em up."

A cheer was heard from the crowd as they surrounded Thomas; their favourite thing.

He started to shout,"I'll speak. I'll speak! "

Andrew turned and walked away angrily, "Sorry, not interested."

* * *

Daniella ran to the living room and picked up the phone; Eleanor's father, "Hello, " she said.

The man smiled, "How's the job going?"

Dani smiled, "Oh it's fine. He even told me he loves me." She walked to the table and chewed an apple, feeling most despicable.

Mr. Davis laughed, "How sweet! When you have one's weakness, you could get them to do anything."

Daniella laughed and hung up, "Foolish man." A different type of feeling ran through her, one she most likely got from being with Andrew.