The secret she didn't know 4

Nicole rushed into her apartment and sighed, ''that was so close''

''What is wrong with the three of you?'' Granny asked them. she was watching a series on TV when they barged in like that.

''Granny, you won't believe this. we bumped into Leo while we were out buying food'' Candy explained. ''Lizzy went to show us the place she usually ate at with Leo and we bumped into him there. he was there to buy food with his friend''

''Granny, he had the same bracelet as mine. Isn't this the one you brought back from his place? Why is there two of the same bracelet?''

''You two met because of the power of the bracelet. Remember I gave it to you because your life was full of bad luck. It was supposed to bring you luck but because he wore it, the bracelet has now acknowledged him as its owner. What you are wearing is a fake''

''Huh?''

''Yes, but since it was originally yours to begin with, wherever you are, he will always find you because of that bracelet. It can smell your scent and which will eventually lead him to you every time''

''Whoa, I didn't know the bracelet had such power?'' Lizzy exclaimed.

''It is a powerful bracelet. I collected it from a shaman that year you were in the accident. I had wanted to give it to my daughter in law but when I found out you needed it more than she did, I had to give it to you''

''Then, why didn't you tell me the truth? I thought I was having the real one all this while''

''It's a look alike. That day I went over to take it from him. He was having nightmares and it seemed serious, so I merely wanted to wake him up. I touched him with the bracelet and he suddenly held unto it and didn't let go. I couldn't take it from him because he looked so pitiful. I decided to leave it with him and get a fake one for you''

''So, my real bracelet is with him while the fake one is with me?''

''Yes, I'm sorry Nicole. You have always depended on that bracelet, I didn't want you to get worried over it, so I had to give you a fake''

''It's alright. We will meet sooner or later anyways. I can always get it back from him'' Nicole touched the fake bracelet on her wrist with complicated feelings. Even though she said it was alright, she didn't know whether it was really alright or not. She had depended on that bracelet for so long. Knowing it was in the hands of another person made her feel insecure and a little lonely but she didn't want to voice out her insecurities.

Granny looked at Nicole silently. She felt guilty that she couldn't give her back the real bracelet. She knew how attached Nicole was to that bracelet but still, it couldn't be helped.

''I'm going over to Leo's place. I will try and see if I can get the bracelet for you''

''You can't even touch or pick things yet, how are you going to do that? Let's go, I will help you'' Candy said and stood up.

They had all suddenly lost their appetite for the food they bought.

...

Leo sat on his bed and looked at the bracelet on his wrist. His mind kept playing the scene of the restaurant. it had kept bothering him for a reason.

''I don't believe that woman was telling the truth. I know somehow this bracelet and its owner are connected to you, Lizzy and I'm going to find out who the owner is and that will lead me to those who killed you. I will not rest until I make them pay for what they did Lizzy'' he was determined to look into the case of Lizzy's death. He wouldn't be able to rest until he found out how she died and why she had to die so unjustly.

The door opened slightly and Priscy walked in, ''Not asleep yet?''

Leo looked at Priscy and shook his head, ''no, what about you? I thought you were asleep?''

Since the funeral of Lizzy, she had packed to stay with Leo because she was worried about his health.

''I couldn't sleep either. Why are you not asleep yet? It's getting to 23:30PM'' she walked in and Leo noticed the transparent nightwear on her and looked away.

''I just had a few things to think about'' Le replied.

''That bracelet. You've been wearing it for a while now. Where did you get it?'' she asked and tried to touch it and Leo took his hand away.

''It's nothing'' Leo said and stood up.

At the hall, Lizzy and Candy arrived and looked around.

''He has a nice house. You two practically lived in luxury, Lizzy''

''Leo is hardworking. He got all of this from his own hard work''

''Let's go and look in the bedroom. This place is so quiet. Is there nobody at home?''

Priscy held Leo's hand as he got to the door, ''that bracelet doesn't belong to Lizzy, right? Whose is it?''

''Why are you so interested in finding out about the owner of the bracelet?'' Leo asked her.

''Whose is it? Is it that woman you are searching for? The one you said was a friend of Lizzy's?''

Lizzy and Candy walked into the room through the half opened door and saw them.

''Stop this, Priscy. I'm not in the mood for drama''

''Is past one month since Lizzy passed away and you already have another woman's bracelet on your hand and is even searching for her?''

''What are you insinuating? That I have moved on too fast or I already had another woman while I was with Lizzy?''

''I'm just saying it is unfair to Lizzy'' she held his hand.

''What kind of situation is this?'' Candy turned to Lizzy whose focused was on the two people in the room.

''Really? You think it is unfair to Lizzy that another woman has my attention but what about your actions?''

''What actions? What do you mean, Leo?'' Lizzy subconsciously asked.

''Yes, what actions? Fast, spill the beans, Leo'' Candy said curiously.

''Are you really concerned about Lizzy or because I have a bracelet that belongs to another woman?'' Leo asked Priscy again.

''What is this? Is there something I am not aware off?'' Lizzy asked looking into the face of Leo.

''This smells like a rat. There is definitely something these two are hiding from you. I can tell this much'' Candy replied.

''Yes, this is about me Leo. I've been in love with you ever since we were kids, but, all you could see was Lizzy and even now that she is dead, instead of giving me a chance. You pick another woman?''

Lizzy stepped back in shock. She almost fell down and Candy held her, steadying her up.

''Wow, this is big news. Wait, the flowers. She bought the flowers for Leo at that time''

''Priscy? How could she betray me like this?'' Lizzy asked herself. She had always thought of Priscy as a sister and always confided in her.

''This is big news''

''How dare you betray me this way, Priscy? I called you my friend but all this while you were trying to seduce my fiancé?''

''Lizzy, calm down. I think there is more to this. Let's listen to what they are saying first'' Candy and Lizzy turned back to Leo and Priscy.

''Leo, I really like you'' Priscy said.

''What? You are lucky I can't touch you Priscy, I would have slapped you'' Lizzy said angrily.

''I'm sorry but I have never seen you as a woman. You are someone I grew up with and I will always see you as a sister and nothing else'' Leo said frankly to Priscy and the two ghost clapped their hands.

''Yes, that's my man. Leo will never fall for likes of you''

''That's right. he can only belong to Nicole'' Candy added.

''Leo, I loved you even before you met Lizzy and I still love you even after she is gone. When will you realise that I will always be the only one beside you?''

''Get out!! I don't want to see you in my house after work tomorrow'' Leo's face turned stern as he looked at Priscy.

''Are you asking me to leave your house?''

''Yes, this is a place I shared with Lizzy. I don't you to soil it'' Leo looked at the picture of Lizzy hanging on the wall and sighed.

Priscy followed his gaze and saw the picture. She wiped away her tears and walked out.

''Lizzy'' Leo stood in front of the picture, ''I'm sorry you had to see that. I want you to know I have never wavered in front of her or any other woman. I am only looking for the owner of this bracelet because I know she is connected to you''

''Is ok Leo, I understand. Thank you for loving me but I'm gone so you need to live and move on and I know someone who can help you do that'' Lizzy patted him and the shoulder and smiled.