CHAPTER 13

<p>Elizabeth's POV<br/> <br/> I've been so restless since this evening and to worsen the situation, Damien is nowhere to be found, he isn't responding to my calls either and it's past his work hours yet he isn't home.<br/><br/> I became agitated suddenly by fear of the unknown. On my feet pacing around the spacious living room, Mr. Todd the head of the stewards came in, bowing in front of me.<br/> <br/> "What is it, Mr. Todd?" I asked with more anxiety evident in my voice.<br/><br/> "It is the master ma'am" He informed.<br/> <br/> "What about him?" I asked getting tenser.<br/> <br/> "He is back" He answered with a smile.<br/> <br/> I heaved a great sigh of relief knowing fully well that he was back. Mr. Todd must have gotten the hint from my facial expression and perturbed actions that I was worried about Damien. No wonder he came to inform me about his arrival to ease my anxiety.<br/> <br/> I rushed out of the house to welcome my only son whose whereabouts had kept me on my toes for hours but stopped at my pace as I sighted the girl who murdered my only brother in cold blood standing behind him. In an instant, I flew into a rage.<br/><br/> "What is she doing here Damien?" I asked, red with anger.<br/> <br/> "Mum please let's go inside first. I promise to unveil everything to you once we are in." He coaxed, leading me into the house gently.<br/> <br/> Damien's POV<br/> <br/> Seeing the hatred in my mum's eyes for Jenny kept me low in my spirit. That was the same hatred I harbored years back after the incident.<br/> <br/> After persuading my mum to let it lie for a while, I led her into the house as Jenny stayed back with so much fear evident on her face.<br/> <br/> As my mum settled down on the settee still shaking with immense rage, I rushed out to get Jenny but found out she had left. Fear gushed out through me because I knew the danger she would be in if anyone in the neighborhood got to recognize her.<br/> <br/> I instantly told Mikel one of my trusted bodyguards to hurry up and find her. After a few minutes, he came in to break the sad news to me that she had disappeared into the night.<br/> <br/> "Don't you think you owe me an explanation for all these Damien?" My mum interrupted my thought rashly as I slowly muttered a 'yes' under my breath.<br/> <br/> Jessica's POV<br/><br/> "How could your boss be so ill-hearted?" I asked in rage, placing an ice cube on Crystal's swollen cheek.<br/> <br/> "It isn't his fault Jess" She defended, flinching in pain due to the impact of the ice cube.<br/> <br/> I haven't seen someone so meek as her because if it were to be me in the boat, I would have retaliated.<br/> <br/> "Jess please don't confront him. It wasn't his fault" She repeated the same line of words.<br/> <br/> " Why shouldn't I?" I asked her.<br/> <br/> "I just got employed"<br/> <br/> "Well, I'm afraid I won't buy that excuse of yours, my dear"<br/> <br/> "Jess please for the sake of our friendship," She said.<br/> <br/> "Okay, I won't but it shouldn't repeat itself" I warned.<br/> <br/> "Alright Jess I hope it won't," She said smiling.<br/><br/> I looked her over before retreating to the kitchen to serve dinner.<br/><br/> Crystal's POV<br/> <br/> I watched Jess set the dining table with so much admiration and love for her. She has been a good friend to me and I wonder what would have become of me if we hadn't met.<br/> <br/> "lest I forget Crystal, Clara called..." She informed whereby breaking me loose from my thoughts.<br/> <br/> "Hope no problem?" I asked feeling tensed.<br/><br/> "Nope but when will you start sharing your problems with me Crystal?" She asked leaning both hands on the dining table, tearing me up with her gaze.<br/> <br/> "What do you mean?" I asked.<br/> <br/> "Clara told me mum needs money to purchase some drugs and she had been trying to reach you since the last time you visited but she couldn't afford the expenses yet you kept all these from me," She said, boring into my soul with those green eyes of hers, feeling left out.<br/> <br/> "I'm sorry I didn't inform you. I didn't want to bother you that was why I kept it away from you" I begged.<br/> <br/> "Well I've sent some money to them so you don't have to worry since you've started working, I know you would be able to fend for yourself and them too," She said.<br/> <br/> "I can't thank you less girlfriend" I replied with water in my eyes threatening to fall.<br/> <br/> "We are here for each other Crystal so don't thank me. You and your family are all I've got in this world besides my disowned father" She muttered.<br/> <br/> Still in the middle of our heart-felt discussion, a knock resounded on the door leaving me and Jessica transfixed.<br/> <br/> "Who could be knocking by this time?" She asked in a whisper.<br/> <br/> "I have no idea but I will go get it" I stood up to move when she held my hand back giving me a ' be careful' kind of look. I nodded in response to her gesture as I moved slowly toward the door.<br/><br/> Jenny's POV<br/><br/> I have been standing outside Crystal's apartment (the girl I got to know her name later on through Damien when returning from the party) with my mask on. I tried to make up my mind but lacked the vigor to do so but after what seemed like ages, I made the move.<br/> <br/> I knocked but received no answer maybe she was already asleep or probably afraid though I don't blame her because no one knocks on someone's door by this time but after a while, the door creaked open revealing a side of her petite face with deep brown eyes which bore nothing but shock in them.</p>