Chapter Sixty - Eight

" You're not planning on ... " Eddie looked at Clifford and then Annie who returned her shocked expression with a smile.

~ FLASH BACK ~

Eddie went into her room and saw it in a different look. Her pillows and bedspread were on the floor and some underwears lay on the bed. Some calendars which hung on the wall were also lying flat on the floor.

What's this? " She said aloud in shock. She strolled around her room looking closely at everything in the room.

" Hulalah! " Annie screamed. Eddie jumped on hearing the voice. She was breathing heavily on the bed when Annie began laughing at her. Eddie shot her a deadly glance and she ( Annie ) covered her mouth with her palm in other not to let out another noise.

" Sorry. I'm sorry. " Annie apologized to Eddie whose face was dark.

" What's the meaning of this? " Annie asked her, pointing at typically everything in the room.

" I'm sorry for not telling you, but i have decided to help my good friend. She needs to be more sexy and ... "

" Are you trying to say that I'm not good? " Eddie asked Annie unhappily.

" No Dear. I prepared a suprised for you. Come and check these wears. " Annie dragged Eddie to the bed and began showing her some of the underwears and clothes to put on. Eddie was reluctant to put them on because they seemed short and would exposed a great deal of her body. 

" But why do i need these? " Eddie asked her.

" You'll know soon baby girl. Just follow my lead. " 

After much persuasion, she decided to keep it as hers. 

~ BACK TO THE PRESENT ~

" So this was the reason for Annie's weird actions. " Eddie mused.

Annie asked her not to bother and continue eating. Eddie was very uncomfortable at that moment, more especially after noticing Clifford's strong gaze on her. She stood up at some point, went to Annie's corner, and dragged her to stand and follow her.

" Take it easy, girl. " Annie said to Eddie as soon as they came to a hidden corner. 

" He's not sleeping in my room tonight. Is he? " Eddie glared at Annie expecting an answer from her. Annie kept on moping at Eddie  and that really pissed Eddie off. She left Annie and made for the sitting room. Annie ran after her immediately and started pleading that she listens to her but Eddie ignored her and went into another room in the house.

" I'm sorry. Ok? " Annie said immediately she joined Eddie in the room. " He'll sleep in your room, please. Listen, i have my plans ... "

" Oh, what plans are those! " Eddie yelled at Annie. Annie had never seen Eddie react that way. She was totally shocked and lost for words.

" He's not sleeping in my room and that is final. " 

" Eddie please. " Annie begged her. She told her that he was just going to stay in her room for one night and nothing more. Eddie insisted and left Annie alone in the room. 

Annie ambled to the dinning room. Clifford noticed her dark expression and enquired what the problem was. Annie told him all that happened and they made another plan.

...

...

Eddie looked at the room which was refurbished by Annie. The calendars were replaced by romantic pictures. The bedspread was changed to a new one written, " I love you.  " Some flowers were brought into the room and the atmosphere was very sexy and thrilling.

" What was she thinking? " Eddie said almost aloud and slumped on the bed heavily. She sighed when everything replayed in her memory and she closed her eyes to sleep.

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

Eva and John appointed some maids and guards as delegates to take care their duties just as Albert commanded them. They left the house for the hospital that morning. Eva and John went straight to Sofia's ward. Sofia was talking with Albert when they came in. They greeted Sofia and Albert and also asked after Sofia's health.

" I've improved a lot. We thank God. " Sofia said happily. " And I'm fit to go home but I won't. I need to stay close to my Aunt, so, this guy here ... " She pointed at Albert. "...will continue to pay for the room till I leave. " Sofia said to John and Eva. 

" I'm now this guy. " Albert said as he faked a laughter. His laughter was so strange to the ears and everyone in the room dictated that it wasn't real. No one joined in the laughter and Sofia felt guilty at once.

" I'm sorry. " Sofia apologized.

Eva and John decided to check up on Alma and Aunt Mary. They saw Alma with Lady Lily and Mira discussing.

" Welcome back. " Eva said to Alma after greeting Lady Lily and Mira. 

" Thank you. " Alma replied and smiled. 

Alma told them all she could remember about the accident. Aunt Mary saved her. Aunt Mary embraced her tightly at that time and got most of the injuries. Tears dripped down the corners of her face as she recalled the motherly care she've been receiving from Aunt Mary. 

" She's not dead. " Eva said. The atmosphere wasn't good at all and she didn't like it. Eva and John decided to go and see Aunt Mary and Lady Lily and Mira followed suit.

They got to the ward and opened the door. As they approached Aunt Mary's bed. They noticed that Aunt Mary's eyes were opened though they weren't moving.

" Ma'am. " Mira called her.

Tears ran down Aunt Mary's face and she looked at them. She wanted to speak but was very weak.

" Ma'am. " Mira went and hugged her. Lady Lily left immediately to call the doctor while Eva went straight to Sofia's ward.

" Aunt Mary is awake. " Eva said as she came into the room. She apologized for barging into the room very rudely and announced the good news to the duo in the ward. The trio rushed to Aunt Mary's ward.

" Aunty " Sofia rushed to meet her Aunt and kissed her forehead. She embraced her Aunt and only let go after the doctor arrived. The doctor checked her and told Albert to follow him to his office for further instructions.

...

...

" Thank goodness she's awake. We'll fight for her recovery, i assure you. Remember we have series of scans to conduct on her. But, in respect of the internal injuries, she's likely to feel dizzy, weakness, severe headache, nausea and may even lose consciousness if care is not taken. She needs rest and won't be allowed to stand for now till she recovers. " The doctor instructed Albert while he listened with keen interest. 

Albert thanked the doctor and left the office for Aunt Mary's ward. Everyone stayed in the room with Aunt Mary as they talked happily amongst themselves.

Eva and John called out Albert to a corner.

" Young Master, we have something very important to tell you. " Eva was the first to speak. Albert asked them to talk freely to him. Eva and John told him about the strange movements they noticed at the Smiths residence usually at night. They also told him all they heard Valerie say the other night.

" Who else knows about this? " Albert asked them. He was fuming mad at that point.

" No one Sir. " They replied in unison.

" Keep this a secret till further notice. " He told them and they went back to the ward. 

Lady Lily and Mira went to Alma's room to announce the good news. Alma wanted to leave to see Aunt Mary but Lady Lily and Mira insisted. 

" Not now please. " Lady Lily said to her.

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

Clifford decided to take his two friends to Eddie's house as promised. They decided to first meet at a grocery store where they got some food items and left for Eddie's residence.

Clifford drove into the resident and packed at the garage. The trio alighted from the car with what they brought with them and headed for the entrance door.

Annie was the one that opened the door.

" Cliff, are you ... " Annie was shocked to see Freddie smiling at her.

" You ... " Annie said pointing at Freddie.

" Are we not welcomed here? " Clifford asked from behind.

" Oh. I'm sorry about that. Come in please. " The three men came into the sitting room and sat down. Annie went upstairs to Eddie's room.

" Annie? " Eddie called from inside when she heard a knock on her door.

" Eddie open it. " Annie said impatiently. Eddie opened the door and Annie came in with speed. She told her of Clifford and his three friends.

" This is crazy, you know.  That i accepted him in this house doesn't mean he'll do whatever he wants. I mean, this is sudden. " Eddie felt she was going crazy. Annie pleaded that she doesn't react to what he'd done and that she will caution he to avoid the occurance of such in the future. After some time of pleading and arguing, Eddie agreed to follow Annie to join the three in the sitting room.

As they walked to the sitting room, they heard screams from the sitting room. It were the voices of the three men.

" What is going on? " Eddie asked Annie as the ran to know what was happening.