Chapter Twenty-seven

"Speak up." Valerie commanded. 

Eva knelt down shedding tears, she refused to reveal the identity of Sofia. Valerie felt so annoyed, she suddenly changed from the innocent looking lady to a scary-looking monster. Eva felt like she was burning, sweat dripped into her eyes and infact, her whole body. What scared her was the relationship Valerie had with Smith. She prayed silently that Valerie doesn't provoke Smith into sending her (Eva) away.

"Scraaaaaaaaaaaaam!" Valerie roared angrily. Her eyes were blood-shot and body shaking. 

Eva immediately stood up from the ground, opened the door and ran out. She continued running, neglecting the looks of the maids she came across. She hit the door so hard, that it looked like it was about to be broken.

Sarah was sleeping in the room. It was her day-off, so she stayed indoors resting. Then the loud knock woke her up from sleep. She quickly got up from the bed with sleepy eyes and made for the door, almost stumbling to the ground. Then she opened the door and with great speed, Eva rushed in. Sarah locked the door securely and swiftly moved to Eva. Her eyes was now clear, because of the sudden action of Eva.

Sarah looked at her friend shedding tears. "This is the second time you're rushing into this room in tears. Now what?" She questioned Eva.

Eva remained silent and only continued crying. Sarah didn't know what to do again. She patted Eva's back consolingly. When Eva was done crying, Sarah made her lie on the bed and she slept. Sarah only told her, " Rest ok. You'll explain later." She said and closed Eva's eyes.

Sarah's face folded thinking what might have happened to her friend Eva. Eva had once rushed into the room like that but the difference was clear. This time, Eva looked so scared. "Well, she will tell me everything when she wakes up." Sarah told herself.

...

...

Valerie boiled in anger. She needed to know. She must find out the truth. Valerie finally found out half of what she wanted to know : 'Smith lied'. Else, Eva wouldn't have reacted that way. Valerie was determined to find out, no matter what.

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

Eva woke up after a while. She stretched and yawned.  Her eyes darted around the room and her gaze landed on Sarah who sat at a corner, reading books and scribbling down in a note book. She went and sat beside her.

 Sarah looked up from her book and smiled at her, "You're awake." Sarah said and she nodded.

"You seem to be a lot busy this days." Eva told her, still looking at the books scattered on the table. 

"Yea. I don't want to disappoint Master. I promised to be diligent, and I can't depend on that crazy secretary at the office. So I need to put in my best." Sarah said. 

"Yes, I know that. But you're overdoing it. I don't want my friend to suddenly grow thin. You need to rest." Eva said with concern.

Sarah suddenly stopped talking and looked at Eva in a way that made her uncomfortable, then she continued flipping through the pages of the textbook beside her. Eva didn't understand what that look meant. "What happened?" Eva queried.

"Just wanted to know if you're ok."

"Yes I am, why?"

" What happened to you, earlier today?" Sarah questioned her with a straight face.

Eva hesitated a while before narrating all that went, between her and Valerie. 

"I think that lady is up to something. I wonder..." Sarah trailed off. She couldn't understand why Valerie acted the way she did, but whatever be the reason, is not a good one.

"I think Young Master needs to be aware of all this. Just that I'm scared it may turn out to bring a negative result." Eva suggested.

" Then tell Ma'am Sofia." Both of them agreed to tell Sofia to be careful of Valerie.

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

As agreed, Albert and Valerie decided to visit Melissa. They left the next day with money to give as an appreciation to her.

They blew their horn on reaching the gate, and a security guard came out. When he saw Albert and Valerie, he opened the gate for them to drive in. Melissa saw the duo walking into the main building through her surveillance camera. She quickly rushed down to meet them. 

They were already sitted when Melissa joined them. "Hello Dearie." Valerie greeted as she embraced Melissa and Albert did same. 

"You're welcome to my house." Melissa said warmly.

"Thank you." Then replied in unison. While they were talking, a maid came in and served them some juice. The trio chitchatted for a while, laughing and almost crying (tears of joy) .

Just as they were discussing, Albert's phone rang. It was John calling. The information John relayed to him, shocked him to the marrow. She quickly signaled Melissa to tune to the news.

Melissa glanced at the clock, it was exactly 12pm, so she turned on the television. As she scroll through the channels, a news headline caught her attention and she tunned to the channel. And everyone else began listening to the news in awe.

The newscaster broadcasted the closure of Wills Corporation. They activities going on there were also videoed and broadcasted.

WILLS CORPORATION 

The Corporation was surrounded by reporters taking pictures and videos continuously and also trying to push their way into the Corporation. The police and security guards are also trying to calm the reporters, all to no avail. 

People leaving far and near also came to see for themselves the closure of the Corporation. The workers that remained stayed inside the corporation because of the heat of the press outside. Williams sneaked out of the corporation when he received the news of the press on their way.

 Back to Melissa's residence.

The news struck the trio so hard. Melissa was the most hurt from the stories. She even started shedding tears. And had to be consoled by Valerie.

"I'm so sorry but I'm too emotional." Melissa said looking sad.

" Don't worry about that." Valerie consoled, giving her a pat on her back. 

Albert wasn't paying attention to what was happening. His mind flew to Sofia. " How will she feel, after this.?" He asked inwardly. He really felt pity for the lady at home.

Albert and Valerie presented her some cash.When it was time to leave, they bade Melissa good bye and went back home.

Smith didn't care about the news, to him it meant nothing.

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

SMITHS RESIDENCE.

Eva called Lady Lily and Mira to discuss with them what teanspired between her and Valerie. They were shocked to hear such information. They immediately called Sofia to meet them in a certain place within the compound.

"Ma'am, you're here." Lady Lily said and offered Sofia a seat. Eva and Mira also greeted Sofia. Then, Eva began narrating what she earlier told Lady Lily and Mira.

"Thank you very much." Sofia said to Eva. "Allow  her to find out all she needs. I've kept quiet for so long, but it won't remain the same." Eva excused herself and left the trio to continue the conversation.

"I wish Young Master Albert, will see the devil in her." Lady Lily said in anger. Sofia remained silent. She knew this wasn't her time to act strong. She had to swallow the hard pill and move on.

"I just feel like he's falling for Valerie. I always see the both of them together." Mira said in a disappointed voice.

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

Albert and Valerie had their day-off. And so resumed work the next day. It was another busy day for them. Valerie tried to please Albert much. She was ever ready to do anything to make Albert happy. Sarah was also involved in her own duties. They worked so hard till lunch time. 

Valerie was the one who reminded Albert about lunch. Albert wasn't interested in having lunch but he had to because Valerie was involved. He then ordered Eddie to bring them lunch in his office.

*Knock*Knock*

Eddie knocked at Sarah's door. She then pushed it in.

"Excuse me Ma'am." Eddie said to Sarah.

Sarah grimaced at the 'arrogant secretary' as she called her. She glared at her and said mockingly, " Miss, you didn't arrange my office this morning."

Eddie hissed, and ignored her response because she was in a hurry. " I need you to get my lunch ready. You'll place it on my table."

" Yes your Highness." Sarah bowed infuriating Eddie. " I'm at your command Ma'am" She continued mocking Eddie. 

Eddie stormed out of her office and headed to the cafeteria. She was given immediate attention because of her position I'm the corporation.  Eddie walked out of the cafeteria and headed back to the toppest floor.

As she walked towards the elevator, she felt chills ran down her spine. Her ears caught the sound of footsteps behind her. It was so silent that she wouldn't have noticed. Turning her head to the side, she caught the silhouette of a man hiding. It seems like he was following her and she didn't like it. With hastened steps and pounding heart, she dashed for the elevator and frantically punched on the top button.

"Damn it!" She cursed as cold sweat broke from her forehead.