Rhénee had not counted how many cupcakes she had eaten and she could tell that it wasn't helping her or her tummy. She felt like releasing all her anger out, but the only way to do so was to take in as many cupcakes down her throat as possible.
"Hey, aren't you going to leave some for us?" Greta asked.
"And why should I?" Rhénee asked after taking in who knows what number of cupcake in her mouth. "You guys are way too slow."
"Stop eating like that, Rhénee," said Miss Marie, "you're going to burst."
"Look, I told you all I know about that weird stranger over the phone, let me eat the cupcakes in peace."
Miss Griselda scowled and stood up from her seat. She approached the coffee table and took the plate of cupcakes away from Rhénee's greedy hands.
"Hey! But I'm still hungry," called out Rhénee.
"If you don't stop now, you'll become a glutton," said Miss Griselda. "No more cupcakes for you, young lady."
Miss Griselda gave each and everyone a cupcake, except Rhénee. She took the remaining cupcakes to the kitchen and quickly came back to the living room to take her seat.
"Now that that's over, can we look at the current situation we're in now?" Kevin asked.
"Well," began Rhénee, "we're all in danger. I told you about the stranger's warning and the picture of the house in the woods. If you help me any further, you might get hurt."
"But you can't do this all alone, Rhénee," said Malcom. "The way I see it, this all seems like a game to him."
"Of course it is. For him to give me the necklace and the photo of the house...., it's like he wants me to know the mystery of my late grandmother's death."
"Do you think your grandmother was murdered?" Greta asked.
"To be honest," Rhénee raised an eyebrow, "I was never told the truth about her death."
Rhénee turned to face Miss Griselda who had a weird expression on her face.
"Miss Griselda, you might know how grandma died. My mother told me she died of a heart attack."
"A heart attack?" Greta looked surprised. "I was told she had been admitted to the hospital and had died due to low blood pressure."
"I was told the same thing," said Malcom.
"To say the least, everyone in town was told the same," said Kevin.
"But that's weird," said Rhénee, "if it was due to low blood pressure, then why did my mother lie? I mean, it's just low blood pressure."
"It's strange," said Kevin. "Did your dad tell you the same thing?"
"Well....," Rhénee paused at the mention of her father. Surprisingly, he still hadn't called her. That was so unlike him.
"Well, he did say the same thing," said Rhénee, quickly snapping out of her thoughts.
"Do you know what the weird thing is?" Greta asked. "I never heard anything about the late Emelda not feeling too well that she would be admitted into hospital for a day or two before her death. It just happened so suddenly."
"Maybe it was just her time," said Kevin.
"Or maybe she was murdered?" Rhénee suggested. "Just think about it. Why do you think this stranger is playing this type of game? There is something he wants me to know about her death."
"I agree," said Miss Griselda, her voice a bit shaky. "I find it strange."
"Weren't you here when grandma died, Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked.
"No, I wasn't," replied Miss Griselda, her eyes turning red. "Two weeks before she died, your grandmother, may her soul rest in peace, told me to go on leave, for a vacation or something. It was kind of strange that I had to go away for a while. This place felt more like home."
"Did you ask her why?"
"I did, but all she told me was that I deserved it because I had worked hard and all. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, she gave Kevin and Mr Cowell the time off work too."
"That's true," said Kevin, "as Miss Griselda put it, it was a bit odd."
"So, grandma was all alone?" Rhénee felt her own voice breaking.
"Yes, she was," replied Miss Griselda, a tear streamed down her cheek and she quickly wiped it away.
There was silence for a while as everyone seemed to be in their own thoughts. Rhénee couldn't help but imagine her late grandmother being all alone in her last days. But why the sudden change of attitude? Was she also in danger and didn't want anyone getting hurt like Rhénee wanted for the people around her?
"But she seemed pretty weird in her last days," said Miss Griselda.
"How weird?" Rhénee asked.
"Well, she was acting a bit agitated. Whenever she came home, she would always look outside the window as if to check if anyone was following her or something. She rarely slept at night. Most of the time I would find her in the study."
"She must have been threatened," said Malcom, "and that explains everything."
"What explains everything?" Rhénee asked, looking at Malcom.
Malcom looked down for a moment before looking at Rhénee straight in the eye. "Before your grandmother died, she called Greta, Kevin and I here. We met in her study and she asked us for a favour."
"And what was that?" Rhénee asked.
"To protect you from what's coming. She wasn't quiet clear from whom or from what, but she did say someone was planning to harm you."
"And she did mention to look out for our mother for some reason," said Greta.
"Do you think your mother and the stranger are working hand in hand?" Rhénee asked.
"We can't assume that just yet, can we?" Kevin suggested.
"You're right," said Malcom, "for the time being, we just have to assume that mum is just another enemy of yours."
"So, wait a minute, my grandma told you three to protect me from what's coming," said Rhénee, "so you have been watching over me this whole time?"
"Well, kind of," answered Kevin. "Your grandmother knew that sooner or later you would come to Madison."
"And so, Greta and I had come over to Beverly Hills after your grandmother died," said Malcom, "just to make sure that the people after you didn't harm you in any way."
"Oh, and how did you guys know the exact day I was moving out of Beverly Hills?" Rhénee asked.
"Your late grandmother told us about you and your father," said Greta. "That the two of you had your quarrels. And so when your dad had left for the business trip, we knew you would move out and come here."
"And so, Malcom was at the gas station and you, Greta, at the café, all to check up on me?"
"Of course, they were," said Miss Griselda, "after your grandmother died, Malcom told me about protecting you and I think it's a good thing.."
"But I'm putting you all in danger. I would like to thank all of you for keeping me safe all this while, but the last thing I want is five more funerals."
"Don't talk like that, dear," said Miss Marie, "we're all here to help you out no matter what."
Rhénee stood and walked towards the window. Her mind else where, thinking of what lied ahead of her. It was going to be dangerous and whatever the stranger over the phone had planned for her, it wasn't going to be pretty.
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Eugene opened the door and allowed Miguel into his office. Miguel quickly rushed in to take a seat in front of the office desk and Eugene could sense that something wasn't quite right with his friend.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8p8fZ6OPN
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"Miguel, are you alright?" Eugene asked, as he closed the door.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡppl350FQ6w
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"It's nothing, really," said Miguel, looking a bit shaky, "I'm just worried about my grandma."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtT0G70RjiW
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"Didn't you say you were dropping her off somewhere? Where did you take her?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbypE9IY0bK
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"I took her to see Rhénee."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPfBHKvHtN
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"Rhénee? But what for?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkxzCq6LODv
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"I don't know, that's what's making me curious. My grandma kept muttering in the car about Emelda. She wasn't quite clear about what she was saying though. I feel like she is going crazy again."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4d2RD3bZ5P
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"Don't worry, if your grandma just went to see Rhénee, I bet it's just to talk about the late Emelda."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWT7KkDjChh
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"Well, I hope so. Sometimes she scares me."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsplzfdkd6w
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"You're getting all worked up for nothing," Eugene placed his hand on his friend's shoulder. "You just relax. Should I make you a cup of coffee?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjwVHvMPvrG
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"That will be great, thanks."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWgdze2uyHX
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Eugene went over to the window where there was a small table with a coffee maker, a jar of sugar, two mugs and some spoons and a tin of coffee. He got to work with making the coffee.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNZMQmwmAq
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"Oh, Eugene, I wanted to ask you something, if that's okay," said Miguel.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PXNSnsd70
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"Ya, ask away," said Eugene as he turned on the coffee maker.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQfoomGPak
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"Do you remember when we were kids and we would sometimes go out and play in the woods?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrqz5soSK0R
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"Ya, I still do. Those were good times. Why do you ask?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVQa8ySU2I
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"I just remembered some years ago when we were playing in the woods with some girl."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf0VmHk3y2r
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Eugene turned to face Miguel as he noticed the sudden tone in his friend's voice. After pouring the coffee into the mugs then putting in some sugar cubes and stirring the coffee, he walked over to Miguel and gave him a mug.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ86DdwQPhaH
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"Why are you telling me all this?" Eugene asked.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmwgnTMcHYN
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"I just wanted to know if you remember the girl," said Miguel as he took a sip of his coffee.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0BWhrF2Cc
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"And why should I? Does she hold any importance to me?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9nIgUxjoAg
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"Well, all I wanted was an answer, not more questions." Miguel's tone in his voice was changing.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRRY54ZBvp4
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"Seriously, dude, you're creeping me out." Eugene walked over to his desk and put his mug on the table and stared at Miguel.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCvoSKT4QVH
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"Okay, all I want is for you to remember the girl I am talking about."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU23UQf8Fkj
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"I seriously don't remember any girl we used to play with in the woods during our childhood."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHj3B9jAG2N
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"Really? You don't?" Miguel looked surprised.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIyFBD29kP
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"No, was she one of our classmates?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzmXrWiZ52
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"Not even close." Miguel took another sip of his coffee.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpFWRUAGlNu
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"Then who is it for you to ask me if I even remembered her?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWW4SezCkx5
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"Nothing. Was just messing with you."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1QzSIOgL8
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Eugene pushed Miguel by placing his hand on his shoulder. Miguel almost spelt his coffee as he playfully tried to avoid another push from Eugene. Miguel laughed out loud.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvFIDX1PsiS
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"I'm sorry," Miguel continued laughing. "I didn't mean to."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOidgeIsu1
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"You scared me half to death, man!" Eugene was so upset. "I thought you were going to start talking creepy stuff about her."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5CTGTfoIwr
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"I know, right? Sorry for messing with you. You should have seen the look on your face."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLy0Vg3VU7S
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"So not cool. Don't you ever do that again."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajp2pgEhKg
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"I won't promise you, but I'll try."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWtpUnsOW2
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Eugene shook his head as he got his mug and took his coffee. Somehow, he couldn't take his mind off what Miguel had said. Miguel had looked and sounded so serious when he had asked if Eugene remembered the girl they used to play with when they were kids. There was something fishy going on and Miguel seemed to know something.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5NZvGfGRE
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***632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAa21iUjtJe
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"Where do you think you're going?"632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxIuZQjJ4G
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Rhénee stopped half-way across the hall heading towards the door when she heard Miss Griselda behind her.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpQi6boQ5D
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"I've some things to sort out," Rhénee replied not looking at Miss Griselda.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ40kyswDAY2
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"If you're going to try to sort out this mess alone, you're going to end up getting killed."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEusMBbQCsr
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"And what do you suggest I should do!" Rhénee exclaimed, this time, she turned around to look at Miss Griselda. "I can't sit here and do nothing while that man over the phone ruins my life."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf7RtXTSb2b
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Miss Griselda walked up to Rhénee and she could tell the anxiety and tension eating up the young lady inside. She held Rhénee's hand and gently led her back to the living room where everybody else was.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTRU37h5RN
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"Rhénee, we all want to put an end to this," said Miss Griselda, "but you can't do it without us and we can't do it without you. I would never forgive myself if something terrible happens to you and you know it."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89YqNd8xFN
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Rhénee sighed in defeat and gave Miss Griselda a hug.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRfVL6tQZZ6
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"I'm sorry," said Rhénee. "I don't want you getting worried or getting hurt either."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjUNf3oMPk
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"It's fine, sweetheart. We will pull through. I know we will."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ81fZggU4De
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The two stopped hugging each other and Rhénee turned to address the others.632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdkqHFH8JjJ
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"Sorry for that," said Rhénee. "I just couldn't help myself."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyz6RKGnkjW
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"Anyone in your situation would've done the same," said Miss Marie. "We don't blame you at all."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HI3FdjZ2k
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"Okay, then, if we're going to work together, we have to figure out what we should do, and fast."632Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2SnJKgvg0H
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"I agree," said Kevin. "We've to know what this man is playing at."
"So, any suggestions?" Greta asked.
"The house in the forest," Rhénee and Malcom answered simultaneously.
"The house in the forest? Why?" Miss Griselda asked.
"Maybe we might find something in there," answered Malcom. "There's something in that house that the man wants us to know about."
"It sounds dangerous to me," said Greta. "The fact that the house is located in the forest is enough to get me creeped out."
"I don't think it's a good idea," said Miss Marie. "Who knows what dangers we might find if you go there."
"But that's the only lead we have," said Kevin. "So far, we have nothing and if we try to follow up with Mrs Derrand, we're as good as dead."
"Kevin is right, though," said Greta. "I hate to say it, but we should go to that house."
"I'm worried," said Miss Marie. "Don't you think all this might be a trap?"
For a moment, there was silence in the room as everyone contemplated about what Miss Marie said. No one had even thought about the house being set up as a trap for Rhénee.
"What makes you think that it might?" Rhénee asked.
"It just popped into my mind," Miss Marie answered. "We don't know what this man wants. He might be doing all of this to harm you."
Rhénee raised an eyebrow at Miss Marie. From the time Miss Marie came here, Rhénee had a feeling that she might know who the man was. But now, everything seemed so confusing. How could the house be a trap if the man wanted Rhénee to know how her late grandmother had died? Rhénee had to keep asking Miss Marie if she wanted any information. She might find out things that could be useful.
"I think we go, nonetheless," said Malcom. "Rhénee won't go alone. If anything happens, we will be around to help."
"And what if you get trapped too?" Miss Marie asked. "Have you thought about that?"
"Don't worry, nothing will go wrong. If all of this is a trap, we'll be ready."
"So, when do we go there?" Rhénee asked.
"How about tomorrow?" Malcom suggested.
"Sounds good to me."
"Wait, tomorrow, like in the evening?" Greta asked.
"Nah, that will be too dangerous," said Malcom. "And considering that you get creeped out at night, Greta, going during the day will be perfect."
"I would rather you consider all this before you jump in," said Miss Marie.
"Is it me or is there something you're not telling us?" Rhénee asked.
"I'm just looking out for your well being." Miss Marie sounded stern.
Rhénee folded her arms as she continued to stare at Miss Marie. "I don't want to sound rude, but there is something you aren't telling us, Miss Marie. Am I wrong?"
This time all eyes were on Miss Marie, but the old lady didn't seem to mind. She continued to sit there and stare at Rhénee whose look also became stern.
"It may look like I know something, but the truth is, I don't," Miss Marie answered. "All that I'm doing right now is trying to protect you, Rhénee. Your late grandmother and I were such good friends and I am willing to look out for what she truly cared about in this world. And that's you."
Rhénee didn't say anything as she continued to look at Miss Marie. Was she telling the truth? It was completely hard to tell at this point.
"Then why don't you want us to go to that house?" Kevin asked.
"I'm just following what Emelda told me to do before she died," said Miss Marie.
"My grandma? What did she say?" Rhénee asked.
Miss Marie first sighed before she could say anything. "Your grandmother had told me a lot of things. There are some things she never wanted anyone to know, especially the house in the forest. And she warned me that no one should go there."
"What's in there that she doesn't want us to know?"
"I wish I knew, dear. She never told me. Your late grandmother was as mysterious as ever."
"But it looks like we have no choice," said Malcom. "If we don't do something now, who knows what that man would do to Rhénee."
"Malcolm's right," said Greta. "It's pretty obvious that man wants Rhénee to go there and figure out what really happened to the late Emelda."
"All am saying is that you should all think before you leap," said Miss Marie. "I'm just doing what I think is right."
Miss Marie slowly stood up from the couch and she slowly walked out of the living room, heading towards the door. Rhénee went after her and soon, the others followed as well. Miss Marie was just about to reach out for the door knob when Rhénee called out to her:
"Miss Marie, wait! You can't leave now."
"I know I'm not supposed to," said Miss Marie as she slowly turned to look at Rhénee. "But that's all I could tell you, Rhénee. This is my only way of helping you. To try and convince you not to go to that house."
"But I don't have a choice, Miss..."
"It's all up to you now," Miss Marie interrupted. "You're a grown woman now and I can't make decisions that you feel might compromise your life."
Miss Marie turned to the door, took hold of the door knob and twisted it. The door flew open and Miss Marie walked right through. When she stepped out, she stopped and with her back still facing the others, she said:
"Once you find out what is in the house, don't end up hating your late grandmother. Don't let whatever you find taint the image you've always had of her."
After she spoke, Miss Marie continued on her way towards the gate. Rhénee and the others looked on until Miss Marie was beyond the gate and nowhere in sight.
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