674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFUFOTGiyRA
"Oh, Rhénee, its you. Thank goodness you called."
"Hey, mum. How are you?"
"I'm fine, dear, now that I have heard your voice, I feel much better."
"Good to know. I don't want you getting a panic attack or anything."
"Oh, honey, I managed to control myself this time. Mr Sinclair told me you arrived safely. Did you reach the house this morning?"
"I arrived around one in the morning."
"One in the morning?" Rhénee heard her mother gasp. "You drove the whole way?"
Rhénee wished she could take back her words. "Yes, I drove the whole way. I was tired but I managed."
"Oh, my. What if you had an accident? You should have stopped somewhere."
"Mum, I'm still alive. Don't worry."
"Did your father call you?"
"No. Why?"
"I called him soon after you left. He was really angry."
"Mmmm, thats normal. He has every right to be angry at me."
"Don't say that. He might be angry but he loves you a lot, sweetheart."
"Whatever. I have to go. I'm at Mr Sinclair's office."
"Promise me that you will try to call me as much as you can."
Rhénee rolled her eyes. "Yes, mum. I promise."
"Okay. Have a good day, Rhénee."
"Thanks. Same to you."
Rhénee hung up the phone and put it in her white Gucci handbag. She came out of the car and walked towards the Madison's Law Firm where Mr Sinclair worked. She walked up the big stone steps in her white high heeled boots. She stepped through the glass doors, past the security guards and found herself in the lobby. She walked up to the reception desk where she found a male receptionist.
"Morning, how may I help you?" the receptionist asked Rhénee with a smile.
"Morning, I'm looking for Mr Sinclair's office. I made an appointment with him."
The receptionist kindly gave Rhénee the directions and she thanked him. She went to the elevator and got inside. She pressed the the button to the floor which would lead her to the lawyer's office, the fourth floor.
The elevator stopped moving and the doors slid open. Rhénee stepped out into a hall. At the end of the hall, she saw a secretary's desk and a short plump woman was behind it typing something on the computer. Rhénee walked up to the woman and when the secretary noticed Rhénee's presence, she looked up from the screen.
"Hello," greeted Rhénee.
"Hello," the secretary replied. "How may I help you?"
***
Eugene looked at Mr Sinclair with uncertainty. Did he hear right or was he just growing a bit deaf all of a sudden?
"Wait, Rhénee? Rhénee Johnson?"
"Yes. Rhénee Johnson. Mr Clive Johnson's last born daughter."
Eugene still couldn't believe what he was hearing. He hadn't heard that name in a long time, except whenever he had heard Emelda mention that name, he never really took it into consideration. Until today.
"Rhénee?" Eugene looked as confused as ever.
"Does it ring any bells? You were close to Emelda yourself, didn't she tell you about Rhénee?"
"I've heard her mention the name before, but I always thought she was saying things out of the blues. You know what I mean, right?"
"Yes. She was like that sometimes. A little delusional. But Rhénee was no delusion. Emelda left the mansion in Rhénee's name. You still look a little confused, Eugene."
"It's just that, now that her name's been mentioned and the person exists, I feel...... like...... I can't explain it."
"In simple terms, you know Rhénee."
"I don't think I do."
"You do know her, Eugene. Emelda told me before how once you and Rhénee got along with each other when she first came here when you two were very little."
Eugene looked at Mr Sinclair's calm face. He still couldn't believe it. He knew Rhénee? Is that why her name was so familiar to him? He couldn't remember ever meeting her.
The landline phone on the desk suddenly rang and that gave Eugene a little fright. Mr Sinclair picked it up and after a few words on the phone, he placed the handset back to the receiver.
"Speaking of the devil, she is waiting outside," said Mr Sinclair as he looked at his wrist watch. "And she is right on time."
"Rhénee was supposed to meet you here?" Eugene asked.
"Yes. We have a few things to discuss. Would you mind opening the door for her? If that's not a problem."
Eugene nodded and got up from his chair. He went to the door, he grabbed the handle and twisted it. He slowly swung the door and in front of him stood Rhénee.
Rhénee wore a pink dress which reached her knees with a white coat and white high heeled boots. Her hair was tired in a pony tail and she carried a white handbag. She wore a silver locket in a shape of a heart around her neck.
"Good morning," Rhénee greeted Eugene.
Eugene looked into Rhénee's soft brown eyes and hesitated. Her skin seemed to have that bright glow due to the winter sun rays. Her smile captivated him and he started to wonder if he really did know her.
"Um, good morning," Eugene slowly replied. "You may come in."
Eugene stepped aside to allow Rhénee in.
"Thank you," said Rhénee.
"Ah! Rhénee, welcome," Mr Sinclair stood up from his chair and with his hand motioned Rhénee to the chair which Eugene had just sat on.
"Good morning, Mr Sinclair. I hope I didn't interrupt anything, did I?" Rhénee sat on the chair with her handbag on her lap.
"No you didn't, Rhénee. Eugene and I were just concluding our conversation, weren't we Eugene?" Mr Sinclair looked at Eugene for a response.
"Um, yes, we were," said Eugene, "I'll be going back to work. It was nice meeting you, Rhénee."
"You too, Eugene." Rhénee smiled up at him and Eugene felt his face go pale.
He quickly closed the door behind him as he left the office. He stood there for a minute thinking about what had just happened. Mrs Clarks, the secretary looked up from her computer and stared at him.
"Whats the matter, Eugene?" she asked, "you look pale. Did you see a ghost or something?"
"No, its nothing, Mrs Clarks. I am okay."
"Are you sure? You aren't sick, are you?"
"No. I better be going now. See you later."
Eugene walked away from Mrs Clarks towards the elevator. As he entered, he wondered why Rhénee had affected him this way. He still felt pale. Did he really know her? And if he did, why did he feel like this? Something didn't seem right at all.
***
It was 12:30 when Rhénee had left Mr Sinclair's office. She was in the elevator as she thought about what she had discussed with Mr Sinclair. In a few weeks time, she will be going into a new university. He had already done the transfer application and the university had accepted her in. Rhénee felt really pleased. He had also told her about her late grandmother's bank account and that for the time being he would be giving her pocket money as instructed by her grandmother until Rhénee turned twenty five. Rhénee was alright with that. He gave her her first pocket money for the month and if she needed anymore, she could come to him. And for paying the workers at the mansion, Mr Sinclair said he would take care of that and so as the household bills.
The doors of the elevator opened and as Rhénee stepped out of the elevator, she noticed the man who was in Mr Sinclair's office across the lobby. He was talking to some workmates by the reception desk. The workmates surrounded him as they listened to him. He seemed to be the one holding the floor as everyone paid so much attention to him. If it were the ladies around him, they eyed with flirtation and seemed to be giggling.
Rhénee turned away from them as she started heading towards the entrance. The laughter coming from the reception made Rhénee turn her head again as she saw the group of workmates laughing. Eugene, as Rhénee had remembered his name, was laughing along too. As Rhénee looked at him, she couldn't help but feel that she had seen him before somewhere. But sadly she couldn't remember where or when. She shook her head in disbelief and walked out of the building.
Rhénee got into her car and drove away from the law firm and decided to drive around town to see if she could try to remember a few places.
She stopped at a bakery shop which so vividly remembered. She looked up at the sign which read, "Mr Smith's Bakery Shop." The name hadn't changed. Rhénee wondered if she could still find Mr Smith.
She entered the bakery and the smell of delicious pastries was all she could smell. There were people enjoying some cakes, cupcakes and other pastries. Rhénee headed to the counter where on display were delicious cakes in different flavours and sizes.
Rhénee kept on starring at the cakes until she heard a woman's voice at the counter.
"Hello, my dear. May I help you with anything?"
Rhénee stared at the old woman behind the counter. The woman had bright eyes and had white short curly hair. The woman looked familiar and as the woman stared back at Rhénee, her smile slowly started to fade.
"Excuse me, dear, do I know you from somewhere?" asked the old woman.
"I'm not sure," replied Rhénee. "I think I recognise you from somewhere too."
The woman's eyes grew wide. "You! I know you. Rhénee, isn't it?"
Rhénee stared at the woman as she said this. A few people near the counter looked at them with curiosity.
"I.... yes. I'm Rhénee." Rhénee had answered with hesistation.
"You came back. Oh my goodness! Do you remember me?"
"Ummm..... if I'm not mistaken, you must be Mrs Smith, right?"
The woman's eyes were filled with happiness and tears. She cupped Rhénee's cheeks with her hands and smiled at Rhénee.
"You've grown up so much, but you never stopped looking like your mother."
"So I've been told. Is Mr Smith around?"
"Yes, he is. I'll bring him here for you. He would be happy to see you."
Mrs Smith went to the door which lead to the bakery behind the counter. In just a few minutes, she came back with a tall man who wore a white apron and was covered in flour. When he saw Rhénee, a smile appeared on his face.
"Rhénee. Oh my, you've grown."
"Hello, Mr Smith. You have changed much yourself."
Mr Smith came from behind the counter and hugged Rhénee leaving a bit of flour on her dress. Everyone around was looking now. Mrs Smith laughed wih joy.
"I received a message from Miss Griselda saying that someone speacial had come to town. But I never thought it would be you," said Mr Smith.
"Yes, it is me," said Rhénee, "I have come here to stay for good."
"For good?" Mrs Smith asked. "You're staying for good?"
"Yes. My grandmother left the mansion in my name and so its my home now."
"But what about your parents, your brother and your sister?" asked Mr Smith.
"Thats a story for another day. I just remembered this bakery and I thought that I should come and drop by."
"It was good of you, dear," said Mrs Smith, "you can come and see us anytime."
"Thank you. It was good to see you again, Mr and Mrs Smith."
"No, the pleasure is ours, Rhénee." Mrs Smith also came to give Rhénee a hug.
"I better go. Miss Griselda must be waiting for me."
"Before you leave, dear. Let me give you a chocolate cake for you to take home. No need to pay for it," said Mr Smith.
"You still remember that I love chocolate cake?" Rhénee asked.
"We always had, dear," said Mrs Smith as she held Rhénee's hand and held her cheek with the other. "Somehow you never got out of your minds and hearts. We're glad that you came here. Its such a blessing rhat you're here, my dear, Emelda's precious granddaughter."
***
"You won't believe what I just found out, Miguel," said Eugene as he got into Miguel's car after working hours.
"Tell me, man," said Miguel anxiously, "do you know who is staying at the mansion? There are rumours in town about the mansion being taken over."
"Well, it turns out that it is Emelda's granddaughter, Rhénee Johnson."
"Isn't she the daughter of Emelda's first born son?"
"Yes. Mr Clive Johnson. I hear that he is one tough man to deal with."
"But why did Emelda leave the house to Rhénee? She has a lot of other grandchildren to give away the mansion to."
"Apparently, Rhénee has always been Emelda's favourite. And do you know what, Emelda had mentioned Rhénee's name to me before but I thought she was being delusional."
"Speaking of Rhénee, hasn't she come here before?"
Eugene looked at Miguel and wondered if his friend was playing with his mind.
"Yes," Eugene replied, looking away. "She has come here before. When I met her at the office, I felt like I've seen her before."
"You met her!" Miguel turned to look at Eugene. "Is she pretty or beautiful?"
"Aren't pretty and beautiful almost one and the same thing?"
"Kind of. So, how is she like?"
"Can you please start the car, we shouldn't be talking about such things right now."
"You sound really upset. Did something happen?"
"I don't know how to explain it to you, Miguel. When I first saw Rhénee, I knew that I've seen her somewhere before. But I felt something too."
"Like what? Don't tell me you like her."
"No, Miguel, I don't like her. I can't explain how I felt. I even turned pale afterwards."
"Could it be that you were feeling scared or something."
"I don't know, maybe. Its hard to explain."
"Okay, then. Let me take you home. Looks like talking about this is making you look sick." Miguel put the key in ignition but Eugene held his hand.
"No. Before we go anywhere, I want to find my father."
"If you're planning to fight with your dad in this state, you're going to lose my friend."
"I don't want to fight him, I just want to...."
"Hey! We're going home. You're not well, Eugene. I don't want anything happening to you, okay?"
Eugene couldn't argue with Miguel any further as Miguel started the engine and drove off.
***
It was dusk and the sun was setting slowly in the sky. Rhénee was walking in the orchard all alone. The events of today kept on playing in her mind over and over again. Seeing Miss Griselda, meeting Mr and Mrs Smith, driving around the beautiful town and also visiting the park where she had played when she was little. Thinking about all that made her realised how much she missed this place.
Rhénee felt the cold air pass by and realised that it was getting really dark. She turned around to go back to the house, but all of a sudden, she bumped into something and fell really hard on the ground.
"Oh my goodness! Are you okay?" came a voice in front of her.
Firm hands held Rhénee's hands and pulled her upwards. Rhénee soon realised that it was Kevin.
"Are you okay, Miss?" Kevin asked.
"I am fine, thanks for asking," Rhénee replied. "How did you get here? I didn't hear you coming."
"I was on my way home when Miss Griselda asked me to call you. She was worried. It was getting dark and she wants you to go back in the house."
"Alright. Lets go then."
When Rhénee took one step forward, her back ached and she winced in pain. She bended over a little and Kevin was right beside her to hold her steady.
"You must have hit your back really hard," said Kevin.
"Don't worry. I'll manage."
"That will be a bad idea. We're kind of far away from the mansion and that will take time. I'll carry you."
Rhénee stared at Kevin, whose face was so close to hers. She wasn't going to let him carry her.
"No, Kevin. That won't be necessary. Believe me." Rhénee winced in pain.
"I'll believe you if you stop wincing like that and that you could stand up straight. I've no any other choice but to carry you."
Before Rhénee could argue with Kevin, he gently lifted Rhénee in his arms and he started walking towards the mansion.
Rhénee was silent the whole way as she was stunned by what Kevin just did. No one had ever carried Rhénee like this, not even Alex who had tried, but never succeeded. With her arms around Kevin's neck, Rhénee felt really uncomfortable for some reason.
The two reached their destination and they went in through the glass doors that led to the living room. When they reached the stairs, Miss Griselda came out of the kitchen and gasped when she saw Rhénee in Kevin's arms.
"Oh! Whats going on here?" Miss Griselda asked.
"She bumped into me and she fell to the ground," replied Kevin, "her back hurt so I decided to help her out."
"Okay. You take her to her room and I'll go and get the pain killers."
Kevin started to go up the stairs as Miss Griselda went back into the kitchen. Rhénee had remained quiet the whole way. Kevin reached her room and he gently put Rhénee on the bed.
"Are you alright?" Kevin asked.
"Yes, a little,"replied Rhénee, looking away.
Then all of a sudden, Rhénee's phone rang. She had left her phone on the bed when she had got back in the afternoon. She picked up her phone thinking that it was her mother, but instead, the caller ID had shown that it was a private number.
"Private number?" Rhénee whispered to herself. She accepted the call and put the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"
No answer.
"Hello. Is anybody there?"
Still no answer. Rhénee decided to cut the call. Then Miss Griselda walked in with a glass of water and a white pill in her hand.
"Here you go, Rhénee. You will feel much better," Miss Griselda gave Rhénee the pill and the glass of water. Rhénee took in the pain killer and handed over the glass to Miss Griselda.
"I should be going now," said Kevin as he started to walk out of the room.
"Thank you very much, Kevin," said Rhénee.
"You're welcome," Kevin smiled and dimples appeared on his cheeks. Rhénee blushed at his smile.
"Yes, thank you, Kevin," said Miss Griselda, "you've been really helpful."
"Its nothing, Miss Griselda. Just doing what I thought was right. I have to go see you tomorrow."
Kevin quickly left the room and Miss Griselda also had to go and prepare supper. A few minutes later, Sophie appeared and the cat jumped on the bed right beside Rhénee.
"Where have you been?" Rhénee asked the cat. "You must have had a good time around the house."
Sophie just stared at Rhénee as the phone rang. It was the private number again. Rhénee answered it.
"Hello?"
Just like before there was no answer. Rhénee was getting irritated.
"Look, I'm not in a mood for your stupid pranks, whoever you are!"
Then a terrifying voice came from the other end, "check your drawer."
Rhénee paused for a second. "Wait what? Who are you? And whats inthe drawer for you to tell me to check it?"
"Whats in the drawer is the reason why you are here," replied the terrifying voice.
The line soon went dead and Rhénee stared at the phone as if it was going to bite her at any moment. She looked at the drawer beside her bed and decided to check it out.
Slowly, she put her feet on the floor and bent over to open the drawer. She opened it and inside laid a necklace with a sapphire stone. Rhénee soon recognised it as her late grandmother's necklace.674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaJ63ctUZJD
674Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwNXOTF4Wo9
