“Teach him a lesson, but don’t finish him off. He needs to learn that lying has consequences,” Daniel said in an icy voice.
The bodyguards knew their job. They would not let Jeffrey die, but they would make him wish he had.
Inside the car, Daniel was silent.
The tight space was so quiet that I could hear a pin drop. I could not help myself and asked, “Have you been following me?”
Daniel looked at me with those deep eyes. “Can’t I?”
I was mad, but he just said calmly, “We’re partners, right? I have to make sure you’re someone I can trust.”
I snapped back at him, “So, do you trust me now?”
He thought for a moment and then nodded. “You’re okay, I guess.”
1/2
chapter 7
The rest of the ride was quiet.
When the car stopped, I stormed out. After I slammed the door, I heard him call my name.
I turned, confused, and saw Daniel’s face half–hidden in the shadows. He spoke softly.
“The truth is, it wasn’t Jeffrey who comforted you back then. It was me. Jeffrey poisoned Bobby and killed him.”
I felt like I had been hit by lightning and just stared at him.
“Why should I believe you?”
“The white frangipani flower, remember?”
That flower was the only gift that showed up every single day.
Tears clouded my eyes, and my voice shook. “Why? Why would he do that?”
+15 Bonus
Daniel chuckled wryly. “Maybe he wanted to pin the blame on me, to push you away from me. You cut me off, didn’t you?”
When Daniel first came to the Graham family’s home, he stuck out like a sore thumb, always looking so sad and alone.
I used to visit the Grahams to hang out with Jeffrey. Sometimes, I would chat with Daniel too and give him little presents.
When Bobby passed away, Jeffrey claimed to have seen Daniel lurking around Bobby before it happened, suggesting maybe Daniel
was to blame. He made it sound like Daniel would do anything miserable.
I took Jeffrey’s word for it and kept my distance from Daniel, never imagining that Jeffrey was the one who hurt Bobby.
My hands balled into fists, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.
It made sense then why Jeffrey had looked so lost when I brought up the past. He had not forgotten; he just was not the one who
had been there for me.
From that day on, Daniel and I shared an unspoken bond.
He started cooking all our meals and drove me to work and back every day, rain or shine.
Today, as Daniel and I returned from the store, we found someone huddled by our front door.
Curled up and frowning, he seemed to be having a troubled sleep.
It was Jeffrey.
P
