The air in the reception hall was thick with the conversations of mourners and the clinking of glasses. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the room, mirroring the heavy hearts of those gathered. The funeral was over, but the grief still lingered like an unwelcome guest, a heavy cloud that weighed down each person who entered. The scent of lilies and freshly baked pastries and food mingled with the crisp bite of white wine, alcohol as well, creating a perfect atmosphere where the somberness of the occasion clashed with the familiar comforts of a regular social gathering.Andrew and Victoria Woods, standing by the entrance, greeted each attendee with polite nods and forced smiles. They were exhausted, emotionally and physically drained, yet they held themselves together for the sake of their son’s memory. The loss of Price had left a gaping hole in their lives, one that no amount of condolences or comforting words could ever fill. As each person offered their sympathies, Andrew
Lucas felt a chill run down his spine. He turned to the guard, who had been watching the footage alongside him, his face pale. "Do you know who that is?" Lucas asked, trying to keep his voice steady. "Or have you seen that person before?"The guard shook his head slowly. "I’ve never seen them before. But they knew exactly where to go, didn’t they? Like they’d done it a hundred times."Lucas nodded, his mind racing. "Do you have footage from any other cameras? Maybe one that shows a different angle, or the street outside?"The guard nodded and switched to another camera, this one positioned to capture the road leading up to the house. Lucas watched as the figure darted down the driveway and onto the street, where a car was parked. The figure jumped into the driver's side, and the car sped away, its license plate just barely visible in the dim light."Can you zoom in on that license plate?" Lucas asked urgently.The guard tapped a few keys, and the image zoomed in, but it was still blur
In his study, Lucas plugs the USB with the video into his computer and rewatches the video again and again.And each time, he stops on the car and just can't seem to see more than that original sequence of numbers."4B3..." He muttered over and over again.He rifles in his drawers and finds his book of fellow businessmen and he looks for Woods in it.He doesn't look long before he sees Andrew Woods.He taps the numbers on his phone and dials it. Earnestly hoping that it'll go through and he'll pick up, thankfully, Andrew does."Hello?" His weary voice comes through the receiver."I'm so sorry to be calling this late but I was wondering if Detective Grey is still over there?"He had been seeing the detective around so he knows what's going on, even when they had been at Glades, he had seen him leave but he had not paid much thought to it until he had seen him watching every little interaction at the funeral."Yes... Oh, he just left. Please hold on, he should not be far out.""Thank yo
The mid day the next day meets Lucas and Detective Grey sitting opposite one another in a small and cozy cafe.Detective Grey is drinking from a small mug of steaming black coffee and looking at Lucas over the rim of the cup. "So, how did you come about the recording... Sir?"Lucas can tell that the sir was added after an aftermath of thinking whether he should be rude or nice... The good cop or the bad cop."I got it from the security guard office in the estate.""Why didn't we get that when it came out? We did many sweeps and checks and nothing popped up...""Are you saying that there's the possibility that I have manipulated the video?" Lucas asks, one eye raised.Grey puts down the cup in his hands and spreads out his palms, shrugging. "What do you think? If you were me, won't you think of that possibility? All I am asking is why it didn't pop up at the right time.""I asked the guard the same question as well... He said the camera had been obscured from view for a pretty long wh
Smith lowers the newspaper just as Grey walks out of the cafe after paying for his coffee. He takes a glance at Smith before he leaves but, just like the other covert glances, he does not take note that he's been seen.Grey starts up his car and drives out of the parking lot just as he puts down the newspaper after sighing heavily. "Excuse me, can I please get a cup of coffee, with milk and sugar?""Coming right up sir."He folds the newspaper on the desk as he processes everything he had heard, and of course, who didn't know Lucas Santinello? Even police officers who had dreams knew of him, and so did Smith.He picks out his phone from his pocket and dials a number. "Good afternoon ma'am."It's a female voice and it's very known to us all. "Hello Officer. Am I being summoned to the police station again?" She asks."Not at all, Ms Lily. I just have something to tell you. I figured you might be interested in hearing about it.""Oh, what is that?" On the other side, Lily is happy that g
Hi everyone, Samantha here.For those who have been following me from the beginning of this novel will know that I post regularly, everyday, if not.So, you might have been wondering why I haven't posted this Month.First of all, I am tired and exhausted. And I fear that I am inputting my tiredness into the book and I don't want that. not for you, nor for anybody. So, I am taking a break for this Month to get my energy back, yeah, a break.Haven't taken one in a year.So, I am sorry I am just telling you all in the middle of the month but I'm sure we prioritize my health because there will be no Mikayla or Lucas Santinello without good health.Thank you very much for understanding and seeing from my point of view. Now, this is a personal promise that as from 1st October, daily updates will begin once again.With love,-Samantha...❤️
It was already pretty much a bad day...The wedding designer had called in saying she came down with a terrible fever suddenly, the hall booked for the wedding suddenly has some electrical failures and if all of this continues, the Anderson's would have to postpone their first daughter's wedding.And that will be terribly unfair to the bride, groom and all their guests that has been invited.To cheer up the to be bride, her little sister and best friend arrange an outing, an evening party at a famous hotel, something like a bachelor's eve for her and she decides to attend, hoping to take her mind off all the setbacks.Mike sings along to the catchy song on the radio as she drives down to Heirloom, the second biggest and expensive hotel in all of New York. As soon as she opens the large doors into the prepared place for the party, everyone gives her loud whoops and pats on the back."Congratulations Mika, you're so lucky." They coo towards her and she has a smile ready for everyone, h
"Inmate 0202, come with me." The female warden raps on her cell door and opens it.Mika steps out of the small cell, waving goodbye to the other women she had stayed with for a month as she holds the small basket containing all her effects.She's taken to the office and the warden gives her a few documents to sign before handing her another basket filled her clothes from that fateful day, her phone and purse.She grabs them all and heads out of the door, squinting lightly at the harsh afternoon sun.Then she smiles and rubs her hand on her belly.She immediately hails a taxi and leaves.Less than two minutes after she leaves, a white Ferrari pulls up in front of the police station and out comes Price Woods with Lily on his arms.They go inside and hear that she has just been released. Lily scoffs in disappointment. "I was really hoping to meet her so I could give her the invitation card to our wedding. Why was she in such a rush?" Price smiles down at her. "You're so cute and too nic