Chapter 17: Chapter 17

It is impossible to live with yourself knowing fully well that a good person is in trouble all because of you.

- Grace Chanbee

[Amber's POV]

I was at a standstill as the car reared over to my side, consuming so much energy and force that seemed intentional unless the driver was drunk.

The car raced to my side and was only a few feet away from me when I mentally concluded that there was no way I could escape what was coming to me.

I wanted to run but it was as though I had suddenly become lame as my legs were numb from climbing down the staircase and they hadn't even gotten to relax yet.

I raised my hands and tried to block the lights of the car as I stood in one position, ready to draw in my last breath since the driver was determined to end my life for good.

It was so sad that I couldn't do anything to help myself and the fact that I wasn't going to see Justin before my eyes shut closed eternally made my heart ache.

I felt like I was drowning into the abyss of death as every joint in me weakened, my eyes were closed and I silently prayed for a miracle.

It didn't feel like I was dying, nor did I feel my spirit exiting from my body and I still felt weak and tired which was a confusion because with the speed at which the car had been moving, I ought to have lost my life by now and be either in Heaven singing praises with the angels or somewhere else; a place engulfed in fire and smoke.

I felt I was a good person though and I deserved to go to Heaven if the stories were true but the only reason I was out here in this kind of situation was as a result of being disobedient which was a sin.

I didn't know how I remembered so much about God and Christianity, but my heart was still troubled and the only question that remained on my mind was: "Why wasn't I dead yet?"

I took the bull by the horns and dropped my hands then slowly opened my eyes, feeling the evening light which kind of awakened my dull system.

I was still alive and that came as a surprise to me.

Looking up, I saw that the Red Toyota Camry which had been speeding towards my direction had stopped right in front of me, making it seem like all I had seen before had only been an illusion and that the driver hadn't seem like he was intent on murdering me.

The door was opened from inside and the driver stepped out. He was a tall guy with black hair and tanned skin and he seemed oddly familiar.

He approached me and seemed really nervous.

"I... I know you from somewhere, I can't put my fingers as to where I know you from," I said, regaining my sense of speech.

He smiled faintly. "I'm Aiden, Justin's best friend," He said.

"Oh, that's true! You came visiting and you were acting kind of strange when Justin introduced me to you," I said.

He seemed really jumpy. "Yeah, that's right. Why didn't you run off when I was coming close to you?" He asked.

"I actually wanted to escape for my life but it turns out my legs have a mind of their own," I said with a chuckle.

He grinned. "You're going somewhere?" He asked.

I saw it as okay to tell him where I was headed to. After all, he was a friend and not an enemy.

"Yeah. I'm actually sneaking off to go and see Justin," I said, staring at the money in my hand.

"Where?" He asked.

"Arroyo Grande, of course," I replied.

He gave me a smile that showed he was happy with me. "He was right, you'd do anything for him," He stated.

"Who was right?" I asked.

"Not to worry. Do you mind a ride? I came here for business, I'm heading home," Aiden said.

"I'll be earnestly grateful," I said.

He smiled and led the way to his car and I got into the passenger seat, then he reared the engine to life.

"Are your parents aware you're going to see Justin?" Aiden asked.

I fastened my seatbelt and stared at him as he drove. "No. You think they'll let me go if I told them I want to see him?"

"Of course not. Sorry for asking when you already told me you sneaked out of the house," Aiden apologised.

I smiled. "It's fine."

"How'd you get past security guards?" He asked.

"That's top-notch secret," I said and laughed.

"But aren't there CCTV cameras at home? What if they find out?" Aiden asked, showing concern in his voice.

"I actually hadn't thought about that. Anyways, I knew they were bound to find out because of the hour difference between L.A and Arroyo Grande," I said.

"And you're not scared?"

I shrugged. "I'm their only child. They'll only scold me, that's all."

We stopped as the traffic light signalled red and he sighed deeply, waiting for it to become green so we could move on.

"What if Justin gets into trouble because you went to see him?" Aiden asked.

"I'm actually doing this for Justin. I had a bad dream and received some frightening messages that his life is in danger," I said.

He didn't seem surprised and only shook his head. "That was only a bait," He said, shrugging his shoulders.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

He waved his hand. "No, it's nothing."

"Is Justin all right? You should know since you guys are best friends," I said.

"We're best friends doesn't mean we get to talk everyday," Aiden said.

I nodded, understanding his point. "That's true. When last did you see him?" I asked.

"About a week ago," He said, turning the key in the ignition and driving forward as the light had signalled green entailing we were to go.

"It's been almost two weeks since I last saw him, I miss him so much. This place isn't for me," I said.

"You were here all your life. Soon, you'll fit in before you know it," Aiden said to me.

I chuckled. "I don't think so. I have this feeling that I've never wanted this life but I had only lived that way because the society expected that from me," I said.

"You think so?"

"That's just what my instincts tell me all the time. By the way, what were you doing along our house in the first place? How'd the security guards of the estate let you in?" I asked.

He seemed quite flustered. "Umm... I... I called someone I know there, I went to see someone after my business... Someone I know very well. That's why they let me in," He explained in a stutter.

I smiled. "Thanks for offering me a ride, you're a good person," I said.

He looked surprised then shook his head. "I don't deserve to be called that," He told me.

I had already closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep so I didn't respond to what he was saying.

Something felt quite off about him but at least, I was going to see Justin soon and that was all that mattered to me.

As I was overshadowed with fatigue, I soon drifted off to sleep.

******

I felt someone tap my arm hastily and I slowly opened my eyes, stretching out my arms and yawning loudly.

"You snore way too much for a lady," Someone commented.

I looked to my side and saw Aiden wearing a funny expression, appearing that he was struggling to hold his laughter.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"You just reminded me of the way those pigs grunt on Old Mr Martins farm," He said, grinning.

I eyed him. "It's like you and Justin both have the same bad manners, no wonder you're best of friends."

He snickered. "But you love Justin that way, don't you? Think you could probably love me like that since we have the same sort of characteristics?" He asked.

"You wish!" I said, feeling the chair for my phone.

He gave a dry laugh. "No need to talk like that, older women are actually my style," He said.

My eyes nearly popped out of my sockets in surprise. "Unbelievable! Is the someone you know at my estate also an older lady? Is that why you were so nervous?" I asked.

He heaved a deep sigh. "Honestly, I wish that was the case," He said.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"I'm sorry, Amber, for everything," He said.

"What do you mean?"

"It's nothing. Have you even looked around? We're in Justin's home," Aiden said.

I stared out the window and saw that it was already night and it was the light in the car that aided my sight all along.

We were in front of the stick-built house where I had lived with Justin and his grandmother.

My mouth broadened into a smile as I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness. This place felt like home compared to my real home.

"I'm so happy to finally be here, thanks a lot, Aiden," I said.

I grabbed the door handle and opened it, stepping out with a lovely smile playing around my lips.

"There's something you must know, Amber. Justin..."

I didn't wait to hear the remaining part of his statement and just stepped out of the car, heading towards the house which wasn't bright at all.

I put on my flashlight and opened the door of the house but didn't hear a sound. It felt like no one was home as the place was dead with silence.

I searched frantically in the dim light to see if Justin was somewhere around, trying to pull a prank on me, but as time went by, it was confirmed that there was no one there.

I was feeling a mixture of surprise, doubt and fear as I didn't see anyone in the living room. The place was dusty and had an awful smell like no one had been in it for some time.

Different thoughts ran through my mind. What if something was wrong with Justin? Had I been too late in coming to save him? Was this the reality of my dream?

On second thought, had my father probably told them to relocate? Had he suspected that I'd probably come one day in search of Justin? Justin only went out during the day for business purposes but his grandmother was mostly around, so where could they have gone?

Like a hurricane, I heard the sound of a thud like someone had fallen from the bedroom and my heart skipped in fear.

Stupid me. I had jumped into the conclusion that no one was around by just looking in the living room. There was a bedroom and a basement and they were probably there but had hidden in one of those rooms, so I could leave, thinking they weren't home.

I knew Justin didn't want me around him anymore but I had already come this far and I wasn't going to leave just like that without having a glimpse of him.

Taking deep in and out breaths, I slowly walked to the bedroom and scanned the area without seeing anyone, then I felt something warm and furry touch my legs.

I flinched and looked down, then saw it was Sally who was there. I smiled and picked her up, ruffling her fur and she brushed her tail against my cheek, making me chuckle.

She looked like she had lost some weight. Could it be that they had left the house, leaving the poor creature behind to starve all by herself? Even if Justin was mean enough to do that, his grandmother couldn't do such a thing.

Sally wriggled out of my arms and I let her down and she started moving forward then stopped, turning around and beckoning unto me to come with her.

It was like she had something she wanted to show me so I just followed her like a dog follows its master.

I stopped in my tracks as I saw Justin's grandmother sprawled on the floor, behind a pile of clothes which wasn't visible from the door.

I fell on my knees, perplexed and in deep shock, my heart racing with fear as I looked down at her pathetic state. It was really terrible that she looked thinner than before with her wrinkles more evident.

She was a tall woman of over seventy years of age and as she drew in her breaths slowly, I was extremely scared that she was going to die in my hands.

I shook her hard, pleading with her to not give up yet. Although I didn't know what was wrong with her, I had to instill confidence in her.

Her eyes were close but she traced my hands in a slow movement and although, she was lying on her back, she finally succeeded in holding my hands in between hers.

Her hands were trembling and were terribly frozen and my heart kept on thumping really fast, like it was going to jump out of my body in no time. I had never felt so scared before and I had never seen someone who looked this pitiable.

"Am... Amber, is that you?" She asked in a whisper.

"Yes," I replied.

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she tried to form words slowly, gasping for air. I wanted to tell her not to stress out herself, but it seemed as though she had something important to say.

"Please, Am... Amber, beg.... please, tell your dad...tell him to release my grandson..."

I was overcome with immediate shock. "Release your grandson?"

"Yes... I need to see Justin before... Before I die," She said.

Her hands loosened around mine and dropped to her side as her body gave way to unconsciousness.

She had shown nothing but kindness to me and this was the state she was in now.

Tears rolled down my eyes in torrents as I found out the hard truth. I had been lied to, Justin was still in prison and his only crime was helping me out.

It was all my fault because they were in such bad positions all because of me. What was I to do now knowing fully well I had a hardhearted man as a father?

******

[Author's POV]

Daisy watched with a smirk playing around her lips, fingers drumming against her arm, as the frown on her uncle's face grew deeper and heavier.

"Still no sign of her?" Gilbert Sanders asked as two of the guards came down from the last floor of the building, meeting them downstairs.

Daisy grimaced, happy to see her uncle's wife worried and scared as she bit her fingernails nervously, sitting on the edge of one of the sofas. The woman disliked her so much and she hated her as well, little wonder the frenzy she was in was more than enough to put a smile on her face.

Upon hearing the negative response given by the last set of guards that had searched the whole house in a futile attempt to find Amber, her uncle pushed one of the glass side stools in anger and frustration, and it didn't break, thankfully.

Good! At least now, her uncle got to feel how she had been feeling for the past one week since Amber had shown her ugly face at the door, getting all the attention as usual.

Daisy had eavesdropped on her uncle's conversation with his wife when Amber was missing and according to how her uncle, Gilbert Sanders, had wished, she had believed that she was actually going to be the new heiress of The Sanders' wealth.

She had always felt jealous of Amber but the reason she couldn't mind if she died anymore was because she felt she was in her way of getting fame and wealth.

Why did Amber have everything but not her? Why was she born as the daughter to a hard-working billionaire while she was born as the daughter of a criminal? It just didn't feel right!

Now, Daisy was determined to have Amber out of the way through any means possible. Amber shouldn't have come home in the first place. To her, she only got what was coming to her.

"Who are you calling?" Eunice asked her husband still in a panic mode.

"Detective Shawn. After that, I'll make sure I fire each and every servant in this house. How come my daughter left this huge mansion since yesterday with guards in every nook and cranny without anyone seeing her?" He asked, raising his voice as he placed his cell phone on loudspeaker mode.

The servants in the house appealed to him hurriedly and some even fell on their knees, pleading with him to not fire them.

"Enough! You all are a bunch of nincompoops who can't do their jobs right," Gilbert Sanders yelled.

The servants went mute instantly and Gilbert Sanders, due to pure vexation, threw his phone, crashing it into the wall, annoyed that the detective hadn't picked his call after trying to call him three different times.

Eunice stood up and massaged her husband's shoulders, trying to calm his nerves down, even though she wasn't feeling okay herself.

The disappearance of Amber had taken a toll on her both physically and emotionally and just when she was beginning to feel better after her only daughter had been found, she had suddenly disappeared into thin air again with no one seeing her and leaving no trace behind.

Daisy forced out tears as she knew it was time to pretend to be the loving cousin she actually wasn't.

She sniffled. "It... It's my fault," She said.

"What do you mean?" Gilbert asked, wondering what was suddenly wrong with her.

"I... I saw Amber go into the secret room..."

"Are you crazy? How can you be saying that out loud? Don't you know it's family secret?" Gilbert asked, his tone harsh and laced with annoyance.

"Calm down, Gilly. If it's important and concerning our child, let her speak," Eunice said, coming to Daisy's defence for the very first time.

Daisy wiped a tear. "I saw Amber go there. I should have stopped her, but I was scared that if I said anything, she may make me look bad because no one in this house trusts me," She said.

Gilbert arched his brows. "That place is always locked. How did she get in?" He asked, doubtful of the words which Daisy had spoken.

"The members of this house all have a key, remember?" Daisy asked rhetorically.

"But our baby doesn't remember anything. How'd she know about that room?" Eunice asked, also in disbelief.

Daisy swallowed. "She used to sneak off to clubs without your knowledge by going through that room. This time around, I think I overheard her talking to someone over the phone that she was going to see that boy. Oh! About the key, it feels strange to me as well. If she knew she could escape through that room and also knew where the key could be in her bedroom, it only means one thing," Daisy said.

"What thing?" Eunice asked, very interested in the conversation now.

Gilbert clenched his fists already getting the whole gist. "It means that Amber never lost her memory or she has regained it," He said through gritted teeth.

Eunice found it hard to believe that her own daughter could lie about not remembering anything. Amber never lied, did she? But if she hadn't passed through that room, how then had she left without anyone seeing her?

Gilbert proceeded out of the room in hasty steps and his personal assistant, Helios, followed him closely.

"Where are you going to?" Eunice cried out, still unsure of what to believe.

"On my way to clarify things," Gilbert said and stormed out of the house, slamming the door behind him.

Daisy grimaced as she finally had them where she wanted. To her, she had played her part and it was so sad that Amber wasn't going to be able to disclose the truth as she should already have been dead.

Eunice knew crocodile tears when she saw one and from the corner of her eyes, she saw the mischievous look of satisfaction and accomplishment on Daisy's face, the daughter of the same man that had tried to murder her some years back.

There was more to this than met the eyes and Eunice was determined to find out what was really going on.