Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Derek was preparing for his trip, which he had booked for his flight, and was just finishing up with his tie when his phone rang.

"Hello," he said to the receiver

"Hello Sir, I did as you ordered, he actually placed some calls, someone is coming to bail him soon, what do you propose we do? We can't keep him here for long"

"I'll be there shortly, I want to be there to see who'll bail him"

"Alright sir" Derek ended the call, his face grim, he wanted to see who will bail him out. He had run a background check on Stefan and found out that he had just an uncle as his family who happens to own J&E jewels, a renowned Jewellery company and Stefan works for him. His uncle had sent him here the day he threw that party. He was representing his Uncle who couldn't make it because he suddenly had some business to attend to, right now, Derek had spoken to his Uncle to give him some time with Stefan and not bail him out. so he knew that J&E Jewels weren't the ones coming to bail him.

He dressed quickly so as to make it to the police custody on time as well as not miss his flight, he opened his door to see Kathleen standing there, she was about to knock, she looked so sad that his heart turned over, but he had to leave now or else he won't make it to the station or he might even miss his flight.

She bit her lips nervously, " I need to speak with you Derek" he frowned, has she come here to speak with him concerning the divorce? They would have to talk about that later.

"I have a flight to catch right now, we'll talk when I get back" he made to leave but she suddenly grabbed his arms, "no Derek, I wish to speak with you right now, I only wanted to say....."

"Kathleen" he called cutting her short, he placed his other hand on her own and removed her clutch on his arms, "we'll talk when I get back" with that he turned and left.

Kathleen watched him leave, her heart twisting painfully, he still didn't want to listen to anything she had to say, she had pondered on her outburst the day before and realized that she doesn't want to leave before proving her Innocence, she doesn't want to leave here with a tarnished name and most importantly, she doesn't want to leave Derek's side but it's obvious he doesn't want her anymore, it hurts so much to see how he loathes her. perhaps, all they shared was nothing to him, she walked to her room slowly, packed a few clothes, and quietly close the door behind her, she had no idea where she was going to but she knew she had to leave.

Derek got to the station and was given the records of calls made by Stefan, he made about three calls, the first one was to his boss who happened to be his uncle and the other two was to the same person, he checked the number and was unable to believe his eyes, it was made to Deloux castle, he played the conversation and was shocked when he heard Marcella's voice, he was asking her to bail him out and she had refused promptly ending the call. Why would Stefan call his stepmom for help? His mind flashed back to Kathleen telling him that Stefan and Marcella conspired against her, his body grew cold as he played the fourth recording, Stefan had called back Marcella when she ended the first call, he was ranting on how he would tell everyone that Marcella was the Mastermind in what happened and that she would buy his silence if she bailed him out.

Stefan couldn't believe his ears, Kathleen had been telling the truth all along, his heart twisted in pain, what had he done? He hadn't trusted her at all, he was such a fool, how could he ever face her?

He heard hurried footsteps and glanced up to see Marcella hurrying in as if to prove what he had just listened to over the recording, she hadn't seen him as she was busy asking about Stefan, he slowly stood up from where he was sitting and walked up to her, "I see you've come to bail your partner"

She jumped at the sound of his voice, turning slowly to face him, her palms grew sweaty, "Derek, what are you doing here?"

He sneered at her, "what are you doing here? You came to bail him right? Or else he'll expose you as the Mastermind behind what happened"

She took a step backward, looking like a caged rat, "I don't know what you're talking about"

"Oh! You know what I'm talking about, aren't you shameless?"

"Derek, I am your mother"

"Oh really! You never acted as one, you'll always disappoint me, what kind of a mother will put her own grandkid in danger?"

She groped for his hands but he flinch, pulling away from her touch, "I never wanted that to happen, believe me, I only wanted you to hate her"

Derek looked pained at her words, "you disgust me"

Derek's phone rang, it was Jake, " Sir, your flight is in twenty minutes" he informed Derek and he took a deep breath, spun on his heels, and left Marcella standing there, looking flustered and embarrassed.

*

*

Kathleen counted the money in her possession, it was 10 dollars, she knew that the money won't take her long given that she had to look for accommodation, she was tired already as she had been searching for a cheap hotel to Lodge for some time, her stomach growled and she spent few cents to eat. She finally saw one, it looked more like a hut than a hotel, though it was written as a hotel but it was obviously an inn, but it was affordable as it was 2 dollars for a night, her ten dollars would have kept her here for at least five nights if she hadn't plus her feeding, but since her feeding expenses are in that ten dollars, it would carry her for at least four nights while she would use the other one to eat, in the main time, she would have to look for a job but that would be thought for another day as right now, all she wanted to do was to fall in bed and sleep.

She was given the key to her room and she opened it, it was tiny and old looking with just one tiny window, she glanced at the tiny bed, "at least the bed sheet is clean" she whispered, moving around in the tiny room and putting her things, she heard a knock on the door, and she opened it to find a plump lady with chubby cheeks smiling at her, "Hey, um... I'm Mrs. Moores, I and my husband run this place, just checking to see if you're okay with the place"

Kathleen wasn't okay with the place, it was too tiny but what could she do? It was all she could afford and she wasn't going to hurt this lady's feelings by telling her how she feels, so she forced a smile and nodded, " I love it, thank you"

Mrs. Moores's smile was obviously one of relief, "feel free to ask me if you need anything" she left and Kathleen shut the door. She glanced towards the bathroom and tried the shower handle that was worn and rusted, surprisingly the shower turned on, "at least it's working" she muttered as she quickly showered. She soon fell on the bed and was fast asleep.