Chapter 12: Chapter 12

“Breaking News! A twenty-five-year-old male identified as Everett Murphy, a son of a millionaire American businessman, was found dead inside a warehouse in Derrydale. According to the eyewitnesses, the victim was allegedly abducted yesterday by a group of unidentified men while he was walking to a parking lot. The victim’s family explained that the kidnappers contacted them and demanded an amount of one million dollars in exchange for Murphy’s life. They immediately agreed with the kidnappers’ offer but still alerted the local police. However, the victim was found lifeless around four o’clock in the morning. The family concluded that the police’s involvement was the reason why Murphy was killed. Until now, it is still unclear who was behind this heinous crime…”

Chief Spencer turned the television off before turning to Kendall. Meanwhile, the latter was sporting a serious expression as she stared at the now-dead TV screen. Chief Spencer cleared his throat before speaking.

“Based on the investigation, all facts and pieces of evidence from this crime point to PIRUS. They were good at interfering with the police. They have several spies on the ground, so they instantly killed the victim to show the people what could happen if they seek help from the authorities.”

“We haven’t received any information regarding their plan to kidnap the man. This group is careful and strategic, so our sole key to tracking them down is Grayson Hoffman.” Chief Spencer added before staring straight into Kendall’s eyes.

“Inspector Whitlock, keeping an eye on this student is now more important than ever. If you need to follow him for 24 hours, do so. For now, it’s all up to you how you can monitor him closely. Remember that this group can never get past us.”

The whole time Chief Spencer was talking to her, Kendall’s expression remained blank. Her gaze was locked on the wall of the chief’s office as she listened to his little speech. She was contemplating the situation carefully. For some reason, the kidnapping fiasco lingered in her mind. Anger and fear were consuming her, although she wasn’t sure why. It was only then that she realized that what happened to the kidnapping victim could also happen to Grayson. She couldn’t even imagine Grayson suffering from such a cruel incident.

‘I need to step up my game in monitoring him,’ Kendall thought. If only she could keep Grayson beside her all day long, she would. That was why she was so adamant to think of ways to stay by his side all the time. PIRUS would definitely realize soon enough that they were gunning for the wrong man!

“Don't worry, Chief. I'll do everything to keep an eye on Grayson Hoffman. The moment they lay a finger on this kid, I’ll make sure their whole group regrets doing so,” Kendall said. Her tone showed no traces of fear or hesitation.

After saluting Chief Spencer, Kendall left the office. Her mind was constantly thinking of different things. Chief Spencer, on the other hand, was taken aback by his subordinate’s words. He remained frozen on his spot, amazed by the woman’s dedication to watching over someone she had just complained about.

Meanwhile, an ear-piercing scream from Dorothy destroyed the silence inside the Whitlock residence.

“Jacob! Come down in an instant!” she yelled.

The sound of heavy footsteps blared in the house a few seconds later. With a panicked expression, Jacob rushed toward his mother. “What happened, Mom?” he asked.

Dorothy pointed to the kitchen. Jacob’s gaze followed his mother’s hand and his jaw dropped in utter shock. Both of them stared at the scene in front of them.

It was Kendall. In the kitchen. With a pastel-colored apron hugging her body. She was in deep focus as she cooked.

“Jacob,” Dorothy muttered.

“Yeah?”

“Get the thermometer. We need to check your sister. This isn’t her. Something must have gone wrong with her.”

Jacob walked towards Kendall. Without any word, he stretched his hand and placed it on his sister’s forehead and neck.

"Are you having a convulsion, Kendall?" he asked.

“Stop overreacting. I’m cooking, so what’s the big deal?” Kendall deadpanned.

“We’re not overreacting! Tell me, when was the last time you went to the kitchen and cooked?”

Kendall paused as if she was thinking deeply. However, she couldn’t remember anything except the time she cooked for Grayson.

Jacob scoffed. “See? You can’t even remember!”

“Why are you suddenly cooking here? Are you going to poison someone? Is that part of your secret mission now?” Dorothy, who was also now in the kitchen, asked suspiciously.

“What? I just really want to cook,” Kendall replied. “This is almost done. This is our breakfast today.”

As soon as they heard Kendall’s reply, Dorothy and Jacob coughed and turned away at the same time.

"I'm just having coffee today. I have an early appointment with my patients," Jacob announced.

“I only eat fruits in the morning. That's what my yoga instructor told me.” Dorothy let out a nervous laugh.

“No, we’ll eat together. I only cook once, so you have to taste this,” Kendall firmly told them.

After a while, Kendall placed a huge plate of her cooked dish on the dining table. Dorothy and Jacob were already seated, looking at Kendall suspiciously.

“Why are you suddenly learning how to cook? Are you finally tired of your job?” Dorothy asked again.

“I heard that my granddaughter is cooking something. Is it true?”

A big smile painted on Kendall’s lips as soon as she heard her grandfather’s voice. She turned her head and grinned at him.

“Hey, Grandpa! I cooked breakfast for you.”

Cyrus chuckled. “Wow! Looks like I’ll eat a lot today.”

“Where’s Dad?” With furrowed brows, Kendall looked at her mother.

“He flew to St. George Beach. He arrived there earlier,” Dorothy answered.

Kendall’s smile faltered a bit. She really thought they would eat breakfast all together today.

The dining room was in complete silence as the maids served the food to them. Jacob, Cyrus, and Dorothy gulped as they stared at the food in front of them.

Burnt food. That was the only thing running through their minds.

After a few deep breaths and uneasy smiles, the three of them started scooping up food. The food tasted horrible, but they tried their best to pretend as if it was their best meal ever. They didn’t want to hurt and disappoint the woman who, for the first time in her life, cooked for them.

The three Whitlocks were occupied eating their burnt breakfast when Kendall suddenly spoke.

“Mom, Grandpa, Jacob… It may be a long time before you can eat breakfast with me again…”

Dorothy stopped eating. Her nervous expression was evident on her face as she looked at her daughter.

“Are you saying goodbye, Kendall? Is that the reason why you cooked for us? Why? Are you a part of some dangerous operation? If that’s the case, then I’ll definitely eat everything you cooked!”

“Is this your way of saying goodbye, Kendall?” Jacob muttered in a low voice.

“I told you to stop overreacting! I’m not even done speaking yet,” Kendall said in an annoyed tone. Slowly, the soft expression on her face came back. “I just have to focus on work. I still don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

Kendall turned to her grandfather who immediately nodded his head, indicating that he knew what she meant.

“Why, are you assigned to the countryside?” Her mother asked.

“Will you be assigned to Lakeshore Island?” Jacob seconded.

"Kendall can't disclose any information, so it's useless to keep asking," Cyrus uttered.

“Grandpa’s right, Mom. I can’t tell you anything except that you don’t need to worry about me. I’ll take good care of myself, and I won’t do anything that can harm me. I just have to look after myself.”

“I understand,” Cyrus replied.

“Thanks, Grandpa.”

“Send him my regards,” the old man said with a smile.

Kendall nodded and smiled back at him.

Meanwhile, it was as if heaven and earth had fallen on Dorothy and Jacob. They never dared to look at Kendall again. Suddenly, the dining room was filled with nothing but the rattles of spoons and forks.

A few moments later, Kendall finished packing her things and saying goodbye to her family. Right after, she started working on her plan. She removed her hand from her luggage to take out her phone. She wanted to call Grayson first before leaving the house.

“Hey, Grayson. Can we meet later?” Kendall said.

“Why?” Grayson replied on the other line.

“I’m just fixing a problem,” she replied lazily.

“W-what problem?”

“We’ll talk later, okay?” Kendall answered in a sad tone.

“O-okay. Sure. I’ll wait for you on campus.”

After a while, Kendall arrived at the university but purposely skipped her first class. Grayson then texted her to meet him at the library.

Kendall didn’t come inside the library. She told the man that she left her ID so she would just wait for him at the entrance.

Kendall sat down on one of the stairs in the building. From time to time, she would look at the building’s entrance. And when she finally saw Grayson approaching, she hurriedly took out an eye drop and put some on her eyes. Then, she started wiping her eyes as if she was crying.

Grayson was surprised when he saw Kendall’s state. He hurriedly went to her at the stairs.

“What happened, Hailey? Why are you crying?” he worriedly asked.

However, Kendall started to cry even more. She buried her face in her palms as her shoulders shook. Grayson’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“What’s wrong, Hailey?”

“I was kicked out of the house.”

“Why?” Grayson asked.

“My mom and I had a huge fight. She wanted to transfer me to another school, but I refused.”

“Why did she want to transfer you?”

“I’ve always been out since I transferred here to UM. I’ve always been away from home, and she didn’t like it,” Kendall replied while sobbing.

Grayson suddenly felt a wave of guilt after hearing her reply.

“She… She told me that I shouldn’t come home until I agree to transfer to another university.”

Grayson thought deeply. However, he felt sad when he realized that he might never see Kendall again if she moved to another school.

“Maybe you should look for a temporary place where you can stay until you and your parents sort things out. There are a lot of dormitories and apartments near the campus,” Grayson softly said.

Kendall nodded weakly.

“But I don’t have any money, Grayson. They confiscated my credit cards and even ATM cards. They refused to give me a monthly allowance, too. I don’t even have money for my daily expenses,” Kendall suddenly said.

“Maybe I should just follow them. I’m just sad because you and I are slowly getting closer to each other, but now we’re going to part ways again,” she added before crying again.

Grayson stared at her in shock. He started to think again. He felt even worse as he stared at Kendall’s tear-stricken face.

“Okay. I’ll help you.”

“Really? But how?”

“You can stay in my house temporarily,” he said.

Kendall suddenly raised her head. Her whole face lit up by what Grayson had just said.

“Really?”

Grayson nodded.

“Thank you, Grayson! I’m so happy! I really don’t want to transfer!” Kendall exclaimed as she grabbed both of Grayson’s hands.

Grayson was caught off-guard by Kendall’s action. He glanced at their clasped hands. But for some reason, he didn’t feel uncomfortable. Instead, he felt as if weak electricity was flowing through his entire body as he stared at the woman’s happy face in front of him.

“Thank you so much, Grayson.” Kendall smiled at him.

“So, when are you going to move in?” he asked.

“Later! After class,” Kendall answered without hesitation. With a sly smile, she took out some tissues to wipe her fake tears away.