Homicidal Affairs

Ⅱ

My arm interlocked in Eugene's as we toured the estate gardens. The layout was breathtaking and had a variety of trees, flowers and fountains. Eugene was so charming and sweet, he seemed to take an interest in me which I admired. He also had a vast knowledge about nature and spat out as many facts as he could as we walked.

"If I could compare your grace to a flower," he rubbed his chin in thought for a moment, "It would be a daisy, for you are so delicate and sweet m'lady."

I blushed and looked away, "Now please don't get ahead of yourself Mr Ackerbridge, or you shall become the brother I will marry."

We stopped walking and just stared at each other for a bit. It felt as if there was a strong magnetic pull between us, trying desperately to drag us together. I felt myself edge closer to him and Eugene does the same. However, he stepped back and cleared his throat.

"We should head inside, supper must be ready by now."

My eyes fell upon the neatly decorated dinner which sat in the middle of the dining room. Around it, I found my in-laws dining to their heart's content. I hadn't seen so much food in a while and wondered where to begin; the turkey or the lamb?

"What a pleasure of you to join us, my dear!" Lady Ackerbridge exclaimed. She pats down on the space next to her, signalling for me to sit down.

A strong aroma of the appetisers filled my nostrils and I smile, "well of course I could not neglect dinner with my new family, especially since the food is to die for!"

That night I dined like royalty but a certain thought could not seem to escape my mind. I needed to figure out what had become of my sister and what did she discover.

It is likely I lost track of where I was since Lady Ackerbridge brought me back to reality. "Are you alright, dearest?" she asked in a sweet voice. The eyes of everyone around the table were fixed on me and I felt my cheeks flush a rose hue.

"I-I'm perfectly fine," I stuttered, "my mind was just full of imagination for a mere second; please continue dining."

They all turned away and I exhaled in relief. Thank God they had not found my behaviour alarming, I was unsure what they would do if they did.

"Sue-Anne," a female voice said sharply, it was Martha. "Tomorrow we will attend Miss Thomas's afternoon tea party. You will be awakened at seven am and prepared by eight."

I was taken aback by how direct Martha was. Her tone was strict and told me that the wouldn't take no as an answer. She somewhat reminded me of my mother.

I nodded in reply and then wiped my mouth with a napkin. "This was delicious but I must retire to my chambers since I am so tired now." I bid farewell to them all and left the dining room.

Once entering my room, I locked the door; I didn't want anyone to witness what I was about to do. I trusted no one in this manor and I was right to do so, everyone was an opposition in my eyes.

I flipped my heavy mattress over and peered underneath it. "Seems like a place Florence would hide things," I mumbled to myself. I then inspected the mirror again and the window seal, but once again, I found nothing.

"Fuck," I cursed and slammed my mattress back on my bed frame, Florence never could make things easy after all.

A knock echoed from the door and a voice followed, "Is everything alright, miss?" A house staff called from the other side.

"Yes it is, I am just on my cycle!" I called back, trying to hide the panick in my voice.

When she had left I sighed heavily. I decided I would search for anything left by my sister tomorrow since I was exhausted.

As soon as my head hit the pillow, my eyes were closed shut. I dreamed of my sister's beautiful face and silky hair. I called out her name and she met my gaze. "Sue," she said.

"Where are you?" I asked, but then I began to fall.

It was a never ending fall, however the terrifying part was that I could feel my sister slipping away once again. I screamed uncontrollably but she just smiled and slowly slipped away from my eye view.