Outwitting Destiny

Chapter 14

As I was headed to my father's office, I heard loud noises... then a gunshot. I rushed in and saw a horrifying sight. I don't know if I screamed or if it was the maid who was carrying a tray with a tea top and cups. I see my father trembling in a corner in the back of his office. There was a lifeless body on the floor. The man that was laying on the floor was one of father's board directors. A brick with a note attached came through the shattered window. My father didn't notice but I did. I walked over and picked it. I detached the note and opened it.

Next time the bullet will be in your head. Take this as your last warning Leo Wood—The Sinner.

Someone is threatening him but why? Who is The Sinner? I stuff the note in my pocket. I will show Lexi later. I walk over to my father and kneel in front of him.

"Father" I tap his shoulder.

"Hey... father?" I gently shake his knees. He looks at me.

"Ray!" he then jolts out of his haze and pulls me into a tight hug.

"I'm so glad to see you unharmed," he said, squeezing me tighter. I tap on his arm twice and he releases me.

"What happened?" I ask. He stands up then helps me up.

"I don't know. I was talking to one of my board directors about the company then the next thing I know, he was dead." he said. He looks at the dead body.

"Who would do this?" I ask. He shakes his head. He lied. He knows but he just won't say anything. He doesn't know that I have the note.

"Well, good thing the party is on the other side of the house." I said. Oh crap! The party!

"Well, I will end it." I leave the office. I told the butler to call the police. I walk back to the ballroom. I walk in and grab a glass. I gently tap it with a knife, and everyone quiets down.

"Thank you all for coming to my birthday celebration. I bid you all a good night." I said. I walk to the exit and personally say goodbyes to the guests. I see Asher is awake and is making his way to me.

"Thank you for coming Asher." I shake his hand. He leans down and whispers, 'I know that you Raylee' then leaves me standing at the doorway. I was shocked. Then I sense a familiar presence. I look at the shadow figure. Ryan? Then it's gone. I rush after it. I follow the person. This is the hallway Ryan told me about when we were younger.

"Ryan?" I yell. The shadow keeps leading down the hallway then makes a sharp right.

"Ryan!" I yell.

"Wait! Ryan." I round the corner but he's gone. I come face to face to the end of the hall. No. I was so close. Maybe I just miss him so much that I was just seeing things. I fall to my knees and start crying. I stop and wipe my tears because I feel that someone's behind me. The hallway is barely lit. I drop to my hands and swing my leg at the person's feet and they fall backward. I quickly get on my feet and pin them down before they can recover from that. The person has hair like mine. His face is covered with a mask though.

"Ryan? Is that you?" I whisper. He doesn't reply. He doesn't seem to want to hurt me. I stand up and help him up. He grabs my hand and walks to the wall. He moves it and guides me in. Of course, it's a secret room. I remember Ryan telling me about this. Once the door closes. His back is to me. He is as tall as Asher but is a little thinner than him. His arms move but I can't tell what he is doing. He lights a few candles. He turns around and takes off his mask.

"Ryan, it is you." I said, reaching to his face. He nods as he takes off my mask. He pulls me into a hug. I feel tears falling down my face.

"Shh, it's okay. I'm here sis." He speaks quietly. I sob in his arms. We stayed there for a while.