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AZALEA TURNER
I was planning to handle this on my own and carry out the plan by myself, but I didn't expect Ines to follow me. Honestly, I didn't have to deal with this personally, I could've just delegated it. But when it comes to Rhea, I feel like I need to be the one to fix the problem. It's not like I don't trust anyone else to handle it, but there's something about this situation that feels too personal to leave in someone else's hands. Maybe it's the fact that Rhea deserves someone to show her that they care enough to step in directly.
But with Ines here, it complicates things. She's quiet, observant, and her presence feels like both a challenge and a comfort. I can't tell if she's here because she wants to help or if she's testing me in some way. Either way, I can't afford any distractions right now. I glance over my shoulder at her, but she doesn't say a word, just gives me a look that says she knows more than she's letting on. Typical Ines.
"Why are you following me? I can handle this on my own." I ask, trying to keep my voice steady.
"No. I'm not just going to sit back and do nothing. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's someone disrespecting the people I care about." She says firmly.
"Alright, we need to hurry before 1 PM." I reply, keeping my tone calm.
"Aza, there's something I want to ask you." She says in a softer voice.
"What?" I reply, narrowing my eyes slightly.
"Can you be honest with me? I know you know something about the underground. I've seen you there before with your sister and Kris. So, tell me, what do you know about Red?" She asks, her voice sharp, direct, and absolutely serious.
Suddenly, my mind goes blank. Why does she want to know about Red? It's true, I did go into the underground before to watch Rhea's fight, back when the cops hadn't shown up yet. But I don't know what she's after with Red or why she changed and married Rhea. I can't fully trust Ines, especially since she's a cop. At any point, she could turn on Rhea, and I won't let that happen. Doesn't she know that Red and Rhea are the same person? Because if she does know, then why would she even ask me about it?
"Red? Who's that? I don't know anyone named Red, and I've never met anyone like that in that place. I just went with them because I was bored." I reply, making sure to hide the doubt in my mind and keep my tone calm.
"Why are you asking about Red? Who is this person?" I ask, probing to see if she'll tell me the truth.
"Nevermind, I was just asking because I need something important from Red." She replies. But I can tell she's starting to doubt me. Maybe that's why she's following me, to ask about Red.
"Now, it's my turn. I'll be direct-are you willing to kill for Rhea?" I ask seriously, watching closely for her reaction.
Her eyebrow twitches, and she freezes for a moment, staring blankly before finally looking my way. "Why are you asking that? I'm a cop, and my duty is to protect people," she replies.
"But when it comes to Rhea, I'd do anything for her, even kill. I love her so much, and I'll go against anyone, even you, if you betray her." She says coldly. I let out a heavy sigh. What if the day comes when she finds out that Red and Rhea are the same person? As long as I don't know what she needs from Red, I can't risk telling her the truth. It could put Rhea in danger.
We went to Lilith's school to process everything needed for her transfer to a new school by tomorrow. We also reported the bullying incident involving her teacher. Of all the people to bully a child, it's her teacher. This is completely unacceptable, and she has no business being in that position. A teacher should be a guide and a mother figure to students, but instead, she's the one insulting Lilith just because she doesn't have parents.
