My Detective

Chapter 23- More Secrets

Jennifer's POV

My tiresome self took advantage of my extra twenty minutes as I waited patiently in line to get my daily dose of coffee. As soon as I overhear my name being called I ventured out to pick my order, dressed down in a navy bubble sleeve crop top paired with tight fitted jeans and Gucci block heel mules. I bought it using my second paycheck, I know quite it's quite expensive but it's so pretty that I had to buy it using my own money. But of course, my first paycheck? I sent it to Leah. That's the communication we just had, not even sure if that's considered as one but yeah. I have to pay my favors.
I'm sure you figured out how bothered I am to even talk about that woman, she's just-- I don't know who she really is. I'm not sure if I can take any more secrets from her background but it wouldn't stop bothering me, literally.

Fall is my favorite season. When I was small, my mom seems to think I'm her doll.
She made dresses for me out of sacks and variation of fabrics. My cousins currently dress their kids in leggings, trainers and Star Wars t-shirts, but when I was 11, Mom made me a yellow and orange plaid flannel hoodie, much to my despair. Halloween, oh, how could I forget. Every year brings the great challenge of finding the perfect costume and so my mom, would take out her measuring tape to quantify my size, and then she'll take me out on the public market to buy some freshly cut fabrics in various designs and patterns. I could still remember how cute her shabby chic, sewing machine in antique, white finish, would look like. If you can predict, yes, I won almost every year for best in costume at our school in my elementary days. I'd end up being Dorothy, Gretel, Snowhite and even Minnie mouse. At young age, she went to art school in spite of that, she got pregnant so she had to stop and continue her dreams instead by playing dress up. Oh, what a wonderful memory.

I miss my mom. However the last conversation we had didn't end up very well. In a nutshell, we're not in good terms but I wo1n't discuss it for now.

Off in la-la land, staring into space as I snap back out of consciousness hearing the car behind me was flashing the blinding lights and honking repeatedly. His timing could not have been worse. Freaked out like crazy. I ran a red light and put myself and others in very real danger. The conclusion of my morning was sublime, with a damn ticket in my hand and a nearly half ass cold coffee on the other.

Sashaying my way down to the lofty building in my 4 inches heels, doing all I could to stay warm, including clutching a Venti sized pumpkin spice latte Starbucks hot coffee, hastening owing to the fact that, I'm almost twenty minutes late. Arrival goes beyond a few minutes, midway across the hallway, the constant background noise, keyboards clinking, mouse ticking would blend in with my heels click-clacking against thr pavement. Speeding up, heading straight to my boss's office still holding that coffee and apologized in person for being late. Being the witch she is, she precisely dropped a stack of paperwork in front of me, for me to condense.

In the eleventh hour, nearly finished along with my twitching fingers that I tend to crack ever so often, it's almost time for lunch time. My face promptly lits up like a Christmas tree as the thought of food disrupt my thinking, making "healthy" meal plans despite knowing the chances of ordering fast food are most likely high. I've taken my love beyond the food, especially chicken nuggets. I could drool just by thinking about it.

Things will escaladed quickly during my lunch break, I happen to walk by Ash's cubicle, and the was she, examining her freshly manicured nails in bright red polish. "You" I call out, crossing my arms against my chest, she looked up to me and gave me a grin. "Oh hey there, toughie. Had fun last night huh?" She even had the energy to play a little teasing game but I was clearly not up for any of it. "We're not done talking, come with me" Halfway grabbing her arm, she wiggled causing my grip to loose. "Oh, hell no! Why would I do that? All these time you were nothing but mean to me!" She exclaimed, faking a cry, attempting to make a sad expression by frowning her brows and pouting her lips, all I can say is. She sucks at acting. "Oh god, you're awful" "Really?" Her face lits up and a smile started to show a bit, oh what a lunatic. Some people just really need a high five, in the face, with a chair. Conclusion was, I ended up dragging her across the hall up to the rooftop where everyone goes to smoke. "God, what's wrong with you?" Her mouth stretched into a quick grin and amusement came into her eyes. Then she dramatically rolled her eyes before she flipped her blonde hair, pushing her breast like she was sort of arranging her silicon bra. "Who'syou dad?" Without wasting any time, I went straight ahead and bambered her by asking frankly. "Why are you even interested to know that? What is it to you..oh shit, were you also one of his mistresses?" Her face scrunched up, mouth slightly opened as she finishes. "What? You're delusional, I didn't even met him plus I'm not that kind of woman you--" "Then why are you so into it?" Midway of the sentence she cuts me off, "I need to know his name" I replied shortly, staring at her without any expression. "Why?" She really wouldn't quit and so am I. "Is this about Leah? Look I don't anything to do with that woman not after everything that happened" "Happened?" Things started to get even more confusing for both of us. She let out sigh before speaking, "My dad's name is Aeron Huessaff" Finally, she said it but of course, I still dont have any idea who that person is. "Where is he?" I asked bluntly, "Dead" What? She was looking at the ground and biting her lower lip, her hand rubbing her chin. "I-I'm sorry" Not expecting her to chuckle but she did, "No you're not" she replied, shaking her head. "I might be a bitch to you but I'm genuine about that" In spite of her condition she did so with graceful ease. "It's okay, that was really along time ago. Thanks anyway, for bringing that up. I was trying not to remember him" "Ash, I didn't know" "I was joking" she laughed quietly earning a sigh from me. "7 years this year" She pauses, and as seconds passed the more I'm anxious. "How did he died, if you don't mind me asking" As much as I don't want to ask that, my inner self just told me to. "Poisoned. What a fucking bummer huh?" She sarcastically said.

Wanting to stop her right there because Im not so ure if next question i'm about to ask will benefit the both of us. "Who did it?" "They said it was the maid, or his secretary at that time. Some even said it's not poisoning. A lot of hearsay perhaps I didn't know what to believe anymore. For me, my dad was murdered and thats all there is to it." By the end of the sentence she was getting teary while me, on the other hand was trying to sink everything that I'm hearing. "We're you able to put the person who did it behind bars?" "Of course, well i'm sure you already knew Detective Remini, or Leah. He was her fiance, and she was the one to file a case against that maid. She helped us, I didn't want anything to do with her because I'm trying really hard to forget everything, It wasn't easy for me and never will" My face went pale, the blood drained knowing I might be white as a flour, my eyes hollowed and haunted. I was a mess but so was she. Up to this time, I didn't want anything but to sit and tame a deeo breath but I went to comfort Ash instead, she was crying although I hated her all this time. I was wrong to judge her, she was suffering in silence and holding a pain that she doesn't deserve to be felt, no one does. And I myself is a living witness to that, I went through the same adversity of hiding my own torment. "I'm sorry I had to ask that but..could you do me a favor?" Pulling away from the hug quickly, she looked up at me and made a thinking face. "Let's have lunch together tomorrow" As soon as she heard me say that, I once again stopped myself for getting annoyed. I just discern that Janice scream again. "Really? Oh my god! I knew there was an angel inside you!" Yep, my ears hurt from squealing but I heard what I needed to hear and I'm nothing but bothered. I just wish I don't regret my decision.

Sighing secretly, thinking of everything what I just heard. Deep down, I was sad and angry at the person I really thought I can lean on. Clearly, she is a bad person, I don't know or how but it is what it is.

After the night full of junks to do, I came home to an empty apartment, Loren probably went out with her friends again like she usually do. Feeling hungry and famished, so i head down to the kitchen to see what I can do but surprisingly we're running out if groceries, so we all know there's a quick fix to that glitch. Mcdonalds...I ended up ordering chicken nuggets, fries and my favorite Iced vanilla coffee cause you can never go wrong with coffee, and of course the oh so awesome mc flurry. Damn it, real healthy Jen. My attempt of my diet earlier was a total crack. But hell no, mama ain't gonna do some cooking.

So as one could imagine, work wouldn't let you chill alone, i had to finish some reports and presentation for tomorrow ordered by my lovely witch boss. She is kicking my ass, seriously. If it wasn't for the money, I would have kick her in the face.

For what it feels forever has passed, the doorbell rang, my childish self smiled devilishly, I was jumping on the inside. The doorbell won't stop ss it continuously ringing all over the house, "I'm coming, I'm coming!" I yell, venturing down the front doors, when I opened it, my mouth drops on the floor and drains the blood out of my face.

It's Leah, looking furious as hell with her eyes sharo as ever, slightly furrowed and scrunched up, scraring the devil out of me.

"What are you doing here? Get out" I said sternly, trying to look serious and tough to somewhat intimidate her but who am I kidding, I look like the little kid on Monster Inc when I try to look angry.

Crossing my arms above my chest, "No, you get the hell out of this house" She grits, "Bull. I don't want to talk to you, go away" I pushed the door but her hand stopped me from doing so, "This isn't a damn game Jennifer, and
fucking look at me when I'm talking to you" Her voice was deep, and I was scared. Didn't I was the one plan to frighten her, why did it turned upside down. Well she's just a detective, I bet without her badge she won't be standing here in front of my doorstep acting like a lunatic. "I don't care! Just--- out!!" I slightly yell, but i guess that was a wrong move.

The next thing I know I was being pushed against the wall with her body pinning against mine, her eyes raging with anger.