HEIRESS [JUSTICE #1]

03|| Into The Unknown

I don't think ignorance is necessarily a bad thing. The more you know, the more problems you have.

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Maria opened her eyes and blinked as the memory of yesterday’s events flooded in. She sighed and got up. She freshened up and left the house after saying goodbye to everyone.

Funmi and the family were unsure of what to do now that her identity was found and it bothered her. She sat in her shop trying to find more information about Stella but there was almost nothing.

Nothing important.

“You won’t find anything like that.”

“Jesus!” Maria clutched her chest, staring wide-eyed at Brandon. He was standing behind her in a lax position. “How–Wha…how are you here?!”

“I found out about your shop and came to see you,” Brandon answered and played with a scarf material. “it’s strange to see you like this.”

Maria frowned. “What do you mean? Do you know you are being creepy? Are you supposed to appear like this put of nowhere?!”

“You lack awareness. How could you not see or sense my shadow?” Brandon returned, staring at her blankly.

Maris sneered at him. “Unbelievable. Why are you here? What do you want from me?”

“Nothing, I just came to check on you,” Brandon replied. “I may seem strange to you and unfamiliar but you have to put up with it.”

“How nice,” Maria replied drily. She continued her work but she felt strange about the unfamiliar detective standing near her like a bodyguard.

He stayed until she decided to close up and followed her home. “Do you know you are acting like a stalker?” she teased, surprised at herself.

“I'm not one. You are just someone I…have to protect.” Brandon mumbled the last part and Maria squinted her eyes.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. It is just strange to see you, It's a relief to see you alive,” Brandon changed the topic. “four years is long enough for anyone to lose hope.”

Maria stared at Brandon closely and asked. “Did you know her? I mean me? Stella? You seem to.”

“No. We only met and talked a few times,” Brandon answered but he looked guilty. Maria nodded, accepting his answer.

“Don't you have a job? You are a detective are you not?”

“My station is in Abuja, not here.”

“I see, you said I lived there. Did I really grow up there?”

“Yes.”

“I remember nothing.” Maria looked sad to not remember. “are you sure? what if you are wrong? What if I am not who you think I am?”

“I would recognise Stella no matter what she looked like,” Brandon muttered, staring at her softly. “I know for sure you are Stella,” he said loudly, “no one can convince me otherwise.”

Maria stared at him, amazed at his confidence and she met his eyes. Brandon looked away from her curious gaze.

“Look out Stella!”

Maria instinctively stopped at the name when Brandon stopped her from entering the path of a cyclist. Brandon hissed at the cyclist in irritation while Maria stared feeling strangely nostalgic.

“You called me Stella.”

Brandon saw Maria staring at him and realised what she meant. “It’s your name, your true name,” he said meaningfully.