Leo stood in front of the funeral picture of Lizzy and paid his respects with the incense in his hand while the rest stood behind him following his steps.
He knelt down in front of the picture that was seated in the middle of the red apples that Nicole had arranged. After paying his respects, he moved back and allowed the others to do same. And with that, they concluded the 40th day memorial and final rites of Lizzy's funeral according to their tradition.
They all moved over to the hall where the food and drinks were set. Leo excused himself and went inside to change out of his black outfit and left Nicole with his police friend, Nesli.
''Here, a drink for you, Nicole'' Ray said holding a soda in a glass in his hand, stretched towards Nicole.
''Thank you, but I won't be drinking tonight'' Nicole politely rejected the drink but Ray insisted.
''This isn't alcohol; it is soda from Sun's fridge. Or… is it that you think I would do something to you through the drink?''
''No, I don't think that way''
''Then, take it. I'm trying to be friends with you because you are Lizzy's friend. Anyone who is Lizzy's friend is also our friend, right Nesli?'' Ray looked at Nesli who was busy browsing his phone.
Upon hearing his name, he looked up and smiled at Ray saying, ''sure. Nicole, he means no harm''
''Thank you'' Nicole took the glass from him and a glint appeared in his eyes but quickly disappeared as it came. He remained his poised smile as he sat across Nicole.
''So, tell me. Sun said you and Lizzy were college mates. How was she back then?'' he asked as if genuinely interested in knowing but Nicole knew his curiosity was fake and knowing his true nature made her feel disgusted sitting close and chatting with him. She held the drink in her hand without drinking it as she listened to him. She was wishing for Leo to hurry out of the room and rescue her. The man in front of her was like a chameleon and chameleons scared her. They could take any colour.
''She was like everyone else, I guess. It's been so long already and I haven't seen her in the last five years, so I can't really say much about Lizzy now'' Nicole replied and noticed him looking at the glass in her hands.
''Aren't you going to drink that?'' he asked with a distorted half smile.
''I will drink. I just don't want to drink on an empty stomach, that's all'' Nicole was beginning to feel suspicious of the way he was pestering her to drink the soda but she didn't say more. It was true that she didn't have anything to eat before going over and drinking soda on an empty stomach could hurt her later on since she had a sensitive stomach.
''Nicole didn't eat anything before coming over and she has a sensitive stomach. I will drink for her'' Leo took the glass from Nicole and drunk just a little before Ray immediately snatched it.
''No, this was made specially for Nicole. I can't let you have it'' he said and everyone turned to look at him. Even Priscy who was busy with a phone call a distance away from them turned to look at the situation.
''No need to fight for who drinks it'' Nicole took the glass from both their hands and drink the soda, before adding, ''I will just find something and eat now''
''You two are so childish'' Nesli said to them and shook his head.
''He was the one who tried to steal my shine. I was trying to start a conversation because he said we should be welcoming to her and now he wants to come between us'' Ray said and Leo frowned but didn't say anything and turned to go to the kitchen where Nicole went.
Priscy finished her call and went to the hall. she sat next to Ray and asked softly, ''what was that about?''
''Nothing, are you done with your call?''
''Yes''
''Then, let's go'' he stood up and Nesli looked at them.
''Leaving already?''
''En, I have to travel to the outskirts for a project tomorrow'' Ray explained and went to the kitchen.
''How is work lately? Any lead on Lizzy's case?''
''We are still on it''
Nesli and Priscy's voices could he heard from the hall as Ray entered the kitchen to find Leo and Nicole. He saw Nicole leaned against the kitchen cabinet while Leo was making cup noodles.
''Sun, Nicole, I want to apologise for my behaviour early. It was so childish; I know''
''Are you under stress lately because of work?'' Leo asked.
''Yes, the board of directors are not making things easy for us and our investment got stuck in stock market''
''Do you need new investors? I know a few who are interested in funding new start-up companies like ours''
''No, I can handle things on my own. I still have work to do early tomorrow, so I will go now''
''Are you leaving with Priscy?''
''Yes, she said she has to go to her mother tomorrow, so she is also going early''
''I see. let me see you off''
''No need, you still have a visitor'' he pointed at Nicole, ''Nicole, it was nice having you here. I hope we get along well in the future''
''Sure'' Nicole nodded her head.
Ray looked at the both of them meaningfully leaving, when he got to the table where the drinks where, he turned to look at them and noticed they were busy chatting, he removed the portion in his pocket and poured a small amount into the soda bottle and closed it tightly before going to the hall.
The first drink he gave to Nicole wasn't hypnotised and that was to avoid suspicion on his part. His insistence for her to drink it was to leave the evidence that he didn't temper with her drink and Leo couldn't trace anything to him even if he wanted to accuse him because he also tasted it and nothing happened to him. But now, with the two of them left, one of them was bound to drink from the soda on the table because they wouldn't want to get drunk.
He had a smile on his face even as he drove out of the apartment of Leo and Priscy asked him, ''you seem to be in a good mood. Did something good happen?''
''Not now, but it will surely happen later on''
Nicole helped Leo to bring the three cup noodles to the table and Nesli joined them.
''Smells nice'' Nesli said and started eating.
''Leo is a great cook'' Nicole affirmed and also tasted her food. She stretched her hand towards the soda bottle and Leo stopped her.
''If you were going to poison someone, which way was the fastest?''
''Through soda?''
''Drink the alcohol. He didn't temper with that. Nesli, if you are going, you can send the soda for testing. I want to see just how far those two are going to keep at their act.
''Thank you'' Nicole took her hands off and smiled.
''I went through Lizzy's things today and I found out that she was doing an internal auditing in your company. Were you aware of it?'' Nesli asked Leo as they ate.
''I did, but her work was getting delayed and I asked her to pause''
''It seemed she didn't stop. I don't know much about accounts but, you should get someone who did accounting to look into those papers''
''I will'' Nicole said and the two looked at her. ''I did accounting at the university. Though I didn't graduate with a certificate, I still have knowledge in that field and can help''
''How about this then? You can make Nicole to work in your company''
''What?'' Nicole almost choked on her noodles.
''That wouldn't be such a bad idea. That way we will be closer and we can solve this case fast'' Leo immediately agreed but Nicole was sceptical about it.
''No, I can't work in a company. I will end up been a burden on you?''
''You will never be a burden to me''
''Nicole, this is the best way to solve this case. I can give you those papers to have a look at them and then you can make the decision yourself, but I think that when you two are together, you will be able to share information easily and also, Leo can protect you if you are close by. We don't want another repeat of the police station situation''
''Let me think about it. Also, what kind of excuse are you going to give to your friends? That Priscy woman would definitely be against it and that Ray just freaks me out''
''You don't have to worry about them. I will take care of that. the company was founded by me and though Priscy has shares in it, I still have the final say''
''I will bring the papers to you tomorrow. I will call you before then''
''Alright''
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NB:
Hi dearest readers, if you haven't checked our my other books, please do so. Not sure if they will be your cup of coffee but I promise they're also worth reading.
Purple Romance
Love The Psycho
Bullet Heart.
Do chat me on discord: @Purplebride#4135