This... This pill... There's no mistaking it. This pill is the poison made by Kirena?
How could Chleo know right away if it was a poison pill? During her college days, she frequently visited Alexander's home, the late Uncle Kinsey's right-hand man and his assistant. The man had married Kirena and was now living in a place that no one knows about.
Kirena herself was a doctor, but different from other doctors whose job is to save lives. Kirena often uses her ability to kill with her concoction.
And this pill was the poison that Kirena was proud of the most. Even though it has been put into a drink, the poison would not change color and had no smell. No one would notice that the drink has been poisoned.
Anyone who takes these pills will die instantly, and people will think the cause of death is a heart attack. Despite the autopsy, the forensic experts will also be unable to find evidence of poison in the victim's blood.
Then, what is the reason Diego gave this poison to Chleo?
"Just in case. It doesn't matter who you end up with; I want to help. If you feel vulnerable and want to run away, give it to him. I'm sure that will give you enough time to escape."
Ba-thump!
What does he mean by the phrase 'it doesn't matter who you end up with'? Is it possible that Diego knows about her decision to get back with Alexis?
"Diego, are you..."
"I won't tell dad." cut Diego with a gentle smile. "Remember, I am always on your side. So, don't be pressured because you feel alone by yourself."
Chleo was touched to hear that. She hugged her brother with teary eyes.
"Thank you," whispered Chleo, sobbing. "But I don't think I will need it."
"Then throw it away. I don't need it either." Diego patted his sister's back gently to calm her down. Only then did the two of them go into their respective rooms to rest.
Chleo thought she would fall asleep as soon as she laid on her bed. Unfortunately, her mind drifted back as if it never got tired. She no longer felt sleepy and could not sleep. She focused more on the box containing the poison pill.
She better throw it away. After all, no matter who was with her, Chleo was sure that neither of them would hurt her. Chleo decided to throw it away.
***
For the past few days, Chleo has constantly been looking for ways to contact Axel. From the outside, Chleo seemed eager to meet Axel to cancel their divorce. But the truth is, Chleo wants to end their relationship in a good way and not to part like this.
Until the appointed day, Alexis invited her to meet to discuss their marriage registration following the Russian system. Chleo must find a way to get out of her house without being followed by her bodyguard.
Secretly, Chleo asked Diego for help to get her father's approval so that Chleo was allowed to leave without bodyguards. She knew that her father had a lot of faith in Diego and that Diego was enough to accompany her.
Just like Vincent, Diego was very good at martial arts. After all, he once dreamed of becoming a mafia leader like Darrel. Of course, Vincent did not let it and managed to persuade Diego to continue his business.
Even so, Diego has not stopped practicing martial arts and can now help his father protect his family. Diego was even able to travel without bodyguards because his father believed Diego could take care of himself. That's why, when Chleo begged her father not to send bodyguards because she wanted to enjoy quality time as siblings, Vincent quickly granted her wish.
Just as they were leaving on Diego's big motorbike, a waiter came over to Chleo with a parcel.
"Third miss, there is a package for you."
"Package? I just got home a few days ago, and I'm sure I haven't told my friends that I'm coming back. Who gave me the package?"
"Let me open it," suggested Diego.
Like his father, who is very protective of Chleo, Diego was worried that this package was not ordinary. He was afraid that someone out there or maybe their enemy might want to harm his sister.
Diego opened it casually and fearless. After opening all the paper and plastic covering the package, they could see what was inside.
Diego sighed and then glanced at his sister, while Chleo herself laughed nervously while scratching her non-itchy head.
"Sister Chleo. At times like this, you can still order novels online. I don't know whether to be amazed or cry knowing you are my sister."
"Are you mocking me? Honestly, I didn't know that I bought the novel right away as soon as I got back. I have too much to think about. How could I ever think about buying a new book? Maybe I did it without realizing it?" Chleo instead asked back innocently, making Diego just shaking his head.
After putting a novel as thick as an encyclopedia in her backpack, Chleo got on the motorbike and sat right behind his younger brother.
"Looks like dad has let you ride a big motorbike, huh?"
"Thanks to Uncle Darrel's persuasion," replied Diego in an amused tone making Chleo roll her eyes lazily.
It took thirty minutes by motorbike through the shortcut from her parent's house to Alexis's apartment. After arriving at their destination, Chleora came down and thanked her brother.
"You want me to wait for you?"
Chleo shook her head. "No need. I will be fine. And also... actually ... I threw away your present." Chleo whispered the last words as if she was afraid a third party heard her. "I don't want anyone to die."
An eyebrow lifted Diego at this, then burst out laughing. Chleo became suspicious because she was so familiar with this kind of laughter from her brother.
"You... could it be the pill you gave...?" Chleo guessed suspiciously.
"Yup. It's just a regular sleeping pill, but it's a strong one. I can't believe you would think it was a poison pill." Diego chuckled again, making Chleo frown.
"What kind of brother are you? So heartless!" snorted Chleo, feeling annoyed with her brother's mischief.
"It's a repayment because you used to tease me when I was little." continued Diego, sticking out his tongue and then immediately ran away to run the motorbike before Chleo grumbled at him at length.
Chleo looked at her brother, leaving with annoyance, but then she laughed at herself too. Apparently, this brother of hers wanted to make her feel silly, not to get too tense or frustrated over the matter.
Her brother did have a thousand ways to make her forget her troubles.
Come to think of it… isn't Axel very similar to Diego? The difference is, Axel often shows his sad smile and hurt expression… and it's all because of her fault.
*Sigh*
What is the use thinking of her ex-husband now?
Chleo entered the building with fifty floors and then sat in the lobby after sending a message to Alexis that she had arrived at his apartment.
Back when she was still Alexis's lover, Chleo also had an access card to the young man's apartment floor. But ever since they separated, Chleo returned the card, so she couldn't go up right away and could only wait in the lobby.
While waiting, she opened the novel she had just bought online. Chleo likes reading stories, especially if the cover on the front page is fascinating. But she didn't remember seeing this novel book cover before, let alone buying it.
When did she buy it?
Chleo tore off the transparent plastic covering the novel and opened the first page. There was a small, inconspicuous letter containing a sentence of notification.
Chleo tilted her face in confusion, and then, following the direction of the writing, she opened the tube that was tucked into the end of the hardcover binding.
She was a bit surprised to find a supermini cylindrical-like tube hidden in the hardcover. Her shock increased mixed with horror feelings when she read the instructions regarding the contents of the mini tube.
'If you don't want your family to get hurt, give this drug to Alexis before leaving this apartment!'