Adrian and Jennifer got out of bed and went downstairs to meet everyone already assembled in the hall. Joseph was still tending to James. Sarah was standing nearby with a glass of water in her hands. Kaleb was pacing up and down the room heavily. Everybody seemed very serious. Not a single sound could be heard in a room filled with 20 people. How heavy does that weigh on your soul? Huh! Adrian, answer me!
Adrian was battling with his inner voice that told him to hold Jennifer's hand and run out of this place like his life depended on it and on the other side, he could see his responsibilities that told him to stay and let her accept what she did. Eyes blurred, mind zoned out, Adrian tripped on the last stair to finally come inside the room. All the eyes turned to him. A few breaths hitched at his sudden, unannounced welcome.
Ignoring everyone, Adrian went straight to James and crouched down to his level. "How do you feel, bro?" he asked. James shook his head weakly and said, "Better" in a voice that sounded more feeble than a chronic patient. This was better!?! I highly doubt that! But anyways, Adrian saw Jennifer come near them and hand over the locker to James. James accepted it and looked at her like she was some angel descended straight from heaven.
Adrian finally took a deep breath and mustered up his courage to turn around and face the members. "Everyone, I know that you all have questions regarding the current situation of James and this locker in his hand." Everyone ushered together and bundled up near Adrian and Jennifer who then moved forward to stand up on the silverish white platform called as the seat of the state. Jennifer wanted to stay down with everyone like a normal member but Adrian had made this very clear that she was no normal members. She was the queen to their king.
Jennifer really didn't enjoy being the center of attraction. She hated the way all the eyes glued to her expecting words to spill from her throat. Jennifer was just thinking about the way everyone was staring at her when Adrian said, "I have something to confess." Here it goes! Brace yourself up Jennifer. It's okay. It's just a confession. You will get through it. Jennifer was mentally preparing herself when she heard Adrian say, "A year ago, when you all were oblivious of my obsession with Jennifer..." Don't blush, Jennifer. You are here to receive a punishment. But Jennifer couldn't help but smile at this sentence.
"Jennifer's father had decided to engage her with Joseph without Jennifer's or Joseph's permission to take revenge from me for loving his daughter. He has some beef with my father for business purposes." Everybody gasped at the sudden revelation. All eyes that were glued to Jennifer, leeching her off were now turned to Joseph who was standing at the far end with James putting most of his weight on him. Joseph nodded to confirm that this was true.
"That day, in my emotions and messed up self, I did something I regret doing very much. I knew I loved Jennifer so much that it felt difficult to breathe just by knowing that she was going to be engaged to someone who was not me." Another smile. Why are you smiling? "That day I planned to eliminate all the existing mafias of this city and I wanted to start by eliminating our biggest rival. As simple as it seemed, this was also fraught with problems and complexity." Adrian blew out air. This is where it gets painful. This is where it's going to hurt.
"Our biggest rival has a member named Abby. You all remember her? The girl who looked like she jumped out of a theatrics drama." Adrian was going to say something more about Abby when Jennifer kicked him in his well toned calf muscles bringing Adrian back to his behavior. "Abby is James' ex girlfriend." Loud gasps. Widened eyes. Realization struck. Mouths agape comically. That was how everybody again turned back to look at James who nodded while trying his best to push back tears that were threating to spill from his eyes.
All eyes back on Adrian who sucked in some air before speaking again. "Long story short, their love had come to a tragic end. I killed Abby in my fury. I was so blinded by emotions and rage that I didn't even think before pulling the trigger, killing her instantly. She died in the arms of James. But before dying, she told him the password to her locker. At that time, we thought that the locker was some secret safe or place where she kept something secretively. But then Jennifer entered the scenario. She told us that the locker was her promise with Abby. They both owned Identical lockers and had vowed to share it with their life partner only."
Jennifer swore she saw James wiping a tear from his left cheek. He was crying again. She felt so sad for him. Abby was her best friend as well but she also had a reason to hate her. James, on the contrary, had every reason to love her and keep falling deeper. "So this is it. I killed Abby but we continued our search for her locker. We found the locker today. James saw what was inside and was hurt deeply causing him to faint. This was why he is still weak and shaky." And everything came to and end. The mystery. The seriousness. The moment. Everything crashed when Jennifer said the following lines, "Given the fact that we hid things from the den which goes against our rules, I, Jennifer Williams, am willing to accept the punishment that comes with it. I testify that whatever Adrian confessed was true and so we all are guilty."
The last breath.
The.
Last.
Breath.
It felt so heavy as Adrian nodded before turning to meet Jennifer's eyes who were so different that his. They didn't hold fear. They didn't hold embarrassment. Thy didn't hold anguish. Jennifer's green eyes were strong and determined. They were the defination of power. They were not low like Adrian's. They looked so much like how Jennifer felt. Strong. Capable and true.