"I'll wait by the car", Linden said, "You guys come down. I've a call to make. So, excuse me." Linden left believing that Stephen would handle the instantaneously quiet cabin room. He was the one to call Stephen Darcy to the hospital. Lora was still processing the occurrence; she was giving away too much credit to Linden for taking things 'under control'. All that was left out was to see her biggest threat standing in front of her and grinning fiendishly while she just got up from the hospital bed. That handsome cunning man was right behind her in the run, no way to escape.
Stephen confidently stepped forward to Lora to have a decent health check, but Edward certainly leaped up recognizing Stephen specifically. Before anyone could make a move, Edward came closer, lending his hand to Stephen, expecting to shake a hand;
- Stephen Darcy, owner of the 'B' corporation, the mobile company; I'm Eddie Edward.
- Pleased to meet you (?)
- Pleasures all mine.
Ed grinned. Stephen just shook his hand out of instinct. He was quite flummoxed to have an interruption while seducing his prey. Even though it came out of nowhere, it was least expected for Stephen to have followers. Ed was exaggerated with excitement and couldn't help himself but ask, "How come you know each other?"
Lora was puzzled and frozen on how to introduce such an unscrupulous person to her friends while the man was still standing in front of them. Before she could move her lips, Stephen spoke, "An old friend, perhaps, we used to work together while raising the company to what it has become today." He kept staring at Lora while he was answering to Edward. "I feel very sorry for you, Lora, what came over you that you left the Jem for a priceless piece of plastic", Stephen mourned on Lora's job-changing decision, Lora knew that the despondent facial expression was just to tease her. She had to leave that job of DGM in 'B' corporation only and only because of Stephen. Lora abruptly replied to Edward's question, "My father & his father used to be friends. That's how we know each other." Here, Edward was just having the wrong idea from how Stephen was looking at Lora and how Lora was getting uncomfortable which seemed like coyness to him.
Tensed Raven and Tina, observed him closely; not everyday they'd get the opportunity to see a prominent man in person. That tall man was quite charming and well dressed, and had sharp eyes, too easy to notice why women fell for him indisputably. Even though he tried to wear casual clothes, he looked stunning. His smile could lure any young woman to his erotic trap. His wavy blonde hair bounced with the wave of the breeze and shone before their eyes. They were mostly amazed to see how an evil man seemed decently impressive and suave, unlike the billionaire villains in the movies. But after discovering the photos from Lora's phone, given by Stephen, it pushed the risk to its maximum level to let her go with him, let alone reveal the truth. His wealth and dignity in business were also his best defense against his defamation, not to mention his enhanced political power with the aegis of Mr. Carlos Tine, the owner of the 'T' corporation and recently a business partner of the 'B' corporation.
As Edward was thinking it in the wrong direction, he decided to just get off the building, "ladies, it's time to leave now. It's getting late", Edward wanned. Stephen stepped back and directed Lora, "After you", he said. Lora nodded and quickly got out of the room. Everyone else stepped out after Stephen. "Let me give you a ride home", Stephen offered. Lora startled, "Oh, but Ed was gonna give me a ride", she said. Stephen looked back at Ed and asked, "May I?" Ed just shook his head and replied, "Oh, sure." Tina and Raven abruptly looked at Ed with shock. "But Lora is not well, she should come with us", Tina bumped. Ed replied, "Linden is with her. She'll be fine." Raven pulled Tina back to say no further. It could create suspicion in Stephen, as well as increase Lora's life-risk.
They got off the lift together through an awkward silence. Then they stood to bid each other good-bye. "Well, here we split," said Edward. Stephen lent his hand to shake and replied, "Thank you for taking such good care of her." Edward was too pleased to that suave gratitude, he couldn't stop shaking their hands.
Raven stood there for a while. Suddenly she ran to Lora, "Call me when you're home", Raven whispered to Lora. Lora nodded and left with Stephen and Linden. Lora didn't think of how Raven was aware of the situation, she was just relieved that she had friends there.
However, Lora went near the gate and Stephen ran before her to open the gate, as any gentleman would do. She was already annoyed by his fake polite attitude. But lips were zip-closed. It would only hamper her if it opened. She stepped out of the hospital without a word and without making any eye contact with him. Walking near to his private car, the driver opened the gate for her. She was assisted by Stephen, again. After she got in, he sat right beside her. Linden was already in the front seat. He looked behind the seat to Lora and grinned, "So, let's see where you live. It'll be my first visit to your new apartment", said Linden. Lora just kept staring at him cluelessly.
Now Lora had more problems in hand, including the landlord's accusation and rise up of the rent, she had Stephen Darcy to handle too. She just sat in the lap of his erotic trap.
"Is something bothering you?" said Linden to Lora, " You look pale." Lora shook her head and replied, "Oh yeah, I'll be fine. It's...it's just, I've been through a hectic night." Then again she blabbered, "I'll be fine", and looked at Stephen. He was already giving her a malicious smile. He pulled out his phone from his left pocket and just texted. A few seconds later, Lora's phone vibrated. She had a hunch that the text was from the perilous man sitting beside her. She looked at him, raising her eyebrows but also nervous. He looked back at Lora with more confidence and assurance. So she immediately checked her phone and there it was, his text:
"Meet me at the 'C' café at sharp 6. Don't miss it."
"Angela!" responding to the call, Angela looked back from where it came. It was Marlin; finally arrived at the hospital. It wasn't the same hospital where Lora was admitted. However, Angela bumped on him and cried,
- Marlin, they want the bill for further operation!
- Don't worry about it. I've got the bills. Stay calm, everything will be just fine.
Marlin embraced her, having no clue where to begin; obviously he had nothing with him after the robbery, he was all out. But he couldn't come up with it, it wasn't the right moment to tell her.
After an hour, the doctor came out to him,
- You must be her son.
- Yes, Marlin Walker.
- Well, Mrs. Julie Walker is stable now, but not for long. She had a brain stroke. It's a matter of concern that your mother's heart condition is not so good either. Cardiac surgery is a must for her. Poor she, going through a lot at once.
Apparently, they all were going through a lot. Marlin stammered,
- When sh...should we st...tart then?
- How about this week? The risk is too high. Don't be late.
The doctor nodded and left him with the reports and undecided tough decisions while his pocket didn't even have a penny, nor did he had any hope at that moment. It was not because of the robbery that he was broke. It was also because he didn't get his fees yet. Working as an executive was hard, he had to face his boss's rage even after working his ass off, and then got ill-paid. Still, he got the job recently, so it made sense.
He abruptly decided where to go, and looked at Angela,
- Angela, look after mom. I'll be back around 6.
-Where are you going now?
Marlin spaced out for a second after seeing his frightened sister alone, and bewilderedly replied, almost whispering from the tiredness, "I'll be back", and walked out of the hospital cluelessly.
Marlin was blank. All he could see then was his sister's sobbing face. That little girl was also not doing well with her life. Once, he found out Angela's secret memos that were stored in her phone. Out of curiosity, he read that:
"I'm Angela, Angela Walker. I don't like to keep secrets, but I don't have friends to share them with. I do have nice people around me, but I'm not sure if I can share it with them. I would also demand for a life of silence. I always walk home through the bridge, wanting to jump off from there. I fight with myself everyday so that I don't do so. My mother needs me. Marlin will be all alone. He's already working so hard for us. It makes me feel ashamed of myself that I couldn't help him the way I should. Everyone is too busy to make our lives better. I feel all alone and useless. I feel like not living anymore. I still have responsibilities on hand, which maybe I don't maintain properly. I will still try. But sometimes, I feel hopeless if I'm ever gonna make a difference."
Marlin never confronted her about the memo she wrote on her phone. He couldn't embarrass her with it, but he still couldn't take it that her sister was feeling lonely and hopeless everyday.
He just walked with his wobbly legs, didn't have the strength to call for a cab, nor did he have money. Tears were rolling down his cheeks. The regret made him swamp to bleak, "I wish I were a great brother, I wish I were strong enough."
Linden was stepping into Loren's apartment for the first time. He quickly caught the sight of the cheap building that apparently looked too old and reeked of mold and damp. He was not used to dampened dark rooms. They both lived in a well furnished home with family in their childhood, and after admitting into a college, he lived in a share-room with other bachelors, still it was neat and lightened.
While they both stepped out of Stephen's car, the driver closed both gates and went back to his seat. Stephen lowered the window exactly to where Lora was standing. The sound of the window opening made both of the siblings look back at it. Stephen literally glared at Lora. "Don't be late", said Stephen with an uptight attitude. Swiftly the car drove away. Both of them kept staring at it till the end of the road. As it vanished, Linden suddenly grinned, "Cool car", he said. Lora had no expression on her face, her mind was blank. She just looked at Linden with a pale face.
Linden looked back at the building and then again at Lora with disgust, "You live here?" he asked. Lora paused and looked at the building. She sighed, "Apparently, yes."
Lora didn't have to look at him, she already guessed the look on his face. It was also not uncertain to have a very impolite and cold welcome from her landlord. She already heard in the morning about what he was loitering for,
- So you remembered to pay your rent...?
-Good morning, Mr. Smith.
Lora felt edgy in his appearance. Then, there was a new guest in front of her door that could anger him again. While predicting the circumstances, it didn't even take Mr. Smith a second to notice Linden at the door, "Who's this guy with you? Your boyfriend?" he frowned. The uncertain question startled and embarrassed Linden too much, and so he shouted,
- Hey! I'm his brother!
- Never seen you before.
- He is my younger brother, Linden Becker.
Lora replied. Mr. Smith nodded his head left and right continuously and squinted his eyes while staring at them,
- You guys are out of excuses.
Lora was heated by his expressions and objected,
- If I were to hide my boyfriend, I wouldn't let him in in the daylight and snuck in while it was midnight.
- So you were with your boyfriend last night?
- She was in the hospital. We just arrived from there.
Linden tried to rant, but Lora nodded him to get inside, she wanted to keep the conversation between her and the landlord. But the moment Linden lifted a leg to step forward, Mr. Smith raised his eyebrows and stopped him, "Why are you going in? We're not finished here."
Lora tried to explain, "But, Mr. Smith..." and the old man shouted,
- Pay double this month, or you're out. I'll call the police otherwise!
- What the fuck!
Linden cursed out of annoyance. But it only enraged the old man, "Language, Mister!" he yelled, "Haven't your parents taught you manners?" Lora glared at Linden; Linden gulped. Then Lora apologized,
- Pardon us.
- Double or nothing!
Lora nodded and went in with her brother. While she was closing the door, that man again shouted, "and it's noon, not morning!"
Lora couldn't argue further. You can't win an argument where the opposition's target is just to win it, whatever it takes. That old man had a filthy plan running through his mind, hands down. Lora just couldn't predict what his aim would be.
She left the argument with an apology and got into the apartment with Linden. Pay double or leave. Even though she wasn't broke, she didn't want to pay double for nothing, it was completely unfair. What if Mr. Smith triples the price later! Besides, she was also getting paid less than she used to while she was in the 'B' corporation. So, the only option left was to leave that house.
Linden yelled at Lora, "Leave this house already!" Lora frowned, "It's not that easy, Linden! It takes time to find another one. Especially when you're looking for a cheap apartment, it literally takes forever!" Linden couldn't take it in but had nothing as a solution to recommend. So swelling his cheeks, he just sat on the broken couch. But Lora also couldn't think of anything but looking for another apartment. So she pulled out her phone from the pocket and opened her chatbox with Edward, their savior of all times who came out to be richest somehow. As she was about to text him to help her find a new apartment, she paused and just slid into a deep thought. What if the Charles Mansion can help her get a solution. Somehow it didn't match: if Charles Willes was Karl after all, then there's a lot to learn from that case. She needed to stay there to know more.
The whole thing in her mind made her make up an irrational decision. She didn't text Edward for a new apartment and so, thought of leaving Linden to his apartment. Instead, she texted him for another help.
Meanwhile, Edward was driving the girls to their home. His phone was kept in the cupholder and suddenly buzzed having Lora's text. The girls were always more playful with Ed than with Marlin. Marlin generally had a suave expression where Edward was all about joy and jolly. Hearing the vibration, girls started teasing him; "Sounds like someone's missing Ed", Raven mocked. "What if it's the fangirl from the last time! She even tried to commit suicide!" Tina shouted. "What? Really?" Raven startled. "Oh come on! I handled it later through talking to her parents. She's fine now." Ed yelled at the girls. Raven said no further. Tina jumped to see Edward's cell phone, "Let me see, let me see!" Then Ed just tossed the phone to Tina, and Raven scooched in to see it too.
"It's... Lora." said Tina. Raven and Tina both looked at each other after what they'd seen.
To: Eddie Edwards
From: Loren Becker
"I need the file of Charles Willes's suicide case and the reports of the haunted mansion. Fast, by tomorrow."
"She was supposed to call me when she gets home", Raven thought to herself.