Mrs. Naomi dashed out the door in a hurry, forgetting to mention her errand to Audrey. Now, on the phone with Vanessa, she was wracked with guilt.
'I've gotta call Audrey right away,' she said, her voice tinged with worry. 'She's probably worried sick.' Mrs. Naomi knew she had to make things right, but her gut told her something wasn't right.
Vanessa, with ulterior motives, attempted to distract Mrs. Naomi, but she could sense something was amiss. Just as Mrs. Naomi was about to end the call, her phone buzzed with a call from her husband. She froze. He never called her this late. Something was up, and she could feel it in her bones.
After they have exchanged pleasantries, he told her that he is outside the house and she should come out or tell Audrey to open the door that he is with Alexander.
She told him to hold on, that she went out to get groceries but she would phone Audrey to come and open the door.
Audrey's heart was racing. She huddled under the blanket, praying that whoever was downstairs would leave. As the phone rang, she jumped, her whole body on high alert.
She felt like a hunted animal, every nerve on edge. The fear was so overwhelming, it was like a physical presence, suffocating her. And then, suddenly, she heard footsteps on the stairs...
"Audrey, Audrey", her brother called and she realized it was Alexander calling. She jumped up from the bed and ran towards where the voice is coming from. She saw her brother at the passage of the rooms and she hugged him so tightly.
She was scared like her heart was in her mouth before but seeing her brother she calmed down and inquired about Dad.
Alexander broke away from Audrey's embrace, a grim expression on his face. 'I know this is going to be hard to hear, but... Dad's not who you think he is.' Audrey stared at her brother, a sickening feeling in her stomach.
'What are you talking about?' she demanded. Alexander drew in a deep breath. 'There's something you need to know about our father. He is not who you know him to be.
He has something that he's been hiding for years... Alexander glanced toward the living room, his expression troubled. 'It's complicated. I think we should talk somewhere else.'"
As they hid in their mother's room, the discussion started but soon ended. Alexander first gave his sister, his number to allow them keep in touch.
He began "Dad has been allowing one man named Mr.Abaddon to be visiting him lately. I overheard them one day talking about our family. He does not want this family to stay together.
We may end up not seeing physically like this for some years because he plans on relocating but please I don't want to go with him." Audrey thought and said "Alex don't worry, okay? We will figure out a plan."
Just then the door banged open and they saw their Dad. Audrey and Alex acted so neutral that they hugged their Dad and asked how he had been.
Their father smiled, but something felt off. He had a strange look in his eyes, like he was searching their faces for something. He patted Alex on the shoulder. 'Glad to see you're getting along with your sister, son.
Now, how about you both help me with some errands?' Audrey felt a chill run down her spine. Something wasn't right. She cast a glance at Alex, who gave a subtle nod.
As they followed their father down the stairs, Audrey's mind raced. She had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. This couldn't just be some innocent errands.
And what did Alex mean when he said their father wasn't who he seemed to be? She took a deep breath and resolved to stay calm and keep her wits about her. Whatever was going on, she needed to be alert.