Abby climbed up the stairs and knocked on Dua's door. Dua sluggishly stood up from the bed and went to open it. She moaned frustratingly when she saw it was Abby.
"What?" Dua asked coolly, not interested to listen to her.
"The company is organizing a fashion show this weekend. I was wondering if you would come to the event. I know you like fashion and all. Plus your followers would be interested to see our latest design." Abby said calmly.
"Sorry but I'm not interested. Seems like a waste of time for me." Dua replied airily and slammed the door at her face.
Abby sighed and climbed down the stairs. Levi was still in the living room, drinking a cup of coffee.
"Did she agree?" Levi asked her.
Abby shook her hand and picked up her handbag from the chair.
"It's okay, dear. She might change her mind and attend." Levi said, trying to motivate her.
"Hm!" Abby hummed,
"I have to get going now. It's late and Vincent probably would be back from work. I don't want him to be angry with me."
"Do you want me to talk to him? I'll tell him you were at my house." Levi said.
"Thanks, Dad. But I've to deal with my problems alone." She declined nicely.
Abby pecked Levi on the cheek and smiled at him.
"Bye, Dad!"
"Bye, Abby! Drive home safely." Levi said and waved at her.
"I hope she crashes and dies." Dua said scornfully, standing on the staircase.
Dua leant against the bar and returned to her room. Her driver saw her coming and held the backseat door open. Abby got in and the driver closed the door. He entered the car, started it and drove out of the premises.
Abby looked through the window at people and buildings as they drove passed them. Her notification sound rang and caught her attention. She looked at her home screen and saw a text message.
"I already spoke to Vincent."
Levi had sent her the text message. Abby rolled her eyes and exhaled. She disliked it when her father interfered in her relationship. The speed of the car dropped slowly and eventually pulled up.
"Why did we stop?" Abby asked the driver.
"I don't know, Ma'am. I'll go and check." The driver said and removed his seat belt.
They opened the door and left the car. Abby watched him through the windscreen and was curious to know what happened. She could tell from the expression on his face that something was wrong. Anxiously, she opened the door and got out.
"What happened?" She asked curiously.
"Ma'am, we have a flat tyre." The driver revealed.
"A flat tyre?" Abby said doubtfully.
The driver nodded and glanced at the punctured tyre.
"Don't just stand there. Hurry up and fix it." Abby said, trying to speed up the process.
"I'm not with a spare tyre to change it with." The driver said frankly.
"There is no-." Abby said disappointingly and cursed inwardly,
"Of all the time you could have got punctured, it had to be now."
Abby looked around and couldn't find any garage near them.
"What are we going to do?" Abby asked the driver.
The driver shrugged, unsure of what the next step was. Abby worriedly looked at the punctured tyre. She knew if she didn't get back home in time, Vincent wouldn't spare her. She looked forward to see if there were cars driving towards that could help them. Unfortunately, they weren't. They weren't on the main route.
"Miss Abby, I suggest you take a taxi home. It isn't safe for you to be out here" The driver suggested.
"And what about you?" Abby asked, concerned about his safety as well.
"I'll be fine, Ma'am. I'll have the mechanic to come and fix it." The driver replied calmly.
Abby nodded and opened the door to get her phone. She unlocked her phone and her eyes widened when she saw the notification on her homescreen.
"Seven missed calls–Vincent."
|•••REX'S HOUSE•••|
Rex and Kathy were in the living room, watching cartoons together. Though Rex didn't understand the concept of the episode, he still watched it with her. They laughed when one of the characters did something funny. Rex stopped laughing when caught a glimpse of Emma at the door.
"Aunt!" Kathy said cheerily when she looked away from the screen.
Emma flashed her a smile and looked at Rex. Rex didn't look at her and had his eyes on the screen.
"What are you watching?" Emma asked, walking towards them. She sat down next to Rex.
"We are SpongeBob SquarePants." Kathy replied, with her eyes on the screen.
"The yellow guy who lives in a pineapple, huh?" Emma said and Kathy nodded.
"Okay."
"You came back late. The office closed two hours ago; where were you?" Rex asked flatly without looking at her.
"I went to visit someone. Do you have a problem with that?" Emma replied calmly.
"No." Rex said.
"I'm tired and I need to sleep. I want to go and have my bath. I'll leave you two to your cartoon." Emma said and stood up from the chair.
Rex glanced at her as she walked to the staircase. He shook his disappointingly and faced the television. The closing theme song was playing and Rex checked the time on his phone.
"It's nine o'clock. Come on, Kathy. It's time to hit the hay." Rex said, standing up to look for the remote.
"I don't sleep in the hay." Kathy replied confusingly.
"It's an expression. It means it's time for bed." He said, looking for the remote under the cushions.
"But Uncle Rex, I'm not sleepy yet. They are about to do another episode." Kathy said, pointing at the screen.
Rex found the remote under one of the cushions. He turned off the television using the remote. Kathy pouted, looking at the blank screen.
"I promise your mum you won't sleep late. So, bed." He said sternly.
"Fine!" She said flatly and stood up from the chair.
Kathy walked to the staircase and Lucky followed her. It reached the top before her.
|•••VINCENT'S HOUSE•••|
The taxi driver pulled over at the gate and Abby got out. She looked at the gate and swallowed hard. She rang the doorbell and waited for someone to answer. Jenny came out of the house and quickly opened the door for her.
"Good evening, Ma'am!" Jenny greeted her.
"Where is he?" Abby asked anxiously.
"He is in the living room." Jenny replied.
Abby walked to the open door. She scanned the room from the entrance and saw Vincent seated on the armchair. He had a rock glass in his hand with alcohol in it. Abby mustered courage and walked in. She had walked passed him, and was close to the staircase.
"Why are you just coming home?" Vincent asked icily, with a blank expression on his face. He shook the glass slowly, making the liquid it in to twirl.
"I was-I. The car had a flat tyre and there was no spare to replace it." Abby said feebly, in a nervous voice.
"Are you being honest or are you lying to me?" Vincent asked flatly, looking at her coldly.
His stare frightened Abby more.
"I'm not lying." She said fearfully.
Vincent kept the glass on the stool and stood up. He walked towards her, forcing her to slowly walk backwards. She hit back gently against the barrister of the staircase.
"Abby, I want you to be honest with me. Really honest because the truth they say will set you free." Vincent said sternly, standing close to her,
"Again, why are you just returning home? Have you started seeing someone else?"
Abby shook her head nervously while he questioned her.
"Do you have a secret lover?" He said, holding her on her arm. He tightened his grip.
Abby tried to break free but couldn't.
"If I find out you're seeing someone else or you're having an affair, I wouldn't hesitate to end your life and that of your stupid lover. Understood?" He threatened, letting go of her.
Abby bit her lips and nodded. Vincent smiled at her and kissed her. He left her and climbed up the stairs. Abby stood there and watched his feet as he climbed. She looked away and blinked, allowing tears to flow from her eyes to her cheeks.