“Pardon? How do you know my name?” Vicky, the town’s chief asked. Taylor was not able to answer immediately because of the shock she felt.
“It’s me. Taylor. Taylor Venice.” Taylor said, introducing herself.
“Taylor? Calderon? The daughter of Tyronia?” Vicky asked and Taylor nodded happily, though the happiness was not evident on her face.
“Oh my goodness. My dear Taylor. How have you been?” Vicky asked while hugging Taylor.
“It must’ve been so hard for you. I am very, very sorry my dear.” Vicky added.
“I’ve been good. No need to be sorry.” Taylor answered.
“Let’s talk in my house, shall we?” Vicky suggested and looked at the owner of the house and thanked her. Then they picked up the still sleeping Leysie and went to Vicky’s house. No one talked for the entire trip on the way there. The three were still dazed on how Taylor and the town’s chief knew each other.
They reached their destination after about ten minutes.
“Prepare something good to eat and something refreshing to drink. I have visitors.” Vicky immediately ordered and the maids and cooks immediately followed.
“Come. Come in.” She then invited her guests. Leysie was already taken to her room by her nannies.
“Take your seats.” she when they reached the living room.
“Taylor. It’s been a long time isn’t it. I was not able to identify you. You’ve grown into a gorgeous woman. How old are you now?” Vicky asked.
“I am twenty now Tita Vicky.” Taylor answered.
“So it has been ten years.” Vicky muttered.
“Yes. It will be ten years tomorrow.” Taylor answered her. Vicky then finally noticed the three that were almost going crazy from figuring out what’s going on.
“Sorry HAHA. We’ve forgotten about you. You must be confused. Shall I explain?” Vicky said while laughing.
“I am a friend of Taylor’s mom. Not just a friend. We treated each other as sisters. We used to live in the same village before. Their house is just in front of mine. We were only separated when an incident happened to their family. I am not able to earn custody for Taylor since I am just a family friend. The social workers said they were not sure if i will be able to care for her so they took her to the orphanage. I tried working on the papers to adopt her but they said she had run away. Since then, I have tried looking for her everywhere. Until Leysie was born and I was offered to stay here. But believe me, my conscience never gave me a peaceful night's sleep.” Vicky explained.
“I am really waiting for this moment. To finally open up what I know and what I saw that day.” she added before standing up and grabbed something inside her room. She came out holding a box as large as a shoe box.
"I've been hiding this box for years. The time finally came for me to reveal what's inside it." Vicky said as she lay the box down on the small table in front of them.
"That day, when the incident happened, I just arrived home from work. I just finished taking a bath to be exact. I decided to check the camera footage in my study room. That's when I saw someone standing in a corner near your house. I became curious immediately on who this man might be so I stayed in front of the monitor for a while. Tyler then came home. The mysterious man didn't move after seeing Tyler so I thought maybe he had no business with your family. But after about ten minutes of standing there, he finally moved. He went straight to your door and tossed something. I don't know what happened to me that time but I was not able to move. I was frozen in place." Vicky tells them, laying some pictures and a compact disc on the table.
"What happened next was not seen in the camera installed just in front of my house but I got some clear shots of the man. He was wearing all black but his hands were exposed. That's when I saw this tattoo." Vicky continued and picked up a closed up picture of a hand with a scorpion tattoo in it.
"A scorpion tattoo? My mom got the same tattoo but it was located on her nape." Taylor said, confusion rising inside her.
"Exactly! That's why I tried looking for you everywhere. I am afraid that this man might look after you and kill you as well. But in the end, I gave up. I am very, very sorry Taylor." Vicky said and lowered her head. Taylor held her hand and told her it's not her fault.
"My… My dad had the same tattoo. It was on his wrist." Nathanya added, adding more to the confusion rising in them.
"Wait. It's quite familiar. Ashton has the same tattoo located exactly where this man's tattoo is." Briana said after remembering where she saw such a tattoo.
"And Mr. Demethry had it on his middle finger on the right hand." Jade whispered.
"What does this mean? Are they somewhat related and we don't know anything?" Taylor asked. Briana suddenly gasped for air after remembering something again. That hand. She had seen it before, in closer range. Jade looked at her and saw her face turning pale.
"Hey Briana? Are you okay? You're turning pale buddy." Jade told her nervously. Nathanya stood up and walked towards her to caress her hair.
"That hand. It was the same hand that killed my sister. It's… it's the same hand I swear." Briana said, tears starting to roll down her cheeks and she's starting to tremble too.
"Calm down Ate Briana." Nathanya told her. The maids served them the drinks just in time and Briana gulped down two glasses of juice.
"What else do you know Tita Vicky? Please. Tell us. We want some enlightenment." Taylor asked Vicky. The latter let out a deep sigh.
"I have been keeping this for years and I think it's about time for you to know this. And also, this might solve the case of what happened ten years ago." Vicky said, finally spilling out a long term secret between her and Taylor's mom. A secret she doesn't want to keep anymore.