SCARLETT'S POV
'Do you like it?' Dad asked immediately we walked in the amazingly furnished room. It was beautiful, exactly how I love my room to look. Sky would say it's girlie perfect.
'Yes Dad, it's perfect.' I said and he smiled. 'But if you don't mind, I'll like to stay in mom's room if it's still available.' I requested and Dad paused for a while.
'Alright Heidi, since that's what you want I'll have someone clean it up for you. You can rest here tonight. When your friend comes, this could be her room.' He said.
Yup! I already talked about everything with Dad so don't be surprised.
'Thank you Dad. But by cleaning it up, hope you won't be moving her stuff? I'd love it the way she'd left it.' He smiled.
'Aimee was right, you're exactly like your Mom. Don't worry, I didn't have anyone touch her properties for over two decades, I won't now. Especially when you're here.' He said and I smiled.
'That's so sweet of you. Thank you Dad.' I grinned and he chuckled.
'Get some rest Heidi, remember tomorrow is going to be a big day.' He kissed my forehead. 'Goodnight princess,'
'Goodnight Dad.' He nodded smilingly and I watch him walk out the room.
Immediately the door closed behind him, I sank unto the comfy queen sized bed kicking off my stiletto sandal heels and dropping my purse somewhere I don't know while my mind replayed the entire family dinner in my head again.
Imogen would be a real pain in the neck from what I've noticed, probably even more than her Mom. I can't say anything about Ashton now, he seems to be able to control his emotions well.
Just then my phone began ringing and I reluctantly sat up and picked up my purse from where I'd dropped it as my phone's inside. It was at the other end of the bed. I smiled on finding it's Skylar calling.
'Hey girlie,' I said, resting my head against the headboard.
'What's up sugar? How did it go?' She asked.
'Well, not bad for a start. I just think Imogen would be difficult later on. About Ashton, I don't really know. He seemed rather nonchalant about the whole thing. Harriet tried to be nice but I could see she was trembling under her façade.'
'Oh dear,' she said. 'Anyway get some rest sugarplum, you have a long day ahead.' She added and I smiled.
'Yeah I know, goodnight Sky. Say me hi to Mom.' I said.
'Alright sugar, see you tomorrow.' She said and disconnected the call.
I lay back on the bed with a heavy sigh.
******
HARRIET'S POV
I stood right outside Jamie's room with my hand raised, right about to knock on the huge mahogany door but then I paused. I was trying to think if my decision to come ask him some questions late in the night; over his new found daughter would be right.
I mean, Jamie's suspense is killing me mentally. I don't know what he's thinking or what he's planning. It would be better if he'll come at me and yell about me lying to him years ago about his daughter, but he wasn't doing that. His unusual calm manner was making me suspect he knows something. Jamie would never be calm if he finds out that I had a hand behind Paige's death _he could kill me! Yes I mean it, Jamie Grey could end my life with his hands if he really knows the truth behind his wife's death.
What then is he not saying? What exactly does he know? Why's he silent?
This were the questions that pushed me away from my room to his door. I needed answers but how do I go about it? Was I supposed to lie to him that I never knew she survived? How then do I explain the doctor's confirmation of her death? How do I explain the fake grave that was created for her burial? How do I explain the lies I told to cover up for my crimes?
One thing was certain though. Jamie hated me right from the moment he found out what I did to him 22 years ago, on the third month of Paige's death when he was still mourning her and their daughter.
FLASHBACK
I walked into Jamie's room in my exposed crop top and see through micromini skirt. My full boobs almost all out in the low neckline small top I wore with my firm nipples protruding visibly against the thin material. I wasn't wearing a bra and my intention was obviously to seduce him. I've been trying to do so immediately his wife; who's been a major obstacle to me getting the man I want, passed on.
The silly man had resisted me several times and even cut off relationship with me as his late wife's best friend, plainly warning me never to show up in his mansion again. Tsk! Silly him to think I'd budge. I didn't do all I did to get him to refuse me?! No, I wasn't gonna let him win again. So today, I came very prepared.
On stepping inside, a strong stench of alcohol greeted my nostrils immediately. I closed my nose with my fingers and trailed his location from the several bottles of empty whisky and beer bottles I could find. Just as I expected, he laid wasted at a corner of his large room with another unfinished beer bottle beside him and I chuckled darkly. Things were going exactly as planned. Did he think I'd be stupid and stay away after killing my own best friend and her daughter?! Hell no!!
I've been planning everything for sometime now so it was easy bribing a low servant to meticulously drug his favorite liquor collection. Since Jamie couldn't get over his wife's death, alcohol had been his companion and that was just the right tool I needed.
I dropped my bag somewhere and walked slowly and seductively towards him on the floor where he was. His eyes fluttered open weakly and he stared at me.
'Paige? Baby is that you?' His voice sounded weak and hoarse. I smirked and easily reached out a hand and pulled down my zipper, exposing my nakedness.
The drug I made the servant put in his drinks was a really effective one.
Seeing how much of it he'd just consumed in his alcohol means tonights performance is going to be a long one. I mean, a really long one.
Although he might try to kill me when he wakes up, he won't be able to. At least for Paige's sake, he won't and I just have to pretend that I wanted to help him sober up so he could return to business, also stylishly making him know he was losing weight and Paige wouldn't want that. Jamie could do anything for her sake and that's why I chose him.
If things work out as plan, I'd be carrying his child just as I've always wanted.
Just as I pulled off my miniskirt, he stood up with such force that got me excited Immediately, grabbing me roughly and pushing me to his bed _their matrimonial bed, heavily intoxicated by the alcohol and hyperactive due to the drug.
Forgive me Paige, I've always wanted him...
*******
The sound of the doorknob turning to open, made me snap back to the present and I quickly composed myself just as the door opened and Jamie stepped out. He frowned on seeing me _something he's been doing for many years now except when facing the media where he had to pretend to care about me.
'What are you doing here, Harriet?' He snapped.
'Darling, I was just about to knock and say goodnight to you when you stepped out.' I lied, trying to cover up with a smile as best as I could.
He raised a brow suspiciously at me, then he smirked mysteriously before walking away, down the hallway.
Jamie smirked? Heck! I've never seen him do that! What does this mean good heavens?
I can feel it in my bones, I might be in trouble soon....
********
NARRATIVE
Scarlett wiped tears out of her eyes from where she sat amongst the crowd with her Dad, Aimee and Skylar as they listened to the women sing.
Their words reflect the entire life of the late Paige Grey and Scarlett couldn't help but be emotional _as many others were, over the life of her mom. She was truly a good woman and Scarlett felt proud, knowing that.
'It's time baby, let's go pay a visit to your mother.' Aimee whispered gently beside her and Scarlett sniffed. She turned sideways to Jamie and he nodded approval.
As they walked out the memorial service held in a big hall in city center, Skylar clinged unto Scarlett's bicep, encouragingly and supportively.
After a few mins drive down the city they arrived at the cemetery dedicated for affluent citizens and high ranking societal people.
'Here my beloved Paige, your mother lies, Heidi.' Jamie said lowly as they stood before the marble tombstone which bore his wife's full name _PAIGE ELLIE GREY
Scarlett took two steps forward as tears clouded her eyes, blurring her vision. It was true she never knew her Mom but after going through her diary, she felt a connection with her more than she'd ever imagined. It was as though she's known her for many years.
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she dropped down and caressed the marble tombstone where the woman who bore her lay. She cried when she imagined how great it would have been if she'd grown up with her and her Dad. She cried more when she remembered how she'd died.
The others lay down their flowers on the tomb in respect to the dead and gave Scarlett some privacy.
'Hello Mother,' she began. 'I brought you your favorite flowers I hope you like them.' She lay the banquet of yellow Ranunculus flowers on the tomb. She'd read in her mother's dairy how much she loved them. A foreign wind toyed with her long black hair and she smiled.
'I guesss you like it.' She said. 'Mother, Mom Aimee is so nice. Thank you for leaving me under her care. I hope you don't mind, I'd continue calling her Mom.' She started.
After moments of sitting and talking to her mother about everything, Scarlett made a promise.
'I promise to expose that woman. She'd have to pay for what she did to you and Dad. I promise you mother, I'll make sure of it!'
*******
Moments after they'd left the cemetery, someone else came to pay Paige Grey a visit.
'Ellie,' He whispered softly. 'I hope you're resting fine.' He lay down a single pink carnation flower on the tomb.