19

"I am a little too old for such kind of parties," Jack says as he drives us through Ryan's driveway. This after my graduation party.

"How old are you?" Kelly asks.

"Twenty-nine." He says.

"Wow!" Kelly exclaims as she stares outside.

The place is filled to capacity. All the latest models of cars are parked outside the house.

"I have never felt out of place," Kelly says.

"What about my car?" Jack asks and we laugh. He drives a simple soccer mom van. It is like at a donkey at a royal ball.

I have two reasons to be here. One, talk to Ryan's mother. Two, ask Ryan to help me apologize to Quinn, especially to Theo. I can't imagine what the kid is going through after realising he was living a lie. Since letting out the secret that has been the trending topic on all form of media. Tomorrow it will be in all the papers. The most important question being who is his mother? My carelessness has opened a wound in Quinn's heart.

Fresh air fans my face the moment I step out. My eyes move around searching for a particular red Lamborghini hoping he didn't leave with his wife. I don't see it.

"This is my first campus party in my entire life," Jack reveals.

"You don't say." Kelly mocks him as she stares at his black dress pants. He looks out of place.

"Really?" I raise my eyebrows. "By the way, you never talk about your time at primeton University."

"It was the worst four years of my life, never fit in. Worse, I was a Student On Scholarship. You wouldn't understand, this is your world, not mine." He points out.

Kelly stare catches my vision when she gazes at me to see my reaction.

"I understand perfectly," I tell him.

"How? You drive an Audi. You did not rely on scholarships or leftover to go through school."

"That is what you think." I murmur as Ryan opens the door for us. A broad smile spreads throughout his mouth. How wide can a mouth stretch?

"Didn't think you would come." He says when he sees Jack his demeanour changes.

"I gave you my word."

He opens the door wide for us to get in.

I slow my steps as Jack and Kelly's mouth hang open at how magnificent and grandiose the house is.

"Is Quinn here?" I find myself asking.

A frown etches across his face. Probably not what he expected to hear.

"No. Presumably on their way to Indonesia." He says with a smirk.

A stranger feeling squeezes my insides refusing to let go.

"Let me lead the way." He turns to Jack and Kelly. "The party is in the garden." He starts to walk.

I am not in the mood for partying, I came here for answers. My phone vibrates, it is a text from Andre.

I changed my mind, I will not be able to join you at Ryan's party. My mother isn't well.

I text back. Though disappointed, I am sorry to hear about your mother.

Have fun, you have earned it. Andre responds.

"May I use the bathroom?" I ask Ryan.

He contemplates for a second before he answers. "Sure. You still remember the direction?" He asks.

I nod as he guides Jack and Kelly with promise I will join them shortly.

I head towards a familiar hallway until I find a bathroom. The moment I step in I sigh in relief. I stare at my reflection. I am a stranger to myself. How am I going to apologise to Quinn? School is over, I doubt we will ever cross paths unless it is in courtrooms when I get something substantial to convict his family.

I wash my hands and walk out.

A figure leaning in the dim hallways catches my attention. The posture is enough to tell me who it is. My heart beats faster as I slowly approach. What I did today is irredeemable. My inner self reminds me, they have done worse to you. I remind it. He was an innocent kid. My inner self huffs, You were an innocent kid too.

"How do you live with yourself?" Quinn asks.

I am surprised by his presence than what he says, what is he doing here. Where is his overbearing wife? Are his eyes red? Was he crying?

I feel my limbs weakening, almost kneeling down. "I am so sorry." I plead.

"Your apology is meaningless now. Where is your friend, Andre?"

I knit my brows in confusion, "At home."

"I went over there, his father said he hasn't been home today." He says.

I am still perplexed by his interest in Andre and why Andre lied to me.

"How is Theo?" I stammer, my brain is fuzzy.

"Why do you care? He doesn't want to see me. Same applies to my wife."

I hate that term, wife.

"I wish I could go back in time and change what I did," I say. "To get even, you can announce to the world I am Cara Cooper," I add.

He shakes his head in disbelief "You can't and about your identity, it is still a mystery." He says.

"I am Cara Cooper," I say.

He buffs. "That is yet to be proven."

What is that suppose to mean?

"How can I make it right?" I ask.

"Misha." He whispers. "Theo wants to see his Mother."

I did expect that kind of response so I am left speechless.

"Misha..." He softly says like the name has some magic effect. The effect lasts a while in the air.

"Misha." I find myself repeating the name.

"You must be exhilarated to see me this wounded. You have won Cara, you have hit me where it hurts the most. My son and now I have to face my past, Misha."

"You don't know what being wounded is. Your son is still alive and you have a possibility of a second chance build on honesty. In time all will be forgiven. I lost everything."

"Nothing is ever forgiven, remember that." He says with finality.

He moves away from the wall and staggers forward. I watch him for a while to see if he is able to walk on his own. He is drunk to the core. I rush to support him before he falls.

"I don't need your help."

"Sometimes we need help."

"Certainly not from you."

I ignore him as I look around to find a room he can rest. I spot some maids walking out of a room down the hall. I decide to head there. He is heavy, his drunken state leaves all of his weight for me to bear.

"I once liked you for some minutes." He says as I drag him.

"I never did," I say.

"Because you are incapable of understanding normal human emotions."

"And you are?" I ask him and push the door to the room open. It looks more of a storage. Good thing it has a worn-out sofa.

"Misha is prove enough."

"Yeah, prove enough no one can stand you." What is wrong with me today saying all the wrong things.

He pushes me away from him.

"You don't know her, she was the most decent person I have ever met."

"Where is she?" I ask.

"Andre...." He is interrupted by loud wail which draws both our attention. We remain immobile as we hear footsteps outside the hallway and mumbles.

What is going on?

"Just wait here," I tell Quinn and rush out without waiting for his response.

I follow where people are rushing to. It is five rooms away from the storage room. I can see people turn to stare as I walk past them. As I get close I fell my heartbeat shoot up. I can see a pool of blood. I move closer and finally see the victim. Ryan's mother. She is on the floor with several stab wounds.

Ryan is beside her he looks up to glance at me.

"You." He points. "You did this."

"What?"

I look at my shoulders and down at my dress. It has red patches of blood. Only one person I have been in contact with. Quinn.
















































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