Chapter 92: Driving Truth

My silent sarcasm came to an abrupt stop. “Wait… what did you just say?”

“The day she died, Master Julian asked me where she was at and if she was late. When I told him she wasn’t feeling good, he told me to tell her that he hopes she gets well soon.” A small smile curved her lips. “It’s comforting to know that even the Masters and Madam Isabella cared about Elena just as much as we did.” the melancholy look in her eyes shifted into confusion when she looked at me. “Are you alright, ma’am?”

I was so stunned by my discovery that it must’ve been visible on my face. I realized my mouth was gaping when she questioned me and quickly put on my usual demeanor. “Uh, yeah, she…” I rubbed the back of my neck as I forced a mumble of nice words out of my rotting soul. “...She wasn’t half bad.”

The maids looked surprised by the positive words that just came out of my unsurly mouth. The one who was speaking to me beamed a brighter smile as she felt more comfortable around me. “Yes, I agree.”

“Did Julian say anything else? Ask about her whereabouts?”

“No.” she shook her head, her confusion returning when my questions were starting to feel like an investigation. “Is everything alright?”

“Mind your own.” I snapped my warning. If these maids got nosy and started poking around in this subject, then Julian might turn his attention to them. If he does have a part to play here… “The road where the accident happened. Where was it?”

The worried woman was taken aback by my sudden sharp wariness, but she told me in detail what road to take and where it happened. “You won’t miss it…”

“Thanks. By the way, I give you permission to come into my room and wash the clothes I drop on the floor. Touch anything else and I’ll scalp your asses.”

My unnecessary threat after their cooperation was to be expected from somebody like me. The only two maids instantly turned pale again, but the one I was talking to let out a sigh of defeat. “Yes, ma’am.” at least she was getting used to the ‘Suki routine.’

As I left the laundry room and headed to the garage, multiple thoughts plagued my mind. What was I looking for? What was I expecting to find there? What was I going to look for? What do I think I’ll find? …What am I hoping to not find?

I don’t know.

I avoided the sight of my mom, Gabriel, and any other servant I may end up crossing. Most importantly, I made sure to be extra cautious in avoiding Grace’s attention. If she saw me sneaking off, then she could use that against me for anything. As always.

Thankfully, the car that Gabriel gave me is pretty quiet compared to cars like Jack’s rusty bucket on wheels that haven’t fallen apart yet. Too bad I still don’t have my license. Just gonna have to attempt to drive like a good girl.

While driving through the east-side neighborhoods, I was getting both frustrated and depressed that I was getting used to watching these huge, emerald yards in front of their giant white mansions fly by. I didn’t even have any cigarettes to exhale my problems out in the killer smoke. When I was halfway to the crash site, I felt my upper pants to see which one had my phone and which one had my knife. Except that, I was only feeling one…

*What the fuck?*

I yanked out the only object I had in my pants and it was my handy dandy best friend.

*Fuck! Did I seriously forget my fucking phone?! …Eh. If I had to choose between my phone and my knife; I’d choose the thing that has saved my ass over a dozen times.*

The road I drove distanced itself from the luxurious neighborhoods but wasn’t too close to the west-side either. It was curvy and trees were starting to replace yards. For a moment, I was convinced that I was heading to some sort of backwoods camping grounds until I saw the familiar bridge I saw on TV.

*Ah… so this is it.*

I slowed down when driving across the bridge. The railing where the crash happened was still completely ripped in half and was replaced with shitty cones. At the bottom, I could see a white cross surrounded by flowers. The ground was a complete wreck and I could still see pieces of metal in the grass.

*Holy shit. Must’ve been one hell of a crash. I know my pathetic ass life would’ve flashed before my eyes before my skull splits open.*

I shuddered at the thought and focused my attention on the road. It reminded me of my doodles back in my art room; black streaks from tire tracks were practically scribbled across the concrete, completely ignoring the yellow lines that separate lanes. I can begin to feel my heartbeat pounding against my chest wall.

*Why am I getting worked up?*

Pulling over into the grass, I walked back to the bridge and took a look at the tire tracks. I didn’t recognize either of them, but yet again I didn’t know the August family’s tire tracks by heart. I used to do things like this to pinpoint which cars to bash up, the people who would fuck me and my gang over.

*This is still personal. The fucker made my mom cry.*

Even when I went down to the crash sight I didn’t find much that grabbed my attention. The police clean up. Good, I’ll give them that. Many bouquets from grieving people had left beautiful flowers around the cross. Everything may have been the color of snow, but it still had an enchanting quality. Even the cross looked like it was carefully crafted by skilled hands.

*Damn. Lady wasn’t lyin’. Elena really did have a lot of good people. I wonder… would I receive the same treatment when I die?*

The haunting thought struck a sensitive part of me. I didn’t believe I’d get too much sympathy or mourning if I were ever to die. Sure, my mom and friends would grieve, but I also knew that dozens of people would dance on my grave. I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody pissed or shit diarrhea on my headstone. If I ever got a headstone…

*Fucking hell. I’ve been getting a lot of shitty thoughts lately. Maybe I just need a good drink.*

After a little more of my own little investigation, I hopped back into my car and drove back to the mansion. The unexpected appearance of Julian’s car caught my attention.

*Oh yeah, I forgot he left. I wonder if Mom asked him whatever she wanted to earlier?*

I could feel my heartbeat speed up again as I walked over to his car and got down on one knee. My fingertips trailed the bottom along each wedge. Nothing felt out of place, no expression. His wheels were in surprisingly good condition.

*Damn. Dude really takes care of his shit.*

My racing heart slowed and I released a relieved sigh.

*Wait… I’m relieved?*

I tried to ignore the feeling or I’d end up feeling like a stupid hypocrite. I was happy I had nothing to be wary about Julian now. That’s what mattered.

Right?

The hallways were comfortably quiet and my body slouched with exhaustion as soon as I was in my room and leaned my back against the door. The moment I did energy jolted through my body like a bolt of lightning when I finally noticed Julian standing in the middle of my room with his back facing me.

I clutched my chest with a startled shriek. “Holy fuck, Julian! You scared the shit outta me! What the hell are you doing?” when he didn’t respond to me, I impatiently squinted at him. “Hello? Earth to Julian? You with me, bro?” the last word came out of habit and I regretted it as soon as I realized that he was still my stepbrother.

I noticed Julian’s arm was faintly shaking and when I took a step closer; I saw that he was clutching my phone so tightly that his veins were pushing against his skin. My stupidity turned into doom when it dawned on me what he saw. I didn’t even have to see his face to know that he was mad as hell.

When Julian partially turned his head to look at me, the intensity in his blue fire irises burned hotter than I had ever seen before. His voice growled from behind his teeth.

“Who the fuck is Liam?”