All exposed

Chapter forty-seven
Jayde
I swallow harder when the phone starts ringing again.
I don't even know if I'm supposed to pick it or not. If I pick it, I will be forced to act like Hattie which Declan is warning me against.
I just don't know why he's so strict and wicked. He shouldn't be forcing a decision on me.
I made the decision. I decided to go on with the plan, I should also be the one to let go.
I don't even know what to do. I'm so confused.
The phone stops ringing and I look up at Declan.
"You should pick the call and let him know."
"I will go and see him, " I say and look away, " I will tell him everything. "
I thought of the money he sent to me. I should let him know I don't need his money. I might have decided to do this in the first place because of the moment involved.
But the second time, there was no money attached.
I don't like the way he offered me the money. It made it looks as though I will do anything for money.
Just like what he did that day in the club. When he told me to be his or I will regret it.
Must he always use force for everything? Must he act so pompous? He must think no one is above him.
I sigh and look up at him, "What's your account number?"
He raises a brow and turns to look at me, bewildered, "What did you say?"
"I want to send the money back to you. I don't need them."
He sighs and looks away, "it's ok. You own it now."
"I don't want your money. And yes, I'm not doing it for the money."
He pulls to a stop and I realize we are in front of my house. How did he know my place? How did these guys get all this information?
He turns to look at me fully, " you just told me they paid you one million dollars to do it."
"Yes," I shiver at his closeness, " But not now. I made up my mind to come out now. No money was attached."
" Why?' his grey eyes watch me closely
"Because I feel like," I swallow hard on the large lump that has suddenly formed in my throat.
He scoffs, "You feel like?" He raises a brow and laughs.
Though, I'm still unsure of what seems so funny to him. He's so arrogant, he must think it's normal.
"That won't change the fact that you accepted the money to do this in the first place. And besides, who doesn't want a life of luxury, who doesn't want to be rich?" He remarks and gets down from the car.
What does he mean by that? Is he by any way referring to me?
I get down from the car and see him walk closer. I look up at him.
"What was that you said the other time? What did you mean by that?" My voice sounds, unlike mine, my emotions displayed in them.
I have even forgotten my mom can be at home. And in fact, she could be watching me at this moment. I don't care, for now, I don't. I won't stand by and watch him insult me.
He moves too close for comfort, his mouth moves to my ear, "Do you think people will believe you if you say you went there the second time to help? It can be that you enjoyed it the first time and you decided to go back there."
" You might even be the one that made sure Hattie never leaves the hospital, so you can continue enjoying the luxury you had the first time."
" You even told the manager in the club that you were Hattie, thereby enjoying the privilege of her. If she testifies that, you will be behind the bar for the rest of your life," his deep voice seems even deeper.
I feel a surge of anger, " How dare you lie against me!" I scream at him.
He moves back and smirks, "The one about the bar isn't lying, is it? Didn't you pretend to be Hattie? That was why Ruth permitted you to be absent whenever you want to."
I slap him across the face quickly even before I could stop myself. My hands shake involuntarily beside me.
The anger blinds even me. I fold my left hand so hard beside me that they nearly turn white.
My body vibrates at the thought of it. The thought of the allegations he just laid down, being brought against me in the court of law.
Will I really be behind the bar for the rest of my life?
"If you don't know something, you keep quiet about it!" I scream at him, anger and sadness etch my voice. My voice went higher than it should. I don't care.
"I didn't tell Ruth I was Hattie because I wanted to. I wanted to be back to my life, I wanted to continue enjoying the privilege I had before the incident. How dare you insult me with that!" I scream at him, oblivious to the fact that people might be passing by.
I just feel so angry and sad inside. I feel so helpless.
Why is he coming against me like that?
I'm the one that had to hide my face with a face mask because I didn't want anyone to mistake me for Hattie.
I've been unable to move freely, I've been unable to do things I should do.
How then can it all be my fault?
I wipe away the tears from my face. I shouldn't be crying, I shouldn't.
"I don't care what you want to do. I will stop being Hattie but you won't be the one you stop me. I will stop but I won't delve in because of your threats, I won't_"
I'm forced to an unexpected stop when his lips touch mine. He kisses me with so much energy as if he has been holding it for a long time.
I couldn't do anything, shock kept me motionless and speechless for a very long time.
Henry
Where did she go to? I've searched the whole house and she's not anywhere.
Has she gone home? Is she trying to run away again?
Gosh! I don't believe Dad forced me to have a honeymoon with this lady and she had to leave again.
What do I say to dad? What if he decides to extend the honeymoon period.
Gosh! I can't stop thinking. I can't stop fidgeting. And it's not funny at all.
But aren't I supposed to be looking for the real Hattie? I mean where the fuck is she?
If she was here, it would have been very easy for me.
But it's also Jayde's fault. If she didn't agree to the stupid plan, I would still be a bachelor at this stage. I wouldn't have got married.
So, it's on her to make sure I don't have any problem with my business.
She should be here. She should wait for the real Hattie to come back.
I'm sure she's at home or the bar. I should check her at home first.
I grab my keys and walk out of the house. I feel so much anger in me. And she couldn't even call me.
And she wouldn't even pick her call! That girl is so disrespectful. I don't know why I'm still gentle with her, I should just nip the bud in the head and tell her I know everything.
Perhaps, she will be able to tell me all I want to know.
I dial her number again as I drive out into the street.
It rings severally but she didn't pick up again.
I soon drive into her street. I stare ahead of me, at her house. Gosh, I don't believe I will be coming to this place again.
It seems so different from what I'm used to. The first day I came here, I found it hard to believe people live here. Seriously.
I drive closer and pull to a stop forcefully when I see Jayde and Declan get down from the car.
Why are they together? Wait? Has Declan found out she's Jayde? Sincerely, that's the only explanation for this. I don't think he must have found out she's also pretending to be Hattie.
Declan walks to Jayde. They talk for a while and Declan moves his mouth to her cheek.
My cheek turns red as I watch them. A new wave of feeling rushed through me.
He pulls back and I release the breath I don't even know I was holding.
Jayde says something else. She looks so angry now. Declan replies and Jayde slaps him.
Wait! Something is wrong somewhere. Why will Jayde slap Declan?
"If you don't know something, you keep quiet about it!" She screams to his face.
"I didn't tell Ruth I was Hattie because I wanted to. I wanted to be back to my life, I wanted to continue enjoying the privilege I had before the incident. How dare you insult me with that!" she screams and that was when the realization hits in.
Declan doesn't only know she's Jayde, he also knows she's the fake Hattie.
And he must have threatened her to speak up.
I look at them for a while, she didn't scream again but she was still talking. She looks so angry now.
I sigh. Doesn't this mean Jayde will have to stop the action?
I made to start my car when suddenly, Declan moves to kiss her.
My eyes widen as I watch them. My hand falters and the keys drop from my hand.
It seems like my heart stopped breathing.