Chapter 62

BACK TO THE PRESENT
Nico couldn't get what Zoe told them out of his mind. He wondered what the secret could be. The secret which led his Aunt Laura to her death and can even cause more death if it's revealed.
He tossed in his bed from one side to the other and decided to call the men he asked to investigate his Aunt's accident and asked them to get back to it again.
He then dialed Gianna's number but it wasn't going through. He tried Zoe's number too but it wasn't going through either.
He went on and tried calling them a couple of times more but it wasn't going through and it got him really worried.
' What's going on?"
….
…. GIANNA…
I heard a knock on my door and I went to open it only to find Zoe behind my bedroom door.
' Hey…you made me think I just got a visitor." I said and went back to sit on my bed.
' Gianna, can you escort me to see someone?" ' Your new boyfriend."
' Nope, it's a she…someone you know." ' Sandra?"
' Nope."
' Aurora?"
'Why will I want to go see that witch?" 'Then tell me already."
' I want us to go and see your mom." 'Huh?"
' We've been friends for over a year now and you haven't even bothered to introduce me to your mom and neither has Sandra too." She cried.
'Fine, let's go then. But why do you want to see her?"
'It's a secret I can't tell. It's just between your mom and I okay. I hope you understand."
' You and your secrets. Well let me get dressed and let's go." I said and turned to my closet as I searched for my orange dress with flower designs in it and we headed out.
' Why should I mute my phone?" I asked her.
' Just in caseian or Thaddeus tries to reach you and keep you distracted. Mason will be there too. I really need you guys to pay attention." She explained.
' Zoe, you're acting strange and I'm getting scared."
' Don't be scared. It's just that you haven't seen this part of me and only saw the happy and social media freak Zoe." She replied and I nodded.
She looked very serious and not too jovial that I was worried something might be wrong somewhere.
' Did you get into a fight with someone?" I asked her and she shook her head.
I nodded and we walked to the bus station to take the bus to my house.
She is very popular on social media so she wore sun glasses with a summer hat so she wouldn't draw much attention.
' You look like the straw man from Dorothy in Oz." I teased and she groaned.
' Gianna, I tried to look so good. I think you're right, what am I even wearing. Ah I must be going crazy. Did I left my fashion sense somewhere." She cried when she took a look at herself in the glass of a shop nearby when we got off the bus.
' Imagine if they saw you." I added.
' It's a good think I disguised myself. ' She said turning away from the glass mirror.
Upon our arrival, I was shocked by the sight of what I saw and heard.
'You two know each other?" I asked out of shock as mom hugged Zoe tightly and asked her if she was alright.
' Of course, they know each other. It's been a while now." Mason interjected as he walked out of his room to the hall with his eyes glued on his phone.
' Did you know Zoe before we went to Royal Stewards?" I asked him and he shook his head sideways.
' Zoe has been a great help for me Gianna. Because of her I'm gradually getting to know my past and who I truly am."
' I'm totally confused." I said to them and mom sat me down.
' Remember the time those thugs tried to attack you at the noodle shop?" Mom asked me and I nodded.
' Well that was the first time I came across her." She added.
' I was the one who uploaded the video on the net. That girl who went 'Oh my God he's so cool!" I was the one." Zoe explained and my jaw dropped.
' Was that why you became friends with Sandra and I?" I asked and she shook her head.
' I really meant it when I asked you if we could be friends. There are a lot of things you do not know yet." Zoe added and to be honest, I was totally confused.
' She's too dumb to understand." Mason blurted out and I smacked the back of his head.
' Hey!!' he yelled at me and I roared at him making him cower.
' Better." I said and turned to mom and Zoe.
' Mason, please close all the window and doors." Mom ordered Mason who hurriedly did as he was told. Mom usually did this when he wanted to tell us something important.
' So, I really need to understand what is going on here because I just don't get it." I said to them and Zoe brought out a picture of a beautiful woman.
' Do you know this lady?" She asked.
' Of course, that's my mom." I replied with a smile and she smiled back.
' This isn't your mother, this is the Queen of Sol Empire." Zoe replied and I scoffed.
' That's clearly my mom, there's no way I'm going to believe that's…" I didn't finish my statement when she brought another picture out of her pocket and this time around, it was a picture of Aurora and the woman.
' No way!"
' Yes way, that's Aurora's mother. Remember when we were young and went to the market with Mom a man knocked me down and when mom rushed to pick me up the man bowed to mom and apologize?" Mason asked me and I nodded.
I remember that day clearly, We went to the market with my mom and Mason and I were
playing around when he was knocked by a man who seemed to be in a hurry so when my mom rushed to Mason's side, at the sight of my mom, the man bowed and apologized and even called her
' your majesty" but my mom told him he was mistaking her for someone else.
'Yes, I remember very clearly." I replied.
' Now…think about it, why did the man addressed mom as 'your highness" when he saw her and even bowed with respect."
' So are you trying to say that mom was a Queen and she escaped?" I asked and they all hit their hand on their forehead with disbelieve.
' Oh, wait I get it. Mom and the Queen of Sol Empire are twins?" I asked and Mason shook it head.
' Ah, I told you she was dumb. She wouldn't get it. I don't blame you, you don't know the whole story yet." Mason blurted and they giggled.
' No, that's not how things are Gianna. Your mother and the Queen are sisters but not twin sisters."
' Then how come they look so alike?"
' That's because the Queen isn't who we think she is."
' What do you me a by that?"
' I hope you know the Queen of Sol Empire goes by the name Mrs. Gu Ember?" Zoe asked and I gulped as I pursed my lips.
' Oh my God what do we do with you?" Zoe asked with desperation and I smiled.
' It's not my fault that I don't know her name. Her daughter is always on my nerves and looking for ways to bring me down. Why would I bother to know the name of the mother of such an arrogant head ache of a Princess." I said and turned away.
' Oh, I see. But then back to the point. It is not a coincidental that your mother also bared the same name as the Queen and that she also looks just like her. Your mother is the real Lady Ember, the Queen of Sol Empire."
'What!?" Mason and I exclaimed. I guess he didn't know about this part either as he was as shocked as I was.
' What do you mean by my… my mother is…"
' Kids please calm down. I know this is all new to you. I had lost my memory twenty-three years ago and I was so desperate to know about my past when I realized I was pregnant with you two. I was already three months old and I didn't know who the father of my children was and this young man who saved my life decided to take me in and we lived together."
'So, you mean, dad isn't our real father?" Mason asked Mom and she nodded.
' He said he saw me in a pool of blood and I begged him to save me and my unborn child so he took me to the hospital and was told I was pregnant with twins and that they were okay. He took me in and we lived together."
' So how come you remember everything now?" I asked Mom and she smiled.
' On that day after the thugs left, Zoe pleaded to have a talk with me when you two had left for home. We talked over coffee and she told me everything she knew. At first, I didn't want to believe her till she played a video recording to me and I saw myself in it. I was with a lady my age and Zoe informed me that she was my sister who now looks just like me and has taken my place. I told her I wasn't interested because I was okay with the life I'm leaving but then she kept in coming back over and over again. She told me about how the crowned Prince's Aunt had lost her life trying to protect this secret and finding me. That was when I decided to change my mind."
' Are you trying to say thatian's Aunt lost her life trying to find your whereabouts and protecting this secret?" I asked as tears had already welled up in my eyes.
' Yes Gianna, on that day that the accident occurred was when she decided to contact your mother after her arrival from her trip. She confronted Aurora's mother and told her she was going to reveal the whole truth and bring back the real Queen to the Castle. So, it wasn't just a coincidence that she died on that very day. She was murdered. ' Zoe explained and my jaw dropped and the tears were running down my cheeks.
' She isn't the only one who has lost her life trying to protect this secret. The first person to die was the surgeon and then followed by her own best friend Kylie who decided to build a life of her own outside Sol Empire. The Queen didn't trust her that much as she used to because Kylie was using their secret to blackmail her and get money from her. Kylie's death seemed like an accident as well just like Aunt Laura and the Surgeon. Unknowingly to her, Kylie had their conversations recorded and even got the black box from Lady Ember's car after the incident of replacing her with Arya. She had pure evidence which she gave the original copy to Aunt Laura and gave the fake copy to Lady Arya." Zoe explained and I couldn't believe my ears.
' She's…she's like the devil's reincarnate." Mason said as he tried to hold back his tears by tilting his head upwards.
' I can't believe she killed all those people because they knew her secret. How can a human be so heartless. No wonder her daughter takes after her." I said and Zoe chuckled at my last
statement.
' Aurora isn't her daughter." She said amidst her chuckle and we all turned to her.
' After she returned to the Castle as the Queen, she realized that the Queen was pregnant and she wasn't so she faked her pregnancy with the help of her friend Kylie. In the end they bought the baby from a hospital and made it seem like she was the one who gave birth to the baby. No one knows Aurora's mother."
' Can I ask you a question?" Mason asked Zoe and she gave him the go ahead.
' How come Kylie gave a copy if the evidence to the late Aunt Laura?"
' Aunt Laura was your mother's best friend back in those days but then she went out of the country to study and work abroad. When the late Kylie realized she might end up losing her life as well
when she heard of the Surgeon's accident. She knew her life was in danger because she had started black mailing Lady Arya already." Zoe explain further.
' Zoe, how did you get to know all of this?" I asked and she turned to my mom.
' Aunt Laura and I were very close but she didn't make it so visible so everyone would know. She did that so she could secretly pass everything on to me. She had hid it in a teddy bear she bought me when I turned nine. She told me to open the teddy bear when I was fifteen and that I shouldn't tell anyone about what I'll find in the teddy bear. I did as she told me when I turned fifteen and I found the pen drive which contained the secret, I made two copies of them and gave your mother one and kept the other copy in case anything happens." Zoe explained.
' Are you sure no one knows about you having it because I'm scared. From what you're saying, anyone who gets to know about this secret ends up losing their lives because Lady Arya doesn't want her cover to get blown." I said to her.
' Don't worry about me, I'll be totally fine. My only concern is you guys and your mom because she knows your mom is alive and she's going to do everything in her power to find her and when she does, she might not let her or you guys go. She isn't ready to give up the throne and when she realizes your mom had a son, she might want Mason out of the way too."
' What?" Mason said with fear.
' Yeah, because you will be the true heir to the throne. The throne she's killed so many people to secure. She wouldn't want you taking it away. So, I think it will be best if we all pretend that this conversation never took place for our own sake. When the right time comes, I'll reveal the truth to
the world to know. But for now, we must keep our cool." Zoe warned and it sent chills all over my body.
Mom extended her arms and hugged us very tightly.
' I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you two, I'll protect you both till my last breath." She said to us and kissed our fore head.
We wanted Zoe to sleep over for the night but she insisted on leaving for the school because she had promisedaxel to help him out with his new project.
I decided to escort her back to the bus station so we both walked out of the house.
' Zoe, you're growing really fat these days." I said and she jumped and gasped.
' oh my God so it's true. No wonder my cheeks are getting big, I really need to lose weight before I
turn into ugly betty." She cried as she rubbed her fingers on her cheeks and I laughed.
' Hey…why are you laughing?" she asked me and I couldn't stop laughing.
' The expression on your face when I told you were growing fat was priceless!!" I said laughing and she hit my butt playfully.
' Ah!!!" she cried childishly and then joined me in laughing.
We were a few miles away from the bus station when I heard someone call my name. The voice sounded familiar.
' Was thatian's voice?" Zoe asked as we turned to find where the voice was coming from then out of no where someone covered my head with a sack and hit the back of my neck causing m me to black out.
…
…Ian…
I got really worried when their lines weren't going through so I asked Waylon if he had heard from her this evening, that was when he told me he crossed paths with Zoe who informed him about going to visit Gianna's mom.
I hurried and drove to her mother's house but Mason told me she had left to escort Zoe to the bus station so I quickly went running.
I looked around, with both hands on my waist, it was seven minutes past 8pm and I don't know why but I was having a very bad feeling that something really bad was going to happen anytime soon.
I finally spotted them from a few distance away from me and I called her name.
'Gianna!!" I called out and I saw her turn together with Zoe but when I lifted up my hand to signal them someone blocked my view and the next thing I knew, they were nowhere to be found. I pushed through the crowd, calling their names but no response neither did I find them.
I heard someone yell 'Help!" It was short and I walked to the direction of the sound, that was when I saw a similar bracelet and watch on the floor.
'Zoe? Zoe!" I screamed as fear began to engulf me. I pushed through the crowd and followed a guy in black when I saw two men push someone into a van and slam the door.
That could be them!! I ran towards the van but then it took off and I began to chase it.
I was running out of breath but I wasn't stopping either, my stomach hurts but it won't stop me.
The car took a U-TURN and I lost it!! I screamed out of desperation and Anger.
How was I going to find it? Fortunately, I had memorized the plate number and looked forward to finding it.
I rushed back to where my car was parked, entered into my car and started the engine, with full speed I headed down the road where I lost the van which was already out of sight.
I drove through the road but it seemed to be an empty road without an end or another parted way.
I ran my fingers through my hair and hit the car wheel really hard.
How could you lose themian, how could you!
I was scolding myself in the car when I heard my phone ring, I looked at the caller and it was Waylon, I swiped the answering button.
'ian-ah, where are you, it's fifteen minutes past eleven. We are beginning to worry."
He's like that sometimes, he sometimes even nags more than mom does.
' Waylon, something really terrible happened."
' What happened?" his voice was low and contains a lot of concern.
' Gianna and Zoe are missing. I lost them right before my eyes and I couldn't do anything."
'What?!"
' I went to Gianna's house because I was having this very bad feeling that something was going to happen to her. I was told she had left to the bus station with Zoe and that's where they took them Waylon…right in front of my eyes and I couldn't…"
' Calm downian…where are you at the moment?"
' I have no idea, I took my car and tried to trace the van that took them in but It's impossible to find any trail and the road seems to be a one-way road….this is all my fault Waylon, what if something bad happens to them?"
'ian, listen to me, just stay where you are and turn on your GPS location, I'll be with you right away."
' But how are you going to find me?"
' I have mine connected to yours so we can both find each other in case we lose contact of each other or the other goes out without coming back early, you know make certain circumstances."
' Okay I'll be waiting, I'll look around to find some clues."
' I'll be on my way."
' Waylon, I know this might sound weird but can you bring Thaddeus with you andaxel?"
' It sounds weird but I think we might need his help. I heard he once participated in the investigation of finding the England's Prime Minister's daughter when she went missing and he played a very big role in it. I'll tell him right away.
See you soon." He said and hanged up.
I took my black hoodie from the backseat, got out of my car and stood in the middle of the road with my cell phone in my pocket. I brought out my phone and placed it on vibration just in case I get a call the moment I find them, I wouldn't want to draw any attention.
There were bushes everywhere, it was like I was nowhere, no street signs, no road signs not even a single individual was spotted on the road.
I am very certain this is the route they took because this is the road ahead from the U-TURN.
I spotted a route in the bushes on my right-hand side, it looked like a freshly made route because the grass seemed to be wet. I followed the route and I saw an uncompleted building in sight. I walked closer and saw two men who were standing outside of the building. They seemed to be on the lookout. I slowly hid behind one of the trees nearby and I saw that same van parked close to the building.
I can't believe I found them!
I brought out my phone and went to my map and searched for my location, I can't believe the distance. I screenshot my location and sent it as a text message to Waylon so they will be able to find me.
'Shut the hell up!!!" I heard someone yell from inside the building. That voice sounded very familiar.
I searched for a stick and found one, I need to get into the building but first I need to deal with those two on the lookout.
I wore the cap on my hoodie and went to the other side of the building, it was 2am already. I sneaked behind the one close to me, tapped his shoulder and I hit him really hard on the neck when he turned. The other one saw me, he was about to call for back up when I jumped and kicked his chest, landing him on the ground. He tried standing back up but then I summersaulted and kicked him really hard on the head making him black out.
I carefully entered the building, trying to find where the noise was came from but then my phone began to vibrate and it was Waylon. I hid behind a pillar before answering the call.
' Where are you?"
' I'm inside the building." I replied. ' Thaddeus is here with me too."
' That's good, I'm inside so I think you guys should find a back entrance and try searching for them. I'll blow a whistle as a signal when I find them. '
' Sure, we will also do the same. Be careful." 'I will, you too." I said and hanged up.
I turned around only to find a man standing behind me.
I faked a smile when saw his stature, he's thick and tall!
I gulped and was about to walk away when he held my hoodie and pulled me back.
I looked up at his as he lifted a hand to punch me, but then I kicked him really hard in the balls. I could feel his pain as he let go of me and I rushed to the room nearby.
'Let her go you jerk!!" it was Zoe's voice and the it seemed to be coming from the right side of the room I was hiding in.
' It's me that you want. Come get me instead dumbass!!" I heard her yell at whoever it was.
I walked to the entrance of the room they were kept in, I hid behind the door as I observed the men in there. They were Like six men in there. I blew a whistle and it drew the attention of the men inside as they turned to the door and I pulled back.
' What was that?"
' I think it came from the door way."
' Go and see what it is. If it's a human, make sure to break his legs!!"
…...GIANNA…
They men dragged someone inside the room, he was in that black hoodie the hoodie stranger wore.
' Hoodie stranger?" I said and he turned away from my gaze, lowering his head.
What's he doing here?
I watched as they hit him really hard in the ribs and he groaned in pain.
'Leave him alone!!" I yelled as I tried to free myself from the chair I was tied on.
' I promise not to go anywhere near the crowned Prince!! Why are you beating him up! What kind of human are you!!" I yelled at them and a slap landed on my left cheek and Zoe called my name out of fear.
I looked up with my hair falling on my face, my gaze moved to Zoe who had tears in her eyes. They've been beating her up to spill the secret she claims to know about Aurora that could ruin her.
' How…dare…you…lay…a…hand…on…her!!" the hoodie stranger screamed and turned in my direction.
'Nico?" I said with shock as his eyes moved to me.
'You…you….you are the hoodie stranger…but how?"
' I'll explain everything later!" he said as he grabbed the collar of one of the men and kneed him in the belly and threw him against the other man who tried to approach him.
It was like a scene from a movie asaxel, Waylon a d Thaddeus came running in and began to fight these criminals.