Chapter Five
She became a devoted follower. She went to church. She served in the church. But most of all, her mission in life was to share her experience with others. She helped many in her church to overcome obstacles in life. She helped many to find themselves in God after a traumatic experience. But most of all, she gave her love, her time, her life to the people around her.
Her first official talk came 2 years later, when her church invited her to give a talk in church about the difficulties in her life. The minute she stood up on stage, she felt the Holy Spirit came upon her. And she opened her mouth and spoke,
“Come out, evil ones!”
At once, manifestation began all over the church. People screamed, they fell to the floor. The whole place was in chaos.
“OUT! GET OUT!” She hollered. More screams resulted. The whole church was given deliverance and yet, the helpers in church did not know what to do.
“Be still.” She commanded.
Everyone calmed down immediately. A few continued to convulse. She began to sing.
Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place
Holy Spirit, thou art welcome in this place
Omnipotent Father of mercy and grace
Thou art welcome in this place
Peace went through the place. The Holy Spirit came upon all who were there and many began to weep with the joy of His love. Silence followed as many people received the Holy Spirit once again in His presence. Many wept with the joy of knowing Him again.
The next words she spoke were, “I went to Heaven and came back. I killed myself, but God lead me to Heaven. He showed me His love is truly unconditional. You can experience the same joy, the same love, because He loves you as much as He loves me. Of course, I am not asking you to kill yourself. No. I am asking you to seek Him. In your joy, praise Him. In your sorrow, praise Him. Seek His face and He will come. He never forsakes you and He never will. He is your Father in Heaven, and He loves you more than anything. He is One with you if you would let Him. He is yours if you are willing to be His. Allow Him to come and live with you. Walk with Him and let him into your heart. Experience His joy and His love in your life. Cry out to Him in faith and He will lead you. Trust Him with all your heart and soul. Never turn away from Him in times of sorrow, but seek Him to lead you out of the dark tunnel into the light once again. He will come and lead you, if only you would let Him. He will lead you out of the valley of the shadows of death and into His light, for He is the Light of the world."
Many people were weeping by now, and many cried out to the Lord. She stepped back and fell to the ground. She worshipped the Lord, giving thanks to Him for His strength and His power. Many in the congregation followed suit. Soon, the whole church was giving thanks to the Lord.
“Go now, go and share this with your loved ones. Share this with your family, with your friends. Tell the world of His great love. Bless His name and He will bless yours.”
She stepped back once again and walked down the stage. Many were still worshipping the Lord, lost in their communion with God. She smiled as she walked out of the church.
“It feels good Jesus.” She whispered. “Thank you Holy Spirit”
The spring in her footsteps as she walked away was undeniable.
She had fully come home to Him...
Friday, May 9, 2008
To Heaven and Back (Chapter Four)
Chapter Four
She woke up in her house once again.
“Was it a dream?” her first thought came.
She looked at the floor around her. Blood was everywhere. Her blood. She gasped. She touched her left wrist. It was unmarked. Smooth as before. She felt the peace in her, the love, the joy that reached deep inside of her and could never be touched by the world. She knew that her past did not matter anymore. She knew that God forgave her of everything. She knew that God had healed her of her wounds, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Nothing matters except what she could do for others who went through similar experiences like her. Nothing matters besides the lives she could touch. Nothing matters because Jesus will be there.
She woke up in her house once again.
“Was it a dream?” her first thought came.
She looked at the floor around her. Blood was everywhere. Her blood. She gasped. She touched her left wrist. It was unmarked. Smooth as before. She felt the peace in her, the love, the joy that reached deep inside of her and could never be touched by the world. She knew that her past did not matter anymore. She knew that God forgave her of everything. She knew that God had healed her of her wounds, physically, emotionally, spiritually. Nothing matters except what she could do for others who went through similar experiences like her. Nothing matters besides the lives she could touch. Nothing matters because Jesus will be there.
To Heaven and Back (Chapter Three)
Chapter Three
She found herself back in the house. Everything was quiet. Outside, people were still singing but she felt a sense of silence returning to her soul. She felt God is near.
“What is it my child?” Jesus asked, standing quietly beside her, looking at her with His calm peaceful eyes.
“How did I get here Jesus? I killed myself. I committed a sin. I should have gone to Hell. I do not deserve this.” She exclaimed.
“You deserved everything, Child. You are One with me. You followed me. You gave your life to me. And so, I am Yours, always Yours. Do you think that God is so unforgiving? If He can forgive you of all your sins, why can’t He forgive you for killing yourself?”
She sat down and sobbed.
“I am sorry Jesus. I am sorry.”
She found herself enveloped in a bear hug as Jesus opened his arms to her. She cried as His love came so unconditionally to her. She cried as her heart healed in His presence. She cried as all the pains of the world left her. She cried as Jesus showed her all there is in the world is LOVE.
“Hush my child.” Jesus spoke. “Remember who you are in Christ. Do not despair, for God does not forsake you, ever. Trust unto His endless love. Seek His face and He will heal you.”
A cloud of peace came upon her. Her tears dried. She nodded. Breathing deeply, she felt the love that God gave to all. She breathed His love, His joy, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness. She breathed all.
“Thank you Lord. Thank you for showing me” She whispered.
“Go, My child. Go back and change the world one at a time. Share your story. Share your love. Love all, and enjoy all. Nothing matter if it is transient. Only the kingdom of God matters. Share your life with others like you. Find strength in Me.”
She looked as Jesus walked away. He turned back, gave her a smile and was gone. But she knew He is still with her, right there, in the Spirit. She saw the bright light again, and this time, she had no fear. She knew what she had to do. She walked into the light and was gone.
She found herself back in the house. Everything was quiet. Outside, people were still singing but she felt a sense of silence returning to her soul. She felt God is near.
“What is it my child?” Jesus asked, standing quietly beside her, looking at her with His calm peaceful eyes.
“How did I get here Jesus? I killed myself. I committed a sin. I should have gone to Hell. I do not deserve this.” She exclaimed.
“You deserved everything, Child. You are One with me. You followed me. You gave your life to me. And so, I am Yours, always Yours. Do you think that God is so unforgiving? If He can forgive you of all your sins, why can’t He forgive you for killing yourself?”
She sat down and sobbed.
“I am sorry Jesus. I am sorry.”
She found herself enveloped in a bear hug as Jesus opened his arms to her. She cried as His love came so unconditionally to her. She cried as her heart healed in His presence. She cried as all the pains of the world left her. She cried as Jesus showed her all there is in the world is LOVE.
“Hush my child.” Jesus spoke. “Remember who you are in Christ. Do not despair, for God does not forsake you, ever. Trust unto His endless love. Seek His face and He will heal you.”
A cloud of peace came upon her. Her tears dried. She nodded. Breathing deeply, she felt the love that God gave to all. She breathed His love, His joy, His mercy, His grace, His forgiveness. She breathed all.
“Thank you Lord. Thank you for showing me” She whispered.
“Go, My child. Go back and change the world one at a time. Share your story. Share your love. Love all, and enjoy all. Nothing matter if it is transient. Only the kingdom of God matters. Share your life with others like you. Find strength in Me.”
She looked as Jesus walked away. He turned back, gave her a smile and was gone. But she knew He is still with her, right there, in the Spirit. She saw the bright light again, and this time, she had no fear. She knew what she had to do. She walked into the light and was gone.
To Heaven and Back (Chapter Two)
Chapter Two
She woke up in total consciousness. She could sense everything and hear everything. She saw light, a bright shining light that she had never seen before. Something was not right with the light, she thought. She could stare at the light and not feel the pain in her eyes.
“Am I in Heaven?” She wondered.
Someone was walking towards her. It was a man dressed in all white and he had a genuine smile on his face. His gentle eyes searched hers and he lifted up his hands as if in prayers before coming towards her. He bent down. He touched her forehead and whispered, “Be healed”
She felt a surge of power coming into her. A power so full of joy that she had a overwhelming desire to laugh out loud, to stand and jump joyfully, to shout for the simple pleasure of shouting. To declare to the world how joyous she felt. Her pain suddenly disappeared, and in its place, a sense of total peace, a sense of wakefulness like never before. She knew that what happened to her was nothing against her. It just happened. Life events, life courses, it mattered not what happened to you, but how you deal with it. It mattered not what you did in the past, but what you do in the present. She understood the truth of life in a second. It was as if the power that surged through her woke her to this truth.
“Who are you?” She asked the man dressed in all white.
“Your friend.” He said
He offered his hand to her, and she saw the hole that passed through the palm of his hand. She gasped!
“Jesus!” She breathed
“Yes My child. Rest in me for you will find rest.” He smiled gently and lifted her up from her sitting position.
She looked around her. Everything looked the same. She was still in her house; the window still looked out to the street. Everything was in place. But yet, something was different. She was different. She lifted up her left wrist. The cut on her wrist was gone. She touched the place where her wound was. Nothing. No pain. No cut. No wound. No blood. She gazed in wonder at her perfectly woundless wrist and then looked up at Jesus, who was still staring at her gently, with a smile on His face.
“Come My child.” Jesus invited.
She followed Jesus out into the street. She saw what was different now. The street was full of smiling joyful people. They sang praises to the Lord. They jumped for joy. They worshipped Him who is All That Is. She felt a power inside her coursing forward, and before she knew it, she was singing praises alongside the rest, smiling and dancing joyously before the Lord.
Jesus smiled again.
“Welcome Home, My child. Welcome home.”
She woke up in total consciousness. She could sense everything and hear everything. She saw light, a bright shining light that she had never seen before. Something was not right with the light, she thought. She could stare at the light and not feel the pain in her eyes.
“Am I in Heaven?” She wondered.
Someone was walking towards her. It was a man dressed in all white and he had a genuine smile on his face. His gentle eyes searched hers and he lifted up his hands as if in prayers before coming towards her. He bent down. He touched her forehead and whispered, “Be healed”
She felt a surge of power coming into her. A power so full of joy that she had a overwhelming desire to laugh out loud, to stand and jump joyfully, to shout for the simple pleasure of shouting. To declare to the world how joyous she felt. Her pain suddenly disappeared, and in its place, a sense of total peace, a sense of wakefulness like never before. She knew that what happened to her was nothing against her. It just happened. Life events, life courses, it mattered not what happened to you, but how you deal with it. It mattered not what you did in the past, but what you do in the present. She understood the truth of life in a second. It was as if the power that surged through her woke her to this truth.
“Who are you?” She asked the man dressed in all white.
“Your friend.” He said
He offered his hand to her, and she saw the hole that passed through the palm of his hand. She gasped!
“Jesus!” She breathed
“Yes My child. Rest in me for you will find rest.” He smiled gently and lifted her up from her sitting position.
She looked around her. Everything looked the same. She was still in her house; the window still looked out to the street. Everything was in place. But yet, something was different. She was different. She lifted up her left wrist. The cut on her wrist was gone. She touched the place where her wound was. Nothing. No pain. No cut. No wound. No blood. She gazed in wonder at her perfectly woundless wrist and then looked up at Jesus, who was still staring at her gently, with a smile on His face.
“Come My child.” Jesus invited.
She followed Jesus out into the street. She saw what was different now. The street was full of smiling joyful people. They sang praises to the Lord. They jumped for joy. They worshipped Him who is All That Is. She felt a power inside her coursing forward, and before she knew it, she was singing praises alongside the rest, smiling and dancing joyously before the Lord.
Jesus smiled again.
“Welcome Home, My child. Welcome home.”
To Heaven and Back (Chapter One)
Chapter One
She sat by the window...staring out into space...her mind millions of light years away from her body. Her thought were back to where she started...where she came from...how was she going to face her present and her future? She couldn’t get past her past...and it was slowly killing her...
Thoughts of her childhood...thoughts of how she lost her childhood in one flick of a second. How ashamed she felt after...the nightmares that came after that...how she lost her trust in her most trusted loved ones...how could she ever go on?
She was fifteen, and yet felt like fifty. She felt like she knew everything. She felt like life was no longer worthy to live on...she took up her penknife...stared at it for a moment and imagined how it would feel like to slide it over her wrist. She put the blade on her wrist...and slowly but surely, sliced it across her wrist, drawing blood from the cut. She felt pain, but the pain was nothing compared the pain she felt in her heart. She felt blood coursing out from the wound, and it was like life oozing out of her. She lifted her hand, and cut the blade into her wound the second time, making the cut deeper, drawing more blood. Blood pumped out of her like a river overflowing the banks, she felt her strength leaving her...she dropped the blade, letting her hands fall freely. The pain felt good now, she embraced it. It would be over soon she knew. The misery that she knew as life was going to be over soon.
She slipped onto the floor, lying against the wall. She closed her eyes, feeling peace at last as her life poured out of her. She saw her life flashing across her eyes, her achievements, her success, and her regrets. She slowly lost her consciousness and everything went black...
She sat by the window...staring out into space...her mind millions of light years away from her body. Her thought were back to where she started...where she came from...how was she going to face her present and her future? She couldn’t get past her past...and it was slowly killing her...
Thoughts of her childhood...thoughts of how she lost her childhood in one flick of a second. How ashamed she felt after...the nightmares that came after that...how she lost her trust in her most trusted loved ones...how could she ever go on?
She was fifteen, and yet felt like fifty. She felt like she knew everything. She felt like life was no longer worthy to live on...she took up her penknife...stared at it for a moment and imagined how it would feel like to slide it over her wrist. She put the blade on her wrist...and slowly but surely, sliced it across her wrist, drawing blood from the cut. She felt pain, but the pain was nothing compared the pain she felt in her heart. She felt blood coursing out from the wound, and it was like life oozing out of her. She lifted her hand, and cut the blade into her wound the second time, making the cut deeper, drawing more blood. Blood pumped out of her like a river overflowing the banks, she felt her strength leaving her...she dropped the blade, letting her hands fall freely. The pain felt good now, she embraced it. It would be over soon she knew. The misery that she knew as life was going to be over soon.
She slipped onto the floor, lying against the wall. She closed her eyes, feeling peace at last as her life poured out of her. She saw her life flashing across her eyes, her achievements, her success, and her regrets. She slowly lost her consciousness and everything went black...
God-inspired
Ok...I am going to post another story, definitely God-inspired this time.
I felt God speaking to me, giving me the power to write. I came home, switch on my laptop, and prayed. I asked God to use me, to use me to speak...and He did...
The new story..."To Heaven and Back"
I felt God speaking to me, giving me the power to write. I came home, switch on my laptop, and prayed. I asked God to use me, to use me to speak...and He did...
The new story..."To Heaven and Back"
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
A Second Chance (Epilogue)
Another 3 years had passed and Alexander and Christine had a beautiful 2 years old boy, Shawn. She was now a full time church staff dedicating her life to God and her family and friends. She also had a loving and wonderful family to return home to every day. Alexander still sent her to work every day and picked her up after work so that they could return home together to their beautiful boy and home. Christine had finally come home to where she truly belonged...
A Second Chance (Chapter Five)
Theirs was a beautiful wedding. Church bells tolled as the happy couple walked down the aisle towards their new future. Dressed in all white, Christine declared to all that she was pure in her heart and soul once again and her radiant smile told of her happy fulfilling life ahead with Alexander.
A Second Chance (Chapter Four)
Unknown to Alexander, Christine had got into trouble. Her regular visits to gambling dens coupled with her rudimentary skills at gambling had landed her in debts that she could not pay. A whooping sum of one hundred thousand in her name caused her to panic and also to finally wake up to the scum that Jeremy was. However, she had no guts to ask Alexander for help. Thus, when Jeremy slyly suggested prostitution to help pay off her debts, Christine took it up as a last resort. She knew there was no way for her return and thus, she began to service men in her apartment and needless to say, Jeremy was her first customer. At the same time, Christine found out that Jeremy was the culprit who sent them all that email so many months before. He was angry that he did not have a chance to head up that project and had since then strive to drive the project underground by leading Christine, who was one of the co-leaders, astray. However, it was too late for Christine when she found out. She had lost everything, including herself.
Christine was miserable. She despised herself for being so stupid to have underestimated Jeremy. She tried to kill herself and each time, she was forcibly stopped by Jeremy, who was secretly profiting from her prostitution by acting as her pimp. Her life deteriorated so much that Mannical gave her the sack because she did not turn up for work for a week.
A few nights after Christine left Mannical, Alexander visited Christine at her house against his better judgement. However, this was also the turning point in both their lives.
‘Christine! Are you there?’ Alexander knocked on her door and was surprised to find it open. He walked in and closed it, planning to lecture her on the safety of locked doors. But what he saw next shocked him to the core that all thoughts of the lecture fled from his mind. It also explained the unlocked door.
‘Thank you Honey. You are wonderful as usual.’ An unruly man walked out of the bedroom half dressed. Seeing Alexander, the man grinned and gave him a slap on the back. ‘She is great but expensive!’ he said and walked out, leaving a stack of hundred dollar bills on the table.
In a daze, Alexander walked into the bedroom to find Christine lying on the bed with the blanket pulled to her chin. ‘Are you next?’ Christine asked dreamily as she gestured for him to go over.
‘CHRISTINE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ Alexander yelled in shock and anger as he took in what he saw. Christine jumped visibly and her eyes widen in horror as she realised that Alexander was standing in the room.
‘Alex...I...I...I don’t know, Alex. I am lost.’ Christine said brokenly.
‘Oh Christine. What have you done to yourself?’ Alexander stood there not knowing what to do. He wanted to walk over to give Christine a hug but he did not dare to, not in the current states that both of them were in.
‘Alex...I am lost. Don’t mind me. Leave now while you can.’ Christine said, breaking the silence between them.
‘No, I will not. Tell me what happened.’ Alexander demanded and sat down at a chair in the room and waited. He was determined to get Christine out of her situation, no matter what it would take. His love for Christine urged him to bring her out of her misery. He knew that he was her own ray of hope now.
Slowly Christine began to tell him what happened. Her story with Shawn, her escape to Kuala Lumpur, their growing friendship and her fears, her downward spiral with Jeremy, the subsequent gambling and debts that she had and the final push to prostitution. Alexander wept together with Christine when he heard the whole story. His heart ached for this beautiful rose who had met so many trials in her life. He vowed to himself that he would protect her from now on.
Alexander paid up the debts that Christine had left with all his life savings and took her back to Singapore. He left the project team in Mannical and took up another position with the company. Slowly, he began to help Christine to build up her life again. Alexander encouraged Christine to start afresh and helped her to get a job at one of his friend’s company which was located near to Mannical. And he began to fetch her to and fro work every day again. Their friendship began to mend and Christine grew happier each day as she moved back into society.
However, she refused to go into a relationship with Alexander. She claimed that she was too dirty for him and she would never have a relationship again. She could not let go of her past but hold on to it like it was her best friend. This strain in her life hindered Christine from making friends again. She avoided men in general and would suspect their motives whenever they spoke to her. This fear crippled Christine from having a normal friendship and she even avoided her close friends.
Alexander was heartbroken and worried for his love. He had to make a choice. And he did. Alexander brought Christine to his church. He believed that only God could provide the miracle that Christine needed. After a few months, Christine accepted Christ and it was then that her life began to change for the better. As Christine slowly grew in God, she also began to experience more positive changes in her life. She saw that her past actions did not matter as much as what she would do to her future. Gradually, Christine let go of her baggage and learned to love again. After 2 years, she finally accepted Alexander’s love and confessed that she had loved him all along too.
Christine was miserable. She despised herself for being so stupid to have underestimated Jeremy. She tried to kill herself and each time, she was forcibly stopped by Jeremy, who was secretly profiting from her prostitution by acting as her pimp. Her life deteriorated so much that Mannical gave her the sack because she did not turn up for work for a week.
A few nights after Christine left Mannical, Alexander visited Christine at her house against his better judgement. However, this was also the turning point in both their lives.
‘Christine! Are you there?’ Alexander knocked on her door and was surprised to find it open. He walked in and closed it, planning to lecture her on the safety of locked doors. But what he saw next shocked him to the core that all thoughts of the lecture fled from his mind. It also explained the unlocked door.
‘Thank you Honey. You are wonderful as usual.’ An unruly man walked out of the bedroom half dressed. Seeing Alexander, the man grinned and gave him a slap on the back. ‘She is great but expensive!’ he said and walked out, leaving a stack of hundred dollar bills on the table.
In a daze, Alexander walked into the bedroom to find Christine lying on the bed with the blanket pulled to her chin. ‘Are you next?’ Christine asked dreamily as she gestured for him to go over.
‘CHRISTINE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?’ Alexander yelled in shock and anger as he took in what he saw. Christine jumped visibly and her eyes widen in horror as she realised that Alexander was standing in the room.
‘Alex...I...I...I don’t know, Alex. I am lost.’ Christine said brokenly.
‘Oh Christine. What have you done to yourself?’ Alexander stood there not knowing what to do. He wanted to walk over to give Christine a hug but he did not dare to, not in the current states that both of them were in.
‘Alex...I am lost. Don’t mind me. Leave now while you can.’ Christine said, breaking the silence between them.
‘No, I will not. Tell me what happened.’ Alexander demanded and sat down at a chair in the room and waited. He was determined to get Christine out of her situation, no matter what it would take. His love for Christine urged him to bring her out of her misery. He knew that he was her own ray of hope now.
Slowly Christine began to tell him what happened. Her story with Shawn, her escape to Kuala Lumpur, their growing friendship and her fears, her downward spiral with Jeremy, the subsequent gambling and debts that she had and the final push to prostitution. Alexander wept together with Christine when he heard the whole story. His heart ached for this beautiful rose who had met so many trials in her life. He vowed to himself that he would protect her from now on.
Alexander paid up the debts that Christine had left with all his life savings and took her back to Singapore. He left the project team in Mannical and took up another position with the company. Slowly, he began to help Christine to build up her life again. Alexander encouraged Christine to start afresh and helped her to get a job at one of his friend’s company which was located near to Mannical. And he began to fetch her to and fro work every day again. Their friendship began to mend and Christine grew happier each day as she moved back into society.
However, she refused to go into a relationship with Alexander. She claimed that she was too dirty for him and she would never have a relationship again. She could not let go of her past but hold on to it like it was her best friend. This strain in her life hindered Christine from making friends again. She avoided men in general and would suspect their motives whenever they spoke to her. This fear crippled Christine from having a normal friendship and she even avoided her close friends.
Alexander was heartbroken and worried for his love. He had to make a choice. And he did. Alexander brought Christine to his church. He believed that only God could provide the miracle that Christine needed. After a few months, Christine accepted Christ and it was then that her life began to change for the better. As Christine slowly grew in God, she also began to experience more positive changes in her life. She saw that her past actions did not matter as much as what she would do to her future. Gradually, Christine let go of her baggage and learned to love again. After 2 years, she finally accepted Alexander’s love and confessed that she had loved him all along too.
A Second Chance (Chapter Three)
‘Good morning Chris! You are bright and early today!’ Alexander chirped as he walked into the office one morning.
‘Good morning Alex.” Christine breathed out as she continued to stare at her laptop, frowning in concentration.
‘What is it?’ Alexander bent down to take a look.
All he saw was a blank screen of Microsoft Word. However, someone had typed ‘I am going to kill your project’ all around the border.
‘What is this? Who sent it?’ Alexander demanded.
‘I don’t know. This was sent to all of us by the way. You have a copy too.’ Christine sighed, took up her mug, and drained the coffee inside.
‘Damn! This is too much!’ Alexander cursed. ‘How would our staff react to this?’
Christine shrugged and said, ‘Let’s find out’
The whole morning was spent in meeting with the whole team being questioned as they tried to find out the culprit. However, it did not seem to be done by anyone in the team, who had everything to benefit from the success of the project. Therefore, there was no conclusion but everyone was told to be on alert for any sabotage to the project.
This incident was soon filed away far behind their minds as no further incident happened. Alexander and Christine became close friends. Working together allowed them to spend a lot of time together and their friendship grew. Being the only 2 Singaporeans around also gave them the bond to stick together. Soon, the 2 of them were fast friends and went about everything together. Nevertheless, their growing friendship ironically put a strain on Christine as she was reminded of how much it was like her relationship with Shawn. Much to her horror and delight, she found that Alexander was in every way like Shawn, and he had actually far exceeded what Shawn had done in the past. His gentle ways and shy mannerism pulled at Christine. His childish ideas of fun often mirrored hers and his manly behaviours tugged at her heart strings, demanding that she opened her heart to him. Sensing her defences breaking down, she started to distance herself from Alexander. She lied to herself that she would only have Shawn in her life. Christine felt that she was betraying Shawn by falling in love with Alexander. She refused to do that, but the only way to stop was to go away. On the other hand, Alexander had fallen in love with Christine. He loved the way she did everything, from the way she walked to the way she laughed to the way she looked to him. Her trust in him pulled at him and he tumbled head over heels in love with her as time passed.
At a time like this, Christine and Alexander were introduced to a new guy Jeremy who was just sent to the Malaysian office from Hong Kong. Jeremy was a slick sort of guy. He had a shock of blue hair and his eyes gleaned with cunning at every other moment. He took an interest in Christine from the start and began to show up at places when Alexander and Christine hung out. Soon, he was in thick with Christine, who thought Jeremy more exciting than Alexander could be. Jeremy also became a way out for Christine, who was afraid of what her friendship with Alexander would become. She hung fast to Jeremy and refused to listen to Alexander’s timely advises.
Alexander, who knew that Jeremy was up to no good, could not persuade Christine to see otherwise as Christine was steadfast in her refusal to listen to him. In her stubbornness, she began to avoid Alexander at work, and hung out with Jeremy instead; taking the naive thought that Jeremy would not harm her. Little did she know that Jeremy was going to lead her into her own destruction.
She began visiting stripping clubs and gambling dens with Jeremy, drinking with abandon and began to neglect her job at Mannical. Her performance dropped to zero and yet, Alexander would cover up for her. He had realised his love for Christine ran deep and he wanted to save her from total destruction. Nevertheless, he did not know where to start and could only look on as Christine plunged deeper and deeper into the dark and unknown world of drugs, alcohol and gambling.
A Second Chance (Chapter Two)
Christine had to leave the country. She was devastated after the loss of Shawn in her life. For the past one year, it had been him and nobody else that she depended on. Now, she had no one. No family, no Shawn. Friends could not fill up the emptiness she felt even sine Shawn left, even though they tried. Somehow, they seemed to make it worse. Thus, she had jumped at the chance of an offer that her company gave her to head up a project in Malaysia with a group of people all over the world. The only 2 Singaporeans would be her and another guy named Alexander, whom she did not know. She had been asked to go for the past one year, but she had flatly refused because of Shawn. Now she knew that she had to go. She planned to immense herself in work to dull the constant pain that she felt in her heart. Now she was on her way. As she watched, the scene outside the window became a blur as the train picked up speed. Sighing deeply, Christine turned back from the window and returned her precious tee into her hand carry. Leaning back, she closed her eyes.
‘Excuse me?’ A male voice penetrated Christine’s foggy mind. She opened her eyes to see a handsome young man staring at her. She jumped.
‘Oh, I am sorry! I did not mean to scare you. I just wanted to wake you up as we had reached Kuala Lumpur.’
‘Oh.’ Christine rubbed at her eyes and looked out the window to see that the train had indeed stopped at the station and many people were about.
‘Let me help you with that.’ The pleasant young man offered as Christine stood up with her hand carry and laptop.
‘Thank you.’ Christine said and gave the young man her laptop. She hugged her hand carry and refused to give it to the young man even though he offered again. She did not want to risk losing her most treasured possession in the world. The young man gave her a puzzled look before leading the way out.
Both of them walked out of the train into the bright sunlight. Christine was blinded as the sun shone directly into her eyes. She fumbled for her shades in her hand carry and was surprised when the young man took her arms and guided her through the crowd to a shaded area.
‘Hi, my name is Alexander.’ The young man offered his hand.
‘I am Christine. Nice to meet you. And thank you for your help.’ Christine shook his hand and smiled.
‘Where are you headed to?’ Alexander asked.
‘Oh. I am supposed to wait for my company car to pick me up.’
‘Really? Me too! I worked for Mannical. I am here to head up a project with a group of like-minded people to develop a new product launch. What about you?’
‘I work for Mannical too! Are you here for the product head up with George Townsend?’ Christine asked, interested.
‘Oh yes I am! Gosh! So we are colleagues! You are the other Singaporean!’ Alexander exclaimed.
Christine smiled and said, ‘Yes, it seemed that we are.’
And so, this was the start of Christine’s friendship with Alexander.
‘Excuse me?’ A male voice penetrated Christine’s foggy mind. She opened her eyes to see a handsome young man staring at her. She jumped.
‘Oh, I am sorry! I did not mean to scare you. I just wanted to wake you up as we had reached Kuala Lumpur.’
‘Oh.’ Christine rubbed at her eyes and looked out the window to see that the train had indeed stopped at the station and many people were about.
‘Let me help you with that.’ The pleasant young man offered as Christine stood up with her hand carry and laptop.
‘Thank you.’ Christine said and gave the young man her laptop. She hugged her hand carry and refused to give it to the young man even though he offered again. She did not want to risk losing her most treasured possession in the world. The young man gave her a puzzled look before leading the way out.
Both of them walked out of the train into the bright sunlight. Christine was blinded as the sun shone directly into her eyes. She fumbled for her shades in her hand carry and was surprised when the young man took her arms and guided her through the crowd to a shaded area.
‘Hi, my name is Alexander.’ The young man offered his hand.
‘I am Christine. Nice to meet you. And thank you for your help.’ Christine shook his hand and smiled.
‘Where are you headed to?’ Alexander asked.
‘Oh. I am supposed to wait for my company car to pick me up.’
‘Really? Me too! I worked for Mannical. I am here to head up a project with a group of like-minded people to develop a new product launch. What about you?’
‘I work for Mannical too! Are you here for the product head up with George Townsend?’ Christine asked, interested.
‘Oh yes I am! Gosh! So we are colleagues! You are the other Singaporean!’ Alexander exclaimed.
Christine smiled and said, ‘Yes, it seemed that we are.’
And so, this was the start of Christine’s friendship with Alexander.
A Second Chance (Chapter One)
They knew each other from work. The first day when Christine stepped into her new office, he was there. Right from the start, they know that they were meant for each other. But fate often had a cruel twist to what they thought were right.
Christine and Shawn went through the usual process of friends first, lovers after. Shawn was a nice guy who always had a soft spot for women who were different from the rest. Christine was a plump lady and many guys thought her too fat. But for Shawn, she was perfect. From the start, he knew she was for him. He loved everything about her, the way she walked, the way she carried herself, the way she talks, the way she smiled, the way she laughed loudly at jokes that she appreciated...but most of all, he loved the way she looked at him...that trusting, innocent eyes that reflected truth, hope and love.
For Christine, Shawn represented everything that guys were not. He was gentle and shy, and yet manly in many ways. A child at times, but matured when he needs to be. She loved everything about him too, the way he walked, the way he carried himself, the way he talked, the way he smiled, the way he laughed out loud, the way he told silly jokes to make her laughed, but most of all, she loved the way he looked at her and his eyes reflected his love for her.
Their s was a love that ran deep despite the short time they knew each other. Gossip about them went flying before the month was out because the chemistry between them was so strong that they could not help but get noticed by their colleagues. Shawn and Christine began to spend lunch times together...and then Shawn began fetching her to work...and fetching her home. Their friendship evolved naturally into a relationship and they became a couple at Christmas when Shawn brought Christine to a romantic restaurant for dinner and countdown on Christmas Eve.
However, cruel fate had to tear them apart...Shawn began to experience fainting spells about half a year after he and Christine were an item and would sometimes faint while driving. He had to quit driving and Christine began to drive him home instead. The doctor told them it was brain tumour, and Shawn would have to go through a risky operation if he wanted to have a chance to survive. This operation gave him a 50% chance of survival and it would entail the total loss of memory.
Shawn refused to go for the operation. He did not want to lose the precious memory of his Christine. He chose death. After 3 months of struggle, Shawn breathed his last in the arms of a weeping Christine.
Christine and Shawn went through the usual process of friends first, lovers after. Shawn was a nice guy who always had a soft spot for women who were different from the rest. Christine was a plump lady and many guys thought her too fat. But for Shawn, she was perfect. From the start, he knew she was for him. He loved everything about her, the way she walked, the way she carried herself, the way she talks, the way she smiled, the way she laughed loudly at jokes that she appreciated...but most of all, he loved the way she looked at him...that trusting, innocent eyes that reflected truth, hope and love.
For Christine, Shawn represented everything that guys were not. He was gentle and shy, and yet manly in many ways. A child at times, but matured when he needs to be. She loved everything about him too, the way he walked, the way he carried himself, the way he talked, the way he smiled, the way he laughed out loud, the way he told silly jokes to make her laughed, but most of all, she loved the way he looked at her and his eyes reflected his love for her.
Their s was a love that ran deep despite the short time they knew each other. Gossip about them went flying before the month was out because the chemistry between them was so strong that they could not help but get noticed by their colleagues. Shawn and Christine began to spend lunch times together...and then Shawn began fetching her to work...and fetching her home. Their friendship evolved naturally into a relationship and they became a couple at Christmas when Shawn brought Christine to a romantic restaurant for dinner and countdown on Christmas Eve.
However, cruel fate had to tear them apart...Shawn began to experience fainting spells about half a year after he and Christine were an item and would sometimes faint while driving. He had to quit driving and Christine began to drive him home instead. The doctor told them it was brain tumour, and Shawn would have to go through a risky operation if he wanted to have a chance to survive. This operation gave him a 50% chance of survival and it would entail the total loss of memory.
Shawn refused to go for the operation. He did not want to lose the precious memory of his Christine. He chose death. After 3 months of struggle, Shawn breathed his last in the arms of a weeping Christine.
A Second Chance (Prologue)
She stared out the window as the train sped past the high rise buildings and the expressways. A tear rolled silently down her cheeks as she blinked hard and fast to contain them. Fighting a losing battle, she soon broke down and cried. Hot fat tears rolled down her eyes as she continued to stare blindly out the window...
‘Why? Why is this happening to me?’ She whispered brokenly to the window.
Turning back to her hand carry, she took out the present that he had given to her and wept against the soft pull of the fabric. The tee that he had given her for Christmas now seemed so much more priceless than before.
‘Here, this is my present for you, Christine. Merry Christmas!’ He had said shyly as he pushed the box toward her.
‘Thank you, Shawn! What is it?’ she exclaimed joyously as it was the first time he had ever given her something.
‘Open it.’ He said
She opened the box to discover a tee printed with ‘I LOVE YOU’ across the whole span of the width of the tee.
‘Oh!’ she said, clearly touched by the simple yet sweet gesture.
‘Oh!’ he replied and smiled at her.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she smiled in return and he pulled her in for a hug.
This was how they started...
‘Why? Why is this happening to me?’ She whispered brokenly to the window.
Turning back to her hand carry, she took out the present that he had given to her and wept against the soft pull of the fabric. The tee that he had given her for Christmas now seemed so much more priceless than before.
‘Here, this is my present for you, Christine. Merry Christmas!’ He had said shyly as he pushed the box toward her.
‘Thank you, Shawn! What is it?’ she exclaimed joyously as it was the first time he had ever given her something.
‘Open it.’ He said
She opened the box to discover a tee printed with ‘I LOVE YOU’ across the whole span of the width of the tee.
‘Oh!’ she said, clearly touched by the simple yet sweet gesture.
‘Oh!’ he replied and smiled at her.
Tears gathered in her eyes as she smiled in return and he pulled her in for a hug.
This was how they started...
A New Story
Been a long time since I last wrote..
I will be posting a new story. A very short one this time...but I hope you guys will like it. =)
I will be posting a new story. A very short one this time...but I hope you guys will like it. =)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Double Betrayal (Epilogue)
Epilogue
Two Years Later
Ashley and Natasha sold off the café that Allison died in a few months later as it was too much to bear. Every time they stepped inside the cafe, they got reminded of the nightmare that happened. Hence, it was the best choice to sell it. However, they expanded their business and moved away from the sleepy little town. It held too much painful memories for all of them now. They moved to New York and set up a new chain of cafes there.
However, they still keep their cafes and houses back in their town, thinking that one day, the four of them would be able to go back there to live out their elderly days without the burden of an ugly memory. It was extremely hard for Natasha and Ashley in those few months after Allison died. They could hardly get over the fact that Allison died in front of them after so much accusations. She was still so young and she had die in such a horrible way. Both of them couldn’t put it behind them because they never find out why Allison behaved that way. Although they knew that they had done her wrong (and they had to live with it), Ashley and Natasha couldn’t understand why Allison would be resentful enough to want to kill them. Have they done her that much wrong? Were they wrong to make friends with her? Ashley and Natasha kept wondering if Allison had some psychological illness and that nobody found that out in time to help her. But it was something that they could never find out.
Two Years Later
Ashley and Natasha sold off the café that Allison died in a few months later as it was too much to bear. Every time they stepped inside the cafe, they got reminded of the nightmare that happened. Hence, it was the best choice to sell it. However, they expanded their business and moved away from the sleepy little town. It held too much painful memories for all of them now. They moved to New York and set up a new chain of cafes there.
However, they still keep their cafes and houses back in their town, thinking that one day, the four of them would be able to go back there to live out their elderly days without the burden of an ugly memory. It was extremely hard for Natasha and Ashley in those few months after Allison died. They could hardly get over the fact that Allison died in front of them after so much accusations. She was still so young and she had die in such a horrible way. Both of them couldn’t put it behind them because they never find out why Allison behaved that way. Although they knew that they had done her wrong (and they had to live with it), Ashley and Natasha couldn’t understand why Allison would be resentful enough to want to kill them. Have they done her that much wrong? Were they wrong to make friends with her? Ashley and Natasha kept wondering if Allison had some psychological illness and that nobody found that out in time to help her. But it was something that they could never find out.
Double Betrayal (Chapter Seven)
Chapter Seven
26th Aug 2004
It was three months since Allison came back to work in the town she grew up in and she worked hard. She had to, if she wanted to put her plans into motion. She saw to it that Ashley and Natasha were to trust her more and more, and she was pleased to know that they were delegating more work to her. She was now practically running the café she works in single-handedly. Ashley and Natasha only checked the accounts once a month to make sure that everything was in order. Allison had planned to carry out her plans on Ashley’s and Natasha’s next visit. However, Ashley visited the café with her husband, Steve that month. When Allison found that out, she thought that a subtle change of plans would do nicely.
Allison was busy in the kitchen when they arrived. She knew they were there, for the staff had informed her immediately. But she kept them waiting, because she wanted to lure Steve into the kitchen first. Hence, she waited 10 minutes and then let a pan clashed onto the floor, letting out a loud scream at the same time. She knew Steve would come running and she ordered all her staff to leave the kitchen and not come back in unless they were told to do so. No sooner had the staff exited through the back door, Steve burst into the kitchen.
“What happened here, Allison? Are you alright?”
Ashley was tallying the accounts with Steve when they heard the loud clash and scream. When Steve volunteered to go see what happened and to get Allison out for a talk, she let him as she was halfway through her calculations. However, Steve was gone for a long time, and Ashley could not help worrying about what happened. So she dumped her account books into the office drawers and locked it before going down to the kitchen to see what was going on. She walked towards the kitchen and stopped short when she heard Steve saying,
“Let go of me, Ally! I am not interested in your proposal. Neither am I interested in you! Steve’s voice raised as he began to panic, “Let me go! I warn you to let me go this instant or I will have to be rough on you!”
Ashley stopped dead in her tracks. What was happening?
“Oh darling, you know you do want me. I know you wanted me since you first set eyes on me. It’s Ashley who is stopping you isn’t it? Don’t worry; we can always go to the next town for some fun.” Allison said seductively.
Ashley stood rooted to the ground when she heard what Allison was saying. Was history repeating itself? She couldn’t believe it! She had to see for herself! Ashley pushed open the door to the kitchen to see Allison pinning Steve to the wall and him trying very hard to dislocate himself and not hurt Allison at the same time. When he saw Ashley, his face turned white and he said,
“Ash, it’s not…it’s not what you are seeing now. It’s not like this. Let me go, you bitch!” He said to Allison in frustration.
“I know, Steve. I heard you when I stood outside.” Ashley was surprisingly calm. A slow anger was building up inside her as she looked from her loving husband Steve; to the friend she thought she had saved from the dumps, yet at the same time, a deep grief formed inside her heart as she looked upon the person she had called a friend.
Allison loosened her hold on Steve and he pushed her away. Steve rushed over to Ashley and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Kissing her hair, Steve whispered to Ashley, “Oh my love! I am glad that you heard. She is such a bitch! I can’t believe that she threw herself at me.”
“Get out of my sight! I can’t stand it! If you would rather have that whimpering woman, so be it!” Allison shouted at Steve in a tone dripping with disgust.
Ashley couldn’t take it any longer. It was the second time in her life that Allison tried to take what was her and there was no way Ashley could bring herself to forgive her a second time.
Before Steve could lash out at Allison, Ashley cried out in anger, “Why? Ally, Why? Why must you always try to take what’s mine? You took Ted didn’t you? You took him for life. Now you want Steve too?”
Ashley choked back the tears that threatened to come. She would not cry in front of Allison for Ashley knew that would have given her pleasure and she would deny her that.
“Why? Oh, she is asking me why! Hahaha! Well, Ash, you should know why, shouldn’t you?” Allison’s eyes hardened and she picked up a knife. “Even if you don’t, I am not giving you a chance to find out! I will kill you! I will kill, kill, kill! I want you dead Ash! I really want you dead!” Allison screamed and rushed toward them, waving the kitchen knife before her.
Rushing headlong at Ashley and Steve, Allison looked like a madwoman who had just been driven beyond the binge of sanity.
“Run Ash! Hurry!”
Steve yelled as Ashley continued to stand rooted to the ground. Half dragging, half carrying her out of the kitchen, Steve shouted for help. The patrons in the café screamed and started running out. There was chaos everywhere but Ashley could only hear Allison shouting kill, kill and kill. Natasha and Chris managed to push their way into the café just at the moment. When Allison saw them, she stopped pursuing Ashley and Steve suddenly and stared at the four of them out of her crazed eyes, looking suddenly calmed. She looked satisfied when the four of them stood together, frightened. The café had emptied and left the five of them staring at one another.
“What are you doing, Ally?” Natasha tried to stall for time, knowing that Chris had called the police when they learned about what happened outside the café. She knew that her brother Aaron would come with his men soon.
“What am I doing? Oh, you want to know what is going on as well. Okay, I might as well let all of you know, since all of you are going to die soon.” Allison gave them a scary grin that looked more like a snarl.
“I was making a pass at Steve earlier when this bitch found out. Oh, she pretended to be calm and even tried to make me feel guilty! Well! I am not and now all I wanted is to kill all of you! You have all made my life miserable at some time or another! You caused me so much trouble!” She screamed suddenly, pointing her knife dangerously at all of them.
“Why? We have been trying to give you a better life, didn’t we?” Ashley asked, her voice trembling.
“Give me a better life? Cut the crap! All of you, especially you, Ashley McAllister, have been giving me nothing but misery all through my life! You, with your rich parents and big fancy house, were always giving me nothing but pity. Every time that you gave me some hand me down clothes; you looked like you were giving me the world! Let me tell you: I had thrown away every piece of hand me down the moment you walked out of my house! And now, you make me work in a filthy little café while you sit in some fancy office and count the money I help you earn! You call this a better life? Oh no! I certainly don’t think so. All my life, since the moment I moved here, it has been nothing but misery. Seeing the two of you together make me sick! How can you say you want to be friends with me when the two of you are so inseparatable? Everything that we did in the past, it was something that the two of you planned, and I had to follow! Did either of you think to ask me? No, you didn’t. Neither did either of you think to ask if I was happy. I had always hoped that the two of you would change, that you would see me as an equal friend, not someone who was just tagging along. But I was disappointed because it never happened!” Allison panted as she tried to catch her breath.
“And you, Natasha Mackenzie! Could you tell me whether there was a time when you came to me to discuss an outing instead of with Ashley McAllister? Could you? No, you couldn’t! You had never seen me as a friend! You had only your Ash in mind; she came first in everything we did. You asked me to give up Ted, for her, for her sake! What about me? I asked you this question so many years ago, you did not give me an answer then, and could you give me one now? I doubt so.” Allison continued in her mad rush.
Slashing her knife at Ashley, Allison continued to yell,
“Ashley McAllister! I hate you! I really do hate you! Did you know why? Everything you did was brilliant! Everybody thought that you were the best! Every little remark you made was God’s words! Everybody loved you! Your grades were better than mine, the teacher liked you better, and you always had all the boys chasing after you! And yet, you wwere never satisfied! You were always vying with me for the things and people whom I loved! You took away Ted! You were the one who caused his death! Not me! You took away Natasha! She should have been my best friend, not yours! You took away my life from me! You caused me pains all those years back when you became upset after I told you I hate you! Well, there was something else yet! I meant every word I said when I thrust that book at you! I hate you! I don’t want you in my life because you took away everything that was precious to me! I wanted to kill you! That was the only way I could take back everything! That was the only way I could make you suffer! I would kill you nice and slow, I would not let you get away this time.”
The hatred in Allison’s eyes was so potent, that everybody present was truly shaken by what she said. Ashley did not know that anyone could harbor so much hatred for her. She could not understand the hatred. Ashley did not do anything to hurt another person in her life, and yet she seemed to have hurt Allison so much. What did she do?
“Don’t kill her Ally! I would be your friend. I would not see her again. I would hate her the way you do. Just don’t hurt her! I would do anything you ask, just don’t hurt her.” Natasha cried out desperately. She even turned away from Ashley and brushed off Ashley’s hand which was resting on her shoulders.
Ashley’s eyes filled as she watched her best friend tried this last desperate attempt. She knew that Natasha was trying to save her with whatever she got, just like she always did. Their eyes met, and Ashley could see the anguish that was in Natasha.
“Yeah Ally! I would leave with you too!” Steve said, pushing Ashley behind him, and following Natasha’s example. Both of them had formed a barrier in front of Ashley subconsciously.
“You were right, Ally! I realized I don’t love her at all! What was she when compared to you? Ashley McAllister was nothing compared to you.” Steve exclaimed.
Ashley cried silently as she looked upon the desperate attempts that the two persons she loved most in her life was making. She understood what they were trying to do, and it tore at her all the more to see their anguished faces as they hurled abuses at her.
"SHUT UP! Both of you!” Allison yelled and waved her knife dangerously in front of Steve and Natasha. “Oh! You people thought you were so clever weren’t you? Trying to save her now? It’s too late! If you had said those words to me ten years ago, Nat, I might have believed you. I know you were just trying to save that bitch hiding behind her husband right now! And you, Steve, didn’t it occur to you that you would not have love me so much since you had just spurred my love back there n the kitchen? Fine! Since both of you were so willing to sacrifice, I would satisfied you! What was better than to kill you both right before her eyes? To let her see you die, and to know that she was the one who caused it! Oh! That would be a very good show to see.”
Allison snarled and lurched towards Natasha, the knife aiming straight at her. Natasha closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to God, asking Him to protect those who were going to be left behind.
“NO! Please no!” Ashley screamed instinctively and tried to run in front of Natasha to protect her. Pushing Ashley away, Natasha prepared to receive that knife. At the very last moment, a gun fired right behind Natasha. Allison dropped to the floor as the knife slipped out of her lifeless hand. Blood seeped out of her right shoulder. She looked at the wound in amusement and laughed.
“You think that was going to stop me? I am beyond pain! I am beyond human! I would kill again today! Just like the day I killed Ted!”
She looked up into all the horrified faces and laughed crazily.
“Oh yes! I lied! I lied! I killed Ted all those years back! I killed him! It was I who tied him to a tree and forced the poison down his throat. And I killed Beaumont too! He deserved to die! Both of them deserved to die! Ted died because of you as well, Ashley! He loved you! He loved you instead of me! He deserved to die! Beaumont was an accident. He saw me killing Ted, and that idiot had blackmailed me. Oh yes, I gave him what he wanted, but I saw that he never enjoyed his new home in England. Yes! I bought it for him! But he never gets to live in it for a day! I made sure his family did not either! Oh I was so clever! Nobody thought that it was me. To think of it, I thought that it was so funny! Nobody believes that a woman barely in her twenties would kill two men. But I did! And the feeling was wonderful. Going undetected was the best thing that happened to me. Of course, it was also a bonus, for I wouldn’t have a chance to finish you off if I had been caught. And now you would all die! And remember, Ashley McAllister was the one who caused all your deaths!”
Allison laughed hysterically and tried to use the knife to prop herself up to stab Natasha again. Aaron fired his gun a second time and this time right on Allison’s right hand. She dropped the knife a second time and Aaron kicked it out of her way.
“You were trying to kill my sister and you think I would stand by and watch?” He asked Allison, the gun leveled at her.
“Kill me then! Didn’t you always wanted to kill me? You were an idiot Aaron. You believed you could stop me this way? Don’t be silly!” With a manic laugh, Allison pulled out a small gun from her boots and fired at Ashley.
“Ashley! Get out of the way!” Natasha shouted and pushed her away. The windows behind Ashley shattered as the bullet hit it. Total chaos resulted and shots rang out continuously. Then, all was silent as Allison toppled forward and crumbled at their feet.
“Move away!” Aaron ordered. Ashley screamed as Allison put her bloodied hand on her.
“Get your hand away from her!” Steve yelled at her and tried to kick Allison’s hand away. She let go, not because Steve asked, but because she no longer had the life in her to hold on. Ashley watched as Allison’s hand slided lifelessly from her leg and onto the floor. Natasha grabbed hold of her as she continued to stare at Allison’s body as she lay on the floor. She looked so harmless now. She seemed at peace, but was she really? Ashley began to cry bitterly, and Natasha hugged her tight and cried along with her.
They were all told to go out of the café. As they sat down on the sidewalk, Ashley held Natasha’s hand and whispered sadly,
“Oh Nat! What had we done? Did we ruin Ally’s life so many years ago when we befriend her? I couldn’t understand why she hated me so much. Was it me? Was it because I am evil? Was it because I really caused her so much pain?”
Ashley couldn’t help but cry, and Natasha hugged her tightly and let her cry before she replied brokenly,
“No Ash! You were the best friend and sister that anyone could ever have! You would never have hurt anyone in your life intentionally. Ally was sick, Ash! She could not take what life dish out to her and she wanted to blame someone else for that. She picked you, Ash. You were the victim, not her. Please, do not think in that way.”
“What about Ted? Beaumont? I caused their deaths too! I am so seeped in blood!” Ashley just couldn’t take all of it. It was too much for her.
“Oh Ash,” Natasha just pulled Ashley close for another hug and said,
“It’s not your fault! You were not to blame. Ally killed them. She killed them because she was sick with jealousy. You did not cause their death. Ted loved you out of his own willingness. His greatest mistake was to pity Ally. And Beaumont brought his own death to himself and his family. If he had not blackmail Ally, he wouldn’t have to die. Please Ash, don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. Be strong, Ash. Be strong for yourself, for Steve, for your three adorable children and for me. Please don’t do this to yourself.”
Natasha held on to Ashley as she continued to cry. After some time, Ashley began to calm down with the strong presence of her best friend’s tranquility despite all odds. Natasha was always the pillar of support for Ashley. No matter what happened, Natasha was always there for her. She never let Ashley down. Ashley hugged her fiercely and said in a fainted but strong voice,
“I would be strong Nat, for everyone. I would try my best to stop thinking of these unhappy things. I would try.” Ashley said, putting on a brave face. Natasha nodded and patted her on the back before moving away to seek comfort in Chris’ arms and letting Steve took over.
Steve took Ashley into his arms then. He kissed her and told her that he loved her, no matter what happened. He was another pillar of support that Ashley could not do without. She loved him with such intensity that she wouldn’t be able to stand it if anyone was to take him away.
They were all advised to go back for a rest, especially for the two traumatized women. Steve had wanted to take Ashley home, but as their children were home with their grandparents, Ashley did not want to go home in fear of alarming the children. It was lucky that they lived far away from the place of incident, and the children were relatively unharmed. In the end, they all went to Natasha’s house because Natasha’s children were away in their auntie’s house in the next town and the four of them needed to be together to sort thing out. Steve and Chris tried their best to comfort their wives as much as they could, but Natasha and Ashley needed to be together to share in their grief. They retired to the children’s bedroom and talked about a lot of things, the things that they did in the past with Allison, the things they did without her. They remember their college days without Allison and it was shameful to admit that they were much happier without her. She was like a shadow that hung over them then. They also talked about Allison’s depression, and they tried to understand how it was like to live in the shadows of others. Although they knew that it was all over, it would take them a long time to get over what happened. It would not be something that they could put out of their minds easily.
The two women spent a fitful night full of nightmares together, refusing to see their husbands at all. Both of them cried for the friend that they lost, and the wrong things that they might had done in their lives.
Roy came to look for the four of them the next day. He had brought Angus, his son to visit the circus in the next town and was not there when Allison went on her crazy journey to her death. He apologized, and told them that he was leaving. He wanted to take his son Angus back to Manhattans. There was nothing left for him in Scotland. His wife had died, killed in the name of defense, and there was nothing for him to do. He felt so lost, and the only thing that he could think of was to bring his son back to a place where they could start all over again.
Natasha and Ashley felt so guilty. It was as if they had taken his wife from him. Although so, they wondered if Roy had known about his wife’s hatred for Ashley. Natasha plucked up the courage to ask him the day he was leaving. In a sadden voice, Roy told them that he never did know about Allison until it was too late. He told Natasha and Ashley how Allison always said the best things about them, illustrating the day he picked her up from the airport after she visited them. He told Ashley and Natasha how thrilled Allison was when she found out that they had forgiven her. Little had he guess that her thrill came from the fact that she could finally take her revenge, and that it had nothing to reflect true repentance. He verified that they were not well-off but not as poor as Allison made it out to be. And he also rejected a position in Ashley’s and Natasha’s firm. He said that he could not do that after all that had happened and that he would go back and helped his brother with his flourishing business back in Manhattans. He explained that he could not do that in the past because Allison had hated his brother and forbade him from keeping in touch with his family. But now, he was free, and he could build a better life for his son. That was the last time Ashley and Natasha ever heard from Roy, for he refused to keep in touch with them, saying that it was better for all of them.
26th Aug 2004
It was three months since Allison came back to work in the town she grew up in and she worked hard. She had to, if she wanted to put her plans into motion. She saw to it that Ashley and Natasha were to trust her more and more, and she was pleased to know that they were delegating more work to her. She was now practically running the café she works in single-handedly. Ashley and Natasha only checked the accounts once a month to make sure that everything was in order. Allison had planned to carry out her plans on Ashley’s and Natasha’s next visit. However, Ashley visited the café with her husband, Steve that month. When Allison found that out, she thought that a subtle change of plans would do nicely.
Allison was busy in the kitchen when they arrived. She knew they were there, for the staff had informed her immediately. But she kept them waiting, because she wanted to lure Steve into the kitchen first. Hence, she waited 10 minutes and then let a pan clashed onto the floor, letting out a loud scream at the same time. She knew Steve would come running and she ordered all her staff to leave the kitchen and not come back in unless they were told to do so. No sooner had the staff exited through the back door, Steve burst into the kitchen.
“What happened here, Allison? Are you alright?”
Ashley was tallying the accounts with Steve when they heard the loud clash and scream. When Steve volunteered to go see what happened and to get Allison out for a talk, she let him as she was halfway through her calculations. However, Steve was gone for a long time, and Ashley could not help worrying about what happened. So she dumped her account books into the office drawers and locked it before going down to the kitchen to see what was going on. She walked towards the kitchen and stopped short when she heard Steve saying,
“Let go of me, Ally! I am not interested in your proposal. Neither am I interested in you! Steve’s voice raised as he began to panic, “Let me go! I warn you to let me go this instant or I will have to be rough on you!”
Ashley stopped dead in her tracks. What was happening?
“Oh darling, you know you do want me. I know you wanted me since you first set eyes on me. It’s Ashley who is stopping you isn’t it? Don’t worry; we can always go to the next town for some fun.” Allison said seductively.
Ashley stood rooted to the ground when she heard what Allison was saying. Was history repeating itself? She couldn’t believe it! She had to see for herself! Ashley pushed open the door to the kitchen to see Allison pinning Steve to the wall and him trying very hard to dislocate himself and not hurt Allison at the same time. When he saw Ashley, his face turned white and he said,
“Ash, it’s not…it’s not what you are seeing now. It’s not like this. Let me go, you bitch!” He said to Allison in frustration.
“I know, Steve. I heard you when I stood outside.” Ashley was surprisingly calm. A slow anger was building up inside her as she looked from her loving husband Steve; to the friend she thought she had saved from the dumps, yet at the same time, a deep grief formed inside her heart as she looked upon the person she had called a friend.
Allison loosened her hold on Steve and he pushed her away. Steve rushed over to Ashley and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Kissing her hair, Steve whispered to Ashley, “Oh my love! I am glad that you heard. She is such a bitch! I can’t believe that she threw herself at me.”
“Get out of my sight! I can’t stand it! If you would rather have that whimpering woman, so be it!” Allison shouted at Steve in a tone dripping with disgust.
Ashley couldn’t take it any longer. It was the second time in her life that Allison tried to take what was her and there was no way Ashley could bring herself to forgive her a second time.
Before Steve could lash out at Allison, Ashley cried out in anger, “Why? Ally, Why? Why must you always try to take what’s mine? You took Ted didn’t you? You took him for life. Now you want Steve too?”
Ashley choked back the tears that threatened to come. She would not cry in front of Allison for Ashley knew that would have given her pleasure and she would deny her that.
“Why? Oh, she is asking me why! Hahaha! Well, Ash, you should know why, shouldn’t you?” Allison’s eyes hardened and she picked up a knife. “Even if you don’t, I am not giving you a chance to find out! I will kill you! I will kill, kill, kill! I want you dead Ash! I really want you dead!” Allison screamed and rushed toward them, waving the kitchen knife before her.
Rushing headlong at Ashley and Steve, Allison looked like a madwoman who had just been driven beyond the binge of sanity.
“Run Ash! Hurry!”
Steve yelled as Ashley continued to stand rooted to the ground. Half dragging, half carrying her out of the kitchen, Steve shouted for help. The patrons in the café screamed and started running out. There was chaos everywhere but Ashley could only hear Allison shouting kill, kill and kill. Natasha and Chris managed to push their way into the café just at the moment. When Allison saw them, she stopped pursuing Ashley and Steve suddenly and stared at the four of them out of her crazed eyes, looking suddenly calmed. She looked satisfied when the four of them stood together, frightened. The café had emptied and left the five of them staring at one another.
“What are you doing, Ally?” Natasha tried to stall for time, knowing that Chris had called the police when they learned about what happened outside the café. She knew that her brother Aaron would come with his men soon.
“What am I doing? Oh, you want to know what is going on as well. Okay, I might as well let all of you know, since all of you are going to die soon.” Allison gave them a scary grin that looked more like a snarl.
“I was making a pass at Steve earlier when this bitch found out. Oh, she pretended to be calm and even tried to make me feel guilty! Well! I am not and now all I wanted is to kill all of you! You have all made my life miserable at some time or another! You caused me so much trouble!” She screamed suddenly, pointing her knife dangerously at all of them.
“Why? We have been trying to give you a better life, didn’t we?” Ashley asked, her voice trembling.
“Give me a better life? Cut the crap! All of you, especially you, Ashley McAllister, have been giving me nothing but misery all through my life! You, with your rich parents and big fancy house, were always giving me nothing but pity. Every time that you gave me some hand me down clothes; you looked like you were giving me the world! Let me tell you: I had thrown away every piece of hand me down the moment you walked out of my house! And now, you make me work in a filthy little café while you sit in some fancy office and count the money I help you earn! You call this a better life? Oh no! I certainly don’t think so. All my life, since the moment I moved here, it has been nothing but misery. Seeing the two of you together make me sick! How can you say you want to be friends with me when the two of you are so inseparatable? Everything that we did in the past, it was something that the two of you planned, and I had to follow! Did either of you think to ask me? No, you didn’t. Neither did either of you think to ask if I was happy. I had always hoped that the two of you would change, that you would see me as an equal friend, not someone who was just tagging along. But I was disappointed because it never happened!” Allison panted as she tried to catch her breath.
“And you, Natasha Mackenzie! Could you tell me whether there was a time when you came to me to discuss an outing instead of with Ashley McAllister? Could you? No, you couldn’t! You had never seen me as a friend! You had only your Ash in mind; she came first in everything we did. You asked me to give up Ted, for her, for her sake! What about me? I asked you this question so many years ago, you did not give me an answer then, and could you give me one now? I doubt so.” Allison continued in her mad rush.
Slashing her knife at Ashley, Allison continued to yell,
“Ashley McAllister! I hate you! I really do hate you! Did you know why? Everything you did was brilliant! Everybody thought that you were the best! Every little remark you made was God’s words! Everybody loved you! Your grades were better than mine, the teacher liked you better, and you always had all the boys chasing after you! And yet, you wwere never satisfied! You were always vying with me for the things and people whom I loved! You took away Ted! You were the one who caused his death! Not me! You took away Natasha! She should have been my best friend, not yours! You took away my life from me! You caused me pains all those years back when you became upset after I told you I hate you! Well, there was something else yet! I meant every word I said when I thrust that book at you! I hate you! I don’t want you in my life because you took away everything that was precious to me! I wanted to kill you! That was the only way I could take back everything! That was the only way I could make you suffer! I would kill you nice and slow, I would not let you get away this time.”
The hatred in Allison’s eyes was so potent, that everybody present was truly shaken by what she said. Ashley did not know that anyone could harbor so much hatred for her. She could not understand the hatred. Ashley did not do anything to hurt another person in her life, and yet she seemed to have hurt Allison so much. What did she do?
“Don’t kill her Ally! I would be your friend. I would not see her again. I would hate her the way you do. Just don’t hurt her! I would do anything you ask, just don’t hurt her.” Natasha cried out desperately. She even turned away from Ashley and brushed off Ashley’s hand which was resting on her shoulders.
Ashley’s eyes filled as she watched her best friend tried this last desperate attempt. She knew that Natasha was trying to save her with whatever she got, just like she always did. Their eyes met, and Ashley could see the anguish that was in Natasha.
“Yeah Ally! I would leave with you too!” Steve said, pushing Ashley behind him, and following Natasha’s example. Both of them had formed a barrier in front of Ashley subconsciously.
“You were right, Ally! I realized I don’t love her at all! What was she when compared to you? Ashley McAllister was nothing compared to you.” Steve exclaimed.
Ashley cried silently as she looked upon the desperate attempts that the two persons she loved most in her life was making. She understood what they were trying to do, and it tore at her all the more to see their anguished faces as they hurled abuses at her.
"SHUT UP! Both of you!” Allison yelled and waved her knife dangerously in front of Steve and Natasha. “Oh! You people thought you were so clever weren’t you? Trying to save her now? It’s too late! If you had said those words to me ten years ago, Nat, I might have believed you. I know you were just trying to save that bitch hiding behind her husband right now! And you, Steve, didn’t it occur to you that you would not have love me so much since you had just spurred my love back there n the kitchen? Fine! Since both of you were so willing to sacrifice, I would satisfied you! What was better than to kill you both right before her eyes? To let her see you die, and to know that she was the one who caused it! Oh! That would be a very good show to see.”
Allison snarled and lurched towards Natasha, the knife aiming straight at her. Natasha closed her eyes and whispered a prayer to God, asking Him to protect those who were going to be left behind.
“NO! Please no!” Ashley screamed instinctively and tried to run in front of Natasha to protect her. Pushing Ashley away, Natasha prepared to receive that knife. At the very last moment, a gun fired right behind Natasha. Allison dropped to the floor as the knife slipped out of her lifeless hand. Blood seeped out of her right shoulder. She looked at the wound in amusement and laughed.
“You think that was going to stop me? I am beyond pain! I am beyond human! I would kill again today! Just like the day I killed Ted!”
She looked up into all the horrified faces and laughed crazily.
“Oh yes! I lied! I lied! I killed Ted all those years back! I killed him! It was I who tied him to a tree and forced the poison down his throat. And I killed Beaumont too! He deserved to die! Both of them deserved to die! Ted died because of you as well, Ashley! He loved you! He loved you instead of me! He deserved to die! Beaumont was an accident. He saw me killing Ted, and that idiot had blackmailed me. Oh yes, I gave him what he wanted, but I saw that he never enjoyed his new home in England. Yes! I bought it for him! But he never gets to live in it for a day! I made sure his family did not either! Oh I was so clever! Nobody thought that it was me. To think of it, I thought that it was so funny! Nobody believes that a woman barely in her twenties would kill two men. But I did! And the feeling was wonderful. Going undetected was the best thing that happened to me. Of course, it was also a bonus, for I wouldn’t have a chance to finish you off if I had been caught. And now you would all die! And remember, Ashley McAllister was the one who caused all your deaths!”
Allison laughed hysterically and tried to use the knife to prop herself up to stab Natasha again. Aaron fired his gun a second time and this time right on Allison’s right hand. She dropped the knife a second time and Aaron kicked it out of her way.
“You were trying to kill my sister and you think I would stand by and watch?” He asked Allison, the gun leveled at her.
“Kill me then! Didn’t you always wanted to kill me? You were an idiot Aaron. You believed you could stop me this way? Don’t be silly!” With a manic laugh, Allison pulled out a small gun from her boots and fired at Ashley.
“Ashley! Get out of the way!” Natasha shouted and pushed her away. The windows behind Ashley shattered as the bullet hit it. Total chaos resulted and shots rang out continuously. Then, all was silent as Allison toppled forward and crumbled at their feet.
“Move away!” Aaron ordered. Ashley screamed as Allison put her bloodied hand on her.
“Get your hand away from her!” Steve yelled at her and tried to kick Allison’s hand away. She let go, not because Steve asked, but because she no longer had the life in her to hold on. Ashley watched as Allison’s hand slided lifelessly from her leg and onto the floor. Natasha grabbed hold of her as she continued to stare at Allison’s body as she lay on the floor. She looked so harmless now. She seemed at peace, but was she really? Ashley began to cry bitterly, and Natasha hugged her tight and cried along with her.
They were all told to go out of the café. As they sat down on the sidewalk, Ashley held Natasha’s hand and whispered sadly,
“Oh Nat! What had we done? Did we ruin Ally’s life so many years ago when we befriend her? I couldn’t understand why she hated me so much. Was it me? Was it because I am evil? Was it because I really caused her so much pain?”
Ashley couldn’t help but cry, and Natasha hugged her tightly and let her cry before she replied brokenly,
“No Ash! You were the best friend and sister that anyone could ever have! You would never have hurt anyone in your life intentionally. Ally was sick, Ash! She could not take what life dish out to her and she wanted to blame someone else for that. She picked you, Ash. You were the victim, not her. Please, do not think in that way.”
“What about Ted? Beaumont? I caused their deaths too! I am so seeped in blood!” Ashley just couldn’t take all of it. It was too much for her.
“Oh Ash,” Natasha just pulled Ashley close for another hug and said,
“It’s not your fault! You were not to blame. Ally killed them. She killed them because she was sick with jealousy. You did not cause their death. Ted loved you out of his own willingness. His greatest mistake was to pity Ally. And Beaumont brought his own death to himself and his family. If he had not blackmail Ally, he wouldn’t have to die. Please Ash, don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault. Be strong, Ash. Be strong for yourself, for Steve, for your three adorable children and for me. Please don’t do this to yourself.”
Natasha held on to Ashley as she continued to cry. After some time, Ashley began to calm down with the strong presence of her best friend’s tranquility despite all odds. Natasha was always the pillar of support for Ashley. No matter what happened, Natasha was always there for her. She never let Ashley down. Ashley hugged her fiercely and said in a fainted but strong voice,
“I would be strong Nat, for everyone. I would try my best to stop thinking of these unhappy things. I would try.” Ashley said, putting on a brave face. Natasha nodded and patted her on the back before moving away to seek comfort in Chris’ arms and letting Steve took over.
Steve took Ashley into his arms then. He kissed her and told her that he loved her, no matter what happened. He was another pillar of support that Ashley could not do without. She loved him with such intensity that she wouldn’t be able to stand it if anyone was to take him away.
They were all advised to go back for a rest, especially for the two traumatized women. Steve had wanted to take Ashley home, but as their children were home with their grandparents, Ashley did not want to go home in fear of alarming the children. It was lucky that they lived far away from the place of incident, and the children were relatively unharmed. In the end, they all went to Natasha’s house because Natasha’s children were away in their auntie’s house in the next town and the four of them needed to be together to sort thing out. Steve and Chris tried their best to comfort their wives as much as they could, but Natasha and Ashley needed to be together to share in their grief. They retired to the children’s bedroom and talked about a lot of things, the things that they did in the past with Allison, the things they did without her. They remember their college days without Allison and it was shameful to admit that they were much happier without her. She was like a shadow that hung over them then. They also talked about Allison’s depression, and they tried to understand how it was like to live in the shadows of others. Although they knew that it was all over, it would take them a long time to get over what happened. It would not be something that they could put out of their minds easily.
The two women spent a fitful night full of nightmares together, refusing to see their husbands at all. Both of them cried for the friend that they lost, and the wrong things that they might had done in their lives.
Roy came to look for the four of them the next day. He had brought Angus, his son to visit the circus in the next town and was not there when Allison went on her crazy journey to her death. He apologized, and told them that he was leaving. He wanted to take his son Angus back to Manhattans. There was nothing left for him in Scotland. His wife had died, killed in the name of defense, and there was nothing for him to do. He felt so lost, and the only thing that he could think of was to bring his son back to a place where they could start all over again.
Natasha and Ashley felt so guilty. It was as if they had taken his wife from him. Although so, they wondered if Roy had known about his wife’s hatred for Ashley. Natasha plucked up the courage to ask him the day he was leaving. In a sadden voice, Roy told them that he never did know about Allison until it was too late. He told Natasha and Ashley how Allison always said the best things about them, illustrating the day he picked her up from the airport after she visited them. He told Ashley and Natasha how thrilled Allison was when she found out that they had forgiven her. Little had he guess that her thrill came from the fact that she could finally take her revenge, and that it had nothing to reflect true repentance. He verified that they were not well-off but not as poor as Allison made it out to be. And he also rejected a position in Ashley’s and Natasha’s firm. He said that he could not do that after all that had happened and that he would go back and helped his brother with his flourishing business back in Manhattans. He explained that he could not do that in the past because Allison had hated his brother and forbade him from keeping in touch with his family. But now, he was free, and he could build a better life for his son. That was the last time Ashley and Natasha ever heard from Roy, for he refused to keep in touch with them, saying that it was better for all of them.
Double Betrayal (Chapter Six)
Chapter Six
26th May 2004
The letter came out of the sudden. Allison had been keeping in touch with Ashley and Natasha of course. She would not want to mess up her chance to get further revenge. Allison was very pleased that Ashley and Natasha would call her at least once a week, either alone or together. They would always update her on their lives and asked about hers. In that way, Allison managed to learn a lot about their lives and businesses and she was pleased to form a rough sketch of how she wanted to take her ultimate revenge against Ashley. However, her best plans came delivered to her on a golden plate when the letter came, to formally ask Allison to go back and share the work with Ashley and Natasha, who owned various chains of cafes. Allison was surprised and touched at their gesture and yet at the same time, she was overjoyed to have a chance to totally ruin Ashley’s life. Roy came home from his work at that very moment and in her moment of happiness, Allison just ran to hug him and thrust the letter into his hand.
After reading through, he broke into a laugh.” Is that true Ally? Oh God! This will make our lives better! We have to take this job!”
He hugged his wife and swung her around wildly. Allison kissed him hard on his mouth and ran to the telephone. She had to call her ‘friends’ to thank them for her chance.
“Hello? Nat? Is that you?” Allison hollered into the telephone, acting in her usual cheerful manner in order to keep up her act. She was so close to her goal now, she had to keep it up.
“Oh yes! It’s me! I supposed you got our letter?” Natasha laughed.
“Oh yes! I did! I did! Oh Nat! Are you sure? Are you really sure?” Allison asked, just to make sure that she would have the chance to plot her ultimate revenge.
“Yeah! We are sure Ally! Ash and I have decided that we must share everything. Will you be able to come right away?”
“We can’t Nat. My son Angus had to go to school till the school term ends. We can go then. It will be the end of April I think. Do you think we can arrange for that?” Allison asked anxiously.
“Of course, my friend! We will be waiting for you to come back then, Ally! I am sorry that I can’t talk to you now. I have to serve these hungry customers. Can I call you back later?”
“It’s alright, Nat. Go and do your work. Call back later.” Allison beamed into the telephone and hung up.
Turning around to her husband’s anxious face, Allison gave him a kiss and jumped up and down! This was the best day of her life! She knew that her need for the ultimate revenge would be fulfilled very soon! She would be able to make them pay for all that they had done to her! She wanted them to suffer! But, she had to make them trust her first. Allison had to make Ashley and Natasha believe that she had changed. She had to remember to hide her feelings from everyone, including Roy. He was too good to understand her feelings. He wouldn’t know how much she had suffered under the hands of Ashley and Natasha! She had to take revenge on them, especially on Ashley! Dancing into the kitchen to prepare supper, Allison couldn’t help beaming as she planned her next move.
“Ashley had caused me so much pain. She would wish that she could die when I am done with her!”
26th May 2004
The letter came out of the sudden. Allison had been keeping in touch with Ashley and Natasha of course. She would not want to mess up her chance to get further revenge. Allison was very pleased that Ashley and Natasha would call her at least once a week, either alone or together. They would always update her on their lives and asked about hers. In that way, Allison managed to learn a lot about their lives and businesses and she was pleased to form a rough sketch of how she wanted to take her ultimate revenge against Ashley. However, her best plans came delivered to her on a golden plate when the letter came, to formally ask Allison to go back and share the work with Ashley and Natasha, who owned various chains of cafes. Allison was surprised and touched at their gesture and yet at the same time, she was overjoyed to have a chance to totally ruin Ashley’s life. Roy came home from his work at that very moment and in her moment of happiness, Allison just ran to hug him and thrust the letter into his hand.
After reading through, he broke into a laugh.” Is that true Ally? Oh God! This will make our lives better! We have to take this job!”
He hugged his wife and swung her around wildly. Allison kissed him hard on his mouth and ran to the telephone. She had to call her ‘friends’ to thank them for her chance.
“Hello? Nat? Is that you?” Allison hollered into the telephone, acting in her usual cheerful manner in order to keep up her act. She was so close to her goal now, she had to keep it up.
“Oh yes! It’s me! I supposed you got our letter?” Natasha laughed.
“Oh yes! I did! I did! Oh Nat! Are you sure? Are you really sure?” Allison asked, just to make sure that she would have the chance to plot her ultimate revenge.
“Yeah! We are sure Ally! Ash and I have decided that we must share everything. Will you be able to come right away?”
“We can’t Nat. My son Angus had to go to school till the school term ends. We can go then. It will be the end of April I think. Do you think we can arrange for that?” Allison asked anxiously.
“Of course, my friend! We will be waiting for you to come back then, Ally! I am sorry that I can’t talk to you now. I have to serve these hungry customers. Can I call you back later?”
“It’s alright, Nat. Go and do your work. Call back later.” Allison beamed into the telephone and hung up.
Turning around to her husband’s anxious face, Allison gave him a kiss and jumped up and down! This was the best day of her life! She knew that her need for the ultimate revenge would be fulfilled very soon! She would be able to make them pay for all that they had done to her! She wanted them to suffer! But, she had to make them trust her first. Allison had to make Ashley and Natasha believe that she had changed. She had to remember to hide her feelings from everyone, including Roy. He was too good to understand her feelings. He wouldn’t know how much she had suffered under the hands of Ashley and Natasha! She had to take revenge on them, especially on Ashley! Dancing into the kitchen to prepare supper, Allison couldn’t help beaming as she planned her next move.
“Ashley had caused me so much pain. She would wish that she could die when I am done with her!”
Double Betrayal (Chapter Five)
Chapter Five
5th May 2004
As Allison walked towards the exit gate in the airport, she kept looking back at Ashley and Natasha. She could hardly believe her good fortune to have such forgiving and stupid friends, especially Ashley. She felt so wickedly delightful and relieved that she could hardly withstand the astonishing feelings that she was having. It all seemed like a dream. How could they still have forgiven her and treated her as their friend, after all she had done to them? Although ten years could be a long enough time for them to forgive her, but to do so completely in a split second seemed like a difficult feat to Allison. Have they truly forgiven her? Allison wondered as she boarded the plane. Even though Allison knew that her plans for real revenge had been set in motions, she couldn’t help but wonder about her two friends who had given her the happiest and saddest days in her youth. As she settled down in the plane, she began to remember the things that she had done in the past with her friends. No matter how happy or sad they might be; those memories were the best that Allison ever had in this life.
Allison was just eleven when her family moved into the neighborhood. On her first day of school, she was so nervous that she could feel her toes shivering with fear when she entered the classroom. When the teacher introduced her to the class, Allison could hardly dare to look up, but when she did, two bright smiles aimed straight at her and the owners of those smiles waved their hands and invited her to sit with them.
“Oh God! Thank you for the angels you sent!” Allison prayed silently and went willingly to sit beside them.
That was her first impression of Ashley and Natasha. They were kind and patient, very willing to listen and friendly to the core. When Allison discovered that the two of them lived near her, she was nearly over the moon with happiness! Both Ashley and Natasha got Allison to join in all their activities and walked her home that very first day. Allison was happy and glad of their instant friendship. She prayed that the two of them would continue to treat her that way. They did, and soon the three of them became the best of friends. Things were well from the start. Ashley and Natasha had never treated Allison as a newcomer, but as someone whom they seemed to always have around. Allison was overjoyed for she never had friends who treated her that well before. Ashley and Natasha would invite Allison to their houses, and they often had overnight stays at one another’s houses during their school holidays.
Over the years, Allison came to depend on Ashley and Natasha for almost everything. She knew that they would always be there for her. Thus, when they started caring less for her as they grew up and got interested in boys and fashion, she resented it. Allison came to realize that Ashley and Natasha were always closer to each other no matter how many years had passed. Allison kept comforting herself, knowing that she shouldn’t complain since her two friends who had grew up together would naturally be closer. However, she could not understand why Natasha was always more caring towards Ashley. Even during their teen years, Natasha would always rush to Ashley whenever she had good news or bad news, Allison would not be the first one to know, but the last. Allison knew that she was being unreasonable but she couldn’t help it, as she had looked up to Natasha like an older sister. Slowly, she began to resent Ashley with such intensity that it hurt to even see Ashley and Natasha together. Allison knew it was pure jealousy and that she should stop herself from doing that. But she just couldn’t seem to help it. She had always like Natasha more because she was more open and seemed to understand her better than Ashley ever did, even though she did not tell Allison all her secrets. Allison thus began to sabotage Ashley whenever she could and created quite a few misunderstandings between Natasha and Ashley. They never found out that it was Allison, who tried to wreak their friendship, but unfortunately, Allison’s plans never did succeed, and they always made up after awhile. As Allison’s plans failed one by one, she began to develop symptoms that she couldn’t explain. She would cry for no apparent reasons, would became very sad or angry over little things, and sometimes, she found that she don’t even feel anything. Things got so bad that Allison’s mother brought her to see a psychiatrist. It was then that she found out that she was suffering from depression. That was the beginning of her downward spiral of her life; things got worse from there. When her illness was known, Ashley and Natasha had visited her immediately.
“Ally Anderson! You get down here this very minute! Nat and Ash are here to see you.” Allison’s mum had shouted.
At that time, her mum could not understand the problem she had. She kept on believing that Allison was just trying to be difficult, no matter what the psychiatrist told her. She insisted that Allison was in her teens, the years where she would be difficult.
“Its okay, Mrs. Anderson. We will just go up to see Ally ourselves.” Ashley had said.
Allison felt a quick surge of resentment. ‘What right had she to come into my house and tell my mum that she wanted to come and look for me herself? She has no right to even talk to my mum!’
However, Allison knew that Natasha would be with Ashley and she tried her best to suppress her resentment for Ashley.
“Hey Ally! How are you feeling?” Natasha poked her head into Allison’s room.
Allison was thrilled that Natasha was the first one to greet her and she ran to give her a hug.
“Whoa! You miss me ah?” Natasha grinned and hugged Allison right back.
“Hello, Ally! We bought you some books. Maybe you will like to page through them sometimes.” Ashley said.
Allison glared at her but accepted the books because she did not want Natasha to know what she was feeling. Ashley looked mildly surprised at Allison’s hostility towards herself and sat down quietly when Natasha began to talk about her new puppy. Allison was happy that Ashley was keeping quiet, for she could listen to Natasha’s voice without interruption this way. Natasha noted Ashley’s silence after a while.
“Hey Ash! What’s wrong with your pretty voice tonight? Why aren’t you adding in your salt and pepper about my dear doggie?”
Allison felt an immediate urge to shove Ashley out of her room so that she could have Natasha’s attention to herself, but she repressed it, for she would push Natasha right out as well. Allison looked at Ashley and willed her not to say anything discriminating.
“Oh…nothing Nat. I was just thinking about something. I am sorry. What did you say?” Ashley said.
“Nah, it’s okay Ash. Do pay attention. Ally is the main character tonight!” Natasha grinned and turned back to Allison.
Allison felt happiness like she never feel before. ‘Natasha was finally noticing me instead of that self-serving Ashley!’ She goaded privately. They continued to talk and Ashley would occasionally add in something, but Allison made sure that Ashley understood that she did not want her to speak up.
When they were leaving, Allison did something really evil. She picked up the first book in the pile that they had brought and while Natasha was not looking, Allison pushed the book into Ashley’s hand and said,
“Take this dirty book with you,” she hissed, “You’ve touched it with your dirty hand. I don’t want it! I hate you! Don’t ever come near me again!”
And with that, she walked away and hugged Natasha goodbye, telling her loudly that she must come back to visit the next night. When she turned to watch Ashley walked out of the house, Allison felt a sense of victory when she saw tears glittering in her eyes.
After that night, both of them did not come back anymore. Allison was upset and began to really hate Ashley McAllister. She couldn’t help it, and she wish that Natasha would come soon. Her prayers were answered a few nights later when she spied Natasha walking up to her door one evening, and rushed down to meet her. But instead of greeting me, Natasha fixed an angry glare at Allison and said,
“I can’t believe that you said those hurtful things to Ash! She could understand that you are sick at the moment, but I couldn’t! I do not understand how you could have said such hateful things to her! Do you still consider her as your friend? Remember that she helped you a lot in the past Ally! How could you do that? She asked me not to come, but I had to! I must understand why you did that. It was so cruel!”
Allison remained silent. She knew that her mum was bounded to ask Natasha what was going on as Natasha had shouted at her in front of her mum. She was right and Natasha told her.
“Oh Ally, how could you do that? She’s your friend.” Allison’s mum fixed her a withering look and she felt an immediate sense of disgust.
“What do you all want me to do? Everything and everyone thinks that Ashley McAllister is the best! She is the angel and I am the devil! She snatched my friend, my grades and now, even my mother! What do you all want me to do? I wish I could kill her now! I want to kill, kill, and kill!” Allison screamed at them.
Natasha and Allison’s mother were stunned. Natasha backed away from Allison. She had never seen her behaving in such a manner before, and as Natasha later confessed to Ashley, she was scared. Natasha was seldom scared, but that night, Allison was pretty scary, screaming about killing Ashley. Although Allison said all that in one of her depressive mood, she had meant every word that night. Allison really did hated Ashley. However, nobody knew she was serious that night. Both Natasha and her mother thought that Allison was under the influence of her illness and did not know what she was saying. Allison let them believe that, for the alternative would have been unthinkable.
Allison went to apologize to Ashley sometimes after that confrontation with Natasha and told her that she was wrong. Allison claimed to be under the influence of her mental problems and tried to explain away her hostility. After that, Allison tried hard to win back the friendship she had lost and she succeeded quite easily after Ashley accepted the explanation and sort of forced Natasha to forgive Allison too. However, things were never the same again among the three of them, and slowly they continue to drift apart.
However, Allison thought wickedly as she glanced out of the plane at the pasting clouds, from that day onwards, she had began to plot her revenge on Ashley and her chance came when Ashley’s boyfriend, Ted, began to show interest in her. She seduced Ted and began to have an affair with him behind Ashley’s back. She constantly lured Ted into having sex with her so that Ted would not have any reasons to leave her. Allison recalled that things only began to fall apart when Natasha found out about them. Thus, Allison had begun to plan her ultimate revenge. She knew how much Ashley loved Ted, and also knew that Ashley would fall apart completely if Ted was to die. So, she plotted everything to perfection and carried out her plans on Ashley’s 21st birthday, just to make the incident more memorable to her.
“Excuse me madam, the plane’s approaching the airport now, could you please put on your seat belt?” An air stewardess woke Allison from her reflections.
After fastening her seat belt, she tried to refresh herself. She knew her husband would be waiting for her, and she couldn’t wait to fall into his arms and give him the sweetest hug she could ever give. True enough, Roy was waiting for her at the arrival gate. The moment Allison saw him; she just couldn’t help herself and ran up to hug him tight from the pure joy of her working plan and the pleasure of seeing him again. He was pleasantly surprised but he was concerned too.
“Did everything go well, my dear? Did they forgive you? Are you alright?” He frowned at his wife.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Allison said, jumping up and down, acting a bit out of her usual self as she secretly celebrated her pending victory. “Oh Roy! They were still as wonderful as before. They forgave me, Roy! And they told me that they were still my friends, and that they would come for a visit when the kids were let out for their holidays! Oh Roy! I just couldn’t believe it! After all these years, they never change. They were still the same old Ash and Nat! Oh Roy! I am so happy that I went back.” Allison babbled it all out in one breath.
“Oh Ally! I am glad that things worked out. I was so worried for you. I thought they might do something to hurt you back. But look at you! You are refreshed and well and happy! You are happy now right?” He quizzed.
“Yeah, I am, Roy. I am.” Allison beamed at him and then asked, “How’s Angus?”
“He is fine, my dear, he is waiting for his mummy to get home and give him a hug!” Roy grinned.
“Let’s go home Roy! I couldn’t wait to kiss my little boy!” Allison practically danced out of the airport as Roy grabbed her bags and followed her out of the airport, grinning like a happy little boy himself.
5th May 2004
As Allison walked towards the exit gate in the airport, she kept looking back at Ashley and Natasha. She could hardly believe her good fortune to have such forgiving and stupid friends, especially Ashley. She felt so wickedly delightful and relieved that she could hardly withstand the astonishing feelings that she was having. It all seemed like a dream. How could they still have forgiven her and treated her as their friend, after all she had done to them? Although ten years could be a long enough time for them to forgive her, but to do so completely in a split second seemed like a difficult feat to Allison. Have they truly forgiven her? Allison wondered as she boarded the plane. Even though Allison knew that her plans for real revenge had been set in motions, she couldn’t help but wonder about her two friends who had given her the happiest and saddest days in her youth. As she settled down in the plane, she began to remember the things that she had done in the past with her friends. No matter how happy or sad they might be; those memories were the best that Allison ever had in this life.
Allison was just eleven when her family moved into the neighborhood. On her first day of school, she was so nervous that she could feel her toes shivering with fear when she entered the classroom. When the teacher introduced her to the class, Allison could hardly dare to look up, but when she did, two bright smiles aimed straight at her and the owners of those smiles waved their hands and invited her to sit with them.
“Oh God! Thank you for the angels you sent!” Allison prayed silently and went willingly to sit beside them.
That was her first impression of Ashley and Natasha. They were kind and patient, very willing to listen and friendly to the core. When Allison discovered that the two of them lived near her, she was nearly over the moon with happiness! Both Ashley and Natasha got Allison to join in all their activities and walked her home that very first day. Allison was happy and glad of their instant friendship. She prayed that the two of them would continue to treat her that way. They did, and soon the three of them became the best of friends. Things were well from the start. Ashley and Natasha had never treated Allison as a newcomer, but as someone whom they seemed to always have around. Allison was overjoyed for she never had friends who treated her that well before. Ashley and Natasha would invite Allison to their houses, and they often had overnight stays at one another’s houses during their school holidays.
Over the years, Allison came to depend on Ashley and Natasha for almost everything. She knew that they would always be there for her. Thus, when they started caring less for her as they grew up and got interested in boys and fashion, she resented it. Allison came to realize that Ashley and Natasha were always closer to each other no matter how many years had passed. Allison kept comforting herself, knowing that she shouldn’t complain since her two friends who had grew up together would naturally be closer. However, she could not understand why Natasha was always more caring towards Ashley. Even during their teen years, Natasha would always rush to Ashley whenever she had good news or bad news, Allison would not be the first one to know, but the last. Allison knew that she was being unreasonable but she couldn’t help it, as she had looked up to Natasha like an older sister. Slowly, she began to resent Ashley with such intensity that it hurt to even see Ashley and Natasha together. Allison knew it was pure jealousy and that she should stop herself from doing that. But she just couldn’t seem to help it. She had always like Natasha more because she was more open and seemed to understand her better than Ashley ever did, even though she did not tell Allison all her secrets. Allison thus began to sabotage Ashley whenever she could and created quite a few misunderstandings between Natasha and Ashley. They never found out that it was Allison, who tried to wreak their friendship, but unfortunately, Allison’s plans never did succeed, and they always made up after awhile. As Allison’s plans failed one by one, she began to develop symptoms that she couldn’t explain. She would cry for no apparent reasons, would became very sad or angry over little things, and sometimes, she found that she don’t even feel anything. Things got so bad that Allison’s mother brought her to see a psychiatrist. It was then that she found out that she was suffering from depression. That was the beginning of her downward spiral of her life; things got worse from there. When her illness was known, Ashley and Natasha had visited her immediately.
“Ally Anderson! You get down here this very minute! Nat and Ash are here to see you.” Allison’s mum had shouted.
At that time, her mum could not understand the problem she had. She kept on believing that Allison was just trying to be difficult, no matter what the psychiatrist told her. She insisted that Allison was in her teens, the years where she would be difficult.
“Its okay, Mrs. Anderson. We will just go up to see Ally ourselves.” Ashley had said.
Allison felt a quick surge of resentment. ‘What right had she to come into my house and tell my mum that she wanted to come and look for me herself? She has no right to even talk to my mum!’
However, Allison knew that Natasha would be with Ashley and she tried her best to suppress her resentment for Ashley.
“Hey Ally! How are you feeling?” Natasha poked her head into Allison’s room.
Allison was thrilled that Natasha was the first one to greet her and she ran to give her a hug.
“Whoa! You miss me ah?” Natasha grinned and hugged Allison right back.
“Hello, Ally! We bought you some books. Maybe you will like to page through them sometimes.” Ashley said.
Allison glared at her but accepted the books because she did not want Natasha to know what she was feeling. Ashley looked mildly surprised at Allison’s hostility towards herself and sat down quietly when Natasha began to talk about her new puppy. Allison was happy that Ashley was keeping quiet, for she could listen to Natasha’s voice without interruption this way. Natasha noted Ashley’s silence after a while.
“Hey Ash! What’s wrong with your pretty voice tonight? Why aren’t you adding in your salt and pepper about my dear doggie?”
Allison felt an immediate urge to shove Ashley out of her room so that she could have Natasha’s attention to herself, but she repressed it, for she would push Natasha right out as well. Allison looked at Ashley and willed her not to say anything discriminating.
“Oh…nothing Nat. I was just thinking about something. I am sorry. What did you say?” Ashley said.
“Nah, it’s okay Ash. Do pay attention. Ally is the main character tonight!” Natasha grinned and turned back to Allison.
Allison felt happiness like she never feel before. ‘Natasha was finally noticing me instead of that self-serving Ashley!’ She goaded privately. They continued to talk and Ashley would occasionally add in something, but Allison made sure that Ashley understood that she did not want her to speak up.
When they were leaving, Allison did something really evil. She picked up the first book in the pile that they had brought and while Natasha was not looking, Allison pushed the book into Ashley’s hand and said,
“Take this dirty book with you,” she hissed, “You’ve touched it with your dirty hand. I don’t want it! I hate you! Don’t ever come near me again!”
And with that, she walked away and hugged Natasha goodbye, telling her loudly that she must come back to visit the next night. When she turned to watch Ashley walked out of the house, Allison felt a sense of victory when she saw tears glittering in her eyes.
After that night, both of them did not come back anymore. Allison was upset and began to really hate Ashley McAllister. She couldn’t help it, and she wish that Natasha would come soon. Her prayers were answered a few nights later when she spied Natasha walking up to her door one evening, and rushed down to meet her. But instead of greeting me, Natasha fixed an angry glare at Allison and said,
“I can’t believe that you said those hurtful things to Ash! She could understand that you are sick at the moment, but I couldn’t! I do not understand how you could have said such hateful things to her! Do you still consider her as your friend? Remember that she helped you a lot in the past Ally! How could you do that? She asked me not to come, but I had to! I must understand why you did that. It was so cruel!”
Allison remained silent. She knew that her mum was bounded to ask Natasha what was going on as Natasha had shouted at her in front of her mum. She was right and Natasha told her.
“Oh Ally, how could you do that? She’s your friend.” Allison’s mum fixed her a withering look and she felt an immediate sense of disgust.
“What do you all want me to do? Everything and everyone thinks that Ashley McAllister is the best! She is the angel and I am the devil! She snatched my friend, my grades and now, even my mother! What do you all want me to do? I wish I could kill her now! I want to kill, kill, and kill!” Allison screamed at them.
Natasha and Allison’s mother were stunned. Natasha backed away from Allison. She had never seen her behaving in such a manner before, and as Natasha later confessed to Ashley, she was scared. Natasha was seldom scared, but that night, Allison was pretty scary, screaming about killing Ashley. Although Allison said all that in one of her depressive mood, she had meant every word that night. Allison really did hated Ashley. However, nobody knew she was serious that night. Both Natasha and her mother thought that Allison was under the influence of her illness and did not know what she was saying. Allison let them believe that, for the alternative would have been unthinkable.
Allison went to apologize to Ashley sometimes after that confrontation with Natasha and told her that she was wrong. Allison claimed to be under the influence of her mental problems and tried to explain away her hostility. After that, Allison tried hard to win back the friendship she had lost and she succeeded quite easily after Ashley accepted the explanation and sort of forced Natasha to forgive Allison too. However, things were never the same again among the three of them, and slowly they continue to drift apart.
However, Allison thought wickedly as she glanced out of the plane at the pasting clouds, from that day onwards, she had began to plot her revenge on Ashley and her chance came when Ashley’s boyfriend, Ted, began to show interest in her. She seduced Ted and began to have an affair with him behind Ashley’s back. She constantly lured Ted into having sex with her so that Ted would not have any reasons to leave her. Allison recalled that things only began to fall apart when Natasha found out about them. Thus, Allison had begun to plan her ultimate revenge. She knew how much Ashley loved Ted, and also knew that Ashley would fall apart completely if Ted was to die. So, she plotted everything to perfection and carried out her plans on Ashley’s 21st birthday, just to make the incident more memorable to her.
“Excuse me madam, the plane’s approaching the airport now, could you please put on your seat belt?” An air stewardess woke Allison from her reflections.
After fastening her seat belt, she tried to refresh herself. She knew her husband would be waiting for her, and she couldn’t wait to fall into his arms and give him the sweetest hug she could ever give. True enough, Roy was waiting for her at the arrival gate. The moment Allison saw him; she just couldn’t help herself and ran up to hug him tight from the pure joy of her working plan and the pleasure of seeing him again. He was pleasantly surprised but he was concerned too.
“Did everything go well, my dear? Did they forgive you? Are you alright?” He frowned at his wife.
“Yes! Yes! Yes!” Allison said, jumping up and down, acting a bit out of her usual self as she secretly celebrated her pending victory. “Oh Roy! They were still as wonderful as before. They forgave me, Roy! And they told me that they were still my friends, and that they would come for a visit when the kids were let out for their holidays! Oh Roy! I just couldn’t believe it! After all these years, they never change. They were still the same old Ash and Nat! Oh Roy! I am so happy that I went back.” Allison babbled it all out in one breath.
“Oh Ally! I am glad that things worked out. I was so worried for you. I thought they might do something to hurt you back. But look at you! You are refreshed and well and happy! You are happy now right?” He quizzed.
“Yeah, I am, Roy. I am.” Allison beamed at him and then asked, “How’s Angus?”
“He is fine, my dear, he is waiting for his mummy to get home and give him a hug!” Roy grinned.
“Let’s go home Roy! I couldn’t wait to kiss my little boy!” Allison practically danced out of the airport as Roy grabbed her bags and followed her out of the airport, grinning like a happy little boy himself.
Double Betrayal (Chapter Four)
Chapter Four
5th May 2004
The sky was clearing when Natasha and Ashley walked out of the house at 6 pm. They had decided to go to the restaurant to have some dinner before their meeting with Allison. Walking to Natasha’s car, Ashley gripped her hand and squeezed.
“Nat, you are the best thing that ever happens to me. I am so glad that you are always around when I need you most.” Natasha smiled at that and squeezed her back.
“Hey! You are also the best thing that happens to me Ash. You are always providing me with something that I can poke my face in.” She joked.
They both laughed nervously at the lame joke and tried to be as cheerful as possible. Ashley could tell how edgy Natasha was when her knuckles grew white with her tight grip on her steeling wheel. She reached out and patted Natasha’s hand.
“We will be alright, Nat. Don’t worry okay? Nothing that she says will affect us now. We have loving husbands and wonderful children and a load of wonderful friends. And we have each other. Nothing she said tonight will hurt us. We can do this together. You told me so!”
Natasha slowly the car and turned to look at her brave loving friend briefly.
“Yes, we will Ash. We are going through this together. We will not flounder because we have each other and because we have our husbands and our children. We have to be strong for them.”
Natasha said softly, almost to herself. The two of them rode in silence for the rest of the journey, each keeping their thoughts secret.
They reached Jennifer’s Bar half an hour before the appointed time. A sense of déjà vu washed over them when they pushed the door open. Floods of memories came as they sat down at the corner seat that they loved so much in the past. Nothing much had changed in Jennifer’s Bar in the last 10 years. The walls were still whitewashed with pictures of beaches on it. The tables and chairs were still the same old cheery wood that they had grown to be so fond of. Reaching down under the chair, Ashley found the carving marks that Allison, Natasha and her had left behind all those years before. That was something that they did when they were 19 and still playful. At 31 years old, Ashley felt like a 19 year old again as she traced the uneven carving marks that were under her chair. Natasha understood, for she was tracing hers under her chair. Her eyes filled as she looked at Ashley.
“So much have changed, Ash, and yet so much unchanged.”
She said softly. Ashley agreed silently. They were now married mothers and that made all the changes that they needed. Yet so much was unchanged. They were still fast friends and the carvings that they made 10 years ago were still so vividly unchanged. Even the settings in Jennifer’s Bar had not changed, after all these years. Ashley noticed that the only thing that had changed in Jennifer’s Bar was the waitresses. They changed year by year, as the young grew up and left. Many had left their sleepy town, but Natasha and Ashley had stayed because they found what they wanted there and maybe, just maybe, they knew that one day, their lust for the truth would be satisfied. They were waiting for it now. Maybe they would finally know.
They poked at their dinner when it came. Both of them had no appetite to eat as they waited for Allison to arrive. Somehow, both of them knew that this meeting would either resolve or strengthen whatever conflict they had all these years. It would be upsetting, but it would begin to heal the wound that was closed but was never truly gone. The anticipation was tensed. They wanted to know the truth, and yet they knew the truth was probably going to hurt them a lot more than not knowing at all. After all, the truth always hurts, doesn’t it? After all these years, Ashley and Natasha were finally going to know what truly happened to Ted all those years ago.
Allison came in promptly at 7 pm. She looked chic in her fur coat, but she looked so old that Ashley could hardly recognize her. But it was Allison all right. Her posture, the way she walked…Ashley’s eyes filled as she saw all too clearly that the years had not been too kind to Allison. Her face looked old and her eyes were hollow. Her whole appearance looked more like a 50 year old woman than a 31 year old woman. Ashley’s heart went all out for her as she drew near, but Natasha wasn’t that sympathetic. Her eyes hardened when she saw Allison, for despite all these years and the lacking evidence, Natasha had believed that Allison had something to do with Ted’s death. Ashley was suddenly afraid that Natasha might do something reckless tonight, and she prayed that she would have the strength to stop her.
Allison stopped beside Ashley and said, “Can I sit, Ashley?” Before she could answer, Natasha snapped.
“No, you may not! I will go sit beside her; you come over here and sit alone!” With that, Natasha shoved past Allison and sat down besides Ashley, nudging her not too gently into the corner.
“Oh Nat…” Ashley began, but Natasha gave her a furious glance and stared at Allison as she slipped into the seat opposite them.
“Alright! Speak!” Natasha said harshly. “We don’t have much time for you. We are needed at home.”
Allison looked scared and lost as she sat opposite Ashley and Natasha.
“Ashley, Natasha, how have you been?” Allison asked, trying to stall for time. Ashley’s heart melted at the sound of Allison’s voice, which had not changed from its gentleness after all these years.
“We didn’t come here to answer questions from you. We want answers from you, and you know what answers we are looking for.” Natasha said.
“Oh Ally! Where have you gone to all these years? Why didn’t you contact us?” Ashley cried, unable to control her soft heart and pent-up emotions. She had thought that she would hate Allison when she saw her again, but upon seeing Allison, nothing was left but sympathy and love.
“I am too ashamed to face you Ashley. Even after all these years, I am still ashamed to face you.” Allison said, covering her face with her hands.
Noting the sense of despair in her, Ashley reached out and touched her hands.
“Ally, I don’t blame you anymore. You can say what you want to say. I am sure Nat feels the same way too.”
Ashley nudged Natasha to get her to say something. Clearly affected as well despite her stern exterior, Natasha said gruffly,
“Yeah, although I can’t say that I do not blame you, but I can safely say that you can say what you want.”
Allison looked very uncomfortable and fearful as she began.
“Ash, before I even began, I have a confession to make and I want to apologize to you. I had an affair with Ted all those years ago. I was having an affair with him while he was with you. I knew I was wrong, but I loved him Ash! I really do. What I didn’t know was that I would cause him his death. Yes, I was still with Beaumont at that time, and I thought that I loved Beau. But I was wrong. I was in love with Ted all along. He was kind to me, and he listened. Even when he was busy, he would take the time out to listen to me. None of you did. You two were too engrossed in your studies and your relationships to note that I was sick. You two did not notice that I lost weight day by day. But Ted did. He gave me the support that was lacking in you two. I had cancer then and I needed the encouragement, but the two of you did not give me any.”
Ashley was dumbfounded at what she heard. Did Ted and Allison really lie to her all those years before? Her head started to pound as she stared blindly at Allison. Instincts told her that Natasha knew about it too, for she was far too quiet about this betrayal. Ashley was devastated by this double betrayal by the two closest friends she ever had, but she did not know what to think, or even feel. She did not know what she was feeling. Natasha put her hand over Ashley’s, and she did not even register the touch. Her inaction however, made Natasha felt better, as she was afraid that Ashley would reject her friendship now that she knew about the betrayal.
“Darn it Ally! Why didn’t you let us know about your illness back then?”
Natasha asked after an uncomfortable silence, feeling guilty that she didn’t realize it before and yet at the same time, she also wanted to give Ashley time to recover from her shock.
“I didn’t want to, Natasha. I knew that you two are going to have a bright future. I didn’t want you two to worry about me and thus lose the concentration that you needed for your studies. You were the bright ones, not me. I know I couldn’t go to college, but you two could. Ted noticed after some time, and he asked. In a moment of weakness, I told him about my illness and then made him swear that he would not tell the two of you. He kept the promise and soon the two of us began to develop feelings for each other as he began to visit me very often, bearing little gifts for me every time. He was so sweet Ash. I knew I might die anytime, thus, when Ted started entertaining thoughts of leaving you, Ash, I stopped him. I told him that I might die anytime and I am just not worthy of his attention. I stopped seeing him after that Ash.” Natasha narrowed her eyes at this last comment. She remembered vividly how she begged Allison to leave Ted. However, because of her guilt at not caring enough to notice Allison’s failing health, she left the discrepancy alone. “I should have never asked him to drive me to your party. He wouldn’t have died if I didn’t.” Allison concluded before lifting the coffee she ordered with shaking hands and slipped before continuing.
“I was late that night. I went out with Beau before I was supposed to go to your party Ash. I knew Ted did not invite Beau because he was not your personal friend and because Ted disliked him. So I had to lie to Beau, telling him that I had to go out with my parents. I planned to have my parents to come along, for I knew you wouldn’t have mind. However, my parents had to go to the next town that night, and I was kept out by Beau until 6.30pm. I was supposed to reach your place by 7pm that night to help out, but I just couldn’t make it without a car. So I had no choice. I called Ted, and asked him to come and fetch me before he went to your house. He was delighted and came over almost immediately. I was still pretty much unprepared for the party when he arrived at the door. So I had to invite him in to wait. He went up to my room to see what I was going to wear and well… things got pretty intense and we went too far with each other and forgot the time. Oh Ash, I am sorry. Please, please don’t turn away from me…”
“Stop, Ally, stop!” Ashley implored.
She wiped away the tears in her eyes as she stared at the wall, stinging at this confession. How she wished at that very moment that she had not come. Her misery was evident in her face and she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat.
Allison stopped and waited till Ashley turned back and stared at the table again. Ashley’s eyes filled again at the thought of Ted and Allison’s betrayal. She felt angry and sad at the same time and she did not know what to do about it. She felt Natasha squeezing her hand but she made no move to return the gesture.
“By the time we realized that time had passed, it was already 8.30pm. I knew we had to hurry, so I asked Ted to go by the shortcut that went through the woods. Little did I know that Beau saw everything, and he wanted revenge in his rage…” Allison broke off at this point, shaking.
“Continue please.” Ashley mustered up her coolest voice to request Allison to continue.
“Beau killed Ted, Ashley! He was the one who killed him. He got away before I could get help for Ted. Beau had made sure I couldn’t get help by tying me tightly to a tree. That was why I was drenched in sweat and felt so weak by the time I reached your place that night looking for help. Beau wanted to make me look like the murderer.”
“Oh, my Lord! Why didn’t you say so at that time Ally? Aaron and his men would have caught Beaumont right there and then. How could you keep the truth hidden?” Natasha broke the silence that followed the revelation.
Ashley broke down and cried, leaning against Natasha. She had forgotten all about her anger at Natasha in her shock at the truth. Although she wanted to hate Allison for the betrayal, she found that she just couldn’t find the heart to do so. In the place of anger, there was only sorrow and pity for the woman who was once her close friend.
“It’s no use Ashley. He had his friends to hold my parents as hostages. He swears that he would kill them if I betrayed him, and I believe Beau when he said he would. He was capable of doing anything violent Ashley. I was so scared. And at that time, I was so convinced that I would die soon that I did not mind being the scapegoat, as long as I can save my parents. So I didn’t say anything, and Beau got away with murder that night. I am so sorry Ashley. I knew I was wrong now. I shouldn’t have gotten into an affair with Ted and I should have reported Beau at that time. I should have told Aaron that Beau was the killer. I just do not have the guts to. Please don’t hate me Ashley!”
With that, Allison broke down and cried.
Natasha was stunned after Allison revealed the killer. She had not expected the twist. All these years, she had suspected that Allison killed Ted just as she had threatened to all those years ago. Although Natasha had believed that Beaumont was capable of violence, she had never thought that he would resort to murder. Even so, something did not ring quite right with Allison’s story. How did Beaumont kill Ted? Beaumont had moved away right after Ted died. He claimed to have inherited a new house in England and moved away very suddenly. Now they knew why he wanted to move. They finally knew the truth. And it was more than they could take. It was such an unexpected twist to the truth that they expected to hear. They did not even suspect Beaumont. Nobody did and now they knew their mistakes. However, how did he manage to kill Ted without a trance of violence?
Natasha could not withhold her curiosity and asked,
“How did Beaumont killed Ted? How come there was no trance of blood on Ted?
“He was smart Nat. He forced Ted to drink poison that he had bought from the Middle East. Nobody knows about that kind of poison over here. Remember that I told you Beaumont had me tied to a tree? He told Ted that if he doesn’t drink the poison, he would rape and torture me before killing me. In despair, Ted drank the poison. He died for me!”
Hearing this, Ashley suddenly realized that Ted really did love Allison, and she ironically felt much better. She now knew that she would not have been happy with Ted had she married him. On impulse, Ashley squeezed out from the table and went over to Allison and hugged her tightly.
“I don’t want to blame you Ally. All these years, I still see you as a friend. I still love you Ally. Come back here and stay. We will sort it out. We are still friends.”
Looking at Natasha, Ashley said,” I don’t blame you too Nat. I know you have your reasons for not letting me know about the affair when it happened. I forgive you Nat, and I will always love you too.”
Moved beyond words at Ashley’s forgiving nature, Natasha came over and put her hands over the both of them and hugged them tightly.
“I still have something I did not say.” Allison drew back from the hugs and continued. “I had Beaumont arrested after my parents was released from his clutches. I moved my family to the outskirts of Manhattans and I contacted the police from there. Ted’s death was still an open case back then and I had Beau arrested and put to death after I ensured my family’s safety. It was the least I could do for Ted. He died for me. I had to do it for him.”
“You are right to do that Ally. You are the bravest of us all! I cannot imagine the agony that you had gone through all these years” Natasha said approvingly and smiled for the first time since they reunited.
Ashley smiled too and held both their hands. “We are sisters and we will always be sisters. Let’s put the past behind us and start afresh! I am so glad to have you back Ally!”
“I can’t stay long, my friends. I have to get back to Manhattans. I have a family there. I have a son and he needs me, so do my husband.” Allison said.
“I have to leave tonight, but I will leave you my address and telephone number so that we need not lose contact again. I will come back with my family one day, and if possible, do bring your families to see me sometimes.”
Allison began to scribble her address and telephone number down on napkins for both Natasha and Ashley as she talked.
“Why can’t you stay a bit longer Allison? Your husband wants you back as soon as possible?” Natasha asked.
“No, Nat. I have to go back because I have to work tomorrow. We are really quite poor. My husband spent all his money on me to cure me of cancer so now we need the money. I couldn’t come back here anytime before this because I had no money to buy the plane ticket. I have to save the money to come here. So I cannot afford to stay.”
Natasha and Ashley were shocked speechless for a second time that night.
“Then, how come your clothes were…?” Ashley recovered enough to ask. She couldn’t bring herself to ask if Allison had stolen them.
“They were my mother’s.” Allison explained. “They were the only precious things I have right now. I never sold them because they meant the world to me. And I figured that if the two of you didn’t want to forgive me, I could still walk out and have my pride. I wouldn’t want you two to know about my situation if you two had not forgiven me.”
“Oh Ally…you are so silly. Of course we would have forgiven you! Alright! We promise that we will come to visit as soon as the children break for their summer holidays. We can go for a nice long visit with you.” Ashley said and Natasha agreed.
The three of them had a hearty dinner before sending Allison to the airport as she needed to catch the 11pm flight out of Scotland. Both Ashley and Natasha waved until they could not see Allison anymore. On the way back to Ashley’s house, both of them were quiet for a long time.
“Ash, do you really forgive me for betraying you?” Natasha asked suddenly, slamming on the brake suddenly.
Ashley looked at her dearest friend. She was gripping the steeling wheel tightly again and her face was ashen-white as she waited for Ashley’s answer.
“Nat, don’t worry about that.” Ashley said gently. “I said I forgive you, and I really do. I know you must have your reasons for doing so. I forgive you Nat! I did not blame you for that. I do not want to blame you! I know that you did it in my best interests, although I was angry with you for deciding that on my behalf. But I understand that you must have gone through hell trying to keep it from me. You have never lied to me before”
“Yeah, Ash, and I never lied to you after that either. I went through hell and back trying to keep the secret from you, but it was worth it. My heart was shredding itself into pieces every time I saw all of you together. Having to choose between whom to betray was terrible. All of you are my friends. I chose not to tell you because I knew you will be devastated. I felt that I had to protect you, Ash. You were so fragile when we were in high school. I never did tell Chris either. I fear that he will force me to choose sides.”
“Oh Nat! I know! I know that all these years, you have never stopped protecting me. You are always there for me when I need you. I love you so much Nat! I really appreciate your love! But please remember that I will be here to protect you too, no matter what kind of dangers you are in. Our friendship is not one-way Nat, neither are we just friends. You are closer to me than a real sister can be!”
Ashley gripped Natasha’s hands and gave them a squeeze.
“Thanks Ash, thanks for being so understanding! I love you too!” Natasha cried in relief.
“You know,” Natasha turned serious and said, “It is this naïve streak inside you to trust everyone that makes me feel that I have to protect you. You just don’t seem to suspect anyone. I don’t think there is another person who is as trusting as you!”
“Gee, Nat. You made me sounds like an idiot! I am not that naïve, only that I believe that everyone is inherently good.” Ashley smiled.
Natasha looked taken aback and exclaimed, “You are not an idiot! You are just a silly saint!”
Ashley grinned at her and both of them laughed. The tension having resolved, Natasha then put the car in gear again and they continued their way back, keeping quiet for awhile as they each tried to sort out their own thoughts. Ashley broke the silence after some time.
“Nat? What say you that we give Ally a job in one of our cafes here and ask her to come back? We could give her and her family a better life.” Ashley suggested.
“Oh gosh, Ash! Are we that telepathic? I was just thinking of the same thing!” Natasha laughed. Ashley laughed along and soon they began to plot how to convince Allison and bring her back.
“I am glad we waited here and found our mark. We wouldn’t have known the truth if we had left here, Ash, and we wouldn’t have found our long lost friend again.” Natasha said as they neared Ashley’s house.
“Yeah, I am glad too, and I am so glad to have you as a friend, Nat! You are the best, and of coz, now we have Ally too!”
Both of them smiled as their families spilled from the house when the car stopped.
Questions of “how did it go” and “what happen” filled the air as they each lurched themselves into the arms of awaiting family members. They laughed as they were hugged and kissed and carried into the house, where the fire was already burning cheerfully. Ashley and Natasha were pampered with food and drinks as they retold the story to their husbands later that night after the children went to bed. They were so shocked to know that Beaumont was behind all that.
“But it’s all over now, dears.” Chris said and bent to kiss Natasha
“Yeah, it’s over now, and we can rest well from now on.” Steve said and hugged Ashley close to him.
Chris held Natasha close as he teased, “and Nat, you do have some punishments waiting for you for not telling me about it all those years ago! You made me so worried when you withdrew yourself from me. I thought you don’t love me anymore!”
“Yeah!” laughed Steve. “I remember how worried Chris was when he came to talk to me. He keeps telling me to help him. So I ask him sneakily to introduce me to that gorgeous girlfriend of yours Nat, then I will help him.” Steve fondly squeezed Ashley as he grinned at her. Ashley playfully slapped his hands away as she settled comfortably into his arms.
5th May 2004
The sky was clearing when Natasha and Ashley walked out of the house at 6 pm. They had decided to go to the restaurant to have some dinner before their meeting with Allison. Walking to Natasha’s car, Ashley gripped her hand and squeezed.
“Nat, you are the best thing that ever happens to me. I am so glad that you are always around when I need you most.” Natasha smiled at that and squeezed her back.
“Hey! You are also the best thing that happens to me Ash. You are always providing me with something that I can poke my face in.” She joked.
They both laughed nervously at the lame joke and tried to be as cheerful as possible. Ashley could tell how edgy Natasha was when her knuckles grew white with her tight grip on her steeling wheel. She reached out and patted Natasha’s hand.
“We will be alright, Nat. Don’t worry okay? Nothing that she says will affect us now. We have loving husbands and wonderful children and a load of wonderful friends. And we have each other. Nothing she said tonight will hurt us. We can do this together. You told me so!”
Natasha slowly the car and turned to look at her brave loving friend briefly.
“Yes, we will Ash. We are going through this together. We will not flounder because we have each other and because we have our husbands and our children. We have to be strong for them.”
Natasha said softly, almost to herself. The two of them rode in silence for the rest of the journey, each keeping their thoughts secret.
They reached Jennifer’s Bar half an hour before the appointed time. A sense of déjà vu washed over them when they pushed the door open. Floods of memories came as they sat down at the corner seat that they loved so much in the past. Nothing much had changed in Jennifer’s Bar in the last 10 years. The walls were still whitewashed with pictures of beaches on it. The tables and chairs were still the same old cheery wood that they had grown to be so fond of. Reaching down under the chair, Ashley found the carving marks that Allison, Natasha and her had left behind all those years before. That was something that they did when they were 19 and still playful. At 31 years old, Ashley felt like a 19 year old again as she traced the uneven carving marks that were under her chair. Natasha understood, for she was tracing hers under her chair. Her eyes filled as she looked at Ashley.
“So much have changed, Ash, and yet so much unchanged.”
She said softly. Ashley agreed silently. They were now married mothers and that made all the changes that they needed. Yet so much was unchanged. They were still fast friends and the carvings that they made 10 years ago were still so vividly unchanged. Even the settings in Jennifer’s Bar had not changed, after all these years. Ashley noticed that the only thing that had changed in Jennifer’s Bar was the waitresses. They changed year by year, as the young grew up and left. Many had left their sleepy town, but Natasha and Ashley had stayed because they found what they wanted there and maybe, just maybe, they knew that one day, their lust for the truth would be satisfied. They were waiting for it now. Maybe they would finally know.
They poked at their dinner when it came. Both of them had no appetite to eat as they waited for Allison to arrive. Somehow, both of them knew that this meeting would either resolve or strengthen whatever conflict they had all these years. It would be upsetting, but it would begin to heal the wound that was closed but was never truly gone. The anticipation was tensed. They wanted to know the truth, and yet they knew the truth was probably going to hurt them a lot more than not knowing at all. After all, the truth always hurts, doesn’t it? After all these years, Ashley and Natasha were finally going to know what truly happened to Ted all those years ago.
Allison came in promptly at 7 pm. She looked chic in her fur coat, but she looked so old that Ashley could hardly recognize her. But it was Allison all right. Her posture, the way she walked…Ashley’s eyes filled as she saw all too clearly that the years had not been too kind to Allison. Her face looked old and her eyes were hollow. Her whole appearance looked more like a 50 year old woman than a 31 year old woman. Ashley’s heart went all out for her as she drew near, but Natasha wasn’t that sympathetic. Her eyes hardened when she saw Allison, for despite all these years and the lacking evidence, Natasha had believed that Allison had something to do with Ted’s death. Ashley was suddenly afraid that Natasha might do something reckless tonight, and she prayed that she would have the strength to stop her.
Allison stopped beside Ashley and said, “Can I sit, Ashley?” Before she could answer, Natasha snapped.
“No, you may not! I will go sit beside her; you come over here and sit alone!” With that, Natasha shoved past Allison and sat down besides Ashley, nudging her not too gently into the corner.
“Oh Nat…” Ashley began, but Natasha gave her a furious glance and stared at Allison as she slipped into the seat opposite them.
“Alright! Speak!” Natasha said harshly. “We don’t have much time for you. We are needed at home.”
Allison looked scared and lost as she sat opposite Ashley and Natasha.
“Ashley, Natasha, how have you been?” Allison asked, trying to stall for time. Ashley’s heart melted at the sound of Allison’s voice, which had not changed from its gentleness after all these years.
“We didn’t come here to answer questions from you. We want answers from you, and you know what answers we are looking for.” Natasha said.
“Oh Ally! Where have you gone to all these years? Why didn’t you contact us?” Ashley cried, unable to control her soft heart and pent-up emotions. She had thought that she would hate Allison when she saw her again, but upon seeing Allison, nothing was left but sympathy and love.
“I am too ashamed to face you Ashley. Even after all these years, I am still ashamed to face you.” Allison said, covering her face with her hands.
Noting the sense of despair in her, Ashley reached out and touched her hands.
“Ally, I don’t blame you anymore. You can say what you want to say. I am sure Nat feels the same way too.”
Ashley nudged Natasha to get her to say something. Clearly affected as well despite her stern exterior, Natasha said gruffly,
“Yeah, although I can’t say that I do not blame you, but I can safely say that you can say what you want.”
Allison looked very uncomfortable and fearful as she began.
“Ash, before I even began, I have a confession to make and I want to apologize to you. I had an affair with Ted all those years ago. I was having an affair with him while he was with you. I knew I was wrong, but I loved him Ash! I really do. What I didn’t know was that I would cause him his death. Yes, I was still with Beaumont at that time, and I thought that I loved Beau. But I was wrong. I was in love with Ted all along. He was kind to me, and he listened. Even when he was busy, he would take the time out to listen to me. None of you did. You two were too engrossed in your studies and your relationships to note that I was sick. You two did not notice that I lost weight day by day. But Ted did. He gave me the support that was lacking in you two. I had cancer then and I needed the encouragement, but the two of you did not give me any.”
Ashley was dumbfounded at what she heard. Did Ted and Allison really lie to her all those years before? Her head started to pound as she stared blindly at Allison. Instincts told her that Natasha knew about it too, for she was far too quiet about this betrayal. Ashley was devastated by this double betrayal by the two closest friends she ever had, but she did not know what to think, or even feel. She did not know what she was feeling. Natasha put her hand over Ashley’s, and she did not even register the touch. Her inaction however, made Natasha felt better, as she was afraid that Ashley would reject her friendship now that she knew about the betrayal.
“Darn it Ally! Why didn’t you let us know about your illness back then?”
Natasha asked after an uncomfortable silence, feeling guilty that she didn’t realize it before and yet at the same time, she also wanted to give Ashley time to recover from her shock.
“I didn’t want to, Natasha. I knew that you two are going to have a bright future. I didn’t want you two to worry about me and thus lose the concentration that you needed for your studies. You were the bright ones, not me. I know I couldn’t go to college, but you two could. Ted noticed after some time, and he asked. In a moment of weakness, I told him about my illness and then made him swear that he would not tell the two of you. He kept the promise and soon the two of us began to develop feelings for each other as he began to visit me very often, bearing little gifts for me every time. He was so sweet Ash. I knew I might die anytime, thus, when Ted started entertaining thoughts of leaving you, Ash, I stopped him. I told him that I might die anytime and I am just not worthy of his attention. I stopped seeing him after that Ash.” Natasha narrowed her eyes at this last comment. She remembered vividly how she begged Allison to leave Ted. However, because of her guilt at not caring enough to notice Allison’s failing health, she left the discrepancy alone. “I should have never asked him to drive me to your party. He wouldn’t have died if I didn’t.” Allison concluded before lifting the coffee she ordered with shaking hands and slipped before continuing.
“I was late that night. I went out with Beau before I was supposed to go to your party Ash. I knew Ted did not invite Beau because he was not your personal friend and because Ted disliked him. So I had to lie to Beau, telling him that I had to go out with my parents. I planned to have my parents to come along, for I knew you wouldn’t have mind. However, my parents had to go to the next town that night, and I was kept out by Beau until 6.30pm. I was supposed to reach your place by 7pm that night to help out, but I just couldn’t make it without a car. So I had no choice. I called Ted, and asked him to come and fetch me before he went to your house. He was delighted and came over almost immediately. I was still pretty much unprepared for the party when he arrived at the door. So I had to invite him in to wait. He went up to my room to see what I was going to wear and well… things got pretty intense and we went too far with each other and forgot the time. Oh Ash, I am sorry. Please, please don’t turn away from me…”
“Stop, Ally, stop!” Ashley implored.
She wiped away the tears in her eyes as she stared at the wall, stinging at this confession. How she wished at that very moment that she had not come. Her misery was evident in her face and she swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat.
Allison stopped and waited till Ashley turned back and stared at the table again. Ashley’s eyes filled again at the thought of Ted and Allison’s betrayal. She felt angry and sad at the same time and she did not know what to do about it. She felt Natasha squeezing her hand but she made no move to return the gesture.
“By the time we realized that time had passed, it was already 8.30pm. I knew we had to hurry, so I asked Ted to go by the shortcut that went through the woods. Little did I know that Beau saw everything, and he wanted revenge in his rage…” Allison broke off at this point, shaking.
“Continue please.” Ashley mustered up her coolest voice to request Allison to continue.
“Beau killed Ted, Ashley! He was the one who killed him. He got away before I could get help for Ted. Beau had made sure I couldn’t get help by tying me tightly to a tree. That was why I was drenched in sweat and felt so weak by the time I reached your place that night looking for help. Beau wanted to make me look like the murderer.”
“Oh, my Lord! Why didn’t you say so at that time Ally? Aaron and his men would have caught Beaumont right there and then. How could you keep the truth hidden?” Natasha broke the silence that followed the revelation.
Ashley broke down and cried, leaning against Natasha. She had forgotten all about her anger at Natasha in her shock at the truth. Although she wanted to hate Allison for the betrayal, she found that she just couldn’t find the heart to do so. In the place of anger, there was only sorrow and pity for the woman who was once her close friend.
“It’s no use Ashley. He had his friends to hold my parents as hostages. He swears that he would kill them if I betrayed him, and I believe Beau when he said he would. He was capable of doing anything violent Ashley. I was so scared. And at that time, I was so convinced that I would die soon that I did not mind being the scapegoat, as long as I can save my parents. So I didn’t say anything, and Beau got away with murder that night. I am so sorry Ashley. I knew I was wrong now. I shouldn’t have gotten into an affair with Ted and I should have reported Beau at that time. I should have told Aaron that Beau was the killer. I just do not have the guts to. Please don’t hate me Ashley!”
With that, Allison broke down and cried.
Natasha was stunned after Allison revealed the killer. She had not expected the twist. All these years, she had suspected that Allison killed Ted just as she had threatened to all those years ago. Although Natasha had believed that Beaumont was capable of violence, she had never thought that he would resort to murder. Even so, something did not ring quite right with Allison’s story. How did Beaumont kill Ted? Beaumont had moved away right after Ted died. He claimed to have inherited a new house in England and moved away very suddenly. Now they knew why he wanted to move. They finally knew the truth. And it was more than they could take. It was such an unexpected twist to the truth that they expected to hear. They did not even suspect Beaumont. Nobody did and now they knew their mistakes. However, how did he manage to kill Ted without a trance of violence?
Natasha could not withhold her curiosity and asked,
“How did Beaumont killed Ted? How come there was no trance of blood on Ted?
“He was smart Nat. He forced Ted to drink poison that he had bought from the Middle East. Nobody knows about that kind of poison over here. Remember that I told you Beaumont had me tied to a tree? He told Ted that if he doesn’t drink the poison, he would rape and torture me before killing me. In despair, Ted drank the poison. He died for me!”
Hearing this, Ashley suddenly realized that Ted really did love Allison, and she ironically felt much better. She now knew that she would not have been happy with Ted had she married him. On impulse, Ashley squeezed out from the table and went over to Allison and hugged her tightly.
“I don’t want to blame you Ally. All these years, I still see you as a friend. I still love you Ally. Come back here and stay. We will sort it out. We are still friends.”
Looking at Natasha, Ashley said,” I don’t blame you too Nat. I know you have your reasons for not letting me know about the affair when it happened. I forgive you Nat, and I will always love you too.”
Moved beyond words at Ashley’s forgiving nature, Natasha came over and put her hands over the both of them and hugged them tightly.
“I still have something I did not say.” Allison drew back from the hugs and continued. “I had Beaumont arrested after my parents was released from his clutches. I moved my family to the outskirts of Manhattans and I contacted the police from there. Ted’s death was still an open case back then and I had Beau arrested and put to death after I ensured my family’s safety. It was the least I could do for Ted. He died for me. I had to do it for him.”
“You are right to do that Ally. You are the bravest of us all! I cannot imagine the agony that you had gone through all these years” Natasha said approvingly and smiled for the first time since they reunited.
Ashley smiled too and held both their hands. “We are sisters and we will always be sisters. Let’s put the past behind us and start afresh! I am so glad to have you back Ally!”
“I can’t stay long, my friends. I have to get back to Manhattans. I have a family there. I have a son and he needs me, so do my husband.” Allison said.
“I have to leave tonight, but I will leave you my address and telephone number so that we need not lose contact again. I will come back with my family one day, and if possible, do bring your families to see me sometimes.”
Allison began to scribble her address and telephone number down on napkins for both Natasha and Ashley as she talked.
“Why can’t you stay a bit longer Allison? Your husband wants you back as soon as possible?” Natasha asked.
“No, Nat. I have to go back because I have to work tomorrow. We are really quite poor. My husband spent all his money on me to cure me of cancer so now we need the money. I couldn’t come back here anytime before this because I had no money to buy the plane ticket. I have to save the money to come here. So I cannot afford to stay.”
Natasha and Ashley were shocked speechless for a second time that night.
“Then, how come your clothes were…?” Ashley recovered enough to ask. She couldn’t bring herself to ask if Allison had stolen them.
“They were my mother’s.” Allison explained. “They were the only precious things I have right now. I never sold them because they meant the world to me. And I figured that if the two of you didn’t want to forgive me, I could still walk out and have my pride. I wouldn’t want you two to know about my situation if you two had not forgiven me.”
“Oh Ally…you are so silly. Of course we would have forgiven you! Alright! We promise that we will come to visit as soon as the children break for their summer holidays. We can go for a nice long visit with you.” Ashley said and Natasha agreed.
The three of them had a hearty dinner before sending Allison to the airport as she needed to catch the 11pm flight out of Scotland. Both Ashley and Natasha waved until they could not see Allison anymore. On the way back to Ashley’s house, both of them were quiet for a long time.
“Ash, do you really forgive me for betraying you?” Natasha asked suddenly, slamming on the brake suddenly.
Ashley looked at her dearest friend. She was gripping the steeling wheel tightly again and her face was ashen-white as she waited for Ashley’s answer.
“Nat, don’t worry about that.” Ashley said gently. “I said I forgive you, and I really do. I know you must have your reasons for doing so. I forgive you Nat! I did not blame you for that. I do not want to blame you! I know that you did it in my best interests, although I was angry with you for deciding that on my behalf. But I understand that you must have gone through hell trying to keep it from me. You have never lied to me before”
“Yeah, Ash, and I never lied to you after that either. I went through hell and back trying to keep the secret from you, but it was worth it. My heart was shredding itself into pieces every time I saw all of you together. Having to choose between whom to betray was terrible. All of you are my friends. I chose not to tell you because I knew you will be devastated. I felt that I had to protect you, Ash. You were so fragile when we were in high school. I never did tell Chris either. I fear that he will force me to choose sides.”
“Oh Nat! I know! I know that all these years, you have never stopped protecting me. You are always there for me when I need you. I love you so much Nat! I really appreciate your love! But please remember that I will be here to protect you too, no matter what kind of dangers you are in. Our friendship is not one-way Nat, neither are we just friends. You are closer to me than a real sister can be!”
Ashley gripped Natasha’s hands and gave them a squeeze.
“Thanks Ash, thanks for being so understanding! I love you too!” Natasha cried in relief.
“You know,” Natasha turned serious and said, “It is this naïve streak inside you to trust everyone that makes me feel that I have to protect you. You just don’t seem to suspect anyone. I don’t think there is another person who is as trusting as you!”
“Gee, Nat. You made me sounds like an idiot! I am not that naïve, only that I believe that everyone is inherently good.” Ashley smiled.
Natasha looked taken aback and exclaimed, “You are not an idiot! You are just a silly saint!”
Ashley grinned at her and both of them laughed. The tension having resolved, Natasha then put the car in gear again and they continued their way back, keeping quiet for awhile as they each tried to sort out their own thoughts. Ashley broke the silence after some time.
“Nat? What say you that we give Ally a job in one of our cafes here and ask her to come back? We could give her and her family a better life.” Ashley suggested.
“Oh gosh, Ash! Are we that telepathic? I was just thinking of the same thing!” Natasha laughed. Ashley laughed along and soon they began to plot how to convince Allison and bring her back.
“I am glad we waited here and found our mark. We wouldn’t have known the truth if we had left here, Ash, and we wouldn’t have found our long lost friend again.” Natasha said as they neared Ashley’s house.
“Yeah, I am glad too, and I am so glad to have you as a friend, Nat! You are the best, and of coz, now we have Ally too!”
Both of them smiled as their families spilled from the house when the car stopped.
Questions of “how did it go” and “what happen” filled the air as they each lurched themselves into the arms of awaiting family members. They laughed as they were hugged and kissed and carried into the house, where the fire was already burning cheerfully. Ashley and Natasha were pampered with food and drinks as they retold the story to their husbands later that night after the children went to bed. They were so shocked to know that Beaumont was behind all that.
“But it’s all over now, dears.” Chris said and bent to kiss Natasha
“Yeah, it’s over now, and we can rest well from now on.” Steve said and hugged Ashley close to him.
Chris held Natasha close as he teased, “and Nat, you do have some punishments waiting for you for not telling me about it all those years ago! You made me so worried when you withdrew yourself from me. I thought you don’t love me anymore!”
“Yeah!” laughed Steve. “I remember how worried Chris was when he came to talk to me. He keeps telling me to help him. So I ask him sneakily to introduce me to that gorgeous girlfriend of yours Nat, then I will help him.” Steve fondly squeezed Ashley as he grinned at her. Ashley playfully slapped his hands away as she settled comfortably into his arms.
Double Betrayal (Chapter Three)
Chapter Three
May 5th 2004
Ashley pulled away from Natasha to find her friend looking at her with an anxious face. Heavy rain was still pouring outside and the weather made the room looked darker than it should be. Natasha was very worried as Ashley had had a nervous breakdown after Ted’s death, and the news that Allison was back might triggered another attack. She had given Ashley time to adjust to the news but she was still very worried. Natasha looked grim and Ashley knew that Natasha was upset to be the harbinger of the bad news too.
“I'm alright Nat. I just…I just got reminded of it.” Ashley tried to pull herself together by sitting up rammed straight.
“I would go tonight Nat, I would come with you. We are in this together, back then and now too. We would be brave and face the truth, whatever it was”
Natasha nodded and stood up. She walked to the window and stood there staring out at the raging storm. Standing there, she relived the torture of the day she found out that Ted and Allison was having an affair. It was by pure chance that Natasha found out. Ted had told both Ashley and Natasha that he needed to get out of town to see his ailing grandmother for a few days. Allison had said that she was going to visit her aunt. However, in reality, both of them were going out of town for a vacation with each other. They thought that by getting out of town, both of them could hold hands and walk down the streets and nobody would know. Still, the two of them weren’t so lucky. They bumped into Natasha, who had gone to the next town for a shopping spree with her boyfriend Chris. Natasha was so shocked when she knew about the affair. She just couldn’t understand why Ted and Allison had done it. Ted and Allison begged her not to tell Ashley, for she would not be able to take the betrayal easily. Natasha was torn in the middle. They were all her best friends. How could she choose? After a long struggle, she chose not to tell Ashley because she knew Ashley would break down completely if she knew and that would not do, for their graduation was very near. Natasha even chose not to confide in Chris, for fear that he might force her to tell Ashley. Her heart was shredded to pieces by the bitter-sharp guilt that she carried when she saw Ted and Ashley dancing during the graduation ball, but she promised herself that she would keep the secret to herself till her death because Allison had promised not to look for Ted again. Natasha remembers the day she went to ask Allison to stop looking for Ted.
“Please, Ally. Don’t hurt Ash, she's innocent. Please leave Ted. You have Beaumont already, why are you hanging on to Ted for?”
“Nat, you don’t understand. I don’t love Beau. I'm with him because he refused to let me leave him. I love Ted, I really do. I couldn’t live without him. If you ask me to leave him, I would rather kill him and then commit suicide so that I can be with him in death!” Allison cried passionately.
“No Ally! You will kill Ash in the process too! You can’t!” Natasha was horrified at Allison’s selfish and murderous thoughts. “You know that Ted will have a happy family if you leave him, Ally. Ash can give him the happiness you can’t give him. Ted loves Ash…he doesn’t love you.”
“No Nat! He loved me! He told me that! He only loved Ash’s wealth, not her! Why is it that you always thought of Ash, and never of me? Don’t you realize that Ted can give me the happiness that Beau can’t give me?” Allison asked pitifully.
Twisting with guilt at the truth of Allison’s words, Natasha tried another attempt.
“Ally! Listen to me! Beau would kill Ted if he knows about this! Think of it! If you really love Ted, let him go. He wouldn’t have to die and I certainly do not believe that Ted loves Ash’s wealth. She is such a kind and lovable gal and Ted is my best friend too! I believe he is not such a person!”
As if she was shaken awake by Natasha’s cold slap of facts in her face, Allison said resignedly,
“You are right, Nat. I will have to leave him if I want to protect him. I promise you that I will not look for him again and I will brush him off when he comes to look for me. But, you must promise me to keep this secret to yourself.”
“Yes I will, Ally. I will. Take care of yourself. I am leaving now Ally.”
Natasha hugged Allison briefly and left. She did not know how to face Allison, not after what Allison said about Natasha not caring for her. It was true in a sense, for Natasha was always very protective of Ashley, treating her like a little sister. She knew that she was being very selfish and unfair to Allison but she felt that Ashley needed more protection than Allison. However, she did not dare to face Ashley either as Natasha felt that she had betrayed her as well and yet she could not do anything to prevent it…
Tears rolled down Natasha’s checks before she was jolted back to the present by Shannon’s innocent voice. She turned around to see Ashley still sitting rooted to the spot earlier.
“Mommy! Why are you crying?” Shannon ran towards Ashley on her short legs and fought to climb up onto her lap. Natasha turned back hurriedly to wipe off her tears as Ashley bend down and picked Shannon up automatically. Shannon used her tiny beautiful hands to wipe away Ashley’s tears and made her cry even more, this time for the gift that God gave her.
“Mommy!” The two boys came running up and hugged Ashley tightly.
“Don’t cry Mommy! We love you! Don’t cry! We went to the other room coz Auntie Natasha said she wanted to talk to you. We still love you!” Donovan shouted childishly as he threw his arms around his mother. Ashley gathered her three children close and tried to smile through her tears.
She comforted the children, “Mommy knows you children love me. Mommy loves you too! Mommy is crying because Aunt Natasha told me something happy. Mommy is not sad. And Mommy knows that my darlings will not abandon me.”
The three children looked at Ashley with doubt and then reluctantly smiled at her, each kissing and hugging her fiercely before running off as they heard the front door opening.
“Daddy!!!!!” Declan shouted out in relief when the door opened and Steve walked in, struggling to close the door against the storm.
“Well, my little knight! What tricks did you played on your Mommy today?”
“Mommy is crying!” Shannon reported primly. Upon hearing this, Steve dropped everything and rushed over to his wife immediately.
“What is going on?” He demanded, looking at his wife and Natasha, noting the red eyes and puffy noses.
“She came back, Steve, and she wanted to see us.” Natasha told him. Steve looked puzzled for a moment and then said,
“She? Allison is back? Oh God! What does she want with you two now?”
“She wants to see us, Steve. I have to go with Nat. I realized that I need to know the truth. Let me go, will you?” Ashley whispered to him as she hugged him tightly. Steve gave her a squeeze and said,
“Yes, my sweetheart. You go ahead. Do you want me to come along too? We can leave the kids with Mum.”
“No, Steve. Let us go alone. I think we have to sort it out ourselves.” Ashley said bravely.
“Alright dear. I love you.”
“I love you too, Steve! I love you too!” Ashley mumbled as she leaned in for a comforting hug again.
“Don’t worry Steve; I will bring her home safely.” Natasha said in a strong voice. Her earlier tears were hidden by a strong protective emotion when she saw how affected Ashley was. Moreover, the guilt that Natasha carried within her heart all these years was acting up again.
“Yes, I know you will Nat. But be careful, both of you. I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
Ashley kneeled down and gathered her children around her.
“Mommy has to go to the town tonight darlings. Be good and listen to Daddy okay?” The boys nodded their heads but Shannon wanted to go along.
“No Shannon. Mommy has to go and do something tonight; Mommy will bring you out another night okay?” Unwillingly, Shannon nodded her head.
“You will be alright Mommy?” Declan asked uncertainly. Ashley smiled at her eldest son. He was so considerate and she knew he was worried because he had never seen her cry before.
“Yes Declan. I will be fine. Enjoy yourselves with Daddy tonight
May 5th 2004
Ashley pulled away from Natasha to find her friend looking at her with an anxious face. Heavy rain was still pouring outside and the weather made the room looked darker than it should be. Natasha was very worried as Ashley had had a nervous breakdown after Ted’s death, and the news that Allison was back might triggered another attack. She had given Ashley time to adjust to the news but she was still very worried. Natasha looked grim and Ashley knew that Natasha was upset to be the harbinger of the bad news too.
“I'm alright Nat. I just…I just got reminded of it.” Ashley tried to pull herself together by sitting up rammed straight.
“I would go tonight Nat, I would come with you. We are in this together, back then and now too. We would be brave and face the truth, whatever it was”
Natasha nodded and stood up. She walked to the window and stood there staring out at the raging storm. Standing there, she relived the torture of the day she found out that Ted and Allison was having an affair. It was by pure chance that Natasha found out. Ted had told both Ashley and Natasha that he needed to get out of town to see his ailing grandmother for a few days. Allison had said that she was going to visit her aunt. However, in reality, both of them were going out of town for a vacation with each other. They thought that by getting out of town, both of them could hold hands and walk down the streets and nobody would know. Still, the two of them weren’t so lucky. They bumped into Natasha, who had gone to the next town for a shopping spree with her boyfriend Chris. Natasha was so shocked when she knew about the affair. She just couldn’t understand why Ted and Allison had done it. Ted and Allison begged her not to tell Ashley, for she would not be able to take the betrayal easily. Natasha was torn in the middle. They were all her best friends. How could she choose? After a long struggle, she chose not to tell Ashley because she knew Ashley would break down completely if she knew and that would not do, for their graduation was very near. Natasha even chose not to confide in Chris, for fear that he might force her to tell Ashley. Her heart was shredded to pieces by the bitter-sharp guilt that she carried when she saw Ted and Ashley dancing during the graduation ball, but she promised herself that she would keep the secret to herself till her death because Allison had promised not to look for Ted again. Natasha remembers the day she went to ask Allison to stop looking for Ted.
“Please, Ally. Don’t hurt Ash, she's innocent. Please leave Ted. You have Beaumont already, why are you hanging on to Ted for?”
“Nat, you don’t understand. I don’t love Beau. I'm with him because he refused to let me leave him. I love Ted, I really do. I couldn’t live without him. If you ask me to leave him, I would rather kill him and then commit suicide so that I can be with him in death!” Allison cried passionately.
“No Ally! You will kill Ash in the process too! You can’t!” Natasha was horrified at Allison’s selfish and murderous thoughts. “You know that Ted will have a happy family if you leave him, Ally. Ash can give him the happiness you can’t give him. Ted loves Ash…he doesn’t love you.”
“No Nat! He loved me! He told me that! He only loved Ash’s wealth, not her! Why is it that you always thought of Ash, and never of me? Don’t you realize that Ted can give me the happiness that Beau can’t give me?” Allison asked pitifully.
Twisting with guilt at the truth of Allison’s words, Natasha tried another attempt.
“Ally! Listen to me! Beau would kill Ted if he knows about this! Think of it! If you really love Ted, let him go. He wouldn’t have to die and I certainly do not believe that Ted loves Ash’s wealth. She is such a kind and lovable gal and Ted is my best friend too! I believe he is not such a person!”
As if she was shaken awake by Natasha’s cold slap of facts in her face, Allison said resignedly,
“You are right, Nat. I will have to leave him if I want to protect him. I promise you that I will not look for him again and I will brush him off when he comes to look for me. But, you must promise me to keep this secret to yourself.”
“Yes I will, Ally. I will. Take care of yourself. I am leaving now Ally.”
Natasha hugged Allison briefly and left. She did not know how to face Allison, not after what Allison said about Natasha not caring for her. It was true in a sense, for Natasha was always very protective of Ashley, treating her like a little sister. She knew that she was being very selfish and unfair to Allison but she felt that Ashley needed more protection than Allison. However, she did not dare to face Ashley either as Natasha felt that she had betrayed her as well and yet she could not do anything to prevent it…
Tears rolled down Natasha’s checks before she was jolted back to the present by Shannon’s innocent voice. She turned around to see Ashley still sitting rooted to the spot earlier.
“Mommy! Why are you crying?” Shannon ran towards Ashley on her short legs and fought to climb up onto her lap. Natasha turned back hurriedly to wipe off her tears as Ashley bend down and picked Shannon up automatically. Shannon used her tiny beautiful hands to wipe away Ashley’s tears and made her cry even more, this time for the gift that God gave her.
“Mommy!” The two boys came running up and hugged Ashley tightly.
“Don’t cry Mommy! We love you! Don’t cry! We went to the other room coz Auntie Natasha said she wanted to talk to you. We still love you!” Donovan shouted childishly as he threw his arms around his mother. Ashley gathered her three children close and tried to smile through her tears.
She comforted the children, “Mommy knows you children love me. Mommy loves you too! Mommy is crying because Aunt Natasha told me something happy. Mommy is not sad. And Mommy knows that my darlings will not abandon me.”
The three children looked at Ashley with doubt and then reluctantly smiled at her, each kissing and hugging her fiercely before running off as they heard the front door opening.
“Daddy!!!!!” Declan shouted out in relief when the door opened and Steve walked in, struggling to close the door against the storm.
“Well, my little knight! What tricks did you played on your Mommy today?”
“Mommy is crying!” Shannon reported primly. Upon hearing this, Steve dropped everything and rushed over to his wife immediately.
“What is going on?” He demanded, looking at his wife and Natasha, noting the red eyes and puffy noses.
“She came back, Steve, and she wanted to see us.” Natasha told him. Steve looked puzzled for a moment and then said,
“She? Allison is back? Oh God! What does she want with you two now?”
“She wants to see us, Steve. I have to go with Nat. I realized that I need to know the truth. Let me go, will you?” Ashley whispered to him as she hugged him tightly. Steve gave her a squeeze and said,
“Yes, my sweetheart. You go ahead. Do you want me to come along too? We can leave the kids with Mum.”
“No, Steve. Let us go alone. I think we have to sort it out ourselves.” Ashley said bravely.
“Alright dear. I love you.”
“I love you too, Steve! I love you too!” Ashley mumbled as she leaned in for a comforting hug again.
“Don’t worry Steve; I will bring her home safely.” Natasha said in a strong voice. Her earlier tears were hidden by a strong protective emotion when she saw how affected Ashley was. Moreover, the guilt that Natasha carried within her heart all these years was acting up again.
“Yes, I know you will Nat. But be careful, both of you. I don’t want to see either of you hurt.”
Ashley kneeled down and gathered her children around her.
“Mommy has to go to the town tonight darlings. Be good and listen to Daddy okay?” The boys nodded their heads but Shannon wanted to go along.
“No Shannon. Mommy has to go and do something tonight; Mommy will bring you out another night okay?” Unwillingly, Shannon nodded her head.
“You will be alright Mommy?” Declan asked uncertainly. Ashley smiled at her eldest son. He was so considerate and she knew he was worried because he had never seen her cry before.
“Yes Declan. I will be fine. Enjoy yourselves with Daddy tonight
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)