THE BEAUTIFUL MINDS

CHAPTER 18

Rachel Evana Louis wasn't really looking forward to the dinner.

She made sure that she was well groomed on the outside. She carried herself as she was expected to and smiled with as much congeniality as she could.

But, inside, there was a fierce turmoil and she couldn't do anything to pacify it.

One look at Veronica would give her all the unpleasant feelings a person in this planet could possibly have. Dread, fear, hatred, anger and what not?

To her, Veronica was a wolf in a sheep's clothing. On the outside she was an incarnation of beauty, grace and benevolence. Her smile was the most alluring feature of her personality. Her father had probably fallen prey to that.

But there was something perturbing about her eyes. Every time Rachel looked into those deep, enigmatic and piercing eyes she sensed a disastrous event approaching.

Inside, Veronica possessed a snake's mind and managed to camouflage it with her innocent smile.

Their own plush Louis car landed on the portals of hotel palm tree. Rachel and Angela got down, their expensive attires glimmering in the dark.

David and Veronica were already inside and greeted them with a warm smile.

Rachel was quite taken aback as her eyes landed on her step -mother- to- be. She was even more beautiful in reality than she were in photographs.

Veronica wore a shining velvet black gown with a deep cleavage cut that highlighted her beautifully crafted hourglass figure. She possessed a glowing and an absolutely flawless skin.

Her features were intricate and meticulous which made people wonder if she were skilfully moulded by the best crafts man in the universe.

"I'm so glad to see you, darling" she chimed with a motherly grin. At first, Rachel fell for that herself. But then, her instincts sensed the furtive and manipulative voice which uttered those words.

"I'm happy to see you, too" said Rachel returning the fatal kindness.

They settled down and ordered some food. Those who could afford a meal at hotel palm tree were mostly big shots. And every head turned to catch a glimpse of the family that was recently making it so big in the news.

Amongst them, there was a man dressed in black. He was seated in a corner, very near to the rest room and watched the family secretly.

Meantime, Angela was feeling awkward. Veronica and Rachel were secretly battling against each other with their eyes. David who seemed to be quite aware of that tried to stir a conversation that would bring the two poles amicably together.

"Wine?" offered a waiter.

Angela smiled and answered on the affirmative. She moistened her lips and took a sip as she patiently watched the drama that was going on.

After a few minutes, she excused herself and went to the rest room. As she walked she noticed a pair of curious eyes from her peripheral vision.

Angela gingerly turned to take a look at the stranger. The man was dressed in black and seated in a composed posture. He was holding the menu card against his face so it wouldn't be visible. His eyes were now on the contents of the menu.

Every eye in the hotel was actually surveying them so Angela thought it wasn't a big deal. She shrugged and got into the rest room.

Inside, she stared at herself in the mirror. She couldn't get over the feelings that were haunting her.

Angela really, really cared for Rachel. It was obvious that Veronica hated them both and she wondered what she would do to them after she is rightfully married into their family. Let alone her, but, Rachel needed her father's love. She doesn't deserve to be deserted and unloved, which is exactly what Veronica was planning to do.

Take David all for herself.

As of her, losses weren't new, because she had been experiencing them right from childhood. But, now, she's got someone she knew would be there for her at all times. Someone nobody could steal from her.

Patrick.

Patrick was the only person who would be with her forever and she loved him very, very dearly.

Meanwhile......

Ronny was as busy as a bee.

He was in his precinct juggling through his files and records, totally oblivious of the shocking event that was about to take place.

He scratched his forehead as he searched for clues. Any discrepancies in the answers of the suspects.

Just then, his phone rang.

Heaving out an unhappy sigh he took out his phone.

The heavens seemed to crumble down as he stared at the number that he was receiving a call from.

It pertained to Angela.

Ronny mustered up all the courage he had and answered the phone.

"Hello" said he, in a stable voice.

There was a moment of silence. And then he heard a loud, evil laughter.

"Don't try to sound too courageous, Ronny. I know you are scared" answered the same electronically filtered voice.

Ronny felt a tingling sensation.

"Who on earth are you?"

"Who do you think I could be? Perhaps Sarah's or Ashley's father talking from the grave?"

Ronny's muscles tightened.

"Why aren't you answering Ronny? Are you really considering the situation, so you could give a suitable explanation for sleeping with a woman who wasn't your wife?"

Ronny tried to calm himself. He knew getting angry wouldn't do him any good. He had to think. He had to lure out answers from this person.

In the silence that lasted for a handful of seconds, Ronny heard sounds that could be related to something.

First, it was the sound of a door knob being twisted. Then, he heard the sound of a musical instrument, violin perhaps.

The sound ceased after a few seconds and in its place, he heard muffled voices.

"So, what's your deal? You either give up the Richard Anderson homicide or end up being a divorcee" said the voice, yanking him back from deep thoughts.

Ronny let out a deep breath.

"I think we should talk this in person"

In the adjacent room......

Patrick and Sarah were staring into the laptop.

Sarah had noticed the change in Ronny's behaviour after answering to a phone call, the night she was sick.

She had heard Ronny's phone ringing and him answering it. After a few seconds, he had become angry. Later, she heard him speak in a hushed voice.

This had raised her suspicions and she'd peeped out through the door.

Ronny was seated on the sofa as pale as a ghost.

Sarah wondered what it could be. She'd never seen Ronny in so much dread ever since they got married.

So, she'd approached Patrick to discuss it and Patrick had doubted if the call was from Angela's phone.

Now, together they were expectantly looking into Patrick's laptop hoping it would throw a light on the hidden facts.

Patrick bit his lip as he anxiously waited for an answer. A map was being displayed and it said the result was being loaded.

Which meant, the stalker was keeping Angela's phone active at the moment and his instinct was right.

Just then, the result appeared.

A small blue dot blinked at the north east portion of the city.

Sarah let out an excited scream.

Patrick hushed her and zoomed into the place.

The dot blinked at one location.

Hotel palm tree.