I FELL IN LOVE ON THE JOB

NEWS AFTERMATH

Tyler carefully moved Sarah to a nearby seat and waited for her to regain consciousness. He could tell she was fazed, her eyes were lost in space as they trembled. He saw how tightly her hands clenched her clothes and how she struggled to keep her feet firmly on the ground. Her lips would part ways like she was about to say something, but would freeze afterward. He wondered what her relationship with Leah was for her to react this way, by what he knew Linda didn't have a sister. She was desperately trying to deny the fact that the information he just told her was false, he could tell by the way she shook her head and strained her eyes. Tyler knew she needed to remind her.

" She died last night. " He replied.

" L.. last night? " Sarah's terrified voice was heard as it occurred to her that she'd been on the phone with Leah last night, " No, no it can't be. "

Tyler drew closer to her, " I'm sorry, it's the truth. "

" I spoke to her last night! " Sarah's voice heightened.

" I'm sorry__

" It's not possible, " Sarah got to her feet and resulted to pacing.

Tyler sighed and called, " Miss, "

Sarah slowly shook her head, " How did she die? "

" Her car exploded with her in it. " Tyler replied sympathetically.

Sarah paused and shielded mouth with her hands. " What? "

Tyler knew he was in a tight spot, " Her car__

" How can this be? her car exploded? oh my God! " Sarah was hyperventilating.

" It appears that she was murdered. "

" Oh my God. " Sarah whispered as she got lost in space once more.

" Are you okay? sa... Sarah? " Tyler called supporting her with both his hands.

" She was mur... murdered. " Sarah stated with a shaky voice.

" Calm down and take a seat... please. "

Sarah sat with Tyler's hands guiding her, " She was murdered. " She said again.

" I'm so sorry, that must be hard for you. "

Tyler felt like he could be of help to her but he wasn't meant for the job.

" Leah was a good and important part of the Gu family, she would be greatly missed. "

Sarah was not focused on whatever Tyler was saying.

" My family is doing whatever we can to make sure we give Leah the justice she deserves. "

Sarah just nodded.

" If you need anything, make sure you call me. Here's my number. " Tyler handed Sarah his card but she was still in shock to notice, Tyler dropped the card on the table in front of her.

" Take care of yourself. " Tyler said but his attention was still caught up, " Hey. "

Sarah turned over to him,

" Nothing, take care of yourself. " Tyler replied as he exited the house. He wanted to take the food with him, but he knew it would be absurd.

*****

Sarah shivered as she entered the bathroom, her composure calm but unsteady. Her heart raced so loudly that she could hear them, Sarah went to her knees as she screamed at top of her lungs. She proceeded to shake her head in an attempt to cling to denial, but it was futile. The reality was brutally dawning on her and it sent her violently shaking in fear. Was her past catching up with her? or was history repeating itself. Her fear multiplied, she felt a huge lump stuck in her throat all of a sudden, and her stomach upset her terribly.

She ran her hands roughly on her hair as the truth dawned on her, was she going to experience what she fought so hard to escape? And even if she was, how would she recover for the second time, when she still felt the ripple effects of her past trauma? why was Leah murdered? what on earth was happening? Sarah's mind entertained multiple thoughts that sent her shivering.

The eerie feeling she had when she last spoke to Leah returned to her, she couldn't shake it off her. She was so focused on avoiding further drama that she overlooked Leah's glaring signs of trouble. The pregnancy for one was a sign, if she'd just pressed on and asked Leah about it, she would have had an idea about what was happening, but she didn't. Not to talk of the fact that Leah had concluded her recipe book and wanted to open her restaurant, was it possible that she had told the wrong person about her plans?

Sarah gasped as the next thought came to her mind, she didn't want to believe it. When she talked to Leah she has the nudge that she was in an uncomfortable situation, she felt she was in the presence of someone else. Whoever was in there with her had to have been here killer, considering the timeline. Leah had also talked about getting her final recipe from an unknown friend, could that have been the reason for her assassination? Sarah hated herself, she could have made an effort to find out more about Leah. Leah had been a good friend, she had offered Sarah a second chance to live life, she had invited her into her home and this happened? Sarah knew it was no coincidence. She wanted to stay out of this, maybe she should remain here and act as if nothing happened. She would save herself the drama and pain it would cost, but does Leah deserve this?

******

Tyler wore his apron as he shoved his hair away from his face, he was going to recreate that delicious meal he just tasted from Sarah. He knew the potential of that meal and he wanted it. Grabbing the plantain, he followed the procedure the best way he can in hopes of getting good results.

" Looks delicious. " Olivia, his twin sister commended as they both sat on the dining.

" Yes it does, I hope it tastes the same as hers did. " Tyler whispered.

" Who? "

Tyler took a bite and ushered Olivia to do the same.

" Delicious, absolutely delicious. " Olivia stated, going in for more.

Tyler threw the fork frustratedly on the table as he folded his hands.

" What? it tastes good. "

" Yeah, anything tastes good to you Ollie. "

" Ouch. " Olivia rose to her feet.

" I need her. " Tyler stated.

" What are you talking about? "

" Sarah, I tasted her food and it was superb. "

Olivia sat back down, " Who are we talking about here? "

" Food... person, do the math. "

Olivia hissed, " You're bringing in another chef? is this one blonde too? "

Tyler shot her a fierce look, " Yes, she's blonde, AND... a good cook, I promise you. "

Olivia wasn't buying it, " Oh really? "

" Yes, I suppose you wouldn't know what that means. " Tyler chuckled as he attempted to leave.

" No way you just threw a shot at me, you bastard. "

Tyler laughed, " Between you and Jimmy, I can't tell who's more mature. And now you surprisingly have__

" Are you jealous? is that it? "

" Have what? " Olivia brushed in a slightly more serious tone.

" I'm just curious, and concerned. Something strange is happening and I feel like I'm the clueless one. "

Olivia knew what her brother was talking about. " I got Jacksonville head because I DESERVE it, just accept it. "

Tyler placed both hands on the table, drawing closer to Olivia, " Oh common Ollie, we both are aware you don't know jackshit about cooking, I still don't know how you convinced dad to give you Jacksonville head district or why you even wanted it. "

Olivia's eyes shook, " Why are you suddenly interested in what I do or want Ty? "

" It's my job, I'm the__

" I know, you're the director, so why do you care what district I manage when you're still in charge? "

" Because unlike you, I actually care about the company's progress, I know how to cook, I__

" I don't give a f**k what you know, " Olivia smiled, " I wanted Jacksonville head and I got IT. "

Tyler nodded, " Indeed. "

" So stop bitching about it, you crybaby. "

" I'm just curious though, how did you get dad to give it to you? Jacksonville has the biggest and most prosperous franchise. He wouldn't just give it to you on a silver platter, how did you do it, Ollie? " Tyler's voice got deeper as he spoke.

Olivia trembled, " That's... that's none of your business. "

" Oklahoma was doing pretty okay, why did you have to take Jacksonville? what are you plotting? "

Olivia sighed as she shook her head, " Is this about that chef? what's her name... " Olivia pretended to think.

" Leah! " Tyler tried to keep the tone of his voice under control, " Don't play coy with me, she's your executive chef, how could you not know her name? "

" Oh right, Leah... you think I had something to do with her death? "

" I don't know, you tell me. "

" Don't be absurd, why would I kill her? "

" Why did you want Jacksonville's head? " Tyler was adamant.

" Ty__

" You blackmailed dad right? " Tyler chuckled, " It has to be blackmail, but with what? what did you have on him that made him__

Olivia stood up as she grabbed her purse

from the table, " If you're so smart why don't you figure it out by yourself! "

" Oh I promise you, I'll get to the bottom of it. "

" I'm counting on it, but let me warn you, be careful, not all secrets are meant to be uncovered. " Olivia walked out, leaving Tyler puzzled.

*********

(DERRICK'S POV)

He had finally gotten there, after days of wandering, he had finally gotten to her house. He managed to force himself in as he rushed into the toilet. He was scared, he was worried, which was unusual for him because he'd never been in such a situation before. What was he to do now?