THE UNCOVERED MYSTERY

CHAPTER 4

"It all began with our grandfathers," he started- a hint of nostalgia in his voice. "Your dad's father and mine were inseparable friends. They endured mockery, laughter, and even abuse, but they refused to give up. United, they rose above the humiliation and poverty, working tirelessly until they became the epitome of success in our town." He paused, glanced at his watch, and continued his story.

"Medaline recognized their achievements, and they received numerous trophies. When the city's richest individuals were ranked, my grandfather, William Jackson, was among the top five, while your grandfather wasn't. This sparked envy between the two friends, marking the beginning of their feud. Your grandfather demanded to withdraw his shares from their joint companies and businesses." He paused to call for a glass of water, took a sip, and continued.

"Over the next three seasons, William Jackson became the richest person in Medaline, while Martin Judge dropped to third. Consumed by fury, envy, and jealousy, Martin assassinated his best friend, William, to claim the top spot. However, William had already transferred all his properties to my father's name. Your grandfather attempted to kill my father and seize the properties - then he was just nineteen, but his mother intervened, spiriting him abroad. Katherine, however, chose to stay behind, claiming she needed to tend to the house. Martin Judge then murdered my grandmother Katherine.

Upon learning of her death, my father vowed to avenge his parent's death. He remained abroad, got married, and started a new life." He paused once more, took another sip of water, and gazed at me intently.

I was stunned by the revelation, struggling to reconcile the image of my grandfather as a kind, innocent man with the monstrous deeds he had committed. The shock left me frozen, and I could barely feel myself.

"He's pure evil," I thought to myself aloud.

Dave continued his story, his voice unwavering.

"My dad married a woman from Medaline, Grace, my mother, and they had me and my younger sister, Helen. My mother and sister stayed abroad while I returned to Medaline with my dad."

He paused, collecting his thoughts before proceeding.

"That's when my dad's quest for revenge began. He hired assassins to kill your grandfather 12 years ago, and subsequently, your parents were also murdered. I was eighteen then.

When my dad discovered that his only child had survived, he began searching for you."

I felt a surge of anxiety, fearing for my life. "Does that mean you're going to kill me?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He stood up, his eyes locked onto mine. "If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so the moment I brought you to that dark room."

He walked over to the white rose, gently touching it as the breeze rustled his hair, making him appear almost serene.

Curiosity got the better of me. "How did you find me? And why are you sparing my life?" I asked, feeling a pang of guilt for my grandfather's atrocities.

He turned to face me, his expression unreadable. "My dad tasked me with finding and killing you when I turned twenty-four. I spent four years searching for you, and my men finally found you two weeks ago. I've been monitoring before I instructed them to bring you unharmed"

He paused, crossing his arms behind his back. "When you were brought to that room, I saw how innocent you were. My men had captured your picture and brought it to me. During those two weeks, I gathered all the information I needed about you – where you lived, worked, your friends...every detail, including the woman you travel to visit on weekends at Beldine."

My heart sank as I realized he knew about Jane. I rushed towards him, kneeling down. "Please, don't hurt the innocent woman. She has nothing to do with this." I pleaded with tears in my eyes, with fear that gripped my soul.

"Relax, I wasn't going to harm her," he said, pulling me up. "She's not related to you by blood, and my father doesn't know about her."

"Thank you...thank you so much," I replied, looking into his eyes with so much relief and delight.

As we locked eyes with his hands still in my arms, I pondered his thoughts. His captivating brown eyes seem innocent, making me question my initial perception of him as a monster. The uncertainty hung in the air as I questioned his true intentions. Had he genuinely spared my life, or was it just a fleeting moment of mercy? The doubt lingered, leaving me on edge.

Being so close to him, I felt surprisingly at ease, with no hint of fear. His presence was comforting, and I found myself wishing for a hug. As I glanced down at his chest, I couldn't help but notice the way his hair and physique made my skin prickle with excitement.

**********

Dave:

Looking at the lady in front of me with my hands placed on her arms, I felt how soft and warm her skin is that I can't get enough of it. Our eyes fixed on each other, and I felt this sensation that I'd never felt before for any woman. The air was charged with an unspoken understanding, a sense of mutual attraction that neither of us could ignore. I've never seen anyone as beautiful as this, her green eyes so beautiful and innocent just like that of a toddler. Her curly gray hair is just the way I love it, matching so well with her pale skin. The way the jeans fitted her was striking, accentuating her curves in a way that caught my attention. I hadn't noticed her figure before, but now it was hard to ignore.

I couldn't help but be captivated by her perfection. Her speech was like music to my ears, and even her anger had a charming quality to it, I recalled teasing her in the darkroom, finding her adorable in her various emotional states.

As I felt goosebumps flash on her skin, I wondered if I had made her uncomfortable Or perhaps she felt the same spark of attraction as I did. I quickly removed my hands from her arms and slipped them in my pockets, and she quickly stepped away.

"You asked why I spared your life?" I mumbled, shattering the awkward moment as she reluctantly nodded in affirmation, her gaze drifting away from mine.

"Because I couldn't bring myself to take an innocent life, and also...I like you." The word spilled out of my mouth with uncharacteristic confidence. Her eyes widened slightly before she spun around and dashed into the house.

I stood puzzled, wondering if I had said something wrong? Or was she just naturally reserved? I called for a glass of wine as I stay back to collect my thoughts.

The thought of my dad discovering my failure to complete the assignment fills me with dread. I was too hasty in revealing that I'd found her. If I try to spin a story about mistaken identity, he'll likely see right through it - he's too intelligent and skeptical to be fooled.

When my boys presented her profile and photo, I was struck by her beauty and humility. Her philanthropic work and kindness only added to her allure. As I read about her charitable endeavors, my resolve to complete the assignment began to waver. I had developed feelings for her but tried to brush them off. However, when I met her in person, my emotions overwhelmed me. She's even more captivating than her photo. The thought of harming her is now unbearable.

I've got to come up with something, but first, I have to let her go. Having divulged everything, I fear she might see me as a villain. Yet her expressions reveals she comprehends, and surprisingly, she's feeling remorseful almost as if she's accountable.

I had no idea a girl could impact me so deeply, making me go against my father's wish. Defying his orders is unthinkable, but I feel powerless to resist her charms. I'll have to navigate this delicate situation and persuade him to understand my perspective, even though I'm aware he'll feel betrayed by my actions.

The willingness to face whatever consequences that comes with it stroked me so hard, and I found myself feeling so protective of her.

Lost in my thoughts that I have no idea how I found myself standing in front of her door, about to ring the doorbell.