The Diamonds

Episode Eight

The next morning came by quickly.

The Crystals had stayed over the previous night, and soon enough, it was time for them to leave.

They were heading to Diamonds Studio for a meeting with the boys.

Something about an invite to an event coming up soon.

The night before, the girls had gotten really flirty with some of the guys and spent time gushing over their wild little adventures together in the room Cassandra had slept in.

Alone.

Of course Miguel didn't even show up to check on her or anything.

Cassandra quietly prepared to leave, not minding the endless chatter going on.

She began brushing her hair in front of the mirror with a tight expression on her face as she was forced to listen to her friends gossip.

“I can still imagine how his kisses between my thighs felt,” Dayne sighed dreamily. .

“I really wish it’d be something real between us.”

Cassandra scoffed, rolling her eyes. Bitterness clung to her like a deadly venom.

Of course she was angry. Miguel hadn’t even glanced her way even when he eventually got back.

“Enough of the tattle, okay? Let’s go.” Cassandra snapped, grabbing her bag.

**. **. **.

Eva opened her door just in time to see Andrew standing there.

“Good morning,” he greeted her with a charming smile.

“You ready?” he asked, and she nodded, stepping out into the hallway.

Her outfit hugged her figure gracefully, and Andrew couldn’t help but admire her silently for a moment.

He remembered getting her that dress too.

“Come on,” he said softly, offering his hand and she took it gently.

*

As they descended the stairs, Eva caught sight of the Crystals lounging in the living room.

They seemed prepared to leave already.

Cassandra’s eyes locked with Eva's in a cold and unrelenting glare.

“You’re going somewhere?” Ruby asked,looking up at Andrew then Eva.

Andrew nodded, but before he could speak, Cassandra cut in.

“But ‘we’ have an important meeting to attend.” she reminded laying huge emphasis.

“Let him be, Cass,” Daniel interjected casually, strolling in from the kitchen.

“Eva needs a break from the mansion, so they’re going out on a date.”He said with a wide grin and the room fell into stunned silence.

A what!?

A date?!

Cassandra blinked rapidly in disbelief.

Her jaw clenched and unclenched as she fixed her gaze on Eva.

She could barely believe what was going on.

A total stranger not only started living with them but now had them at her service!?

“Let’s go,” Andrew said, unfazed, and took Eva’s hand as they walked out together.

Cassandra stood frozen.

It was annoying to even watch.

From the moment Eva had dared speak back to her, Cassandra had sworn to make her regret it.

And now, this?

This was like fuel to the fire.

Her anger simmered with every single breath she took as Eva was around.

**. **.

Andrew drove like a free spirit, darting through streets, pointing out landmarks, and even the junction that led to their well-known school.

The school that they all attended together.

The city tour was like an eyeopener to Eva as Andrew fed her all the necessary information she needed.

She found herself laughing more than she ever did in weeks.

But like all good things, it eventually came to an end.

The car rolled to a gentle stop in front of the mansion.

“Oh! Seems they aren’t back yet,” Andrew said with a stiffled chuckle as they stepped out.

“Don’t worry about your things,” he added. “I’ll ask the maids to bring them up for you.” he offered and Eva nodded.

He had equally taken her to get some new necessities too along the way.

He led her back into the house.

Everything was awfully quiet.

Eva felt the tiredness sink into her bones.

An aftereffect of the excitement before.

She quickly climbed the stairs and went to her room to freshen up.

Stripping out of her clothes, she was heading into the bathroom when a knock sounded at the door.

Quickly wrapping a towel around herself, she opened the door.

Three maids stood before her, arms full of shopping bags and she stepped aside to let them in.

Soon, her bed was covered in everything they had bought.

The maids bowed and exited quietly.

Eva stood akimbo, scanning the bags with a sigh.

They had really shopped a lot.

She shook her head with a small smile and headed into the bathroom.

**

Later, Eva watched as the maids carefully arranged everything in place.

Clothes into drawers, skincare bottles on her vanity, accessories organized neatly.

It all felt surreal.

There she was, living a life just like the one her Aunt snatched her from and even better all because she got to be in a foreign land this time.

She sat quietly, replaying the entire day with Andrew in her mind.

He had been sweet, funny, and surprisingly attentive.

She never imagined a guy like him still existed.

If he hadn’t saved her that night things could’ve turned out far worse.

Maybe she'd have been a traumatized victim of r@pe and still be wandering the streets.

Her chest tightened at the thought of her Aunt.

That woman didn’t deserve the title of family.

The one who lied to her all for what?

To be turned to a slave?

How could anyone think turning a grieving girl into a slave was normal?

It was cruel.

Vicious even.

“We’re done, miss. Do you need anything else?” one of the maids asked politely.

Eva shook her head.

“No. I'm good. Thanks.” Eva responded and they bowed before leaving Eva who was now finally alone.

She sat on the bed with a deep sigh, lost in thought.

A memory suddenly floated in.

Just a few days ago, Andrew had mentioned enrolling her in school.

He’d offered it so kindly, so casually.

It was better off than her staying back at home without having anything to do.

But fear lingered inside her like a shadow.

What if she failed to blend in?

What if she didn’t belong?

She still hadn’t given him an answer yet and he was going to return for one.

**. **.

Andrew walked out of the garden house, at the same time of the boys return from the studio.

“Hey guys!” Andrew hailed as Daniel and Jerad sighed tiredly.

Miguel only threw him a cold response .

“Hi”

Right before walking away.

Andrew shrugged and joined the others as they all went in.

“How was it?” he asked.

“Man… it was hectic,” Jerad groaned and Andrew laughed.

“Sorry, guys.”

“Of course you’d laugh,” Daniel muttered, rolling his eyes.

“You’ve been out gallivanting all day. Seeing the world with Eva dummy.” he scoffed and Andrew chuckled, nudging him.

Jerad and Daniel sank onto the couch, exhausted.

“How’s she? I hope she had fun?” Jerad asked.

“She did,” Andrew replied with a grin.

“We shopped, watched movies, had lunch, went sightseeing… I made sure she had a great time.”

“You sound like a peacock,” Daniel teased and Andrew raised an eyebrow.

.

“Tell me one time you’ve actually heard a peacock talk.”

“Whatever,” Daniel exhaled, and the boys laughed.

Miguel, of course, had disappeared upstairs.

No one could really blame him.

He obviously needed something or maybe,someone who would pull him back from wherever his mind had drifted to.

Andrew could only hope that antidote would come soon.

***

The next morning…

***

Andrew took a sip from his mug of hot chocolate and set it aside.

“Andrew,” Jerad called, looking around for any sight of Miguel but he wasn't around.

“Mmh?” Andrew murmured a response.

“Haven’t you thought about sending Eva to school?” he asked cautiously.

“Yeah,” Daniel added in agreement.

“Oh!.. I'm way ahead of you guys. We talked about that earlier.”Andrew replied.

“I'm just still waiting for her answer.”

“Oh…” they both muttered.

“Well,” Andrew said, pushing his chair back.

“Let’s get going. Further Maths class should be starting soon.”

“Ughhh. That man!” Jerad exclaimed.

**

Eva leaned against her balcony, enjoying the calm breeze of the morning till she heard the familiar sound of cars leaving the premises.

The boys…

She sighed, brushing a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

She felt so bored.

There was really nothing to do.

No one to talk to at all.

Deciding to explore a bit, Eva stepped out of her room.

As she walked down the hallway, a strange sound froze her in her tracks.

A groan.

No!

It was more like a whimper.

It didn’t sound human.

Heart racing, she followed the sound.

It seemed like was coming from her room?

No… she had barely just eft her room.

She looked again and saw a slightly opened door directly opposite hers.

A door she hadn’t noticed before.

Strange.

This one looked different from the rest.

Another groan echoed softly from the door.

Compelled by curiosity, Eva moved closer until she was standing right in front of it.

Her hand trembled as she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Darkness.

Complete darkness.

Gosh!

Was she crazy!?

The room was super dark!

She could hardly see a thing.

Eva heard the groan again and her hairs stood as she shivered.

She had never felt that scared and creeped out in her entire life.

The room was damn creepy due to its dark nature!

The room was icy cold and dead silent except for the occasional groan.

Eva’s skin prickled.

Her breaths quickened.

She was about to turn and run when her eyes caught something near the bed.

Something small and furry.

She squinted her eyes to get a proper and clearer look.

Chase?

Miguel’s dog.

He whimpered again, shifting slightly.

“Oh my God!” Eva gasped, hurrying to his side.

She gently stroked his fur, noticing his body was tense and trembling.

She spotted the ice pack beneath him and swallowed hard.

“You poor thing…” she whispered.

“ What happened to you?. You’re in so much pain…”

But she didn’t know what to do.

Then like a spark, an idea struck her.

“I’ll be back.. Just hold on, okay?” she whispered and hurried out of the room.

Eva dashed down the stairs, out into the garden, searching frantically.

She’d seen the papaya plant here once before.

And there it was.

She tore a few leaves and ran back upstairs, sneaking into the dark room once again.

“Alright, here. Try this,” she murmured, feeding Chase the crushed leaves.

“You should feel better soon." She whispered, caressing its furs as it chewed weakly.

She’d read somewhere that papaya leaves helped ease certain pains.

She only hoped it worked on a dog this time.

Minutes passed as she stayed by his side, gently petting him after he was done with the leaves.

Eventually, Chase’s breathing evened out, and he drifted into a peaceful sleep.

Eva smiled softly knowing fully well that her administration had worked out just right.

Just as she got really comfortable with Chase,she heard a car drive crazily into the premises and she froze.

Miguel!

She darted toward the window and peeked through the curtain.

It was him, no doubt.

Panic surged.

She hurried to Chase, gave him a gentle kiss on the head.

“Get well soon, okay?”

“And please don't expose me to your master. Bye." Eva hurriedly whispered then she rushed out, slipping right back into her room.

Moments later, she heard Miguel’s voice outside her closed door alongside footsteps.

“I don’t know, Vet. He just started groaning out of nowhere,” he said, sounding anxious.

Eva's heart tugged at his concern as she sat down on her bed quietly.

She had always wanted a pet like Chase, and now seeing him sick, it broke her heart.

She closed her eyes and whispered a silent prayer.

She really hoped he’d be okay.

•••𝓣𝓑𝓒