Devil’s Dinner

Episode 05 What’s with the Grimes?

хᴀɴᴅᴇʀ

I don’t understand why I’m watching out for her anyway, this is so unlike me. I took glances at the side mirror to see her standing far away as I was way too far from her.

Soon she was out of my sight and I sighed feeling regretful, then I remember the face Michael had on when that hoe lady was harassing my supposed to be bride. Funny enough I don’t even know her name yet, unknown to me that I was smiling already just thinking of her. But what could be going on with Michael? and he mentioned something about them meeting last night... where and how?

Ashley decided to start trekking to a more crowded place, the highway is long and deserted from cars at the moment, she is walking under the scorching sun and her feet hurts badly.

“That bastard is so cruel, he didn’t even throw my shoes down at least... awww I’m so thirsty and hot” she whined as she walks like a ghost in the middle of the road.

She switched to the safe side and she watch the sea as she proceeded.

“If only I could get a cup of water right now at least and my dress is even stained with red wine” she said and stopped walking then face the sea talking to herself.

ᴘʀɪɴᴄᴇss ᴠɪᴠɪᴀɴ

Feels so nice to go out alone, sometimes I get sick of guards always following me everywhere but considering it was all for my safety I accepted my fate but this particular morning I feel like going on a long drive.

“Feels nice”

I was on my way when I saw a lady walking barefooted and with her dress messed up and scattered hair at that.

Oh my goodness, she just have escaped from a psychiatrist hospital, it is dangerous to just leave her wandering about.

I shook my head in sympathy and passed her by but in seconds she’s climbed the bridge already, she wanna commit suicide? What the... I can’t allow her to contaminate water life for us.

I pulled up and swerved the car around, she was still there and talking to herself.

I grabbed her and we both fell down badly.

“Ouch” she cried out and I rub my head as well.

“Why did you do that?” She asked feeling pained.

“What? I just saved your life, you were trying to jump right?” I said to her.

“Jump? Who? Me? I wasn’t trying to jump, I was just feeling thirsty and felt so jealous of the fishes in the sea so I was only sight seeing” she said to me in a funny cute way,I envy her free spirit and find my inside warming up in a strange way.

Cracked up in laughter then pulled her cheek playfully.

“How could someone be so pretty and cute at the same time” I said to her.

She only smiled and helped me up, dusting her dress and I could see the bruises on her arm,she might have got hurt when I pull her back.

“Are you okay?” She asked me so politely.

“Yes I am” I replied her and examine her arm.

“Agreed you were not trying to jump, why are you walking alone in this scorching sun and looking so messed up like this, see how red your feet has become “ I added.

“Uh that is a little bit complicated, I had an argument with my boyfriend and he asked me to get off” she explained.

“What? So he dumped you in the middle of the road? He just surely be a bastard” I said but she put up with a defensive talk.

“No it’s not like that, I didn’t get dumped, it was a misunderstanding “ she said to me.

“Do you have his number? Let me have it “ I said angrily.

“Actually I don’t have a phone yet” she blurted out and I froze in shock...

“What? A grown up girl doesn’t have a cellphone?” I questioned.

Anyway I should get her out of here already.

“With your clothes like this, you will end up ruining my car so take it off “ I said.

“What? Right here?” She asked in surprise with her eyes almost out of her sockets.

I opened my car and bring out my jacket for her.

“Wear this for now, follow me home so I can get you new shoes and outfit before we talk about taking you home” I said to her.

“Thanks miss” she said to me and I liked her addressing me with so much respect, does she know who I am?

“Come on I’m sure you are just a year younger than me” I said to her.

“It doesn’t matter, you helped me so I should be respectful at least”

I smiled and gave her water to drink, after that she took off her clothes and drop it on the floor before putting my jacket on and then we left the silent highway.

ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀɪᴍᴇs

Xander returned home alone and Mrs.Grimes challenged Xander for it.

“What do you mean you don’t know where she is? You took her out yourself didn’t you?” She said to Xander almost yelling.

“I’m sure she will return soon and give you her answer as to why she didn’t come back with me” Xander said and left for his room.

ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴏʏᴀʟ ᴘᴀʟᴀᴄᴇ

Ashley was surprised to find herself here in the palace, she only came here once when she was a kid, she came with her father to meet the king then.

With memories of her father flooding in,tears filled her eyes but she hid it from Vivian.

She saw the guards running to welcome the lady that helped her and lots of maids troop out to welcome her also.

“ What are we doing here?” She asked.

“Well I’m Princess Vivian, nice to meet you” she said and Ashley opened her mouth amazed.

“So you are a princess? And a princess of this palace at that” she inquired.

Vivian hold her hand and took her in.

She requested for a first aid box and help Ashley with her bruises.

“It is going to sting okay?” She warned.

“Okay” Ashley replied.

“So What is your name and why don’t you have a phone?”

“Name is Ashley, Ashley white” she said.

“Wow so sweet, you don’t seem to be from here” Vivian said.

“Actually I came back from New York two days ago and they have not gotten me a cellphone yet” she said.

“They? Who? Your parents?” She asked.

“No, I don’t have any parent, the Grimes are taking care of me and my younger sister” she said.

On hearing the Grimes, Vivian choke on her drink and started coughing.

“Oh my God, are you okay?” Ashley asked out of worry.

“Yeah I’m fine, What is your relationship with the Grimes?” Vivian asked sternly.

“They are family friends actually, my parents close friend I guess” she explained.

ᴠɪᴠɪᴀɴ

I can’t believe I just helped an enemy’s friend, I should have just push her off the bridge myself and not saving her instead then I would have rid the world of another another criminal.

Wait, if she is Ashley white... then her parents are Mr and Mrs whites, father’s friend? Then what the hell is she doing with them?

“You said your parents are dead? Including Mr.Felix? “ I questioned.

“You knew my father?” She asked in return.

I can’t believe the Grimes are going so far in their crime word already.

“ If you can find a way to leave this country, it would be better” I said to her.

“What? But why?” she asked with a curious look.

“Take my advice and run” I repeated to her.

“Ever since I got here, all I got was warnings against this particular family can’t you tell me what this is all about please?”

I can’t tell her everything yet, I should let her find out by herself, if she refuse to leave.

I decided to tell her the media’s gossip about the Grimes posted everywhere online.

About the death of their brides, how powerful and how cruel they are.

I didn’t tell her they killed the king though nor did I tell her about the deepest secret of all.

Despite trying so hard to get her to abscond, she refused so I gave her new shoes and clothes before asking one of the royal guards to drop her off to her home.

ᴀsʜʟᴇʏ

I couldn’t stop thinking about what Princess Vivian told me, now I know what Xander was trying to let me know. He is trying so hard to save my life while I only thought he was being cruel on purpose because he hates me.

I’m sure there is more to this reports than what she explained to me.

I will not leave that mansion, instead I’ll investigate the matter thoroughly and satisfy my curiosity, how could three brides commit suicide a week after their wedding? It’s too early to lie on depression, I must get married and find out what or who is killing the brides.

I was thinking about this when I saw the road to our former house, where I lived with both my mom and dad, my heart sank to the far bottom and I asked the driver to stop the car.

“But my lady ordered me to drop you home” he said to me.

“And do you know my real house?” I replied back at him.

“The Grimes mansion of course, her ladyship told me”

“That is my former house right across the streets, I missed my home” I said teary eyed and he stopped the car.

I thanked him and he left immediately.

I sighed softly and wiped my tears.

ᴅʀᴇᴀᴍᴡᴀʏ

ᴋᴀʏʟᴀ

Throughout the whole periods, no one even approach me to say hi or ask me about anything, I felt relaxed and less troubled but I can’t help but wonder why everyone was staring at me like that.

I heard the bell rang and immediately I know it’s time for lunch already.

I dropped my stuffs inside my locker and set my password but then a girl walk up to me.

She is a little bit short and wearing glasses.

“Come I will show you round the school” she said smiling at me and I nodded happily not minding if I miss lunch or not.

The rest of the students watch us and murmurs more as we left the class.

I must admit she is very pretty and the type with an infectious character.

It was fun walking the school together and funny enough she loves modeling just like me.

Our laughter filled the garden as we sip on our cola.

“So What is your name?” I asked her.

“Rachel, name is Kim Rachel“ she said.

“Hmm nice name, I’m Kayla Whites from New York” I said to her.

“I knew it, you looked Asian and not from here” she said to me and I laughed.

“No I’m Korean actually” I replied.

“When the principal mentioned the Grimes, I was scared thinking you are one harsh and pompous girl or a witch like the old woman of the Grimes.” She said.

Now that she’s taking about it, I decided to ask her why everyone looked at me like that.

“You mean you don’t know anything about your own family?” She said.

“We are not direct family, they are family friends and the family my sister will be marrying into” I explain to her and I watch her froze up with fear as her cola dropped to the floor pouring away.

“What’s up with your face?” I asked her but she stood up abruptly instead.

“You should stop her from getting married into that family Kayla, she is going to die” she said to me and I could sight sincerity in her bright eyes.

“Die? Who is dying?” A voice said approaching us from afar.