Testament of Lies

CHAPTER 5—ZAYELLE

★

I'm back at Jenna's workplace, despite saying that I won't meet her for a while.

My foot tapped restlessly against the floor as I wait outside.

I didn't inform her that I was here. Truth be told— I didn't even have her number.

As expected, she stepped out for lunch break, looking drained as usual.

Like the weight of a thousand unsaid words were held back behind her eyes.

She paused infront of the building, staring out at nothing like she was the first time I saw her.

I pushed myself off my chair, walking to stand beside her as she hadn't noticed me yet.

"Hello."

Jenna whips her head to the side, staring at me blankly.

"I'm sorry to bug you again. But I have something to ask you." I dip my hand in my pocket, searching for the ID.

"I don't really want to answer anything right now."

"I have just one question. It won't take your time, I promise. Since you're already about to have lunch, do you prefer we go to a coffee shop?"

"I'm not hungry, you can show me here." Jenna rubs her arm as she speaks. She's cold.

"Let's go to my car instead, it seems that it's pretty chilly out here."

I walk to my car, expecting her to follow behind. Once I'm seated, I look out to see her moving quite hesitantly before getting into the car.

"I wanted to ask you if you recognise this anywhere." I pull out the card, going straight to the point.

She raises her head, looking at the ID card.

"Do you recognise it?" I ask against when she's been silent for too long.

Different emotions flicker in her eyes. Confusion. Recognition. Then fear.

Fear.

That was the most prominent emotion. Her hands began to vibrate again and she moved her eyes to me.

"I have to go."

"Wait-"

She slammed the door, basically running back into the building.

Ok, something is seriously wrong.

I press down on the breaks as I drive back to base. I already texted Mike about the information I've gathered but he's working towards finding any of Freddies relatives.

Parking outside, I take the elevator to the late floor.

I knock on the door of the sheriff's office, a muffled 'come in' came through before I opened the door.

I believe he returned from his trip yesterday.

"Good afternoon sir." I greet as I shut the door behind me.

"Evander. You were put on the Freddie Jones case, am I correct?" He clasps his hands together near his chin as he stares at me intently.

"Yes sir."

"So what brings you here today?"

I take out the ID from my pocket and hand it to him, "I found this in his house a few days ago and after taking out the card, it was just an unscannable bar code."

He studies it for a moment before turning back to me, "I'll pass digital forensics. They'll trace it."

"Okay." I turn around to leave but my hand pausee on the door handle, "Oh I'll also be taking a trip to Monaco for a few days."

"What for?" He raises a questioning brow.

"My mom called. I'll be back by sunday." Including that I'm going to some 'billionaire philanthropic gala' felt pointless.

"Safe journey." He said simply

I nod, offering a slight smile leaving the office.

Time to pack for Monaco.

—

I told Mom that I was going to take a flight to Monaco but since Monaco doesn't have its own airport, I'm going to France first then taking a helicopter to Monaco.

So mom, dad and zina opted for a private plane instead.

They weigh my luggage, attaching a barcode tag before sending it down a conveyor belt.

A family next to me had a child who was wailing uncontrollably for reasons best known to them.

It was terribly irritating for me and everyone standing around us. The mother gave an apologetic look, trying to calm the child the best she could.

I wait at the airlines first class lounge and get a croissant as I attend to work emails.

After all, I need to really get into the French.

Soon, it was time to board. The mechanical voice cut through the shuffling of passengers.

I slipped into my designated seat, adjusting the cushions until I found a comfortable position for the seven hour flight ahead.

The seats were plush, with a velvety feel to them. I turned the seat into a bed, taking the warm blanket that was already arranged—one of the perks of first class.

I ordered another croissant and a bag of popcorn with some cold grape juice. The cabin light dimmed as I scrolled through the entertainment system.

I shift the window blind, watching as the plane took off, leaving new York.

...

The plane was about to land as the pilots voice boomed through the speakers, "Ladies and gentlemen, we are making our final descent into France, local time 1:36."

I sit up from my retracted chair, stretching my back after taking a five hour nap.

I pull out my somewhat mini suitcase from the overhead compartment. I didn't really pack much because i wasn't really staying that long.

The passengers all line up and shuffle towards the exit according as I follow suit.

My baggage rolls behind me as my eyes scanned the area for the company who was meant to take me to monaco at the arrivals gate.

I find a blonde man with a Monaco heliport tag clipped on his shirt. It must be a worker.

I walk up to him, greeting him as he escorts me for a quick check in. There was barely anything in my bag so I had no problems getting through.

We get to the heliport and I'm given a headset before I sit down.

My seatbelts are buckled as the pilot briefs me on the pre-flight safely rules.

I nod as I listen to them although I'm not really bothered because it's just a seven minute flight.

The helicopter blades began rotating as beeping sounds from the control panel, blinking lights aswell.

It takes off from the ground, going vertically into the air.

The buildings and the people below became more distant, like miniature versions of themselves.

In a few minutes, we were in Monaco.

An absolutely breathtaking city with shimmering lights even in daytime. Although it's rather small, it's beautiful nonetheless.

The waters are crystal blue and the trees are lush green. The outlines may not be clear but the view most definitely is.

"Touching down." I barely hear the pilot speak due to how strong the winds are.

The helicopter touched down smoothly. I slipped off the headset, the muffled roar of the rotors giving way to the rush of wind outside.

A sleek black car was parked near the port, it's gleaming surface reflected the Mediterranean sun.

The driver gave me a curt nod as I slid into the back seat, the engine beginning to him as we pulled away.

The city became a blend of colourful architecture and the aroma of freshly baked pastries as we drove by.

I don't think I've ever been to Monaco, but if I didn't live in new York, I can easily imagine calling this place home.

We pull up to the hotel mom booked and of course, she didn't disappoint.

The vibe was just as luxurious and beachy as the rest of the city. Luxury cars where lined up in the parking lot as I got down.

The hotel was at least six stories, spanning across a vast land. I took out my trolley from the car after politely declining the drivers offer to carry by bag.

I spot zina, my sister, waiting at the lobby typing away furiously on her phone, still looking like a super model while doing it.

Zina's my older sister with long dark straight hair cascading over her shoulders, a sharp contrast to my red hair. She looks like a splitting image of mom except with straight hair.

Mom used to have curly hair too bur she surrendered to keratin treatment.

I walk up to her, "Do you want to shove your hand through the screen."

Not looking up from her phon, "Because your presence has angered me."

Classic zina. A successful lawyer at a high end firm and yet the pettiest person.

She suddenly gives me a lung-crushing hug, "I've missed you."

I snort, "Of course you will, it's me."

"Ugh shut up. Mom and dad are waiting upstairs."

We strolled through the lobby together, bright chandeliers casting a golden glow on the marble floor.

Zina swipes a golden card which is mostly given in five star hotels when you book the entire floor.

"Mom booked the entire floor, didn't she?" I ask, while knowing that obvious as the elevator door closes.

"Yep."

Of course she would.

"So, how is life?" Zina turns to me, being awkward on purpose.

"You're acting like we haven't seen eachother in years."

"I can't ask my sister how life is?"

"I didn't expect you to come anyway. Since you're usually so busy." My phone dings with message from Mike— a reply to my earlier update on the case.

He was just replying to my message on my recent findings.

"Do you really want to get rid of me that bad." She hold her chest like she's hurt.

"More than you can imagine." I mutter loud enough for her to hear.

The elevator door opens before before she could smack me and mom pulls me into another soul crushing hug.

What's with everyone and hugging today.

"Mom, I can't breathe." I gasp, tapping her arms to let me go

"Zayelle! I've missed you." She smiles at me, her eyes forming warm little crescents.

"I've missed you too mom."

"My princess has arrived." I see dad standing behind mom with open arms and a wider grin.

"Dad!" I run into his arms as he lifts me from the ground with a spin, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too." He keeps me back on the ground.

Zina helps me take my bag to my room and I sit on the bed.

The gala begins at eight and right now, all I need a nap.

...

It felt like i had barely closed my eyes when I felt my mattress dip under someone's weight.

I lifted my head groggily to see zina perched at the edge of the bed, with two dresses drapped across her hands.

"Wake up sleepy head, it's almost six thirty, you need to start getting ready." She shoves one dress into my hand, "With how empty your bag is, I know you didn't bring a dress."

She was right, It totally skipped my mind.

"I got this one for you. But i don't know if your fat ass would fit in it."

I glared and tossed a slipper on her shoulder.

She burst into laughter, the sound echoing throughout the room before she left.

I quickly head to the bathroom to take a shower and brush my teeth again.

A few moments later, I step out and wear my robe, positioned infront of the vanity. I toss my bonnet to the side and shockingly, I'm not appalled by the sight before me.

Without my diffuser, I couldn't risk my hair getting wet to avoid frizz.

I do my makeup in literal record time after which I separated my strands with oil to create more volume.

I pick the dress she layed for me on the bed— a butter yellow dress with a cut out lace belly.

I'll give her credit, she has a good sense of style.

I wear the dress which unsurprisingly fits me perfectly, pairing it with the brown kitten heels I found beside my bed.

Spraying some perfume, I pick up my purse and leave the room.

Zina is waiting outside my room staring at her phone, wearing the exact same thing but in navy blue.

"The chauffeur is outside we need to be quick." I catch a whiff of her coconut scented perfume as she walks past me seemingly annoyed as she placed her phone back in her purse.

I trailed behind her, mom and dad already seated comfortably in the second row while zina and I take the back.

Zina takes a few pictures of us, some of them are me being caught off guard.

Monaco at night was a spectacle, brighter than it was in daytime. The streets shimmered with life as people, seemingly tourists, strolled around the city leisurely.

Dad is complimenting mom about how beautiful she looks and she really does look gorgeous tonight.

We drive past a bunch of expensive looking clubs and pricy boutiques.

As we move further, the number of buildings around start reducing significantly, replaced with lush green trees illuminated glowing crystals.

We take a sharp left turn before driving into a sprawling estate.

The mansion itself looked nothing short of extravagant, like no expense was spared whilst constructing.

Dripping with so much opulence that it was basically surpassing five star hotels in graduer.

We stepped down from the car as the door was opened for us.

Luxury vehicles lined the entrance, top entrepreneurs globally where present, mingling as they filed inside.

We climb sweeping outdoor staircase, moving through the large double doors.

The inside was just as magnificent as the outside— if not better.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the seemingly never ending ceiling. Soft jazz music floated through the air as a jazz band played on a round podium.

A business partner came to shake hands with dad, laughing at something he whispered in his ears.

We were shown to our tables, the gold plated 'EVANDER' tag lay infront.

I took a seat and the edge, zina sitting beside me. We watched the band play like their lives depended on it. Ok, maybe not their lives but their jobs sure did.

Zina took videos as I looked around the place. There wasn't anyone I particularly recognised, unfamiliar faces swarmed the entire parameter.

A waiter brought a silver tray with sparkling champagne glasses, letting us pick one each.

Zina and I were the only ones at the table as mom and dad where out socializing.

I picked up the event program laid on the table, running through it's contents. According to the schedule, the event should last until one in the morning.

Across the room, a man holding a glass of champagne has been staring at me intently. He hasn't taken a single sip.

It looks like he was staring at me and at the same time staring right through me.

He looks relatively...out of place, should I say. He looks different, not only in clothes, but in expression.

He has a calm but a calculating look in his eyes, although his face is neutral. The lower half of his face is covered by the person standing infront of him.

Leaving only his unsettling gaze.

My purse slips from my hold and I quickly catch it before it lands on the floor.

When I looked up again, he was gone.

I turned, looking behind me, beside me, where he stood before— yet, nothing

Strange.

I forced myself to face forward, brushing off the uneasy feeling that began to coil in my stomach.

The MC taps the microphone, commanding everyone's attention— an athlete I'm sure I've seen on the Olympics.

Everyone begins to take their seat on after the other, including mom and dad.

"Good evening, everyone. Welcome to tonight’s benefit for pediatric cancer research and health care services. It is a privilege to stand before a room of individuals who don’t just witness history, but actively shape it. Amidst the elegance of this evening, it is vital to remember the reason for this gathering. Beyond these walls, there are families unable to pay for health care services and thousands of no millions of people die from illneses which could have been avoided had it been they had access to a hospital. They will never walk into this room, and they may never know your names. But the decisions we make in this room tonight will significantly change the trajectory of their lives. True legacy isn't measured by what we build for ourselves, but by what we break through for others. Thank you for choosing to be the instigator for that change tonight."

A loud round of applause erupted from the crowd as he dropped the mic and stepped down.

The first course meal arrives as entertainment as another person ascends the stage to give what i assume a run down of where the donated money would end up.

We were served smoked lobster with a side of Hackleback Sturgeon Caviar and waygu beef boats as appetizers.

It smells absolutely divine.

I begin eating, taking moms lobster since she isn't the biggest fan.

Soon it was time to call the people who had previously donated. I'm almost certain that dad had already put in our donations before me even arrived.

One after the other, people who donated stood up and where applauded for.

"The Evanders." He called as all of us stood up, "With a donation of three million dollars."

Another round of applause came in again as we took our seats.

"The Wilson's." He called again and a man with his family stood up, "With a donation of eight million dollars." Another round of applause came through.

Roughly fifty people where present in this hall and they've called about every one-

"And last but not least, the Ashthornes with a donation of 20 million dollars."

A piece of beef lodged in my throat from how fast I looked up. I coughed, taking water to push it down.

And there was— Corvin stood up with his parents, giving a bright charming smile to the audience.

Why the actual hell am I seeing him everywhere?

The light reflected off his face, sharpening the corners of his mouth as it stretched into that smile. A smile so polished it could have fooled anyone.

I could have been deceived— if I didn't know the calculation beneath the mask.