GRAY

eight

Juliette

A flight attendant taps me on the shoulder, pulling me out of deep sleep.

The cold wind of the night hits my face when I step out of the plane. I put on my glasses, sailing past the crowd of passengers in the airport.

Unlike the other passengers, I'm not dragging a suitcase or carrying any luggage. Yes, I went on my honeymoon empty-handed. I shove my phone in the pockets of my black sweatpants when I spot Megan.

As always, she's wearing a black pantsuit and her dark hair is pulled back in a tight bun.

She smiles when our eyes meet. I walk towards her and lock her in a tight hug.

"I missed you." She says.

I missed her more. For the past couple of days, I've been a fùcking migraine. It must have been a nightmare for Meg to be around me. Now that I'm back, I'll do my best to change that.

Megan digs into her pocket and throws me a bar of chocolate. I unwrap it immediately as we walk to the car.

"How was your honeymoon?" She asks.

"Short and shocking."

"Can't believe that Jude tried to kill you. I should've known something was off about that guy when he said his father slaughtered a dog and ate it raw."

"Meg." I swallow hard. "If you want me to stop eating the chocolate, just say that."

"Sorry." She laughs.

We slide into the car and greet the driver. I give him the address. He turns to look at me in surprise.

"Change of plans." I smile. "Take me to Hellen Hansen."

"Jules." Meg frowns. "That woman tried to kill you. Why the fùck would you want to see her?"

"We have some unfinished business."

**

The driver pulls up to the massive mansion.

I remember the first time Harvey brought me here. We had just been dating for a month and he was already introducing me to his mother. My friends thought that was fast. My sister thought that was fishy. But I didn't care. I knew Harvey didn't want to waste my time. I knew he was serious with our relationship.

We leave the driver in the parking lot as we walk up the stairs to the front porch of the house. I ring the doorbell.

One of the staff opens the door. I remember him, Barry. He's surprised to see me. He shoves his hand in the pockets of his pants and throws me a cold stare. I remember him being so warm and sweet the first few times I came here. But not today.

"How may I help you, Miss."

"It's actually Mrs Hansen." I correct. "I want to see your boss."

"I'm afraid she doesn't want to see you."

"I have proof that she tried to kill me." I smirk at him. "If she doesn't see me, I'll be more than happy to see the press."

Barry glares at me before slamming the door. A few minutes later, he comes back with a better attitude and a fake smile.

"Mrs Hansen will see you at the pool, Mrs Hansen."

"Good."

"I'm afraid you can't go with company. She wants you alone."

"Why?" I scoff. "So she can try to kill me again? My assistant is coming with me. That's not up for debate."

He's hesitant for a moment before he leads the way.

**

The pool is huge.

It's constructed with cool blue tiles that enhance the color of water in the pool. Beside the pool are some cozy classic lounges and little stools between them. A self-made beach. This is where Hellen spends most of her days and nights, escaping reality.

Hellen is lying flat on the pool, looking up at the sky.

Jerry is sitting on the edge of the pool, scrolling through his phone. That's her twenty-year-old boyfriend. He's a little lazy brat who does nothing but post on t****k and brag about dating older women. He only wants Hellen for money but she doesn't seem to care. Pathetic.

"Jerry, can you smell it?" Hellen asks, still looking up at the sky.

"What?" He's still stuck on his phone.

"The stinky smell of filth and bad energy?"

Jerry looks up from his phone and fixes his eyes on us.

"Yeah." He scoffs. "I already feel sick and nauseous. Bad vibes are contagious. Can I be excused, baby girl?"

"You are excused, baby."

Baby? Nope. Grandbaby would suit him better. She's old enough to be her grandmother.

Jerry walks away, pouting his lips and taking selfies. How does Hellen stand being around him? No, wait. How does he stand being around Hellen?

Hellen walks out of the pool, showing off her hot body. At fifty-six, she has a body that most women only dream of. And it's all thanks to the gym and her plastic surgeon.

She slides into a white robe and lies on one of the cosy lounges. It's almost like she's putting a fashion show for us. Her doctors must be rich from all the botox on her face and filler on her lips. It actually looks good on her. She could definitely play an older blonde Barbie in a movie.

Sipping on a cocktail, she looks up at us and smiles.

"Good evening, Juliette." She says. "My dear daughter-in-law. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

"Why did you try to kill me?"

"Simple." She smiles. "Because you killed my son."

"I didn't kill Harvey!"

"Cut the bullshit!" She rolls her eyes. "You knew about the billions waiting for you once he died. Honestly, I don't blame you. I actually understand you. I also poisoned Harvey's father. He was a disgusting pig who cheated on me with multiple men. So, I took care of him. I'd rather be a happy widow than a miserable wife."

A deep frown forms on her face.

"But my Harvey was different." She swallows hard. "He would've been a wonderful husband to you. He would've been the best husband to your kids. But you didn't give a flying fùck about that, did you? You only cared about the money."

"I didn't kill him!" I snap. "I loved him!"

"I planned your honeymoon, you know?" She scoffs. "I'm the one who picked Maldives and picked the hotel and even picked the presidential suite. I wanted my son to have the best honeymoon. But clearly, you had other plans in mind. Imagine my shock when I found out that you went there with another man immediately after the funeral?"

"I... I can explain..." I stutter. "It's not what you think."

"No, it's what I know." She says coldly. "And I won't rest until you rot!"

**

I burst the door open.

I dash to my room and jump in the shower. On the ride back home, all I could think about was a long hot shower. And ofcourse, Hellen. She's so convinced that I killed her son and now she wants to kill me.

Strangely, I don't blame her. She's a grieving mother. She just lost her only child. To make matters worse, his son's wife goes on their honeymoon with another man. I'd be boiling with fury.

But I didn't kill her son. Once she kills me, the killer will walk away with murder. I can't let that happen. I must find the killer. And once we find him, I'll join hands with Hellen and we'll kill him together. We both lost Harvey. We both lost a man that we loved deeply.

I step out of the shower and slide in my pajamas.

Megan is busy typing on her laptop in the livingroom. I dash into the kitchen and make some noodles. I walk out with two plates and hand one to Meg.

I toss myself on the couch and switch on the TV. I put on "Kill The Killer" and sit back to watch it. I was always fascinated with true crime shows. It's ironic and horrific that I'm now living in a true crime story. It's not fascinating anymore.

Meg doesn't eat. She's still busy on her laptop.

"Your food will get cold, Meg." I shrug. "Whatever you're doing can wait."

"I'm finding you a bodyguard." She says. "It's urgent. Especially now that that crazy woman threatened your life!"

"She won't do it."

"She killed her husband!" Meg snaps. "You heard her yourself! She proudly admitted to a mùrder! What makes you think that she won't do the same exact thing to you?"

"Because I'll find the real killer." I smile. "And we'll join hands as we kill him together?"

"Whatever you're high on, I want it too." She huffs. "Oh, and who's the man you went on honeymoon with?"

"I didn't go on honeymoon with him." I scowl at her. "I met him at the hotel. His name's Roman. He was just a one night stand who turned to be a saviour. If it wasn't for him, you'd be busy planning my funeral now."

My heart warms a little when I think about Roman. I can't help but giggle when I think about that wild night together...

"Close your laptop." I demand. "And eat your food. I already found my bodyguard. A bodyguard that I trust and feel safe around."

"The stranger you fùcked?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Yes, Roman." I smile. "He didn't tell me what exactly he does but he protects people for a living. Kind of like a bodyguard. I'm telling you, this guy is perfect for the job."

"Have you already hired him?"

"He told me he'll think about the offer and get back to me."

"We don't have the time to wait, Jules. You are a public figure. And you have a murderous mother-in-law. We can't wait for your sèx toy to decide if he wants the job or not."

"He's not my sèx toy."

"You are a grieving widow. You were sad and lonely and horny. You wanted someone to try and fùck the sadness away. Nothing wrong with that."

"Yeah but don't call him my sèx toy." I insist. "He saved my fùcking life."

"He also used you. Almost like he preyed on you. He saw a vulnerable woman grieving her husband and he took advantage of that. He got the golden chance to get under the pants of a supermodel and he ran with it."

"I'm the one who dragged him back to my room and asked him to get under my pants! I'm the one who preyed on him!" I retort. "What the fùck is wrong with you!"

"I'm just trying to protect you." She huffs. "You met the guy two seconds ago and you already want him to be your bodyguard. Come on. You're smarter than that."

"You hired a bodyguard that tried to kill me in the end." I scoff. "It was Roman that protected me from him. Whether you like it or not, I will hire him."

I grab my phone and call Roman.

The call doesn't go through. When I take a closer look at the number, I realise that it's too long. It's an invalid number.

Roman gave me an invalid number.

****