Finale 4

"Holy shit!"

"Whoa! What curse do we have in this family?!"

"To never have a peace of mind!"

"To be shattered by secrets!"

"Funny how mom and uncle Rob tried to protect the house and properties from bad people outside the wall... yet their true enemies are within it!"

"Fuck!"

The lords rant while the ladies are still dumbfounded.

"So... it wasn't my imagination when I saw Carmen glaring at you one time," Primrose exclaim.

"Yeah. Yeah. She was really so kind to us. But, one day I helped her carry some of her clothes. She asked me to just leave it outside her door, but when I got there, it was slightly open. She scolded me when she saw me peeping through the door!" Stephanie tells them.

"What did you see?" Jay curiously asks.

"Nothing... ah! Now, I remember what's strange. I saw the Founder's topless photo when he was like your age," she replies.

"What?!"

The lords and the ladies see each other in a what- the- fuck- is going- on? way. Then, Ben blurts out, "Holy fucking cow!"

They all stare at me as I explain what really happened, "Five years ago...

The walls were full of my father's photos since his university days, some were even taken secretly. Some were taken from afar while some are close-ups. Creepy... it's very creepy.

"What's this?" I mumbled as I lift the lid of a chest on top of a shelved alcove and my chest tightened with what I saw. They're copies of documents about my brother, Jason, like birth certificates, photographs and so on.

I dug deeper. A bundle of letters caught my attention.

'To my darling, Gibson' was inscribed on one envelope with a kiss mark on it. With my hands shaking, I opened the envelope. My head was spinning as I read the well- preserved letter.

'My Darling,

How I miss you so much! It breaks my heart, but I wish you happiness on your honeymoon.

Love,

Carmen'

"Was she his mistress? No... impossible!" I exclaim as cold sweat forms on my hairline. No matter how I wanted to stop myself from reading, my body just can't. Curiosity is pushing me to know more.

Therefore, I've read all the letters professing her love to my father. Just as I close the lid, a small blue velvet box caught my attention. I opened it and found more letters.

Then, I noticed that each letter has similarities with the first bunch of letters bearing the inscriptions---To my darling, Gibson. These letters have--- To my darling, Carmen. I picked the letter with a kiss mark that says,

'My Darling,

I can't wait to see you. I love you so much!

Love,

Gibson'

The letters were written with different strokes, nevertheless, the similarities between the two letters were apparent. After immediately taking photos of the letters, I sent them to my friend who is a graphologist for analysis.

I put the letters back to their places and close the chest. My heart was pounding as I left the room with a piece of paper on my hand. Upon closing the door, I called my brother.

"Rob?! Go! Anthony knows our secret. She's in grave danger! Check on her now!" I said with a sense of urgency while holding a piece of paper that said, "She is the mole. Kill her before her poison kills the prince. I am counting on you, Carmen. That's what the Founder wants."

"What's going on?"

"Anthony and Carmen have been planning this together. I don't know what Carmen does with this, but... we have to hurry!"

"Okay. I'll contact you later."

"Okay."

I ended the call a little relieved. With unsettled mind, I walk to and fro. Then, a call startled me.

"Yes, professor Brown! Any news?"

"You mentioned that the letters were written by two different people. But, I have confidence that they're not. In fact, whoever wrote this is obviously delusional."

"Thank you so much. I just wanted a confirmation!"

"What's going on?"

"I will tell you over a cup of tea some other time. Thank you again! Bye."

"Bye."

With the confirmation I needed, I was pretty sure that Carmen was obsessed with my father that she volunteered to work for him even as our maid, believing that she's an important figure in our family, especially when my mom died.

My confusion turned into rage. I took a deep breath before driving down. I was driving when Jason called from Japan, so I sounded a bit upset...."

"Wait a minute! Mom... are you saying that..."

"Yes!" I reply to confirming Leonard's hunch.

"Rob and I were afraid of what Anthony and Paula would do to you, so I asked Lord Troy to fix your accommodation. The Adams weren't aware of what's going on. I had to send you away for your protection. I won't ever apologize for that."

They remain quiet. Then, out of the blue Jason kicks the innocent glass vase nearest to him. We gasp.

"Please... calm down, uncle!" Ron says, asking him to sit down.

When Jason finally calms down, he looks at me straight and speaks with a glint of anger, "Carry on."

I take a deep breath before continuing, "Rob was in time to stop Sophia from eating the food Carmen brought to her.

Flustered by Rob's sudden appearance, Sophia put down the hamburger that she's about to eat and stared at him, puzzled.

"Is there any problem?" she asks while exchanging a look with Carmen and Rob. Carmen was shaken that she couldn't stare at Rob straight.

"Your food... it has poison. One guard is dead after eating one. Carmen, you're under arrest for one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted murder! Guards... take her away!"

Carmen squealed and cried as they handcuffed her.

"No! I am just protecting the prince from her! She is a real danger. Please... Rob... I won't do anything to harm Gibson's family."

"Anthony... is just using you! He is the real enemy! Carmen... pull yourself together. You need strength to face your crimes. Take her!"

I stared at Carmen who avoided my gaze. I blocked her way and harshly lifted her face to meet my raging eyes.

"How could you? No wonder why my father never liked you! You will never be a mother and a grandmother to us--- NEVER!" I muttered before gesturing the guards to take her away.

I went inside the visiting area and found Rob consoling Sophia, who was crying silently. That made her realized how devious Anthony and Paula were, making her start talking--- revealing everything she knew!"

"So... in the end... Sophia did the right thing and betrayed her own mother!" Chealsy exclaims.

Camile rubs Primrose back as she cries, "That must be so painful! Oh, Sophia!"

"That was nothing compared to the time when she found out that Marco and Anthony are the same people!"

"What?!"

They ask while looking at me with their eyes wide open. I nod. Jay punches his seat while the others rant.

"Anthony killed the real Marco and created a mask, copied his voice to look and sound like the real one. So, every time Sophia met his 'dad', she met Anthony."