Lies can be Darker Than This

[ STEPHANIE ]

I hurriedly went to my room for some privacy. I dropped my body on my bed, still having the pictures in my hands. Gross stuff, that my brother should never have a glimpse of.

I'm really glad Brandon did not open the parcel himself while I was away. I want him to be out of this as much as possible, like I just don't want my brother to be in any of these mess.

These pictures, I need to hide them somewhere. This is such an overwhelming thing for me to receive; but from who? I never have any idea who could have sent me this. I don't know why did he or she sent me this in the very first place. All I know is that, I have to hide this so that my brother cannot see, nor even touch any of these. It will be disturbing for him.

Though, at the back of my mind, I have an idea of showing these to Ms. Tyler first. This could help her in so many ways; this could trace who killed Stefano as well as we can find every woman in this photo for some accounts and reference - Or maybe, the one who sent me this is the one who killed him. That's possible.

I shook my head when I sensed that my mind is jagged. I'm overthinking things.

The weird feeling I just had in my shoulders right now made me feel sick and nauseous. I placed the pictures back inside the parcel and put it inside my shoulder bag to give this to Ms. Tyler, so she could have a sense of what's going on.

Some thoughts started clicking right in. I started jumping off my bed and proceeded changing my clothes; I'll come to the hospital for I know Ms. Tyler could still be there, as well as John Bryan. My conscience is not letting me be quiet. I, TOO, HAVE TO SEEK ANSWERS.

There, I took my coat and yanked the door open, out of my room. I didn't expect it but Brandon - he's on the other side of the door. Standing; staring at me. Deeply. "Gosh! you startled me! Wha - why are you here?"

He crossed his arms and stared at me suspiciously. "Why? Why are you looking at me like that?" I added.

"You know, you never told me--"

"Told you what?"

"That you're a lesbian and you're abducting women!"

My anxiety went rushing down my spine. I did not expect it to come out of his mouth. "What? What are you talking about Brandon?"

"I'm sorry, I already opened that up a while ago. The reason it has no information on its parcel is because I threw the original one. I saw everything inside it and it made me sick! YOU MAKE ME SICK!"

My eyes grew larger as he said those. This is what I am afraid to ever happen and now it's happening. At the back of my mind I don't know where to focus on:

On the fact that he misunderstood things, or the fact that he threw the original parcel. I'm tensed right now, quite shaking.

"Wait, where -- oh, Brandon what the fuck are you up to? Where did you throw it?"

He uncrossed his arms and stood upright. His face looks enraged and quite turning red. "What am I up to, huh? I think I should be the one asking that to you."

"Brandon, you know I'm tired of this. This is something that you should be out of. Look, I'm not lesbian. I am straight. And whatever you see has nothing to do with me."

He took inches towards me as though he's cornering me so I can't go anywhere. We are now inside my room as I took few inches on my back. He's approaching me, dribs and drabs.

"Brandon what the fuck? Get out of my room!"

"Is this related to your doctor's death, huh, Steph?"

My sole bumped into the frame of my bed after taking another step back. I accidentally dragged my body on it. But instead I acted composed. Brandon is angry. I can feel it. "Yes Brandon. Yes he is! Can you leave me alone this is none of your business!"

I went off the bed again. II stood up and started walking out when he held me in my arms.

"Ouch! What the fuck Brandon? Get off me!"

I tried to untangle his hands on my arms but he's strong. I cannot get out of his grip.

"Where are you going?"

"Can you please let me go? It hurts!"

He let go of my arms right after. I can see how his grip left a mark on my arms.

"I - I'm sorry, Steph. Those photos, It's gross! I just don't want you to be involved in any of those gross things. I'm worried."

"I won't, okay? But this is quite an issue, Brandon. This is not just some gross-ass stuff, okay? Trust me, this is something more than that. Now help me get moving by giving me the original parcel."

After hearing what I said, he immediately went out of my room to go get the original parcel. this is what I was just imagining. Brandon, he's very protective of me. He never wanted me to be on any situation like this. I cannot blame him, this is straight up crazy. If I were on his place I will also be as paranoid as that.

"Here's the original parcel."

As he went back in my room, he extended his arms towards me with the original parcel and oh, there were information written on it. But what I am astonished to see is this: an address!

Block 121 Lot 56 Greenbelt Street 8th Avenue

Seeing this information, I know where I'm heading.

***

[ GINA ]

As soon as I came back at the hospital, Becca and I started heading to the police station to see what's happening and also, to unravel how did the police accuse Bryan of being involved with his father's death. Things are getting worse. How could this happen? I just bought food and now Bryan is a suspect? I cannot fathom how things became this messy in an instant.

As we reached the local police department, we saw how everyone is busy doing some paper work. There were a lot, actually. It was a ton pile of everything case-related.

"Excuse me, where is Bryan Gutierrez, sir? I'm his, uh -- I'm his girlfriend."

Becca asked an officer as soon as we went inside the station. Wow, she just said she's Bryan's girlfriend. I should have recorded that. Bryan will be really glad if he'd hear it from her lips.

"Oh, Bryan Gutierrez? the one who murdered his father?"

The worried expression from Becca's face became a sudden gore.

"Wha -- Sir, he did not kill his father and I can attest to that! Do not make conclusions out of your dirty and incompetent police work!"

The policeman just held on to his gun pockets and acted unbothered.

"As you say, Bryan's girlfriend. Well, as to your question I don't know where is he. Might be in the interrogation room."

I can feel the tension with Becca beside me. This officer is getting into her nerves. And then just as that, she went off and I followed her.

***

[ JACQUELINE ]

"Alright, ma'am. You can now go." The police officer, Jack Hoffman, told me after he answered a phone call.

"Oh, really? Well, okay then.. I'll get going."

I was about to stand up when I sensed how the mood of the officer became lighter towards me. Ugh, it disgusts me. That transition.

"You were lucky the mayor called to inform me. I didn't know you're related to him. You should have said it earlier, ma'am. You shouldn't have stayed long."

I stood up from the chair and made myself easy.

"Yeah, I know him. We were close since I became a beneficiary of his 4P's for the elderly project. You know, he's a very competent mayor. He knows who his constituents are."

"He sure is ma'am. Anyway, I'm really sorry for pressing you that much a while ago. You know, criminals are everywhere and they could be of any age. I'm just doing my job I hope you'd consider."

I smiled at him. The tension I was feeling while being interrogated wiped itself out of my chest in a sudden. This time, I know Jason backed me up. Ugh, it's the first time in a while that my drama script didn't work.

"No problem. Hope you'll do great the next time. Hoping not to see you soon."

I laughed after saying that so he could get a glimpse that I was joking. Though, I really meant that one. I hope I'll never see this dickhead.

"HAHAHA sure won't. Have a great day."

I just went off, and started yanking the door open after that. As I knew I was free again, I made myself confident getting out of the room. I walked effortlessly and undoubtfully, full of elegance and demeanor. I made it out again. Thanks to Jason.

Upon reaching the hallways, I unexpectedly collided with two young women. They passed me by in a juncture. Both of them have a long hair, wearing a shirt. Both looking beautiful - but one of them captured my eyes; she looks like a big part of my youth; sometime ago, I cannot be wrong about it.

I looked at her. And it made me shudder that I stopped from walking. My eyes grew larger in shock; Her eyes - I recognized those eyes. I felt home; like a missing piece found its way back to me. I tilted my head following her.. but she just passed me by. I know she saw me. I saw her eyes meeting mine and she just went away after a few seconds staring at me.

Oh God -- thank God. My daughter is alive and healthy.