She's the key

Brithney arrives at her destination alongside Mr. and Mrs. Julian.

They step out of the car and are received by a tall man and an elegant woman whose age rhymes with that of Mrs. Julian

"Mr. Steve" Mr. Julian voices out while greeting the aged man. Mrs. Julian follows her husband in greeting the neat woman by her side.

The strange woman's eyes fall on Brithney and Brithney looks at her feet before raising her head to meet the complete set of couples looking at her at once.

Mrs. Julian takes Brithney's arm and introduces "This is Brithney. A friend to my daughter Saffi"

They smile at her and give their hands "Nice to meet you"

She takes all with a deep grin and the move in.

"Mr. Romaine was here some hours ago. He should be in his flight back to New York"

The toned man with deep blue eyes, silky brown hair and fastened jawbones, and body-like structure mutter to Mr. Julian. But they caught his statement altogether.

"What was he here for?" Mrs. Julian questions

"Let's sit and we'd tell you all about it." Mr. Steve gestures a couch for them.

"Will it take long? Because we have very devastating news for both of you" Mr. Julian proposes and gains raised fonts from the couple as they all bend on their seats.

Mr. Steve looks at his wife and she does the same

Brithney has been mind silent on this Romain from New York. She knows a single ordinary man with that name. So she doesn't disturb her brain cells on knowing who they were talking about.

"Your son Damien was killed by Mr. Leonel" Mr. Julian announces and the couples don't seem moved by the news.

Rather, they stare again at one another knowingly.

"Mr. Romaine told us the same thing." The couples say in unison.

Mr. and Mrs. Julian roll their heads towards each other. While Brithney becomes curious about this man with the name Romain. Though she wants to believe it can't be the man she knows. A feeling of researching about him or wanting to see him outstands her belief.

After all, there are so many coincidences with the person in question. Apart from his name, he is from New York and she also told him not long about Mr. Leonel. Also, he told her he was traveling to Georgia some days back. The space of time is not adequate but obvious he could have been lying to her.

She shoves her thoughts to the side and tries to concentrate on this meeting.

"How did he know?" Mrs. Julian inquired

"He didn't tell us exactly. But he said he was going to search for his previous Secretary. And that she knows a lot of things about him"

Brithney blinks her eyes rapidly trying to understand their last words.

"I'm the present secretary. Well, his formal Secretary had no records in the company. He surely wiped her existence of working there."

"That's why he has to find her. She is his downfall" Mr. Julian says

"Saffi told me he hinds his dad's will in his family house. Where his mom lives."

"We are not so sure about that. Because if he has access to his dad's will. Then he must've changed everything already. Why will you think he's gonna waist one more second?" Mr. Steve lets out.

"Maybe because it's a process. And he is-" Mrs. Julian is cut by Brithney

"He's right. It's funny I thought he saved his dad's well out of our reach instead of doing what he's supposed with it"

Mr. Julian sighs "So now what do we do?"

"We assigned men to follow him up. Once we're certain of his next move, we'd know what next to do."

They nod and Brithney still isn't satisfied with their response. So many questions pile her mind about the letter Saffi wrote.

"I don't understand. Why will Saffi talk so certainly about the will being in Brooklyn?"

They just look at her speechlessly.

...

*In cell*

"Mr. Leonel is in search of Mr. Jay Cutler. He holds his dad's will. So he is trying to get the will in other to make a fake one which will suit him."

Jake nods "That makes sense. What else did you find out?"

"A very tight friend of his dad, Mr. Romaine has been after him and his secretary. However, from my research, he hangs out with her as a different personality. And she has been investigating Mr. Leonel"

"I get why he sent men after Sarah and her friends. Because of her."

"Yeah, I think she has something against him. That's why he does that."

"Definitely if she is there, that's because he is keeping her back for a reason. If not he'd do the same thing he did to his former Secretary"

His Lawyer hangs his head "Do you think he succeeded in killing her?"

Jakes squints his eyes "What are you trying to say?"

"I met with her. She is a completely different person. And claims to have lost her memory"

"This is good news. We need her to testify against James for co-working against her life with Mr. Leonel"

"I guess that's where we've been missing out. She's the key"

"I'm happy we reason alike" Jake leans over his chair and plays with his tongue while his lawyer smirks.

...

"Where are you leaving with my grandchild?" Mr. James questions his daughter

"That's not important dad" she ruffles her hair pulling her bag with that of her son's while he sticks his hand with his mom's.

Mr. James blocs her path at once while her mom comes from behind with a sad face.

"Baby"

"Please just let us go"

"I have every right to know where and why you two are living."

"I don't trust any of you. Mom you lied to me. And dad you've always been the man you once said you weren't anymore."

"This isn't the way you do things child. Just look back at your past. Can't you learn from your mistakes?"

"There was never a mistake. I was leaving peacefully with Jake before you threw everything apart. And mom knew about this all through. Both of you ruined my life!"

"I can't believe I have to sing this to you over and over again! That bastard was a drug addict. He never loved you and never will. He just wanna ruin your life. Just like he's done to Jack"

"You know nothing about him. But he knows so much about you. He told me everything. I don't even know why I call you dad. Because you were never my dad and will never be! I hate you!"

Ciara struggles to shift him away but he stands firm.

"You are not leaving this house"

"Do not make me call the cops on you!"

He shrugs "Are you seriously going to choose a stranger over me. The same man who tried to destroy you-"

"Stop saying that! You are the one who destroyed my life! Because you are an opponent of good deeds. If you can steal your grandson just so you can get rid of Jack, what more will you do with a stranger?"

He is silent and Ciara shakes her head and moves away with Jack.

Once the door is shut, he gives his wife a dangerous gaze.

"You should be paying for this! But I'd let it slide this time"

He jams past her while she stands there with a pool of tears in her eyes.

...

Brithney returns from her trip in the same manner she left.

She calls Katty, Apriva, and Ciara. They meet at a restaurant and start talking to each and everyone about their issues.

But Brithney has been silent throughout.

"Where did you leave Jack?" Katty questions

"He's with Jake's mom"

They look at one another "She accepts him?"

"Yeah. And she wept once I told her everything."

"Listen, girls. I'm sorry I wasn't there for any of you-"

"Katty told me everything," Ciara says and Brithney takes over

"Yeah, she did. She has been worried about you since both of you quarreled"

"I'm still here. Live and sound. I also have a mouth so no need for the praises. I just did what any of you would've done."

"I'm still very happy both of you got over it." Ciara mentions

"I know. And I'm grateful for her encouragement for me to go after Jeol" Apriva announces

"Finally you admit you love him" Ciara raises her glass and cheers at Apriva's.

"When will you go to see him?" Ciara askes

"Tomorrow is fit" she responds

They nod and bring their gazes towards Brithney who is half in space and earth.

"Is it set for the will to be recovered?" Katty inquires

"I feel like something has been so wrong," Brithney says looking into her glass.

"From where exactly?" Ciara frowns expectantly.

"The letter his wife wrote to me. Do any of you think she wrote that?"

She raises her head and finds all of them in confused profiles.

To be continued...