The Three Alliances - 3

Lanie and her grandmother spent their Christmas together with Althea. Since the both of them finally got to know each other, they became more comfortable with each other. Althea knew that Lanie was having a difficulty when it came to letting people enter in her life. Lanie was not like this before since they were young. Lanie used to be bubbly, friendly and easy to know but that tragedy really destroyed Lanie's life. That tragedy made her shut down her social life and made her build a thick and strong wall between her and other people. But that one characteristic of Lanie did not change. The characteristic that makes her even more vulnerable. She is a soft-hearted person. She doesn't want to hurt any people around her, the reason why she is torn between telling the truth and keeping it to herself.

"Thank you for letting me spend Christmas with you and your grandmother. I felt less lonely this holiday because of you." Althea sincerely said to Lanie. She just nodded at her and hugged her. They came to the city together and separated on their way home.

At night, Lanie decided to stay outside of her apartment. There was a very large low table on the veranda. She put a big blanket above it and sat there. While looking at the city light, she eats the chicken and beer that she ordered. During their Christmas break, she did not think about that tragedy or even those people. She just wanted a peaceful and happy Christmas without worrying and without feeling that ache that always poking her chest whenever she thinks of it.

But now, she was alone in her house, looking at the vast city while drinking and eating, and she slowly reflected on the things that were greatly bothering her. She finally decided to voice out the truth, she finally decided to hold that courage she has been avoiding to get. She will finally fight together with the people who are helping and have trust in her.

She will uncover the truth once she finishes her own investigation and once she gets her wish, the wish she wanted to receive on Christmas day. The wish that only time will tell when it will happen.

****

"We have to work for 2 days and then have a holiday break again right?" Penelope clarified.

"Yes. Why?" Penelope just shook her heave before going to work.

Break time when Lanie decided to go to their pantry. When she arrived, Penelope was there busy with her phone. Penelope was too preoccupied with her phone that's why she did not notice Lanie approached her.

"Hey," Lanie spoke. Penelope quickly hid her phone that made Lanie wonder.

"How's your Christmas?" Lanie asked instead but she was still curious about Penelope browsing on her phone.

"I-it's fine but boring. We just ate, exchanged gifts and slept." She answered. Lanie did not expect that answer. She sat in front of Penelope when she finished getting her coffee.

"Why was it boring? You celebrated with your whole family, right?" She watched Penelope carefully. Her reactions… something was wrong.

"N-no. Just me and my m-mother." She said, What is it? There was something she couldn't perceive. Something like Penelope is not used to talking about her mother.

When they almost finished their work for today, they gathered in the lobby to talk about what happened on their Christmas break. Lanie was the last one to get there. When she was about to ask what they were talking about, news flashed on the television in the lobby.

"The authorities confirmed that the death of Mr. Lopez, the former owner of Villa Love, was a suicide. His lover, Mrs. Hossler was still mourning for his death. But then, Mrs. Hossler became the legal owner of Villa Love prior to the decision of the board and to the last will testament of Mr. Lopez that the authorities found in his bag the day of his suicide."

Lanie was stunned by the news. What? Alvarez closed the case by declaring that it was a suicide and not a murder?

On the other hand, Penelope closed her fists after she watched the news. 'She's evil' she thought. Her eyes were blazing in anger and disappointment as she excused herself and walked out.

Lanie and Althea's eyes met. They noticed Penelope's reactions. They nod at each other, they were thinking the same thing. Maybe, Penelope was not the girl they used to know. Penelope has a secret.

They secretly followed Penelope on her way home. Since they became friends, she never brought her friend to their home, her friend didn't even know or met her family. Althea and Lanie exchanged glances once again when they saw where Penelope went.

"Don't tell me…" Althea uttered.

Penelope parked her car in front of a gorgeous mansion. When she got out of her car, a woman wearing her expensive and elegant nightgown went out to welcome Penelope. The woman sweetly smiled at her and touched Penelope as if she was a precious thing. They noticed that Penelope winced in her touch.

"Is that… her mother?" Lanie blurted out when Penelope and that woman entered the mansion.

"Or she just visited her?" she added.

"But I saw… that woman...that woman was Mrs. Hossler." Lanie spoke again. Both of them were stunned at what they saw.