CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE OMARION

Today was the day my brother Liam had been waiting for his whole life. The official opening of Cassandra's Palace; City of love. A renovation he has fought his entire life to purchase. A dream he had pursued with all he had. He worked hard and entirely all this life just to achieve this. I saw his interest in helping the incapacitated or other wise legally disqualified since he was a young man. I still remember how he celebrated with passion the very first day his father brought me to their house. Being the only child, I understand how much of my presence meant so much to him. It made me realise how much of importance a sibling is even though I didn't know if I had one or not. I didn't take advantage of his love for me even though I clearly saw it within him that he was truly desperate for a brother or a sister and that he would most definitely do whatever it took to make me stay even if it meant he had to dance to my tunes. I maintained my integrity as a young man in that enormous house although I was given equal rights like those of Liam. I was approached with respect and gleam just like any other Sire. I didn't want to behave in a manner that would expose the fact that I was abandoned and this whole thing was just an encounter people like me get once in a blue moon. I was well behaved and hardworking. I just didn't want to bring the question of 'who raised this child?' in people's minds when they have an encounter with me. I had to respect mom Violet's upbringing.

"The arch Treasurer of Luxembourg, Augustus Star, the ambassador of Human rights for the Disqualified; H.R.F.D miss Lynn Miranda, The vice president of the Eastern liberty exercising brigade, Andrew Apollo, Mr George Latte the founder of Rights, Aid and Action,R.A.A, distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen. First and foremost, I would like to welcome you all to this grand celebration where we officially bring a new beginning to this palace. It's such a huge honour to stand in front of kings and Queen's the world has made and get the opportunity to speak right in front of all of you. I do not take it for granted because I know you all have a pile of responsibilities waiting for you but you still managed to make it a point to be present here and am grateful for that. I am going to give a brief description of this place that is to how it all come about. Going back to a few years ago and being the only child, I longed for a sibling. I always knew I missed this fun of having a sister or a brother and I sorely prayed for one. Fortunately enough, I got one. He was sixteen when he came home. No ordinary sixteen year old foetus right? I was so happy and overjoyed that my prayer had been answered. I used to bind his legs to the bed each night so that he couldn't run away....",

I laughed. I couldn't believe he still remembered that. I would wake up sometimes and find my legs chained to my bed and I would wonder how it happened. I'd always try to break free with my strength as though I was Samson the barbarian but I'd only end up calling for help the next second.

"....I loved him so much and I know he knows that. As I grew to know him, I discovered he had a psychological disorder. He had type three bipolar disorder and it really affected me too a lot. We tried all we could to help him get better. We involved psychologists, psychiatrists, well trained doctors world wide, neuroscience experts and many more medical health personnel. Gradually, he sure was getting better. Little by little he broke out of his shell and finally found his little light too....and went as far as making it shine. He pursued engineering at the college of engineering in German and now working with the Bow and Nut companies. Years later, he found a friend who treasured him so much. She treated him with so much care and love at the same time trying not to make him vulnerable to thinking he was being sympathized. This dosage of love was all he needed to be cured and he grew into a healthy man both psychologically, emotionally as well as physically. Now, he is one of the powerful influential men worldwide. After reflecting on all these...I realised that we have a lot of people in our societies that are living with a lot of disorders and have been rendered vulnerable. Some are denied job opportunities, some are considered ineligible, some are even called illegitimate. The thought of these words conceived pain in my heart and I promised to one day help these people. And that's when the thought of Cassandra's Palace came into place. I figured, why can't I just build a place that will offset these services to these people those which the world is failing to? We all belong to the same race right? We are all humans and if animals help one another why don't we? And so with the help of my parents who by the way are not here due to some difficulties but wished they could,I managed to raise this place. The fact that it will one day change someone's life is what motivated me all along the way. Not forgetting the ladies that I have in my life who I certainly can't explain this without. Firstly, Primrose...who is none but a little sister to me. I really love her and appreciate her a lot. She has tons of hope buried in her heart and just one prick will lead them flowing to you like rain.....",

That was so true. I laughed immediately after I heard it. I laughed out loud forgetting we were in a ceremony and we needed to behave. Worst of all I was sitting in the VIP and my laughter really was a bit embarrassing but I didn't get embarrassed at all. I was just expressing my joy and nothing was wrong with that. I personally found nothing wrong with it. I immediately shut my mouth when I noticed the awkwardness and continued to listen

"She motivated me not to give up. Each passing second she told me as she took a breath she knew a legacy awaited us. Something amazing, mighty and hope restoring. Along the way,she restored my hope too. Whenever I look at her. I thank God for her. No one is amazing as her. She has her own essence of uniqueness you can never find anywhere else....",

I totally agreed with what he said. I loved every word he used to describe her....I knew every corner of hers and now I couldn't help but believe two of us now did. I tilted my head to the left and looked at her. She was sitting right next to me and was smiling. Her earnings jiggled as she motioned her head and the rattling sound really brought comfort to my soul. I had no hope and she brought it all back. I lived again. I lived again....

Primrose.....the woman who brought joy to many. As pure immortal goddess living among mortal beings, she was. She loved like no other. More than Aphrodite herself. When we talk of beauty, wow... God really took days. She is the most Beautiful I've ever see. Lily was beautiful but Prim's beauty is just different. The amazing adoring different. The heart melting and bright different. I could say I'd spend my entire life looking at her but being a mortal being, I'd rather spend my life living with her. What's the point in just looking at her if she'll never look back at me and appreciate my love? Then I'll realise I never lived right on my deathbed.

"....Her name is Primrose Gerardia. She is not only my good friend but also my little sister and yet my huge inspiration. Secondly, is the person that I personally want to recognize. You know it's not easy to have someone who loves you for who you are. Finances, intellectually challenged character, political stand. We all have our flaws but she loved me for who I am. I didn't earn a lot of money and it's just hard for me to comprehend that she chose me. And hence,in honour of her, I decided to name this place after her. Cassandra Morgan", He finished with a que telling us to applause. He left the stage and as he went down, the prestigious men and woman showed their interest in his whole idea and willing to get involved by offering him a mighty handshake. I could tell he was really happy with all these. He must have felt like a business tycoon and besides, they signed a lot of contracts in this thing.

I really loved Liam's speech. Of course I wasn't listening throughout and I only highlighted the issues I loved the most since they caught my attention but all in all, I loved it. His speech carried who he really was. Every single word he said was true. Every word that came out of him was full of truth. And I admired how he perfectly sliced each and every single one out. He deserved such a thumbs up. A mighty thumbs up. I rose in collaboration with all the people here paying off our respects to Liam's achievements and to such greatness that awaited this man. We so believed and had hope that he would do well. Hope that this place will bring about the expectation it was supposed to bring.

I saw Cass right on a far and clinging onto Liam. She was smiling as the camera's flashes while taking shots of the person the place was named after. Pretty amazing. I really loved the fact that he did that. He honestly poured out his heart to her through it all and it was much greater than a trip to Disneyland. What else would she want? And yet she said she wants what's hers and wouldn't mind being the villain. All that smiley charade she was wearing was hiding the real culprit. She certainly was a dexterous sly viper. Unfortunately my brother couldn't see that. All he saw was a woman he loved.

"Did you enjoy it?", Prim asked as she looked at the crowd. They were busy addressing each other with salutations and expressions of kind wishes. It really was beautiful and adoring. Yet to see such prestigious people so close is very rare. I wanted to go close. To get to know someone who's face I see everyday in the news and yet this time they were all standing right in front of me. I was really excited about this thing. Most importantly happy for my brother. And of course I enjoyed it. I really did.

"Of course I did.....did you have to ask?", I asked back, slightly pinching her arm. She yanked in laughter a few seconds away and then came back. I laughed too. With no idea how, I ended up looking at Cass. She was looking at me too. From the way she presented it's as though she had been doing it for a while. She wore a frown and a few wrinkles on her temple. I really couldn't understand now....she was holding onto someone and had her eyes on me....what was going on? I still kept my eyes fighting with hers and trying to win the battle. I narrowed mine and dared not to blink. She had to see she was sucking all the life out of me and I was being rendered dead. I wasn't giving up any who. These cat eyes were raging war between us and I needed to win. Winning was in my blood and it just had to happen. I wore an ugly hideous expression on my face trying to chase her away. She didn't look away and in fact she seemed to be coming our direction. She left Liam and as she walked toward us, she had the ridiculous evil smile painted on her lips. She came in our direction and I quickly asked Prim we should go outside. She asked why and I had no excuse to give. I just told her that we should go meet Liam and she accepted. We walked to where he was and presented our gratitude.

"Congrats man", I began extending my hand. He grabbed it and pulled me into a hug. Some tight fit bromance. I really loved it. It always made me feel a sense of belonging. I didn't know who I belonged to at first. I had no one to call my own but now I do. Liam my brother. He is family.

"It means so much that you are happy with my idea of this place. I really am happy. I'll forever be grateful to you for this", he sincerely said it to my face right after the hug. I smiled at him and caressed his cheek.

"Anything for a brother.....",

"Whether blood or not...",

"...as long as we are together....",

"It's makes us stronger...."

"We are brothers!", we said the last part simultaneously and finished it with a triple bomb hand slap. That was a slogan Liam's father taught us. Whenever we had a fight, he'd always tell us to recite it and it really displeased me. I could tell he noticed the anger and rage in me but he always put up with it. I realised later on that what he said was really true. Liam was my brother. We were strangers genetically but in love we were the best of brothers. It didn't take blood for us to be as perfect as we were. All it took was a little coordination and understanding. I got him, he got me and together we were a powerful team. I got his back and he got mine! In a battle field we certainly would make all of the enemies drop away. That's what love is all about. Accepting and understand each other. That's what grew me and my brother to where we were now.

"Awww....that's so cute",Prim blushed after what we just did. She brought her fisted hand to her cheeks and looked like Marie the famous cartoon Cat. She really was happy about it. Totally happy for me and Liam. I bet she understood how much Liam meant to me. He meant so much than my life itself. I might have been an idiot sometimes but he saw through all my mischievousness and loved me even more. He cared for me like his very own brother. He loved me. He grew me. He nurtured me. I never missed my parents anymore after meeting these amazing people. First the parents and then the son. They were like more than all I've ever wished for. Goodness personified. Love incarnate. From the way they treated me you wouldn't believe that I was just adopted. You wouldn't believe it. Even I couldn't believe it. I used to think they're my real parents but just don't want me to know the truth for some reason. I kept the faith and still hoped that somewhere out there, were those people who gave birth to me and I prayed for them everyday that they find happiness. True happiness. Am not saying in sarcastically, in other sense while meaning sorrow but I really mean joy. May they have joy forever more. I forgave them. That was the only way to free both of us from this bondage. I understand if they didn't want to keep me. I am pretty sure that the reasons they had were valid and true. Each time I think of it, I respect their decision and I stay away from them. I don't go on social media to try and look for them. I don't go to television and radio stations to account for my missing parents...more like me being the missing son. I didn't. I never did that because that would be violating their rights. I didn't want them to forcefully keep me. If they had to accept me. It had to be out of love and not duty. Hence, they had to come looking for me. Since they didn't...I also won't. I already have it all. I have a family around me. Liam, Prim and Cass. Speaking of Cass,I looked around to see if she managed to get to were we were with Prim but I didn't see her.

"Looking for me?", she asked standing right in front of me. She had a grin on her face and her cheeks really puffed up. She was wearing black eye-shadow and I won't deny it was really looking nice.

"No....why would I be looking for you?",I replied and looked away.

"Don't worry....you soon will", she whispered and fixed my bowtie. She looked at me in this charismatic way and walked toward Liam.

"Cass....the best couple in the world is here to give me their blessing....",Liam shouted out to Cass with great enthusiasm. She didn't seem to be inline with his mood though.

"Best?",she asked. I smelled jealousy. Her facial expression changed and I was surprised because I felt as though I was the only one who was seeing these things. "Yes....!!", Prim replied. "If not us then who else? Omar's best with me!!", she continued. I didn't like where this was going.

"C'mon! He can get anyone....he is best with me",Cass objected Prim. She made it seem as if anyone who dared to come between her and me would definitely be snuffed out and with her bare hands. I got scared.

"No....", Prim began. She was facing me and had her hand on my cheek. She looked at me as if she was studying my face and I looked away with a slight smile on my face. Her eyes can be freaking at times. The freakin' good though. "Omar is best and only with me....yes he can get anyone but even if he does...he'll still miss me. My name is scotched on his heart to an extent that no other woman would erase it. Even if I were to die today....", she spoke and I cut her.

"Don't.....don't talk about dying today. Not now not ever...don't ever talk about that",I immediately brought an end to this drama. It wasn't a joke to me. Those where the exact words Lily said to me when we where on the pond in her garden. I couldn't understand how this was happening. Everything was strange and grotesquely unreal. It was all beyond my ways of thinking. Beyond my ways of mental comprehension. This was too much for me to take in and right now it wasn't working for me. How can two different people with no link in any single way be so alike? They completed each other even beyond the luck of being twins. They were totally different and yet so alike...so similar.....so identical.....so comparable!!

One thing is for sure;either these two are one person or....I am cursed!

*****

"Prim toss the ball!",Liam shouted lifting his hand up ready to catch the ball. We were at Prim's place as Liam had asked her for us to use it for a game. After the function this morning, we went for lunch at Freddie Foods...a place Cass likes and then headed for the game at Prim's place. Cass suggested we play this game I rather found odd but fun. There had to be two teams and a pack of cuboid wooden bars. They were about ten and they had to be arranged on top of one another. A member from playing team had to throw a ball aiming at the bars making sure they all crumble down. The fun comes in where the other team has to make sure they eliminate everyone from the playing team by lightly hitting them with the ball before they arrange the bars like they were before and counting to a specific number agreed upon of which we agreed was one hundred and we would count by only mentioning multiples of five.

Prim and I happened to be on the same team. I know it displeased someone but I didn't really mind. She had her own issues and I wasn't ready to bow down to any of them. Today was my brother's best day of his life and so I wouldn't really do anything that'd end up upsetting him or making him angry. We started out well so let's end well too. Besides, he had invited his friends over and I didn't want any spot on his pure white garment of reputation.

"Prim toss the ball!!", Liam shouted again after Prim didn't do as he said the first time. Am sure she couldn't understand how we lost that round but it's okay,I'll make sure we win this game though. I promised her although she didn't hear me. We had Shayanne, Wiko and Lulu on our team. They were Liam's friends from work and sure did now how to play. Lulu and I where the only guys on the team and the rest were females. Not bad. In fact it motivated us to play harder so as to win this game. Before we started, we assembled in a circle to share two or three things before getting into the game.

"Am going to stand near Prim because she is the catchy type. She grabs the ball way greatly and I can throw very far and high in fact which makes me perfect for targeting",Shayanne explained.

"Great...am a fast runner amongst all of us so I guess once Shayanne gets the ball she can toss it to me to eliminate those near me", Lulu explained with a hint of pompousness especially when he explained that he's a fast runner. He sure was. He was an athlete and had won the world's best runner trophy three times in a row. This year he didn't participate only because he had secured a minor patella dislocation after his horrifying fall during his training. Nevertheless, right after his treatment, he participated in the regional marathon for the entire Washington. And as usual,he won! I find him fascinating. He works as an architect just like Liam and later during his leisure time he works as an athlete. Finding money through whatever means that fit. Liam told me that it's just by fortune that he wins but winning is not his goal in found all this. He does it for fun. Pretty ironic and could be considered unfair for someone who does it for fun to always win and yet those who do it as a profession come in second place. I don't understand how that happens but it's okay. All is fair in love and war. I guess athletics to him is love and is war for the others no wonder they don't get first place.

"That leaves Wiko and Omar with picking the ball and you know....chemokine duty", Shayanne shrugged her shoulders mostly when she said the last part. That was ridiculous. Wiko will do that. I won't! It's not as bad but just infuriating and uncomforting. I'll do it anyway. We're having fun after all.

After boosting each other's confidence, we ran into the ground and the game began with Prim getting the first shot. She fortunately, hit this brunette on Liam's team and she got out leaving four inside. Lulu ran to get the ball and aimed it at Liam but unfortunately missed making the ball go all the way to the other side of the ground. He showed off his skills and ran after it. Shayanne was after her and she received the ball aiming it at Cass. It hit her and bumped at the same time hitting Liam. She killed two birds with one stone! This left Brandon playing and him being the indolent member with droopy ears it wasn't a big deal. All he was supposed to do was to count from fifty to hundred and his team would have played again but fate was on our side. I thanked God for making him lazy as his laziness made him give himself away as prey making us play. I saw the ladies jump up and down and all I did was to embrace my buddy Lulu for the great game. We went into the playing zone and this time it was Wiko who hit the bars and only two feel. Easy! We just had to replace the remaining two and count to hundred only mentioning the multiples of five. A walk in the park.

I ran further away from the game zone and near the fence. I looked around and saw that most of my teammates did the same. We got scattered all over the place except Prim who was the one putting the bars together. Cass had the ball in her hands and aimed it at Prim. I could see all the rage, jealousy and grief exerting much energy on the throw and fortunately she missed. Anger crossed on her face, she ran and picked the ball. The blonde got the ball and was about to aim it at Liam when Cass snatched it away and stood firm in taking out Prim. It took us all by surprise that this was just a mere game but the way it was being played resembled the act of soldiers in a battle field. Some took this as a platform to let out their anger on friends. The likes of Cass. And yet all we wanted was to have fun after the official opening of Cassandra's palace.

She threw the ball with all her might like she deepened on it to bring her money. Prim noticed the coldness of her friends face and managed to dodge the ball again. It bounced against the tree and went through a window into the building. We called for a break as the ball had gone beyond the boundaries. Shayanne screamed at Cass and told her to go get the ball. Reluctantly, she took off and began going in.

"Don't worry....that's my room...", Prim screamed too and it ended up making her angrier. I knew something dirty was going on in that mind of hers. She took dainty steps as she went up the stairs and the breeze blowing her hair over her face giving her this daredevil facial expression. Her purple lipstick and dark eye-shadow finished it all and she really looked like Maleficent.....she was Maleficent! She ran up the stairs and I grew more anxious. She went out of sight and got my nerves empowered. I wanted to follow her. I wanted to spy on her or even look at her for a moment. I couldn't trust her anymore. I didn't know why I was worried but I just had this certain feeling that something deadly was going to happen.

"You okay?",Wiko asked as she came toward me. She was drinking some water as we waited for the ball. She must have noticed my bland expressions and cared to ask. "Yeah am okay...just anxiously waiting for the ball", I replied trying to make sure she doesn't suspect a thing. "Doesn't seem so to me but if you say so..", she took another sip and left. I ran my hands through my hair and sat on one of the rocks.

"Prim!!",Cass called from the window. She beckoned for Prim to go in and she ran. I told the other's I'd go check and I went in behind Prim. We went up the stairs and into her room. It was my first time being in her room. It was all white. White was the dominant colour rather. White beddings, white curtains, white paint. No wonder she even dyed her hair white. Her wardrobe was half open and you'd slightly get a peep to see what's inside. A bit of colour looked back at me from within but most of it was white. I looked at the flowers she used to decorate her room and they were white. All over the wall she painted them. White roses. Not bad but we needed a bit of colour in here. She even had a rose shaped bed lamp that was white too! Obsession! Right opposite to the window was a huge full length mirror with a zigzag pattern that had seashells at a distance. From the look of it, it was buried in concrete and embedded into the wall. Around it was a glaze of diamond strips that kept glowing and twinkling. They dispersed the colours in them as light passed through bringing out the scientific beauty as that of a spectrum.

"Oh my.....how did this happen?",I recognised Prim's voice and came back to reality. I saw her on the floor and holding on to pieces of a broken material which I couldn't make out.

"The ball must have hit it as it came in through the window..",Cass explained. I didn't believe that! I didn't know what was going on yet but I knew Cass was lying. Prim got up and brought the pieces to me.

"Am sorry Omar....", she apologized and I clearly saw tears in those two pretty eyes. Her hands became less potent and couldn't support the two pieces anymore. They fell down and shattered even more exposing the print that was on the other side. I gasped in awe. I recognised it. It was the print from my mother's vase. It broke? How?

"It's... Broken? My mother's vase?",I asked trying my best not to get angry and mad at her. How could she be so careless? I trusted her with it and she broke it! Oh No! Why Prim? It'd have been better of she said she didn't want it in the first place rather than bringing it here to have it broken. I turned around and faced the mirror. I saw her weeping. She must have felt really bad. Yes she had to! I valued that vase with my life and she broke it. I looked away from her reflection and looked at the other end of the mirror. I saw HER! She stood in the corner of the room and with her left hand across her chest, she leaned her right hand on top of it and curled her short hair with her index finger. It was her! She is the one that broke it. She didn't seem concerned or angry or sad about anything. It's as if she just won a lottery and couldn't decide on what expression to wear. Then I remembered what she said. She said the ball must have hit it. And I remember believing she was lying. I am such a pushover!!! I turned around and held Prim's hand. She wiped her tears and I could tell she had something to say. She stood on her toes and whispered something.

"I kept the vase on the table in the corner of my room adjacent to the window. What kind of science is this that the ball changes it's direction and aims at the vase?", she asked as if I was an expert in forensics. What she said made sense though. How did the ball deflect and ended up on the corner of the room? Unless.....

I looked at Cass and she looked back at me. She knew I found out her secret and she had to make a move. It was her! Definitely! I just wanted her to admit it. She already said she wouldn't mind being a villain in my love story meaning she was the one who broke the vase. I just needed evidence. I saw her walking out of the room and I followed behind her.

"Cass...",I called and she stopped.

"Look who came running back to me...", she wore this firm expression on her face.

"I don't have time for games. I just want to know how the vase broke...explain it to me please....", I raised my eyebrows telling her that I was serious.

"The ball hit it....",she replied. I nodded and smiled. She just wouldn't stop.

"You just won't stop, will you? Please tell me how the ball suddenly decided to change it's direction and hit the vase that was adjacent to the window and under which normal circumstances that is futile, unavailing and impossible",

"Well it bounced... Against the wall I guess....",she looked away. I could see she was running out of excuses which was good.

"Directly opposite to the window is a built in mirror which won't move unnecessarily. And if anything, whatever object gets thrown into the room at an angle and with force like that of the ball, gets straight into the mirror. How come the mirror isn't cracked or harmed in anyway?",

"C'mon man it could be strong glass...Are you trying to say I broke the vase?", she asked defense fully.

"Am glad you said it yourself...so Cassandra Morgan, why did you break my vase?",I asked getting serious now. I had to bring an end to this. She knew how much that vase meant to me and certainly would go as low as breaking it. She had completely made me lose hope and trust in her. She's not the Cass I used to know anymore.....She is different. Completely different.

"Why did I break it? You want to know why I broke it? Because it belongs to me. Me alone. Got that! And you gave it away to someone else....why Omar? Why?",she admitted it and managed to twist the story. I just turned around and went back to Prim. She was still in the same position I left her. Still standing in despair and frozen; right in the centre of her room. She looked at me and as she blinked, the tears that were in her eyes went down her cheeks. She took a deep breath in and swallowed hard.

"Why did she break the vase?", was the very first thing that came out of her mouth.

🌺=====

Today being day number seven of my ten day love challenge, I had to come up with something spectacular. Prim's day went horrible and I wanted something to make her cheer up. My vase got broken and I started blaming her which is what Cass wanted. I had to get back at her for this. I had to come up with a brilliant idea for her to understand that even if Prim would have really broke the vase, I wouldn't get mad about it. Accidents happen. I sat on my table in my room and thought. Prim was downstairs with Liam and Cass. After the game, Liam's friends left and we made dinner. Prim didn't eat because she said she wasn't hungry. I didn't force her. I let her be. I didn't want her to get frightened by persistence making her wonder what on earth was wrong with me. Throughout, she just coiled herself on the couch. After dinner, I excused myself and went to my room. Cass and Liam were still downstairs and I trusted that they'd take care of Prim.

I paced up and down in my room thinking hard on what had to happen. I needed to think of something and fast. I wanted to make Prim understand that she wasn't at fault. I wanted her to believe that she didn't break the vase. Of course she knew she didn't do it but I wanted her to fully have faith in herself. She thought she had a hand in it. She said if only she kept in on a much safer place it wouldn't have ever gotten broken. She insisted and persisted that it was all her fault and it really irritated me. I want her to believe and only believe that Cass was at fault here. Not her! I walked down the stairs and to the living room. Liam and Cass were on the dining having a chat....I guess. Prim was sleeping on the couch.

I walked toward her and woke her up. She covered her eyes, blinded by the light and slowly opened them. She rubbed them first and flatted her eyelashes. I waved at her and she smiled....making me happy! She sat up and whoa! Her hair was a huge mess. I didn't mind though. It really looked cool. Like one of the celebrities Kourtney from The Kardashians. I squatted in front of her and made sure she was looking right at me so that she would understand what I was about to start talking about.

"Someone had a pretty good night... right?",

"Yeah....it served me right after the horrible afternoon",she yawned and raised her left eyebrow lowering the other.

"Today is day number seven.....so...can we leave?", I suggested.

"To where?",

"To day number seven. To Dominic's. It's a pretty cool place I know in town. They close at six but with my driving skills we'd get there in ten minutes as we already only have twenty on the clock", I stood up and helped her stand up too. We walked to outside my apartment and after I got into the car, she said she had to go and fix her face. She said that she had to make sure things where in place but I told her she looked fine. She really did! Yet she still insisted that she had to go fix her face. I felt let down. Didn't my thoughts matter? Wasn't my decision good enough?

Or maybe am just being paranoid and ridiculous. She surely didn't mean any harm. I told her not to take long and she agreed. She ran back into the apartment and went out of my sight. I eagerly waited in the car hoping she'd come out soon. Dominic's is a very good place and I really really love it. We used to go there before Liam's parents moved to Australia. Everyday before they close they sold out necklaces with an infinity shaped pendant. It hang as an ornament, especially when hang around the neck. I really loved it. They always sold it to the women. I have always fancied it. It wasn't any ordinary piece of jewelry. I found it very expensive. Worth more than Treasure! I'd give all my money just to get it for her... I couldn't get it for my own mother but I'd get it for her. Just for her....

"Prim...!!!", I called. We only had like ten more minutes and she wasn't back yet. Didn't she want to go? Why didn't she just say so?

I got out of the car angry and grieved. I was certainly going to speak up now. I had the right to express myself to her and I believed she would understand my anger. Being in a relationship meant putting each other's interests at heart right? Then this was a fine test.

I gave up on us going to Dominic's. It was too late now. Far too late! I went up the stairs and into my room. Prim said she was comfortable using my bathroom unlike the others in the house. I went straight to the bathroom and was about to start shouting when I heard banging on the door from the inside. I ran to it forgetting I had questions that needed answers. I ran to it not to seek my answers but to help. "Liam! Cass!!! Anyone!!! Please let me out!!". That was Prim,! She cried for help from inside the bathroom. Was she acting? Pretending??? Oh my word! Why?? Why would she do that? I slapped the wall behind me and faced it. Betrayal running around in my heart like it was the thing that made me live. I walked toward the bathroom and was about to open it when it somehow felt stuck. It couldn't budge!! It's as if it was locked!! I quickly looked at the lock and yes.....it was locked. From the outside!!! Someone locked her in! But who?! I thought of it while thinking of how to open the door.

"Liam? Liam is that you?", she asked while banging on the door from the inside and harder! "Liam please open the door....please....", she sniffed. She was crying. Oh Man! I heard her throw herself against the door and slid against it. "Am such a bad person....he said my makeup was okay and it really was. I didn't come back to fix it though....one word from him meant everything. I know he'd never lie....I just wanted to get him a coffee I made. I made a happy drink for him. The Prim way. I know it wouldn't be as perfect as Luen's but I knew he'd like it. I just wanted to surprise him and somehow I got trapped in here... the lock won't open. I don't know how.....", she cried and I really wish I were there. I felt like crying too. I didn't know what's happening to me. All of a sudden I just started mistrusting her. I felt like she was out to get me. Cass must have casted a spell on me. All I could see when I look at Prim was bad and evil. How could I even do that? I didn't deserve her. Surely.... How can I mistrust every single thing she does? First the vase and now this.....? She actually had a surprise for me and my hyenoid thoughts led me the wrong way. Again!!!

"Liam....are you listening...please open the door! Omar must be waiting for me....although it's too late now. Too late for his....day...",she said the last part in a low tone. I could imagine. She must have been cursing herself and wishing a lot of hideous wishes upon herself. Oh No. What have I done to her.

"No.....it's not too late....the day ends when the clock strikes twelve....and we still have a few more hours", I whispered and put my hand on the door.

"Omar.....?",she asked from inside. I sensed the delightfulness in her voice and excitement all over her her chest as she got up. I walked around looking for something to use to break the lock. Cass took the keys and the handle really wouldn't budge. Why did I have to buy such quality handles? I asked as I loitered around the place. I walked out and by grace, looked at this sledge hammer kept in my corridor for emergencies;just like this one! I quickly broke the glass it was in and took it out. I used it to break the lock and hey....I really am a strong man. The lock budged and I saw her.....

I quickly put my arms around her.

"Am sorry....",I apologized. I really needed her forgiveness. "It's not your fault....", as usual trying to make me the hero. "The lock just jammed.....", she said breaking the hug and examined the lock. She noticed that it was locked from the outside from the piece of it that fell off the floor after I broke it.

"I.....I didn't close the door when I came here...in fact,I only came here to wear my hair down because you like it like that....",she explained. She did that for me??? She actually came back to lay her hair down??? I sure like it that way. She came to do something that I like? Oh Prim just stop! Stop! Please! I couldn't bear it anymore. She was so innocent and I was beginning to paint her black.

"... someone locked me in....but....who.....and why...?", She asked getting angry. I just walked toward her and put my arms around her. I really loved moments as these. She made me feel good again. All my conscious and guilt was all gone and had disappeared. I believed she was here to heal. To heal me.... Feeling all good,I woke up to the real me and did my math. Obviously, Cass locked the door. None but her would do this. Not even my darkest enemy had the nerve to come to my house and yet here she was. The enemy you know is really better than the enemy you don't know. Now am beginning to understand these ancient sayings. Fully! Now that I get to experience them they made so much sense. It was all Cass from the beginning;my mother's vase and now Prim's lockout! She certainly was going to confess all her sins today and pay for them as well....at a very heavy expensive price. And the best part is I'll be the one charging!

"I know not of the why exactly....but I certainly know who",I replied.