Thirty-One

Crystal cleaned her tears, hugging herself as she walked back to her hostel.

Just when she had found him.....he was gone.

Just when she had thought she found happiness.....it was taken away yet again.

She had just found him...and now he was gone.

She wanted some much to believe his promise; that he would be back for her.

She didn't know why fate kept pushing him away from her. She hated the fact that destiny seemed to always want her to suffer and there was nothing she could do about it.

She could do nothing but to live in this love where all she knew was suffering. There was nothing to be happy about.

And even now that she has found her happiness....it was taken away from her.

She hugged herself as she found immense comfort in his jacket. He had left his hacker with her and he was glad he did.

He might not be there physically but she tried to hope.....

Hope that one day, she would see him again.

*

Justin entered the mansion, his belongings being carried by one of the helpers which he knew as Jake. His hands were in his pockets as he made his way into the house.

Walking to the living room, he stopped at the entrance not knowing if he should enter or not. On one hand, he really didn't want to see his father because to him, his father was dead.

In the place of his father was a monster.

A monster with his father's face.

But on the other hand, he wanted to know why he had threatened him....why this still involves Crystal. He knew very well that Crystal was the cause for his mother's death but still, he didn't want to hurt her.

He didn't have the courage to either.

He wanted to forget the past and move on....forget the fact that Crystal was the one behind his mother's death and be happy with the girl he loved.

But now, he had to face his father and know the reasons behind his threatening call yesterday.

Why?

"Where is my father?" He asked Jake as he looked around, checking if he could see his father anywhere in the living room.

"He is in the study sir" Jake said as he bowed, taking his master's belongings with him to his room.

Justin made his way upstairs to the study and knocked. Opening the door, he entered the room and closed it. He sighed as he turned and walked into the room.

It is just the same.....as he had left it. The same old high way cupboards filled with books....his father's desk situated at the middle of the room.....the cushions towards the left end of the room....and the chandelier which had always been there in the ceiling for as long as he can remember.

"I thought you would let her die?" He heard his father's voice, jolting him into reality.

"It would be better if she died" Mr. Maxwell smiled as he looked up to his son, a sly smile quite evident on his face. His eyes were red and there seemed to be dark shadows beneath his eyes. His hair was completely disheveled.

He was hardly recognisable.

"Why father?" Justin asked, still standing where he was.

"Wouldn't you at least say hello to your father first?"

"I do not want to argue with you. Why did you threaten me with her?"

"Because she is your weakness. And that makes you weak my son. You should leave that girl alone and start thinking on your life. You will be graduating two years from now and my whole empire will belong to you. Why don't you be serious?"

"You haven't told me the reason"

"You don't need her. Besides, i am trying to save you"

"Save me?"

"Yes of course. I don't want any harm to come to you because of that girl. Their main target is her and if they see you are in the way, they will eliminate you"

"Are you trying to threaten me again?" Justin asked, clenching his first in anger.

"Its the truth. Now get ready to be transferred to another school"

"I am not going and leaving her there. Why is it that everyone wants her? You wanted me to kidnap her and then and unknown number calls you and say they want me to trace her. And now this?"

"Listen and understand"

"No father....you listen to me. I am not leaving that school because she is not safe"

"Then i will kill her"

"You wouldn't dare"

"Then try and see"

"I am not going anywhere, get that"

"Fine! I will give you a condition and you must do as i say" Mr. Maxwell said as he stood up with his hands folded to the back.

"If you transfer to another school, i will make sure nothing happens to her and you will see her and i will even let you marry her; but there is a price" His father smiled as he walked to his son.

This would be of so much benefit for him. He would have the girl.....have her wealth and a will be his in a matter of time.

Justin knew this condition was not going to be a good one but if it is anything that would help keep her safe, he would do it.