Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Hattie applied an eyeliner to finish up her makeup. She wanted to look her best. Westin was coming back from his trip today. He did say he going to come back earlier but maybe something came up. Hattie thought
She untied the band that held her brown hair together. Westin liked it when her hair fell on her shoulder. She preferred it tied up but she wanted to please him
She took a last look in the mirror. She was sure she had done a great job
Hattie grabbed her car keys and walked out of her apartment. She did not bother eating, she would have lunch at Westin's house
Westin's house was not that far from here, like 5 minutes drive from hers. Which made going over to his house much easier
Hattie thought about Westin once more as she drove off.
Was she doing the right thing being with him? She knew that he loved her but she did not like the idea of his love. Aida had already found out about how Westin abused her. She tried talking to her about it but Hattie was not giving in.
'I can't be alone again' Hattie thought
Hattie has always been alone all her life, her dad was shot by the police when she was still 2 years, her mother died when she was 18. It felt like everyone that cared about her always found a way to leave her. Westin stayed and she was not going to let him go. He was going to change and she was going to make him change. Aida and Westin were the only people she had and she wasn't letting anyone go
'But do I love him' Hattie could not answer that question
Hattie signed as she got out of the car. Westin house was quite big and quite spacious, she liked the environment, it was quite peaceful.
Hattie rang the door bell waiting for Westin to come open the door for her. She took the time to adjust her skirt and her hair. She did not want to open the door and go in , that way he won't have the time to check her out. Standing out and waiting for him will make him take a better look at her outfit. She rang the doorbell a second time and the door opened.
"Hey darling" Hattie waved with a smile
" Hey baby" He opened the door for her to walk inside. She was disappointed because he didn't even take time to look at her, talk more of complimenting her outfit. Westin had always been like that. He never paid attention to the little thing that matters.
" so when did you come back?, i noticed you dropped my car off at my place, you should have called me"
"I did not want to disturb you at the hospital"
"You don't look so happy to see me" Hattie could not help but ask
"No baby I am, am just tired, you know" He cupped her chin with his hands and drew her in for a kiss
"Alright" Hattie smiled " anything for dinner?
"Oh yeah, i prepare pasta"
" oh goody, am starving"
" You did not eat anything?"
"Too lazy to cook " Hattie giggled
" Why are you not at work?"
"I closed early, i came back home and saw my car, my instincts told me you were back so I came over"
"okay" His eyes moved over to her arm and his eyes softened " Am really sorry"
"Its okay, we promised not to talk about it again"
"Yeah I know but i still feel sorry"
" Its fine Westin as long as you promise not to do it again"
" I promise"
"If it happens, am leaving and I mean it this time"
He sighed as Hattie moved to the kitchen to eat pasta
"Are you spending the night?"
"No"
"Why?" he said playfully as he held her by the waist
" Am going to work tomorow and I moved my things out remember?" Hattie had moved her things out when the incident happened, she promised herself that she was never coming back. She decided not to care about being alone but when he came begging she could not help it.
"Oh yeah"
"Am going over to the dining table to eat" she said as she carried the pasta to the dinning. The pasta was really good, she thought. Westin had always been a good cook compared to her.
"Have you heard of the murder that happened lately?" Westin said as he sat on a seat close to hers
Hattie dropped her cutlery as she suddenly lost appetite.
"who died this time?" she was already tired of the killings and all. Mr Patrick's death was still fresh now there was another?
"A certain girl name" he squinted his eyes as If trying to remember something " oh zenni, i have forgotten her last name"
"Zenni? That a very rare name but why does it sound like I have heard the name somewhere"
"You have?"
" I think so, but I can't remember where exactly. How did she die?"
" she was found hanging upside down in her house, they said she was also shot in the head" I suddenly lost appetite as I imagined the scene
'But why does that name sound so familiar?'
****
It was one year after Mr patrick died and everyone forgot about it. Hattie decided to forget about the note. She did not have to bother it.
Hattie just finished with a patient when she stepped out to have lunch in a restaurant near by. It was a new one just after the hospital which Hattie thanked heavens for that. She like the idea that it was very close to the hospital so she could always come by and buy food
She crossed the street over to the restaurant. "Stars restaurant" the sign board read. She walked in. It was not populated judging from the fact that it was a new resturant. Hattie walked over to one of the wooden table covered with a cloth as she beckoned on one of the waitress.
"Yes ma'am what would you like to have?" the young blonde handed her a menu book
"Erm" Hattie took her time to examine the book, looking for what to eat " I will have this one" she pointed out
"Okay" the waitress put out a warm smile. Hattie thought she looked rather young to be working in a restaurant. She is supposed to be in school. Hattie thought
"How old are you?"
" oh am 17"
"Wow, how's school?"
"School is fine"
"So am guessing this is a part time job?"
"Oh yes" she said with a warm smile
"You seem to love it"
"Yes I really do"
"Oh I did not get your name?"
"Am Fay"
"Hattie" Fay grabbed the menu book and left
Hattie brought out her phone as she waited for her food. She was still on her phone when she heard the chair at the other end been pulled and a fellow sat on it. She looked up and she was sure she had seen this face before
"Excuse me?" Hattie tried to draw the young man's attention, who appeared to be looking out the window. He turned slowly and looked at her
"Hello Hattie" That was when she realised that he was the Man who came to her office for counselling a while back.
"Oh I remember you, urmm" she snapped her hands trying to remember his name " Javier" she could never forget that name
"Well nice to see you again" He let out a warm smile
"You never came back for counselling"
"I discovered that i did not need it after all"
" ok" Hattie racked her brain for a way to start a conversation "so, where have you been?"
she realised that it was not her business to know where he had been
"I have been around, i never left"
Of course he never left, he just did not come to the hospital again. She felt quite embarrassed
"Did you miss me?" He said playfully
"No, it's was just strange how you never came back"
"Well am glad you thought about me"
"No, i was not, i just... never mind" He smirked as a result of how embarrassed she was.
The waitress walked over to the table with Hattie's food. She carefully placed it on the table
" thanks" Hattie said
"May I have your order?" Fay turned to Javier with a warm smile. She sure really had beautiful smile, Hattie thought
"No am fine" he said still looking out the window. Fay walked away with the tray she had use to bring Hattie's food.
"You don't want to have anything?" Hattie asked
"Am not hungry"
"So why did you come to the resturant?"
"I came to see you"
"Why"
"Because I missed you" Hattie could not help but choke on her food, she grabbed the bottled water and gulped it without even thinking of putting it in a glass
"Are you okay?" Javier asked with concern
" oh i am, you don't even know me so how can you miss me?"
"I just do"
"Okaaaay?" she said tilting her head to the left side in playful manner which made Javier laugh. To her that was the warmest laugh she had ever seen. She liked the way his brown eyes shone under sun light and the way his hair covered his face when he laughed. Hattie smiled
"Am serious"
"Well bad news, i have a boyfriend"
"Okay" he said plainly like he did not care
" can I have your number?"
Hattie did not even give it a thought as she called out the number. Something about him was different. He did not look at her the way he look at her before. He did not have that judging look he had before and she was glad.
"Well I have to go now, i will text you later" He stood up and gave her a reassuring smile before leaving
Hattie could not help but smile back. She felt really thrilled about him and she liked the feeling.
When she was done eating, she took her bag and left for the hospital. It was already 3:29pm so she knew she would be packing up soon to go home. She had one final appointment with a certain Mrs Britney. Mrs Britney suffered from depression after her son died but she was getting much better now. When she was referred here by her sister she was suicidal but now she was better. This was the reason Hattie loved that part of her job. She loved the fact that could give people a reason to live.
Aida walked in distracting an already smiling Hattie.
"Well someone looks happy"
"Aida what's the matter?" Hattie giggled
"Mrs Britney cancelled her appointment today"
"Oh she did? Well I guess am done for the day then"
"Are you sleeping at the hospital?" Hattie asked Aida
"Yes am on duty today"
"Okay then"
"I have to go do something" Aida rushed off
Hattie grabbed her bag and wore her heels. We sure had a bad habit of not putting on heels but she would not stop wearing them. She grabbed her car keys and left her office
She drove home as "save me" by Williams played in her car. She moved her head to the beat of the song. It was one of her favourite song
She drove into her house, into the garage. Then she highlighted the car and walked out. She opened her door and walked in. She was really tired and needed some rest. She dragged her feet to the bathroom to take a shower. After raking a shower, she went over to the refrigerator to grab some snack. She was running out of chips and she needed to go grocery shopping. She sat down to eat when her phone beeped
"Hey Hattie" it came from an unknown number, her instincts immediately told her that it was Javier
"Javier?" She texted back
"Yes, you know?"
"Yeah"
"Are you home now?"
"Yes I am, no too much appointment today so I came back early"
"Okay, I'll text you later, i just got back from work"
"Ok bye"
He should have just called " Hattie thought
*****
Hattie stood up to use the toilet, she checked the time on her phone and it was exactly 11:23pm. As she was about to drop the phone, a message popped up from her telegram. She was too tired to open it but she was curious to find out who was texting her. She tapped on it and her heart dropped
Pictures of Westin and another girl and the bed
'How could he do that to her?" she thought. Her heart began to ache, she did not feel jealous, instead she felt angry, she was angry because she believed that he loved her. How could she have been so stupid. She could not cry, she was too angry to cry
Another set of pictures popped up. A dagger, a gun, a harmmer and razor
Then another message came up
"Choose a murder weapon" the message read
* Hey guys, i made an error in the story placement, i forgot to post chapter 4. I Posted chapter 5 without posting chapter 4. I have posted the chapter 4 but it is after chapter 6. So in order not to get confused, skip chapter 5 and 6. You will see chapter 4 there. Love you all
I decided to post chapter 4 together with chapter 3 because you guys were confusing it. Just ignore the other chapter 4 that comes after chapter 6
CHAPTER 4
Hattie stopped on track. She forgot how to breath, she was not a kid so she did not need anybody to tell her that the weapons where to kill Westin. She was angry but she did not want him dead, she had never in her life wished for anybody dead.
'Please don't kill him she texted with shaky hands. When she did not get a reply, she tried calling the number but the number was not connecting. It then occurred to her that it the number was not restricted.
'Should she call the police so they can track the number' she thought but that would be stupid. If the person sent murder tools that means the person was yet to kill Westin and calling the police might lead to Westin's quick death. She could not just stay and wait for the worst to happen. She needed to do something. Going to Westin house might be a good start. She was not sure why she was trying to save a man that cheated a man but just because he cheated does not mean he should die
Her phone beeped again. Her heart almost jumped out of her body, she knew it was from the person
'Should I make a choice myself?' the message read
'Please what do you want' she texted as her throat became dry. She waited anxiously to see if the person just wanted a ransom but no reply came.
She looked at the time, it was already 11:49pm. She decided to do the dreaded. Go to Westin house. The person might be holding Westin hostage there. She grabbed her car keys with shaky hands. A whimp escaped from her lips. She hadn't realised she was crying. She took her car keys and dashed out
Hattie arrived in Westin house. She was scared but she could not let him die. It might be stupid to go in but she did not care. She grabbed the iron rod in the car. She wasn't going to go face that person unarmed. She took in a deep breath. She was really scared judging from how hard her hands where shaking. She got out of the car and headed for his house
She was greeted by the strong smell of alcohol that was all over the sitting room. There were bottles of alcohol all over the place and some where broken in pieces. She went over to pick the bottles up when her eyes sighted a drop of blood
A gasp escaped from her lips. She walked over the bottle carefully not to make a sound.
'What if he was already dead?' she shaked her head in disbelief, he can't be dead, he was all she hard . She made her way to Westin room and her heart stopped beating for a second. She could not even recognise her boyfriend. His head was disfigured, almost falling apart, his clothes where ripped off leaving only his underwear, his stomach was torn open and dripping liquid and there was an injury which looked like he was shot
The iron rod she was holding fell from her hand. The scene was so disgusting. She suddenly felt the urge to throw up which she rushed to the toilet to do so. She was still trying to process everything. She no longer felt angry. No she was still angry. She was angry at the person who did this to him.
How could someone be so heartless
She dropped to her knee as she let the tear roll down her cheek. She cried to the extent that she could not no longer breath. The smell of blood that filled the room made things worst.
There was a note that was placed in Westin's hand, she was too busy crying to notice it. She took the note and read the content
''You took your time so I used "all" the best way I could.
All evil doers are meant to die anyways. My darling Hattie"
She felt her heart in her throat, this handwriting was the same as the one that she found at her house a year ago, how could she ever forget writing. The person that wrote this note must know alot about her. The person knew she was dating Westin , how much did this person know. The thought of a murderer knowing things about her made her shriek. There was nothing she could do, Westin was already dead. She took out her phone and called 911
**
"You said you received a text, before he died" the man in front of her asked . She looked at him with disgust. She hated the way he interrogated her as if he was going to find the killer. That was the same way they interrogate her when her mother had died but they never found out who did it. The place was stuffy she could not breath, she needed to get out of here. She couldn't even bear to look at the detective
"Miss Hattie?" he called out again
Hattie let out a deep breath and spoke "yes"
"How close where you and Westin?"
"I already told you people that he is my boyfriend" she said furiously
"Ok" he nodded taking his time to look at her with a squinted eyes. It seemed he was trying to figure out something
"And how did you know that the murder would be at Westin's house?"
"My instincts, i wasn't sure but I just decided to go there"
"You did not call the police when you received this text, why? He asked looking straight in her eyes as If trying to intimidate her
"I thought maybe the killer was keeping Westin hostage, calling the police might lead to his death"
"And you went there with the hope of catching the killer?" She knew it was as stupid as it sounded but that was what she wanted to do
"Who sent the message?"
"How am supposed to know?" she half yelled " but the number was not restricted so you can Investigate it"
"Did Westin contact you before his death?"
"No he did not"
"Ok, i think that would be all for now" He stood up and reached for his phone and dialed a number as he was heading out
"Do a thorough investigate on that number" he looked at her one last time and left
She was later allowed to go home. It turned out that the number was not registered so there was no way they could track the killer
She opened the door of her house and fell to the ground. There was a huge lump in her throat. She tried to stop thinking about what happened to Westin but she couldn't. Her eyes became teary again as fresh tears rolled down her cheek, she tried to wipe it with the back of her hand but it stung, her cheek was already sore from crying too much. He did not deserve to die even though he cheated on her. Even though he would beat her up from time to time. She went over to her room and looked at the mirror, she looked awful, her eyes were puffy, her face was bright red and her hair was messy. She was still on her pyjamas, she did not have time to change when she got the message. She felt lonely again. She did not have anyone to tell her it was going to be okay. This was what she feared. Why was her life like this, why does everyone around her have to leave leave her.
Hattie stopped in front of a building and let out a deep breath, Westin's mother never liked her, even his sister. Hattie did not know why but she could not continue with her life without at least paying condolences to the family
Her hands shook as she knocked on the front door. The door opened. Hattie could see the dread in those red puffy eyes as Mrs Parker looked at Hattie with disgust. Hattie felt nervous, she didn't know what to do
"I came to see you and..."
"And what, you already killed him so what else do you want, he left Samantha and decided to be with you, if he had just stayed with Samantha rather that being with you, this would not have happened!" She shouted angrily at Hattie.
"It was not my fault"
"Then whose fault was it?" Mrs Parker said with disgust " leave my house before I do something to terrible to you".
Hattie always wondered why they hated her so much just because he left his already "chosen bride" to be with her. Westin was old enough to make decisions by himself, why do they have to blame her for that. Hattie left, at least she tried.
Aida knocked on Hattie's door, she had been told by Hattie that Westin was murdered. The door opened and Hattie stood at the other end. Aida really felt sorry for the poor girl who had been through alot. She went in and gave Hattie a hug
"Am so sorry" Aida said stroking her hair
" You don't have to be" Hattie released herself from the embrace "I am fine"
" Are you sure?"
" yes"
"Are you going for the burial?"
" No"
"Why?"
"His mother hates me, she wouldn't want to see me anywhere near there, and seeing me will only make her feel worse"
"I understand" Aida said " have you had lunch?"
" not really"
"Alright let me make something for you"
Aida had always been like that, so caring and thoughtful, Aida really meant alot to her, she was like a mother to her. What would she do without her, Hattie smiled.
****
Hattie was just about to take a seat when her office door was opened and a worried Javier walked in
"Oh my God Hattie" he said with a relief as he took a seat
"What happened?"
"Apparently, i saw you on the news that your boyfriend was murdered, i did not think twice before coming down here"
" oh you saw me? Those stupid press said they would hide my identity"
"But why are you at work, i came here to take your house address thinking you would be at home"
" I can't stay at home, staying at home will make me think more about what happened"
" Am So sorry" Javier said with a look of concern
"I have heard a lot of that, am not sad, am just.... just scared"
" why"
" Why would I be, the killings that have been going on and it seems like the killer knows me"
" What do mean by the killer knows you?" Javier asked squinted his eyes
"I dont know" The thought of it made her trembled. She did not know whether she should tell Javier about the notes or not. She had not told anyone out of fear
"Nevermind" she said trying to brush it off
"It sounded like somthing that should be looked into, why haven't you called the police and tell them you feel threatened"
" like they would do anything about it" Hattie said with disgust
"Hmmm, but are you sure about it?"
" yeah"
"They are already done with the burial so I think I should just move on" Hattie said tiredly
" Okay" Javier sighed as his brown eyes peered into hers, he did have beautiful eyes. She saw concern in his eyes and it really suprised her how he hardly even knew her but was showing alot of concern
"Thank you" she muttered under her breath with a slight smile