chapter nine: a visit to the Blackwell estate

Chapter nine: a visit to the Blackwell estate.

.....

They all stood rooted to the ground, watching Casey leave. Jason's mind still processed what he had heard.

Xavier didn't stick around any longer, he turned around and left.

At some corner, Belle took pictures on her phone. " Turns out, my benefactor is the wife of the Mr. Xavier Blackwell." She turned around only to bump into something, or someone. He had dark brown hair and hazel eyes. Without any words, he grabbed her phone, opened it and deleted the pictures Belle has taken. He hands the phone back to her, " You can go now."

" You... What makes you think you can delete the photos I took? You are one to talk right now. Weren't you also spying from behind the bush as well. " Belle complained

" What I do has nothing to do with you." He answered back before leaving.

Belle could only ground her teeth in anger, as she watched him leave..

.....

Back at the hall, news of Xavier's appearance at a party and how the princess in pale blue strapless ball-gown turned out to be his wife had spread amongst themselves people. No one knew how this news had spread. Without wasting any more time, Xavier left the hall.

" Oh my gosh! Was it Mr. Blackwell that left just now?"

" That means, the man I spoke with earlier was Mr. Blackwell."

" Did I just get a chance to do business with the B. K group?"

So many whispers circulated amongst the people, some about how they might get future chance to work together, some regretting only speaking with the familiar faces and others how they'd missed the chance to work with him...

While the news circulated, of course the reporters outside had also heard about the news. Knowing that Xavier would be leaving soon, they all got ready.

If would be a big scoop to interview him, but getting his photo wasn't a bad idea either. As not so many have seen his face before.

" Prepare the camera."

" Get our things ready."

" Make sure to capture the best angle."

Whilst the supervisors barked commands, thinking of the news they could gather, Xavier prepared to leave.

.....

At the back gate of the hotel, Xavier bid farewell to his friends.

Glancing at Mick, he commanded in a low tone, " make sure no photos are leaked." After his words, the car sped off into the night.

.....

Jason, Stella, Hannah and Esther stood silently in the garden. As time went on, it became an awkward silence.

" Ha! There are some old friends that I have to catch up with, so, I won't accompany you anymore." Tapping softly on Esther and Hannah's shoulders, Stella smiled before running off.

" Wait for me."

" Me too."

Wanting to escape faster, both girls cried out.

" Stop." Jason cut them off, standing in front of them.

His bloodshot eyes bore into them. " What exactly is going on? I want the truth."

....

The party went on as planned, indeed a party for the elites. The night was filled with surprises and for some certain people, shock.

....

Just as Xavier stepped into the house, he received a call from Mick, his secretary.

" Sir, everything has been taken care of." Mick reported in a respectful tone.

" Hmmm."

After hanging up the phone, Xavier's gaze fell on the butler, standing in front of him.

" Where is she?"

" The young madam has been in the music room since she returned." He replied respectfully.

Xavier nods, and slowly heads up.

The young madam had been very happy while leaving, returned in a sour mood. They couldn't understand what might have happened at the party.

.....

Xavier stood at the door of the music room which was opened slightly. He stared at her, leaning against the door frame.

Casey sat in front of the ground piano, humming a tune.

Her fingers slowly moved, but then stopped, her fingers hovering over the piano, hesitating.

She exhales softly and slowly her hands moved on the keyboard, tapping lightly.

Soon a slow and melodious tune fills the room. The only illumination in the room was the moonlight that shone into the room from the floor to ceiling window. Xavier stood at the door, somewhat entranced.

Her music was something that conveyed feelings. Whether or not someone had affinity with music, one could feel the message being conveyed.

The sadness and pain brought by a decision made in a moment of helplessness. The feeling of being unreconciled with the destined fate, the unwillingness to surrender, yet having no choice. It was a story, a story of helplessness that pursued behind at each stage.

A heart that burned deep down.

The entire mansion was enveloped in her melody, bringing back past memories of every soul that heard. The entire mansion was enveloped in silence, for this night, they all mourned. Past choices, past regrets, memories that had been long hidden in the depths of their hearts resurfaced. Some cried, some observed in silence, some finally got a sort of enlightenment, relieving them of the haunting past. The night was one of healing.

Ironically, the heart of the one who played the tune, bled with every key she played.

As the song came to an end, tears trickled down her face. In the silence, with the company of the moonlight and Xavier, whose presence wasn't known to her, Casey cried her heart out, all the pent-up emotions which she had bottled in all this while, she let them out.

His gaze on her was one of understanding. An absurd feeling of understanding rose in his heart. He understood. Her piece tonight, he understood fully.

...

The sunlight shined from the skylight directly on Casey who layed on her bed. She rose her hand, covering her eyes as she sat up.

She had clearly fallen asleep in the music room, so how was she now in her room?

Just then, Luv walked into the room, grinning from ear to ear.

" Why are you smiling?" Casey asked, as she got out from bed.

" Oh, lady Casey, you're awake?"

" Hmm." She thought for a while before asking, " how did I get back to the room?"

Luv blushed, embarrassed. " Madam, don't you remember? Yesterday, it was master that brought you to your room and took care of you all night. "

Casey spat out the water she had just drank, all over the ground.

" What did you say? Who?"

" Master carried you to your room and took care of you all night." Luv repeated.

" Lady Casey, master treats you well. Before he left, he asked me to bring breakfast for you..."

While Luv spoke non-stop, Casey's mind was in turmoil.

'Xavier carried me back?'

'Took care of me?'

' All night?'

' what's going on?'

' what plan is he cooking up now?'

...

" Hey, did you see the news?"

" Yeah, I did." Someone answered.

" What news are you all talking about? What news is that?" Another female colleague leaned in, and asked in a whisper.

" Haven't you seen the news?"

" Yeah. Not only is is the top search on the internet, but it's also the headline for various news outlets."

" Yes, all with their own ideas on the situation."

" Aiya, you all are beating around the bush. Just say what exactly is going on."

" Yeah, just tell us."

" Okay. Fine. Well it's all over the news that for the first time, Xavier appeared in a party."

" You mean like Xavier Blackwell! In the flesh?" One of them exclaimed happily.

Casey was busy with completing her task on her laptop, but hearing the main center of their gossip, she leaned a little to her side, trying to listen in on their conversation.

Yes, not a very good behavior, but in her defense, she had left the party early as she didn't know how to face Jason. And if that's not good enough for you, think this way, the subject of their gossip was her husband.

After giving herself a just reason, Casey listened faithfully.

The unaware ladies continued with their gist.

" So, that means that Xavier wasn't behind the scenes?"

" Hold on, before getting on your high horses, let me finish, okay?"

" Not only did he appear at a party, he came along with his wife."

" Ahhhh!!!!!" Gasps of surprise escaped their lips.

" Married?"

" Xavier's married?"

" Xavier?" Seriously? If any one heard you, they'd think you two were close."

" Hahaha, who would think that?"

" That's right, you don't look the part."

They all had a good laugh.

" Wait a minute, how about his wife?"

" Yeah that's right. How does she look? Any pictures? Her name? Or from which family is she from?"

Casey's hand trembled, she perked her ear to hear more.

" Yes and no."

" What does yes and no mean?"

" Just yes and no. There are some news on her, but not enough to make out or to know for sure her true identity."

" So what news are there?"

" Rumor has it that she might not be from an elite family."

" Not from an elite family?"

" Yeah right." Yet another person scoffed.

" You mean Mr. Blackwell got married to some lady from a random family?"

" Well, don't ask me, I only said what I know."

" Oh! I also heard that her name might be Casey." Someone else added.

" Casey?"

Almost at the same time, all of them turned to look at Casey, who sat towards the wall side, their gaze filled with doubt.

Shaking their heads, with a smile, they gathered again.

" No. Not possible. That's impossible."

She felt like her heart was going to jump out, thankfully, they turned away. She excused herself, when she was finally out of sight, she held onto her chest and heaved sighs of relief.

....

Jason sat on the sofa, his stared blankly while his parents scolding echoed in the living room. His sister stood at a corner, with an expression of guilt.

" I said it before, that girl cannot be trusted. Look, look what happened now." Mrs. Stone's yelled angrily at Jason.

" Mom, please stop it. Casey's not that kind of a person." Jason spoke up for Casey.

" Did you see it? Look what that girl has done to our done. From the first time, I never supported this marriage, now look what she's done." She fumed even more.

" The moment she found someone else, she dumped our son for him. Such a distasteful woman. At least people have the decency to breakup with others over a phone call or text, for the extreme. Yet, what did she do? She didn't even have the decency to breakup with him, neither did she say anything about her marriage. Disgusting." Mrs. Stone spat.

A sigh escaped his lips, his gaze travelled to the corner where Lilac, the cause of his troubles.

" Stop staring at her, it wasn't her fault. You came back yesterday looking like a mess."

Lilac felt bad that Casey had gotten married to someone else while her brother was away. Seeing him looking the way he did, she had notified their mother to figure a way to cheer him up, but she wasn't expecting that her mom would react the way she did.

Mr. Stone who had been silent, finally spoke.

" Jason, what do you plan to do now?"

He looked to his right where his father sat, " I plan to find out what really happened. I feel like she's hiding something from me."

The father nodded, " and if she's hiding something, what happens then?"

" I don't know yet. I'll cross that bridge when I get there."

Mr. Stone stood up, " Jason, in everything that you do, don't forget that that now she's married. She's no longer your fiance, so you have to know how to relate with her now. Be careful." After his words of advice, Mr. Stone left.

Seeing her husband leave, Mrs. Stone said, " it's best to stay away from that girl. There's nothing good about her."

"Mom please let's not bring up this topic." Jason stood up and left the room as well.

....

Finally she walked out of the office building. Through the day, she felt like all eyes were on her. Although they weren't aware that she was the one, hearing people speak about the topic of yesterday, made her feel a bit worried.

While she walked on the pavement, a blue race car stopped beside her. The window was lowered and she caught sight of an old friend. Dark brown hair and hazel eyes...

...

In a very big and wide, no, in a luxurious yet simple study, an old man sat on a sofa with half played chess game on the low table in front of him. He passed the newspaper to the middle aged man sitting from across him. The man's green eyes showed surprise, after reading through, he chuckles softly.

" This brat really isn't telling me anything." The middle aged man laughed heartily.

" Some things are to be left to the younger ones." The old man chuckled.

" It's been a while since we've had visitors at home." Mr. Alexander Blackwell smiled suggestively.

....

The waves of the beach washed up, crashing softly against their feet.

He watched her tuck a few loose strands of hair before her ear and take in deep breaths. Her hazel eyes gazed at the sea, as she bit on her lower lip.

" Why are you so nervous?" He decided to break the silence.

" What? No. I'm not nervous." She denied, waving her hand.

He didn't speak for some time after that. They only listened to the sound of the sea and the songs of the birds.

" Casey, I know you're not okay. Tell me, what exactly is going on? " He adjusted himself so that he now faced her.

Sigh...

" Zeke, I....." She knew how she felt, how sad and confused she was at the moment.

The frustration, worry and everything else, but, when she opened her mouth, she couldn't get any words out.

The more it happened, the more she felt burden.

She smiled, but he could see that there was no happiness behind the smile.

" Casey, don't think too much, just let it all out."

On her lips was that forced smile again, but this time, her eyes turned misty. She closed her eyes and let the tears flow freely.

" Zeke. Zeke I.. I'm tired."

" Did I make the wrong choice?"

" Why is all this happening?" She sobbed, telling her stories in small bits.

He moved closer to her and embraced her. Patting her back softly. She continues to cry, her arms wrapped around his neck.

When she was done telling her stories, she let go. He handed her a handkerchief.

" Thank you. I'm sorry, I lost my composure in front of you." She smiled, her smile a lot better than before.

" Casey, talking about losing composure doesn't sound like you." He smiled, but everything she had told him was registered in his heart.

" Do you feel better now?"

" Hmm.. thank you."

" There's no need for thanks between families. It's getting late, I should drop you off." He stood up and helped her up after she was done wearing her shoes.

" No, don't worry. You can just drop me off at the office." She declined.

" Why? What's wrong?" He paused and seem to consider something before he spoke, " don't tell me he's such a petty person who would make a big deal out of this."

" C'mon, stop joking around. "

They got into the car and put on their seatbelts.

Before putting the key in the ignition, she requested, " Zeke, could you please not tell anyone about today?"

He smiled, ruffling her hair, " little kid, what do you think of me? A snitch?"

" Besides, who am I to tell? Your little group of friends? Don't worry, I won't say a word."

As he drove, they both had a little chat.

" So you were at the party yesterday?"

" Yes, I was. I saw the little drama in the garden."

" I didn't know and I still don't know how to face Jason yet." Casey sighed.

" Casey, you can't avoid him forever. There will be a time when you'll have no choice but to face it."

" How? How do I explain things to him?"

" Don't think too much. You just have to come clean, although I don't think Jason is riding on the fact that you are suddenly married."

" That's exactly why. I really don't know what to say, how to explain."

" So you're running away?"

" Not exactly."

" Yield my advice, just come clean with everything, except the poison part, I don't know how well he'll accept it."

" How are you handling this so well?" Casey gazes ar him, expecting his answer."

" Like they say, experience is the best teacher. You're still trying to deal with your own emotions, me showing panic in front of you won't do either of us any good. Instead, it's better to think on my feet with a clear head." He replied, parking the car at the same spot from where had picked her.

As the car finally came to a stop and was turned off, he stares at her, " and one of these days, I'm going to have to get your blood sample to find out what poison was used on you and ways to cure it. You shouldn't give people a chance to control your life like this. Casey I understand what you're thinking of, but, you shouldn't let yourself become his play toy all in the name of revenge." He gave a stern warning.

" I'll try." She opened the door and comes out.

" Don't just try, do it." He corrected.

" Hmmm." She nodded.

" Can you really manage by yourself?"

" Don't worry, I called the driver minutes ago, he should be here soon."

" Still I should stay and keep you company." Just as he was about to remove his seat belt, he saw Jason's figure through the rear mirror.

He halted his motion, " on second thoughts, never mind. I think you will be just fine. Don't forget what I told you." The car sped away.

She turned to her side, surprised to see Jason standing there.

" Uh, how long have you been standing there?" She asked taking about three steps back.

A look of pain flashed across his face, but he didn't try to approach her.

" Can we talk?"

" Jason, I know you have a lot of questions, but can you please give me some time?" Her words might have sounded selfish, but she really had no idea on how to face him at this point.

Just as Jason was about to speak, the car arrived. She hastily bid him farewell and got into the car.

Watching from an unnoticeable distance, Zeke shook his head with a sigh before driving off.

....

Casey who had her eyes closed all this while, finally opened her eyes, when she noticed the unfamiliar roads. She turned sharply to the driver, with a guarded look on her face, she questions Jerry.

" Jerry, where are you taking me to?"

With an apologetic expressions, he replies, " madam, we're headed to the Blackwell estate."

Casey sat up straight, ' what!!!!'

....

Hmmmm.. Zeke thank you. Thank you for coming back.

Meeting with the in-laws?