the culprit

Adria looked up… her mind scrambling with questions… how did she end up here? She closed her eyes… the warm feeling of being in her bed making her feel woozy, and comfortable.

Could she have gotten worse? Aside that… she needed to take her mother out… mainly to the hospital to check her health.

Her eyes closed, and after that, she forgot the rest of the day.

*** ***

Author found himself at the building where Adria got pushed off, they must have a CCTV someone around here, he thought and stepped into the restaurant.

The bell above rang loudly, and the staff behind the counter immediately got up, and smile replenishing her lips.

"Mr. Atthill, it's lovely to see you again… how's the Madam doing." Her head tilted with concern.

"Well, I hope." His fist clenched, and he walked up to the counter.

Before Adria left, she gave him one task to do… which he asked himself numerous of times why he was even helping her.

"I'd like to see your CCTV footage." Her smile dropped, and for a moment there, Author thought she wasn't going to show him.

"Sure," Her immediate response caught his attention, and he flashed her a tin smile, digging his hands into his pocket, and letting her lead the way.

The door to the footage room slid open, and Author walked in, watching her bend down to an extent, before fixing his gaze on the monitor at his front.

A few clicks were heard… but then she paused. "Of when exactly?" She got up.

"My wife… she came in here with her friend, I'd like to see the footage of then." The girl nodded and turned back to the monitor, yet another few clicks getting heard, before at last, the footage got pulled up.

He walked closer, and leaned in, the door shutting close as the girl left him, and his eyes squeezing slightly, the video only showed when Adria walked into the restaurant with Jade… and nothing more, or that's what he thought.

With another click, it showed another video… one of the two of them climbing to the rooftop, and staying at the edge, there was no audio, but all he need was to be sure.

Patiently, he waited until his wait finally came to an end, there it was, playing right in front of him, the person that day… was Jade!? The person who pushed her off!

*** ***

The bell rang, and Adria turned to get it.

Opening the door, she was greeted by Jade?

"Jade? What brings you here?"

She was smiling, but yet… it felt fake.

"May i come in?" she asked while stepping in, her eyes now taking a look around Adria's new space. "Lovely." It came out soft, but luckily, Adria was able to catch sound of it.

"Why are you here?" She asked again.

"You know… I wasn't able to visit you much at the hospital… so I thought, we could make new memories?" Adria narrowed her eyes, she didn't like the feeling her guts were giving her, but then, she sighed.

"I'd be heading out soon… is there anything you'd need?" her brows cocked.

"No, no… I just came to say hi…" Jade turned for the door… her smile now dropping. "I'm surprised you survived." For a moment, Adria saw the emptiness in her eyes as she uttered those words.

"What?" The look suddenly vanished, and Jade's smile came back on.

She was confused, but at the same time, curious… what did she mean?

"I'd take my leave… when you get back, let's have a drink or two." The door slammed, and Jade was out of sight.

"Who was it?" Samantha peaked out of a corner, and that made Adria's day, she acted like a child… it was adorable.

"No one… are you ready?" Samantha nodded, following Adria at her back, as they both headed for the car.

*** ***

Adria's car came to a halt, stopping at the front of a hospital, and getting out seconds after, a long side her mother.

"A-a hospital? Are you alright?" Adria laughed.

"It's not for me mother."

"It's not? Then why are we here?"

"To check how your health is doing… after being in that last place… I think you might need this." Her hand placed on Samantha's shoulder, and a reassuring yet calm look showed.

"Hm, I see no need for it, but okay." Samantha finally agreed, and as the two started walking into the entrance, they bumped into someone.

The blood in her face drained… and her hands weakened around Samantha's.

"Adria? And… Ms. Cooper?"

Dakota!