CHAPTER 29

April had no intention of stopping to chat or look in his direction that would only give James the impression they could be friends. Every little lie of his she swallowed in her last life only made her shiver and her skin crawl. She only saw him for what he was in this life and she could never be fooled again.

She heard him call her name again his voice no longer made her heart flutter instead she clenched her fists and held her head high as she entered her fathers home. Leaving one snake outside, she entered the house to deal with the next two pests.

Outside, James didn't know why April walked into her house without even looking his way. He was sure that he had shouted loud enough for her to hear him. James gritted his teeth and returned to his car. Wouldn't it be amazing to have both sisters at his beck and call?.

Up until now, they had both enjoyed his flattery. He only wanted April initially because she would have her fathers wealth sooner or later but she didn't attract him as a man, sure she boosted his ego but that was it.

Lucy fell into his bed one night and shared her future plans with him not long after that. It had turned out that Lucy could help him in his future as she was going to receive everything of April's. But now after seeing April, he was greedy, she had changed, though he didn't know why he was intrigued. She swayed confidently as she walked and those hips danced in his mind. He wanted to have a taste of both girls and why not?

James drove away thinking of how to get April back in his life so he could enjoy her for a bit. Lucy was his toy too, he would maybe marry her then divorce her leaving him everything she owned. Lucy isn't the type of wife he wanted, she was for momentary relief and a stepping stone to gain power.

Lucy had stated she was a virgin but he knew she like him used unsavoury means to get ahead in life. These deeds he could use in the divorce to gain everything. He smiled smugly and drove to a hotel to meet with an escort for some entertainment.

Inside, Tom greeted her, "Miss, I'm glad to see you back so soon."

She smiled, "Hi Tom, where's my father?"

"He was in the study but I think he went to his bedroom just now," Tom reported and tried to take April's bag from her.

"Okay, I will keep my bag, for now, thanks, Tom," April replied.

Tom nodded and looked to the living room, "Lucy and Rachel are in a very good mood these past few days. Please be careful miss."

April nodded, "Do not worry Tom, everything will be okay." April walked to the living room.

Tom sighed. He knew April was prepared to fight for everything of hers but he hated that she had to. Her mother Kathleen would be proud of her daughter but saddened by seeing her strong but lonely back walk into the living room, ready to face everything alone. He prayed for them both every night to find peace and happiness.

In the living room, Lucy and Rachel both sat on the large plush sofas chatting. Hearing heels enter they both glanced in the direction of the door. Beyond their beliefs, they saw April entered, she looked stunning and was wearing head to toe designers. Both women felt indignant that April not only looked beautiful but she carried herself like a strong, confident woman.

Lucy wanted to scratch her pretty face and tear her clothes from her. Why did she deserve such elegant and expensive clothing, "You wore that to work or the street corner picking up lustful men?"

The two women hid their hate for her very well and had April not lived her past life she wouldn't have seen the truth. Lucy looked petite and angelic in a white tea dress, her legs crossed and a cute smile on her face. Rachel equally as demure looking wore a pale blue shift dress giving her authority and grace. But these two were just pretty empty vases.

April smiled brightly, so it had begun... fine she was ready, "At least I have a job. How did you do in your final art exam, you must let me see your painting."

Lucy's jaw fell, April had spoken back and she had no way to defend herself. The final art piece that she had wanted April to paint but she didn't lead to her handing out an unreasonable amount of money. She painted her final piece and handed it in to her art professor, she had to pay him two million and sleep with him.

Luckily her mother had savings but now those savings were down by half due in April. Lucy held her dress tightly in her hands to stop herself from rushing to April and striking her. They still had to keep up the pretence for now.

Rachel seeing her daughter Lucy's impatience took over the conversation, she laughed lightly, "Thank you, Lucy, did quite well, maybe you can help her get a job. I heard from your father you somehow got into Walker Interiors. I think Lucy would do quite well there."

April smiled, she knew exactly what her stepmother meant, "Thank you, Rachel, I applied for the job and with my qualifications and an interview I had no problem landing the job. Seeing as Lucy did so well in her final exams, she will have to like me send out her curriculum vitae to suitable employers. I am sure she will find employment easily."

Rachel's smile faltered for all at a second, "She is your sister, I am sure you can help her with this insignificant matter. Just mention her name to your head of department or do whatever you did that helped you get the job."

April sighed in her heart this woman was insinuating she slept with someone to get her job how insulting can she get, "Rachel as I said before and as you know my artwork always surpassed others like my mother, I will excel and have a bright future. I am sure Lucy will follow your footsteps as well and have no problem finding employment."

Rachel felt uneasy and gulped at her words, she didn't want Lucy to follow her path, it was dark and seedy. She gracefully smiled and continued, "So you will not help your only sister? What a shame, Lucy just saw James and he wanted to take you both out for dinner to celebrate you both getting a job... But if Lucy doesn't have a job then he won't see a need to bring you both out, how disappointing."

April pretended to be upset, but she sneered internally. In her past she would of given anything to see James and Rachel knew this, "I am sure he can still take me if I wanted seeing as I have a job, or we can wait until Lucy gets a job. But I will have to let you know, as I will be very busy working. I will nip up and see my father." April turned walking to the stairs and ignored their glares. She would rather stick pins in her eyes than have dinner with James. Wanting to annoy them further she turned as she reached the bottom step, "Oh Lucy good luck with sending out your curriculum vitae as employers, ask all art students for a portfolio of their work in it now."

April then walked up the stairs and across the landing to her fathers study. She knocked but heard no reply. Seeing the coast was clear, she sneaked into his study, she walked straight to his desk and opened the top drawer. Seeing the three tablet bottles, she opened them and took two from each bottle. She then placed the tablets safely into a handkerchief and into her handbag.

April heard the click of the door and scrambled to put the tablets back. She quickly sat at her father's desk and glanced at the laptop that sprang to life. A photo came onto the screen it was of all three of them, herself her mother and father when they were on holiday. She was five years old and beamed happily at her parents that held hands.

When the door opened it was her father standing there, he looked tired but happy to see her, "April, you're here. I'm glad you came home."

April came back from their holiday memories at her father's words and gave a small smile, "Just visiting you father." April stood and walked towards him. She was no longer hesitant and she gave him a hug, "How are you feeling?" She broke the hug and asked.

"I'm fine, getting old but I can't complain. How's my daughter? Do you like your work? You can always come to the company if you ever want to." He warmly smiled at her hoping that their relationship would only get better.

"I'm enjoying Walker Interiors, everyone is friendly and the work let's me use my creativity. But thank you, I will maybe start to work one day a week with you for experience. But don't mention it to Lucy or Rachel, they will not approve." April thought it was a great opportunity to get more involved in the company before Lucy could.

Her father nodded in agreement, he felt the same, he had sensed a change recently and he was unsure of what steps to take, "You didn't answer me though, how are you?" He looked at his daughter, she looked well but he still as a father worried about her. She had moved out and had got a job so suddenly.

April gave a small smile. She disliked this question, people never wanted the real answer, they just wanted you to say you were okay. So she gave him the response he needed, "I'm okay father. I have to go now but I will come back and see you again."

He nodded and glanced at his beautiful daughter again, she reminded him more and more of his wife. Though she seemed stronger within herself and less naive, "Okay, come back and see this old man some time. I will walk you out."

"I will thanks father." April linked his arm and walked down the stairs with him.

From the stairs they both could see Lucy and Rachel in the living room. They chatted with each other and looked very amiable and sweet.

At the bottom of the stairs, April father took her straight to the door to say goodbye, he ignored the two in the living room. This had become his habit now, he was either at the company or in his study at home. He ate and slept in his study.

Glancing at April, he lovingly smiled, "Take care and drive safe, if you ever need me I am here and will listen."

April nodded then remembered the pills, "Then if I tell you something one day, will you believe me even if others say the opposite?"

"I will believe my daughters words if course." He looked at April concerned but he would wait for her to open up about what was troubling her.

"Okay thanks father, I will be back soon, Goodnight." April hugged him one more time and returned to het car, she started the car and drove off. She would get the tablets tested as soon as she could. She wasn't sure of who to trust though, medical results could be altered.

April's father watched her car disappear, his heart left with her as she drove away. He felt empty now, he turned and walked into the house which was full of voices but he never felt as lonely. He started to walk up the stairs when Rachel called out to him.

"What about dinner?" She smiled up at him.

He saw Tom standing at the side, "Tom I will eat in my study from now on." He then continued upstairs.