Eighty Five

"Leave?" I said. "No, I won't. What is wrong with you Paige? Isn't it obvious enough that you don't belong here? You called the police on yourself. Which criminal does that..."

"The one who wants justice Hope!" She yelled at me.

"You're crazy."I sat without thinking.

When I realized what I spewed out, it was already too late because she had gone immediately cold. I wanted to apologize but i changed my mind. You don't always have to talk. I told myself.

This isn't the right time to pity but to speak truth. She's really crazy.

"Your friends are worried about you. You think everyone in this world is against you? Well, You're not the only one who thinks that. We all have been in a cloudy weather before. What about God, Paige? I heard you were a worshipper. Is this His plans for you? Did you suddenly forget him because of a single mistake?"

"I killed him."She muttered like a hurt bird, seeking mercy, full of regret and pain.

"Or did you suddenly forget that david who you represent in our age also made mistakes yet he went back to God. That didn't stop him from worship."

"Maybe I forgot that... " She trailed off. I watched tears rolled down her cheeks like it was their main purpose. She didn't make a sound yet her pain on the inside was so visible on the outside. I rolled out tissue paper from my bag and help her wipe them off. 

"I do not know what you are going through but i know that God is capable of lightening that burden. As in resurrender, he'll reach you Paige and help you out of this."

"I killed someone. I killed my blood. He won't forgive me." She cried 

"Who said that?"I questioned. "He will forgive you, Paige. He said so."

"I hope. "She sniffed. "I can't tell you a lot. Cause I don't wanna put you in danger. It's dangerous to be on my side. Yet I do not deserve to be out of here..."

"I don't think I can ever be out of here anyways. Cause I know no matter how much of my story that you get to know. You will never be able to get me out of here. I killed someone and I can't be justified. "

She stopped.

"I can't promise you anything but I wouldn't have taken this case if I didn't see hope. You can trust me Paige."

"Promise me ..."She trailed off. "That you would not go back to Sam again."

Why?

Why?

Why?

Everything about this girl's just too strange.

If not for Samuel, toady would have been another wasted day. I'd have gotten pissed off again and left never to come back until after another week. I really wished to understand why she wanted me to stay away.

"Why?"

"Don't ask me. Do you promise?"

Do I need Sam? If Paige speaks then things would be clearer. But something about promises scares me, I hate to break them. I had a lot of what ifs on my mind and I had to remind myself also that I didn't have enough time. I need Paige to trust me.

"I promise. I won't go to Sam again for anything concerning this case."

"And you would not speak to him about me. Or to any other soul about whatever we discuss."She said. 

Any other soul?

That's not possible.

"Any other soul. My husband, Paige. We're in this together. May I..."

"Is your husband a lawyer too?"

"No, a cop."

Her countenance suddenly changed and I could tell she hated policemen just as I used to.

"You can't tell him. Then I can't speak to you, Hope." She looked ready to leave and I felt my heart break.

"I won't tell my husband if you don't want me to. Your secret will be safe with me. And I'll try my best to do something about this case."

"I don't care about your best."She hissed. "I just wanna connect back to God and trash out all this filth in me. I just need a company before I see my death. You said God can forgive me. I want to believe Hope. If he truly exist, he might take my pain away."

"He will."He took mine away and I can testity of him anywhere, anytime.

"What do you want to know?"

"First, I've heard a lot of rumors about your relationship with the deceased and I'd like to hear from you to be sure. Who is Jude Kam to you?"

She went still silent, probably thinking. I could do nothing but pray inwardly. She has to speak. She has to tell me the truth, all of it. I have expectations. I've imagined a lot that could have happen. My first thoughtvwas that she was on a revenge mission on her uncle. Maybe he has a hand in her parents assassination. You know the thing with rich people and inheritance. Leonard Kam whom I read about was the first son of the Kam family and when he died Jude Kam had it all. So who knows?

That was all I've held on to since I discovered it wasn't a planned murder. But would revenge not be called one? I just craved to hear from the horse's mouth.

"Jude Kam is..."I jumped out of my thoughts on hearing her speak. "He's my dad."

"What?"

"Yeah, you don't have to believe me but..."She snorted. "It's hard to explain. It's...complicated. I... I am not his niece. He told the whole world that I am. While growing up, he told me he just wanted to protect me from warring partners by calling me his niece. I didn't realize he made it formal until I grew older. But he's my dad."

"I still don't understand. Who then is Leo Kam?"

"My uncle. He died a long time ago."

"Jude Kam's wife died years ago with his only child, Paige whom he had named after his niece."

"Of course, that's 101 world news."She yawned. "All lies. That wife is my mom and I'm that child. My mom, yeah...Annabelle Steele..."

Oh my goodness!

I saw that in her. That's it! That's the familiarity that I felt!

I don't know this stranger from Adam but...

I believe her. All that she says.