chapter 23

Eliza's POV

I decided to make breakfast and work until the rain stops. So i can go to Lily's grave. After a shower, i made chicken noodles and a avocado smoothie.I finished my food and checked if internet is connected so i can work. Not yet.I decided to draw something. I was pushing time. I don't know what to do. All that came to my mind is that head sister's face. My hand moved on it's own. I started to sketch her face. She was younger than now,holding a baby. She smiled at her and was feeding her some milk from a bottle. That baby tightly held one of sister's fingers. Her eyes looking at that baby with affection. I completed the sketch and coloured it. I looked at my wall clock. It's 8 am, and rain is a bit calm . Internet is connected so i started to work. I ordered some things from online like tables, lamps, fans, books, curtains, decorating items, a comfortable chair, sofa, clothes, bags,lights... Etc... I prepaid them. Total 7000.Now my bank balance is 10000.It was the money i earned in these 2 days. I decided to work again. I worked for straight 4 hours. And i earned 10000 again 5000 for 2 hours. I am working for a company which makes apps. It's headquarters is on New york. I don't know the exact location.

I stretched my hands and cracked my knuckles.I even yawned a few times.I ate breakfast at 7 am and now it's 12. I am already hungry and i didn't cook lunch. I cooked creamy tomato soup, steamed apples, fried egg and some rice. I ate lunch at 1 pm.

Rain stopped. I dressed up and went out. I took my rain coat with me. It is convenient to ride bike.I didn't wear it since it wasn't raining.I bought her favorite white roses. Then i went straight to cemetery. I walked towards her grave, there was so many flowers. Probably her family already visited her.I put down the bouquet of white roses on her grave. And prayed for her sake."I knew, you will come" someone interrupted my prayer. Who else? Claire. I thought he left. I turned around. He was wearing the shirt i gave him yesterday. Is he handsome? I can say now. Yes he is. He walked towards me. He has a cover in his hands. "How do i look?" He asked. "Ugly" i commented and continued to pray. "Hey!" He said while poking my head. "Hmm?" I asked soflty. "Don't i look good?" He asked. I made him sad on his birthday? "Just kidding. You look handsome " i said. His face immediately lit up and smiled. He handed me that cover in his hands. "Here's your gift. I was waiting for you" he said. I just smiled at him and accepted his gift."Thank you" i said and he nodded. "Let's go somewhere. Wear it first" he said. "Huh? I am going home. I can't change here. And tell me where we are going?" I asked. He looked at Lily's grave "To know the truth about her death and you" he said and looked me in my eyes. I didn't say anything. "Come let's go" he said and we walked towards the parking area. He drove his and i am on my bike. On the way, i filled fuel in my bike. I reached home after Claire. I opened the door and let him in first. I turned on the lights.He went straight to my table which was in hall. He took my drawing and looked at me. I knew he will ask something. I raised his gift and said "let me change". I escaped from the crime scene. I locked my room's door and opened that cover. It was a white dress made in satin cloth. It has a elegant look. There was a golden belt around the waist. I wore it and styled it with my pendant necklace and watch. I am ready.

I walked towards him "let's go" i said. He just stared at me and looked away. He hugged me and stroked my hair "Happy birthday, Eliza " he said. I hugged him back "Happy birthday, Claire " i said. We pulled from the hug.

"Let's go" he said and walked. I followed him and locked my house.

It was a long drive. I have no idea where he is going. But i can say, it was the same way we drove yesterday.The journey wasn't silent. He kept telling about his life after transfering schools. He told me about all of his friends. We chatted until we reached our destination. "Eliza, let's cut the cake first before leaving car" he said and i nodded. He took cake from the back seat. I didn't noticed it. He opened the box and smiled at me. I looked at that cake, a heart shaped, red velvet cake. What suprised me is it has my name too. He give a knife and held my hand. I didn't even move. I just kept looking at him. I don't want to ruin his happiness so i just let him do anything he want. We cut it together with a smile glued on our faces. We ate cake and got out of his car.

His car was parked in a huge ground.

As we stood before the grand entrance, the imposing gate towered above us, its intricate ironwork gleaming like a sentinel guarding ancient secrets. "Let's go in. It's better to walk so you can enjoy it's legacy" he said and i just nodded.The sprawling estate stretched out before us, a majestic serpent of a driveway winding its way through lush greenery, disappearing into the distance. The house itself was a behemoth, a grandiose mansion with turrets and spires that seemed to touch the sky, its stone façade glowing with a warm, golden light that whispered tales of centuries past.

The venerable banyan trees, twisted and gnarled with age, stood sentinel around the property, their aerial roots cascading like nature's own curtain of lace. And amidst this verdant splendor, a sea of white roses bloomed, their delicate petals swaying gently in the breeze like a chorus of ballerinas. The air was heavy with their sweet fragrance, transporting us to a bygone era of elegance and refinement.

As we gazed upon this regal estate, it seemed to proclaim its nobility, its grandeur echoing through the ages like a triumphant fanfare. This was no mere house – it was a dynasty, a testament to a legacy of grandeur and sophistication.