Annabel’s Little Secret Episode 13 – 14

Annabel’s
Little Secret
(What happened to her?)
Episode 13
By: Faith Lucky.
Vanessa’s Pov:
“And where the hell did you say Annabel went?” I asked Renee as we sat together in the sitting room.
It was pretty late already and she was yet to return. Luckily, mum and dad wasn’t at home either else, it’d have caused a lot of commotion right now.
“Well, she told me she was going for a party” Renee replied while filing her nails.
“But it’s pretty late already” Esther scoffed.
“And she’s not picking her calls” I added, worriedly.
Just then, the door opened and the princess walked in.
“Annabel” I called immediately.
She looked pale and moody. What’s wrong with her?
“Hey, where have you been? You got us worried” Esther chided.
“Yeah, sorry. I had to attend to something” she replied casually and tried walking away.
Hold on; she had a cut on her arm.
“What happened to your arm?” I asked, surprised and she stopped to look at me.
“I um…scratched myself. But it’s nothing. Don’t worry” she replied and tried walking away again.
“And where’s your necklace?” Renee also asked and she paused and touched her bare neck.
“I uh…I think I must have misplaced it at the party” she said.
“You misplaced it?? Come on, Annabel. That was mums gift to us and we were meant to wear it at all times to signify our relationsh¡p. How could you just misplace it?” Esther grinned.
“I’m sorry” she said plainly and finally took the stairs.
O…kay.
What is wrong with her?
*
*
During breakfast the next morning, we received another unpleasant news of the death of one of the senators.
I mean, what’s going on? Three deaths in three days? Geez! And they always appear to be assassination.
After breakfast, my sisters and I got ready to leave the house. But on our way to work, I decided to stop by and see Sean.
I mean, it’s been long I last saw him. He’s always so busy with his work.
Even at that moment, I couldn’t meet him at home. We had to meet in front of a grocery store where he told me he was busy with something.
“Hey” I called and ran into his arms immediately, embracing him.
“Hey baby” he replied and k-ssed me.
“Oh, Sean; you’re not being fair. You don’t even have time for me these days. What have I done to you, huh?” I pouted my l-ips like a baby and rested my head on his chest.
“I’m sorry, love. But what do you expect from a man who’s been busy tryna protest the country?” He asked and I chuckled.
“I’m just trying to make sure my baby is safe, okay?” He added.
“So, what have you been upto, huh? I can’t believe we had to meet in front of a grocery store” I said and he laughed.
“Well, I’m just returning from a crime scene where Senator Zayn and his family were murdered last night. It happened in their apartment and when the rest of the police officers left, I decided to stay back and do some more research”
“Hm. Serious minded detective” I teased and rolled my eyes and he laughed.
“So…did you find any other clue?’ I asked and he sighed despondently.
“Well, not really. Although…I found this” he said and brought out a necklace from his pocket.
“But, I’m not really sure if it belongs to one of the family members or to the culprit” he added.
My eyes dimmed at the sight of the necklace as I felt a heavy leap in my chest.
“Sean,” I called calmly, trying to hide my alarming look.
“You…you found this necklace at the crime scene?”
“Yeah” he shrugged and I gasped.
Oh my God! Whaaat???
That was Annabel’s necklace!!!
Annabel’s
Little Secret
(What happened to her?)
Episode 14
By: Faith Lucky.
Vanessa’s Pov:
“Hey, are you alright?” Sean asked, obviously surprised at the sudden look on my face.
“I’m…I’m fine” I stuttered and took my eyes off the necklace.
Oh my God! I could feel my heart beating like a party drum. What the hell is going on? What is Annabel’s necklace doing at the crime scene? No wonder she returned home without it yesterday. And that scratch on her arm…
But she told us she was going for a party. So, how come her necklace ended up at a crime scene?
Oh, God! What is going on?
“Are you sure you’re fine?’ Sean asked and I snapped out of my thoughts.
“Y…Yes. I um…just remembered something” I said and touched my forehead.
“We’re supposed to have an important meeting with the board. So, I have to leave now” I said.
“Oh! Really?”
“Yeah, bye”.
“Okay love. I’ll give you a call” he replied and pecked my cheeks and I hurried off.
*
*
So many questions kept flashing through my mind and I couldn’t concentrate at the office.
What was Annabel’s necklace doing at the crime scene? It was strange and.only meant something was wrong.
Should I ask her about it?
No; I couldn’t.
The last time I tried asking why she missed school, it didn’t end well.
And yeah, why did she miss school? I couldn’t get to find out.
I couldn’t hold it anymore and decided to tell Esther and Renee about it.
I sent for them and they came to my office immediately.
“Hey, sis. wats up?’ Esther asked as she sat on my table, while Renee took the seat in front of me.
I took in a deep breath and kept quiet for a while.
‘Hey, is something wrong?” Renee asked and I shook my head.
“Actually, I think there’s a big problem” I said and they adjusted on their seats.
“What is it?’ Renee asked curiously.
“This morning, I had gone to see Sean before coming here to the office. And while I was with him, he showed me a necklace which he had gotten from a crime scene – the apartment where Senator Zayn and his family were assassinated” i paused.
“He showed me a necklace which he got from the crime scene and…girls, it was Annabel’s necklace!”
A stunned silence stepped in.
“What?” Esther flinched.
“Annabel’s necklace?
“Yes. And I’m as confused as you guys are. Remember she came home without it last night” I said.
“But…why would Annabel’s necklace be at the crime scene?” Renee shrieked.
“Yeah. I mean, she told us she was going for a party”
“But she returned with a scratch on her arm” I said and they all paused.
“Oh God!” Esther muttered.
I exhaled deeply and leaned forward.
“Haven’t you noticed?” I asked in what seemed like a whisper.
“Annabel has been acting different lately”.
“Yeah – especially after the party when she went missing” Esther ch¡pped in, fear resounding in her voice.
“First, that wh0le escape story of hers was cooked. up” Renee said .
“And she started acting differently afterwards”
“She asked for a separate room” Esther said.
“She wouldn’t let us read her diary anymore”. Renee said.
“She spoke back at me” I also said.
“And nearly ate me up when she caught me holding her diary” – Esther.
“And yesterday morning, I caught her drooling over Royce” – Renee said.
“And don’t forget the part about she eating vegetables and wearing short dresses” – Esther.
“Then, its obvious guys! Something…is not right now with Annabel” I said, almost half yelling.
“Yeah. Our little Annabel would never do all these”.
“What if that lady over there is an imposter?”
“What? Aren’t you trying to say that isn’t Annabel?” Renee asked.
“Yes, of course. Do you really think Annabel would change this much within the twinkle of an eye?”
“But…”
“Guys,” I cut in and they stopped talking and turned to look at me.
“I think I’ve gotten an idea on what to do to know if that’s Annabel or not” I said and their eyes beamed.
TBC.