'The Mystery of Elizabeth Matthews' has finally been on 'What's Hot' list of Mystery/Thriller since Dec 1, which is an achievement in itself.
So here's the next update. I couldn't wait any longer. (We'll work on the votes and comments part later) :p
This is by far the longest chapter I've written. Hope you guys enjoy reading it.
The next few days passed by in a blur, juggling between studies and planning for Jack's birthday. Since the company was supposed to be handed over to him on that day, it was going to be a grand celebration for the town of Bridgewood. The four of them had been busy preparing the event with their parents along with Claire at the Summers Mansion. Daniel, being his usual self whined every now and then to let him go out and play, since he was bored to death. But poor Danny was ignored by everyone as they were pretty engrossed in their own assigned tasks. Since his birthday was 30th October, just two days away, all of them were rushing here and there with their phones and laptops to check up the end moment details, whether to add, subtract things or not, etc.
In the end, Trent gave in and volunteered to take Danny out in the park which apparently was his favourite place on earth. Danny let out a shout of excitement as soon as they reached the park and ran away to the swings. Trent chuckled and shook his head watching him from afar. After a while of watching over him, he was satisfied that Danny wouldn't go anywhere else except for slides and monkey bars. So he started strolling around casually in the park, occasionally texting on the phone.
Daniel was having fun playing with his friends, when he noticed someone coming towards the exit of the park. Since his back faced the exit, he could clearly see whoever was exiting. His mouth hung open in awe. The more he stared, the more beautiful he thought, she was. Especially her eyes. They were mesmerizing. As soon as she passed him, he followed.
Elizabeth had gotten in an argument with Peter yet again and decided to come to the park to get some fresh air. She was returning when she heard footsteps behind her just near the exit.
She groaned inwardly.
If whoever that was, wanted a fight, she'd give him one. Public place or not.
Without even thinking, her hand fisted and she turned around ready to punch the follower, but was met with blue eyes that sparkled with adoration, staring up at her, instead.
Her hand lowered and her eyebrows raised.
Who is this kid?
She despised kids. Her hatred towards them was not something she could control, not after everything that happened.
"What do you want, kid?" She asked in a cold voice and glared at him.
He didn't even flinch. This surprised her. The kid was still staring at her in a daze.
She stared back, observing him.
He couldn't get over the fact that she was so beautiful, and so he stared.
And stared
And then, stared some more.
Finally getting tired of his staring, she held his shoulders and shook him hard. This made him break out of his trance.
"You" He pointed at her "are so pretty." He whispered, momentarily forgetting how to speak in a normal tone.
Her eyebrows raised again.
"Look at your eyes. They are so violet." He continued. "Can I get your eyes, please?" He asked her sweetly.
"That's why you were following me?" she asked irritatingly.
He nodded innocently.
For Elizabeth, this conversation was already over.
"Listen, you need to go away. Just go back to wherever you came from. Got it, kid?" She said, more like ordered, and turned to walk away from him.
"Hey, I am not a kid." He shouted angrily at her retreating back.
She paused and faced him again.
"Oh? How old are you then?"
He smiled cheekily and answered her, pride evident in his voice.
"I am ten." He held out all his fingers in front of her. "Look, I completed all my fingers. That's why I am not a kid anymore." He exclaimed and grinned widely.
"What about your toes?" She asked feigning confusion.
His smile faded.
"What about my toes?" he asked her actually confused.
"You need to complete your toes too, in order to grow up." She explained. "So you are still a kid, kid." She smirked.
His eyes widened and his face fell.
"How old are you?" he asked, curious to know whether she completed her toes or not.
"I am 21." She lied.
Ha! Finally got him. She thought smugly.
He pouted.
"But Jackie never told me this." He mumbled sadly.
Jackie?
"What's your name? And who is Jackie?" she asked almost afraid of knowing the answer.
"I am Daniel Sanders and Jackie is my – "
"There you are." came Trent's voice from behind Daniel.
He was breathing heavily by the time he reached them. He was frantically searching for Daniel once he noticed that he wasn't playing with the others. That's when he caught a glimpse of him talking to a blonde. He just knew that he had to get there before Daniel spilled the beans.
"You shouldn't wander away like that." He scolded Daniel.
"Sorry!" he apologized and gestured towards Elizabeth. "I made a new friend today." He said happily.
Trent looked at Elizabeth, unsure of how to speak to her, since he was unaware of what they talked.
"Hey?" he asked her more than greeting her.
But Beth didn't answer. She couldn't. Her heart was pounding in her chest; her body had gone rigid as soon as she heard the word Sanders. Her voice was caught in her throat.
Trent was confused by her behaviour. Her face showed panic and her eyes, fear.
What is she thinking?
"Are you okay?" he asked uncertainly.
"Y-You aren't J-Jack S-San – ?" She couldn't even complete the question.
Deep breaths Em. Deep breaths. Everything is okay. Just fine. She kept saying over and over in her head.
"But you have green eyes and he has blue." She seemed to be talking to herself.
Trent froze.
Damn it. Guess he was too late. Wait a minute. How did she know that Jack has blue eyes?
"How do you know he has blue eyes?" He asked her harshly, dropping the act.
Blue eyes? Blue eyes. Blu – WESTIN BLACK!
She froze. Her eyes widened.
He was right in front of her this entire time?! God! She is so stupid. How did she not notice, he had the same blue eyes.
She cursed herself for her stupidity.
Finally acknowledging Trent, she asked.
"Westin. Westin is Jack, isn't it?" She needed the confirmation.
Trent hesitated at first and just stared at her blankly, then after a few moments, nodded once.
She let out a breath, she didn't know she was holding and hesitated to ask more.
"Just spit it out, Beth." Trent snapped.
"W-What's your name?"
If Westin was a fake identity then it was obvious that the others were too.
"Blair." He said quietly. "Trent Blair."
No!
This wasn't supposed to happen. She was supposed to stay away from them and not get this close. And yet, here she was, right into the heart of The Group with these elite people.
"Now will you tell me, how you knew about – " Trent started, but was cut off.
"I n-need to g-go." She stuttered out and almost sprinted from there.
Danny who was quiet the entire time, getting more and more confused by the second, tugged at Trent's hand.
"Trenny?"
"Hmm?"
"I think, I just fell in love and I didn't even get to ask her name."
Don't forget to vote, if you guys like it.
-DS