CHAPTER 9: What happened twenty two years ago?

AIMEE'S POV

   'Yes, Scarlett. You're the daughter of Paige and Jamie Grey of JP's Enterprise.' I announced and the girls, particularly Skylar jumped out of her seat while Scarlett laughed dramatically.

   'Sorry? What did you say? My sugarplum is the daughter of Chairman Grey?! I'm sorry Aunt Aimee but isn't that so absurd to believe?!' Skylar said with her hands on her waist.

   'I understand it's hard to believe but if you girls would just hear me out, everything will be made clear.' I said and she sat down back. 

   'Can't we continue this some other time? I don't think I can deal with anymore revelations.' Scarlett said and my heart went out to her that moment. 

My poor baby girl...

   'I'd have love to do that too baby, but we can't delay any longer. Your mom's death anniversary is in a few days and your father would want you to be home before then.' I sighed.

   'You mean, the dead woman on that banner at the canal is truly my mother?' She asked with widen eyes. I nodded. 'What happened to her? Why is she dead when I've never met her yet?' She asked.

Oh finally, curiosity coming in...

  She sat down on the bare floor staring intently at me, awaiting my explanations. Skylar sat down beside her, clinging unto her bicep like she'll always do and I smiled at them.

What I'm about revealing might be too much for Scarlett's innocent heart to bear but I'm glad she have Skylar by her side. 

   'Paige and I grew up together in this city many years ago.' I began, staring at Scarlett whose resemblance to her mother was just so extreme. 

I've grown used to seeing Paige again in her daughter, while I raised her. She acts, talks, walks, dresses and does literally everything the same way Paige would, without even trying.

   'We were great friends and even went to the same preschool and junior highschool together. Until my family relocated to Australia and we lost contact with each other for many years. We didn't hear from each other for a really long time till, almost three decades ago when my dad came to the city again for business purpose and coincidentally met with her parents. He learned from them that she was getting married and on his return back to Australia, my Dad told me. I was more than happy to hear the news and I came down here for the wedding ceremony, that was when your late mother introduced me to her bestfriend Harriet -I'll tell you about her later- 

   Few years after her wedding ceremony, Paige and I still kept in touch but we didn't meet as often as we would've because of the distance. You know, I was in Australia and she was in the UK. 

However, one certain day at a business conference my Dad held in Canberra, I ran into Paige again and this time she was heavily pregnant. We were both so happy to see each other again and decided to spend more time together until her return. Our plan wasn't possible though, as I learned from her about her sudden illness and admission at the Canberra City Hospital. 

   One eventful morning, I busied about my home preparing to visit Paige at the hospital when my doorbell rang incessantly. I wasn't expecting anyone at that time of the day so I was reluctant to check. However, the person kept ringing the doorbell so I was forced to go take a look...

FLASHBACK

22 years ago

NARRATIVE

   Aimee walked to her door and peered through the intercom. She was shocked to see a distraught looking Paige, standing at the front porch of her home. She hurriedly opened the door.

   'Paige?' She stared in surprise at her old friend. She wasn't just stunned to see her at her home, she was shocked because of her appearance. 'What happened to you? Why do you look so pale? I was just preparing to come see you at the hospital.' She said concernedly.

   'I'm sorry Aimee, but you have to help me.' Paige pleaded. 

Aimee momentarily paused on sensing the desperation in her tone. She could tell at a glance that Paige was really sick as it was so evident in her hoarse voice, pale skin and dry lips. She immediately opened her door wider as she ushered her in.

   'Please come in.' 

Moments after, they sat across each other in Aimee's study and she listened to Paige's story.

   'Aimee, I find it hard to believe that I'm here saying this but please, protect my daughter.' She began. 'I've been betrayed girl, she stabbed me at the back yet still smiles at my face.' Aimee raised a brow in confusion but didn't interrupt. 'You remember Harriet? The lady I introduced as my bestfriend to you at my wedding party?' She asked.

  'Of course I do. Why? What did she do? Anything bad?' Aimee asked worriedly.

  'She's done a lot Aimee. She's done so much already yet she's still planning to do more. To cut the long story short; as I have to return to the hospital before anyone notices my absence, Harriet poisoned me!' As she said the words, tears roll down her cheeks. It still seemed like a dream to her but from what she's seen and heard, with the medical reports, Paige knew that it was far from a dream.

Aimee's eyes widened and she stared at Paige in sheer shock.

   'This is unbelievable Paige! I'm sorry but are you sure of what you're saying? I mean, we're talking about 'sweetheart' Harriet!' She was standing already, looking at Paige with disbelief. Paige sighed.

   'I know this would be hard girl, but I need you to trust me and help me. Can you do that please, for the sake of our childhood years?' 

Aimee looked at her again and sighed, she then sat down. 

   'Okay. But you have to tell me everything.' She said. Paige nodded and began explaining how it all happened.

PRESENTLY

AIMEE'S POV

   'So you mean my mother was killed by her bestfriend?' Scarlett said when I finished and I nodded. 

    'Your mother was almost on her knees, when she begged me to save you and raise you discreetly as my own should Harriet try something bad like she'd suspected she would.' I shake my head at the memories.

The bitch really did evil... 

   'If you'd remember; At a particular time of the year, I always mourned someone and would always make you observe the mourning rites with me.' I said and Scarlett sighed.

   'The unknown lady you'll always tell me about? The one you said was your friend who died from poisoning after giving birth through caesarean operation?' She asked. I nodded. 

   'That was your Mom.' I said and tears rolled down her cheeks. 'I've always told you about her, though discreetly. Your mother wanted it this way, it was all for your safety. She's always looked out for you, for your future.' I sniffed. 'Baby look at your wrist. Remember how that pretty silver-grey bracelet got there? Do you remember the words I said to you the day you'd received them?' Scarlett glanced at the shiny bracelet in her hands and her silent sobs became louder on realization.

   'It was on my twelfth birthday. You'd said these words -this is a gift from Mom, always put it on. It's a reminder that mom's eyes are always on you- that's what you'd said.' She cried through her words.

   'That's also from your beautiful mother. She'd instructed me to give this to you on your twelfth birthday with those words.' I said as the memory of that same day she came to my house, flashed in my head. 

   Paige was such a loving mother. Even in death, she still looked out for her own.

I watch Scarlett cry so hard that my heart ached for her. Skylar tried her best to console her, but she couldn't stop the tears from clouding her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. 

   I sighed as I picked up the black journal beside me. It was Paige's last gift to her daughter. It contains everything Scarlett needs to know about her birth, her parents, their companies and lastly, comforting and encouraging words from a loving mother to her beautiful daughter. 

I had to hide it at the secret room in my home to avoid Scarlett finding it one day and going crazy. 

Now that it was the right time, I have to give it to her; Paige wanted it this way.

   'Aunt Aimee?'

I looked down at Skylar. She wiped her eyes as she said.

   'I'm sorry but this Harriet, isn't she the mother of Ashton and Imogen? The Chairman's children?' Scarlett looked at me on hearing her question.

   'That's right. I would leave you girls to guess or find out how that happened. But just so you know Scarlett, your father wasn't aware of what she did. Your mother didn't want to tell him as she still wanted to give Harriet another chance for redemption even as she breathe her last. Sadly, that wench didn't take it. The only thing your Dad knows about is the fact that you're his offspring and you didn't die. He now knows for a fact that Harriet lied to him but what he doesn't know is how? Why did she lie to him? You know, in Harriet's world you're long dead. She never thought of the possibility of her evil schemes being discovered. To your father, you are alive because I saved you. He only learned about you two years ago. Again, Paige's idea. She wanted you grown up before he'll meet you because just as she had overheard, Harriet wanted the Chairman and his wealth for herself and she wasn't stopping till she achieved it _Well, she did. The point is this Scarlett. Now you know how evil Harriet can be, you have to trade consciously around her. How? Don't worry. You have me, your father and your Mom to guide you.'

   'My mother?' She asked weakly. The poor child was tired of everything but it's time she wakes up to her reality. Not the fake one Paige and I had given her all this while.

   'I have something for you.' I smiled and pick up the big journal on my laps and I stretched it to her.

   'This is your mother's last gift for you. It'll guide you, clear all your doubts and answer your remaining questions.' 

Scarlett lifted her hands and shakily received it from me.

My phone's screen lit up on the glass table and I looked at it.

JAMIE

Let's meet up. You know the location.

I looked at Scarlett and found her caressing the black leather seal with her thumb.

   'Get some rest baby, your Dad's coming for you in two days.' I bent down and kissed her forehead. She raised her eyes to me and tears clouded them once again.

   'Mom, it's really not a dream? This is really real?' She sobbed. 

I bent down and took her in my arms and let her cry convulsively in my embrace...

NARRATIVE

    Aimee had arrived at the private villa of Jamie Grey in Erdington. They were standing at his rooftop patio, staring down the beautiful city while they talked. The sun had long gone from the sky and the full moon and star-filled sky, added colors to the beautiful glowing city. 

   'Thank you Aimee. I really don't know how I can repay you for the good deeds you've done for Paige and I, her blessed memory. I know she's smiling at you from wherever she is now.' Jamie said, his hands tucked in his pants pockets. Aimee looked at him from over her shoulder and smiled, as her fingers leisurely caressed her wine glass.

   'All I did was for Paige's sake. You don't need to thank me or repay me for that. I just hope you'd do the needful when she's finally in your care and place her in her rightful position. As Paige would want.' She said, removing her gaze from him and staring into the quiet night.

   'Of course I would. I'm just worried she won't be willing to accept me in her life.' His green eyes darkened briefly and a hint of sadness appeared in them. Aimee glance at him from beneath her lashes and sighed.

   'It's been tough on her but I'm certain she'll accept you with open arms. I can't guarantee that immediately as everything still seems surreal to her. I'm however certain that gradually, she'll.' She said and Jamie looked sideways at her, a corner of his lips raised slightly in a small smile. 'Just be you and do you. Scarlett's exactly like her mother, I know you understand what I mean.' She raised her glass to her lips.

   Jamie sighed heavily as he tried to picture how the rest of his days would be with his precious daughter; the fruit of his union with his beloved.

He finally had another chance to be happy; he was never going to be careless again this time around...