Chapter 10: The Silent Intruder

Maria's POV

“You want us to call the cops on someone we aren't aware of? Cut me some slack, Andrew.

This ain't Hollywood. Fuck the cops and let's go check who's that,” I told Andrew while turning down his suggestion.

The sad face he put up shows that he wasn't pleased that I didn't follow his command but who cares? I'm all about my instincts.

I wasn't going to let Andrew play the lead role in my life when I was old enough to make certain decisions for myself.

As I stepped outside the vehicle, I checked behind me and noticed that Andrew was following my trail.

“Don't worry, just go.

I got this,” Andrew assured me.

We were like super crime fighter couples. Situations like this only happen in the movies.

As we strode quietly to the gate, we met with the security who was fast asleep.

Andrew and I shared a telling look.

It's obvious that the same thing for Security.

Another loud knock was heard on the gate that forced the security off his position.

The moment he saw us, he went on his knees and started apologizing. “I am so sorry, master.

I took some sleeping pills shortly after you both arrived. I thought we were never going to expect visitors anymore,”

“I don't bloody care.

You are laid off!” Andrew angrily declared until I was forced to step in.

“You don't need to get him fired. He already explained the reason for his actions.

Besides, we have a bigger problem ahead of us now,” I spoke to Andrew and made him see reasons that Jake, the security guard, shouldn't be sacked.

Jake wasn't far from the truth when he said he never expected more visitors.

However, taking sleeping pills on duty is something I can never be in support of.

“Who's there?

You really need to stop banging the gate like a coward and fucking say your name,” I sparked outrageously at whosoever that was knocking.

It was a massive risk, but I was prepared to take the bull by the horns.

Not for me, but for the safety of my boys. I am ready to protect them with the last drop of my blood. .

I won't forgive myself if anything bad happens to her, knowing I could have stopped it when I had the chance.

Despite the violent approach, the mystery person knocking at the gate never responded.

The silent treatment made me angry.

I felt stupid when I received no response. It's as though I was talking to myself.

"It's time we get the cops involved in this shit because I'm getting exhausted now," I lamented.

“Exactly what I suggested, Maria.

Let's call the cops and get this sorted out for once,” here comes Andrew again with his suggestion.

I bet he was waiting for something like this to happen to us just to prove that he was right about calling the cops.

That was the first time I ever agreed to Andrew's suggestion without making a mountain out of the mo hill.

As I was about heading back to the car to grab my phone and initiate the call, a voice spoke from outside.

Slowly, I crept back to Andrew and asked him. “Did you hear that voice? It sounded quite familiar, too,”

“I know you're In there, Maria or Naomi, whatever you call yourself.

I ain't leaving here until I have a word with you,” the voice repeated.

It only became clearer this time, making it easier for me to recognize it.

“Susan?

Is that you? What the fuck are you doing at my house at this hour?” I asked after guessing the person behind the voice.

It was a smart guess.

The only person that could sound like that is Susan.

Perhaps, people have started having similar voices that I wasn't aware of.

"That was a smart guess, Cousin. Now come up. I want to have a decent conversation with you.

If you refused to show up, I would believe that you're the weakling here,” what a way for Susan to reveal herself.

The leopard never changes its spot after all.

I had a mixed reaction when Susan revealed herself to me.

It was precisely what I wanted but now, I don't even know anymore.

“For the record, it's Naomi Jackson. Get that into your fucking head.

Secondly, I don't want to have a word with you so just leave before I do something crazy you'd live to regret for the rest of your life,” I sounded the warning to Susan'.

I thought it would be enough to make Susan leave, but I was wrong. Instead, she got stronger.

It was looking as though I unintentionally unleashed the beast in her.

It got messier when Susan involved my kids in the turmoil. “If you really want your kids to have a sound sleep, you'd obey my command now,”

At the mention of my kids, I lost my cool and nearly went out to tear her skin apart.

I guess what she wanted. She dug a pit of traps for me and I fell inside without focusing on my direction.

You just gotta give her a listening ear, Naomi. We can't let her win on this one.

At the same time, you wouldn't want the kids to have crazy nightmares," Andrew pleaded with me. A warm embrace accompanied his utterances.

After listening to him, I felt embarrassed.

I quickly pulled myself away from him. “Whose side are you on, Andrew? Did you just listen to yourself?”

Relentlessly, Andrew stood on his ground.

He gave me the reason I should accept Susan and hear what she has to say.

After paying attention to Andrew, I realized that he might be right after all.

“It's fine!

But she got five minutes.

Let her in,” I finally reached a compromise with Andrew.

Since I wasn't sure if Susan was harmed, I sent Jake to security to fetch Susan.

If her intentions were to hurt me, she wouldn't think about it anymore the moment she realized that it was a different person.

"What a nice place you've got, Maria.

I can't lie; a lot has changed about you over the years. Including your name.

So tell me, why the change of identity?' Susan mocked me.

She started on a rough note and I only had one person to blame.