Page 14 of Save Me

“Oh, well, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Isabelle—Starlet’s sister.” She states, and I don’t miss the way she bats her lashes, pulling her bottom lip between her teeth.

So, this is the spoiled brat?

“That makes one of us.” I coldly say, and Isabelle’s smile falters, her face flushing with embarrassment before she turns and walks away.

“Barbie from hell,” Chloe’s comment breaks the tension, and I can’t help but let a small grin tug at the corners of my lips. Before either of us can utter another word, an older gentleman approaches us. His dark brown hair is slicked back, with a few silver streaks in between. Starlet’s father.

“Thank you all for being here. Starlet would’ve loved it,” he says, making eye contact with each of us.

Clenching my jaw, I try to contain the words that threaten to leave my lips, but before I can think, it all starts pouring out. “Would she now?” I sneer through gritted teeth.

His head snaps to me as he stares at me with shock. “I doubt she would appreciate the fact that you have given up on her and just accepted that she’s dead.” I canfeel Chloe’s gaze burning into me, but I keep my eyes locked on him.

“And, um, who are you?” He asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Someone who doesn’t have their head up their ass,” I sneer, the bitterness in my voice evident. Chloe elbows me on the arm, urging me to be quiet.

He scoffs before taking a step closer to me. The sound of his footsteps echoes in my ears. “You have no idea how torn I am as a father, but after a year, it is time to accept the reality so that we all can start the healing process.”

I would believe him, but the look he gives me and the tone he uses has chills running down my spine. Nothing about this man says ‘grieving father’. After a few moments of silence, Chloe gets called over by Starlet’s mother to assist her with something. The sound of their hushed conversation fades into the background. Chloe gives me a stern look before leaving and dragging Adrian with her. Leaving me alone with Starlet’s father.

Taking a step forward, now close enough to him that I can practically hear his heartbeat. The tension between us is suffocating.

I whisper, my voice barely audible, “Everyone might believe that bullshit story, but not me…sir.” The anger inside me threatened to consume me.

Eyeing me, he gazes around us before he leans closer, “Don’t go searching for something that you’ll regret finding.” My entire body stills as he gives me a sinister grin before turning and leaving.

Her father’s haunting words echoed relentlessly in my mind, each repetition intensifying the unease that wriggled beneath my skin. That infuriatingly smug grin etched across his face sent shivers down my spine. He had to be hiding something.

So I did what I do best—after that bullshit memorial, I followed them home. Parked in my car, I waited patiently for the lights to go out. I didn’t have towait long. As most of the house faded into darkness, I emerged from the car, stealthily navigating my way over the side fence. The soft glow of the kitchen spilled a feeble light onto the side of the house. Peeking through the window, I caught sight of him and his wife having a conversation. I strain my ears, a sinister smile curling at the corners of my lips as his words reach me. He tells her that he is going to his study to catch up on some work.

There we go.

With unwavering focus, I observed his ascent up the stairs. Swiftly, I ventured to the back of the yard. Gazing upward, my eyes darted anxiously between the windows, awaiting the opportune moment. The thumping of my heart crescendoed in my ears as a faint glow illuminated one of the windows.

Scanning the yard, my gaze settled on the veins that adorned the wall. With a sigh, I roll up my sleeves before tugging on the veins to test their strength.

Let’s hope all those superhero movies I watched as a kid pay off.

Blowing out a breath, I started climbing up the vein, wincing as sharp branches occasionally graze my skin.At last, I reach the designated window and steal a quick glimpse inside, only to find it empty. Seizing the chance, I gingerly slid the window open, my movements as silent as possible, before deftly climbing through.

I gently close the window, the latch making a soft click, and then pivot to survey the room. My eyes take in the sight before me, while the scent of aged paper permeates the air. The dark wooden bookshelves, adorned with countless books, line the walls. On my right, a sturdy wooden desk captures my attention, the open laptop beckoning me closer.

Carefully, I lower myself into the plush, black leather chair, its soft creaking sound breaking the silence of the room. As I begin to click away and open file after file, my frustration intensifies with every unsuccessful attempt. Determined, I decided to delve into his emails. My attention is initially drawn to nothing in particular until I come across the ‘trash’ folder and spot an email from Zavier.

“What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath. In a mix of anticipation and apprehension, I click on the message, feeling my heart pound in my chest.

Zavier. O

I received the payment.

It's a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Macklamor.

As I reread the messages, a fiery surge of anger courses through my veins. These messages were sent almost a year ago, around the same time Starlet disappeared.

What the hell did he do?

Leaning back into the worn leather chair, I tap my fingers on the polished dark wood, feeling its smooth texture beneath my touch. I struggle to wrap my head around the shocking revelation that he paid Zavier for something.

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