by J. A. Delese
He suddenly felt confused. If she wanted to go back to the U.S. or Korea, she must bring this passport with her, but she didn’t, even though she knew the password of the security box.
Don’t tell me you chose the stupidest thing, Cathy.
If she really died this time, he didn’t think that he could survive. He gripped her passport tighter.
Don’t do it, Cathy. I won’t—
Then he heard his phone ring. It was Mr. Macson.
“Yes.”
“All the security cameras are off today. They said it was because of mechanical problem, but I think someone helped her. Someone who knows what to do, just like us.”
He didn’t even answer, just hung up the phone.
“Only one.”
Stephen
“I don’t feel good about this, Honey.” Ingrid’s voice was shaking. “What if—”
“Don’t worry, Darling. I’m sure she went out to take a walk or something.”
“Do you really think so?” she asked incredulously.
“Yes. I really think so. Just let them be alone. They are not teenagers. They should be responsible for whatever choices they make,” he said in a firm tone.
“Alright. See you at home soon.” Ingrid hung up the phone without energy in her voice. She sounded scared and tired of what was happening now.
I understand how you feel, Ingrid. This is why I’m going to make an end of this. We need to end this crazy shit show.
He closed his eyes and breathed out heavily. He was thinking of this whole thing and realized he had another incoming call. He checked the phone and saw that it was Tom.
Of course.
He answered the phone call with a gentle and peaceful tone.
“Hello, son.”
“Where is she?” Tom asked.
“That is my question. Where is she? Don’t tell me she’s on the way to police or press,” he said a bit sarcastically.
“I’m sure you would not send her to them. Where. Is. She?” Tom asked again.
“I don’t know. What makes you think it’s me?”
He could her Tom’s sigh over the phone.
“I know it’s you, Father. You’ve planned this, right? The day she visited your office, you told her what to do, didn’t you? I should have not trusted what she said. I should have not trusted what you said. I SHOULD HAVE NOT TRUSTED ALL OF YOU!” Tom shouted.
Stephen pulled the phone away from his ear.
“WHERE IS SHE? WHERE ARE YOU KEEPING HER?”
“Stop yelling, Thomas. Your father still can hear you very clearly.”
“Where is she?” Tom asked in low tone instead.
“I told you I don’t know. Don’t make me repeat what I said,” Stephen said in the tone that he used to use when he scolded Tom.
“You think I can’t find her? I know what to do, since you trained me so well, Father. I’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, and if I find her dead, I’LL MAKE SURE YOU PAY THE PRICE!”
Initially, Stephen thought he’d laugh off whatever his son said, but his last words were too much to bear.
“How dare you say such things to your father!” He even stood up from the chair. “You are the one who must pay for this mess! YOU MADE A FUCKING STUPID CHOICE AND DRAGGED THE ENTIRE FAMILY INTO THIS! YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A DISAPPOINTMENT! YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE MY HEIR!”
He was shouting like a mad man, but soon realized that his son already hung up the phone.
“STUPID BOY!” He failed to suppress his anger and threw the phone on the ground.
This is fucking ridiculous.
He couldn’t stop his rage against Tom.
How come none of them are like me! He collapsed on his chair. One is entirely too righteous and the other one is not righteous at all.
He leaned back on the chair and closed his eyes to think about what his sons were doing. He didn’t understand why they were so different from him. Even though half of their blood came from Ingrid, the other half was from him and they were still doing things that he would never do, if he were them. Stephen knew that Nate looked more like his mother on the outside and inside, but he thought Tom was slightly more on his side than hers—less dreamy, more realistic.
And he made his dream came true.
He burst out laughing at what his son did.
Liz would scold him for what he did. She would call him a monster for this.
Thinking of Liz made his heart ache. When he heard that Catherine had her voice from his wife, he was so curious and, honestly, quite eager to hear her voice, but he decided not to. He purposely avoided any chance of meet her.
Because I knew I’d be swayed.
Who can resist the sweet voice of your own daughter? The sweet voice that always called you daddy. He rubbed his forehead and tried not to be overwhelmed with sorrow.
Tell him to wake up from his dream, Liz. Tell him that it’s impossible to have you back.
“I will, Daddy! Don’t worry. I’m sure he’s going to say ‘I’m sorry, Dad’ very soon! You know he’s a silly boy. Always acts like a kid!” He could hear her voice in his head. “You know, I was so angry with him for what he did to David and told him that I’d never ever talk to him again, and he said he won’t either. And the very next day he came to me and said ‘I’m so sorry, Liz. Please forgive me.’ How stupid is that?” she finished talking and started laughing. He laughed together with her.
“You are right, Liz. He’s going to be fine.”
“He is. So, stop worrying about him and help me instead.”
Suddenly he realized that it was not Liz who was talking. She was the one talking to him.
“You should help me. You are the only one can help me,” she shed tears and begged him for help.
I am helping you, Catherine. Just do as I said. Don’t make any noise. Stay low.
When he recalled what he urged her, a sudden noise frightened him. It was from the phone on the floor. He grabbed it and answered the phone call.
“What happened?” he asked.
“Tom sent people here, and they are checking everywhere, Stephen!”
“WHAT?”
“So many of them here! I called Tom, but HE NEVER PICKED UP MY CALLS!”
He could hear the shock in Ingrid’s voice.
“Calm down, Ingrid. Just let them check wherever they want to check. Tom thinks we did something to her. So let him do what he wants to do. I’ll head home now,” he said in an urgent tone.
“Alright, but don’t drive too fast!”
“Don’t worry.”
He hung up the phone and picked up his suit jacket.
Gone mad, he is.
He asked his secretaries to get the car ready.
Stay there, Catherine.
He walked into the elevator.
For the sake of everyone, stay there. Don’t do anything stupid. Just stay there.
Margaret
“Would you like to have some more cake?” she asked kindly.
“No thanks. I had enough.” Catherine smiled awkwardly. Margaret could tell that this girl was very scared now by the way her hands were shaking. Margaret felt pity for her.
“Don’t be nervous, Dear. Make yourself at home. He won’t find you here.”
Margaret smiled her kind grandmother’s smile to her. Catherine smiled awkwardly again and said, “Well…I really hope so.”
She held the teacup with her hands, trying not to show how nervous she was. Margaret felt sadder at that. She laid her hand over Catherine’s hands.
“Everything’s going to be fine,” she said.
“It is. Thank you, Mrs. Sharpe.”
Catherine smiled again, but Margaret could tell that it was not genuine.
Poor thing.
Margaret sincerely felt pity for her. She looked like a sweet and kind girl.
Maybe that’s why he chose her.
Margaret did not feel good about this. She had never expected her grandson would commit a crime like this, so it
was quite difficult for her to understand everything; but since it already happened, she decided to handle it as well as possible. That’s why she agreed to keep Catherine. She put more strength on her hand.
“Let’s choose a new name for you!” she said excitedly.
“New name?” Catherine asked with a surprised look.
“Yes! We can’t keep calling you by your name. You need a new one. What name do you like?”
“I don’t know…I’ve never thought about it….”
Catherine looks so timid and feeble. Margaret didn’t like it. Girls should be stronger and tougher than this, if they wanted to survive this world.
“How about Jennifer?” she asked.
“Jennifer?” Catherine asked back.
“Yes! Jennifer! It’s a good name, I think. What do you think?”
“Sure. I like it,” Catherine answered with a smile.
Margaret could tell it was genuine this time. She felt satisfied with that and had another sip of tea. A few seconds later, Winston, her butler, came into the room and told her that there were men outside of the house asking him to open the door.
“What?” Margaret asked.
“What shall we do?” he asked.
He even checks on me?
She couldn’t believe it. She thought Tom would not suspect her, since she was always on his side. She clicked her tongue.
“Tell them that we will call the police.”
“Yes, Madam.”
How stupid.
She couldn’t stop clicking her tongue, but realized that Catherine was looking at her.
“Oh, don’t worry, dear. They’ll go back,” she said kindly.
She drank one more sip of tea and Winston rushed back into the room.
“Madam, they jumped over the wall!”
“WHAT!”
She can’t believe what she heard.
“THIS IS INSANE!”
She stood up from the sofa and asked Winston to lead Catherine to a safe place.
“Let me go and talk to them!”
She walked out of the room and found the men Tom sent at the foyer. One of the men, who looked like their leader, came toward her.
“Good evening, Madam. So sorry for disturbing you, but Mr. Thomas—”
“I know why you are here. But she’s not here. Go and tell my grandson that Granny is deeply shocked and disappointed.”
The man, however, stepped forward.
“My apologies, Madam. We still need to check.”
Then they climbed up the stairs and spread out to find Catherine. They opened the door to each room roughly. Margaret felt giddy to look at it. She reeled from the shock and Winston came to hold her.
“Madam!” he shouted.
“I’m fine.” She shook off his hand. “Call Stephen. NOW!”
Catherine
She held her breath and closed her eyes. She prayed to God to save her from this. She desperately asked God to help her.
But I know you will not.
God has never answered her prayers. She heard someone enter the storage room. She was in the big, old wardrobe, and if this guy opened the wardrobe, he would definitely see her.
Please, God. Help me. Help me!
She kept praying and closed her eyes. She tried her best not to move. She could hear the sound of his shoes. He was walking around the room and opened this and that.
Please, God. Help me. Please. Please. Please.
She was shivering. She was scared. She didn’t want to go back and face him. She remembered everything now, and she could imagine how angry he must be. She could still picture his angry face, and she was very sure that she didn’t want to see it again.
God, help me please.
She prayed desperately to God, and it seemed that he listened to her! She could hear the sound of footsteps recede.
Thank God!
She gave a sigh of relief. Finally she felt she was safe, but right then, bright light blinded her, and she couldn’t even open her eyes. Minutes later, she opened her eyes enough to see that someone was looking at her. She remembered this man. It was the same guy who found her at her mother’s home and the airport.
No way….
He was holding the doors and staring at her. She wanted to say something, but she couldn’t make a sound. She was just sitting there and looking up at him. He also didn’t say anything to her. She knew she should say something in this moment, so she squeezed her throat to make a sound.
“Please…,” she whispered.
She couldn’t say anything more because of her tears, but she did her best to beg. He didn’t respond. She thought he would drag her out, but he didn’t. They were just looking at each other for a few seconds until she heard some noise from outside. He quickly turned his head to see behind him and looked back at her. He put his index finger over his lips. She was surprised, but understood what he meant and nodded in acknowledgement. He closed the door and walked out of the storage area. She could hear him saying “clear here.”
She covered her mouth and started to cry quietly.
Thank God. Thank you for helping me. Thank God.
Tom
He couldn’t eat or sleep. He didn’t know how many days had passed since he’d gone to work. Actually, he didn’t even know what day it was. He just stayed in his condo, either drinking or crying. He’d been trying so hard to find her, but they had nothing for him. All they found was a cab driver who said one of his passengers asked him to drive to the harbor and she looked like Catherine. The security cameras on the street really showed that a cab went to a harbor, but it didn’t show any evidence that the passenger was her.
Ridiculous, he laughed. Are they saying that she committed suicide? Ridiculous!
Why would she do that? She had no reason to kill herself, unless….
She recovers her memory.
He laid his glass down roughly on the desk. He didn’t want to believe this. He didn’t sense anything like that before. She looked perfectly normal and happy to be with him.
Did she act all this time?
He drank another sip of whisky.
“For what? TO KILL YOURSELF?” He threw the glass on the wall.
“WHAT THE FUCK WERE YOU THINKING? WHAT MADE YOU THINK YOU NEEDED TO END THIS? WHY? WHY!” he shouted into the air like a madman and sank into the chair.
“Why…why…Catherine. Why….” He started to cry. “Why…you could stay with me…I can do anything for you…I can give anything you want…anything….”
He couldn’t suppress his sadness anymore and began to wail like a little boy.
You could give me a chance. I can show you I’m better than before. You should have given me a chance. You should have given me a chance, Catherine….
He cried his heart out for her. Several hours later, he stopped crying, but he felt dizzy. So he went to the bedroom and lay on the bed. He could still smell her scent in the sheets. He felt like she was with him.
“I miss you.”
He closed his eyes and fell asleep, but soon he found himself in the hospital, holding the hands of Liz.
“Don’t cry, Tommy,” she said.
She was so pale, and he could see blood coming from her mouth and nostrils.
“Don’t leave me, Liz. Don’t leave me. I don’t know how to live without you. Please Liz. Don’t leave me.”
He held her hand and cried out, but then he heard a flat, steady sound from the heart monitor. He couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t exhale. He felt like someone was stabbing his heart.
“NO!” he cried out.
“Don’t leave me, Liz. Don’t leave me. Don’t leave me! Don’t leave me!”
He repeated it so many times as if it could bring her back from death.
“You did this to her.”
He turned back to look at the person who said it.
“You killed her.”
“I didn’t, Catherine.”
She was all wet. Water was dripping from her hair and her white d
ress. She looked so pale just like Liz.
“You pushed me to die. You dragged her to die. You are a murderer, Thomas.”
Her voice was as cold as ice. He felt it was not like Catherine.
“No, I’m not. I didn’t. I didn’t kill her or you. I didn’t. I didn’t want this.”
“You killed me, Tommy. I told you I didn’t want to go.”
He turned back and looked at Liz. She was sitting on the bed and staring at him with blood on her face.
“No, Liz. Don’t. Don’t do this to me. You can’t do this to me.”
He waved his hands roughly in the air. He didn’t want to hear anymore. He felt too much pain in his heart.
“You killed us, Tom. Are you happy now?”
He turned back and faced Catherine.
“I didn’t, Cathy. You know how much I love you. I love you, Cathy. Why would I kill you? I love you so much! I love you more than anyone!” he shouted.
“More than me?”
He turned back to Liz. She stood up from the bed and walked toward him.
“You promised me you will only love me for the rest of your life!” she said.
“I’m so sorry, Liz. I’m so sorry….”
“You are a lousy LIAR!” she yelled.
“Forgive me, Liz. I’m so sorry…please forgive me, Liz.”
As soon as he said it, he felt something around his neck. He tried to hold it, but Catherine was pulling it too hard.
“Go to hell with us, Tom. We all die together. Then, you can be with us FOREVER!”
He couldn’t make a sound. He resisted for several seconds, but in the end, gave up. He closed his eyes and let her do what she wanted to do. He felt the world was spinning and just like that, he woke up from his dream. The cold sweat broke out all over him. He breathed out harshly and touched his neck. He felt pain as if it really happened. He sat up on the bed. He couldn’t go back to sleep. He was too scared to face them again. He just sat on the bed like that for a long time.
Ingrid
She was on her way to her son’s condo. Susan had sent a message in the morning. She said Tom asked her not to come to his house anymore. Initially, Tom suspected Susan of helping Catherine to escape, but he confirmed that Susan’s aunt was terminally ill with cancer at the moment she took leave, so he let her come back to his house. Suddenly today, however, he laid her off.