Chapter 4

Chapter Theme Song: Stand Still by Sabrina Claudio

[Blake's POV]

They could all blame me for destroying her reputation, I didn’t care. My hatred for Veronica was so profound that I lost all reason. Hearing her cries would soothe my anger nicely, even if it was for just a minute. I was about to go into detail about everything, when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. Taking out the phone, my brows furrowed together when I saw the caller ID. I stared at the screen in disbelief. It was my grandmother. She had been living abroad for years. When I married Victoria she had cut off all communications with me, as she disapproved of our union. Grandmother was old fashioned and didn’t believe Victoria brought anything of value to our family or business, as she was a model for a small company at the time.

 I pressed the answer button despite the hard feelings I had towards her. Since my parents died, she was the only relative I had left. After years of not speaking, she said, “Don't utter any nonsense in front of the reporters, Blake.” 

“Do you think you are in a position to tell me what to do, Grandmother?” I retorted, seething. 

There was a dead silence for a couple of moments. I felt happy giving her taste of her own medicine.  

“I have heard everything, Blake. I am very sorry for your loss. I told you from the beginning not to marry her, but you never bothered to listen to me. Please, listen to me now,” she pleaded. “The girl connected to this incident is your sister-in-law. Until this situation has been fully investigated, don’t throw around half-ass accusations.”

 Grandmother had a point. I sighed in frustration and angrily said, “You weren't by my side this whole time. What makes you think that I’ll listen to anything you say?” 

“I am here now. Have you ever needed me these past couple of years, Blake?” she asked.

 She was right! With my mind preoccupied with Victoria, I had distanced myself from my own grandmother–to the point I thought she had abandoned me. This realization shook me to my core. We were both silent for a moment and then she disconnected the call. 

I inhaled a deep breath before looking up at the expectant reporters. I was still tempted to carry out my plan, but I knew grandmother was right. Anything I said now would only affect me and my family in the future. I shifted my eyes from the crowd to the location of my BMW. It was parked near the garden on far side of the estate. Without another word, I turned and walked to my car. 

The reporters screamed for answers, while banging their fists on the iron gate. Like that would make a difference? I had already made up my mind. I stole a glance at my watch and started the countdown. If the girl wasn’t here soon, I would add on another punishment. 

[Veronica’s POV]

I saw everything that happened from the window. He had just turned away from the reporters and walked over to his expensive car. I didn’t have much time left. 

My maid voiced her displeasure, as she put my clothes in a large suitcase. She denounced his earlier behavior toward me and declared him to be the devil himself. As I listened to her, my eyes travelled around the room until they landed on the picture of me and Veronica. I remember when that the picture was taken. It was just after I came home and she came to meet me at the airport. We looked like a perfect family. 

Caressing the bottom of the frame, I murmured, “I wish you were here, Victoria.”

“Your bag is ready, Young Miss,” my maid announced.

 I thanked her with a faint smile and dragged my suitcase out of the bedroom. 

When I came downstairs, I saw that dad was standing near the front door with his head bowed. He looked vulnerable, like he had aged overnight. Even though I was innocent, I still felt guilty for him being in this state. 

“Dad?” I called softly.

 He looked up at me with a painful expression and walked over to me. Pulling me into a tight hug, he murmured, “Veronica…Don't go...” 

My heart broke a little more hearing dad’s plea. I held back my tears and responded, “I have to go dad. I have to find out what happened to Victoria.” 

“What if Blake kills you before you find her? What will I do then?” he asked fearfully.

“At least, Blake won’t be able to bother you or your business. Do you have any news of Victoria?”

He released me from his hug and replied, “Oh yes! I forgot to tell you. Blake had the police do DNA traces on the ship. Victoria's DNA wasn't found anywhere among the ashes.”

 “That must mean that she is alive somewhere,” I murmured.

My dad nodded wiping his tears with his hand.

 “I hope so, Veronica. At the very least, you will be found innocent of this ridiculous charge,” he said.

 I gave him a faint smile and nodded in agreement.

 Dad sighed and planted a sweet kiss on my forehead. 

“Take care of yourself, Veronica. After this mess is over, I will send you abroad. This city is too dangerous for you.” 

After another brief hug, he led me out the front door. We noticed the crowd of screaming reporters. 

“Just ignore them and don't step out of the house for a few days, dad,” I suggested.

 We exchanged few more words and then I walked towards Blake's car. Out of habit, I went to open the rear back door but it was locked. I frowned as the window rolled down to reveal Blake’s blank expression.

 “You aren’t a part of my family so you can’t sit back here. Sit in the front beside my driver,” He ordered.

 I swallowed hard against the anxiety rising in my throat, and followed his instructions. Glancing in the rearview mirror, I saw that his look and posture indicated nothing other than the powerful business man. I had to give him credit; he was very good at wearing that mask that hid his anger, worries and pain. 

“Where are we going now?” I asked a little apprehensively.

 “C Nation,” he replied.

No sooner had I made up my mind not to say another word, my phone rang. The color drained from my face when I saw the number on my screen. It was the managing director of The Rira Fashion Show. My hands trembled as I answered the phone. 

“Sorry for this sudden call, Veronica. But, I thought I would check on you,” he said.

“I am doing well, Mr. Jake. Thank you for your concern. Is there something that I can do for you?” I asked. 

In a polite voice, Jake responded, “No. I just called to inform you that we still have you on our lineup. Rumors like this tend to happen in the modeling industry. Try not to worry. As you keep working, the public will forget about this incident after few months. But...are you still participating in this week's fashion show?” 

I was about to respond, when my phone was suddenly snatched out of my hand. The man, who was supposed to be sitting back in his comfy leather seat, held my phone up to his ear. 

“Veronica won't be joining any fashion shows in the near future, Mr. Jake. Her manager will notify you when she comes back at work. For the time being, don't trouble her,” he said.

 Hearing him being so rude hardly shocked me, but then I vaguely heard Jake's surprised voice. I guessed he wasn’t used to being spoken to like that.

“W-who are you?” 

“Blake Davison, Veronica’s brother-in-law,” he curtly answered. 

 He abruptly ended the call and threw the phone back to me. 

“If you accept any professional work during this time, I will forget my promise to you Veronica,” he warned, glaring at me. “Do you think that they are being patient with you just because they admire your work? No! Since Victoria isn't here, they are just looking for her replacement.”

I bit my tongue hard to stop myself from responding to his hurtful words, which had successfully hit my heart’s core. He was right about my position in the fashion industry. They probably just needed me to fill in for my sister, but that didn’t discount the fact that I had worked my ass off to be recognized as a model. I had never relied on my relationship with Victoria, nor did I ever seek any help from anyone else connected to the industry. However, none of that matter now. My contract with The Rira Fashion wasn't solid and refusing to work in their show would only lead them to deny me a job in the future. Ha! What future? I didn't even know if I would ever be able to escape this Hell.

The car drove away through the rear gate as to not notify the reporters, who were blocking the front entrance. All of the roads were empty as we made our way straight to Blake’s mansion. About thirty minutes later we pulled in through the front gate and parked right in front of his massive estate.

“What are we doing here instead of the airport?” I thought.

The second the car came to a stop he quickly exited the car, straightened his collar and walked towards the backyard. The driver, who noticed my bewildered expression, slowly approached me. 

“Miss Knight, please follow him to the backyard.” He spoke while helping me with my suitcase.

“But aren’t we going to C Nation?” I asked.

 He responded respectfully, “Yes, Miss. However, Master Blake doesn't use local airports for travelling as he has his own private jet.”

“Damn, it must be convenient to be that rich!” I thought while following the driver. Sure, I belonged to a prominent family as well. Even so, dad still wasn't wealthy enough to spend that kind of money on a private jet. 

I stole a glimpse of his house which looked more like a castle from a fairy tale. Not having much time to observe it, I hurried after the driver who already disappeared from my view. I quickly caught up with him and gasped in awe when I saw the silver colored jet. 

Turning around to face me, Blake said, “I don’t want to spend any extra money on you for a plane ticket and travelling separately is out of the question, so you will be flying with me.” 

Expecting him to say something rude, I rolled my eyes and went to board the jet. His driver followed me while carrying my suitcase, intending to put it inside the aircraft for me. Yet, when Blake saw this, he immediately stopped him. 

“Wait, why are you serving her? Leave her suitcase there. She can carry it on her own,” he said.

 The driver seemed hesitant and cast me a pitiful look. Smiling up at him, I took the suitcase from him.

“It's okay. I am strong enough to carry it,” I said.

Without another moments delay, I started to take my suitcase up the stairs. I instantly started to perspire as it was heavy. 

“Lord, what all did she put in here?!” I asked myself. 

While I was making my way into the jet, I heard Blake answer his phone. 

“What!? They have news about Victoria? You are sure?” he asked anxiously.

 I froze in place. An overwhelming happiness spread through my body at the thought of my sister being alive.