✓NEXT DAY✓
DIVA'S POV
Everyone sat down for breakfast at the dinning table, we were all dressed up as it's a Monday and we all have classes. I settled for toasted bread and milk, Alexis was having cereals, Lia and Kim were having noodles and Nia settled for pancakes with a glass of orange juice. We ate on in silence, while I kept my eyes on Nia's waterfall braid, it really looks pretty on her. Carl would be returning to South Korea soon, he told me in our chat yesternight.
"Are we practicing today girls?" Kim suddenly asked looking up at me in particular.
"We didn't practice for some time now due to Lia's birthday and Jay's concert. So I guess we should." I said shruggingly.
They all nodded approvingly and continued eating. I smiled and looked at Alex beside me, she just dropped her spoon.
"Thanks everyone. I'll head for school now." She said smilingly.
"Okay Alex, do take care alright?" The girls said and she nodded.
I stared silently at her for a while wondering about this ominous feeling I've been having since yesternight and I could feel the girls eyes on me. They all have been acting weird lately but I'm sure I'll find out soon...
My heart keeps pounding unnecessarily each time I look at Alex. What could be wrong? Is she Ill? What's with the strange feeling?
"Uh...Diva, I'll go now." She said and I snapped out of my thoughts immediately. Genny walked in and handed her a lunchbox.
"Here you go Miss Alexis." She said.
"Thanks Genevieve." Alexis smiled at her and stood up from her seat and walked down the living room where another maid gave her, her backpack. I took a quick sip from my glass of milk and went after her.
"Alexis are you sure you wanna go to school today?" I asked worriedly as I touched her neck for body temperature. She seems fine, so what's wrong??
"Yes Diva. I'm fine really I still have my first bestie, Hector and you and the girls." She said cutely and I couldn't help but smile.
"Of course dearie, you'll always have me." I touch her cheeks gently and I trailed my eyes to her wrist, the bracelet was still there thankfully, although her brown long sleeved top covered it partially.
I leaned down and kissed her forehead and she smiled.
"Go now dear. Your driver and escorts are waiting. I'll be having a surprise for you on your return." I said and her eyes brightened beautifully. She smiled widely revealing a dimple and I awnned silently. She's so adorable...
"Goodbye." She waved then turned and walked out...
I stared after her until she was totally out. I turned around and caught the girls all staring at me, Lia's eyes got a glitter of tears in it and I furrowed my brows in confusion.
"Okay guys! Don't you think it's high time y'all tell me what's going on?" I asked cocking my hips as I stared at them. Kim turned to her food, Nia sipped from her juice and Lia looked down at her phone.
"Oh shit!" She exclaimed standing up hurriedly. "I've gotta go now girls, I'll see you later." She grabbed her purse and hurried out.
"Uhm...me too." Nia said standing up also. I shook my head and sighed.
"Trust me, I'll let you go now but y'all definitely aren't escaping me tonight." I said and hurried up the stairs to get my purse or I'll be late for class.
CILIA'S POV
I hurried down the hallway to go meet Jay, he's got some explaining to do. On my way down the stairs, I came upon Jasmine and Jade they were ascending. I smiled on seeing them together, something's definitely going on between them, I've been seeing them together of late...
"Hello lovebirds..." I cooed and Jasmine's face went crimson immediately. "Awwnnn she's blushing." I added and she covered her face shyly with her free hand as Jade was holding the other.
"Hey Cilia. How you?" He smiled.
"I'm good Jade. Did she finally say yes?" I asked with a knowing wink and his smile broadened.
"Of course she did, right babe?" He looked at Jas and she glared mischievously at me. I grinned innocently.
"Of course she did. I trust Jas." I winked at her before hurrying down the stairs.
"I'll see you later guys. I'm in a hurry." I called back to them and I heard them chuckled.
Soon I reached the spot were Jay was waiting for me. He was busy with his phone but lifted his head immediately he noticed my presence, I smiled and went to hug him.
"LJ Oppa!"
"Babe." He smiled at me as we disengaged from the hug.
I frowned at him and he furrowed his brows in confusion.
"Answer me sincerely. You guys were behind the abduct of Evan Gomez yesterday noon weren't you? You took him before our agents could lay hands on him." It was more like a matter-of-fact than a question.
"What? How do you know that? No... Since when have you known about the kid." He asked astonished and I smiled.
"A week and some days I guess." I said and he sighed.
"And you didn't tell me. Why?" He queried.
"I'm sorry LJ hunny. I was scared of you saying it to Dan and Dan telling Diva mistakingly. She doesn't know yet, we didn't want her getting all emotional. We want to get the culprits first before telling her anything so she doesn't overreact." I explained and he smiled.
"Wayne sent me this video yesterday." He said scrolling through his phone. "He was at VK pharmaceutical in New York City to visit his sister when he came upon this conversation and had secretly taken the video." He said.
"Wait! Did you say VK pharmaceutical? Isn't that the same company Evan Gomez went to yesterday?" I asked in surprise and he nodded taking my hand to sit on the nearby bench.
"Sit down babe, I'll show you the video." He said and gently placed his iPhone; the latest model on my hands while he pulled me closer to him.
LUCIA'S POV
I walked into Balmont's cafe and saw her already seated there, I walked over to her and sat down. The only reason I'm here is because of the fact that she'd mentioned Diva's name. Johnny also said to come and see what she's up to.
"Oh you are here." She smiled while I just stared at her.
"Why's this place quiet and devoid of customers?" I asked as I scanned around.
"I bought it for a few minutes so I can have a quiet conversation with you. Don't worry, I also took care of the CCTV." She said and I couldn't help but scoff. Whatever she wants to say must be pretty illegal...
"How long has it been? Nine years? It's really good to see you again Lucia. You look much more matured and way prettier than I remembered." She said smilingly and I rolled my eyes away. She didn't change, still really slender with her mother's brunette hair although I noticed she dyed some part of it to blonde. Her dress style was like that of a total badass girl.
"Look Lucia, I'm really sorry for how I behaved in the past, I know I was wrong. I never stopped blaming myself for ruining our friendship, so please just let me make it up to you this once." She said again.
"Elina, just get on with it." I said impatiently. She nodded and placed her teacup on the table.
"Diva Scott, I know you must be looking for a way to get back at her for all she's done to you. And I have that perfect plan." She said smirkingly.
No... I'm looking for a way to apologise to her but, let's play along shall we?
"And what could that be?" I asked scoffingly.
"Her weakness Luciana," I raised a brow. "Yes, the little girl she loves so much is her blood." She said nonchalantly.
Are you kidding me? Like, what in the world?!
"What do you mean by Alexis Milan being her blood?" I asked in confusion. Did Elina think she could come to me after so many years and utter lies?? Do I look like a kid to her?
"Everyone knows Danielle lost the only sister she could have had, nine years ago. You of all people know that Elina, so what in the world are you trying to say? Or do I suddenly look like a joke to you?" I queried. She lifted her teacup and sipped a little from it then dropped it back on the table.
"That's why I'm here to prove otherwise." She looked at me. "...we all thought the same, that Mrs Elizabeth lost her child but the truth is; the child never died, she's alive and she's the very same Alexis Milan you know of." She chuckled. "I also didn't know about this until recently." She added and to say I was shocked was an understatement but then, how did she know??
"How certain are you of this? Is there any prove? How am I sure you aren't trying to lure me into a trap cuz you Elina ain't to be trusted?" I asked doubtingly and she smirked.
If she's really Diva's sister how is it that Diva isn't aware yet?
"That's why you have to hear me out first. Just keep still and listen to me and all your previous and arising questions would be answered accordingly." She said.
"Fine then, just get on with it. I won't interrupt again." I said huffingly. "But you better not be kidding me." I added and she sighed chosing to ignore my last sentence.
"For a start back then when we heard the baby died few minutes after birth, truly a baby had died but that wasn't Mrs Elizabeth's baby, it was another woman's child. She was exchanged."
Oh my God!! What!!!
"A nurse was paid to swap the baby with a sick child of similar race and gender, having the possibility of dying in a few minutes." I stared at her with wide eyes. "...So when the nurses went to bath the child, the hired nurse cunningly and carefully took the baby and replaced her with another woman's child, the woman had happened to give birth at the same time with Mrs Elizabeth although they were in different wards, and both of them(mothers) were still sleeping from the drugs they were given.
The nurse took Mrs Elizabeth's child and dressed her up as the other woman's child. And being that both babies were covered with blood and all those stuffs, no one knew, not a single soul noticed a thing as both were mixed race babies. Till date Mr and Mrs Scott and their daughter Diva still thinks that their child died. Even when she's so close." She ended and quietly took a sip from her tea again.
Holy Father!! I was stunned and completely perplexed by all I just heard. What in the world!!! Who could be this wicked to do such? No matter what he or she got for doing such, it wasn't acceptable! This is a very high level of crime and wickedness. Wait! How did Elina know all this??
"And how come you know so much when the Scotts don't know a thing?" I finally asked after some moments of just staring at her. She dropped her cup and looked straight at me.
"Luciana, that's for me to worry about. What I just told you is the complete truth, accept it and don't try to find out more. Instead, use this Information I just gave you to revenge..." Look at this nincompoop of a girl. Do I look like a gobshite? "...That's the main reason I'm here. I'm here to help you break Diva for once and pay her back for humiliating, hurting you and taking away what you treasured most; your teenage crush Daniel Roberts." She paused and watched me for a while.
So she's been monitoring me?! Well what she's thinking can't work cuz I'm changed. I've got a sweetheart who matters to me more than Daniel could ever have, one I'm never gonna lose... Her spies didn't give her the latest about me, that's why she could come meet me and say all that in the first place. But guess what sweetheart, keep talking. I'mma use all this against you later...
"The child is her deepest weakness Luciana, just the right one. Hahaha." She laughed evilly. "No wonder they say blood is thicker than water. I'm here to help you make Diva feel pain like she's made you feel from childhood. Although I didn't help you then, I'll help you now. All we need to do is take away her dearest treasure and she'll break totally, tru..."
"Wait! Are you suggesting to harm the kid Elina? Are you outta your mind?!" I asked in bewilderment interrupting her.
"Hmm, what's the reason for your change? The Lucia I once knew was never this paranoid..." I wasn't that bad was I? "...Don't you wanna punish her for taking everything from you? Your fame? Your friend? And your dearest Daniel?" She asked in such a convincing manner.
And there she goes again. Diva took nothing from me, she's always been a sweetheart whilst I was once a total jerk. Daniel was never mine from the start, he once told me so. Penny and I are best friends again. Jeez Elina is so dumb, when last did she surf the web? Does she even know about Penny's real identity now? She knows nothing and yet she thinks she can try to convince me with some unnecessary past?
Even if I'm angry at Diva(which I'm not) and want so bad to punish her, it won't be by harming an innocent kid who's done me no wrong.
"Your offer seems tempting girl, but how am I supposed to believe everything you just said when you clearly aren't ready to tell me all there's to know? Because I know you aren't doing this just for me, duh I'm not that dumb." I said and I notice her swallowed as she stared at me clearly uncomfortable. "Look Elina, even if I want to revenge, it's definitely not by harming an innocent child." I said firmly although still playing along. Elina must really think I'm naive and stupid. I really need to know who's behind this tale she just told me.
"Fine then, since you insists on knowing all, I'll tell you. By the way, who says we are gonna harm the kid? Not at all, we're just gonna kidnap her and take her somewhere she'll never be found by her family." Who's the we?? "...it'll be done before anyone suspects her to be related to them." She said with such determination and faraway look, I had to wonder when Elina became this deadly and evil minded. Cuz if I remember correctly, I was the most defiant, notorious and mischievous one.
Well how won't she, with the kind of mom she have....my subconscious mind said.
Speaking of Mom...a thought suddenly occurred to me. When we were younger I remembered Elina's mom Mrs Vera Wood always detest us mentioning or listening to anything relating to the Scotts family in her presence and I've always wondered why. Could it be?... Now I'm really certain there's more to this than she's saying. I looked up at her and she was still lost in her world...
"Elina," I called and she jolted.
"Ye...yes Lucia." She stuttered and gave me a nervous smile. I scoffed, what's with her??
"Did your mom probably told you all these?" I asked her, crossing my legs on my laps as I watched her reaction closely.
"Wha...what? What are you talking about Lucia?" She asked in between stuttering, feigning ignorance.
She thought I've forgotten all about it. Her mom I remember used to deal in illegal businesses while hiding under the cover of her company, she did drugs too. Who knows if she's responsible for this unbelievable crime. I leaned closer to her placing my hands on the table as I stared directly into her eyeballs.
"You very well know what I'm talking about Elina so don't you dare play dumb with me. Or did you receive this information from the sky? Listen Elina, I haven't forgotten a bit of it all." I said and she swallowed uncomfortably. "Just tell me the real reason why you suddenly so outta the blues wanna help me. If you still won't talk, then I don't think we should be having this conversation." I said sternly and seriously. She stared at me with reddened face, she was clearly annoyed. But do I care??
"Like I told you earlier, I only wanted to help for past times sake but it seems you aren't interested. I should leave then, good luck paying back on your own." Ouch! She's so delusional. "But let me tell you this, what I just told you must happen. If you like try to rat me out and I'll make sure you f**king go down with me, you don't wanna dare me Lucia." Oh my! Now I'm scared...Note the sarcasm. "And since you really wanna know, yes my mom told me and note this; my mom's fight is my fight it's a pity you wouldn't know that since you've got no mom." She spat and that got me really furious, my palm collided with her cheek instantly, sending her face to another direction.
"I've been sitting down here and listening to your gibberish since but dare me and say one more word about my mom again and you won't leave here same. YOU shouldn't dare me Elina Wood and you definitely know that." I spat out in furry. And she looked at me in both shock and anger as her eyes reddened and her chin jutted forward while she twitched her right hand.
"I even came to you to rekindle our lost friendship once again but I'm really stupid for trying. I'll let this slide today but trust me, I won't in the nearest future if you dare me again. You should know how notorious I am now, I Elina ain't the scared young girl of nine years ago. Ask around and you'll know that I'm not to be joked with." I just stared at her, trying to control my temper. "Let's not see each other again loser." She spat out.
"I'm definitely in support of that last sentence but we both know 'you're' the loser." I said and she hissed, picked up her bag then stood up and stomped out of the cafe.
Woah! And I thought I was worse...she's terrible!!! Thanks to Johnny if not I'll be no different from her.
I looked down at my bag on the table and smirked. I got you bitch.
I had placed my phone on recording before stepping into the cafe as Johnny had advised and oh my! I'm so glad I did because with this, I'm surely gonna expose her and that devious mother of hers. How I so much love you my sunshine and hero...
The phone was in my bag so she didn't notice anything.
With the way Elina sounded, I know she's definitely gonna do as she had said.
Diva needs to hear this but how, I don't have her contact and Goldie who probably have it already returned to New York yesterday.
Hmm, I should visit the registrar's office.
CILIA'S POV
'Get ready to meet my daughter Elina, she'll be taking care of your stupid mistake..."
I gasped as tears gathered in my eyes. I returned Jay's phone to him and he looked at me worriedly.
Mrs Vera Edgar masterminded the incident from nine years ago?? What an evil world! I'm shocked beyond reason, this woman's supposed to be the friend to Elle's father once upon a time so how could she do this? What's her reason for doing this??
I sighed when I felt Jay's thumps on my face. He wiped my tears that were already pouring and hugged me.
"Don't worry my love, we'll get her. The boys and I are working on it. Evan already admitted to his crimes after much torturing. Just stay strong for your friend Okay? It will be over soon." He said and I pulled back from him and nodded. Suddenly something occurred to me.
"LJ Oppa that woman said Elina...Who's that? She said Elina would be taking care of..." I paused.
Jeez it can't be! Elina from Lionel's high that year? Is it her?? Wait!! Her mom's name was also Vera and that Elina was friends with Lucia then. If it's the same Elina that means...
"Are you okay babe?" Jay asked looking at me worriedly. Just then realization dawned on me.
"Alexis...the kid..." I stood up quickly.
"What??" Jay asked in confusion standing up too.
"That woman said Elina would be taking care of some stupid mistake so this clearly means, Evan Gomez was the nurse that switched the babies and Elina is the daughter of Mrs Vera, she's once Lucia's friend and our highschool mate."
"You've gotta be kidding me!!" Jay gasped. "So what this totally means is that Elina might be here already to get the kid which means..."
"Alexis is in danger or might be in danger any moment from now. We have to call her school, and her bodyguards to check on her. She shouldn't be let out of their sight." I completed for him and we stared at each other with wide eyes.
Jay suddenly intertwined our fingers and we began running to the park immediately.