The past days and weeks have been peaceful for everyone. Joyce was locked up and there’s no news on Esme as well.
Seeing as it’s safe to go back to work, Belle and Tristan decided to resume their posts, Him as CEO of De Clarion Empire and her as CEO of Sweet Sue.
All is well for them or that was what they thought.
Little they did know, someone was watching all their moves. Someone was hoping to take revenge on them, all of them.
A week after Belle came back to the company, she received a package with a dead rat inside. It also came with a note that says ‘You’re next.’
Instead of taking it seriously, she decided to just have it thrown. She also ordered the guard not to receive any packages, unless he knows who they came from.
After one more week and three more packages with warning notes then it stopped. To not cause any worry, Belle decided not to tell Tristan about it.
However, on her way home one night, as soon as she turned left to the next street, she saw one of the homes in the village burning in flame. Firetrucks were blocking the street so she had no choice but to walk to reach the De Clarion Villa.
As she walk closer, she realized that it was not just any home. It was the villa that was burning. It was her home for the past months.
She quickly looked around to find someone familiar, but all she can see were firemen and the police. Seconds after, her phone started ringing.
“Belle, come to Luisa Villa, we’re here.” It was Tristan. Before asking anything, she went back to her car to go to the villa.
“Tristan, Belle is here,” Frederick announced when she got in.
The Luisa Villa is smaller than the De Clarion villa. Frederick has tons of mansions but he doesn’t want to live in them. According to him, he feels empty and lonely in a big house.
“Did you go to De Clarion villa?” John asked.
Belle nodded before sitting next to Frederick. “I thought it was someone else house. What happened?”
John sighed, “It started in the backyard. One of our housekeepers saw the shed on fire. And it quickly spread so we have no choice but to leave with nothing but the clothes we have on.”
‘Backyard… it started in the backyard. Just like what happened to Natalie.’ Belle thought to herself. “What about important documents?”
“Don’t worry, little girl. All my important documents are in a bank safe. John’s documents are there too,” Frederick explained.
After a while, Tristan and Jacob showed up. Belle was surprised to see Natalie with them. Staring at her friend, she smiled weakly at her.
“I know what you’re thinking…” Natalie said.
Tristan sat next to Belle and placed an arm over her shoulder. “We just talked to the investigator. According to him, it was deliberate.”
“Do they know who did it?” John asked but his son shook his head.
“They’re yet to check the recordings from within the village,” Jacob explained.
Natalie was fiddling with her fingers so Belle reached out to her. “What’s wrong?”
“Could it be Esme?” Everyone turned to look at her. “Sorry, I don’t mean to make assumptions. But if Joyce is in jail, there’s no other suspect except her.”
“That’s what I’m thinking too,” John added.
“Also,” Natalie spoke again.
“What?” it was Frederick.
“Belle’s been receiving death threats these past weeks.”
“What?” The men asked in unison.
Tristan turned to have a better look at Belle, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Belle threw a sharp glance at her friend because facing the man next to her, “I don’t want you all to get worried. Besides, it’s no big deal. Nothing happened after those and I’m here with you.”
The young man sighed, “Still, you should have told me so I’d know the reason in case something happened to you.” Belle’s forehead creased and so are Jacob, Frederick, John, and Natalie’s. “I’m just kidding. But seriously, please tell me everything, okay? Everything!”
The woman nodded while the old men shook their heads. Natalie rolled her eyes at Tristan and Jacob smirked at him. ‘How can he joke at this time.’ Jacob thought to himself.
Everyone remained quiet. They seem to be pondering what’s going on. It’s been peaceful the past weeks but here are the troubles again.
As the night deepened, Frederick excused himself to go to bed and John accompanied him. Minutes after, Tristan escorted Belle to the bedroom where they will be staying.
Since no one’s left, John has no choice but to take Natalie to the room where she will spend the night. Then he headed to his room.
In the middle of the night, Belle suddenly felt the urge to vomit. She quickly pushed herself off of the bed and ran to the bathroom.
There on the sink, she struggled to let it out as she didn’t eat anything for dinner. Forcing herself gave her a headache.
After washing her face, she made her way to return to their bed. However, as she passed by the window, she noticed a silhouette right behind the pillar of the gate.
She stared at it for a few minutes and noticed that it wasn't moving. She wanted to watch out for it, but then Tristan woke up.
“Love?”
“Love…” Belle responded quietly.
“What happened?”
“I just went to the bathroom, I-I thought I saw someone.”
Tristan stood up and walked toward the window. Belle pointed where she saw the silhouette but after several more minutes, nothing showed up.
The man pulled the curtain to cover the window and led Belle to the bed. He tucked her in before lying next to her, hugging her by the waist.
When Belle was about to close her eyes, she heard someone scream. Tristan’s eyes flew open, “Who was that?” he asked before they both stood up and headed for the door.
When they came out, everyone else is in the hallway. They were all awoken by the scream. Jacob led the way down with a gun in his hand but nothing was messed up in the living room.
Tristan went ahead to the kitchen and turned on the lights, still, it was peaceful there. Both men decided to go out thru the backdoor and there they saw the horror.
One of their household helps was lying on the ground, bathing in her blood. The young woman was murdered too.