The second wife

11. it doesn't match

Hanna pov.

Having breakfast with my annoying brother can be really hard. Specially when Zak has left this huge hickey on my neck. He has been teasing me non stop about it.

But I had missed him so much for a long time. He doesn’t come to Male’ for his holidays unless there is something really important. He and his little family has been living abroad the past year. Next year will be the final year. I can’t wait to meet my little niece Alisha.

“When is your flight?” I asked.

“5pm is the time they take off. So I’ll have breakfast and be on my way to the airport.” He told me.

“I want to go to the airport” I said but he shook his head.

“Hanna. You will have to come back alone. I don’t want to take any chances. I can’t trust people now. I don’t know who else might be having their eyes on you.” He said.

I sighed. “But...”

“No. And that is final.” He said standing up from his seat.

“I’m glad at least Zak is here with you. Otherwise I will take you with me.” He said.

“And don’t start about your career. To me no career is as important as someone’s safety.” He said before I could open my mouth. I smiled. He knew me too well.

“You are going to work?” he asked with a raised eyebrow. I smiled sheepishly.

“Just be careful. Don’t be too friendly with anyone. I hope now you have learnt that patients are not friends.” He scolded me.

I laughed a little. “Hamza, you are scolding me.”

“Yup. And I will continue to scold you if you are not being careful. I can’t afford to loose you Hanna.” He looked at me with sad eyes. “You are my sister. And I love you. After mom and dad, you, Alisha and Farah are the most important people for me.” He said.

I felt tears stinging my eyes. “Hamza. Don’t make me cry before you go.” I said softly.

He chuckled. “Just make sure you give me a niece or a nephew soon.” He smirked. “Maybe my wish will come true by next year.”

I face palmed. “ugh. Hamza. Can you stop?”

He laughed as he walked towards this room. “No. I can’t.” He replied. He got out with his luggage.

“I’ll be on my way. Be good. And don’t be too friendly with strangers.” He turned around. “Remember, patients are strangers.”

We walked together towards the gate of the mansion. We shook hands. His smirk never left him. I saw the mischievous glint in his eyes. Oh no. I thought.

“Remember to make lots of babies. I want to become an uncle soon” he said.

I rolled my eyes. “I can adopt.” I replied.

“Nope. I want one from your tummy.” He said with a wink.

I chuckled. “Do let me know when you get home” I said. He nodded and climbed into a taxi and went on his way.

I watched him leave and went back inside and the guards locked the gate. When I checked the time it was just 11 am. I had the whole day. It has been a hectic week and I haven’t heard from or seen Trisha. I should check on her. It is not normal for her to not check on me once in a while.

I remembered that she must have seen Diem with his wife. Maybe she was sad about it. I really should call her.

I went in side my room so that I could have all the privacy that I wanted and dialled her number. She picked it up.

“Hey. It has been a while. How is it going?” I asked.

“I’m ok” she replied.

But she didn’t sound ok to me.

“Where are you?” I asked.

“Home” was her response.

“I’ll be right there. Don’t go anywhere.” I changed in to a grey and green shirt and black jeans before I made my way out of the mansion. Zak had given me the keys of one his cars for me to use. He didn’t want me to travel in the taxis. I must say, my brother and husband had become a little bit too over protective.

I sighed. I cannot blame them can I? I texted Zak that I was going to meet Trisha. I didn’t want him to freak out if he finds out that I was not home.

I parked in the parking area and walked towards Trisha’s apartment. I rang the bell. When she opened the door I was shocked. She looked like she had not taken a bath in days. Her hair was not combed and there were bags under her eyes. This definitely was not the Trisha I knew.

“Trisha, what happened?” I asked concerned. She smiled sadly.

I hugged her and caressed her hair. “Trisha, tell me. Please.” I pleaded.

“Hanna. I feel like an idiot.” She said.

“Remember Diem? He is married and I didn’t know. I saw him at the funeral and I was so happy. But soon I saw he was with someone. I was actually falling for him. I had seen you so happy with Zak and I thought maybe an older man would be better for me too. But...but..” she gasped as she tried to talk. “I saw him holding hands with this pretty lady. When I asked another person I found out that she was his wife.” She cried on my shoulder. I couldn’t help feel sorry for her. “He...he..he used me..” she cried bitterly.

I watched sadly as she cried. “I am so useless Hanna.”

“No. Don’t say that Trisha. You are not useless. You are the best friend I have.” I hugged her. “This Diem is an asshole. He maybe Zak’s friend but I don’t like him.”

“There will be someone better for you Trisha. The one for you will come soon. Just...just...just don’t think about it.” I stood up. “Come on. Let’s go for lunch with me. It has been too long since we last went together.”

“But...I don’t feel like doing anything.” She pouted.

“You don’t have a choice.” I walked towards her room and took an attractive top and a pair of blue jeans.

“Now wear this and come. We will go to our favourite place.” I said.

She smiled. “We will have chocolate cake?”

I laughed. “yup. Chocolate cake for dessert.”

That was among the many common interests we shared. Chocolate cake can make anything better.

I gave Trisha a much needed makeover. She looked so much better afterwards. We were able to go for lunch just in time for the lunch buffet. We spent our time sharing and gossiping about random things. Trisha looked livelier and happier when we finished our lunch together. We walked out of the restaurant together and walked towards d my car.

“You know, it has been about five days since I last reported to duty. I have called in sick.” Trisha told me.

I have her a small nod. “I also am planning to start to go to work tomorrow. I think we both are on the same shift now.” I said.

She perked up. “I’ll go tomorrow then. I honestly can’t afford to loose my job. I already have missed too many duties. I just was not feeling like it.”

I smiled at her. “Now you are feeling better aren’t you?”

She hugged me and nodded. “Thanks Hanna. You are a great friend.”

I dropped her off at her apartment. “I’ll pick you up at 7:45 in the morning. Be ready” I said.

“Really?” she asked excited. “Wow. I’m so glad my bestie got married to a rich guy.”

We laughed. “Be ready on time.” I said and I left to go home.

I parked the car in the garage and walked in side the house.

Our maid was cleaning the living room. She stopped when she saw me.

“Ma’am. Mr. Miller is back. He is in his room.” She said.

I smiled at her and thanked her for letting me know.

When I went inside he was sitting on our bed with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. He looked worried and unhappy. Or maybe is he tired?

“Zak. Is everything ok?” I asked.

He looked at me. He looked far from being ok. He looked troubled. Maybe business problems. I thought.

I went beside him and held his hands hoping to give him some comfort. I kissed his cheeks softly. He snaked his arms around me and placed me on his lap. He held me in his strong arms and inhaled deeply in to my hair.

“What happened love?” I asked as carefully as I could.

“Hanna. Don’t go out alone. The killer is still out there.” He said still holding me in his embrace.

I furrowed my eyebrows.

“But how is that possible?” I asked. “Do you mean my stalker didn’t kill my parents?”

He nodded. “That guy does face some charges though. Attempted to r**e and murder, Stalking, and some stuff like that. And since he was arrested red handed he wouldn’t be able to escape easily.” He explained.

“But the thing is, his finger prints doesn’t match with those of the finger prints they took that night. You know, the ones on the window sill, or on your parents' bodies....” he continued.

I raised my hand to stop him. My breathing had already laboured. I started to picture the mutilated bodies of my beloved parents.

“I’m sorry babe. I had to tell you. The police called me this afternoon. I came home as soon as I could only to find you had already left to go to Trisha’s place.” He said.

“But..babe. That could mean you are also in danger. I don’t think anyone else is after me.” I said frowning at him. He shrugged. “I am baffled.” He said. His eyes seemed distant and he looked as if he was in deep thought.

“What is it Zak?” I asked. “Do tell me if you remember anything. Maybe a rival, or an enemy who might want to get revenge for something.”

He looked at me, his frown still pasted in his handsome face. I sighed and used by thumb to clear his frown away.

“There, you look so much better with out that frown.” I smiled at him. I kissed his forehead.

“I love you Hanna. Always remember that.” He said.

I smiled. “Why would I ever forget that?” I replied as I snuggled in to his chest.