Chapter 2 The Dirty Past

TWELVE YEARS AGO

"Hey, Andrea. Leave that stupid matchbox and come play with us," Adrian called heartily.

School had dismissed for the day, and their parents were still in a meeting with the teachers.

Andrea happily dropped the matchbox and dashed over to Adrian and his playmates. "What are you guys doing in the sand? Come on, let's play hide and seek in the kindergarten classroom," she suggested, already bored with the tic-tac-toe they had been playing.

"Fine, let's do it then," Adrian agreed easily.

The moment one of the boys shut his eyes and began counting, Adrian took Andrea's hand and, together, they raced toward the abandoned supplies store tucked right behind the block of classrooms.

"Are you sure no one would see us here?" Andrea whispered, glancing around nervously.

Adrian drew her closer as they inched behind a dusty cupboard. "Of course no one would find us. As long as we keep quiet. I will play the big brother role for you and protect you."

Andrea flashed him a coy grin. "Big brother indeed. You're barely three years older than I am and..."

"Shhhh," Adrian suddenly hushed her. "I think someone's coming."

Andrea immediately fell silent and waited, her heart pounding. Seconds passed. Nothing happened.

"It's fine," Adrian whispered at last. "Here. I made something for you. But I wanted to give it to you in secret." He handed her a beaded bracelet with a small tag engraved with A 4 A.

"A for A. That's Adrian for Andrea, huh?" She beamed, staring at it in awe. "Wow. I love it!" she exclaimed.

"How about me?" Adrian asked softly. "Do you love me?"

Andrea was stunned. She had never thought he had a crush on her; she had always seen him as just a friend. While she was still trying to process his words, he leaned down and kissed her.

It felt strange, confusing. She had never done anything like that before. She tried to resist him, yet somehow didn't. It was as though an invisible force held her still.

Seconds passed, until a shadow suddenly loomed over them.

The school cleaner.

"Adrian!" the woman barked, fury blazing in her eyes. "Is this what you do now?"

Adrian rolled his eyes and Andrea stood up abruptly, her face crimson with fear and shame. She knew her parents would be deeply disappointed in her, but how could she have resisted Adrian? He was so charming and handsome.

"Come with me, Andrea," the woman snapped. "Your mother must know what you've been up to. I suppose it's high time she starts educating you on some things."

Andrea burst into tears as the woman grabbed her hand. "No, please don't. I'm sorry."

Her pleas fell on deaf ears as the woman dragged her forward. Panic flooded Andrea's chest, and suddenly, an idea struck her. She yanked her hand free, shoved the woman away, and bolted.

But the woman lost her balance and fell backward, hitting her head on a nail that jutted out from a broken wooden cupboard.

Andrea stopped short.

She watched in horror, as the woman bled, a hand clamped over her mouth as a gasp tore from her throat.

"Don't worry," Adrian said bravely, grabbing her hand. "Let's get out of here first."

They ran, returned to the playground and acted like nothing had happened.

Moments later, Andrea watched as teachers shrieked and screamed. She watched as the cleaner was rushed into an ambulance.

But the woman never made it.

Andrea was still in shock when she confessed everything to her mother, who had been present at the parents' meeting. "Don't worry, darling. It was a mistake. The police won't come after you, I promise," her mother had assured her.

And indeed, the police never did.

It was assumed the woman had tripped over the clutter and fallen. Andrea's mother made sure they relocated to a different state, and had their names changed.

April swallowed as the memory replayed vividly in her mind.

Adrian smirked at her. "You disappeared, but the incident didn't. Her son knew I was with you. He was aware I gave you that bracelet because he made it himself, and he knew we were hiding in that store. So he thinks he knows exactly what happened."

A deep frown creased her forehead. "What are you talking about?" There was no way she would let this jerk know, or even think, she remembered a thing. It had been a deadly mistake. It was in the past. Twelve years ago.

Moreover, it was Andrea Johnson who had committed the crime, not April Scott.

Adrian let out a bitter snort. "I guess you will find out when you meet her son. He works here."

Her heart jumped at the last bit of information. She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind when the door suddenly opened and a doctor walked in, stopping short in surprise.

The tension shattered instantly.

Adrian released her wrist at once. April stepped away as though his touch burned.

"Get out," Adrian muttered, visibly embarrassed.

April shot him one last daggered glare, hissed under her breath, and marched out, the other doctor's stunned gaze following her all the way.