Chapter 5 Blood, secrets and silence

VALE MANSION

Benson adjusted his watch, he was fed up and exhausted from his parents' constant pressure to get married.

"Mom, can you and dad just let me breathe?" he sighed irritably.

"Enough of your stupidity, Benson. You're no longer a child, you've got a whole company to run, now listen to me, son. You have just one week!"

"And then what?" Benson cut his father short.

"Just one week to bring home a girlfriend someone you call a wife and if you don't Benson Vale I will give everything to your brother and you do not want to be a disgrace to me" his fathers voice was strict

Benson watched as the old man disappeared from his sight up the stairs into his room with his mother accompanying him, he shook his head violently, his eyes pacing around the living room.

"Sir the car is ready" he heard the loud voice of his driver

He stared at him with anger and walked out without saying a word.

"What do you have for me?" Angella's voice echoed across the room as she stared out the window holding a glass of red wine Drake stood behind her holding a file in his hands.

"According to the records, ma'am,Bella Harper, 21 years old comes from California, her father died when she was little. She has just her mom and her younger sister and from what we were able to source she is extremely close to her sister. Her younger sister is the reason she gained the scholarship to study here."

"Oh she's a scholar student?" Angella asked super excited

"Yes ma'am" Drake's voice was shaking with fear, he knew what she was capable of.

"So she's poor, good I love this" Angella smirked wickedly

"Track her phone and call records I have a job for you Drake, we are going to inflict pain on everyone she loves, just a little warning so she learns not to mess with Angella"

She sounded ruthless as she turned around grabbed the file from Drake glanced through it the heading "BELLA HARPER"

NYC GIRLS HOSTEL

"Mom you know I can't travel back to California school is in season" Bella pouted back for her mom through the phone

"Bella there's no way am leaving you to survive in that school without these croaker fish, they are your favorite and I just had them dried" Mrs Harper argued back

"Mom you know what, give the fish to Emily she should come to my school with the fish an opportunity to get to see my school" Bella excitedly made the offer.

"Bella, listen Emily is still young, I can't let her travel alone?"

"Mom she's 19 she should bring the fish ok"

"Yes mom am not a child anymore I can take the fish to her it's just a one day and few hours journey" Emily supported

"Fine as early as tomorrow Emily will be on her way" her mom finally agreed.

Bella giggled, the joy of having her sister come over to see her school the same school she helped her secure a fully funded scholarship filled her heart with joy.

She couldn't wait for Emily to arrive.

It was morning Benson had grabbed his car keys and fled the house without telling anyone he had a task to bring back a wife in one week and it was driving him mad.

"So what are you going to do?" Leo asked him over the phone

"I don't know if I have a solution. I won't be calling Leo, honestly I don't know why he's on my neck. How does anyone expect me to find a wife in freaking one week!"

Benson sounded pissed, he glared at his time he was late for his meeting he cursed himself.

"Benson calm down let's think of something"

"Think of something huuu? Bro am late for my meeting talk to you later"

"Ok wait! What about Angella?" Leo brought it up Benson exploded

"Angella? Are you serious man? I swear to God I'd rather pick a mad lady than pick Angella" his voice screamed seriously no atom of joke in it was how much he hated her Leo thought.

Without hesitation Benson turned off his phone, he tired stabilizing his breathing, this was the first time he was having a meeting with the executives board in his fathers company he was nervous but at the same time prepared.

NYC SCHOOL

Bella picked up her phone. The joy in her heart knew no bounds. She looked up at the evening sky. It was getting dark but still very bright. At least the light from the school made it possible.

She was just leaving the library when her sister called her to tell her she had just arrived at New York and would see her in her school in few minutes

Bella raced up to the flower shop to get some flowers and chocolate, her sister's favorite. She ran down the bus park as fast as she could. It's been weeks since she last saw anyone from her family and seeing Emily now would bring peace and warmth from home.

Her eyes kept looking straight towards the bus park waiting for the bus to land looking at her worst watch it was already 7:45pm

"Sir your mother said you should buy her some local prawns if you're coming home" Benson's Personal Assistant reminded him

Benson looked at him, sighed and told the driver to move towards the bus park. There was a local market around the area.

Inside the Black SUV with tinted glasses Benson caught sight of super excited Bella as she stood holding a bouquet of flowers and a pack of chocolate.

He smiled to himself she looked so happy and from what he could see she was expecting someone

"Sir I got the prawns" his PA disrupted his thinking as he got back into the car but Benson was so focused on what he was looking at

"Can we go now sir" he asked again

"Shut the fuck up!" Benson screamed at him

Few minutes later Benson watched as a big bus highlighted and stopped in front of the bus park

Passengers rushed out of the bus- signs of excitement, tiredness and hunger filled the air. It was a long journey, some rushing towards their loved ones, others snatching their bags and darting away.

Bella's heart jumped with joy when she spotted her sister Emily. She jumped forward and spinned with joy, Emily was looking much bigger than the last time she saw her.

With joy in her heart and a huge smile on her face she threw her hands apart anticipating a hug

Emily tumbled off the bus sighting her sister, the hunger and tiredness on her face disappeared as they were overshadowed by joy, laughter and happiness, But in the blink of an eye, a shadow in black slipped through the crowd - A burning liquid was hurled towards Emily's face, hot boiling Acid.

"AHARRRRRHHHHH!!!" A piercing scream echoed through the stunned crowd as Bella's face wore her worst nightmare.