Chapter 4 Hidden Truth

CONNOR'S POV

That evening after I walked back to my house, I stayed at the door for a long while thinking of nothing in particular for some time before I finally walked in.

The moment I got to my room, I started arranging it.

It has been a mess for a long time since Jeff left.

Most times Heidi will help clean up but I'll end up littering the whole place in no time.

I made my bed and went to the wardrobe to arrange the clothes in there only for me to see one of Jeff's T-shirt lying in there.

It was the one that I bought for him on the last birthday he celebrated with me.

He had gone to work that day which made it so easy for Heidi and I to prepare a surprise party for him.

I had already ordered the designer shirt two days before his birthday and packed it in a fancy bag after I got it all just to impress him.

Heidi made sure we invited some people with the excuse of she didn't want the whole place to be crowded and end up being in a mess which is totally true.

So adhering to her advice we invited few people we knew and waited for him to walk In to lots of balloons falling on him.

I planned everything so well with Heidi's help and it came out so perfect.

Everything went as planned but the only issue was Jeff warned me never to invite too much people to the house again with the excuse that he doesn't love the gathering of many.

I immediately agreed, and hugged him so tight asking him to forgive me.

"I'm sorry, I thought you would love it" I said as I hugged him.

"I like it but I don't want things to go out of control" he replied.

I couldn't understand what he said but I was just happy that he was no longer angry with me so I didn't push the conversation.

I let go off him happily and gave him his gift.

He opened it and pecked my forehead.

"You're the best" he said to me.

That day was also one of my happy Moments because the celebration didn't end there. He took me out to the amusement park and we did a whole lot of fun things together.

He gave me my favorite ice cream flavor which is the black ash coconut.

It was a day I would want to relive.

I can remember the moment he stopped and was just staring at me, I couldn't contain the blush, I openly blushed as he pulled me closer and pecked my cheeks whispering into my ears reassuring words

"I want nothing but to spend my forever with you by my side" He whispered making me to almost shed tears.

I looked up to him and in a sweet time I replied "Me too Jeff".

That evening was one I couldn't forget, he told me a lot of funny stories which was his specialty and I went to bed wrapped in the arms of someone who I thought loves me.

Well back to my reality, I folded the t-shirt neatly and put it inside a shopping bag.

I took the shopping bag up to my attic and left immediately.

As I came out from the Attic an idea came to me.

I need to investigate and know more about Jeff, since I was not really certain on the type of person he was.

I remember I had pictures of him in my photo album so I went for it immediately.

I pulled out two of his photos and dropped it on my desk.

I brought out my laptop and typed in his names Jeff Hudson and clicked on search.

A lot of people appeared on my screen but none of them was the Jeff I know.

'Well not everyone has a profile online' I said to myself as I closed my laptop.

I was about to stand up from the chair when an idea hit me.

Why not go to the police station and gather informations about him, it will be easier since Heidi works with the information department in a police station or better still I should call Heidi over and ask her to assist me.

I smiled as the idea seemed so good to me.

That night I slept deciding to call Heidi the next morning before she leaves to work and inform her so she can go get the information at work.

I woke up earlier than usual and went downstairs to have breakfast.

My stomach was really growling and I couldn't bear it so I had to eat before calling Heidi.

After breakfast, I called Heidi.

She picked up straight away.

"Heidi!" I called her excitedly.

"Hey sweetie how are you feeling this fine morning?" She asked.

"I feel great!" I replied

"And how are you doing?" I asked further.

"If you're good then I'm good" She replied and I smiled.

"Heidi, I have decided to look up for more information about Jeff Hudson and I need your help" I said hoping she supports me

"Really? but Connor I don't think it's a good idea, you're on a journey of healing, researching about him will open old wounds" she said trying to discourage me.

She was actually making a point but I was to stubborn and determined to do what was on my mind and that was knowing more about the man I dated that I didn't take what she was saying into consideration.

"No it won't, I'm actually feeling good about this" I replied immediately Hoping I'm not lying to myself

"But Connor, this is not a good idea. Maybe we can do that next three months by the you must have moved on" She suggested.

"I know you're looking out for me Heidi but I'm fine, I'm good, I can handle this" I assured her.

"Hmm, okay then. If you say so, I'm in but I don't Still don't think this is a good idea" she replied

"So what do you want me to do for you?" She added after a long breath.

"I wanted to ask you to help go through the files at the police station, one of them must be about him. I'll send you his photo you can use it and ask your work partners for help.

So I'm thinking maybe you could come over to my house this evening after work with all you can gather if that suits?" I requested

"I still don't think this will be healthy for you and this is not the right time to do this Connor" she replied looking out for me.

"Great! Thanks." I said trying not to push things further.

"You're welcome" she reluctantly replied and ended the call.

Immediately I ended the call, I went straight to my bathroom and took a quick shower.

I got dressed into jeans and a plain white t-shirt, packed my hair in a ponytail and took my Jacket and left for work with my bag containing all I'll need for work including my laptop.

As I drove my car to my work place, I began day dreaming about how life would have been if Jeff was still in my life.

Funny enough I've never heard nor see him ever since that day, it's like he disappeared Into thin air without a trace.

At some point I started feeling like he travelled out of the country.

On my way, I kept imagining a whole lot of things till the sound of my phone ringing brought me back to earth.

It was Heidi, immediately I picked I didn't wait for her to say anything I just talked

"Heidi, thank you for helping me with this" I said

"Connor, I called to see if you can change your mind on this" She replied

"I'll see you tonight" I said and hung up.

I know Heidi whenever I act like this she always result to doing my biding so I'm not worried about that.

She's just looking out for me and I really love her for that.

As I got to my work place which was a publishing company, I grabbed my keys and bag and headed straight to my office, hoping I don't bump into my boss since I'm not in the mood of explaining to him why I ignored his wish which was bringing breakfast to Sarah the other day.

Well Sarah can be a little bit dramatic, the most funny part is she was fond of reminding me that I was given a masculine name and I sometimes act masculine and how she loves me for my boldness, she will always go on and on about how I'm the most nicest co-worker in our company which I know is not true though because I don't even smile at anyone at work, not that I don't want to just that my face is always in control of me.

One time Sarah even sent me a love letter and I couldn't help but laugh at the whole thing, She was kinda like the company clown.

One strange thing about Sarah is her actions most times are unexplainable and with that one would think she needs urgent medical help, I don't know what is wrong with her but whatever it is she really needs to be taken good care of.

Avoiding her was not an option since we were partners at work so no matter how I try to avoid her, it all end up being fruitless because she's always there and most times she helps a lot of people bring their works to me so she can spend a lot of time with me.

I will admit she's kinda fun and I love being with her sometimes but most times I just want to be alone and she doesn't get that.

I got to my office that morning and luckily for me, I didn't bump Into my boss, and Sarah was at the hospital.

It turned out that she was seriously down with malaria, well that explains a whole lot of things or so I thought but I bumped into Marlin.

She used to be my girlfriend in secondary School but after we broke up and she transfered schools we never saw each other again till one fateful day.

I was sent by my Boss to interview someone for the editorial position in our company.

Getting to the office I saw Marlin seated in a bright blue colored dress and surprisingly she had cut her beautiful long hair which was her pride and joy.

The whole interview process was formal and she was hired immediately since she performed well and was also qualified for the job but after she started working in our company everything she does to me tells me that she is bearing a grudge.

One time she was sent to get me a cup of coffee and immediately I took a sip, I spat it out only to look up and see her grinning at me.

"Haha, enjoy your coffee made of spices" She said with this annoying smile on her face before she catwalked out of my office.

I felt like standing up and slapping her but maybe I deserved that since I was the one that wronged her.

As I bumped into her that morning, I just knew the whole day has already been ruined.

"Hey watch were you are going" Marlin yelled and without waiting for a reply she pushed me and stormed off.

"Hmm, what a morning spoiler" I muttered to myself as I headed for my office

Sitting on my office chair, I took out my laptop from my bag and started finishing the work I was assigned the last day I went to work.

As I worked on it my boss walked in

"Good to have you back Connor" he said as he patted my back and left.

Once he's gone I looked around my office noticing Sarah's stuff lying there and wondering what her stuff was doing in my office.

As soon as I noticed the book that looked like a diary on top of the pile of her books, papers and folders I stood up and went to the place it was, took it up and started reading.

I know it's not right for me to go through her personal stuffs but I'm a bit of a curious person and I won't lie my curiosity has landed me in a whole lot of troubles growing up and still I won't learn my lesson.

Reading through her diary, I stopped when I reached a particular page and read it once again before I got so angry and super afraid. I read it again so I will be sure I'm not misunderstanding things but unfortunately I read the right thing at first.

She wrote that Jeff killed their son.

I didn't read the remaining things written there because that line caught my attention and got me trapped.

My heart broke at what I read.

She just didn't say Jeff, she attached a photo of him there with an X mark drawn on it with red ink but I could still see his face clearly.

That man is worst than I'll ever imagine.

The moment I read that, I couldn't breathe anymore as I tried holding back my tears.

Suddenly I felt something wet landing on my face.

I quickly wiped it off and looked at it and found my eyes watering.

That's why Jeff has been avoiding coming to my work place, Sarah must be the reason why he avoids my work place like it's a plague.

As I was still seated on the floor crying as a result of the shock my phone rang.

I picked it and it was Heidi, she was so tensed and from the sound of her voice she was afraid.

"Connor, you have to come back home now! I just found out that you've been dating and living with a serial killer for months" she said to me with a shaking voice and at that moment everything went blank.

I couldn't even think of anything but how blinded I allowed myself to be.

I stood there in shock allowing the tears to flow freely down my cheeks.

"A serial killer?" I mumbled in tears.