As soon as they left the house, Victoria immediately said. "Grandpa is getting old. He didnât mean what he said. I hope you can forgive him?"
"Thatâs alright, I completely understand. It has been such a long time since we have all been together. It was nice seeing everyone, would you please excuse me. I have to go back inside for a minute." Donald said as if nothing happened.
After Donald left, Victoria expressed her regrets to Joanna, "I am so sorry, Joanna. I never expected that my grandpa would mention that bitch. Donald wonât remember anything, will he?"
"It really pisses me off when he talks about her. You would almost think she was his granddaughter and not me. I donât understand. Every time I am with him, thatâs all he ever talks about. Edie this and Edie that."
Joanna was so angry that she could hardly speak. Trying to control her emotions, dread stirred in the pit of her stomach. "No, he hasnât remembered anything. He has gotten rid of that bitch totally. He has seen her several times and nothing happened. I am the one he truly loves and everything will be alright. Donât you worry bout a thing."
She said this with determination. She was not only telling Victoria, but she was also encouraging herself. The only one Donald loved and could every love was her, Joanna Bella. Victoria felt relieved.
Victoria took her hand and said, "Joanna, marry him as soon as possible. You have been engaged for about a year now. It is time to get married. As soon as you are married, try and have a baby. Then, he will never leave you."
"I will."
Joanna nodded, but there was something deep down inside her that was thinking there was something wrong. She had a sinking feeling that something was going to happen, and it wasnât going to be good.
Right before Joanna and Donald went on their vacation, he got a severe headache. Then after they got back, he fainted because of the same problem. He says he doesnât remember anything but is he telling the truth.
"Please, donât worry about walking me out. Go and spend some more time with your grandpa. We will be leaving shortly," Joanna said.
She was actually worried that Victoria might say something wrong in front of Donald. She was also so annoyed that Grandpa didnât show her any respect. She felt like she was on the roller coaster from hell.
Donald finally came back and started towards the car. Just as they were about to get in, Donaldâs phone rang. He answered the phone, and as soon as the conversation ended, his face turned pale.
"Alright. Yes, I got it. I will be right there in a few minutes."
Then, he hung up the phone and regretfully turned to Joanna, "I am sorry. I canât drive you home, that was Karen and something has gone wrong with one of my cases. I have to go back and handle it now."
Joanna put her arms around his neck and threw herself into his arms. Then she said with disappointment in her voice, "It is so late. You have been in the hospital for several days. It has been so long since we have been together."
"But I have to handle it. I canât leave it for someone else to do, I have to do it. Joanna, it is important. I might have to work really late tonight, so donât wait up for me."
Her mouth was twitching as she began to cry, "Alright, if it is important. You have to do what you have to do, but promise me that you will make it up to me."
Rubbing her hair, Donald said, "Alright, tell me what do you want? Purse? Shoes?"
"I want you to stay with me forever."
"No problem," Donald replied without any hesitation.
Then he let Joanna out so she could get a taxi. When she sat down in the cab, she was watching him, and he drove in the wrong direction. It was not the direction of his company.
Donald drove back to Gregâs. He parked his car where he could not be seen, but he could see who was coming and going from their house.
He turned off the engine. As the light turned off, the black Rolls-Royce was hidden in the darkness, like a ghost at night. Then he took out his phone and called Karen.
"Donald, whatâs up?" she asked.
"Did I bring a present to Victoriaâs grandpa from Edie before?"
The question was short, but it sounded alarming. His face was reflected by the rear-view mirror. The smile disappeared from his attractive face.
In his black eyes, the only thing that could be seen as a terrifying cold light. He looked like a beast getting ready to pounce on his prey. Karen broke out in a cold sweat. He will kill her if he finds out.
when I was in the hospital?"
"Why is he doing this now?" Karen was feeling surprised and upset. It wasnât until after he said these words that she realized that she made a terrible mistake. He was saying that Edie was at the hospital.
"Donald, listen to me....."
Karen wanted to explain, but the phone went dead. She tried to call him back, but it went straight to his voice mail. He got all the information that he needed, so he turned his phone off. The only sound that could be heard was that of his breath.
Taking a deep breath, Donald found a package of cigarettes and a lighter. The darkness made that red light look more dangerous. In the light, his eyes seemed incredibly dangerous.
So all was explained. No wonder he could feel Edie in his dreams. He even smelled the fragrance of her body. It was not a dream.
It was not true that she kept badgering him. It was him that longed for her to be with him. Ever since the last time he saw Edie, he was suffering from headaches. It was getting more severe each time.
Even the vacation in Bali didnât help to ease the pain. Every time he got a headache, he hid in the bathroom so Joanna wouldnât know about it. He had a feeling that Edie was telling the truth.
Yet, everyone around him told him Edie was lying. He couldnât even find Edie in his memories. But today, after hearing grandpaâs words and Karenâs acknowledgment, it was confirmed.
All the information he had received was overturned. He realized that everyone was lying to him, except Edie. It was her that was trying to tell him the truth, but he kept pushing her away. He knew Edie. He sensed she was familiar, and maybe the five-years she mentioned to him really existed.