The Aunt

SIDNEY was in the grocery store searching through the columns of foodstuffs when she saw Irene. She had never really liked her since they were in high school and she despised her more as she was Eugene's wife.

The news of Irene's relationship with Eugene's nephew had spread. Though no one had heard or spoke of any reaction from the young man, Irene however was being the same way as if any other relationship had been published- nonchalant.

Sidney walked towards her and cleared her throat so Irene would notice her. Irene looked her way but said no words and just turned back to check the canned drink in her hands.

"I thought you had a limit. You know, particular people you wouldn't sleep with.", Sidney started and Irene just kept checking other things as if Sidney wasn't talking to her.

"Oh are you talking to me?", Irene asked nonchalantly almost walking away. Sidney wanted to flare up. This woman's attitude always irritated her, but she had to calm down. She couldn't let Irene get to her.

"Who else wouldn't mind having a sexual relationship with a family member.", Sidney said and Irene narrowed her eyes.

"What do you want?", Irene asked like Sidney was some pest.

"Just to tell you that your bitchy attitude towards your husband has gone on too long", Sidney said and Irene gave a cunning smile.

"Really? So do you want me to go back and mend things with my husband? 'Cause I could. It's just that he would no longer have time for mistresses like you.", Irene said with mock sympathy while Sidney's face held shock.

Did she know of her relationship with Eugene?

"Yes, I know you're seeing my husband.", Irene started answering Sidney's question.

"And do you know why I'm not bothered, it's because it's in secret. He meets you in secret. That's simply because he still loves me and despite my affairs, he doesn't want to openly reveal his. He wants to look like a good patient husband. He's waiting for me to see that he won't leave and I'll come back to him.", Irene said sounding sweet but then her tone changed.

"It would be a good story you know. Husband found cheating just after wife's latest most shocking affair. You know the people in Liddenville, there's no way they're not gonna talk bad about you. I would keep it in mind, the thought of talking about it with Sandra or Gwendolyn. They'll both be excited.", Irene said and was about to leave when she turned back.

"It would be best for you not to cross paths with me so I can forget about that thought. Don't you think so?", she said and left.

Sidney slyly looked around to make sure no one heard it, and then she left. But unknown to her, Madisyn was on the next aisle and had heard every bit of their conversation.

Madisyn was about to leave to go and tell Ian what she had heard. It could prove helpful in investigating Sidney. But how could Sidney's relationship with Mr Peters be related to Sarah's murder. Plus, did Mr Peters know that the person he was having an affair with was possibly a murderer?

"I didn't think you to be the eavesdropping type.", she heard and she jerked at the sound. She turned back to see Josh.

"Oh it's you.", she said with a hand over her chest. "And don't sneak up on me like that.", she said.

"Yeah yeah."

"What makes you think I'm eavesdropping?", she asked, folding her arms that held an empty shopping basket.

"Well you were standing in this spot for a long while looking at something and I noticed Sidney and Irene talking so... I put two and two.", he said and they both looked at her empty basket.

"I gave myself away.", she sighed and then chuckled.

"So, does he remember?", Josh asked and Madisyn knew what he was talking about.

She had told him about Ian kissing her and in the event told him about her feelings for him. He liked her but not so much, so he wasn't that bothered that she had feelings for Ian.

He decided to comfort her instead and when he came to the pub that evening, it was obvious he didn't remember.

"No, he doesn't. He was drunk so I don't think he did.", she said with a sad smile.

"Well he's a jerk and you should get over the kiss and him. You deserve better."

"It's gonna be hard seeing as I've had feelings for him since I got to know him.", she said. Josh was about to say something when his gaze fell on someone behind her.

"Speak of the devil.", he muttered and she turned to see Ian storming towards them.

"I suggest you follow someone and you come here and talk with this...", he was silenced with a nasty look from her.

"Well it's good to see you Ian.", Josh said sickly.

"Unfortunately, it's not the same for me Jameson.", Ian spat.

"I have a feeling you're purposely messing up my name so I'm not gonna correct you.", Josh said.

"Maybe I am.", Ian said and Madisyn sighed.

"I can't stand this.", she muttered and left.

Ian was about to leave when Josh called him.

"You know I thought you were a better man.", Josh started.

"Excuse me."

"You're just some lame and oblivious jerk.", he continued.

"And what do you know about me.", Ian said now very angry.

"I know that you're the type of guy that kisses a girl and forgets about it.", he said and confusion dawned on Ian.

"Of course, you won't remember. You're not a cool person, so you'll obviously be worse when drunk. I don't even know what she sees in you.", Josh said and pushed past Ian, hitting him with his shoulder and leaving him confused.

》》》》》

Lisa was in her office. She was meant to write a report which was due Monday but she just couldn't. She had been having two things on her mind.

One, Pablo.

Two, Sarah's diary.

The first was the major one and it scared her that she was thinking about her best friend the way no one should think about their best friend, especially when they had a boyfriend.

She closed the file on her desk and put her head in her hands. Why was she feeling like this all of a sudden? They hadn't talked since they kissed.

After Miles left, Pablo muttered about leaving and that she shouldn't bother to drop him off and she wasn't going to so she wouldn't have to talk about the kiss. But she knew Pablo would want to talk about it sooner or later.

She sighed. One good thing that had come from that was that she didn't have any dreams that night after the one she had and then Pablo came in. She slept calmly for the first time in weeks.

The phone rang and she checked the number, there was no name. She answered either way.

"Hello.", she said but she faintly heard what the person said. The connection wasn't good.

"Hello. Who is this?", when the same thing happen she hung up. She tried calling the line but it didn't go through.

She shrugged and kept the phone in her bag. As she did she saw the diary. She brought it out and as she wanted to open she thought if this was a violation. Would Sarah want her to read this?

No matter how close they were, a diary was a diary and it was kept secret for a reason. She hoped Sarah wouldn't be annoyed anywhere she was and then she opened it.

The first date was April 3rd. Lisa remembered that was two days after Sarah had told her about wanting a diary.

April 3rd

Today I start this diary. I have decided to name it My Experience in My Hometown.

Lisa paused. Hometown. Sarah never said this was her hometown and no one knew that 'cause this was Sarah's first time in Liddenville so how could this be her hometown? She read on.

So when I was fourteen we were given a project in school to write about our hometown. I didn't know mine since my dad was from an orphanage and my mum never spoke about hers.

Her dad was from her orphanage. She never mentioned it. Come to think of it, Sarah never said anything about her parents. Only that they were dead. For all, she knew Sarah could've lied. But she continued.

So I mustered up the courage and finally asked mum. At first, she didn't want to talk about it. But later she did and that's why I'm here. I always thought that I didn't have any extended family members. It was always mum, dad and me. But after mum's story, I realized that I did have a hometown and I had another family member, An Aunt.

Sounds nice right? Yeah, it does. I was so excited I told mum we should go visit her but immediately my mum said no. She said she was never going back to her hometown. She had fled and left her sister with her parents, my grandparents.

I closed the case but always wanted to come and now I was able to. The main reason I did was to live with my aunt. Get closer to her. She was my last family member and if she had children they would be my cousins

All Sarah had wanted was to come to her hometown and stay with her aunt but she ended up murdered.

But things don't always turn out how you want. I'm living on my own now and that's not what I thought of when I came. Why? Because my aunt hates me. She hated my mum and when she found out I was her niece she hated me as well. And I thought I should be nice and hopeful but guess what, I also hate her because it's a stupid reason she hates my mum. I've never hated anyone as much as I hate her.

At this Lisa paused as she remembered Mr Darren's statement.

Oh, you didn't know. There was certainly bad blood between those two.

Lisa's eyes widened in shock at this. Could Irene be Sarah's aunt?

》》》》》

They had finally reached the diner. Madisyn didn't say anything as she was thinking of how Sidney's affair with Mr Peters could be linked to the murder. And Ian had been thinking about what Josh said to him that he didn't bother her.

"We're here.", she said as she realised the car had stopped. Ian grunted and got down. She gave him a look as she got down. He had been quiet since they left the store.

She didn't question it but just followed him in. They sat at a table and waited for the waitress. Not long after, Ana came.

"Oh hello Ian.", she said happily and Madisyn was a bit surprised at this, though he didn't notice.

"Hi, Uhm... Ana right.",

"Yes.", she said and looked at Madisyn expectantly.

"I'm Madisyn. His work buddy.", she said and Ian looked at her with a bit of shock though she was only looking at Ana.

"Well, I met Ian at Robin's office some days ago.",

"Oh."

"Yeah Robin and I are good friends. We spend a lot of time together and he's nice. Though all this work about Sarah's murder seems to be stressing him out.", she said.

"I hope you guys are getting along well?", she asked.

"Oh we're doing fine thank you.", Madisyn said.

"I would love for you guys to find out who did this. You know everyone now knows you guys are in town and they have hope in you guys. We've never had a murder before and though no one shows it, we're all scared shitless that the person might strike again.", she said.

Madisyn wanted to make their order when she noticed Ana's gaze harden as someone entered. She turned and saw a lady with brown short hair.

"You've got a problem with that young lady?", Madisyn asked.

"Yes. Raven Carlos. She thinks she has the whole world on her shoulders going around looking like she needs sympathy from everyone. I'm surprised anyone is friends with her.", Ana said.

"That doesn't seem like a good reason to be angry at someone.", Madisyn said.

"Yeah but...", she sighed. "I can't go into the full details now. So what would you like to order?", she finally asked and Madisyn said what she wanted and so did Ian.

It was after Ana had brought their drinks first that Madisyn asked, "What's up with you?"

"So I'm your work buddy now.", he said and she looked at him confused.

"Huhn? You've always been my work buddy.", she said.

"But you always referred to me as your work partner.", he said and she looked at him not knowing what to reply him.

So I feel this chapter has been the most revealing since. Irene and Sarah related? Now that's news, right? And I think Ian isn't behaving like his usual self, maybe we'll see more of that in the next chapter.

Yeah and this officially marks the end of the third part of this story. There are two more parts to go.

PS: I shared the story in five parts so..😊

Vote, Comment, Share
SJ💝