Previously...

This quietness was just the beginning of the storm. Jeanette felt that Kyrah was oblivious to everything. She couldn't blame her. Yet, saving Kyrah meant putting herself in danger and she wouldn't do that. She had to inform him about this. Jeanette's calm face hid all her inner turmoil and struggles.  

Kyrah noticed Jeanette cooking breakfast. 

Zuber sniffed the air and smiled contentedly.

"What are you cooking?" Kyrah asked. She tapped Jeanette's shoulder, who turned around with a smile, her eyes glinting with an indecipherable emotion.

"Cinnamon rolls," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Serve it to me immediately. This aroma is mouth-watering," Zuber said, patting his stomach.

"Patience, my friend." She smirked. Standing on her tiptoes, she decided to grab a jar from the top shelf. She grabbed it quickly, however, her feet slipped and she lost her balance. Zuber grabbed her by the elbow, thus preventing her fall.

"Careful there," Zuber said.

"I am fine, thank you," she said, giving him a small smile.

Jeanette and Zuber started talking about different kinds of recipes. Kyrah stood there, watching them silently. She noticed how their conversation seemed so light and easy. They weren't even running out of topics. Jeanette slapped Zuber on the arm and laughed at his joke. Kyrah felt left out.

She began noticing this change in Zuber. Whenever Jeanette was there, Zuber ignored her completely. She couldn't understand this behavior. She wanted to question him about it, but she decided against it. She felt a kind of pain watching Jeanette getting Zuber's attention.

Why am I even feeling this? He is just talking to her, right?  Kyrah felt puzzled. She began arranging the table for breakfast.

Soon, they began their breakfast. Zuber had all his attention towards Jeanette, who was describing a recipe with many details. Once their conversation paused, Kyrah, who was fiddling with her breakfast, noticed Jeanette's stare. 

"Don't you like my rolls, Kyrah?" Jeanette asked.

"No, they are great." Kyrah gave her a wide grin, resuming her nibbling.

"Great is not enough," Zuber said smiling. "Your hands have magic, Jean."

Hearing this, Jeanette's face paled out of fear.

"Your hands have magic, darling," his voice echoed, sickening her. The man, more like her living nightmare, traced a finger over her arms. He took her hands and placed a kiss on them. She shuddered with the touch of his lips, which left goosebumps all over. She removed her hands from his and looked at him with as much hatred as she could.

"Don't touch me! I hate you!" she screamed.

"Darling, there is a thin line between love and hate. I will make you fall in love with me desperately," his voice revealed his obsession and his eyes shone dangerously.

Rubbing her cheek with her thumb, he forced open her mouth suddenly, holding her cheeks tightly. Jeanette struggled to remove his hand. The man removed a vial from his cloak and poured a drop of the liquid over her dish. The dish which once looked so beautiful and appealing quickly turned into a black mass. The man forced a morsel in her mouth, which left her limp and she fell down with a thud.

"As long as I have this, you will never be able to fight me." He chuckled darkly, shaking the vial in front of her mockingly. "Your life is in my hands, darling. One wrong step and I pour the whole of it instead of one drop. And you know what happens when I do that, don't you?"

He stared at her with hardened eyes while his lips curved into a crooked smile. Jeanette nodded at him simply, curling into a ball on the floor.

"Meet me in Kyrah's palace in three hours. I have a special job for you, black snake." His figure retreated then but his evil laugh drummed in her ears.

"Black snake?" She laughed loudly, her eyes glistening with tears. "When will I get back my green color? When will there be a stop to this? How long do I have to work according to his evil plan?"

Jeanette's mind echoed with these questions, their answers till unfound. She felt a sense of belonging with Kyrah and Zuber. This was the first time she could be away from her "uncle". But she didn't know how long she could carry on his plan.

"Jean, are you alright?" Kyrah asked worriedly. Her worry for her was obvious, but a part of her worried about the growing friendship between the other two.

"I just gave you a compliment. You look as if you have seen a ghost." Zuber chuckled.

"Ah! Well, I am not used to compliments." She laughed. Zuber looked at her curiously. Kyrah was lost in her own thoughts to notice that.

Zuber didn't want to ignore Kyrah but he had no choice. He found Jeanette suspicious and he couldn't let her think that he and Kyrah were good friends.

For him, Kyrah wasn't just a friend. She was much more than that. He smiled while thinking of her fondly.

Suddenly, Zuber felt his head throbbing with pain. He clutched his temples and massaged them lightly. His eyes squeezed shut as the waves of pain hurt his head.

"What's wrong?" Jeanette asked, touching his hand.

"A headache. I will be right back," Zuber said while he got up.

***

Jeanette nodded, her face mixed with sadness and guilt. She didn't want to do any of this, but she had no choice. Either she followed the plan or lost her life.

"I am sorry Zuber and Kyrah. Forgive me if you can. I can't believe I am betraying the only friends I have made," she sighed softly, burying her head in her hands as tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them and began washing the dishes.

***

Zuber sat on the bed clutching his head. He gritted his teeth as the pain became unbearable. After some time Kyrah entered his room. She found him asleep and sighed audibly. She wanted to know why he was ignoring her. She left feeling dejected. She didn't even suspect that Zuber had fallen unconscious...

Hey, everyone! I know it is a little bit late to wish but here goes-Happy New Year! 🎉How are you all? I am back with a new chapter. 😃

So the plot is deepening. There is light shed on Jeanette's past. What do you think of this? Who is her "uncle"? Any guesses?

Can you guess the reason behind Zuber's headache? He is in terrible pain. I am so sad now. 😓 Kyrah is sad too, even Jeanette. But their reasons for sadness are different.

Like this chapter? Please make me happy by clicking the 🌟 icon below. Thanks, people! Your support means a lot!

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