--PART 1--
(BY XIELIE, ALLEGRA, AREEN n ABELIEBIENE)
My name is Melrose O’Donlon but everyone calls me Rose.
If you want to know, I’m 36, a widow and single parent of a 6 years old daughter named Bianca who live in a gorgeous suburb, Oasis Lane. We live at 2 storey old-style house which I got as a divorce compensation from my husband 4 years ago. We started fighting after Bianca’s birth because he wanted me to be a fulltime housewife and mommy. How could I do that? Believe me, I was 100% city girl who likes shopping and domestic jobs were not my talent at all!
Well, I though divorce was a perfect solution at that time. I will be a rich widow and I have my freedom to do anything I like and it worked!...until 1 year ago when my ex-husband got married again and stopped my monthly subsidy. I panicked. How could I pay my servant, my babysitter, my credit cards, and all those bills? So, for the first time of my life, I looked for a job.
Amazingly, I got a perfect job as mayor secretary (ehm...actually it was because mayor wife is one of my friend). I like that job, really! But the problem was my salary wasn’t enough to pay all my “living” cost (even after I fired all my . I couldn’t stop my branded shopping addict and a Prada bag price was about half of my monthly salary. At this situation, credit cards and multi-purpose bank loan were the best solution until I get more income.
I enjoyed my live until last week, by accidentally I heard something that I wasn’t supposed to hear. I was so shock and ran away before that conversation ended. I hope nobody saw me eavesdropping.
I MUST RUN FROM HERE!
***
It has been a week after that night. It was really hard to make a decision but finally yesterday I made it. I had put my resignation letter in mayor office yesterday. I'll pack our belongings tonight, right after I talked to my daughter, Bianca. It will be hard to explain to her why we must move very sudden and I knew she will cry and whimper. Yeah, I also will be very sad leaving this suburb...especially my friends. I’ll gonna miss you all!
I was bathing when I heard footstep outside. “Bianca, is that you?”. It’s strange, Bianca should be still at school now. I took my towel and stood. Before I went out from bathtub, the door was opened and I turned my head to see who’s coming. Before I saw that people, I felt something through my head in silence, like a very dazzled sun exploded in front of my eyes.
Then everything became dark…
“Mooom! I’m home…Mrs. Burb wanted you to meet her for the saturday camp this weekend! Moommm...”
Please, don’t come here honey. God, don’t let her see me like this. She’s only 6, she doesn’t deserve it.
“Mom?? Are you home?” Bianca searched her mother to the kitchen but nobody there. Soon she realized the possibility her mom in the bathroom and...when her feet stepped through the bathroom door, her eyes opened widely.
Blood mixed with water leak over the white bathroom floor. The rose petals were still there, red, same color as my blood and my body looks like the scariest painting became reality. Bianca didn’t move at all, her pupil looked directly to the hole in her mom head, source of all blood in the floor. 1 minute… 2 minutes…. 5 minutes. She still stood there with shocking face before a scream went out from her tiny lips.
“MOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!”
Her scream was very loud and Stella who lived in next door came suddenly. She gasped when she saw that nightmare, covered Bianca’s eyes then brought Bianca to her house. Even she knew it was too late but she still called ambulance...and last she called the police after called...the other neighbors.
***
Today is a shiny Saturday, the day when we usually gather around in one of our house. Oh, wait a moment, this Saturday should be my turn to be host, how could I forget it. How ironic that today they still come to my house but for different purpose, my funeral.
It has been 2 days since my death, my friends and neighbors held a simple funeral ceremony at my own house. I must thanked them for these, especially for Stella, my friend-next door who prepared almost everything for today. Look, that is Stella. She came an hour before ceremony began, brought tons of meals for guests. You are too nice, Stella, you even take care of my daughter since her father was unable to be contacted until now.
“Seth, help mommy bring this plate, be careful, don’t mess them”, Stella gave a plate of cake to her son whether she brought a bowl of salad and lot of tortillas. She yelled before closed her front door, “Adam, please take care of Bianca for a moment and come before the ceremony begin!”
Stella and Adam are a nice couple, they are suitable for sample of Perfect American Couple. Yeah, at least that what people saw. The truth was that Stella never loved her husband in their 12 years marriage. She thought her love could grow by time, but even after 12 years love still hasn’t touched her heart. She even thought that she’s a frigid because she didn’t had any passion to her husband.
In one hour, my house now is full of familiar guests. Even there are plenty of flowers and candles, my house is still look gloomy. Stella was busy with meal table and flower decoration while her son and husband prepared the chair and equipment since 1 hour ago, but I haven’t seen my 4 best friends here. Where are them?.
Oh, here they came, Mr and Mrs Donnovan…
Jason Donnovan, my former boss, is current Oasis City mayor and now he is running for same position in the next election. Even his face is not too handsome, he is so full of charisma that works like magnet to anybody. The opposite of her husband, Faith Donnovan is tiny woman with most melancholic and innocent face that I had ever seen. Her black glassy eyes always look sad, very contrast with her smiling face and her elegant look. Beside her husband, she looks like a perfect and pretty doll to show up.
3 years I knew her but her life was still a mistery for me. Even after I worked for her husband, I still couldn’t reveal that mystery. In front of public she always becomes elegant and charming woman, a perfect mayor wife. But several times I heard her sobbing in her room or disappeared mysteriously for few days from their house.
Faith held her water glass and stood beside Rose's memorial picture. She didn’t join her husband who was talking with some people. She only looked at them from distance and whispered to herself , ‘How could you are talking about election and politic at my best friend funeral, Jason? I’m tired with all of these...’
“Faith, why are you standing here alone? Let come and join us in the common room, funeral ceremony will begin in few minutes”, a blonde woman touched her shoulder. Faith turned her head and looked at her friend, who sat on a wheelchair. Tears dropped from her pretty eyes, “Why must be her? She is so beautiful, young and dynamic, I…I don’t want to see her pale and stiff, lying in the coffin… It isn’t fair!” That blonde woman looked doleful when she saw her peg leg and whispered, “God doesn't always fair to us”. Then they moved away to the common room where the ceremony will be held.
Yes Ellaine, maybe God not always fair…
Oh,that blonde woman is my poor friend, Ellaine. She was a very successful Event Organizer, a career woman from head to toe before. Her life was fun, full of joy and passion, very pretty and confident. So tragic how car accident could change her so much. Present Ellaine is a depressed woman who always feels inferior of her peg leg and wheel chair.
Faith and Ellaine were became very closer right after that accident, which not only took one of Ellaine’s leg but also her unborn innocent baby and her life enthusiasm. Because of Faith, Ellaine regained her life spirit, stopped hiding in the bedroom and cried for her condition. She was living with one mission, to have a baby.
A big and tall man entered the room with my beloved daughter Bianca. He was Ellaine’s husband, Tyler Brown. They were like earth and sky, so different in everyway, not only their appearances but also their characteristics. However, they lived happily together for almost 4 years until Ellaine got pregnant and they decided to marry last year, before the accident.
“Elle, I found Bianca hiding in coat room, sat alone in dark and didn’t want to talk anyting. I’m worry of her, she’s still too young for this cruel tragedy”, Tyler kneeled and touched Bianca’s face. Ellaine immediately hug Bianca.
“Sweety, you are so miserable. You have to lose your mother with the cruelest way…”. Bianca struggled to get lose from Ellaine and ran away to the backyard.
My little daughter, how pity are you…and this is all because of me. If only I took decision faster, If only I didn’t hear that damn conversation, If only…If only…
BANG!
Common room’s door was opened and Natasha was standing there, opened the door hurry. My other best friend.
Natasha is always gorgeous as usual. Only she who could be seen like a supermodel in a funeral, even with a red eye and her cheeks full with teardrops mixed with eyeliner.
“Oh, God. Forgive me for being late. I’m supposed to arrive here 15 minutes ago but I can’t stop crying so I must redo my makeup”.
“Psstt... Keep silent, Natasha. Ceremony just began and we must prayed for Rose”, Stella whispered with clear and low voice.
And the ceremony was finally over. In few minutes, they will bring my coffin to cemetery where my body will lay forever, six feet underground.
“Girls, If you don’t mind... I don’t want to go to cemetery because I’m afraid I will be faint there. I’ll wait here with Adrian until you all come back”, Natasha told us and went to other room, when a good looking man hug poor Natasha who started crying again.
“Adrian???” the others yelled together.
Oh my, looked like Natasha came here with her newest boyfriend. I felt so sad when I saw them. Another affair...When you will stop this, my friend?
Actually she was a good wife who loved her husband so much. Unfortunately, her husband was a member of SEAL army and he usually went abroad to do top secret military jobs for months without any contact with his wife during that period. Basically, Natasha was so lonely and missed her husband so much. She needed to be loved and cared, so she looked for that from other men. She never used her heart in her affairs, her love was only for her husband and others men were only her husband’s substitute.
And so that my funeral. Will Oasis Lane be back in peace life? Or my death is only a beginning of something bigger?
But I think my hope was too high. It became worse.
***
One weeks after my death, Oasis Lane seems normal. My four late friends are still going out together. Stella with her husband and Jason lived happy... but empty. Natasha with all her boyfriends, never knew when her husband came home. Ellaine is still depressed when she saw a negatife in her test pack … and Faith, I hope God bless you always.
A silver car stopped right in front of Stella’s house. She was abaking cakes alone in her kitchen when waiting Seth came home. Stella go to the window and saw a black haired girl, brought 2 big suitcases walking into her front door. Stella didn’t know her but she run to open the door.
The door opened, and a skinny lady was standing here. Her face looked surprise when she saw Stella. 'Er....I'm sorry. Is this O'Donlon’s house?'. Stella couldn’t stop looking at that girl’s face. Her heart was beating fast and feel warm, but she didn’t know why.
I' have never saw Stella expression like that, not to us nor her husband.
“Excuse me, maam?”, The black haired lady asked Stella again. “Oh, maybe I'm wrong...”, she smiled and it made Stella’s heart beat so fast. Stella gasped and answer shutteringly “Ah, I... I'm sorry. This is my house, O Donlon's in the next door. There!!', Stella went out and pointed to blue wall house.
“Thank you, and I'm sorry if I made mistakes. I never came here before. I got this address from my sister’s lawyer. I should arrived last week to attend the funeral but there was some problems that made me late.”
Hold on...Is she...Robyn? My little sister? Argghhh...I cann’t remember her face clearly, only her black hair. It has been 12-13 years l sinceast time I saw her, at the day when my father and her mother was divorced. They moved to Poland and we never met again since then, only several contact by phone and email but the last one was a years ago... Gosh, why my memory is so bad?
“Your sister? Do you mean Rose O’Donlon is your sister?”, Stella bite her lower lip, thought how different this girl with her friend. Her age may be middle of 20, about 25 or 27 but Stella was not sure though. “Yes, I'm her sister, maam. Step sister actually, we have different mother. I’m sorry forgetting to introduce myself, my name is Robyn Hayden. I ‘m using my mother’s maiden name cause our parents have been divorced', Robyn shook Stella’s hand. Suddenly Stella felt again warm in her hand and her heart beat faster. Her face became red as tomato when she realized that her hand was covered with some flour because she hasn’t wash her hands after baking cake.
“I’ll live in my sister’s house for few weeks so I can sort out all her remainings and sold her house. Then I’ll be back to my job at Poland”.
Stella did’t mind what she said, her eyes stunned at Robyn’s face. So...beautiful...and in her mind there’s many question she ask about herself ‘Why am I? I’m not supposed feel like that...I just met her few minutes...and...she is a woman! Calm down, Stella!!’
“Maam???”, Robyn asked again. “Oh.... I’m sorry. So you’ll stay at Rose’s house? Will you bring Bianca? I’m not underestimating you as her aunty but her condition isn’t so well now... and... er... I can give you some help... if you want. And please don’t call me Maam, my name is Stella Roslane.”
“Bianca?? Who is Bian--- Oh yes, my niece, right? I must got a horrible jetlag until forgot her name. I don’t have any child but I’ll try my best as an aunty and of course I need your help… Ma—I mean Stella!!”, Robyn smiled and put her hands on Stella’s shoulder.
***
“Faith, this green tea is so good, really, but I read that green tea isn’t too good for fertility... so... I’m sorry I can’t drink a lot.”, Ellaine put her cup on the table while her left hand stroked a jade amulet bracelet which she bought from antique shop last month.
Geez, Ellaine... You still use that thing? How many times I have told you that the seller was a liar? It is just a ordinary pendant, not a fertility amulet. You spent $150 just for a rubbish!
Stella smiled and said, “You should open a tea cafe, Faith. We all like your tea, especially Rose, she usually asks you to---“. Stella stopped her word when she saw sad expression from her friends.“Sorry... I don’t mean to discuss her again.”
“It’s okay, Stella. I understand if you feel Rose is still alive. Her death was so sudden, we never imagined a robber in our neighborhood and Stella was his first victim. This suburbs isn’t as safe as before... Ck, I’m afraid to be alone at home now! Aahhh... if only Mark is here...”, Natasha’s face turned sad when she remembered her husband, Mark.
You all better don’t know who is behind that “robber”.
Living room became quiet for a moment, until Ellaine opened her mouth and break the silence.
“Um, Stella, I heard Rose’s sister came yesterday? Is she living in Rose’s house with Bianca now? You said her name is Robyn Hayden, isn’t it?”
Ellaine question took Natasha’s attention and made her smiling widely, same expression as when she knew her neighbor, a 47 years old wife and mom, had an affair with 22 years old mail officer.
“Hey all, listen! Do you notice that this Robby was absolutely had different face with Rose? Is she really her sister?”
Stella looked a little bit furious, “Her name is Robyn, not Robby. She is... as pretty as Rose...I think...and the most important Bianca liked her” Natasha looked at Ellaine and Faith with her blue eyes. “Ellaine, Faith. What do you think of her?”
Ellaine shrug her shoulder and said, “My husband said that she had all document that proof that she is Rose’s sister. That is enough for me”.
“I... I think she is a nice girl....”, Faith looked nervous under Natasha sharp gaze. She took teapot and stood up. “I’ll make more tea for us”, she walked to the door, but her step was stopped when the door was opened and her husband, Jason, stood her with a beautiful young woman.
“Ohh... You all gather here today. I’m so sorry to disturb. I just want to take some documents for meeting”, Jason Donnovan gave us his best smile. Then he looked at her wife and said, “Faith, this is my new secretary, Heather Smith. She just came here this morning and she lived at Oasis Motel until I found a house for her.”
All eyes in the room looked at Heather now. She’s really a beautiful woman, with her blonde hair, white and smooth skin, awsome body and very good fashion style. She had a classic beauty and soft eyes, a men’s dream that come true.
Ah... Mr.Mayor, my boss. It is only 8 days since my death and you already got a new, young, and beautiful secretary? Huh! You can’t live without a secretary? I wonder if she had same “jobs” as mine. And... a house? Since how a very busy mayor is looking for house for his new secretary?
Faith shook Heather’s hand and put her “Perfect wife” mask on her face. She even didn’t look surprise at all, “Nice to meet you Ms.Smith... or should I call you Mrs?”.
“Just call me Heather. Nice to meet you Mrs.Donnovan”, Heather said and then looked to Natasha, Ellaine and Stella. She wispered something to Jason’s ear and the both laugh together. Faith still stood like a statue in front of them but her face turned red.
Natasha felt angry when she saw Faith’s face, she just wanted to pull out Heather's hair and yelled at her 'Bitch!!! How dare you embarassed my friend in her own house?'.
Jason held Faith’s arm and said “I need to talk to you, Faith. Ladies, allow us to speak for a moment” and then he pulled Faith upstair. “Oh, Heather. Just wait there, ok!”. “Sure Jason... I mean Mr.Donnovan, eheheheh...”.
Heather then walked to sofa and sit beside Stella with wide smile on her face. “Good afternoon, ladies. My name is Heather. It seemed that you usually gather around, perhaps I could join next time?”.
Stella was almost answered her but Natasha interupted her. “Are you Jason old friend? Looks like you both know very well.”
“Oh no... I was a stock trader and we just met at an economic seminar last month in New York and became friends since that. When he asked me to be his secretary I said Yes and moved here immediatelly.”
Natasha snuffled hear that, murmuring in her mind only ‘A New York Stock Trader became a small city Mayor’s secretary because of 1 month friendship? Nonsense!!’.
Heather continued, “I like this city. You all look so nice... very different with my old neighbors who was gossiping me evnerytime I talk to their husband. They are so mean... bla bla bla......”
Well, Heather, Miss-too-much-talk. Welcome to a “perfect” place for you, Oasis Lane.
Jason entered the room and Heather immediatelly approached him with her best smile. “Can we go now, Jason?”
“Yeah, we still have lot of works today, don’t we? Let’s go!”, Jason put his hand on her shoulder.
Ellaine asked, “I’m sorry, Jason. But where’s Faith?”.
“Faith was feel a little bit sick so I asked her to take a rest. I think she won’t go down here for a moment. Ok, I must go now and thank you for your visit, ladies”. Heather chuckled with low voice wheh they went away from the house. Natasha almost jumped from her chair if Ellaine didn’t held her hand.
"She's a jerk!" Natasha yelled. Ellaine rub her back, tried to make her friend calm.
Stella went upstair and knocked Faith bedroom’s door. “Faith, are you okay?... Faith???”. But nobody answered...
Poor Faith, what happened with you, dear? Why you always do that, always hide all your suffers behind your smile. My friends, your husband doesn’t deserve to have you as her wife. I’ll pray to you my friends, always…
***
“Stella, I’m sorry for disturb you. May I ask for your help?”, Robyn’s face appeared from Stella’s backyard fence.
Stella held her breath dan smiled nervously to Robyn. “What can I do for you, Robyn?”.
“Umm... If you’re not busy, could you help me to sorting my sister’s belongings? Perhaps you want to take some or I could donate them. “
Stella nodded and smiled happily. “Sure Robyn, of course I’ll help you, You can't clean all things at the house alone. I’ll ask my friends to help, they must want to help Rose’s sister”
One hour later they started gathering at Rose house. Stella looked around Rose’s bedroom. Some boxes arrange neatly at the corner. Shoe boxes and jewelry box has been move out from cupboard. It a little bit mess, seemed like Robyn searching for something, but Stella didn’t mind it. They worked quickly and clean up and sorting items.
Stella saw Robyn opened several drawer. “Are you looking for something?”
“I wonder where is my sister put her diary. I want to read it... I hope it will help me knew my sister better.”
Natasha opened a drawed near the bed. “She always puts her diary here and writes all about his day there.”
She knitted her brows when she saw the drawer was empty. “Strange, it’s not here.... Perhaps somebody move it?”.
They searched for the diary everywhere in that room but couldn’t find it. Robyn yelled “Hey girls, I found something under the bed. Is it her diary?”. She took a brown envelope ans showed it to the others. “I think no, there’s only one piece of paper inside. Let me read it”.
Dear my friends,
I know I’m leaving too sudenly.Actually I don't want to move from here, this place is my home.
When you read this letter, It means that I’m not here anymore and on the way to my new life. I dont want to make you sad by saying goodbye so I made this letter.
You all need to know, I know a secret that I am not supposed to know, a secret that perhaps made me in danger. I can't tell you about that, for your safety. I will disappeared for couple of months but I hope I can back here immediatelly after I'm sure I safe. Will contact you soon after I got new and safe place
So... goodbye my friends. I wish we can meet again in future, so please pray for my safe.
PS: Don't show this letter to anybody, even to your husband or police. Just act like you never read this letter.
And if I die in short time, it means they know I heard their secret.
-Rose O’Donlon-
Everyone gasped.
Ellaine spoke first, “So, Rose was murdered? And … what the hell was she heard about until she must died? And she said we can't tell police? It is a crime... We must tell police!”.
Everyone looked each other, didn't know what to say. They had too many question in their head.
Robyn flipped the letter slowly and put it in her pocket. "We'll not tell it to anybody, as her will. I swear I will find her murderer by my self!!
"You can't do it alone, Robyn. We'll help you. We know our neighbors better than you.", Faith said and the others agreed with her.
So finally all my friends know the truth about my death. Be carefull girls, this is very dangerous and not as easy as you think. May God be with you always
........ to be continued
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