CHAPTER 20: SECRET PLACE

ZANE

Everything was great in my life after I found that mysterious woman who captured my attention. TAYLA

We were busy with each other's lives since then. Even I told her not to do her work in the mansion. But she is a stubborn woman. She did not change a little even we were together. I mean, we never talk about our status but to me she is special.

She is busy with her school. A graduating student actually will always have a lot to comply. She continues what she used to do. The only change was our sleeping arrangements. Either, she is in my room or I am in hers.

I get used to it every night with her in one bed. Not always sexually but snuggle with her. I sleep peacefully without thinking anything.

I tried one time to sleep alone in my bed like I used to before Tayla came. However, I could not sleep at all. Her smell will always linger through me. I ended up in her room, climbing in her bed instead. That was the starting point of our arrangements. Thou we never talk how it goes but we were just going with the flow. We were both too attach now. It seems we are ONE. That's one thing she is special. She is not demanding or assuming or possessive.

Unexpected call came into my private line that cut my thoughts. Only few close people knew about it. At home most of the time especially my father when it is emergency or important matters.

"Hello!" I answered.

"H-hello Brother Zane." I recognized the voice from the other line. It was one of our trusted people Betty from our family manor. Her family has been serving with us through the years. She is two years younger than me and like a younger sister too. She is in charge in the house after her mother retired.

"Yes Betty!" I spoke. She never called me if it is not important from home.

"Can we meet at the secret place?" Betty asked.

We had that secret place when we were kids. My mother does not want me to play with her or any kids with low status in life. So, I used to escape and played with her and the other kids. But with Betty alone we discovered an abandon house not too far from the mansion.

It was also our ancestor's property and it has access to the family manor. Nobody knows it except us. I do not know if Dad knows it. Through the years, we made it clean and look presentable inside. Thou the outside look was really an abandoned haunted house. It is not easy to get it because I installed durable security locks.

Besides that, it was not easily be seen because of some trees surrounded with it. Nobody dares to come to this area because it is going up to the mountain. Betty and I discovered the history in the study room. An old book during WWII and it was called the hidden place.

I arrived thirty minutes later after the call. The gate opened automatically as I entered the premises.

I found Betty in the living room with Rod her boyfriend. Rod is also one of my trusted people / friends.

'Am I the only one without in a relationship?' Shaking my head as I approached them.

"Hey!" I greeted them. "What's up?" We sat down and Betty was facing me.

"Ehem! I saw your mother throw something in the garbage before I walked into the kitchen. I acted as I did not see it." Betty stated as she looked at me. Raising my brows to her like saying, 'So!'

"I let it slide and send the breakfast food to your father. She was smiling sweet at me as I handed it to Uncle Zack. You know her that she is not totally that fond of me, right?" I nodded then she continued. "After I left them to his office. I got some weird feelings when I got back to the kitchen and with that I went through the garbage." Betty pulled something from her pocket. "And found this empty bottle." She showed me a small bottle as I grabbed to smell it.

It was odorless like water and still confused with it. Rod was holding something as he butted in.

"I already brought it to the laboratory for testing and got the results before we contacted you." Rod gave me a printed paper.

My eyes widen when I read it. I cannot believe what I see in front of me. How could she do it to Dad? Is she a human? I looked up and both of them did not say anything. They know me very well if I am in merge of furious that I do not want to hear words for a while.

I got up from the couch and walked slowly to calm me down before giving them instructions. I was still in the living room, clearing my mind first.

Looking back at them, I know what to do. I need to plan this carefully and fast before something major happen to dad.

"Betty, I want you to act normally when you go back." She nodded. "If Dad ask you to make his meal. Make another one separately so that it is safe for him to eat." I instructed. "Make sure to monitor everything for the safety of Dad."

Just in time Dr. Henry came in. Rod must be the one who informed him. People who surrounded me were all good and loyal. Only few people that are closer to me knows this place when there is some secrecy to be discuss.

I have some secret monitoring room down the basement. Luckily, I installed some hidden camera in the old mansion. It was not all area but we can monitor everything.

"Hey!" Dr. Henry greeted me. "I heard from Rod. What do you want me to do?" He asked.

We discussed my plan and everything regarding my father without giving a full alert with my mother. I had a feeling that there is something else coming.