THE CROWNLESS HEIR

PART 7: THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER

An Asian woman in a red dress walks in. Her gaze is fixed on a very familiar man sitting on one of the VVIP bar stools. In her hand is a long gun with somewhat unusual carvings, the trigger deliberately carved into a snake.

Noticing someone approaching, the man smiles at her. “You finally come, My Love.” He says happily.

Instead of being happy or just rushing to hug him, the woman rolls her eyes lazily. “You always give me trouble. What is the next? You want my soul?” She sneers.

The man laughs. He grabs her slender waist affectionately. “Yes, I want your soul.”

The woman purses her lips. “Tch, even after you dumped me that night, you can still say that.”

“Rebecca, My Love, you are so vindictive. Come on, it is because my wife took me on vacation to a tropical country.”

The woman named Rebecca purses her lips again. She hates every time the man’s wife is present in their relationship, as if she is not giving Rebecca the space to possess him completely.

“Is that the gun I ordered?” The man asks.

“Yes.” Rebecca replies while she is slamming the gun lightly onto the bar counter. It is not hard, but it is enough to let the man know she is upset.

Mwah!

“Thank you so much, Darling. Once I am done with all my business, I will make sure to come back and make you happy. I promise.” He says earnestly.

“You even said it before you left me that morning.” Rebecca does not seem to give her heart to him so easily. Being a mistress is not as easy as she had imagined. While she might have lived a life of luxury, she has to hold back tears and emotions many times when he returns home to his wife and enjoys time with his family.

The man laughs, then pinches Rebecca’s tiny nose. “You are so adorable, Baby. I will make sure I keep my promise. Wait for me, My Good Girl.” He says as he leaves the bar.

Rebecca stares at the man’s back as it slowly disappears from her sight, leaving. “Let’s see how many more times I have to accept your lies, Sir.”

***

“Oh, how could I forget that?” Aunt Brenda, an elderly woman nearly 90 years old, exclaims as she sees her fireplace empty, her supply of wood depleted. Back then Natalie was alive, it was that woman who always reminded her to find twigs. Natalie also always accompanied Aunt Brenda everywhere. However, everything had changed. Even Natalie’s son, Nicholai, is now gone, enjoying a much better life without ever visiting her again.

Aunt Brenda looks out of the house. It is snowing heavily tonight.

“I have to look for it now.” She says, again just monologuing.

Despite the risk of death in a blizzard, Aunt Brenda goes anyway. Wearing layers of warm clothing, she braved the cold. 

Ever since Nicholai left with the conglomerate family, Aunt Brenda has been completely alone. Although many people around here are kind and care deeply for her, she still does not want to rely too much on others. In her old age, Aunt Brenda should not be too tired. But what else can she do? She lives alone, without a husband or children.

Aunt Brenda rubs her hands several times to warm them. Even with her thick gloves, they can’t keep her from getting cold. Several times, Aunt Brenda almost slipped.

Forced to remain strong, Aunt Brenda manages to find some twigs, which she then ties together and carries on her back. A smile spread across her wrinkled face. She will not have to look for more wood tonight and tomorrow. The twigs she has gathered are more than enough for two days. Hopefully, the weather would improve the following day so Aunt Brenda will not have to risk her life for wood like this.

Crush! Crush! 

Aunt Brenda turns to the source of the voice. “Who is it?” Aunt Brenda asks. Her heart begins to race, beating faster.

There is no answer, silence, leaving only the sound of her heartbeat getting faster.

For some reason, Aunt Brenda is becoming increasingly uneasy. Although she does not see anyone there, she feels the opposite: as if someone is watching her from a distance.

Slowly, Aunt Brenda walks, carrying the twigs she had collected. 

Crush! Crush!

The steps are heard again. Aunt Brenda can’t hold it any longer.

In the midst of the snowstorm, Aunt Brenda runs as fast as she can, still carrying the twigs she carried, of course. The faster Aunt Brenda runs, the faster the figure stalking her seems to run and chase her.

Because she is running so fast, Aunt Brenda does not even dare to turn her head slightly to see what or who is chasing her. 

Smack!

Even though she runs as fast as she can, Aunt Brenda, despite her advanced age, finally she falls.

“Ouch!” Aunt Brenda groans in pain while she is holding her sprained left leg.

“Where are you going, Old Woman?”

Aunt Brenda’s eyes wide. Standing before her is a figure dressed all in black with a frightening mask. In the hand, the figure holds a unique long gun.

Aunt Brenda is about to get up, but the figure first points the gun right at her neck.

“You think you will get away from me easily?” The voice sounds vague, and it is not clear whether the owner of the voice is a male or female. However, the look in their eyes makes it clear that the figure holds a deep grudge.

Aunt Brenda swallows hard as the figure starts to pull the trigger of the gun.

“H–help me! I promise, I promise I will do whatever you want. But, please, let me go!” Aunt Brenda pleads. Tears begin to flow, her voice trembling with fear. 

“Are you sure?” The figure seems interested in Aunt Brenda’s words. “Are you sure you wil do whatever I want?”

Although hesitant, Aunt Brenda still nods.

“Ah, no, you are lying.”

Aunt Brenda shakes her head quickly. “No, I mean it. I promise, I will do whatever you–”

“Then, kill Nicholai!”

Aunt Brenda is silent.

What? Nicholai? Who is this figure? What business does this figure have with her nephew?

“Who–who are you?” Aunt Brenda looks furious. How could this figure tell her to kill the nephew she loves even more than herself?

“You do not need to know who I am. You want to be free, right? So, kill Nicholai for me. Not only will I give you freedom, but your old age will be guaranteed. You do not need to live in this poor village.” The figure promises pleasure. 

Aunt Brenda shakes her head. No, even if she was promised a life of pleasure, Aunt Brenda certainly will not dare kill her nephew. Even seeing him hurt and crying makes her cry too.

When the figure is slightly off guard, Aunt Brenda quickly pulls out the gun, and a struggle ensues for the gun between Aunt Brenda and the figure. 

Bang!

The figure staggers as Aunt Brenda pulls the trigger, causing the bullet to hit the figure’s arm and make him fall.

Aunt Brenda takes advantage of the situation to get up and run, even though one of her legs is still sprained. 

Sure, it is unbelievable that a 90 years old woman will be running through a snowstorm with a limp. Even Aunt Brenda will not believe what she does now.

“However, unbeknownst to Aunt Brenda, the figure has woken up. The figure had not actually fallen. 

Smack!

The figure slams a large rock onto Aunt Brenda’s head until the woman collapses.

“You can’t escape from me.” The figure laughs with satisfaction.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The roar of the gunshot echoes, along with blood splattering everywhere. Aunt Brenda takes one last breath.

Seeing Aunt Brenda dead, the figure drags her body and throws her off the cliff.

“Good bye!”