CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: CATHERINE'S JOURNAL
CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: CATHERINE'S JOURNAL
\-ARTEMIS-
After the inspector left, I could feel my whole world swirling before me. Dusk and dawn became the same, my life tumbling down the waters.
Thoughts of what had happened to Catherine kept roaming through my head, a pull of whatever I had known in the past. What had Catherine known that made them take her out? Was I the cause? Had she protected something dear to them? What was it?
My head kept spinning, the thoughts curling in my head like a tornado.
What else shall I speak of? Mom? She hasn't spoken to me ever since she realized Catherine had been captive and Bella might have been too.
I picked up my phone from the bed, dialing Catherine's number. It kept ringing, a soothing harmony of the melody she loved to sing.
After a minute it went off, no one answering the call. I tried several more times in an attempt to discern if any of the kidnappers had been captive.
"Hello..." a male voice came in as the responder went on.
"Where's Catherine?" I flushed immediately.
"Catherine. You mean the bloody fair girl with black ponytail hair and moderate-sized boobs?" His voice vibrated in my ears, a mild response to what I was expecting.
Being men, I knew they'd go all flirty and begin to describe her assets, which I had taken note of and could remember no matter the scene I was partaking in.
"Yes, that's her."
He went silent the minutes turning as no one responded. I wanted to speak, but something in me left told me to wait for it.
"Sire, they're asking for the fair lady we brought in last night." He let out.
"Are you silly? Drop that phone now." I began to hear grunts.
I could have spoken, but the urge to hear even the slightest sound from the other end got a hold of me. I grinned, sitting on the bed as the grunts continued.
"Don't let Miss Delilah know that Catherine and Bella have escaped. We don't want to get our head cut off just like Jack and the other fingerlings."
"They've escaped!" I muttered almost immediately.
"The responder is still on?" A man growled. "Give that to me."
The call got terminated, my mission accomplished. Bella and Catherine had been kidnapped, but they had escaped successfully. They'd be home soon, but then, when?
"Catherine's ledger." I set my eyes on the brown booklet before me. It had whisked up leather on the body, the words imprinted on the body with a small green bead at the upper left.
I opened the book, reading out the words that stuck to it.
…Today's been a wonderful day for me. The nun had been tricked by my fake pie recipe and had given me the chance to escape the orphanage gate. Though I'm still in pain that I left my sister Mandy at the orphanage, she has to grow up and not end up like me.
It felt weird knowing Catherine had a sister. She had always claimed she was single, never leaving the house, and also had no records about her sister. This looked tricky.
I flipped the pages to the day she arrived at the mansion. Hoping I could get a glance of whatever she had gotten into.
… Today was magic. I think Big Boss likes me and also her daughter Artemis. She's like the beautiful lady I've always thought of serving after Gramps Leo died of a heart attack. I heard she had been deserted in an orphanage just like me, but every time I see her, I see a warrior. A ferocious lady who would do anything to keep her family safe. I wish I could be like her too.
I flipped the next page, holding back the urge to smile.
… Do you know that Miss Artemis has finally overcome her fear of men? It's like a genie granting himself the one wish he wanted his entire life. Though it's the handsome prince of Hyperion—yes, they fit perfectly well. I can only wish them a happy ending, because the way the world works, I'd need a therapist to spit it out.
Tears gathered in my eyes, my chest suddenly weighing more than my body. I wanted to see more, wanted to know more.
…Today isn't like other days. I'm extremely happy that she's alive. Yes, I saw Mandy, my sister. Although she couldn't recognize me, or so I thought, because she literally stared at me before leaving for her room. She's become a Mercedes just like Gramp Leo has written in his will. I hope she's able to find peace just like I found mine.
My heart sank as I grasped the words. It felt like I had heard something more than I could handle. Catherine and Bella—blood sisters? Bella is Mandy? Something's up.
I scrolled past the pages, stopping at the last page, which had less text than others.
… I've tried all I can; it just doesn't work. Mandy has become engrossed in the world she's been given, and she want more. I heard her on the phone with a certain doctor; she insisted on killing Jarvis, and to my surprise, his burial was today. I don't know what to say; Miss Artemis is in a great deal of danger, and I'm the only one aware of the situation. Mandy has plans to…
The pages went blank, blood at the ending. I couldn't help but wonder what exactly she wanted to tell me about Bella. Was she going to kill me? Was her plan to eliminate me? What exactly was it?
I clasped the book between my palms, my curiosity wavering all over the place. What does Bella plan to take my position as the heiress?
It was troubling, and my stomach churned in positivity. I had to look into it with someone, anyone but my parents. Alexander had gone on a road trip to the western side of Hyperion and would be back the next week.
That meant Jamie was my only option.
"Artemis! Your sister's home."