Chapter 35 He knows
VICTORIA
I gasped at the realization and staggered back, my head swaying in circles.
If he knew about it, then why did he act less concerned when he saw me chase after that man? Could the man be right?
I shook my head, not letting that thought mess with the truth I knew.
I took a deep breath and gripped my head, muttering words that barely made sense until my body stopped overreacting, and I calmed down.
I looked up at the bookshelf, then began to think of a place the book could possibly be in.
After standing there was approximately three minutes, an answer clicked into my head.
If my father didn't want it to be found, then it would be kept somewhere no one would think of looking at. His bedroom. No one would think that anything could be hidden in there.
It was just a simple bedroom with no drawers aside his wardrobe. The look of the room’s simplicity alone would knock you out if you ever go there to search for something.
Nothing was ever hidden out of sight or kept locked in my father's bedroom.
I spun around and slowly tiptoed out of the study, then sneaked into his bedroom located at the far end of the corridor.
I threw my head to several sides before sneaking closer to the bedroom. My shaking hand gripped the knob and twisted it, then pulled it open.
When the door opened, I stepped into the room and then clicked it shut before heading towards the bed.
I paused and looked around the room, finding absolutely nothing to be suspicious of.
The bed was well arranged, the wardrobe was left open as always, and so was the door to his dressing room.
I took the path to the dressing room and pulled the door open, then walked in.
Cologne hit my nose when I walked into the room. On one side, wristwatches and rings of different brands and designs were hung on their holders, and on the other side was a long rack for shoes. In front of me was a rack full of untouched suits and ties.
I gulped and walked down, glancing at everything in the room. I looked down at the table filled with cologne, and after standing there for a moment, I walked out.
I slumped into the couch next to the bed and dropped my head, my hand on my chin.
“Where could it be?" I whispered.
I stretched my neck towards the window, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw the staff fixing the large table that would be used for lunch.
I gasped and looked at the wristwatch strapped around my wrist.
I had just fifteen minutes to get done and get back to the garden.
“What do I do? What do I do?" I whispered as I panicked and paced around the room.
If I decided to leave it for another day, I might never get the chance to get what I wanted. This was the only opportunity I had, and I just couldn't let it slip out of my hand.
I ruffled my hair and took a step back, examining the room again.
My eyes traveled to the pillow, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw something sticking out from below the pillow.
I rushed towards the bed and pulled off the pillow. My breath hitched, and my eyes widened when I saw the book right there, hidden beneath the pillow.
I gasped loudly and picked up the book, a smile on my face.
My throat knotted, and tears gathered in my eyes when I saw my mom's autograph on the front page of the book.
I sucked in a deep breath and held the book against my chest, wincing.
“I miss you, Mom, I really do,” I muttered and wiped the tears under my closed eyes.
I stared at the book, then began to flip through the pages, staring at the familiar words of the crime thriller book. The words caused chills to wash down my body as I read them.
I looked up towards the window and watched the staff round up their work.
I spun around for the door, but the moment I did, a key fell out of the book. I froze and stared at the old key lying at my feet, my eyes wide as saucers.
It was it! It was the key I had been searching for.
I gasped loudly and bent down, then picked it up.
I stared at the key with a smile on my face, then straightened up and walked back to the bed. I dropped the book back to avoid suspicion, then placed the pillow back in its position before heading out of the room.
As I stepped out, I saw a staff member walking up the stairs, and I quickly hid in a corner, clutching the key with a trembling hand.
The staff walked into my father's room to drop a bag that must have been filled with money, then came out again and slammed the door shut before striding out, barely noticing my presence.
I sighed when she was gone and crept out, then looked around again before sneaking my way back to the study.
I rushed back into the study and crawled into the space, then slipped the key in.
To my surprise, it drawer unlocked.
I placed my hand over my mouth in awe, forgetting for a moment that my hand was covered in dirt.
A grin broke out on my face as I reached for the drawer and pulled it open.
I dipped my hand into the drawer and pulled out a book. A worn-out book covered with dust.
I brushed my hand over the cover and felt my breath hitch when I realized what I was holding.
From the cover, I recognized it at first glance.
The grin on my face faded, and the tears in my eyes dropped as I stared at the book. My trembling hand flipped through the light pages and ran over the old ink on them.
It was exactly what I thought it was– my mom's diary.