Chapter 44: Secrets

Elizabeth wondered why Jack had left that evening earlier than usual. They are to attend Mr Brown's party that evening but he excused himself saying he will meet her there. She had also invited Karen, this time it was Jack's suggestion.

At first she had feared that Karen and Jack would not get along, but now she's happy that Jack showed no resentment towards her.

Elizabeth and Karen arrived at Mr Brown's residence arms in arms. Liz glowed elegantly beside Karen who was dressed In a mini sunflower dress leaving her cleavages out in full display.

She loves the attention she gets from men as they turn their heads to check her out. This party wasn't an exception either, as she swayed in her dress, men smiled at her and she pretended not to notice or the souls she got from other ladies.

Karen is a beautiful Brunner with an elegant body. She wasn't petite but had a very good stature. She was never satisfied with what she had. She wished she was exactly like Elizabeth with the blonde hair.

"I did not see Jack anywhere around, are you sure he's going to make it?" Karen asked. She had worn the dress to show him what he was missing.

"Yes. He might be running late but he will show up" Elizabeth had strong belief In Jack words. Even though a part of her disagrees, still she still believes he would. It's over two hours since she got here yet he's nowhere to be found.

Lately she has been worried about how reserved he had become. He leaves early before she gets out of bed and comes in late when she has retired. She is starting to get worried something has gone wrong between them.

"I will wait for him a bit more, I'm sure he'll show up" she said this more to herself than to Karen.

"I will be back" Karen said meeting the eyes of Rapheal who was grinning to her in one corner. She also flashed him one of her flirtatious smiles before walking over to her even if he didn't beckon for her to come.

"Hi, sexy" Rapheal purrs licking his lips as he pretends to check her out.

"Hi," Karen replied, taking the seat beside him.

"I see the looks you're giving my friend, I can make her yours if you want" She leaned closer to whisper in his ears.

Rapheal pretends to give in to her idea. "really?"

"Yes. She has been lonely for so long and needs someone. You can walk to her I'm sure she wouldn't mind" she smiled and Rapheal returned the smile.

Karen discusses all what Rapheal needs to do. He hangs out with Liz until Jack arrives, then he will have a fight with him claiming he wants to take his girlfriend away. That is to strengthen the rumor Elizabeth was with Jack because of his money.

"I want a night with you after this" Rapheal says before he moves over to where Elizabeth was. Karen sipped her drink confidently with a mocking smile spread across her face. This is just the beginning, she vowed. She is going to do everything she can to make Jack leave Elizabeth. She could sense he gets jealous since swaying Elizabeth was not in the option, So jack was the easier target.

"You must be Miss Smith '' Raphals says as he reaches her side offering out his hand for a shake. Liz turned back to see the face of the man who had called her by her father's name. I was an unknown man in black suit, brown hair and a look that screams 'run'

"Yeah" she says hesitantly as he shakes his outstretched hand unwillingly.

The man smiled. " You don't need to be afraid, Miss Smith. I'm a friend of Jack. You can call me Rapheal" His voice was composed.

"Jack? Is he okay and how do you know about me?" She signed In relief when the man introduced himself.

"Yes, he's fine. He should be here anytime soon. You need to put your mind at rest Miss Smith." he answered.

"You can call me Elizabeth," Liz offered.

"I'm afraid you have to come with me, Liz. Mr Walters had ordered me to come with you. He's waiting out back." Rapheal didn't want to reveal he was sent to seduce Liz to trap Karen because she might make a screen and things wouldn't go out as planned.

"You should have informed me soon that he's here"

As they walk out with Elizabeth taking the lead, Rapheal looks at the back to see Karen grinding mischievously. Hw signaled to her bad she mouthed a little 'thank you'.

When they get out passing the back door, Liz couldn't see any car that belongs to jack. "Are you sure he's here? I can't find his car. " She informed Rapheal, who was busy fishing out a phone from his pocket.

"Yes, she's out. You can go in now" Rapheal said.

"Is that jack?" She asked as soon as he ended the call.

"Yes. He wants you to stay put. You can come sit here while we await him"

Elizabeth moved back, not trusting the man who asked her to follow him under the disguise of Jack's name. She shook her head regretting ever accompanying him out in the first place. It was as if the man also sensed what was going through the young lady's mind.

"You have to trust me on this. Your friend isn't who you think she was and Mr Walters was trying to point that out to you?" Rapheal said seeing that's the only thing to calm her succumb to him. He can't play any of his cards any longer and coming clean to her is the only option left.

Confusion spreads through Elizabeth's face as she hears what Rapheal had just said. She steps back further, shaking her head frantically. The young man must have been insane.

"I'm not insane Miss Smith." He reached out to hold one of her hands holding her in place. "You need to trust Jack and believe me, okay? Just do what I say. Karen is probably telling Jack what a white you are and will bring him out to see for himself. She's the devil who spread rumors about you and Jack."

"Karen?...?" Cassandra couldn't find her voice. Her eyes were filled with tears that threatened to fall. "Why would she do that?"

"You need to ask her that yourself. I want you to compose yourself and stay put. Can you promise me that?" The young man was pleading with his eyes. He looked so desperate as though his life depended on it and it did one way or another.

Elizabeth nodded, not finding her voice. "Good" Rapheal said before disappearing through the door they both came through some minutes ago.

Elizabeth couldn't believe her ears at this sudden revelation.

"Karen?" She questioned.

"Why?"

"Why would she think of such a thing? They have been friends since diapers days." She does not believe what anyone says until she finds out the truth herself.

She started to go back inside but was stopped by the appearance of Karan and Jack with Rapheal coming behind them.

What could be happening?

"I saw both of them going out," Karen testified, pointing to Rapheal.

"Not my Liz dear. You must be mistaken because Rapeak here is my friend" Jak said, maintaining a straight face.

"I have proof, Jack." She dips her hand in her bag and brings out her phone. She unlocked it and showed Jack a picture of Lizzy smiling at something Rapheal told her. Jack smiled much to her surprise.

"Karen, you should be ashamed you're trying to frame your friend. " Jack moved closer to her and hai presence had now become so intimidating. She moved back.

"What are…. you talking about?" She stammers.

"We have the proof of the man you hired to spread the fliers about Elizabeth and I. Raphael here is the private investigator I hired to find out who did it and all evidence points to you. Tonight he has the voice recording of how you told him to lure Elizabeth so you can take a picture to blackmail me" he walks around her slowly as if interrogating a suspect.

The weather that evening was cool, coupled with the dress she was putting on, instead of feeling cold she was burning up inside.

"No, that's not true." She denied searching Elizabeth's face for survival.

"Liz, you know I will never do something like that. I am being framed. You don't listen to him." She reached forward to hold one of her hands but Elizabeth moved back not believing her ears. She was still in shock that her friend for years did go this length. Over what? And that was what she finds herself asking. She couldn't have imagined any reason for Karen to do this to her. She trusted her Every Time. She turned to her everytime she was having a problem.

"Why Karen…why? " Her voice was barely above a whisper. She was fighting so hard not to break down in tears in public.

"You want to know why? You have everything Elizabeth. Everything. You have a good family that supports you, you have siblings and your love life isn't a wreck as mine" she yelled not even caring if she's admitting to her crimes.

"Is that why you spread those rumors Karen? I trusted you with my life!" Liz yelled back, matching her energy.

"I was there through thick and thin with you. I was your best friend for years Karen. Do you think of anything we had together? Do you even think of our friendship?"

"Friendship?" Karen scoffs. "You were there, yes! But you have no idea what it feels like to watch your family break up. You don't know how it feels to have your parents divorce or your father dying. You don't feel the pain Liz. Your life has been way for you. You were daddies precious kid while my parents care less about what I do?" Her eyes were also filled with tears but there's no remoteness in them.

"That's not true. Your parents loved you." Elizabeth said back.

"That's because I lied, okay? I lied to everyone of you that I was okay. You always have every good thing to say about your family while I had none so I made those stories up"

"Still… What does this have to do with Jack and I? Why were you so hell-bent on breaking us apart"

"I was jealous, okay? I was jealous you'll get married and leave me all alone. No one wants me. No one wants to be with me"

"You don't know that…" Elizabeth had tried to say when she felt Jack's warm hand rest on her right shoulder.

"It's not the time for that now dear. I only want you to realize the type of friend you move with. Go with Rapheal, I'll finish things up here and meet you at home"

"But I… Karen…" she starts to say but Jack interrupts her once again.

"You need to trust me on this Liz. Please go" he pleaded with his eyes and signaled to Rapheal to take her with him.

"This way" Rapheal assisted Elizabeth to the car. Jack watches as the car drives off and disappears into the distance before he turns to Karen.

He strides to her slowly until he reaches her front. Karen trembles at his presence. The once charming Jack Walter now gazes at her menacingly.

He bends down slowly until his lips are almost touching her ear. "I am only letting you go because of Liz. If you try to come near her or cause anything that'll impair her image, you'll report to me. Best friends or whatever

. Do I make myself clear? "His voice was firm. The type you can't say no to.

"Yes.." she trembles, not meeting his eyes.

"Good!"