Chapter 63: A GAME TO WIN.

I had sleepless nights. I wonder how Alda is doing. She had already slept off when I arrived. I couldn't wake her up, so I decided to leave everything until morning. 

I went into the kitchen to grab a cup of water and was surprised to find Alda cooking.

“Good morning,” she said when she noticed I was standing behind her. She had a smile on her face, which left me wondering if today was a happy day for her.

“What are you doing?”

“Making breakfast”

“You didn't have to; the chef could have probably done that.” I took a glass and poured myself some water, drinking it down in one go.

“I know. I begged her to spare me the kitchen for the morning. I wanted to prepare something special for you.” I curiously stared at her for a while, trying to see if something was off about her, but I didn't quite notice anything like last night.

“Why will you want to make something for me?”

“Because I have been nothing but trouble to you. From the moment we met up until now, I have become your problem. I just wanted to say thank you with a little gesture.

The sincerity in her eyes made me think that I might really be overreacting. I walked up to her and held her hands in mine. She looked away from me, avoiding my glance.

"Alda, look at me.”

“It's Kate,” she said, getting me confused.

“I don't understand.”

“I decided to change my name; I don't want to live as Alda anymore.” 

“Alda. Just because we decided to lay low doesn't mean you should change who you are.”

“But I wanted to; I don't want to be the nice Alda anymore. Being nice doesn't really pay.”

“That's not true; to me, you will always be Alda Barnard, the most kind, nice, smart, and beautiful woman I have ever seen. Don't change that because of some people who don't deserve it.” I reached out and tucked her hair behind her ears. We both stared into each other's eyes as I caressed her face.

“That part of me is dead,” she said in almost a whisper before taking a few steps away from me. 

“Go wash up and come down for breakfast.” She went back to cooking while I stood in my position, lost in my own thoughts.

Alda's POV

I watched him leave and exhale deeply. For a moment back there, I almost fell for his charm. I wish I could see things the way he does.

“You do know that he is right. You didn't need to change who you are just because of those idiots.”

"Thanks, Siofra, but I kind of love this stronger version of me, and I want to remain this strong so no one will mess with me again.” I served our breakfast and went upstairs to dress up. I'm pretty much aware that we will be going to the hospital soon.

When I came back, Xender was already seated but seemed lost on his laptop. What is so urgent that he had to bring it over to the dining table? He was so lost in his work that he didn't even notice me standing in front of him.

It was the first time I saw him with his reading glasses on. He looked more handsome and hot. 

“How long are you planning on staring at me?" His voice had me startled, but I tried to cover it up. He looked up at me, scanning me from head to toe with his eyes.

“It seems you know we will be going to the hospital before coming back to prepare for the dinner.”

“Yeah, I'm aware of that.” I said, finally finding my voice.

“I'm glad you are.”

“Why are you working over breakfast?”

“I need to submit the results of our current sales to Charles, so it won't take long." He said that and went back to typing on his laptop.

I started eating my breakfast while watching him work. Apart from the fact that he is working, he seems somewhat quiet. Did something happen? I opened my mouth to ask him, but I couldn't.

When he finally closed his laptop and set it aside, I was happy because I thought the chill vibe that surrounded us would go away, but it didn't.

We both eat our food in absolute silence. I kept stealing glances at him every now and then. Is he angry about something?

“Why do you keep staring at me? If you have any questions, you can ask me.” Once again, he caught me glancing at him.

“Let's just eat and get going.” I was the first to leave the room. I waited patiently for Xender until we were ready to go.

When we got to the hospital, Xender disappeared with Mike, leaving me alone in the waiting room. I felt so bored at some point and decided to explore the hospital.

But I never knew that I was about to be surprised. I took the elevator to the fourth floor, and I nearly bumped into someone—someone I have come to hate the most in this world, Seth.

I quickly rushed into a room next to me and hid, watching him pass. I haven't seen him since he pushed me off the cliff.

“He is the one, right?” Siofra asked, looking more angry than I was.

“Yes, he is the monster that killed my parents and flamed Mr. Albert.”

“I don't think you are the first person to encounter such a thing with him,” Siofra said, leaving me confused.

“I don't understand?”

“It means you are not the first person he has murdered before.”

“How did you know?” I asked, getting suspicious. How did she know about that? Instead of answering, she turned her back on me, and I knew immediately that she was hiding something.

"Siofra, answer me right now!” 

“That's because I can read into someone’s memories, okay?”

“You what? Why didn't you tell me?”

“And open up a wound that you are trying so hard to heal; I couldn't do it. I wanted to tell you, but I just couldn't, but seeing how terrified you were when you saw him got me angry.” 

I felt my legs go weak as I dropped to my knee. What was he doing at Mike’s hospital? Did he figure out that I somehow survived falling from a cliff that is thirty metres tall? That is impossible; it can't be.

“You are scared of him. I understand that he left you with a tormenting trauma, but you will have to face him. Remember what you told me? Fear makes you weaker.” I wiped the tears that were running down my face as I tried to compose myself.

“I don't think I can face him. I thought I could do it, but I don't think I can face him alone.”

“Who said you were alone? You have me, just like I have you, so no more hiding. If we are going to play this game, then let's make sure we are going to win.”

Siofra turned towards me and gave me a little smile. She caught me off guard when she rushed into my body. I started feeling weird. At first, it felt strange, but I suddenly pushed myself off the floor. What was happening? I wasn't in control of my body.

"Siofra, what is going on?”

“I'm transferring my strength to you and taking your fear; just give me a few more minutes.” 

I thought she was insane at first, but when a smile crossed my face, I kind of understood what she meant by taking my fear away.

All the memories of Seth beating and mistreating me all came back to me, and instead of being my weakness, it became my strength.

“I can't believe I just cried over nothing,” I said, wiping the tears off my face. 

“Today, we will both work as one body and soul, sharing the same memories. Now let's go.”

“First, let's find a bathroom and fix our makeup; we can't face an enemy looking like a zombie.”

Xender's POV 

Where on earth is Alda? I came back to take her with me to the lab for a blood sample for the test, but she was gone. I have been asking the nurses about her, but no one has seen her.

“Excuse me, have you seen a lady with blonde hair; she is wearing a black gown, and she is about this tall?" I felt stupid trying to describe to people how she looked and what she was wearing.

“I saw a lady a little bit like your description on the fourth floor.”

“Thank you so much.” I thanked the lady. I rushed towards the elevator, waiting impatiently for the door to open.

And when it finally did, I was surprised to see Mr. Sebastian exiting the elevator. He was also as surprised as I was. He also had a confused expression on his face.

What on earth is he doing here? Alda, I need to find Alda.

“Mr. Armstrong, what a present surprise; I didn't think I would be seeing you here.”

“Why surprise? It's possible that we can both meet each other anywhere.”

“You are right. So what brought you to the hospital?”

“Oh, I came for a little checkup; you know health is wealth.”

“That's true, so you still haven't considered my offer even when I'm willing to give you 60%.”

“Like I said, Mr. Sebastian, I'm not interested in...”

“He will do it,” I heard her say behind me. My eyes widened in shock when I found Alda standing behind me with a smile on her face. What on earth is she doing?

“Who said that?” Mr. Sebastian asked.

“I did,” Alda replied as she walked up to me and stood besides me. A horrifying look appeared on Mr. Sebastian's face. He took two steps away from us.

Alda, on the other hand, kept approaching him as he backed away. What on earth are you doing, Alda? Why on earth would you show yourself to this monster?

“Hi, my name is Kate, and I'm Xender's bride-to-be." She said, extending her hands towards Mr. Sebastian, who was still looking like he saw a ghost.

“Oh, it's nice to meet you,” Mr. Sebastian replied, but he didn't accept Alda’s hand; he was trying to hide how terrified he was of seeing Alda.

“Mr. Armstrong, you have such a beautiful bride. Why don't we talk another time? I'm actually in a hurry." With that being said, he turned to leave.

“It's nice to meet you, Mr. Sebastian. I hope we will meet again.” Alda said, smiling evilly as she watched Mr. Sebastian hurry away. 

What on earth is her deal? She is acting strange again.