Chapter 22 F*ck his rules
VICTORIA
It had been three days since the loss of that page. Three days of incessant harassment from that killer. The knocking, emails, and letters never stopped coming. They haunted me so much that I almost gave up on what I had come to Los Angeles to do. I was called weird by people because of my behavior in public. Ever since I solved cases, this was the first time I experienced something like this, and I knew it wouldn't cease until that motherfucker is found.
I rarely go out now and have tried every possible way to avoid my family for fear of the psycho extending his harassment to them.
“But that doesn't mean I shouldn't go to Connor's wedding anniversary," I muttered and sighed loudly, running my hand through my hair.
I bit my lips as I debated whether I should go or not while I sat in front of the mirror, all dressed up.
I gulped hard and reached for my lipstick, then applied it to my lips. I rubbed my lips together, picked up my purse, and got up.
Fuck that killer. Fuck his rules.
If I wanted to find him, then I would break him up with my decisions. I turned around and walked out of the house and into my car parked in the driveway.
I turned on the engine and drove off to the venue where Connor was holding his wedding anniversary party.
If I wanted to live freely again, then I had to find this killer, and to find him, I had to fight him. I would not let him harass or underestimate me again.
This wasn't me. I've never been a coward hiding because of some threats.
“You need to show that bastard what you can do," I whispered and stepped on the speed pedal.
When I got to the venue, I parked the car beside the cars in the garage, then stepped out and headed into the hall with my head high. The moment the doors opened, the hall grew silent, and all heads turned in my direction.
My body, like a magnet, drew a sea of eyes towards me and turned me into the centre of attraction.
Some women would have shied away or looked embarrassed with the amount of attention fixed on her, but I didn't. I forced a smile onto my face and walked further into the hall, my black satin dress slit to my thighs flowing behind me.
With my eyes, I found my father smiling proudly at me from a corner. My smile widened, and I began to walk towards him, ignoring the eyes that followed every step I took.
The sound of my stiletto hitting the ground was the only sound breaking the silence that filled the hall.
“Ah! That's my daughter," my father said, waving his hand at me when I got to where they stood.
I giggled loudly and greeted his friends, then hugged him tightly, earning praises from the people with him.
“Is this your way of making me feel better after ghosting me for three days, hmm?" He teased, and I chuckled.
"Forgive me, father,” I muttered, and he waved his hand in the air, grunting.
"It's not that serious, my little princess,” he pulled my cheeks playfully, and I burst into laughter.
After three days of living in fear and misery, I finally felt at peace with my family.
"Where are Connor and Stella? I need to congratulate them on their anniversary," I said, and my father nodded at a corner.
I followed the direction he nodded at, and my eyes fell on Stella. She had her glaring eyes on me, a deep frown on her face.
She would blame me once again for taking the spotlight away from her.
“Thank you, father," I muttered and began to walk towards them, but my father gripped my hand, stopping me.
“You'd brother won a major contract too, congratulate him on that as well," he informed.
“Yes, Dad," I nodded before continuing my walk to the couple.
“Connor?" I called as I trudged closer.
Connor stopped speaking to the man beside him and turned to face me.
“There you are. I thought you wouldn't show up," he said, grinning widely.
“Come on, you really expect me not to show up?" I chuckled and hugged him.
“It's not like you've shown up when you used to live here," Stella blurted out, and my heart constricted.
Connor broke the hug and turned to glare at her before facing me.
“You own tonight, Vicky, look how you stole everyone's heart the moment you walked in!" Connor praised me, and I blushed slightly, even though I felt bad for Stella.
She scoffed loudly, glared at me with eyes full of anger and jealousy, before marching off.
I knew Connor said that to piss her off, and funnily, he succeeded.
“You didn't bring flowers?" He asked. I swerved my head around the hall, my brows raised.
“Did anyone bring flowers?" I asked, and his grin widened.
“Oh my, maybe I should go to the flower shop to get flowers then, but I might steal the spotlight again…”
"And Stella won't like that,” he completed my words, and we burst into laughter.
Connor and I always made fun of her inferiority complex whenever we got the chance to. Even though it was disrespectful, I couldn't help but move along with him whenever he wanted to taunt her.
“Hey," I grabbed his hand, and he stopped laughing and looked down at me with a pair of pretty eyes.
“Congratulations on your contract," I whispered, and he frowned.
"How did you know? I haven't told anyone aside from father yet,” he said.
"Even Stella?” I asked, and he shook his head.
“It's a good thing I didn't say it in front of her," I sighed in relief.
“She would have ruined our anniversary night with her painful nagging," he said, and I giggled.
“You know, I wish I had married someone like you. I wouldn't be growing this old," he said as he faked tiredness.
“Shut up, Connor, you still look the same!" I nudged him.
“Oh, I do? It's a good thing the stress I face doesn't show in my looks, if not, I should have had white hair before father," he mocked again, and I burst into laughter, slapping his chest.
“You idiot! Stop it!" I snapped while giggling.
My laughter ceased when a pair of hands gripped my waist from behind. But the smile returned to my face when I realized who it was.
“Don't hold her like that, James!" Michael snapped at James, and he grunted nonchalantly.
“Are you jealous now?" He retorted, and Michael scoffed, forcing his eyes to roll.
“I guess Connor is the only one you care about now," he snapped, glancing at me with turned-up lips.
“Ah! The king of jealousy, we're so back," I teased, and he pursed his lips to stop himself from laughing.
Connor laughed at him and flicked a strand of my hair back.
“Come on, Michael, quit your acting already. You missed me, right?" I tilted my head to the side and asked.
He smirked and poked my head with his finger, causing my lips to thin.
“I didn't, get out of your delusions," he lied, and I burst into laughter.
My heart stopped beating for a second, and the smile on my face faded when I threw my head to the side, and my gaze fell on a familiar face.
Anger flooded through me, and my fist clenched.
“What is that bastard doing here?” I groused, and my brothers looked in the direction of motherfucking Simon Armstrong.