Chapter 41 Empty bottle of brandy
THIRD PERSON POV.
Jonathan stepped on the accelerator and didn’t take his foot off it until he was as far away from that scene as possible.
When he got to town, he used a pay phone to call 911.
“Nine one one, what’s your emergency?”
“There’s been an accident. 411 road by peach street. A car fell over the hill.”
He hung up immediately.
Walking out of the phone booth, he convinced himself that was the most he could do for the accident victims.
He knew he had to call Horace, to tell him what had happened but he stalled. Hoping the longer the postponed it, the longer it would stay hidden.
After driving aimlessly around town for what seems to be about an hour, Jonathan finally stumbled his way into a small bar at the far end of the city.
He rang the tiny bell on the counter and a blonde waitress came out from behind the curtains.
“Hey, can I use your restroom please?” He asked.
“Restrooms are only open to customers.” The waitress replied flatly.
“Fine then, get me a bottle of brandy with a slice of lemon and ice while I use the restroom.”
She nodded and pointed him towards the restrooms.
He came back, climbed the bar stool and sat but when he tried pouring the drink into his cup his hands began to shake, spilling the brown liquor on the counter.
“Hey. You are making a mess,”
the waitress shouted, collecting the bottle from him.
“Sorry about that,” He said . Wiping his hands on the towel she handed him.
“It’s fine. Are you okay? Your hands are seriously shaking.”
He hid his hands under the table.
“I’m fine, just help me serve my drink and I’ll be good in no time.”
She eyed his hands again, “are you sure? I can call you an ambulance.”
“Yes I’m sure,”’he said firmly.
She shrugged and proceeded to serve him his drink like he requested.
An empty bottle of brandy later, the bar had started to fill up.
The TV played deadly in the background.
Jonathan, raised his hands. “Can I get a check please?”
The waitress brought his check and after seeing the empty bottle she asked, “will you be driving yourself or should I call you an uber?”
“What's your deal?” Jonathan asked angrily. “Is this how you stick your nose in customers' business?”
“I’m only asking because you just finished a bottle of brandy by yourself.” She countered.
“Thank you but I know how to handle myself. Now, go mind the business that pays you.”
“Can you turn that T.V up? There’s something on the news.
The waitress finally walked away from Jonathan and that gave him a chance to make his escape.
he walked out of the bar and into the scorching afternoon sun. But not before catching a glimpse of the word ‘accident’ written on the T.V screen.
While staggering his way back to the car,his phone started to ring.
He ignored it, choosing to focus only on getting into the car and safely driving home.
The phone rang again, the noise from the phone and the heat from the sun causing his head to ache painfully.
He made it inside the car, his phone rang again.The caller ID showed Horace’s name.
Jonathan immediately felt nauseous.
Reluctantly, he tapped the answer button,
“Hello.”
“Father, are you in there?” Clare knocked on the study door.
“Enter “ came the disgruntled voice from inside.
She opened the door slowly and then walked inside.
“Clara, I thought I said I didn’t want to see your face.” Horace said without looking up.
“This can’t wait father.”
Sensing the urgency in her voice hairs finally looked up. “What happened?”
Clara breathed, “Serena was just on the news with Damian Crowne,”
That earned his full attention. “Well spit it out girl.” He said when Clara took too long to complete her sentence.
“She and Damian just announced that they are married.”
“No.” Horace stood, “It has to be a joke.”
He pointed to Clara, “are you joking with me girl?”
She shook her head.
“Here.” She said handing him her phone, a news article with Serena and Damian’s faces drawn inside a red heart. It read, ‘Monterra’s most mysterious heiress marries a famous billionaire.’
“How the hell did this happen,” he screamed, sending the phone crashing into the opposite wall.
Clara shrieked, shielding her face.
Horace started pacing the room.
“They are lying.” Clara said.
“How do you know they are lying?”
“If they got married two weeks ago, that would mean they got married a day before Grandpa’s death.” Trisha added , “but prior to grandpa’s death, Serena and Jonathan were still together.”
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes. Serena and Damon only started speaking to each other again the day grandpa died. Jonathan saw them together.”
“That’s around the time she started acting weird as well.”
Horace stroked his chin, as if piecing a puzzle together in his mind.
“Call Jonathan,” he said.
“I can’t, you just sent my phone flying across the room.” Clara replied flatly.
“Fine, I’ll call him.”
Horace dialed the number and put it on loud speaker.
After several attempts. Jonathan finally picked.
“Hello”
“Jonathan, you are on speaker and Clara is in the room.” Horace declared immediately Jonathan answered.
“Ehm, okay.” Jonathan drawled.
“Where are you? And why haven’t you gotten back to me on the errand I had you run?”
Clara picked up the T.V remote and turned it on.
“I was going to call you soon....” Jonathan stammered. “We experienced a problem.”
Horace’s hand tightened around the phone.
“What do you mean?”
The T.V came on, images of a car crash site filled the screen.
“Oh my God.” Clara spoke, her eyes focused on the brightly lit screen.
“Answer me, Jonathan.” Horace was saying into the phone.
Clara pointed a shaky finger. “That’s Serena’s friend.” Her hands flew to her chest. “That’s Trisha.”
Trisha?
Horace’s eyes snapped up, phone still in his ear.
One dead. One in a critical state.
The news reporter also added that the police were already investigating the accident to see if it was a hit and run.
“I pushed Trisha’s car off a cliff.” Jonathan finally said on the phone.
The room spun, Horace had to hold on to a chair to steady himself.
“What have you done?” Clara cried.