“Leila's point of view"
I snuck into Ben's apartment looking around. He wasn't home. Perfect.
Shutting the door behind me, I made my way to his room. I'd been here before, I knew my way around.
Alex's words echoed in my head.
“It's dangerous Leila, we can think of another way"
The only way to find out anything about Ben was here, in his house. I remembered he told me not to go into his library, and the door always remained locked.
I'd wondered then but didn't really give it a second thought, I was blinded by him and love.
Opening the door of his bedroom, I stared at the bed. We'd had sex.
And somehow, the thought disgusted me. Shaking myself out of my reverie, I proceeded to search for the key to his library.
It should be here somewhere. I needed to be fast and get out of here.
I started my search from his drawers to under his bed, his pillows, night stand. But I couldn't find it.
Where could he possibly hide a key? And that too, of a library?
Ben was smart, if he was hiding something from everyone, he'd make sure he'd cover every trace.
I was so damn sure, it wasn't just a library. There was something, in there that no one had any idea about.
After searching some more and finding nothing, I frustratedly hit the lamp on his night stand.
It fell on the ground and my eyes widened. I wasn't supposed to destroy anything, I was supposed to leave without any traces.
“Are you sure you can do this Leila?" Alex asked as we stood in his house contemplating our next move after arriving from Casablanca.
“I'm sure. No one could pull this better than I could. I know his house, inside out” I'd said.
" I would be waiting by the side then, in case of anything"
I paused, when a key fell out of the lamp. Wow.
He was creative. Who would suspect a mere lamp? Grabbing the key, I placed the lamp back on the night stand.
Lucky for me, it hadn't broken. I raised the key, inspecting it.
He'd killed my Aunt, there must be some evidence against him. I just need to find it.
Rushing out of his bedroom, I walked to the door that was locked. Inserting the key, I prayed it'd be the right one.
It clicked and I smiled to myself. Perfect.
Pushing the door open, I stepped in. It was dark inside and smelled damp. Doesn't he use the fucking room?
I shut the door behind me, reaching for the wall. There should be a switch somewhere —for the lights.
I found one and flicked it on. The lights sparked in protest casting a dim glow over the room.
It wasn't enough. Switching on the flashlight I had in my phone, I made my way in.
It was truly a library —with a damn lot of cobwebs. Disappointment gnawed at my guts, this wasn't enough.
I walked deeper into the room, my steps echoing. It was quite scary. I spotted a table and a chair.
Approaching it, I stared down at the books on the desk. One was opened with a pen in between.
I coughed.
There was no way he'd come into this damp place to read, right?
I glanced at the book. It was Ben's writing. Picking it up, I stared closely.
“23rd March, 2007
Death of Mrs. Thompson Martha. Killed by hanging. Carried out by… Ben”
" 25th March, 2007
Murder of the Brown family. Killed by arson. Carried out by… Ben”
I clamped a hand over my mouth. He'd killed a lot of people and went ahead to document it.
I flipped the pages over, horrified about the details in here was nothing more than the death of different people, in different ways.
All carried out by Ben.
There was a blank page with only a few sentences written on it.
“15th April, 2013
Murder of Matahye. Choked her to death. Carried out by… Ben”
" 15th April, 2013
Murder of a young girl. Killed by a stick.
Carried out by … Ben”
Ohmigod. I dropped the book and it echoed around the room. He killed her, he did.
My instincts were right. And —a young girl. Dread filled me
We'd underrated Ben, he was a murderer. For long.
My phone buzzed. I stared at the caller. Alex.
“Alex…”
" You need to get out of there, Ben's coming in” he said and my whole body stiffened.
It took my brain a minute to process the information.
Fucking. Ben!
I picked up the book dropping it back on the table, scurrying out of the library.
“Leila, I'm coming in" Alex said and I shook my head as I locked the room, heading back to his bedroom.
I placed the key back where he'd kept it.
“Your coming in would just complicate everything, I can handle it" I muttered, going back to the sitting room. There was no way I could leave now, if Ben was coming in.
“It's dangerous Leila, let…" Alex was saying when I ended the call, shoving the phone into my pocket, as the door pushed open. Ben entered.
His eyes were filled with surprise at first and then animosity. I forced a smile, even though nerves were eating up my being.
He's dangerous, he's a killer!
“What are you doing here? How did you get in?" He asked and I waved him off, moving towards him, my knees almost cobbled.
" I have a spare, remember?" I asked. He tilted his head, watching me, before staring at the door to the library.
Don't get suspicious, please. How do I distract him?
“What are you doing here?" He asked and I trailed a finger down his shirt.
" What do you think?" I asked biting my lip. I wasn't good a seduction —at all.
My phone buzzed in my pocket and I was grateful, I'd left it on silent.
I cupped the back of his head, rising on my tip toes so I could stare at him in the eye. My fright threatening to overwhelm me.
His eyes darkened slightly.
“Alex isn't satisfying, he doesn't know my body like you do" I muttered and he frowned, holding my hands tightly.
He was standing in front of the door, so there was no way, I'd make a rush at it.
“Tell me the truth, why are you here?" He asked, his voice scary.
My phone buzzed again and I swallowed nothing.
“Fuck me" I whispered and his brows furrowed in confusion.
His grip on my hands lessened a little, I took it as a good sign.
“He isn't as good as you are, fuck me, even if it's for the last time" I continued.
Hoping he'd fall for my deceit.
" Why should I believe that's the reason you're here?” He asked, his grip tightening again.
In one swift move, his hand was around my neck. My eyes widened.
Oh no.