Allison put the phone down on the center table. She sweeps her gaze around the pool area as her minion, Owen, continue frolicking in the water, he has the entire length of the swimming pool to himself.
They just finished eating lunch two hours ago and decided to go swimming in the pool. She picked up the glass containing the strawberry juice and took a sip from it.
She was pondering about Greg's request.
Hiring someone to kill Mike is not a hard thing to do. She got the money to pay anyone who would do the dirty deed, her brother's request is not a problem at all. But she won't be rushing to do his bidding, she will wait after one week, just to see if he will go ahead with it or maybe...he will change his mind.
There is no need to kill Caroline's husband since she was willing to be Greg. But if her brother will still insist on going ahead with his intention, then she will grant him his request, if that can make him happy, she will do it without hesitation! Her dying brother's wishes and happiness matters most to her more than anything else.
Owen got out of the pool and sat on the sun lounger beside his benefactor and reached for his drinks. He notices a frown on Madam's forehead. "Is there something bothering you, Madam?" he inquired.
"My brother called me a while ago and requested me to kill Caroline's husband," she answered.
"Huh!?" Owen nearly choked on his drink. He looked at her face keenly. "And what is your decision, Madam?"
"I have given him one week to decide if he will go through with his intention. If after one week, he will still insist on going ahead with the deed then I will do as he says," Allison responded casually.
Owen fell silent while observing his Madam's face, she talked about the sensitive matter calmly as if she was just discussing the weather. The fact that they were talking about killing someone, she was just looking calm as ever, which gives him a shiver running down his spine.
He never knows the extent of Madam's suffering in the hands of her adoptive father, it must be very traumatic and horrific that is why Madam has no guilt and conscience when it comes to killing someone.
Although he grew up in a poor family, he never suffered the kind of mental and physical torture that his Madam had undergone in her young a.d.u.l.t life.
Sad to say, she now becomes a killing machine, devoid of emotion, guilt, and conscience...fueled by the strong desire to please her dying brother.
He may be not a good person, but he wouldn't dare kill anyone without a strong motive.
But Madam is different.
She is cold, hard, and deadly!
Madam confided to Veralyn once that she can't bear anyone touching her body physically cause it will bring back all the appalling things that her adoptive father has done to her.
That's why, Madam, can't engage in a romantic relationship with the opposite s.e.x and she remained single until now.
Her trauma was great, she becomes a prisoner of her tragic past, not allowing her to explore a loving human relationship with the opposite s.e.x.
What a waste that is, because Madam is a beautiful woman, just a psychotic one!
He found her gaze centered on him. "Madam-?"
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
He was about to tell a lie but decided to tell the truth instead. "Hmm, I was pondering about Greg's request for killing Caroline's husband. I think it's not necessary, Madam," he voiced out his opinion.
"That's not for you to decide!" she snapped at him.
"I'm sorry, Madam!" Owen was quick to apologize and scratches his head in amazement. Why the hell she got angry when in the first place she was the one asking him on what he was thinking in his mind. Dang! He should have given her a random answer like...he wanted to go shopping or watch a movie next week, sigh.
Allison glanced at him. "So...tell me...why do you think that it's no longer necessary to kill Mike?"
Owen breathed deeply fearing to anger his Madam again. "Because Caroline is willing to stay with Greg, that is why there's no need to kill anyone," he answered.
Allison nods her head. "That's what I've been thinking too..." she agreed.
Whew! Owen breathed in relief, at least this time, he didn't encounter scolding from his Madam. He reached for his phone from the center table and browsed on his photo and video gallery. He watched the slideshow photos of their vacation in Mindanao once while Veralyn was still alive.
They were having fun in the slides, going in horseback riding, camping, and riding a zip line. That was the best of times. The smile of their faces was captured by the camera.
"Madam looked at this!" he squealed joyfully. "Did you remember this vacation we had in Mindanao?" he asked cheerfully. He handed his phone to her.
Allison looked at the photos. "Yeah..." she said. Her gaze was fixed on Veralyn's smiling face.
"You don't miss the place, Madam?" he asked.
Allison shook her head. "No!" came her quick reply.
"Ah, okay..." Owen said. He browsed some cool destinations located in Mindanao on his cellphone. He was busy exploring the photos of the newest vacation resort featured by the travel site...then he exclaimed. "OMG! Look at this! We should do this Madam!" he pointed at the group of people engaging in a river rafting. "This looks fun!" he exclaimed excitedly.
Allison stared at the photo on the site. "Where is this?" she asked in an interested manner.
"In Nature's Hideaway, the newly opened vacation resort located in Mindanao," he answered.
"Okay, book for three days and three nights, we will explore that new resort!" Allison said.
Owen was shrieking in delight. "You're the best Madam!" he praised her. He was hoping that during their vacation Madam's mind will soften and she can think clearly and stop killing people just to please her dying brother.
He immediately opened the travel site and booked a premium 3-days package tour.
Meanwhile...
Back in Allison's resort in Angeles Pampanga.
Caroline continues painting on the beach but Greg no longer returns to her side, she set aside the painting tools into the nipa hut and went back to the rest house to take her afternoon nap. She looked at Greg's room for a few minutes before she entered hers.
She settled in the bed and closed her eyes to sleep.
She slept for two hours.
When she woke up and went to the window, she saw Greg already resuming his painting under the shade of the coconut tree.
She combs her hair and ties it ponytail style. She left the room and went downstairs, she exited the house and walked towards the beach.
She retrieved her canvass and other painting tools in the nipa hut and went to Greg's side, then she set up everything. She began mixing paint on the palette.
"You can go over there, no need to paint beside me!" he snapped at her.
Caroline gasped. "O-okay," she murmured.
She was about to pick up her things and find another area to paint when Greg looked at her.
"Stay, you don't need to go!" he said in a hard voice.
Caroline gritted her teeth in anger. "What's wrong with you? Can you just make up your mind, please!" she growled in annoyance. "If you can't stomach my presence beside you, then it's time to leave this place..." she threatened him.
Greg smiled at her. "I'm just kidding, please stay by my side, my love. You know very well that I can't live without you," he said softly.
Caroline released a deep sigh wanting to leave the beach and go back to the house. She bit her lower lip fighting the urge to whack his head.
She continues with her painting.
They paint side by side in silence.
Three hours later, Caroline was done with her painting, nothing special about it. She just painted the mountain looming far away situated on the north side of the beach.
"I'm done painting. I'm going to the house to help Saling prepare the dishes for dinner," she said.
Greg nodded his head giving his permission.
Caroline gathered her panting tools and strolled towards the house.
She entered the house and set aside the painting tools in the corner of the living room, then she walked towards the kitchen and found Saling bending over on the fridge getting the vegetables out and putting them on the table.
Saling looked at her. "Do you need something, dear?" she asked.
Caroline smiled. "Nothing. I just want to help you prepare the dishes for dinner," she said.
"Okay, thanks dear, your presence is always welcome here in the kitchen," Saling replied cheerfully. She took out the frozen fish and chicken from the freezer and put them in the plastic basin to be thawed.
Caroline took the knife and the chopping board from the dish rack then she washes the vegetables in the sink.
"Tomorrow afternoon, I'm going to the public market to buy fresh vegetables and do some grocery shopping as well. Do you want to come with me?" Saling questioned her.
Caroline's face brightened up. "Yes! I'll go with you. I also need to buy some stuff for myself," she responded.
"We will leave after lunch," Saling said.
"Okay," replied Caroline. "What dishes are we going to cook for tonight?" she asked.
"Let's make Sweet and Sour Fish, Lemon Chicken Chinese Style and Carrot Potato Ginger Soup," Saling replied.
"Wow, delicious dishes!" Caroline commented. She began slicing the vegetables, herbs, and other spices for the mentioned dishes.
While she was immersed in her task, her heart was racing inside her rib cage, she's getting excited with the notion of calling her sister tomorrow afternoon to inquire how everyone is doing during her absence...especially her husband.
Tomorrow will be her first contact with her family after her sudden disappearance.
She can't wait!