"From now on, call me Lillian,"



15/05/23

DETECTIVE Tiana Derrick isn't even close to what Hellen expected. In her mind, she pictured someone tough. No-nonsense. Dressed in the same type of function-over-style pantsuit that actors wear in shows.

The woman she is staring at, however, wears a sky-blue tracksuit that is wrinkled as if it was chewed by a cow, and a yellow headband that does nothing to her pixie-cut hair.

Tiana notices her incredulous stare and says, "I have bangs, that is why I have the headband,"

Well, that affirms her no-nonsense attitude.

Mr. Timber lets out a short laugh but covers it with a cough.

Tiana's demeanor softens a bit when she turns to Floyd, but only by a degree. She manages a quick hug and tells them to sit down.

Hellen furrows her eyebrows at her change of attitude. At that moment, she gets a glimpse of their relationship. Old high-school friends, most likely knowing each other's strengths and weaknesses.

Hellen's body sinks into the brown leather seats and finally rips her eyes from Tiana and looks around the home. It is a considerable size with an open-plan kitchen and a small dining table fit for four. The walls were a beige color that made the space homey with gallery photos on the wall.

"Would you like anything to drink?" she offers.

"Yes. May I please have some coffee," Mr. Timber requests a little cheerfully with a hint of desperation.

Tiana nods and turns to both Hellen and Floyd. "You?"

"Water is fine," Hellen says.

"Same here," Floyd responds, and Tiana stands up to go to the kitchen.

She grabs a glass kettle, fills it with tap water, and turns the switch on after connecting it to the outlet. "So, what is it that you had to come all the way here?"

"Uh..." Floyd starts, looking at Hellen to answer the question since it isn't his part to say.

"My daughter is missing," she answers, getting the gist.

"For how long?" Tiana asks, opening one of her cabinets and taking out a mug and two slender glasses, balancing them carefully until they touch the counter.

"This is the second day,"

"Well, that's not too long,"

Hellen swallows, feeling as if a cannonball was shoved forcefully down her throat. "As a mother, I'm worried,"

"It's normal for mothers to feel that way but for you to report a missing case, it has to be at least three days,"

"But," Hellen grits. "This is the second day. The third day is going to be tomorrow. Are you saying that I have to wait until tomorrow so that you can take me seriously?"

"Hellen," Mr. Timber whispers, trying to calm her down but Tiana is unfazed.

Hellen guesses that she isn't the first person to snap at her like that. All she wants is to find her daughter. Why is the law so difficult?

"I suspected that something happened to Elodie because she is a diligent student and never misses school unless she is sick," Mr. Timber contributes.

"And her finals are coming up. This isn't the time to disappear," Hellen adds.

Tiana is already finished and brings Mr. Timber's coffee first, slowly handing it to him which he gratefully accepts and goes back to grab the two glasses and place them on the coasters on top of the glass table.

"That might be a reason why she disappeared. Stress,"

Hellen balls her fists on her lap at the pathetic excuse. Elodie is hard working and has never been afraid of school nevertheless examinations because she wants to be a doctor. She wants to heal people and reshape their lives.

Something this woman before her cannot comprehend.

"I don't think that's the reason," Floyd comes to the rescue. "Look, I brought them here so that you can help her find her daughter. You're a mother, Tiana. What if it was your child? What if it was Vanessa?"

Hellen looked expectantly at Tiana who hadn't stopped glaring at Floyd. "Blackmailing, I see,"

"Empathy," Hellen corrects. "It's called empathy,"

Tiana looks deep in thought and everyone is on edge. Hellen hopes that she will accept the job and not leave her hanging.

Tiana then slapped her hands on her thighs and smacked her lips before releasing them. "Fine. I'll do it,"

Everyone sighs in relief but that's cut short when Tiana narrows her eyes at Helen. "And you, don't interfere in this investigation,"

Hellen smiles. "I can't promise you that,"

~

The whole afternoon, Serena, Jade, and April planned the tea party. It was hard work and Serena wanted it to be perfect. She doesn't want to admit it but she wants to make Xavier happy and have a good relationship with the queen.

They agreed to use the backyard and Serena suggested putting tables with umbrellas on top to provide some shade. She was scared of the cost but Jade assured her that Xavier didn't care so they could spend as much as they liked.

"I'm thinking of pink with a bit of blue. What do you think?" Serena asks the girls.

"Hm," April says. "I love the theme but that means that we'll have to get the flowers from town,"

"I'll send a couple of maids to get them," Jade says, jotting down the idea.

"Get Lillies," April suggests, then turns to Serena. "Or which ones do you prefer?"

Serena nods. "Lillies are fine.

"What about who to invite?" she asks, curious and gullible. "I don't remember anyone,"

"Don't worry about that. I'll sort the list,"

Serena nods to Jade's comment and leans her head on her hands. "How old are they? The aristocrats that you'll be inviting?"

"They are diverse. We have middle-aged, peers around our age, and a few elderly ones like the queen," Jade answers her.

"Okay,"

April smiles and places her warm hand over Serena's. Serena looks down at it quickly before looking up at her. "Don't worry. As long as you have us, everything will go smoothly,"

Serena sighs. "I hope so,"

~

"Did you get it?"

"Yes. It was hidden well but I managed to find it,"

"Good work. Let me see it,"

Lillian stretches her hand to her maid, Mia, who fishes the letter from inside her dress around the chest area and gives it to her. She grimaces a bit when she sees the location but masks her emotions. She then stared down at the red envelope and inspected it. No name. No address.

"May I ask what you will be doing with it?" Mia worriedly asks, and Lillian's mouth draws to a wicked smile.

"Something big. This," she says, holding up the letter and Mia's eyes follow it. "Will ruin Serena and Xavier will finally learn the truth, leave her and be with me instead,"

Mia gulps and nods. "As you wish, Lady Jalon,"

Lillian's smile softens as she looks at a timid Mia. "I think we're way above the honorifics, Mia. From now on, call me Lillian,"