Eugene couldn't believe what he was hearing. Nothing made any sense from what Mr Chamberlin said. He couldn't take it any longer. All he wanted was his father to go away.

"I don't believe you, dad," said Eugene, "it would be better if you just leave."

"I won't leave unless you take this seriously, Eugene. Your life, your brother's and mother's are also in danger."

"And why should I listen to you, anyway? You've never cared for us, why do it now?"

"I still care about-"

"No, you don't! If you really did you wouldn't have left."

"Eugene, even though I've caused you so much pain, I still care about my family."

"I don't think so. Stop telling me all this nonsense."

"This isn't nonsense, Eugene. I want you to stay away from that girl. You haven't been close to her, have you?"

Eugene raised an eyebrow. "Rhénee arrived yesterday. Why would I need to be close to her?"

Mr Chamberlin took in a deep breath and looked at Eugene. "Don't you remember her? Any memory of her when you were little?"

"No. I don't remember anything about her. But I did meet her yesterday and I felt like I knew her before, but I couldn't see past my memories."

"All the more, you shouldn't get close to her."

"Why? Is she dangerous? If she is, she doesn't look as dangerous as you portray her to be."

"People might not see it, but that girl has a danger symbol all over her. Believe what I say."

"I'll believe you when you convince me. What the hell is wrong with Rhénee?"

"I can't tell you, Eugene."

"And why not? And you want me to believe you? I want to know, dad. I need proof. Who even told you that Rhénee is dangerous?"

"I've my sources."

Eugene folded his arms. "Mmm, your sources? What sources, dad? Are you in some criminal gang or something?"

"No, I'm not."

"Then who told you, dad? What if you're lying about Rhénee? And what danger would Rhénee inflict on me? I think she doesn't even know who I am."

"Come on, Eugene. You would rather defend that girl than take the side of your father?"

"In this situation, I've no choice. There is something you're not telling me, dad. And thats making me doubt you even more."

Eugene stood up and walked to the door and opened it. Eugene looked at his father with a stern face. Mr Chamberlin knew he was being kicked out and so he walked out. Eugene banged the door shut behind him.

Eugene sat on his chair behind the desk. He didn't tell his father how had felt at the time he had met Rhénee the previous day. Was what he felt corresponding to what his father had told him about Rhénee? Was she really a danger to him?

No. There was something his father wasn't telling him. Eugene knew that Rhénee wasn't a danger to him and what he was feeling now was the complete opposite.

Maybe Rhénee was the one in danger.

***

Rhénee packed all the jewellery boxes back into the safe except the one with her grandmother's name on it. She put up the picture of the beach covering the safe from view. She sat back down on the chair and looked at the black jewellery box on the desk.  She looked up at the door just in case Miss Griselda was there. Luckily, she wasn't. 

Rhénee leaned back on the chair and started to wonder. As far as she could remember, the only time she had seen her grandmother wear this necklace was when she was ten before her parents had stopped Rhénee from ever seeing her grandmother again. Who even gave it to her anyway? For the box to have Emelda's name on it seemed really personal.

"Was she seeing someone at the time?"

That seemed a little ridiculous even to Rhénee. Her grandmother had only loved her grandfather even though Rhénee barely knew him because he died when she was very little. If Emelda had someone else in her life, then that would be just wrong.

Rhénee breathed out deeply and decided to take a look in the drawers of the desk. She opened them and found most of them empty. When she opened the last one, she saw a black photo album similar to the one which she found in her grandmother's room. She picked up the photo album and flipped it open.

"Is someone playing with my mind or what?"

Before the photo album had no pictures. But this time, there were pictures in it. Rhénee closed her eyes for a moment hoping that she was seeing illusions. When she opened them, the pictures were still there.

There were pictures of Zoey, Ryan and her when they were little. One of them was when the three were running around the garden. Rhénee remembered when her grandmother was trying to get a photograph of the three of them but they all ran around the garden trying to hide from the camera. Whats the difference anyway? It was quite clear that her grandmother had taken a photo of them trying to hide in the tool shed.

As Rhénee flipped through the album, many memories flooded in. There was a picture with the whole family in it. They all looked so happy in the picture, including her father. How Rhénee wished for her father to be happy as he was before. 

Speaking of her father, Rhénee had not called him yet to tell him that he was alright. He was obviously still upset with her anyway. Why bother calling him? She would wait for him to call instead. 

Rhénee continued looking at pictures until one of the caught her eye. There in the picture was Rhénee sitting on the swings in the play ground. And the person occupying the other right next to hers was a boy. His dark brown hair stood up in spikes and his soft hazel eyes stared right at the camera. Rhénee realised that he looked quite familiar. 

She continued looking at other pictures and the same boy was seen in some of them. The pictures of Rhénee and her family had ended at some point and other pictures of her grandmother and other people, some Rhénee couldn't recognise, came into view. And again, she saw the same boy but this time he looked more like a teenager. Then, there was another picture of her grandmother together with the same boy standing outside a building. And this time, Rhénee realised that the person standing beside her grandmother was Eugene. The man she met in Mr Sinclair's office the previous day. 

"How come I had known him before but couldn't remember him?"

A knock on the door made Rhénee look up from the photo album. Miss Griselda was there, with a look on her face that Rhénee couldn't seem to put together. 

"Is everything okay, Miss Griselda?" Rhénee asked.

"I just received a call downstairs on the landline," replied Miss Griselda. 

Rhénee froze. Had that person called again?

"An old friend of your grandmother's was on the line," continued Miss Griselda, "she had heard that you arrived and is inviting you to her house for a party tonight."

"A friend of my grandmother? Who?"

"You might not know her. Her name is Sophia Derrand. A very powerful business woman."

"And she invited me to her house for a party?"

"Yes. She says she and her family are dying to meet you."

"Oh, okay. Where does she live?"

"A driver will be sent here to come and pick you up."

"Are you okay, Miss Griselda? You look a little weird."

"I'm just not happy that Mrs Derrand called. I have never really liked that woman at all. I don't know how your grandmother had put up with her."

"Is she that bad? I mean is she bad or something?"

"I don't want to put bad ideas in your head, sweetie. Just be careful around her, okay?"

"As you say, Miss Griselda. I better go and get a dress, then. I'll be back before lunch."

"Alright, dear. Make sure you come early."

"I'll try."

Miss Griselda left and Rhénee put the photo album back in the drawer hoping to finish it up later. She didn't just want to go and get a dress for the party, she wanted to find the wooden house she saw in the photo. From what she saw, the surroundings around the house looked really familiar and she had a hunch that she knew where it was.

Rhénee left the study and went to her bedroom to get the car keys. She quickly went down the stairs and she found Sophie standing by the door as if the cat knew that Rhénee was going out and was waiting for her.

Rhénee got out through the door and the cat followed. They got into the car and Rhénee drove off passing through town and onto the road which lead to the forest. She remembered coming to the forest when she was little. And she hoped that she could find the mysterious house.

She turned a corner towards a sign saying "Crystal River." She remembered the place vividly. She packed the car at the edge of the forest. She got out of the car and so did Sophie. They started their walk into the forest. 

The forest was really quiet except the sounds of the birds chirping in the trees and the sound of the pine leaves rustling as the wind blew by. Rhénee soon heard the sound of flowing water and she knew that she was getting closer to the river.

Soon the trees cleared and Rhénee was in a clear view of the river. Sophie went to the banks  and climbed on the rocks looking at its own reflection on the water's surface, but not willing to jump in the water.

Rhénee looked from left to right of the river thinking of where to go to next. She had to be real quick if she wanted to find the house. She then decided to follow the river's direction downhill. Sophie followed quietly behind her. 

From a distance, Rhénee saw someone coming from the forest going to the banks of the river. It was an old woman and she looked really relaxed as she held up her head and took in the fresh air. Rhénee wondered if she could approach the woman and ask if she knew anything about a wooden house in the forest. 

Suddenly, the old woman turned to face in the direction where Rhénee stood. Her eyes grew wide in horror as she looked at Rhénee. She held her chest as if she were out of breath. Rhénee ran over to her to help hoping that the old woman wasn't having a heart attack. 

Before Rhénee got to the woman, the woman held her hand up to Rhénee indicating that Rhénee shouldn't come any closer.

"No, don't come close to me, please!" the old woman insisted. 

"Let me help you. You don't look well at all," said Rhénee. 

"Just leave me alone! You have to get out of here! Leave! Now!"

"Is there something wrong? Are you okay?" Rhénee stretched out her hand to help the woman.

"Aaah! Don't try to touch me! Leave me alone! You're dead, you hear me! Dead!"

Rhénee raised an eyebrow. Was the old woman threatening her or was she just delirious? 

"I've to get out of here! I've to get out of here! You! You came back to kill me, right?" asked the old woman.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Rhénee. 

The old woman trembled and started walking backwards away from Rhénee. Her back heel got caught by a stone and she fell on her back to the ground. The old woman cried in pain and Rhénee ran to get her up.

"Don't worry, I've got you," said Rhénee as she carefully helped the woman up and they walked away from the banks. Rhénee made her sit on a log lying on the ground nearby.

"Are you okay? Did the fall hurt you badly?" Rhénee asked as she sat next to the woman.

The old woman looked at Rhénee and then around her as though she was looking for someone. Rhénee thought the woman would start acting crazy again, but she seemed to have calmed down.

"Where is she? Is she gone?" the old woman asked.

"Who? There is no one here but me," said Rhénee. 

"No, she was here. She was here to kill me. But I didn't do anything."

"Wait. Calm down. Who was here?"

"She came back. I don't know why. She is not happy I tell you."

"Please, tell me. Who did you see?"

"Emelda. I saw Emelda."

Rhénee froze for a moment. Did the woman just say Emelda? Her late grandmother?

"I know you don't believe me. No one does," said the woman. "I knew she would come back someday. But I don't know why she came for me."

"You knew Emelda?" Rhénee asked. 

"Yes, everyone knew her."

"Were you friends with her?"

The woman looked at Rhénee more carefully with her grey eyes. 

"You. You're her granddaughter,"said the woman. "You're Rhénee."

"Umm, yes I am."

"What are you even doing here? She will come back for us. You better go."

"No. I'm not leaving. If you knew my grandmother, there must be some things you know about that I don't."

"Like what?"

"There is a house somewhere in this forest. I'm not sure, but I think it belongs to my grandmother."

Rhénee had carried the picture of the wooden house in her pocket of her jeans. She showed the house to the old woman and the woman took the picture in her hand. By the look on the woman's face, Rhénee had a feeling that the woman had some knowledge about the house.

"Why are you looking for this place?" the woman asked.

"Someone gave this to me with my grandmother's name at the back. My grandmother owned this house,  right?"

"Yes, she did. But it's best you don't go looking for it, Rhénee."

"May I know why?"

"There are some things that are meant to be kept in secret."

"In secret? Is there something I should know?"

"There are some things you shouldn't know. Trust me, don't go looking for that house."

"But someone wants me to find it. Please, help me."

"That someone is also putting you in danger. You aren't supposed to be here."

Sophie who was sitted at Rhénee's feet watching the two conversing, suddenly stood on her four legs, ears twitching as her green eyes stared at the forest. Rhénee noticed the cat's sudden tension and looked behind her at the forest. The old woman did the same and started to shiver.

"They are here," the old woman whispered. 

"Who?" Rhénee asked.

The soft sound of twigs breaking was quickly heard. There was something or someone in the forest coming towards them.

"The people who don't want you here,"answered the old woman, "you have to go."

"I won't leave you here. You're in danger too."

"No. They won't hurt me just yet, but they will surely hurt you. If they knew you were here they won't spare you. Go."

"Who are they?"

"No time to explain. I'll see you next time. You mustn't tell anyone that you came to the forest."

"But I can't just leave you."

"For God's sake, please go. These people will kill you. Go, dear. I'll make sure to come and see you to tell you all I know. Just go!"

Without another word, Rhénee ran back the way she came with Sophie in front of her running as fast as the wind. They went in the forest until they reached the car and Rhénee unlocked the car door. They both jumped in and Rhénee turned on the engine and reversed the car unto the road. Then she turned the car back in the direction she came and accelerated at a great speed away from the forest. 

***

The sun had finally set and the beautiful full moon had taken its place in the sky. The stars also shone brightly like tiny diamond jewels and the moon shone brightly along the driveway. Eugene was walking up to the mansion passing expensive cars packed along the driveway belonging to very important people. He even wondered if one of them belonged to Rhénee. 

Seriously? Why did he think of her all of a sudden? 

Eugene straightened up his bow tie and looked to see if his black tuxedo was perfectly fine. After checking himself out, he approached the stairs which led to the door of the mansion. And standing by the stairs waiting for him was Miguel. 

"It sure did take you long to come up here," said Miguel. 

"I was still wondering if I should come here or go home," said Eugene, "I don't know why Mrs Derrand invited me to the party."

"Haha," teased Miguel, "as for me, I don't understand why she put up a party on a Tuesday. Weird."

"Come on, lets go in," said Eugene as the two friends walked up to the front door where a huge dark man stood as the door bouncer.

After checking their names on the list, the door bouncer allowed Miguel and Eugene inside the mansion. They walked on the beautiful red carpet to the ball room. A spectacular glass chandelier huge above them in the spacious ball room. A small musical band was at the corner of the room playing soft jazz music. The ball room was already full of people. The men were smartly dressed and the women looked elegant.

Eugene and Miguel went to the cocktail bar ready to get a glass of something to drink until a lady with blonde hair wearing a sky blue dress approached them with a glass of wine in her hand.

"Hello, Eugene, hello Miguel," greeted the young lady.

"Oh, Greta, how are you?" Eugene greeted.

"I'm fine, you two look dashing tonight," replied Greta, her words slurring a little as she spoke.

"You're drinking too much again, aren't you?" Miguel asked.

"Oh, no, I'm not," Greta hiccuped.

"Of course you are. Won't your mum be mad at you for this?" Eugene asked.

"My mum is the least of my worries," said Greta, "she is too busy moving around to see if the party is okay for her important guest."

"Important guest?"

"Ya! This party isn't just some ordinary party. Its for someone..... um, whats her name again? Ah! Rhénee, Rhénee Johnson."

Eugene and Miguel looked at each other speechless. Eugene felt his stomach rumble.

"I know right?" said Greta noticing their silence, "I know she is Emelda's granddaughter and my mum and Emelda were long time friends. But I don't understand all this because my mum-"

"Greta!" came a voice out of nowhere. 

Eugene, Greta and Miguel turned to see who called out Greta's name. A few feet away from them stood Greta's older brother, Malcom. Just like Greta, he also had blonde hair and he really looked smart and handsome in his grey tux.

"Malcom, come and join us," said Greta slurring her words again, "we were just talking about mum and-"

"We've no time for that," interrupted Malcom, "mum is looking for you. Our guest has arrived."

"Okay, just one second. Let me just say what I wanted to say first."

Malcom walked up to Greta, took the glass of wine from her hand and gave it to Miguel. He firmly held his sister's arm.

"You better pull yourself together, Greta," said Malcom, "you don't want to make a fool out of yourself in front of everyone. Not even I can save you from mum's wrath if that happens."

Malcom forcibly took Greta away and Miguel and Eugene remained stunned over what had happened. 

"What was Greta about to say about her mum?" Miguel asked.

"I don't know. I've no idea," replied Eugene. But to him, what Greta wanted to say seemed very important.

The music band had stopped playing and the people in the ball room had all drawn their attention towards Mrs Derrand who looked elegant in her sparkling red dress with an empty wine glass in her hand and a spoon on the other. 

"Excuse me, may I have your attention, please," announced Mrs Derrand hitting the glass with a spoon. "I'll start off by thanking you all for coming to this party, ladies and gentlemen. We're holding this party to welcome a very important guest. She hasn't been in Madison for almost ten years now. But I'm sure some of us would clearly remember her. In memory of our late beloved Emelda, I decided to throw this special party to welcome her precious granddaughter, Rhénee Johnson."

Everyone in the room gave a round of applause as Rhénee appeared at the front door. She looked stunning in a black dress that sparkled. She wore diamond earrings with a diamond necklace and a diamond bracelet. She walked in elegantly into the ball room in her gorgeous black heels. A diamond hairpin shapes in a butterfly held her hair at one side and the rest if her hair fell in curls on one shoulder. Her lips were coloured in red which made her look even more stunning. 

Rhénee stood beside Mrs Derrand and the two hugged each other as if they were friends. Mrs Derrand then started introducing Rhénee to other people around them. As for Eugene and Miguel, all they did was stare on.

"Wow, Eugene," said Miguel, "you didn't tell me Rhénee is just..... wow. I've no words."

"I know what you want to say Miguel," said Eugene, "she is just stunning."

"I am so going to introduce myself to her."

"What! Are you crazy!"

"There is nothing wrong with that, right? Besides, she won't even remember me afterwards."

"Just don't, okay!"

"Wow. Chill out bro. Are you jealous or do you still believe what your father said about her?"

During the day after Eugene and his father had talked to each other, Eugene had called Miguel and told him everything. 

"I already told you that she isn't dangerous,"said Eugene. 

"Well, you better tell her then," said Miguel, "she also has to know that she might be in danger."

"I think you're right. Then you might go ahead with your introduction and try to get her attention."

Miguel straightened his bow tie. "I'm on it."

"You must forgive me, Rhénee," said Mrs Derrand, "my children were just here a while ago. I don't know where they went to. I would've have introduced them to you."

"Its okay. I'm sure I'll see them any time soon," said Rhénee. 

"Alright then. There are so many of your grandmother's friends who are dying to meet you. Come with me, please."

As a waiter passed by carrying glasses of white wine and Rhénee swiftly took a glass as she followed Mrs Derrand towards a group of elegantly dressed people standing near the music band that continued to play its music. 

As Mrs Derrand introduced Rhénee to them, Rhénee realised that she recognised some of them from the photo album. They were all friendly towards her and Rhénee didn't feel out of place as they talked to her. A few minutes later, Rhénee noticed a man coming towards her.

"Hello there, my name is Miguel," said the man with his hand raised to greet her.

"Hello, nice to meet you, Miguel," replied Rhénee shaking his hand.

"I hope I'm not interrupting, but can you and I talk for a minute?"

"Oh, sure. I think thats okay-"

All of the sudden, Mrs Derrand came  and took Rhénee's arm pulling her gently to another direction away from Miguel.

"Look, Rhénee, my daughter is here," said Mrs Derrand, "Rhénee, meet my daughter, Greta."

A blonde haired lady came towards Rhénee and Mrs Derrand. She gave Rhénee a hug.

"Nice to meet you, Rhénee," said Greta.

"The pleasure is all mine," said Rhénee with a smile.

"Greta, where is Malcom?" Mrs Derrand asked. 

"Oh, Malcom will be back, mum," replied Greta, "just went to get something."

"Alright. For a minute there I thought it was something to do with work. Its time to eat now. Rhénee, let me take you to your table. Greta, you come along too."

As Mrs Derrand led Greta and Rhénee to the table reserved for them,  Rhénee started to look around wondering where Miguel had gone to.

"Sorry, man, I couldn't do anything at that time," said Miguel as he approached Eugene. 

"No, its fine. Mrs Derrand would've been upset with you anyway," said Eugene. 

"Hey isn't that your dad over there?"

Eugene turned to the direction Miguel was pointing at and he saw his father among the crowd in an expensive white suit. Eugene's mouth dropped.

"What is he doing here?" Eugene asked.

"I was about to ask the same question," said Miguel, "were Mrs Derrand and him friends? For as far as I've known, they don't really like each other."

"I am also surprised as you are. Something fishy is going on and I don't like it one bit."

"Before we get to find out, lets go to our table. I'm starving."

"Aren't you always hungry?"

"Hey! It's not funny, okay? We better get going."

Rhénee stared at Greta who was sitting across the table and she couldn't stop wondering where she had seen Greta from. She looked so familiar, but with all these issues about her being in danger and about her late grandmother kept clouding her mind and she couldn't think properly. Rhénee just had to ignore it and think about it later.

Later on, the food was served and it was extremely delicious. Rhénee thanked Mrs Derrand and Mrs Derrand told her that she would give the compliments to the chef.

The seat next to Greta's was still empty. Rhénee wondered if the seat belonged to Greta's brother. She wondered where he was up till now. Rhénee took a sip of her drink with her eyes wandering around the room. Then she saw Miguel sitted at a table far away from hers. And sitted right beside him was Eugene. Rhénee's body suddenly twisted inside and she decided to look away.

"Greta, your brother isn't here," Mrs Derrand addressed Greta. "Where is he? He has taken a long time to get here, don't you think?"

"I agree," replied Greta, as she took her phone from her purse. "Let me try to call him."

Greta dialled some numbers on the phone and put the device to her ear. A frown appeared on her face.

"Thats weird, he's phone is off."

Rhénee turned to look at Mrs Derrand who had a curious look on her face.

"This isn't like Malcom," said Mrs Derrand, "I hope he is doing something important."

Then it was time for dessert. And when the dessert was served on Rhénee's table, Rhénee looked overwhelmed. It was her favourite. Chocolate mousse. 

"By the look on your face, you like this don't you?" asked Greta. 

"Ya. Its my favourite," replied Rhénee.

"You don't say! Its my favourite too," Greta's blue eyes gleamed brightly, "I told mum it was good to serve this. Looks like I was right."

Rhénee and Greta shared a laugh while Mrs Derrand just gave them a smile.

Rhénee took the dessert spoon beside her in her hand. She scooped the chocolate mousse which was served in a small bowl. She lifted the spoon to her mouth which slowly started to open. 

Until........