The Damned

Winter Queen

THE DAMNED: THE REUNION.

His father heard that Marco had gone to bring her. He had been furious. He had raced across the gardens inside the house and up the flight of stairs to her would be room and bursted the door open only to find his son half naked and his would be wife in her torn wedding dress. None of them even cared that they were caught.

“ My.....my...son...?” He had called.

“Please.....go...just leave.” He had replied still in her arms. He had been tired and furious at his father and Jojo but still.... He knew his father had suspected it and by that time he shouldn’t have been surprised. His father had slowly turned his face pale. He had staggered for a few steps before he fell down.

He had slowly lifted his head from her mouth and stared into her eyes. She didn’t want him to leave. He didn’t want to leave but he let go slowly and walked to where his father was laying. He checked his pulse and sighed. Jojo turned to hide her tears. She was trembling. He stood up and fixed his and her clothes as he called the ambulance.

~The Damned Series: Jojo. The Runaway Bride.

’I have a property?’ Amanda thought as she processed what the real estate agent said. She smiled to herself as she walked out of his office. Sandra, the woman she bought the property with now a retired lawyer had already built a hotel that she had been operating for two years now.

“ So that is where she ran off too?” She said as she walked into her car where her chauffeur was waiting and gave him the address that was earlier handed to her. “Nobody needs to know where we are going.” He would later destroy the memory stick in the dashcam in the car after the visits Ms. Amanda made to various destinations. That’s how he had managed to keep his job for ten years in the family.

In the backseat of the car Amanda was playing with a small diamond coated penknife smilling to herself clearly thinking of what she would do with her new land.

It is in the middle of nowhere so I can turn it into my private mansion. She thought then sighed.

She continued to play with her penknife as the car drove out of the city. Maybe, this will be far enough.

Sandra had just finished cleaning the house. By now she regretted letting the helpers go for a holiday without cleaning up first. They were to arrive tomorrow morning but still... She still had to prepare the rooms for her guests. She was used to their sudden booking at a specific time but the call from the real estate agent before weighed in her mind.

Her thoughts were interupted by a car honking outside the gate followed by a very loud banging on the metal gate. She was finally here.

“Hey! Open this damn gate! Hey are you sleeping in there! Open up!”

“Hold on a minute will you!”

“ Hurry up!”

She run and swung the gate open when a knife was suddenly pulled to her neck.

“Why-”

“Never open the door for strangers didn’t anyone teach you that?”

“Oh. It’s you.” She said cooly as she stepped out of the way for Amanda to walk in.

“You just dropped everything and left?”

“You are talking as if we were best of friends.”

“Who would have thought the great meditation lawyer would turn my property into a hotel and run it.”

“ Didn’t you mean our property? And it’s more of a fancy boarding house.”

“Worse! Why would you turn this beautiful place into a boarding house!”

“Because I need money.”

“Don’t we all?”

“So you lost everything. That is why you remembered us, right?”

“Wow straight to the point.”

“It is all over the news that you are on the run after someone leaked the information on your crimes including you know who.”

“Your point exactly.....”

“You need a place to stay. This place is the perfect hideout”

“Well the you know who case will end up being closed if the only witness disappears. Which brings me to maybe she was the one who ratted me out.”

“Really but Amanda dear, are you sure that there was only one witness?”

Amanda scanned her then walked inside the mansion without saying anything. She was right. Someone else was pulling the strings behind her family schemes. The little amount she had on her won’t be able to last her for long and she needed a place to stay.”

Did she drive herself here?

“Where is your chauffeur?”

“Outside.”

“Must be one of your men” she opened one of the doors for her. “ I’ll bring you something to eat.”

“Oh do you mind opening the gate for my chauffeur? He needs to go back and bring my stuff.”

“ But it’s almost getting dark outside.”

“It’s fine. Just do it.”

The first person to arrive the next day was Lina. Sandra watched as she paid the taxi driver then struggle with her suitcases infront of the gate. She winced then stopped and lifted part of her skirt revealing a bruised thigh.

God. Not again.

Sandra observed her swollen face and bruised arms from afar.

I need to check with Gladys to see if she still has her herbal medicine left.

Lina lifted her eyes and saw Sandra walking towards her.

“Sandyyy look at what he did to meee”

Things ended quite roughly between her and Amanda back in collage and she was worried about their encounter. This was not the first time Lina came to stay in the boarding house after being beaten thoroughly. Her husband a certain billionaire usually pays for her stay over here. Even after being beaten up She still is instructed where to stay. The first time she was bought here the rumors had spread allover the internet and he was looking for a place away from the cameras to hide her.

“This time, I took his black card. That bastard.” She waved the card and tried to smile which hurt her even more.

“Heh! I guess am the first one again.”

“Okay darling let us take a special trip to one of your favourite people.”

“Gladys is here?? Oww.” She then stopped and pulled out her phone from her designer hand bag.

“I can still access your WIFI,right?”

“Yeah...wait we still have to take care of your wounds...”

“Amanda Ronalds....”

“What?”

“Amanda Ronald’s is on the run.” She said as she continued to scroll her phone. “Dammit this thing is gonna die anytime soon...Oh! Here it is.”

You two are not even in good terms. How will you live under one roof?

Sandra took the phone and played the video...

’She does this all the time and each and every time she comes back.’ Her mother said to the talk host show interviewing her.

‘So Is the allegations about your daughter true?’

‘I can’t say anything on that.’

‘There is also word on the streets that this is just a plan to strip away Amanda’s right to the inheritance that she inheritance that she got from her grand parents?’

‘No. It is not.’

‘I must say that you seem so calm when all of this is actually happening. It is not quite the reaction one would expect from a parent?’

‘ I may be a law abiding citizen but I am a parent first so of course I am worried.’ She said.

Sandra returned the phone back and scoffed.

“Let’s go in first and have you fixed up.”

“I wonder how she is doing. We haven’t seen each other for a long time. She came to my wedding but didn’t say a thing to me.”

Lina fell a step behind her then stopped. She winced as if thinking made her wounds ache more then continued following Sandra.

“I think she is doing just fine Lina. So let’s not worry too much.”

They continued to walk towards the big kitchen. Every worker in there stopped what they were doing and bowed.

Gladys suddenly appeared and she immediately started fussing over Lina’s wounds lamenting and cursing at her husband . Lina laughed nervously.

Amanda came in front of the kitchen door in her silk purple and blue night gown.

Huh?Wait, where the hell did she get a night gown? She doesn’t where anything that she didn’t buy plus she did not bring any clothing.

“My driver brought my things, remember?”She said as if reading her mind then turned her attention to the commotion ahead.

“What is she doing here?” She jerked her head towards Lina and Gladys.

“She is our guest. Show some respect.”

“Since when?” Sandra could tell that she was beginning to feel annoyed.

“Day one”

She continued to stare at Lina scanning her body her eyes widening in realization.

“Don’t do anything stupid, don’t say anything offensive.” Sandra prompted putting her arms in front blocking her but Amanda pushed her aside and walked towards Lina arms crossed with a sly smile on a face.

“Hey punching bag! Long time no see!”

“What did I just say?” Sandra mumbled.

Lina hurled the herbal medicine at Amanda so fast that she almost missed it when she caught it mid air. Amanda smiled.

“Still got the spirit I see.” She opened the jar and scooped the medicine bent over where Lina was seated then slowly started applying it on her swollen cheek. Gladys and the others scooted away from them while Lina winced.

“That hurts you know.” She spoke.

“You bought that on yourself. What happened to all those trophies Ms. Trophy wife.” She mocked and Lina turned her head and faced her. For seconds they just stared at each other then she spoke.

“Stay away from me Amanda Ronalds. I think this house is big enough for both of us.”

Sandra sighed. “What a wonderful reunion!”

Lina walked past them and turned to Gladys.

“I would like to have my breakfast in my room please.” With that she left.

“Did you really have to ruin everyone’s morning like that?” Everyone was now quiet each pretending to pass something to the other.

“Yes. It’s not like we are in good terms either why would I pretend to like her?” Amanda walked out the room.

“Still......” The memory of their last argument flashed in her head and she decided to leave it at that. No. She was not going to get involve with any of their business. But she still felt so uneasy about those two being in the same house.

“Gladys, I got an email. We are going to have two more guests this evening. Please make the necessary arrangements.”

“Ms Sandra, is that girl really the other owner of the mansion?” She asked.

“Yes. So if I were any of you I would be careful not to cross her. She is crazy.” She addressed them then followed Amanda. They needed to have a long talk.

*************************

Lina had not expected Amanda to be here. How would she even know about this place? She was always too busy terrorizing the city to be out here.11As usual her belongings were already taken care of. Snacks and fresh fruits were served on her table. She sat and focussed on her eating after all nothing soothes anger more than food.

She winced as she chewed her food.

This is going to be hard. She thought as she placed the cookie back on the tray. Her phone buzzed where it was charging.

Goddammit. Did he already found out about the blackcard? Or....Tina... Shit she is the last person I want to see right now.

She let herself fall on the bed. For now she will shut down everyone and rest; that is if her wounds would let her.

She turned trying to found a comfortable position to sleep in then groaned. It was pointless. She reached for her handbag and pulled out her sleeping pills, swallowed some then threw herself back to bed ignoring the pain. Slowly she drifted to sleep.

It didn’t take long to find Amanda. She was standing outside in the garden stairing at the young gardener who had worked there for five years. She was playing with a strand of her hair and slightly biting her lower lip.

“We need to talk.”

“If it’s about your guest don’t bother.” She shooed her then continued to stare.

“I know it has something to do with your ex fiancé and Lina-”

“Get to the point.” She turned to her irritated.

Sandra smirked knowing that she had her attention.

“Let her be. She is going through alot right now.”

“No shit. Is not like I didn’t warn her.” Amanda said her voice emotionless.

“Just, try to stay clear of her.”

“Are you always this annoying? Your nagging is just too much. I cant believe I haven’t even stayed here for 24hrs.”

“It’s a gift and a curse so get used to it.”

“Hey! Am only cooperating because I want -”they were interrupted by the sound of an approaching car and immediately turned around the corner to check it out.

They couldn’t have possibly found out about this place. Amanda thought.

They watched as the driver rushed to open the passenger’s door and a huge white fabric fell to the ground. The driver nervously tried to pick it up and move it to the side and once he succeeded he offered his hand to the passenger.

A slim chocolate skinned hand reached out and grabbed his hands and a huge puffy dark afro hair popped from the door followed buy a slim lady in white wedding dress.

“Is that Jojo?” Amanda squealed exited. “ That is Jojo!!” She ran to her.

“That was fast. She wasn’t supposed to come until in the evening .” Sandra checked her watch. It’s almost noon. “I wonder what’s the rush.”

Unlike the rest of them. Jojo and Amanda became friends right after her big fight with Lina. It was weird but they got used to it pretty fast. They never questioned their crazy relations because honestly, she was literally Amanda’s twin only.... more manipulative.

“You are rocking that wedding dress, Jo!”

“Amanda?!!” Jojo stopped in her tracks as Amanda hugged her almost suffocating her. “How?” She released her as Sandra appeared right around the corner.

“Babyyy!!”

Jojo ran up to her her curly hair bouncing on her head with every sprint. She tripped and fell on her butt.

“For once try running up to me. Look at how hard I try and fall every time.”

“That is because you are always on a wedding dress.” She reached out and helped her up.

“I thought that those were just rumours.” Amanda spoke behind them.

“Seventh?”

“And most probably the last.” She turned to Sandra. “Please get me off this dress.”

“How did you escape this time? I thought your father was gonna put tight security.”

“I bribed a worker. Sneaked me right out.” Amanda came to one side and supported her. Slowly they started to walk towards the house.

“I can’t wait to tell you what that bitch Mrs. Trophy wife did to me!”

“She is here already? You guys met? Wait I am pretty sure you said something first.”

“You know me too well. I still want to complain tho.”

“Complain away.”

“So listen......”

They linked arms and walked inside the mansion as the doors were opened for them. Sandra was glad Jojo came in before Tina. At least there will be calm before the storm.

It was quiet inside the house. Jojo decided to rest after hearing Amanda complain. Lina was still sleeping and Amanda was speaking to someone on the phone. It was so peaceful. So peaceful that Sandra wished that it could last forever.

Lina woke up feeling sick. The herb Gladys applied on her worked well. The swell on her face started to disappear. She touched her face and winced. The pain was not entirely gone. She dragged herself out of the bed and into the shower. Once she was finished she applied the balm like she always does. She then dressed and headed downstairs for supper. She was on her was to the dinning table and that is when she heard it.

“Stay away from me you murderer!!”

Tina?? What the hell is she doing here?

“The hell?”

Oh. Amanda is here too.

“I will never forgive you! I’ll do aything in my power to destroy you! You! You murdered my baby!”

Baby?Tina was pregnant before?.

“What power? Huh? Even without on the run am still more powerful than you.”

“I’ll kill you!!”

“Ugh! Shut the hell up will you!”

“Stay away from my baby! Don’t come near me and my baby!”

“You see Tina, this is your problem. Always bragging about the things you got making me want to take them away.”

Tina screamed and everyone rushed into the sitting room including Lina. She was curled in a ball on the floor and Amanda stood holding a knife opposite her smiling. Jojo sat in between them eating her cake clearly unbothered.

“Jo!” Sandra screamed when she entered the room “do something!”

“I tried to and this happened. So am gonna eat and hope blood doesn’t fall on my food.”

“So, where were we. Oh yeah. That thing in there.” She wiggled her knife at her.

“No...please.....don’t do this...” She then saw Lina and ran up to her clinging at her skirt.

“Lina....Lina...please stop her.... she...she...is going to....to kill me.... and our baby..”

“You are pregnant? Of course you are.” Her expression was unreadable.

“Our baby Lina..... she killed our child and is after the next one!”

“Our.. our baby? Whose...whose baby is that Lina?” I don’t think I have the strength to deal with this kind of nonsense.

“.... Lina please...”

“ .....”

“......”

“ Ha..ha ha ha....” Lina started laughing hysterically.

“Oh my! Please don’t tell me....”

Everyone now stood staring at both of them.

“Party pooper.” Amanda spoke.

“Ha ha real bummer.” Sandra snatched the knife away from her. “We need this in the kitchen.”

“For how long?” We all knew whom that question was addressed to.

Tina’s whole body crumbled and fell down. When she lifted her eyes up, tears were falling down her face.

“Does that even matter right now?”

“I can’t believe this bit-” Amanda yanked Jojo’s hand just as she was about to jump on Tina.

“Mine.” She seethed.

“Don’t be greedy Amy dear.”

Sandra walked in between them and smacked their butts.

“Atleast pretend that you care about your friend’s situation.” She whispered.

“Heh, so this is the reason why.” With that Lina went back to her room.