Hidden Passion
Chapter 38

"Please, stay in the car. I'll be back in no time. I just need to get some of Nath's stuff," Lillian said to her best friend who had insisted on following her to the hospital. She smiled as Dorcas nodded and then alighted from the car and into Nath's house.

She got in and went straight up the stairs to look for his bedroom and luckily, she found it, but it was occupied.

"Hey, hi," Linda said to her.

Lillian paused her steps. "Hi, Li...Lillian" she replied, stressing the name intentionally. "What are you doing in his room? Are you looking for something that Nester asked you to find?"

Linda sat on the bed and leaned backwards with her palms on the bed. She looked at the young woman and could not help but smile. She was aware that she knew who she was and had only called her another name intentionally. She found that childish. "Your words are always tough, but not your mind. You're not feisty enough, are you?"

Lillian narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?" Her voice was stern enough but not her. Linda was right and she knew it. It was what she admitted to her friend a while ago. But should she be there talking to her imposter? She walked past her and walked into Nathaniel's closet to get the needful.

"You know what I mean." Linda rose to her feet and started following her. "You know what? I can't help but imagine what it would be like to make everything easier for Nester and just get rid of you here. Right here and now."

Lillian stopped in her tracks in fear and started shivering inside. She felt her movement behind her and knew she was getting closer to her. She bawled her fist and started praying silently. She jumped as she felt a hot breath on her neck and hands on her shoulders.

"What do you think?" Linda asked with a smile.

"I won't die that easily," the words were out of Lillian's mouth before she could even think of anything. Where did that come from? She was as afraid as a lonely kitten, but her words just decided to contradict what she was feeling. Linda laughed. "I like that," she said and laughed, walking around to face her. "You know what? I like you. Like, really. You're...uhm... You remind me of my mother in some sort of way."

Lillian felt a little bit relieved. "Where is your mother?"

"Heaven, frowning down at me," she simply answered and smiled.

Lillian frowned, not getting what she just said.

"She frowned the same way you do," she said, and her eyes became teary, but she bit her lip to suppress the oncoming tears. She was not ready to shed any tears. She saw the confusion on Lillian's face and laughed. "All I am saying is that she's dead."

Lillian covered her mouth with her palms. "Oh, my! I am so sorry about that."

Linda smiled. "Why should you be sorry? You shouldn't care since I am planning to kill you." How could she be so soft hearted? Nester wasn't even that concerned when she told her about it. "Somehow, I know you're not that kind of person."

Linda was surprised to hear that and did not bother hiding it. Why did she feel as if she trusted her? How could she believe that about her when she barely knew her? "How sure are you that I am not that kind of person?"

"It's written all over you. I just know deep within me that you have your reason or reasons for doing this. Look, I am not saying this for you to help me or something, but I won't just sit by and let you and Nester-" "Even if you die in the process?" Linda asked.

It took a while for Lillian to reply. She did not know the answer to that, but she knew one thing for certain. She would not die just yet. "Even if I die in the process," she affirmed.

"Okay, then." Linda started walking out of the closet, back to the living room.

"What are you doing here?" Lillian asked.

"I should be asking you that, Lillian. What are you doing here?" Linda repeated.

Lillian picked all the necessary clothes and walked back to the bedroom. "I need your help, Linda," Lillian voiced out.

Linda looked up at her. Just what she was expecting her to say. "I thought you said you weren't saying these things just so I could help you. And what makes you think I can help you? I'm on Nester's side." "Linda, I know you're not. I can feel it "

"What's with you and your feelings? In the hospital, you said you could feel that your man hadn't died and so it was. Here, you're telling me you could feel I'm not a certain type of person or you could feel that I am not on Nester's side. What is your problem?"

Lillian placed the bag of clothes on the floor and walked towards Linda to hold her hands. Her expression changed to pure sadness as she looked into her eyes. "Linda, I don't want anything to happen to Nathaniel. Nester is doing all these just to lay hands on his properties. I know how hard he would have suffered before he acquired these. I just don't want her to ruin him not because I want him to marry me," she explained and was surprised when she felt warm tears against her cheeks. She had been crying.

Linda jerked her hands away from hers and moved back a little. "Then, stay out of this. Nester is desperate. You can't handle her. Not alone."

Lillian nodded several times. "I know. That's why I am asking you to help me."

"Shit!" Linda exclaimed and immediately rounded her palms on Lillian's neck who started gasping for air to breathe. "You really wish to die, don't you?" She screamed and shook her body with her hands. Lillian's hands went on top of Linda's trying to get her to release her, but it seemed impossible. She seemed stronger. She found it hard to even utter a word of help or scream for Dorcas to come to her aid. It was really the end for her, she concluded before her hands fell to her sides.