Episode Two: Coincidents

"Fate must be a real player

Cause somethings are too surprising to be mere coincidences."

-Subiya Hussain

♢

-Previously on Two Faced-

"This is the seventh murder happening and in the exact same manner."

-

"She is crazy." Inspector Ryan commented.

-

She gave her a free cake and wrapped her black coat around the elderly lady.

-

The bag fell onto the floor and it's content were scattered among it a very clear and dangerous item could be seen. A knife.

"Don't.... Tell me t-that yo-you are the killer?" Her face was filled with horror.

-To be continued

* * *

The bakery was busy. Muffled, distant chattering could be heard. Reylah froze hearing Elizabeth's sudden question. She briefly stared at the knife on the floor before transmitting her deep gaze to Elizabeth.

"Yeah. I am." Reylah was now holding the knife underneath Elizabeth's chin.

"And there's something else you should know too...." Reylah spoke in a murderous tone.

"......Only the dead can keep secrets."

Elizabeth feigned cowardice but they both laughed afterwards.

"I'd actually have believed it if you weren't Reylah."

"Huh?" Reylah raised her eyebrow and gave her a questing look.

"Oh! Come on. You can't even bear to kill an ant let alone a human."

"By the way, why are you carrying such a big knife in your bag?" Elizabeth lifted up the knife and played with it.

"You shouldn't handle a knife like that. It could be dangerous. Hannah told me a knife was needed in the bakery."

"Oh, okay...?" Elizabeth said, half convinced.

"Liz, if we can achieve today's target I'll make you the red velvet cake." Reylah offered, she knew red velvet cake was her favourite.

Elizabeth eyes twinkled, "Really? Really?"

She hurried to work after Reylah nodded convincingly.

It was nearly 9:30 pm and they were both getting worn out.

"Hey! Where's my cake?" Elizabeth whined.

Reylah was holding a bin bag when she shouted, "Don't worry, I'll make it."

Perhaps it was because she wasn't fully paying attention to the door that she bumped into someone and the bin bag flew onto both of them. They landed on the floor, covered in waste.

"Oh, goodness! I am so sorry." She drawled and extended her hand to help.

"you!"

"you!"

Both parties exclaimed simultaneously, pointing there fingers at each other.

"What? Yes, me. Now.... can you help me?" The man was assessing his situation with a disgusted frown on his face.

"Ah! I'm so sorry. Here."

They helped themselves and Reylah cleaned the mess.

"I'm wondering is it a coincidence or fate that we have met?" The man smirked, looking amused.

Reylah was not please with this man flirting so openly, "Coincidences don't exist and I control my own fate."

"What about my fate?"

"Sir, listen I am really sorry for what happened before and now, if you came here with a relative objective please allow us to cater to your demand because we will be closing very soon." She looked at the clock watch on the pastel cream wall.

"Hmm... Before you compensated me with a pen but what about now...?" He began

to contemplate.

'Just why the he'll is he intent on becoming a damp nuisance.' Reylah fought the urge to spit such insult.

"..... Miss I haven't even gotten your nam-"

"Reylah." Her face was dominated by annoyance.

"Happy now? Then this way, please." Her hands pointed towards the door.

"Thanks but no thanks. I don't just want a name. I want to know you, beautiful lady." The man leaned closer to Reylah and whispered the last part.

Reylah was completely caught off guard, flustered she pushed him away and immediately denied.

"Well, I'll be waiting for you. My driver will pick you up." And he left.

"What the hell! I denied him! Fine. Let him wait."

Elizabeth and Reylah had closed the bakery after eating and taking full security measures.

"Darn it! OMG!" Elizabeth thrilled.

"What, did Zayn Malik get a new girlfriend?"

"What? Did he? Ouff, my stupid friend do you know whom you rejected just now?"

Reylah massaged her temples. 'Not again!'

"Um.. A very annoying and dumb man."

"Look." Elizabeth showed her phone in her face. "That was Ryder Chanler! He's family owns the largest shipping magnate in the world and he's the vice president of his family business. Also, when he came to London 4 years ago he established his own 7 - star hotel chains. There is also a recent report that he's hotels will join the Romano International hotel chains worldwide in a collaboration. This means he will be hitting the 100 self made billionaire as well as 500 rich heir list on the Forbes magazine list." She took a deep breath as she finished her vent up frustration and admiration.

"Exactly." Reylah firmly stated, looking deep into her eyes.

"What?!"

"Listen, Elizabeth. I don't want to get caught in the wealthy and Influential people's world; I am not fit for it and will never be. They maybe handsome, rich and whatever... But I will not agree...." She trailed off, moving her gaze to the surrounding.

"... Because I have a different agenda."

Reylah sighed heavily as she entered her house and sat on the sofa to watch TV.

"Ahhh!" Pretended painful cries of a woman could be heard.

"Oh, My Lord. My back is aching again so badly." The woman groaned, pressing her hand against her waist.

"Oh! I'm the only one that works and works. Of course, you would watch dramas just cause you've done some work." Her sarcastic remarks were boldly directed at Reylah.

" Sister-in-law, what happened?" Reylah asked, worried. She took the ironing clothes from Hannahs grasp and held it.

"Oh, no. You just sit and watch your serial dramas."

"Mom!" A child was storming down the stairs angrily.

"What are you talking about? Watch serial dramas? Ha!" He snorted.

"Jay, what are you doing?" Reylah put down the clothes.

"I mean to say why waste electricity on TV when we already have a live drama going on at home everyday, thanks to you dear mother~" Jay mocked.

"Jay!" Hannah was stunned.

"What do you think your saying?" Reylah was very disappointed.

Jay did not feel the slightest guilt about his mother rather he said, "What? Please, Aunt you don't have to tolerate mom's antics all the time. Just be Co finest and speak up for your self. Pleas-"

"What is going on here?" A manly and deep voice surprised everyone.

Their heads shot towards the source of the voice.

"Dad."

"Brother."

"Husband."

They all stated their affirmed relationship to the fourth party.

"Alright, Jay I will deal with this. Now I want you on your best behaviour and go upstairs to prepare for your upcoming exam. No slacking off, I will be testing you." Jay's father, William strictly instructed him.

William watched his son go upstairs, he took off his jacket and placed hus bag on the counter.

"Brother, how are you?" Reylah greeted her brother happily with tight hug.

He smiled and turned his head to his wife, Hannah. "Bring me a cup of water, I am tired."

"From now onwards, I do not want any arguments or Tom and Jerry fights in the house. Both of you." He placed his finished glass on the table and walked upstairs to his room.

The two ladies were obediently listening to him and immediately nodded their head in approval. He was the head of this house; none dared disobey him.

* * *

Further investigation was carried out. Police and governmental detectives were sent to inspect the primary crime source: The King's Hotel.

"Sir, Welcome."

Every employee of the Hotel lined up opposite another line of employees as Inspector Ryan skimmed through them.

"I want the statistic data of of the entire day yesterday. Also, I am touring through the hotel. Don't follow me."

The employees standing relieved a heavy sigh of relief.

"Hey! Bryan. You look really nervous and you were sweating profusely, c'mon. It wasn't that scary." One of the employee patted his friend strongly on his shoulder.

"I'm... N-nothing. Forget it." Bryan hesitated and stammered.

"Huh? What is wrong. Tell me, you seem really worried. I maybe able to help you."

"No... nothing...Si-Simon."

Simon eyed him and confronted his gaze with his, assuring him confirmation.

"W-well, that day.. when the murder...ha-happened I was on the 30th floor on duty...."

His gaze avoided Simon and looked anywhere, ".....I think... May be.. No! I bumped into a woman dressed in black coming out of the room where... The murder happened." He finished his confession with great difficulty. His heart was pounding crazily.

Simon had not expected this but still suggested, "You should go to the police and tell them anything you know. This could help them solve the murder case."

"What? You want me to go to the police? No way, I won't go. They will drag me into this case and I will have to go to the police station countless times. What if that killer comes after me? I don't want to die yet." He brushed Simon's hand and nervously walked away.

Ring! Ring! Ring!

Inspector Ryan answered to the phone in his pocket. "Hello, Caitlyn. I am currently examining the shops in the hotel. Nothing seems suspicious, she's indeed meticulous."

"Sir, I don't understand why you think that the serial killer is a woman?" A soft, serious voice raked through the signals.

"Because, I just know."

"Whatever. I ran the database and the analysis shows she was earlier in a bar before she checked in the hotel."

"How could that be? The hotel room was already prepared hours before and the system diagnosed loaded." He moved forward to a table with red roses.

"It seems someone was waiting for her but left. He/she might not have checked out when our victim came into the same room. Also, this victim like previous others was engaged to a middle-class man."

Inspector Ryan was playing with a pound coin

when hid sharp sight caught a man acting suspicious behind him. "I'll call later." He reached has voice to a constable and told him to fetch the man behind him.

A beautiful, romantic melody was being played in the background.

The lights were dim and glowed softly red.

A table was clothed white with a red strip contrasting In the middle whilst red roses staged in the vase.

And a devilishly handsome man was lonely seated in a seat.

A perfect romantic ambience with a tinge of heartbreak.

"Everything is ready, sir." The exact same man informed who had been earlier with Ryder at the car incident.

"What do you think, she'll like it?" The familiar voice echoed. It was Ryder.

"Of course, sir. Girls like these type of romantic stuff."

Ryder smiled, feeling content and sat up, straitened his tie and watch then reached out to his phone. "Cancel the Germany flight and The meeting as well."

At the other end of the call a shrieked voice called out, "But.. B - but sir this.."

"No if's and but's. This is more important to me than the Germany collaboration." He snapped angrily.

"Tell the driver to pick her up at sharp 10." Ryder embraced his hands into his jeans pockets.

* * *

"Oh! Hot Spicy Sugar!" A woman was holding a spatula in her hands, jumping from place to place.

"Ugh! We have another stupid, annoying, dumb, ugly, fat mouse in the house." She spat her heartfelt feeling with venom.

It was Reylah.

"Aunt, we shouldn't be intellect or looks or fat shaming especially those adorable cuities." A boy was walking down the stairs careless as he drawled his words.

"Jay! How are they cute! They are inanimal!"

"Inanimal... ? Nice. I just learned a new word!" Jay happily leaped onto the sofa and switched the TV on, completely ignoring his aunts struggles.

"The police and government security have been catching up to the new serial killer."

All attention was on the Television now. Jay particularly liked such news.

"We have been told that the killer is suspected to be a woman and not a man. As well as that her targets are all engaged people."

"Turn off the TV. It isn't good." Reylah said as she put the spatula back on to the kitchen.

"Why not?" Someone was coming down the stairs.

"Hannah, I need help in the kitchen."

"Oh, I am so tired. My backbones has been aching since morning." She sat on the sofa opposite Jay and closed her eyes.

Reylah wanted to say something but swallowed her words and continued.

Jay came forth and offered help. They were working till 9 o'clock, everything was perfectly finished. From the two couple dishes to a sweet desert and a freshly made guava juice.

As usual dinner was served and peacefully eaten since Reylah's brother was there.

The door bell rang and Will aim rose from his seat to answer the door. He frowned his brows in confusion upon seeing a strange man at the door.

"Who are you?"

"I am..."

"Brother! Who is it?" Reylah's voice reached before the man could say anything, now standing beside her brother.

She was also shocked to see a strange man, 'Who is he' she thought.

The man spoke, "Hello, I am sent by Mr Ryder Chanler to pickup Miss Adams for their date."

Reylah wanted to snap his neck and shut him up forever, now what will happen?

"Ryder...? As in The famous business tycoon Ryder chanler?" Hannah was also interested.

He nodded and added, "I am the driver and will be picking up Miss Reylah but please rest

assured that she will return and sound."

William turned to Reylah, "Is he your boyfriend? ... Date?"

Reylah smiled, "Brother, I'll be back."

"Alright but enjoy your time." He patted her head and closed the door after saying goodbye. He was happy to know that his sister would now have someone else care and love for her. Of course, he didn't want to ever let go his sister but she had to eventually find happiness.

The car was driving at a steady pace and Reylah was watching the night view outside, it was truly busy.

"Where are we going?" Reylah asked.

"To the Star's Restaurant." The driver spoke.

'What? But that's so near to the other hotel where the accident had happened!' She thought. She was scared and anxious.

"Can we drop off here, it's no that far from Restaurant." Reylah insisted but the driver declined. When they reached a substantial amount of distant to the restaurant, Reylah insisted that she wanted to give him a surprise thus she was able to get off the car.

She wanted to go home.

* * *

The police enquiry had started, they were all surrounding the service boy in the hotel.

He was profusely sweating, Inspector Ryan suddenly received a phone call and went away; the rest of the team were distracted, seeing the opportunity he ran away. He couldn't afford to get caught in a police affair, it was too risky.

He was running and running without a proper destination whilst the police caught up with him.

He halted when a woman came in front of him. His expression was deadly, sufficated, as though he wanted to cry and hide in the smallest corner possible.

He had come across the exact same woman who he had seen the other day in the hotel.

Inspector Ryan was informed of the recent turn about of events and immediately ordered men to find him. 'He must definitely keep ow something.' He thought

In a cold, abandoned and small warehouse, a man was tied to the floor with duct tape Covering his mouth too.

He mumbled, "Mom mm mm. .. ffrrnfnmddmd."

A woman's sharp footsteps could be heard and she was dangerously playing with a knife.

"Shhhhhh.... Don't." She warned.

"Please.. Ple-please let me go. I... I w-won't tell any.. anyone... Please..." He pleaded with tears rolling down his haggard face.

However, the woman ignored his pleas and cries, "Only the dead can keep secrets."

The dagger aimed the center of his heart and was twisted ruthlessly.

Blood splattered on to the knife and both figures bodies.

Soon the killer was gone after erasing all evidence.

* * *

Ryder had been paitently waiting in the restaurant for the past hour but Reylah was now where to be seen

"Where is she?" He looked at his watch and realised it was now 11:15 PM.

'Did she go trick the driver and go home?' He thought.

A smirk pulled up on his perfect face and he entered into his bugatti.

A lonely, drenched girl was passing through the road, as though she were lost.

Ryder watched her from his car and came out to hold her waist. He had been waiting for her yet she was here all along.

Her until reaction was shock, surprise upon seeing him so unexpectedly but she gathered herself to say, "I am... sorry."

Ryder donned a playful smirk, "what for?"

"For.. For- Because- well I was coming but something urgent came up and I had to do that."

He placed a finger on her lips and replied, "Shhhhhh... Don't say sorry and reduce the grace of wait." they were looking deeply at each other.

"By the way, you had all the rights. You must've had something important...." He trailed off and pulled her closer.

"...Which is why I was waiting for you."

Reylah was flustered by his sudden understanding and weird words.

For a brief moment, they were staring at each other intensely as though studying the others soul before Reylah spoke, "I do need to say sorry. I am sorry, Ryder. I know you come from a good background and you yourself are very successful and good looking but.... I am not the right girl for you.... you are making a mistake."

Ryder leaned his head closer until their for heads were touching, "If this is a mistake... then it's a very beautiful mistake."

Reylah nartowed her eyes and settled, "What do you know about me?"

"Nothing. But I want to know."

"Well, you won't be delighted to know me."

Tension arose, "I know where my happiness lies." Ryder comforted.

Suddenly thunder and lightning roared and Reylah jolted into Ryder embrace. She had always been afraid of lightning and Ryder happily embraced his arms around her.

They stayed still until Reylah pushed him away to see a content Ryder, "I am so sorry."

He was still smiling.

"Ryder! Why don't you understand? I am not interested in you."

She turned away as she said, "Goodbye."

Ryder was still standing, drenched in the rain, smirking, "But I am... very."

* * *

"Sometimes we are in the perfect place at the perfect time."

-Anonymous

* * *

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