Sea of time

Chapter 3: moving in

Two weeks had passed since the incident. Casey and her family have moved into the new house and her family are under the impression that Hannah's parents helped them because Casey saved their daughter.

Casey is finally leaving for Xavier's house today, telling her parents that she's going to Hannah's place.

In order not to arouse suspicion, she was picked up by Xavier's men at the rendezvous.

She sat under a shade in front of a coffee shop with Hannah seated across her table.

She had a sad expression on her face as she anxiously waited for her"ride".

Hannah kept talking non stop about random stuffs to get Casey to relax.

Casey was very much aware of what her friend was trying to do but she just couldn't keep calm.

She was leaving. Going to some unknown place and would have to start living with some stranger.

How could she calm down?

She couldn't help it.

"It will be fine. If you ever need anything call me." Hannah placed her hands on Casey's.

"Sigh... I hope so." Casey finally spoke.

"Anyway, Xavier is not going to be a problem. Everyone knows that he can't stand a woman being close too him. It's almost like he's allergic to women." Hannah tried to reassure Casey.

Casey knotted her brows.

"If he can't stand women, then why get married?" She asked confused, with a frown.

"mhm..." Hannah seemed to think about it for a while.

"Maybe because there's been news spreading that he could be gay. He's probably trying to get rid of such gossips."

Casey wasn't convinced, instead the dark lines on her forehead deepened.

If he just wanted to get rid of such news, he most definitely had other methods, why get married out of the blue, Casey thought to herself.

Even though things were strange, she couldn't do a thing as her fate was already written in stone.

If it was destined that she married him, she wouldn't be able to do anything about it however hard she tried.

She just had to face whatever comes head on.

She couldn't keep running away.

She gave the coffee cup in her hand a little squeeze then took a sip of the cold coffee.

They waited for quite some time.

They were expecting this because Casey and Hannah both arrived at the rendezvous hours before the appointed time.

At first she wanted to stay longer but she knew that if she did, she might feel reluctant to leave.

As they waited, Casey watched the traffic.

People passing by, laughter of some kids and even people skateboarding.

On a normal day, she didn't really pay attention to such things, but now knowing that she might not be able to see any of these things anymore, she suddenly saw them as important.

It was a bright sunny day, the spring breeze seemed to carry the beautiful and soothing scent of flowers in the air from the flower shop across the road.

Casey had just finished her coffee when two men in Black suit along with Xavier's secretary, Mick walked up to her.

"Mrs Blackwell, Miss Hannah" He called with a bow.

Hannah was surprised at first but then again this was the Xavier Blackwell they were dealing with. It wouldn't be so hard for him to find out such information.

She shook her head with a knowing smile.

Casey was taken by surprise.

"Please just call me Casey." She said feeling uncomfortable.

There was no way she'd let them address her like that.

And most definitely not with his name.

"I'm afraid it's inappropriate." Mick smiled apologetically.

She didn't want to be hard on him so she didn't press it any further.

"Lady Casey. Is that okay?" She asked.

Mick replied with a slight nod.

"Lady Casey, Mr Blackwell has asked me to pick you up."

Casey looked at Hannah with a sad smile.

This is it, she thought to herself.

Casey nodded her head slowly.

Mick asked the two men behind him to carry her luggage to the car.

"Lady Casey, this way." He stepped aside.

Casey left with Mick after giving her friend one last hug.

She kept glancing back, even in the car she looked out the window not saying a word.

The reluctance was clear in her hazel eyes.

After driving for about half an hour, they arrived at a big black gate.

It was a Black gate with curly patterns. It opened only after scanning the car.

When they got in, there were rose bushes by the sides with a path in between, and the rose were in full bloom.

All were White Roses.

Seeing many Roses was strange as she never thought of Xavier as a flower lover.

The place seemed to have a bit of a lady's touch but she was told that he lived alone.

She watched the beautiful flowers in awe.

It took about twenty minutes before they arrived at a big mansion with a very spacious land.

There was stars in her eyes as she looked around.

She stepped out of the car and was welcomed by a middle-aged man, probably in his sixties . From the way he dressed, he was probably the chief steward or the butler.

Behind him were about fifteen to twenty maids.

He stepped forward and introduced himself as Mr Will.

"Mrs Blackwell, we've been expecting you." He said with a smile.

Mick came forward, "this is where I stop Lady Casey." He bowed.

"How about Xavier?" She had to prepare herself.

"Mr Blackwell is out for an important work and will only be coming back in a week."

Casey smiled within her. Seems fate wasn't being so unfair afterall.

She nodded slowly,"okay."

She thought to herself, at least I don't have to see his face for a week.

"If that's all I'll be on my way."

"Wait," she stopped Mick.

"You're his secretary so why aren't with him?"

"Mr Blackwell was worried that you'd feel uncomfortable if he had sent someone else, so he had me pick you up."

"Why couldn't he do it himself if he was worried?" She muttered, but they heard her.

'Worried? What an excuse.' She thought to herself.

They all stared at her with smiling faces.

To the outside world, they were a couple, husband and wife who love each other and worried about the other.

That's the conclusion they've drawn after all her questions but deep within her heart, she hoped he stayed away for much longer.

After Mick left, she decided to take a walk around the place.

Seriously, it was really surprising that he lived alone in this place.

The land was very vast with lots of captivating views.

At the western side of the house, there was a waterfall, pouring directly into a pond. It had flowers on the surface.

Lotus flowers.

She looked at it for quite some time.

Behind the waterfall was a vast landscape. Birds chirping could be heard.

She went further. The south side down to the east side was a very vast garden of flowers.

Roses, all sorts of colours of Roses.

There was also forget me not, daffodils, red Camelia.

In short, it was like a sea of flowers.

At the center of the Sea of flowers, there were four big pillars with a roof, making a shade.

Within it was a hammock and a stone table.

One could definitely over see the entire garden from that point.

Casey turned to look at the butler, Mr Will who stood beside her.

"Is Xavier fond of flowers?"

Mr Will wore a sad smile as he spoke, "the young mistress was the one who planted this garden and took care of it back then. She sat here with the young master most of the time she visited."

"Sigh... After her death, the young master has never stepped in the garden ever since. He's only ordered that every flower should be taken care of."

Casey was surprised, "Xavier had a sister?"

"Yes. The young mistress was very close to the young master."

So everything was done by his sister, she whispered to herself.

He had such a backstory. If he was really as close to his sister like they claim then her death must have shattered him, she couldn't help feeling bad for him.

Her heart softened a bit.

Perhaps he's the way he is because of his sister's death, she thought to herself.

She suddenly lost the mood for sightseeing. She turned around and left after taking a side glance at the sea of flowers.

Mr Will showed her to her room where her luggage had already been kept in.

Before leaving, he asked her to pick at least two maids from the ones behind him, to be her personal attendants.

She felt tired and randomly picked two standing in front. Anne and Luv then retired to her room.

After taking a bath and freshening up, she went to bed.

When she woke up, it was already noon.

Anne helped her get ready then brought her down for dinner.

The table was packed with food.

Casey had wondered why they did so if she was the only one eating.

Mr Will stepped forward and told her that Xavier had asked him to do so.

Why?

Why was he trying his best to make everyone feel that he loved her?

They both were very clear on what basis their marriage took place.

She couldn't shake the feeling off that he was up to something.

When she was done eating, the food left was almost the original amount.

She stared at the table full of dishes, some she didn't even touch, shaking her head.

How wasteful, she thought.

"Please next time, you don't have to prepare such grand meal when I'm the only one eating. It's wasteful."

The next day after Casey had her breakfast she got a call from Xavier.

She picked it up after going to her room to make sure no one was around.

"Hey, why are you calling?" She asked immediately after answering the phone.

"Is that how you greet your husband?" He spoke with a indifferent tone but had a mocking smile on his face.

"What husband? If you need anything then get to the point or else I'll hang up the call."

She's the only one who ever spoke to him in such manner.

"Now we're married, shouldn't you show me a little bit of respect?"

"How do you propose I do that?"

"Watch your manners, you're now Mrs Blackwell. Don't let me down."

"Why are you speaking like that? We both know this marriage isn't real."

"Why did you say that? Don't forget you've signed the marriage certificate, you're my legal wife."

"Seriously, what do you want?"

"Is there any law that forbids a husband from speaking to his wife? Hmm... I don't think so."

"Sigh.... If you're done pushing me, can you tell me what you want?"

"Pushing you? Mrs Blackwell you should know that's basically impossible. I'm miles away from you so how could I possibly push you?" He smiled.

He enjoyed teasing her and annoying her.

"Urgh!!! I'm really going to hang up."

"A designer would be there in a few minutes, you should pick new outfits." He spoke in his usual indifferent tone.

"Why would I need to? I have clothes. Thanks but I don't need anything else."

"It's not the time for you to play childish games. Pick the clothes like I've told you. Remember you're Mrs Blackwell now, you can't go around acting the same way."

"I was Casey first before I became your wife. Don't expect me to change myself for your sake. Stop dreaming." She replied slightly peeved.

"Only a fool would dream about you. Do as I've asked no more questions." He cutted the call after his words.

Casey gripped her phone tightly, squeezing it.

If only a fool would dream about me, then you're the biggest fool Xavier. She muttered.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in"

Luv stepped in.

"The designers are here."

This Xavier wasn't letting her live in peace.

She closed her eyes, taking in deep breaths.

She got up and left.

The living room was suddenly turned into a boutique.

There were lots of hangers with clothes, different types of clothes and with different expensive materials.

The designer looked at her then she started to show Casey different types of dresses.

There were lots of clothes to pick from.

She checked it then kept the ones she likes and abandoned the rest on another side.

Picking clothes even if it wasn't at the mall was still just as exhausting maybe even more.

Casey sat on the couch with a glass of juice in her hand.

She silently took a sip of her juice, letting out a tired sigh.

The designer and her assistants were also served as well.

She couldn't afford to be a bad host.

Just when she thought she could take a rest, the designer got up again and brought in a new batch of clothes.

"I thought we were done. Why bring more?" She couldn't help but ask.

The designer laughed, probably at her naivety.

"Mrs Blackwell, that was only the first batch."

"Just the first batch?" She asked, her voice slightly raised.

This is not shopping. It is punishment!!! She yelled within her.

"Yes. Mr Blackwell has paid for three batches."

How on Earth does he expects her to pick clothes from three batches in a day? She frowned within.

"Three batches? Are you coming back again tomorrow?"

"No. Mr Blackwell wanted you to finish today."

Xavier!!! She screamed within her still maintaining a smile on her face.

After going through two more batches, Casey was extremely tired.

She didn't bother about dinner and she also told them not to trouble themselves with making dinner for her.

She took a shower and then went to bed straight away.

The next day she woke up late.

She did her necessary grooming before stepping out of her room.

When she got down, breakfast was already ready.

Unlike other days, today's breakfast was.... Moderate.

Everything on the table was seafood.

Thankfully, she loved seafood, but the question was did he make them serve her seafood because she liked it or was this another part of his plot?

"Does Mrs Blackwell also enjoy seafood?"Mr Will voice drew her from her thoughts.

"Yes, I do." She replied with a smile.

"Why? Does Xavier also love seafood?"

Mr Will smile slowly faded.

"No. The young mistress loved seafood and each time she came over, Xavier would ask to make alot of seafood dishes for her."

His sister again.

Seems like Xavier was really close to his sister. Ever since she stepped into his house, not a day has gone by without them mentioning her.

Casey could only imagine the kind of relationship the two must have shared.

She stared at the table and suddenly lost her appetite.

It felt like she was crashing someone else's party.

She was a million percent sure that this wasn't for her. And she couldn't shake off the feeling that Xavier married her because of his sister.

Seeing she wasn't eating, Mr Will came over, "what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. I lost my appetite."

She stood up, grabbed her bag from the chair, "I have somewhere else to be."

"Oh. Have Jack drop you off." Mr Will said.

She refused, "no don't worry. I'll be okay." Then left.

In a coffee shop just by the roadside, two girls sat outside under a shade sipping their coffee quietly.

Hannah was first to break the silence.

"So?" She wore a mischievous smile on her face.

Casey stared at the girl sitting across the table with a blank face, with no expression.

She didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

What kind of question was that? And what's up with that look?

Which side are you on?

Setting her emotions aside, "nothing. He's out for a business trip, you should know that since you seem to be stalking him all the time." She replied flatly.

"I didn't mean that." Hannah said with an apologetic expression.

Casey smiled, "sorry, I was being too much."

"No it's fine."

"I need your help on something."

"What would that be?" Hannah asked

"Xavier's sister. I need you to tell me how she died."

"Xavier's sister?"

"Yes. I've tried to check but seems that they didn't want anyone to know so there's no news about it."

"Sigh.. my dear friend, if they don't want any one to find out, how am I to know?"

"I'm not sure."

Just as they were discussing, Casey heard a familiar voice call her from behind.

She turned around, it was Jerry.

"Jerry?" Hannah was the first one to speak.

Casey turned to look at her,"you know him?"

"You know Casey for someone who studied business management and adminstration, I expect you to be familiar with the people of the business world."

"I am but not just interested with the youngsters."

"Sigh... I don't know what to do with you."

Jerry clears his throat, gaining the attention of the two bickering friends.

He draws a chair from the table and sits.

"You were talking about Xavier's sister, why?" Jerry raised his hand a bit and a waiter came to the table to take his order.

He whispered some words while the waiter wrote on his book then walked away.

"Yes. Do you know anything about her?" Hannah asked after taking a sip of her cappuccino.

"Sigh.... Why are you interested in knowing this? I think you should drop the idea."

"Why? I just want to know what happened. From everything I've heard, it seemed like they were pretty close."

"Aiye..." Jerry sighed looking into the distance but his gaze was empty.

"Yes, the two siblings were indeed close but no one mentions her to Xavier now."

"That day, was to be a happy one for everyone. The Blackwell estate exuded positive energy. People came in the mansion with gifts and dear Bonnie had a smile on her face."

"Bonnie?" Hannah and Casey asked in unison.

"Yes, the name of Xavier's sister was Bonnie." Replied Jerry.

"I have never seen Xavier as happy as he was that day. Everything seemed alright but just as the engagement was to start, Bonnie passed out."

"Passed out?" Casey frowned.

"Yes."

He sighed again,"it wasn't to be so serious and she was to be okay after a minor surgery, but...." He shook his head just then the waiter walked to their table with a tray.

He placed the cup of black coffee in front of Jerry and a plate of dessert bar in the center and left after giving a bow.

Jerry took a sip of his coffee and was silent for a while.

Casey and Hannah glanced at each other then at Jerry.

After a while of silence, Jerry went on, "during the surgery, Bonnie died."

She died during the surgery.' Casey muttered.

"After her death, Xavier was broken. He had the doctor fired and his license ceased. After further investigation, we found out that everything was a mistake from the nurse."

"The nurse?" This time it was Hannah that spoke.

"Yes the nurse. She made a mistake during the check-up before the surgery, leading to the huge fail." Jerry shook his head again, taking a sip of his coffee.

"From what he did to the doctor, he must have made this nurse miserable when he found out the truth." Casey said staring at Jerry.

Jerry slowly placed his cup on the table, "no, on the contrary, he didn't do anything but her license was ceased. Though he investigated the nurse's background. He's refused to say anything since then only that he'll make sure she felt what it feels like to lose a loved one." He took in a deep breath then continued, " I've tried to find out about the nurse but he's also blocked every news on her. I only know her name is Mrs Alison." He ended and stared at the building traffic with a distant look in his eyes.

He didn't notice the look on the two girls face sitting with him.

Casey looked at Hannah and they seem to be thinking the same thing.

Mustering up a little bit of courage, Casey asked, "do you remember what year that was and which hospital?"

Jerry stared at her,"it was on the 25th of June 2020 at Dr Adam's hospital."

Casey's breath hitched.

It was the same hospital her mom used to work at and it was also at that same time her mom quit her job. That time she had told them that she was retiring.

Could her mom really be the reason?

Did he marry her to make her pay for her mom's mistake?

But why was he being nice to her?

Was she thinking too much?

Jerry's ringing phone drew her back from her train of thought.

He picked up the phone and excused himself.

When he was gone, Casey looked at Hannah with fear in her eyes.

"Do you also think he married you because of that?"

"What else could be the reason?"

"Don't forget it's possible that it isn't your mom. You're thinking too much. I think you should ask her the truth yourself."

"No, I can't do that. She'll find out the truth, and what if it's really her, she's only going to feel guilty."

"So what now? Xavier was so close to his sister, if your mom is really the nurse in question and he's really married you to take revenge then I don't know what your life would be like when he's back." Hannah was scared for her friend.

Casey placed her hand on Hannah's, "if that's the truth then I'm willing to accept any punishment. Because of my mom's mistake, he had to lose his sister. I can't imagine how he felt that day but I know that I don't ever want to lose my sister. Any one would want to take revenge."

Jerry came back saying he had to leave.

Minutes after he left, the girls also said bye and went their separate ways.

The following days were stressful for Casey. She kept thinking whether or not to ask her mom.

She had to find out. She wanted to know.

Casey pondered for a while before making up her mind to ask her mom.

When she stepped in to her house, she saw her mom sitting in the living room.

She walked over, sitting beside her mom.

"Where's dad? How's he doing?"

"Your father is in the room resting."

"How about Lina?" She had to make sure no one else would hear what she had to say neither will anyone interrupt her.

"She's still at school. Why?"

She sighed then looked at her mom.

Holding her hand, she asked, "mom tell me the truth, what really happened that day at the hospital where you worked? Why did you quit your job?"

Mrs Alison was surprised, she stared at her daughter with an unmasked expression of fear in her eyes.

"What have you heard?"

Casey didn't bother to answer her mom.

Instead of answering her question, she asked again, "do you know Xavier Blackwell?"

This question, this name brought back so many buried memories.

Memories that she never wanted to resurface.

Her glassy eyes finally gave in as tears coursed down her face.

She looked down at her hands resting on her thigh, "I didn't do it on purpose. It was all my fault. I wasn't careful enough, I had mixed up her medical chart with another patient and gave her a wrong dose leading to complications during her surgery that lead to her death. I couldn't forgive myself for that mistake. My foolishness and ignorance led to her death. How could I live in peace. That young girl had to die because of me and her brother was broken."

Casey's world froze, she clenched her dress tightly. She was right. Her mom's mistake caused him to lose his only sister, his only sibling.

Her little hope dissipated into the darkness that now clouded her.

She felt a heavy burden in her chest, she was thinking how absurd it was, she felt extremely sad and couldn't help crying.

They both cried in silence for sometime but with different reasons.

Mrs Alison cried as her seemingly small mistake had led to the death of a person.

On the other hand, Casey cried at her naivety, they owed him so much, they owed him a life. The life of his only sister.

This was a kind of depth that couldn't be paid, a life was involved.

And now death had separated them from each other, drawing them apart for eternity.

She couldn't even imagine the emptiness he must have been feeling.

Her entire world crumbled down.

Mrs Alison held onto her daughter's hand,"how did you find out about that? How do you know Xavier?" She asked in a frantic voice.

She pulled her hands away softly, "nothing. I heard it from someone and wanted to confirm." She cleaned her tears.

She picked up her bag and stood up, "thanks mom for telling me the truth."

Casey walked aimlessly in the pouring rain.

"It's all my fault."

"I didn't do it on purpose."

"I wasn't careful enough."

"I mixed up her medical chart with another patient."

"... wrong dose leading to her death."

"My foolishness and ignorance led to her death."

Her mom's words replayed continuously in her head.

She tripped and fell on her knees, as tears trickled down her cheeks, mixing with the rain.

Time seemed to freeze and the world around her faded away.

She was to blame, not only her mom.

That day, she was also with her mother in the hospital, she kept asking her mom to hurry up so they could leave together.

Perhaps if she wasn't there, if she hadn't kept on pestering her mom, if she hadn't urged her mom, maybe she wouldn't have made that mistake.

If only she had been a bit patient, how would her mom mix up the charts.

She felt a pang of guilt in her heart and an overwhelming feeling of regret.

The raindrops no longer fell heartlessly against her skin.

Instead she heard the sound of raindrops on an umbrella surface.

And a cold voice that sent shivers through her body came from behind her.

"I leave for a few days and you've become like this. Mrs Blackwell, do you want to die before meeting your husband?" He said with a teasing smile that didn't reach his eyes.

She froze, staring at the floor. It rained harder, she didn't know whether to look back or not.

She stood up but lost her balance and was about to fall but he caught her.

She stared into his eyes.

Different emotions lingered in her eyes but guilt overshadowed them all.

----------

Turns out, it's me. In this relationship, I owe you too much. I seem to hear fate's snare at this moment. Xavier, I'm sorry.