"Really?" Beth uttered in disbelief, "Seems to me the two of you are close, are you guys dating?"
"What? Where did that come from?" Cecilia asked, her voice was too casual about the topic, almost cold.
"Oh, sorry, did I strike a nerve there?" Cecilia glanced at Beth, whose face exhibited a radiant smile. But something made Cecilia frown; it was like the widow was mocking her. But she just shrugged it off, thinking maybe it's just how Beth speaks.
It was past midnight when the two ladies finished cleaning and restoring order within Beth's house. "It's already late, will your partner pick you up? You know you can just sleep over, if you want."
Cecilia gave a thankful smile to the woman. "Thank you for the offer, but he is just a phone call away. Also, your maids will be back in a while, right?"
"I called them, they will come back early morning, they said they are too afraid to come back while it's dark," Beth explained, hoping that it would be enough to convince Cecilia not to leave her alone.
Cecilia sighed; she wanted to say no as she deemed it inappropriate, but she couldn't turn down the big eyes begging her to stay. "Okay, I'll stay," finally caving in. "Why do I easily give in?" She sighed to herself.
"Great!" Beth squealed in delight, "I'll go get the wine, it's going to be a fun sleepover over" She then quickly left the living area, intent on getting some spirits to drink.
"What? Wait?" Cecilia called back in protest, but Beth was already out of range of her voice. "…but I don't want to drink," she sighed. She walked to the patio and sat on the swing.
As she leaned back to relax, something caught beneath the shelves caught her eye. "A messenger's bag? I thought I tidied everything," she thought. She knelt in front of the bookshelf to reach out for the bag. Once Cecilia got a good grip, she pulled it out. She was going to place it on the shelf when something grabbed her attention.
Midnight, back in the Twilight, Chris and the officers had just greeted an important passenger, a religious leader who had just died. In the VIP area, Chris and the religious leader were deep in conversation when Bustamante entered. "Captain…the Chief Engineer informed me we have a problem."
With an annoyed expression, Chris asked his officer, "What is it? Did the boilers give out again?" Bustamante shook his head. "Why am I being notified of these problems? Isn't he capable enough of fixing these problems?"
"Sir, there is no problem with the ship…the problem is the new passenger that you brought in; it seemed that he does not belong in the Engine room," Bustamante informed the captain.
"Who? Rick, that vengeful ghost?" Chris scoffed, "They all say that…"
Chief Bustamante interrupted, before Chris could finish what he was saying, "Sir…it's the engine room that's saying he does not belong there!"
"What did you say?" Chris's eyes widened in shock. "Did you just say it's the engine room that wouldn't accept him?"
"Yes, Captain, that's what the chief engineer exactly said, the engine room wouldn't accept him." Bustamante reaffirmed what he said, confirming what Chris heard.
"It seems you have something to attend to, Captain. I want to explore the ship. Can I ask someone to accompany me?" The religious leader requested.
"I do apologize for the disturbance, but I have to see to this problem." Chris glanced at the first officer's direction. "Chief Bustamante…kindly give our VIP guest an in-depth tour of the ship."
"This way, your eminence," Bustamante courteously bowed as he guided their guest to begin the tour.
Chris quickly headed to the engine room to see for himself. "The only reason the engine room would reject a passenger is…if that passenger belongs to the Gold deck." He thought to himself, "But he killed himself. That would be enough to send him to the engine room. So, what gives?"
The chief engineer was waiting with another, whom Chris deduced was a crew member. "What was this problem that Bustamante mentioned? Where is the passenger that I brought in?"
"Captain…" the chief engineer stuttered, while pointing at the crewman.
Chris examined the supposed crewman, a wave of shock crept within him when he realized who it was, "Rick?" Gone was the ghastly visage, replaced with his original form, from when he was still alive. "But how?" the captain pondered for a while in awe at the figure standing in front of him. Realization dawned upon him, and he grabbed Rick by the shoulders. He asked something important. "How did you die?"
"I was murdered! By Betheliza," he revealed, the truth shining brightly within his eyes. The captain could not discern any hint of lie or malice in his voice.
"If you were murdered, then that means…" A sense of urgency and dread washed over Chris as he could only utter a single name, "Cecilia!"
One hour ago, Cecilia's eyes were filled with questions: "What is Rick's bag doing here?" Upon seeing the name on the strap. She then rummaged inside the bag until she found his diary. She pulled it out to read the contents. Once she opened the book, several photos fell to the floor. Picking the scattered photos, she saw they were wedding photos, and her eyes widened when she recognized the groom in one of the photos. She remembered him from the news, Arnulfo Tan, the murdered business tycoon. What piqued her interest was the bride, "What the heck?" She flipped through the photos, which showed different weddings and different grooms, but with the same bride getting married.
"Oh god…I knew I forgot something," A voice said behind her.
Cecilia startled, dropped the photos, and turned around. "It was you, wasn't it?" She stood up and backed away, keeping her distance.
Betheliza picked up the photos and scanned through each one, a wicked smile creeping from her lips. She threw away the photos and, with evil eyes, glared at Cecilia. "If you have to ask after seeing all of this…then it would be so easy covering up your supposed suicide!" The fear that crashed over Cecilia became evident in her eyes. "Oh, please, don't tell me, you were wondering why I need to kill you?" With murderous intent, Betheliza scoffed. "If you must know, I need you to shut up…that is why I need you to die!"