Chapter 7

When I saw Sherry outside in the living room, I wasn’t sure whether to be happy or to be upset.

First, this woman caused my demise. I wouldn’t be damaged or even held in confinement, if not for her.

But in the past, she was the most important person in my life. I had sworn to protect her just because she was my friend.

Back when we worked in Lin Corporation, we were each other’s own shoulder to rely on. But everything changed after Lee Jung came in. He was the true villain, not Sherry.

“Remember what we spoke about earlier.”

Jacques’ kind voice bounced off in my mind. We had to be cautious and make every step with care.

And that involved even Sherry. For this, Jacques promised me he would accompany me wherever I went. I knew Sherry was here to discuss the plan of us moving to Thailand with a new identity. But I was scared all the same.

What if Lee Jung or the Master came to torment me? What if I was never free from my shackles of tortuous memories?

But the sudden approach of Jacques’ warm hand on my wrist surprised me, leading me to soothe my senses, and I relaxed with his touch.

He gathered me in his arms and held me for a few long minutes before leading me to the sofa. I was conscious of Sherry’s eyes on me, staring at us while Jacques lay a warm kiss on my forehead.

“Piper?”

I hesitated.

Jacques tightened his arm around me, and I knew what to say.

I let out a sudden giggle, but I didn’t acknowledge Sherry or greet her by her name.

“Pardon me, Sherry, she remembers nothing.” His sigh sounded long and heavy. “I was too late, she was tortured at the hands of Lenard Lee and his lackeys.”

“But she… I didn’t mean for all this”

Sherry was panicking. Her feet were jittery and her skinny fingers trembled. I felt sorry for her, yet I needed to keep up with my pretence.

“Who are you? Jacky.. Jacky, who is she?” I faked some insane laughs, making my voice sound as childish as I could. Her almond eyes narrowed and she clenched her fist on her skirt. A bulge was apparent in her belly, making me recall she was pregnant.

I’m sorry, Sherry. But we have to do what we can to stay alive.

Jacques just hugged me tighter. “She’s our friend, Piper. Don’t you remember?”

“I…I don’t believe you!” I shouted, pushing him from me. “She’s so fat and ugly! I don’t remember having a friend like her! And you, you promised to take care of me forever! How can you bring a girl to our love nest?”

I now seemed like a childish and insecure teenager doubting her boyfriend.

Jacques’ warmth gratified me. “Piper, you have to understand. She is…”

“I’m.. I’m the one in charge of your trip,” Sherry suddenly blurted out. “I have your tickets and passports here. Your guy has arranged for the two of you to go on holiday!”

She was creating something quickly for me to believe. I knew my act had worked. Sherry seemed tense. She kept fidgeting with her other hand, while she handed the documents over with her dominant hand.

Looking at her hand, I was jealous of how well taken of her skin looked. While the skin on my hand was coarse and dry, hers appeared like that of a wealthy wife. But it wouldn’t change the fact that Anderson, her husband who disbelieved me, would soon have nothing left. That included how Sherry planned to leave him. Anderson would suffer.

If Lee and the Master were capable of what they did to me, they wouldn’t let her husband off.

“A holiday! Jacky, when do we go on the trip?” I shouted excitedly, and Sherry looked relieved.

“In two weeks,” Sherry promised.

“I wasn’t talking to you!” I shouted, holding Jacques’ hand and jumping on the floor in front of the sofa. “You really mean it, Jacky?”

He said nothing but with a firm nod; he placed his arm around my shoulders and kissed me on the cheek. In the short distance between me and him, I noticed a glint in his eye, probably a tear.

Jacques would always be the person I was indebted to the most in my life.

After a few hours where I pretended to fall asleep on the sofa with my head in Jacques’ lap, I heard Sherry’s small footsteps, knowing she was about to leave.

Cracking an eye, I saw her heading over to the door to fetch her black flats. Her brown curls swished around her face as she turned and spoke in a soft tone to Jacques.

“Take good care of her. I know what I say will be of no use, but I will repay you with what I can once we get to Thailand. How is everything on your end?”

“I’ll lead a strike against Anderson Lin. This ruckus will ease the enemy to infiltrate the company and take him down for once and for all.”

Her breath sounded heavy.

“Are you okay, Sherry?”

“I’m fine. I knew I shouldn’t have trusted him. With his trust issues and everything. If not for him, she wouldn’t have…”

She paused and wiped her eyes. I knew her well. She couldn’t be acting. In a way, I also owed her for my freedom.

“It’s over. We can’t change what has happened. If Piper recovers one day, she wouldn’t blame you.”

“I really hate him. But I have to go now before he suspects anything. Soon, I’ll be out of his sorry life.”

She sighed and eventually left the apartment. The door creaked slightly, and she was gone.

I got up and looked at Jacques.

“Did we manage to convince her?”

He patted my shoulders. “Believe me, this is the only way. Once we get to Thailand, we’ll start over a new life, okay?”

I gave him my affirmative.

“Wait for me, Piper.” He laid me on the sofa. There I lay, thinking about the passionate kiss earlier and how he wasn’t Syl.

But what was the point of even thinking about Syl, when I could never have a child again? Plus, I was with Jacques, to repay him. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have forgiven him for sleeping with me in my drugged state of mind. I instead understood that he had no choice. Given me, and if Syl was the one that was drugged, if he didn’t like me back, maybe I would have done the same. In the end, what he did for me exceeded that one mistake he made.

Speaking of Syl, I had to put my past of being with Syl, behind me. From then onwards, that hope of having a family with him would always remain a pipe dream.

Jacques returned with two microwave meals, our dinner, and some printouts.

“This is the profile of Dr John Soleil, a well-known psychiatrist in Bangkok. And this is of Dr Kayla Thomson, an occupational therapist. I believe they both could treat you, Piper."

“Are you… Are you sure that it will work?” I asked nervously.

I didn’t want to keep my hopes up and then let them fall. I was so young. I couldn’t become a cripple for the rest of my life.

“Trust me, Piper. As long as we try hard, we will always achieve our dreams.”

“What’s your dream, Jacques?”

He was silent for a very long time before he answered.

“To marry you.”