Chapter 47: More Than A Nightmare.

Chapter 47: Chapter 47: More Than A Nightmare.

He watched closer to be sure she is the one

"That’s her," he whispered.

"Yes, she was the one who opened the hall for me that day when I came to fix the cameras."

He leaned back, still watching her carefully.

"But she is slim now," he muttered.

He rubbed his chin, frowning slightly, trying to remember clearly.

"Hope I am not mistaken. Maybe it is just someone who looks like her."

He tried to move away because the chandelier was obstructing his view.

"No, I need to be very sure before I leave."

He paused, his heart beating a little faster.

"Anyways, I want to know if she is really the one. I will not conclude until I am truly certain."

"Hello. Please, excuse me. Your face looks familiar."

Gabrielle looked up at the covert installer standing a few steps away.

Maya turned to Gabrielle, then to the installer.

Flora turned immediately.

"Are you talking to me?" she asked.

"No, Madam. I was talking to her," he said, pointing at Gabrielle. "Her face looks familiar."

Gabrielle stared, trying to understand.

The installer narrowed his eyes, studying her as if trying to remember.

Suddenly, his expression changed.

"Yes! I remember now!" he exclaimed.

Gabrielle raised her eyebrows.

"Have you ever worked as a manager at Marlene Restaurant?" he asked.

Flora’s expression changed immediately.

"Manager?" she repeated quietly, turning to study Gabrielle’s face.

"Yes...

"I thought as much. I remember your face very well. You were working there some time ago."

Gabrielle gave a small smile.

"Yes, I did occupy that position, but it was only temporary when the manager was on maternity leave, so I was asked to take over. However, I was originally a chef at the restaurant."

"Ohhh!" the installer nodded. "I knew I had seen you somewhere."

Gabrielle smiled politely.

"It’s been a while."

Then he came closer to Flora.

" I will take my leave now,goodnight, Madam."

"Goodnight," Flora answered.

Then he left the living room.

For a few minutes, nobody spoke.

Maya turned to Gabrielle.

"Thank you, Gabrielle. It was much easier learning with you. I understood almost everything you explained."

"You’re welcome, Miss Maya. I’m glad I could help."

Maya turned to her mother.

"Goodnight, Mum."

"Goodnight, darling. Sleep well."

Maya disappeared upstairs.

Gabrielle picked up her phone.

"Goodnight, Madam."

"Goodnight, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle left, leaving Flora alone.

Immediately, Flora’s expression changed. She remained seated, staring at the empty space where Gabrielle had stood.

"I don’t have a problem allowing her to work for me," she muttered. "But can I really trust someone who once worked at Marlene Restaurant?"

She leaned back.

Marlene Restaurant belonged to her late husband’s sister. It wasn’t just a restaurant to Flora. Anything connected to that family deserved attention.

She pressed her lips together.

"Her former workplace is connected to Andrew’s family. What if she is still in contact with them? What if she is here for a reason?"

Flora shook her head slowly.

Her mind went to what Ave had told her about Andrew visiting the High Court requently.

A friend of hers, a solicitor, confided that Andrew had been making enquiries about the estate. He even requested full information about the will.

But the officials refused to release anything unless he comes to the court with Flora.

Flora’s fingers tightened on the sofa edge.

"Andrew, what exactly are you looking for?" she whispered.

She knew her late husband’s brother wouldn’t give up easily.

Flora stood and walked to the large painting on the wall - her and late husband Darwin, taken during an anniversary.

She stopped,her eyes softening.

"Darwin," she whispered to his face. "I’m sorry, my love, but I will not show mercy to Andrew. Not even the slightest form"

She swallowed the emotion rising in her throat.

"I have tried to respect your family, even when they gave me reasons not to. But I will not allow anyone to take what we worked so hard to build. I contributed massively to everything we have today.

She stared a few more seconds, then returned back to the sofa and picked up her phone. She opened the CCTV app and checked recordings around the mansion, moving from camera to camera.

When she reached the area where the installer had worked, she stopped. The image was clearer. She zoomed in.

"Good. You did a great job. It’s much clearer now."

She checked a few more minutes before locking the phone and glancing at the time.

11:40 p.m.

Flora rubbed her tired eyes and exhaled slowly. The mansion was unusually quiet. Only the sparkling chandelier broke the darkness.

She placed her phone beside her and looked around the enormous living room.

Gabrielle’s connection to Marlene Restaurant bothered her.

Flora turned slowly toward the CCTV screen.

"Let’s see who makes the next move," she whispered.

She was scrolling through the cameras when her phone slipped from her hand.

The fish sizzled loudly in the frying pan, filling the kitchen with smoke.

"Make sure the fish is properly fried. I don’t want it half-cooked," Flora said, standing beside the kitchen counter.

Gabrielle nodded.

"Okay, Madam."

Gabrielle glanced at the food before turning to Flora again.

"What about Maya? Can I prepare her lunch before I start cooking your meal?" Gabrielle asked.

"No, you don’t have to prepare a separate meal for her. Just make enough for two. I will share my meal with Maya," Flora replied.

"Will you like it, Madam?"

" Gabrielle. Why are you asking?"

"I just thought you might want something different from what Miss Maya would eat."

Flora shook her head slightly.

"That won’t be necessary. We are eating the same thing today."

"Okay, Madam. I will make enough for both of you."

"Good."

Flora picked up her phone, checked the time, and had barely taken a few steps from the kitchen when it rang.

She looked at the screen and answered.

"Hello?"

She walked out, leaving Gabrielle to continue cooking.

For a few minutes, Flora remained outside on the phone. The conversation took longer than expected, but she eventually ended the call and returned to the kitchen.

Something immediately caught her attention.

Gabrielle was nowhere to be seen.

Flora looked at the cooking area.

"Gabrielle?"

No response.

She turned to the entrance.

"Gabrielle!"

Still no answer.

Flora frowned.

"Where could this girl have gone? She was just here a few minutes ago."

She walked closer to the cooker and looked at the food.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh, my goodness!"

The food was almost burning. She quickly reached for the gas control and switched it off.

"Gabrielle, where are you?" she called again, louder.

She checked the counter, then the dining area.

Nothing.

"Where could she have gone without telling me?"

She wiped her hands with a kitchen towel and walked toward the kitchen store.

Perhaps Gabrielle had gone to get something.

She reached for the handle and slowly opened it.

Then she looked inside.

Her entire body went stiff.

Gabrielle was there.

Suddenly, her eyes widened.

"Oh, my God!"

Her voice came out louder than intended.

"Put it down!"

She moved forward, heart pounding violently.

"Gabrielle! Put it down!"

But before she could take another step, everything changed.

Flora jumped up from the couch.

"Oh!" My God.

Her eyes flew open. She was breathing heavily, heart beating so fast she could hear it.

For a few seconds, she couldn’t understand where she was. She looked around -

She swallowed hard.

It had been a dream. Just a dream.

Flora placed a hand against her chest, trying to control her breathing.

"What was that?" she whispered.

She looked around again, almost expecting to see Gabrielle.

But nobody was there.

She leaned back, trying to calm herself. Her eyes moved to the wall clock.

Exactly 2:00 a.m.

"Two in the morning?" She rubbed her forehead.

She couldn’t believe how real it felt. She could still remember the kitchen, the smell of food.

Why would she dream that?

Her thoughts returned to Gabrielle. Was it because of everything recently? The hidden camera.

But why Gabrielle?

Flora opened her eyes and reached for her phone.

She needed to check something. Her fingers moved across the screen as she opened the security camera application.

First camera - main entrance.

Next - sitting room.

Then the kitchen.

She stared. The kitchen looked peaceful. Everything in place.

She moved to another camera, checking the hallway and entrance to the kitchen store.

Nothing unusual.

Another camera. Then another.

Her eyes moved carefully across screens as she checked different parts of the house.

She returned to the kitchen camera. Then zoomed in.

Her breathing slowed as she concentrated.

Next camera. Then another.

Suddenly, her fingers stopped.

She stared at the phone. Eyes widened, lips parted slightly.

"No..." Her voice was barely audible.

She moved the phone closer, trying to get a clearer view.

Her fingers began to tremble.

"That can’t be..."

Flora remained frozen on the couch.

For several seconds, she couldn’t move.

Whatever she had just seen on the security camera had frightened her more than the nightmare itself.