EPISODE 2
~ THE MORE YOU KNOW, THE JUICIER IT GETS ~
There are so many reasons why everyone loves to visit and stay at the suburb. Some because of the neighborhood beauty, others because the hospitality from the people itself and there were those, who desperately need... some answers...
After almost a week of my death, Oasis lane is not only blooming with beautiful flowers, plants and trees. But also various stories of neighborhood talk..Whether they’re about me or someone else...
Mortaud's neighbor, Mr. Edward Groomer is truly good at spreading the seeds, as you can see, He is a lonely bachelor who lives in the middle of this neighborhood so it's no wonder that he knows almost everybody’s dirty little secret..hmmm... who said that gossiping only for women??
And maybe, just maybe..he knows.... most secrets that my friends are dying to keep...It all started, after my friends had their chit chat in front of Mortaud's lawn and when they all saw my husband went to work, someone comes unexpectedly...a flower that Essella has been waiting for the whole time, her brother in law...Gabriel comes when the spring is here, and for Essella he is the most wanted flower that she's desperately love so much, well... to ease her loneliness of course.
"Gabriel ??? I thought you won’t be visiting us this year?" Essella seemed surprised.
"There's no way I'm gonna miss my vacation at yours sis, I always enjoy my stay here." Gabriel said with enthusiasm.
"Well, you will always welcomed here.." Clara replied with a little flirting.
Actually, since Clara knew Gabriel a long time ago, there was a slight feeling that this guy could be the perfect MAN for her family. He was friendly, sophisticated, caring, and most of all, Clara's children liked him so much. But Clara was still shy to ask him out, even, she knew him since Essella’s family welcomed her many years back into the neighborhood.
"Ehmmm...well sorry girls, but I must to go home now" Essella said then she escorted Gabriel back to her house. And just like that, the conversation about me was ended.
"There comes the home wrecker..." somebody said to all the women who were left at the Mortaud's lawn.
"And may i know who do you accuse to be a home wrecker, Mr. Groomer??" Bella said with a slight disgust expression to him.
"Oww..nothing...just forget it. besides, her problem doesn’t interest me at all...I've got much bigger thingy than that." he answered Bella’s cynical question with that goofy look after he took some letters out from his mailing box, then he was just passing them by and entered his own house.
"what a jerk, no wonder there's no woman ever interested in him. His mouth is so full of crap!" Clara murmured angrily with deep voice.
"C'mon Clara...everyone knows here that all he can do is just gossiping" Chloé said.
"Well, he better gives it up. or someday he'll end up dead because of his Big Mouth!!" Clara replied.
"Just ignore him, okay...well...now I must go home to prepare some meal, we'll continue this later."
Ohh..my..my..Clara...you don't know what you were just talking....just don't be surprised...
Marisol looked at the housewives from the distance, she really wanted to befriend them since she's still new to the neighborhood and didn't have many friends, Barbara introduced her to them, but too bad she died too soon before they could be closer. She wanted to approach them, but by looking at the way they treated Mr. Groomer, she decided not to...since she didn't want to be known as a Nosy Neighbor. So she decided to came back to her house.
It took her by surprise when she spotted a man by her porch, from his appearance she could tell that he was the same man from the funeral. She didn't know know why but her heart beat faster whenever she saw him.
"Ehm...excuse me ?" Marisol said. The man turned around and looked happy when he saw her.
"Hi, Marisol...remember me ? Caesar" he smiled.
"Yes, uhm...how did you know that I live here?" Marisol asked.
"Well...let's just say that I'm good in locating people especially the one that I want" he said mysteriously, there was something in his voice that made Marisol shivered.
"You're...you're not a Detective are you?" Marisol asked again.
"No, I'm not." Caesar laughed heartily.
Marisol couldn't help but admire his smile, he was really gorgeous, and the problem was....he looked really familiar but she couldn't remember when she had seen him before.
"Normally I'd like to invite you inside, but I don't think that's appropriate since my husband isn't here, and with this little neighborhood, who knows what people will talk..." Marisol blushed.
"Oh I wouldn't mind being here with you" Caesar smiled again.
"So what made you come here ?" Marisol asked.
"I would like to get to know you better, 'cause as I've told you in the funeral, you really really looked like the woman I used to know" Caesar looked deeply into her eyes, made her feet trembled with the way he stared at her.
"Ehm...Caesar right ? I don't think that's a good idea as you've already know, I'm married already" Marisol smiled politely.
"Since when married housewives are forbidden from befriending new people ?" Caesar raised his eyebrows, challenging her to answer his question.
"I.....I......" Marisol couldn't answer that.
"So let's be friend, what do ya say ? no harm done right? would you be my friend?" Caesar asked while they were talking under the tree.
Marisol nodded shyly.
"Come...." suddenly Caesar pulled her hand softly.
"Come with you? where ?" Marisol looked surprised as she just knew that guy, and he's already asked her out.
"We're friends now right ? I want to take you somewhere...." he winked.
Marisol wanted to refuse, but she couldn't, so she just let herself be guided to Caesar's expensive car.
As Caesar was driving his car leaving the neighborhood, he couldn't help but wonder how come this woman looked very similar to the woman he loved in the past, and the thought of her might be the same person made his blood boiled even more, he had to find out everything about Marisol, especially whether she was Lupita or not....
* * *
Knowing that Gabriel was here, Clara planned to win his heart by sending him her own home cooking even she was not a hell of a good cook, but at least she knew how to make a great lasagna... the funniest thing was she learned that recipe from Aaron's school recipe and with Aaron’s help.
"Aaron.. Thank goodness you’re here!!!" Clara said happily to see her older son was at home, reading books as always.
"What's wrong, mom?? Is everything alright??" Aaron replied with slight concern about her mother.
With begging pose and doing her puppy eyes style, Clara tried to win her son’s help "Could you pleaseeee buying lasagna ingredient at the market for me?"
"I'm not in the mood eating lasagna, mom.." Aaron said uninterested with Clara’s behavior.
"Well...it's not for our dinner" Clara tried to convince Aaron.
"Then for who?" Aaron asked while he was still reading his book.
"Mm...hmmm...well...I..I can't tell you for who" Clara refused to tell.
"Well.. don't expect me to help then" Aaron said.
"Okay..okay..It's for Essella’s brother in law, so please could you help me??" Clara begged.
"So...are you trying to win his heart from his appetite?" Aaron asked with naughty face.
"YESS!! so?? a little help here?" Clara said impatiently.
"Alright..alright, where's the money?" Aaron woke up from the chair and received the money from Clara.
"Thank you..." Clara said with a happy face, then Aaron left the house to go to the market.
Then, chaos began.
"Mommy..mommy,Austin wrecked my paper plane!!!" Abner demanded her mother to be on his side.
"Your paper plane is ugly!! so I crushed them!!" Austin yelled from upstairs.
"We’ll make another one..." Clara sighed since she’s so tired of her two other sons, who couldn’t stop fighting each others about EVERYTHING!
and then the pain was coming again...a slight pain in her belly that Clara always felt whenever she was nervous. Pain that she had when she decided to do the lowest point of being a mother...now...that pain was unbearable to hold on much longer. So Clara grabbed her two boys and ran out to the nearest hospital. Even, when Clara was at the hospital to check her stomach, her two boys never stopped arguing each others about the paper plane.
Dr. Linda Aberheart who knew about what happened back then with Clara has finished her examination and was looking straight to her.
"Is it almost every time now?" she asked with concern.
"No, it's just when I get upset or worry to much" Clara replied.
"You must watch your condition, your womb is not the same after what you've done back then" Dr. Aberheart said to Clara.
"I know Linda, you are my friend and I hope you can keep my secret" Clara begged.
"I can't keep my promise there Clara, sooner or later you have to check your health to someone who is more experienced than me" Linda said with concern.
"You know Linda, I always feel guilty about what I did back then." Clara said with her sad look.
"When someone do that, they always have. But nothing can change what you've done. I never thought that you're gonna do that.. the lowest thing Clara!!! Abortion??? what the hell were you thinking back then??" and now Dr. Aberheart said with more concern not as a doctor but as a friend.
"I know!!! I was frustrating and furious, because he left me for that b*tch!! I shouldn't have accepted her as a babysitter in the first place" Clara regretted.
"But killing your own flesh blood??"
"Please Linda, enough... I get the point..." Clara was more sad when she heard Linda now accused her for being a murder.
"I'm sorry.." Linda apologized to Clara.
Dr. Aberheart's examination room was colder than ever now. Guilty was in the house.
* * *
Clara was ready to leave the hospital with her two boys, when she encountered Chloé in front of hospital door.
"Chloé?? what are you doing here??" Clara was surprised. Chloé seemed a little bit surprised to see Clara there too.
"Clara? and how about you? I’m doing my monthly health check here.” Chloé said.
"Well, same with me….but I can't stay any longer with these two still wrecking each others" Clara said, lying.
"We’re not wrecking here!!!" Clara's two boys protested.
"Kids.." Clara rolled her eyes, and dragged her two boys out of the hospital.
"See you back home okay..." Clara waved.
"Okay..." Chloé waved back and then she entered the hospital.
Chloé came to the hospital not only to check her health but also her pregnancy. And the answer was always the same...disappointment.
Chloé called Nicolas, her husband and told him the truth.
"So? it's still negative?" Nicolas asked on the phone.
"I'm sorry Nic, I've tried so hard...but I still can't make it..I'm so sorry." Chloé replied with sad expression.
For a moment, Nic didn't say a thing, and then "We'll talk about this when I'm home, okay?"
"When do you come home then?" Chloé asked.
"Maybe tomorrow or the day after..just wait okay... I love you." and without waiting for Chloé’s reply, Nic hung up the phone.
"I love you too." Chloé replied even though she knew that Nic had already hung up the phone.
Chloé was now devastated, she knew that Nic blamed her for this situation. But she didn’t know why they couldn't have children when all the doctors said that she and her husband were both healthy and ready to have a child. Then why? Why ? they still couldn't get any??
Chloé walked and stopped in front of the nursery room, and saw all the new born babies who were sleeping in their cradles...she felt really low, as a wife and as a woman.
* * *
Meanwhile, back at Stafford's house Isabella had prepared some wonderful meal for her family when her daughter went home and blew some serious question, at least for her...
"Mom are you busy?" Amelia asked.
"No honey, I just have to finish garnish the Cream Broolee then you can help me set the table, alright..so, what is it you wanna ask?" Bella smiled to her daughter.
"It's no big deal actually, I've got this medical school form to report my health. And I don't know what my blood type is." Amelia replied.
That question was like thunder in a daylight to Isabella, secret that she’s been dying to keep all these times could be revealed that easily.
"It's B, honey..." Bella replied gracefully...
"B? I thought that my blood type is the same as daddy which is O, so...mine is the same as yours?" Amelia asked.
"That's correct dear" Bella smiled.
To tell you the truth, Bella's blood type was A.
"Okay...I will fill it up after dinner, so give me the plates mom..I'll arrange the table now."
Amelia grabbed the pile of plates and then arranged them in the table while Bella only looked at her miserably.
If only you knew, Amy...you’re not daddy's little girl, not John's child...
* * *
Marisol looked at this big beautiful house as she got off the car. "Wow this house is so beautiful, whose house is this ?"
"Mine" Caesar's answer surprised her.
"You...you bring me to your house?" Marisol was still surprised.
"Yes, there's something I want to show you, and then you'll understand.....come...." Caesar guided her to enter his house.
The moment Marisol entered the house, it's like deja vu all over again, the house looked awfully familiar to her, but how come as she had never met Caesar before....or had she ?
"Do you live here alone ?" Marisol asked.
"Not anymore, but I used to come here often whenever I missed my wife." he answered.
"Oh you're married already? with the red-haired woman ?" deep down inside, Marisol felt disappointed.
"I was....and no...not with Ximena, she's my girlfriend now or some sorts..." he smirked.
"Come...." Caesar then guided her to a library room when she spotted a picture on the wall. A picture of a woman that really looked like her!
"That.....woman......she looks like me!!!" Marisol gasped.
"Yes, indeed. Her name was Lupita and she was my wife. Now you understand now why I called you Lupita at the funeral...." Caesar explained.
"What happen to her?" Marisol asked as she touched the glass surface of the picture.
"She died in a car accident five years ago....I thought I would never see her again, until I saw you!" Caesar touched her back from behind.
"Five years ago ?....." Marisol was drowning in her own thoughts, as far as she remembered, she only had her memories for the past five years, was it really a coincidence ?
"What are you thinking ?" Caesar interrupted her thoughts.
"Oh nothing, I'm really sorry for your wife" Marisol said still looking at the picture.
"Ever since the funeral, I can't stop thinking about you....I even have this crazy thought that wife isn't dead yet and you are my wife!" Caesar said.
Marisol turned around to face him, "That would be impossible, my name is Marisol....besides I'm Vincenzio's wife, I don't think I'm your wife" Marisol smiled politely.
"Really?......" Caesar now looked deeply into her eyes, as his face came closer to Marisol as he was about to kiss her.
Smelling his breath like that made Marisol's heart beat even faster, "Uhm...I think I should go home...." Marisol turned her face away, tried to avoid his kiss.
"I'm sorry....it's just you really really looked like [i]her[/i], and I missed her so much" now Caesar looked at her with sad expression, making her feeling guilty to erase the smile from his handsome face.
"It's okay, no harm done" Marisol smiled politely without knowing that by smiling like that, it made Caesar wanted to kiss her badly as he couldn't take his eyes off her lips.
As they were exiting the house, suddenly there was a black dog approached them and barked at Marisol.
"Conga...sit down!" Caesar ordered the dog but it keeps barked at Marisol.
"Oh look how cute!" Marisol squated in front of the black dog and patted it on the head. The dog barked happily.
"Woah....now I wonder....." Caesar looked surprised.
"Beg your pardon...." Marisol turned her face to Caesar.
"Conga was Lupita's dog, and he usually not that friendly especially to strangers, he even almost bit Ximena the other day, but you....how come he likes you. Unless....you're [i]really [/i] Lupita!" Caesar was more curious than ever now that his instinct might be right after all.
"You know I'm not. But to ensure you, tell me one thing that would be your wife Lupita's secret that others won't know...." Marisol smiled at Caesar trying to prove that she wasn't Lupita.
"There's something I would like to know ever since I met you. I know it's a little bit inappropriate but do you happen to have a big mole on your left breast ? cause Lupita had one...." Caesar asked in curiosity.
It was in that moment, Marisol felt like she had just been hit by a lightning when those words came out from Caesar's mouth.
"Marisol ? are you alright ?" Caesar asked with concern as he saw her face got pale.
"I....I think I'm not feeling well.....I think it's time for me to go home...." Marisol replied nervously.
"Are you alright ? let me drive you back home...." Caesar offered to drive her home but she refused.
"I think I'm just gonna grab a cab, thank you for this lovely afternoon" Marisol said and left the house in a hurry, made him more suspicious with her sudden change of behavior after he asked that [i]question[/i].
Ximena who happened to be following Caesar's car from Marisol's house didn't look happy when she saw them together, and she wanted to make sure that Marisol couldn't get closer to her boyfriend, that's why she decided to pay Vincenzio a visit at his office.
* * *
Marisol wiped the tears off her cheeks as she closed the main door of her house, she cried all the way from Caesar's house until Oasis Lane. Lots of questions were flying through her head right now.
Was she Caesar's wife ? was her scar caused by the accident ? is Vincenzio her real husband or not ?
Then it took her by surprise when she heard a car just parked in the garage.
It didn't take that long before Vincenzio entered the house with grim expression.
"Vin....Vincenzio....you're home already ?" Marisol asked nervously tried to hide her sadness.
"Where have you been ?" rather than answered the question, Vincenzio asked her another question.
"I.....I was going outside" Marisol shifted uncomfortably.
"LIAR!" Marisol screamed as Vincenzio slapped her suddenly.
"Vince ???" Marisol looked at her husband with tears on her eyes, she never saw her husband that angry, especially dared to slap her.
"You were with that [i]man[/i] right?!" Vincenzio yelled angrily.
"Who told you that Vince ? yes...I was with him, he's my new friend..." Marisol cried still touching her red cheek.
"Friend? do you think the reason he approached you because he just wanted to be your friend ? don't be so naive Marisol. You know that he wants more than that! So what have you done with him ? did you two kiss ? or have you slept with him ?!" Vincenzio raised his voice.
"How dare you accuse me like that Vince ? I'm your wife!" Marisol cried.
"Oh okay, than do your job as my wife!" Vincenzio suddenly hugged Marisol and tried to kiss her passionately but Marisol rejected him.
"No...don't....let me go!" Marisol tried to squirm away and it made him even more angry.
"What?! since when you dare to reject me huh ? since you fucked with him huh???!" Vince yelled when he suddenly tore off Marisol's dress revealing her breasts.
"No......!" Marisol ran to the bathroom tried to lock the door but Vince already managed to enter the room and grabbed her body forcefully.
"No......please dooooooonnnnnn't!!!!!!!!!" Marisol screamed out loud as she was pushed onto the cold floor of the bathroom and Vincenzio forced himself on her!
* * *
A couple of minutes later, Marisol couldn't do anything but sobbed silently as Vincenzio was done with her.
"Look...from now on...I forbid you from meeting that man you hear me!?" Vincenzio warned her. Marisol just nodded slowly in tears.
"Listen Marisol, I love you! I really really love you, you know that. That's why I never want to lose you...." Vincenzio's voice was calmer now as he caressed her cheeks, sending her in shivers.
"Come...let's take a shower together and let's just forget this horrible day okay ?" Vincenzio said and Marisol nodded slowly.
As Vincenzio entered the shower, Marisol sobbed silently. For the first time in a long time, she felt scared, weak and hopeless.
She couldn't stop but asking herself, what was happening with her....cause when her husband did her on the floor a couple of minutes ago, the one she was thinking was Caesar, the man who wasn't even her husband.......or was he ?
* * *
Different situation was happening at Red's house. Essella was blooming with happiness, since Gabriel came to the house. And with Fabian still at work, they had been more comfortable in the living room.
"You're still amazing sis" Gabriel teased.
"Please..stop calling me 'sis' it bothers me. I miss you a lot.." Ella cuddled around his arm.
"C'mon Ella, I've still got my baggage here...could you please wait until I'm finished unpacking?" Gabriel replied but he did not reject Ella's hug at all.
"Why don't you ‘Unpack’ me instead ?" a naughty smile appeared on Ella’s face.
"I dunno Ella, what if someone sees us?" he said insecured.
"O...C'mon! we've done this like a thousand times. have we ever get caught?" Ella demanded.
"Still, i have a bad feelin' for this one.." he seemed not sure whether he should follow Ella's will or not.
"Just kiss me and you'll see that everything is gonna be alright." Ella suddenly attacked and kissed him with a lot of passions.
The room was full of enthusiasm for love making, when Ella started to strip her clothes off and so did Gabriel. They both kissed and cuddled in many places at the house until they got to the bedroom. So passionate that they didn't realize there was a pair of eyes saw what they had been doing. And when Ella kissed him with more passionate, something caught her attention. It's CLARA! who peeked through the window and spotted them in her bedroom with her brother in law, making love.
"Oh..my..God!!! tell me that I'm just seeing delusion" Ella said when she stopped suddenly.
"What ?" Gabriel asked unhappy.
"I think one of my neighbors saw us making love..." Ella answered nervously.
"That's just great!!" Gabriel cursed then he picked up his clothes and went to the guest room.
Ella wore her clothes as fast as she could and ran out to chase Clara who was walking slowly with distressed because of what she had just seen at Red's House.
"Clara!! Wait!!!" Ella yelled.
Clara stopped for a moment until Ella was finally by her side. And then with a disgraceful face, Clara yelled angrily "How Could YOU??!! Cheating on Fabian.. with your own Brother in law??? SHAME ON YOU!!!"
"Psshhhhhttt...please Clara...keep your voice down..please..." Ella begged.
"You know what?! talk to my hands!" Clara said and then she just walked away to her house with a plate of Lasagna that she made for Gabriel in the first place. Her heart was broken with shocking result. "GREAT!! What a Wonderful day!!" she thought.
The day after, all of my friends looked very miserable. Today is supposed to be our girls night at Stafford's house, but it seems that all of them are occupied with their own thoughts. And the fishy thing is definitely the relationship between Ella and Clara. They both are acting like they just met at the first time. No talk, and only looking at each others in disgust.
"Was there something that me and Chloé missed yesterday ?" Bella asked to break the silence.
"Yeah..you both seemed quite... I dunno, different" Chloé added.
"Well, I'm not feeling different...how about you Ella? do you feel DIFFERENT lately?" Clara pressured the word different to mock Ella.
"I dunno what you’re talking about. I feel just the same as always.." Ella said calmly, she was determined not to lose her temper with Clara’s behavior.
"Well..something is definitely wrong with both of you!" Bella assumed by seeing both Clara and Ella's behaviors.
"O yeah??? maybe you should ask Queen Ella here..." suddenly, the phone rang before Clara finished her sentences.
"Hold that thought Clara, I have to answer the phone first." Bella stood up to pick up the phone.
"Hello, This is Stafford residence with whom am I speaking?" Bella asked on the phone.
"Is Mr. Stafford home yet Ma'am?" a familiar voice asked.
"My husband is still at work but he'll probably get home in about half an hour or so. may I know who you are Sir?" Bella asked again.
"It's Edward Groomer." the voice answered.
Bella was surprised, Mr. Groomer had never been involved in everything with her husband before.
And suddenly he wanted to speak with her husband ? something was suspicious, and Bella would die to know what it was.
"Well, Mr. Groomer...do you want to leave a message to my husband or I’ll just remind him that you called looking for him so that he could call you back after he gets home later?" Bella asked.
"Just tell him that I called, ma'am. And that I've got something important that I want to discuss with him." Mr. Groomer replied.
"And may I know about what?" Bella asked in curiosity.
For a moment, Mr. Groomer seemed unsure to spill 'this' to Bella but then he changed his mind. LUCKY...
"Just tell him that I want to discuss about JOSE..." Mr.Groomer said after he was quiet for a moment.
Bella was shocked! JOSE??!! that name was the same name as Chloé heard before Barbara hanged herself.
"Alright Mr. Groomer I'll let my husband know that you were calling him to discuss about that." Bella answered with her calm and graceful voice.
"Thank you Mrs. Stafford. Goodnight." Mr. Groomer said.
"Your welcome, and goodnight Mr. Groomer." and then she hung up the phone.
She went back to the group and was considering whether she would tell them the 'message' or not. She seemed unsure if this was the right thing to do. Dilemma, something that Bella hated so much.
"Okay! That's it! Ella, you better tell us the truth!" Clara demanded.
"ABOUT WHAT??" Ella seemed angry with all of Clara’s nosy behaviors.
"GIRLS!!" Bella yelled so loud that everybody saw her with confused look.
"Oh, My...I hope Amy didn't hear that..." Bella said later.
"Okayy...now you’re the one who are acting weird, Bella.." Chloé said with curiosity.
"I'm sorry girls. but Clara, Ella I hope you both can forget what happen with you two. because I have something to tell you all. It's about Barbara's death. about JOSE!" Bella explained straight to the point.
In that moment, everyone paid the whole attention on what Bella had about to say. Even Clara forgot that she wanted Ella to confess her affair in front of all girls.
"Why you suddenly bring up the whole JOSE thing, Bella?" Chloé asked, she seemed disagree.
"Yeah, you said it yourself that you don't want to deal with anything related to Barbara's death, why the sudden change of your mind now?" Ella asked.
"Something happened?" Clara also asked Bella.
"Okay, I admit it. I don't want to deal with anything on Barbara's death in the first place. But the phone from Mr. Groomer a moment ago.."
"Mr. Groomer ??!" everyone said almost at the same time.
"Let me finish first..ok, Mr. Groomer said that he wanted to discuss something with John about this JOSE guy. That makes me think! is there something between John and Mr. Groomer that I don’t know?" Bella explained.
"That's weird...John doesn’t seem to care about this neighborhood, and why would suddenly Mr. Groomer want to discuss something with him? they barely talking to each others!" Ella said surprised.
"Okay...John maybe a stiff person. But he cares for the neighborhood. He’s just a busy worker you know...unlike someone I know who own an oil company or something..." Bella seemed offended to what Ella just said about her husband.
"Okay..sorry" Ella didn’t want to go too far and reminded Clara about the INCIDENT that she saw. So she just accepted what Bella said about her husband.
When they wanted to discuss it much further, suddenly someone knocked on the front door. And surprisingly it was someone that they did not expect before. Juan had come home after he got over from work.
"Oh, I'm sorry...I have no idea that you all are having a girls-night-in tonight" Juan said with his dashing gentle smile.
"That's okay, Juan you can come over every time you need our help" Bella said.
"Thanks Bella, actually..I want to ask John out for a drink if you don't mind." Juan said.
Okay...two people were now looking for Bella's husband and this made her even more curious. Why would suddenly her husband became a popular person.
"Not at all Juan, but he's not home yet..." Bella hadn’t finished her talk when John walked in the house.
"Ahh.. speaking of the devil... there he is." Bella smiled.
"Did I miss something? why so crowded here?" John asked when he entered the house.
"Well John, Juan just about to ask you out for a drink and I think maybe you could do that after....."
"Good, I'll put my briefcase first. just wait me outside...Juan." John said, not listening to what Bella would say more.
"But honey, you just got home from work. At least, you can invite Juan for a nice dinner. I leave a lot of Steamed Meatloafs with gravy it’s surely enough for both of you." Bella demanded.
"I've already had my dinner back at my office Bella, but thank you so much for your offer'" Juan smiled.
"Same with me." John said with cold expression.
Then they both walked outside the house. But before Juan closed the door, Bella encouraged herself to bring up the most difficult decision. Just because she wouldn’t allow John to leave her feel rejected.
"John, there was a call from Mr. Groomer about half an hour ago. he wanted to discuss with you about JOSE!" Bella spilled.
Then she saw a deep expression on Juan’s face. Kind of angry face...but just for a while when his face was back with warm smile again.
"Okay, Thanks.. I'll call him after I get back from drinking with Juan or better yet, I'll call him by my cell later." John said while he was entering Juan's car.
"I promise I'll bring him back before midnight." Juan whispered to Bella and smiled again. And Bella smiled back to Juan’s little joke, then he closed the door, entered his car and they both drove away through the night.
But what the girls don't understand is that somehow, Boy's Night Out could become more lethal after midnight compared to Girl's Night In...and who knows? maybe... just maybe, something could happen that night. Something unforgetable...
Back at the Stafford’s house, the girls continued to discuss about the mysterious guy named JOSE whom they had never heard before and why Mr. Groomer knew about him. And also what John had to do with all of these things? What was happening to all the guys at Oasis Lane? do they all suddenly become the suspect just because there was this person that was still a major mystery??
JOSE, the name of unspoken mystery still circling in all the girls’ head. and what he had to do with Barbara's death?? who was he?
someone that Barbara loved so much? but, Barbara loved her husband Juan very much she even barely talked about other men, even if it was only to praise other husbands. She never did that. So? who was he?? who was JOSE??
It was 9 PM when the front door being knocked again. But this time, they surely didn't want this person to be near them at all. No way!!
Audrey Novak stood there with her sexy clothes and daring make up as always. Did she even wearing make up when she was asleep??
Bella looked at her from head to toe.
"Why don't you just strip me, Bella?" Audrey said with naughty tone of her voice.
"Okay..first, I don't think your cloth is suitable to wear at this time. And second, can I help you? it's nearly midnight you know." Bella was feeling embarrassed because of what Audrey just said.
"Ow, you girls have a night in?? can I join ??" Audrey said while she entered the house. And there was nothing Bella could do to stop her.
Others seemed surprised that Bella would let this so-called Bitch, to enter her house. but when they all saw Bella’s expression, they understood that Bella was forced to welcome her in her house.
"Soo ??? what are you all doing with this girl night? playing poker?" Audrey asked with enthusiastic voice.
"Well, actually yeah..but since Barbara's death. Nothing feel the same again..." Chloé explained, the others just looked straight to Chloé and said “Why the hell you bring it up to her??'. Chloé felt guilty.
"Oww..Barbara's death...yess, that was just awful." Audrey said with no expression.
"Yeah, we know that you haven't been closed to her, but tonight we just want to dedicate this gathering for memorizing her, hope you don't mind. We’re not in the mood for happiness right now." Ella explained.
"That's fine with me, beside her death was rather shocking. So, I get the point.. In fact, I was in the mood for pleasuring Juan after her funeral last week." Audrey said.
"YOU WHAT?!" Clara almost jumped off her seat if Ella didn’t stop her.
"Whoaa.. hold your breath there girl. I said, I was in the mood. but that doesn't mean that we have done that." Audrey laughed.
"Okay, Audrey. I think we’ve heard enough...so, could you please tell me what is your purpose of coming to my house in the first place?" Bella asked with cold face.
"Okay...well, early this morning John called me and ask if I'm free this saturday morning." Audrey explained.
"And may I know what my husband has to do with you? by asking whether you are free on saturday morning or not?" Bella asked still with the same expression.
"He said he wanted to buy a house, and since I'm the property agent around here, of course I'm his b*tch in this matter. Duuhh...Bella, you should chill out a little bit or you'll get older soon." Audrey laughed.
"Then I will tell John that you can help him in finding this house….anything else?" Bella was mad and confused about her husband looking for a new house while they have one already but she still could control her emotion.
For Audrey, that was a sign to end her trip at Stafford's house. But before she went, she made a comment that surprised everybody there.
"Okay, Bella...thank you for all of your nice hospitality, I've enjoyed my brief stay here. Although you all seemed doesn't want me here." Audrey said with smile on her face and there was no regret at all.
"It's not that we don't welcome you here, Audrey. But it's just a bad timing. I hope you'll understand." Bella said.
"Oh, almost forgot. I hope you don't blame me for Juan thing back then. Nothing happened between us. That guy was damned cold than an Ice Rock. Even I tried to touch him just for making him feel better, he was not moved a bit. I tell ya, there's something wrong with him." Audrey hinted.
"Maybe he just doesn't like you, ever think of that?" Clara mocked.
"Very cute Clara, trust me. I KNOW how to pleasure a man. And I should say that man is different. just mark my word!" Audrey winked.
"What do you mean ?" Bella asked.
"If I don't know him, I'll probably think that he's GAY!" Audrey blinked.
"A Gay ? ok this suspicion needs to stop before we start talking nonsense. And you Audrey, maybe you think it that way because you can't win his heart. Have you ever heard the words 'GIVE UP' ?" Clara’s temper was over the edge.
"Whatever, Clara...just don't say I didn’t tell you all if what I said is true." Audrey shrugged, then she said goodnight to Bella and went out of the house.
All the girls now thought about what Audrey had just spoken, what if Juan was a.......just to think of it made them more dizzy than before. So, apparently one year was not good enough to know who Barbara really was and how she lived her life here at Oasis Lane. So many mysteries around her death. And so many suspects. Then all their thoughts back to Mr. Groomer. This guy probably knew something about Barbara's death. Because he probably knew someone who was still a mystery to them. JOSE, the mysterious guy.
"We have to ask Mr. Groomer in the morning, girls." Ella said for the conclusion.
"About Jose?" Bella asked
"You’re right Ella, he’s definitely know something about this. And we need to ask him!" Clara was totally forgot what she saw early in the evening and now she just agreed with Ella. Barbara's death surely took all of their attentions. And made them forgot about anything else.
"okay, in the morning we'll ask him about this." Bella ended the discussion because it was already ten past fifteen PM and that meant this night had to end. After saying goodbye to each others, they all came back to their own houses.
It was almost midnight when they met at the alley. Yes, that night Mr. Groomer had an appointment with somebody. After he called John, Bella’s husband. And when he received an anonymous call from somebody after that and said that he or she would pay a lot for the information he had. An offer that was so tempting, even for Mr. Groomer. After waited for about ten minutes, the mysterious person showed up in front of Mr. Groomer.
"I knew you’re the one who called me. Even you changed your voice. I just can tell that was YOU!" Mr. Groomer smiled.
That person did not say a thing, and that made Mr. Groomer behaved more....
"LOOK! I'm not going low!! I want 50% of share or I’ll tell the cops the whole truth" Mr. Groomer demanded.
Well, Mr. Groomer you just bought yourself a share of death. Because when he finished saying his demand, that mysterious person drove a 9 millimeter gun with sound resistance and shot him right into his chest. That made him 50% dead, not enough? How about 100% dead right into his left eye!!! Poor guy... he got his shares only in hell...
Early morning, when all the housewives were busy preparing wonderful breakfast with omelettes, they just didn’t expect to know something that was definitely did not go well with their omelettes. Mr. Groomer's death.
That morning, the news informed that Mr. Groomer were killed after he was buying some whiskey, was robbed then shot to death by a robber because the cops couldn’t find his wallet everywhere. His body was found at the alley by homeless people that stayed there, but the strange thing was that they didn't seem to hear any gunshot that night when Mr. Groomer died.
"How can this happen?" Chloé was shocked and sad at the same time when they gathered in Clara's messy house.
"This is just too weird, how coincidence Mr. Groomer being murdered when he want to discuss about JOSE to my husband." Bella’s sentences shocked everyone else.
"Do you mean ?? Juan ??" Ella guessed.
"Oh, No.. not him...John said that they were drinking until one past ten a clock in the morning." Bella explained.
"One o'clock? and you don't say anything?" now Ella was surprised.
"Well, it's not like everyday he's drinking. So I let him. But only for this time." Bella replied.
"If Fabian was like that, I'll probably throw him out of our room." Ella giggled to her own joke.
Speaking about Fabian, Clara remembered again about what happened yesterday evening. But she knew that this was not the right moment
to spill the affair to public, so Clara made a decision that she would wait until Ella said the truth about that and begged for forgiveness from her husband. After all, there was a lot more to think of right now than just someone’s affair. Murder case at Oasis Lane. And their discussion was stopped when Aaron approached Clara to ask her about something.
"Mom, the school asked for some parents to join School Spring dance. would you be one of the volunteers?" Aaron asked.
"Really ??? I can see you dancing ?? sure I’ll join...I can picture my boy dancing and flirting with girls.." Clara danced by herself pretending she was dancing at the ball or some sorts, and that made others smiled with how childish Clara’s behavior.
"C'mon Mom.. don't be like this!" Aaron was embarassed to see her mother behaving so immaturely.
"Actually, I don't want you to come. But as a Class President, I have to bring my parents." he continued.
"What ? you don't want me there ?" Clara looked disappointed.
"Yeah...if you keep behaving like this" Aaron crossed his arms on his chest.
"Your mother still have her youth spirit Aaron, it's not a problem right?" Chloé smiled.
"That's true...I even will pretend not seeing anything when you want to kiss a girl." Clara said while she winked at him.
"MOM??!! GEEZZZ..." Aaron was embarrassed, he entered his bedroom rightaway.
As you can see...Spring Dance has brought a new fresh air to Oasis Lane among tragedies lately. Some happiness...some flirting...some crush...or...
is it something that would change the whole neighborhood forever ??? something that anyone would never expect before........
Sekali lagi aku bermimpi berada diatas menara, terbaring dalam tidurku, menunggu seorang Pangeran berkuda putih yang akan mengalahkan sang Naga jahat yang menyanderaku di puncak menara, kemudian memanjat menara sampai kepuncaknya demi menyelamatkanku. Pangeran yang tidak bisa kulihat wajahnya itu perlahan-lahan mendekati tubuhku yang terbaring tak berdaya di atas ranjang untuk menciumku dan mengembalikan sukma kedalam tubuhku. Dan ketika sang Pangeran perlahan-lahan mendekatkan wajahnya untuk menciumku, jantungku berdetak semakin kencang, dan ketika bibir Sang Pangeran dan bibirku hanya berjarak 1 cm tiba-tiba aku dikejutkan oleh sebuah suara didekatku...ya seketika juga aku terjaga dari mimpiku yang indah barusan. Sekonyong-konyong aku ingin marah, tapi tiba-tiba kurasakan kepanikan muncul dalam diriku, apa yang terjadi? kenapa semuanya gelap gulita? apa aku sudah menjadi buta? beberapa saat kemudian baru saya sadar kalau aku sedang memakai penutup mata karena Rara tidak berani tidur dengan lampu dimatikan apalagi pintu kamar hotel kami tidak ada jendela pintunya, jadi siapapun bisa masuk setiap saat. Pertama-tama aku juga ikut panik kalau-kalau ada orang asing yang tiba-tiba masuk dan mau berbuat macam-macam, tapi Baby sang Host acara ini dan para kru menjamin keamanan semua peserta wanita yang mengikuti acara Bachelor of Bali ini. "Siapa disitu?" aku berteriak seketika ketika kudengar ada suara mengendap-endap didekatku. Sunyi dan senyap yang kudengar tidak ada jawaban, lalu kugeser penutup mataku ke dahi dan melihat tak ada seorang pun dikamarku, bahkan Rara pun tidak ada!
Aku masih ada waktu at least sampai jam 5 sore, jadi kuputuskan hari itu lebih baik saya pergi jalan-jalan ketepi pantai saja untuk mencari suasana segar selagi menghabiskan waktu. Setelah berdandan ria, aku segera meluncur ke pantai dengan menggandeng tas Hello Kitty berwarna pink-ku. Saat Meilani berjalan ditepi dok kapal, tanpa disangka Romain juga sedang meluncur disana dengan mengenakan celana renang sembari bersepeda untuk pergi berenang ke pantai. Romain segera mengenali Meilani begitu melihatnya, Romain segera diam-diam turun dari sepedanya yang dibiarkan tergeletak dipasir begitu saja dan mengintai Meilani diam-diam dari belakang. Romain bersiul terpesona ketika melihat tubuh Meilani yang melenggak-lenggok, Meilani hanya mengenakan baju yang terbuat dari sutra, jadi setiap belahan tubuhnya bisa terlihat dengan jelas dibalik baju tersebut. Siulan Romain semakin kencang tatkala dia melihat kearah pinggulnya Meilani yang melenggak-lenggok menggoda dibawah sinaran mentari pagi. Meilani yang sedang asyik berlenggang-lenggok puspita tiba-tiba terhenti ketika dia mendengar siulan dari arah belakangnya. Dia menoleh kebelakang tapi tidak melihat seorang pun karena Romain cepat-cepat bersembunyi dibalik pohon kelapa, Meilani mengangkat kedua bahunya lalu segera meneruskan lenggang-lenggoknya ke arah pantai.
Sesampai ditepi pantai, kutengok kiri dan kanan dulu untuk memastikan tidak ada orang yang berada disana, ketika perlahan-lahan kutanggalkan pakaian yang saya pakai mulai dari topi, kacamata, sampai pakaian sehingga menyisakan baju renang biru yang kupakai dibaliknya. Romain yang mengintip diam-diam sampai melotot melihat hal tersebut, gadis ini benar-benar menggoda iman-nya Romain berpikir dalam hati. Saking terlenanya melihat Meilani, tanpa disadari tiang kayu yang dipegang Romain sampai jatuh kedepan karena saking kuatnya dia meremas tiang tersebut, saat itulah Meilani melihat kebelakang dan disanalah Romain berdiri dengan kikuk. Dalam sekejap saja, ribuan kata-kata kemarahan segera menyembur keluar dari bibir Meilani yang seksi itu. Sepanjang Meilani ngomel-ngomel soal "Voulez vous" itu, Romain tidak memperhatikan setiap kata yang dikeluarkan oleh Meilani, tapi perhatiannya terpusat pada gerakan-gerakan yang dibentuk oleh bibir Meilani ketika mengeluarkan kata-kata tersebut, dalam hatinya dia ingin sekali merasakan seperti apa bibir tersebut, dia tiba-tiba teringat pertemuan pertama mereka dan mengenai pernapasan buatan tersebut. Jauh dalam hati Romain, dia menyesal juga kenapa tidak sekaligus mencuri satu kecupan saat itu. Dan saat Romain tenggelam dalam lamunannya, dia tidak menyadari kalau dia sedang mencondongkan mukanya ke arah muka Meilani yang sedang komat-kamit mulutnya memarahi Romain. 
"Ya kenapa tidak kita lakukan syaja acara pemotretan tersebut, I'm sure Mei won't mind right?" ujar Romain tiba-tiba sembari melingkarkan tangannya ke pinggul Meilani yang ramping dan sempat meremas pantat Meilani sekilas. Meilani tersentak bukan main, ingin sekali dia marah ketika melihat senyum nakal diwajah playboy yang mengambil kesempatan dalam kesempitan, tapi dia tetap tersenyum dengan terpaksa didepan sang fotografer, dan Romain benar-benar menikmati "ketidakberdayaan" gadis tersebut. Meilani benar-benar berbeda dengan wanita-wanita yang pernah dikencaninya selama ini, dan belum pernah dia bisa merasakan dirinya ini bisa seterbuka ini dengan siapapun, semakin Meilani menolaknya, semakin kuat pula naluri lelaki Romain untuk menaklukan gadis tersebut.
Selama sesi pemotretan, aku kadang-kadang melirik kearah Romain, dan ketika dia melirik kearahku, aku langsung pura-pura melihat ketempat lain, apakah ada yang pernah mengalami hal seperti ini sepertiku? ketika ada seseorang yang kamu ingin lihat dia diam-diam, dan ketika tiba-tiba orang tersebut melihat kearahmu, hatimu jadi tidak karuan seketika dan pura-pura tidak sedang melihat kearahnya. Itulah yang kurasakan, dan hal ini membuatku kikuk. Oleh sebab itu begitu sesi pemotretan selesai, aku langsung cepat-cepat pergi dari tempat itu karena aku takut akan kehilangan kontrol atas diriku dan membiarkan perasaanku terekspos begitu saja didepan Romain. Ketika melihat Meilani pergi begitu saja, Romain makin penasaran maka dia segera mengejar gadis tersebut.
Sore yang ditunggu-tunggu pun akhirnya tiba. Langir bersinar kemerah-merahan di ufuk barat, suara burung camar terdengar dengan jelas dan bunyi deburan ombak semakin menambah suasana romantis ketika Meilani dituntun oleh Romain menuju meja yang telah disiapkan untuk mereka. Romain mengenakan semi jas berwarna hitam dengan dasi merah serta dipadukan dengan jins hitam, sedangkan Meilani menggunakan gaun biru yang sangat seksi karena selain sangat membentuk lekukan tubuhnya yang aduhai, gaun itu juga terbuka dibagian dada sehingga belahan dadanya benar-benar terekspos dan mengundang mata setiap orang yang menatapnya, dan Meilani sengaja menggunakan gaun tersebut, karena dia ingin meyakinkan dirinya kalau perhatian Romain tidak akan beralih darinya sore itu. Dan hal itu terbukti benar, karena mulai dari Romain menjemputnya sampai ketika mempersilakan Meilani untuk duduk di meja di tepi pantai tersebut, Romain tidak henti-hentinya mencuri-curi pandang ke arah cleavage dari Meilani.
Meilani dan Romain mulai bertukar cerita mengenai diri mereka masing-masing, Romain sesekali menyuapkan makanan kemulut Meilani dengan romantisnya. Dari situ Romain tahu mengenai kisah masa lalu Meilani dengan mantan pacarnya, dan Meilani juga tahu mengenai bagaimana mamanya Romain selama ini selalu berusaha mati-matian untuk menjodohkan Romain dengan wanita-wanita pilihan mamanya itu. Dan Meilani pun mulai mengerti kenapa sampai acara ini diadakan, karena mamanya ingin agar Romain bisa menemukan jodoh yang pas untuk anaknya mengingat betapa banyak wanita yang sudah dibuat menangis oleh Romain sebelumnya. Meilani jadi bertanya-tanya apakah dirinya juga akan bernasib seperti wanita-wanita dalam kehidupan Romain sebelumnya, dicampakkan dan dibuat menangis oleh Romain, dia bersyukur hal itu tidak terjadi padanya atau setidaknya belum.....seandainya Mei tahu kalau tidak lama lagi, dia akan dibuat menangis oleh masa lalunya Romain.
