Chapter 100

Derek’s POV

It took me nearly an hour to drive there. I hadn't realised it was that far. It was in a remote area just outside the city.

From what I learned, he probably made the right call by cancelling the project the first time. I only agreed to see the place so he wouldn't talk to me about it anymore and because I needed something else to distract my brain.

I slowed down as I approached the area. The building was hard to miss from afar. It was at least three stories high and was built with nothing but concrete and bricks. It was not painted, nor did it have any windows or doors. Because it had probably been a while since anyone was here, the place now looked completely abandoned.

I noticed two cars parked outside. Luke was leaning on one of them. Grandpa hadn't mentioned he was sending someone else around here.

I stepped out of my car and approached Luke.

"Have you gone in already? Do you know who that car belongs to?" I asked.

"No, I just arrived here. I haven't checked yet." He answered.

Looking around the area, I don't know why anyone would want to start a business here, apart from the three cars. The gravel had several tire marks. Some of the tire marks seemed much wider, as if they belonged to a truck or at least a van. Grandpa was serious about this, especially if he sent people to come here. There was a good chance he was planning to continue construction shortly.

"We should probably check the inside," I suggested.

Luke nodded.

We stepped through the double doors. We walked into a large open area. I imagined this would have been the lobby. There was another floor on top of us with stairs leading to the site. I'm sure if you were up there, you'd get a good view of everyone down here. It was curved into some balcony, and the railing still hadn't been placed.

I wonder why he suddenly stopped the project when they were so close to finishing. Some bricks and cement had also been left here. If it weren't so remote, homeless people would probably camp here.

"I don't know what he sees in this place," I muttered, looking around the area. It wasn't bad, but I expected more from him.

I was beyond surprised to see a woman descending the stairs. She moved closer to the wall, probably to keep herself from falling. I wonder what she was doing up there.

I looked closer, realising it was Maddison's mom. What was she doing here?

She also noticed us as she stared at us with her eyes widening. The black clothes she wore and the sour look on her face made her look like she was going to a funeral.

“Derek? What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I should ask you the same thing," I replied, putting my hands into my pockets.

I guess that explains who the third car belongs to.

Maddison was a snake. She probably got it from her mother, which meant I couldn't trust her either.

She continued to approach us.

"We were just looking around," Luke answered.

Her nervousness caught my attention. It wasn't until then that I noticed the bruise around her right arm. There was a fresh wound. It looked like someone or something scratched her on the arm.

"His grandfather asked him to look at the area. He wasn't sure whether to continue with the project or not." Luke continued.

"Oh," she answered with a smile. "I see he has told you two about it as well. He maintained that he wanted to resume the project. He even said I could be involved. I just wanted to come here and see the place for myself, and so far, it has been amazing." She explained. "He plans to name the place after my daughter." She added.

I turned my head away in disgust. Had I known this was what it was about, I would have never agreed to come here.

"What happened to your hand?" I asked.

Her mood immediately shifted as she tried to hide her arm. Now, I was curious.

"I've been bored lately. You know, my daughter is busy most of the time. I decided to adopt some cats from an animal rescue centre. This morning, they decided they wouldn't be nice. One of them scratched me." She explained.

"You may want to cover that up and put on a bandaid. It might get infected." I suggested.

"I will, and I just left the house in a hurry." She replied nervously.

"So that you could come here?" I asked in disbelief.

"I was too excited about the property. When your grandfather mentioned it, he said he might give me a managerial role or something. You know, I haven't worked in a while." She answered.

My grandfather was a lot of things, but I've never considered him to be that generous or impulsive when making business decisions.

I was startled as several bricks fell off the top floor, nearly hitting me on the way down. Had I been an inch closer, it would have hit me over the head.

I stepped back and turned my head away, shielding my face as the dust settled.

"What was that?" Luke asked, equally startled.

The three of us looked at each other in surprise.

"Is someone there?" I yelled, looking up. I didn't think the bricks would magically fall unless someone accidentally knocked them over. Or they tried to kill us.

There was no reply. This is probably why you shouldn't walk into an unfinished building. It could be dangerous.

"We should leave soon. This place is a hazard," Luke suggested.

I nodded. It was better to leave before the bricks hit our heads this time. I wouldn't want the building to collapse on us.

"After you," I said, gesturing to

She smiled before matching out ahead of us.

"What woman is so strange," Luke commented.

Her whole family was strange.

Luke and I followed as we left the building.

"I know you are worried about Clara," Luke said. He stopped me as he placed his hand on my shoulder. "You should stop worrying about her. She has had a tough week. It's normal for her to sound strange or want to go away from everyone for a while." Luke said, patting me on the back.

"You are probably right," I whispered back.

I still couldn't get this feeling off my chest that something was wrong, terribly wrong.