Chapter Four

Ezra

         Acting like a happy-go-sunshine man around people isn't new for me, I've always been good at playing this part. A sunny disposition, a friendly smile, a mask I wear to get what I need, which happens to be information. Information that will lead me to know what happened that night and how these very innocent looking women ended the life of another woman. Or maybe they did not but that's for me to find out.

            It did feel a bit wrong to deceive these women after how welcoming they've been to me. I could see the relief in their faces for getting their first guest in weeks. If they're really innocent then I'd feel bad for them. Then again I don't know whether they're innocent or acting, so it's too early to feel bad for them. Maybe they're playing their own game just like I am playing mine.

            My first suspicion is the tallest woman among the three, Freya Green. She has this whole quiet presence going on around her and she's also the one who spoke the least to me. I acted like I had great interest in her, which isn't wrong per say but it wasn't quite the romantic way like I led them to believe. My recent conversation with Jack echoes in my mind.

A few days ago,

"It was my fault mostly." Jack continued as I asked him about the argument between Natalie and the chef that I heard from another guest. "I was looking for Freya behind Natalie's back." I frown.

"What do you mean?" I ask.

"It isn't what you're thinking. I was preparing a surprise birthday party for her. Freya was an amazing cook. I wanted to talk to her privately about the menu and cake for Nat's birthday. But she was so aloof and busy. So I tried to reach her multiple times. I think Natalie noticed something." He continues. "I think it was two days before her birthday when I finally got to talk to Freya but she misunderstood my intentions too. Like she probably noticed that I've been eyeing her" he sighs. "Trust me, I was only trying to get her alone so I could discuss the menu. I wanted her to prepare every favourite dish for Natalie. You see, Nat has a very simple taste for someone so... rich.She was always so sick of all those fancy foods. She didn't like rich foods her chefs had to offer. she always-" he stops realising he's going off track."Oh I'm sorry."

"It's okay." I say."Please continue."

"So yeah when I finally got Freya alone, I was about to ask her about the dishes but she hissed at me, misunderstanding my intention and telling me I wasn't allowed in the kitchen. And before I could protest Nat was there and she misunderstood her. Thinking Freya's the one hitting on me. It was a mess." He sighs and then smiles a bit which seems more sad than happy.

"So that's all?" I ask thinking he may be hiding something.

"Yes. I calmed Nat down, telling I was just asking for gastric medicine, something that could help Nat with her acidity. Freya knew that wasn't the case but she didn't tell Nat anything. I didn't get the chance to explain myself to Freya as I was going to ask her again the next day about the cake and dishes. But-" he pauses.

"But what?"

"I never got to apologize to her."

"So you didn't get to prepare the things you wanted for Natalie?"

"No I did. But I couldn't talk to Freya personally. I talked through Luna, the owner". Seeing my questioning eyes he continues "On the night before her birthday knowing this was the only chance I got, I sent Nat outside after her dinner. Telling her to take a walk as her acidity was acting up." His face grims with pain. It doesn't talk long to understand he blames himself for whatever happened to Natalie that night. "I then looked for Freya. But I couldn't find her in the kitchen. I knocked on her room too but she didn't open the door either."

"Was she inside?" I ask, curious.

"I couldn't be sure. I didn't have much time so I didn't think of it much as I soon met Luna in the hallway. I told her about the cake and the dishes I would like. She said it's okay and she'll let Freya know and get them prepared."

"What time did you ask for them to get prepared?"

"The cake in the morning and dishes for lunch and dinner. Though she couldn't see any of them.." his voice trails off.

"Was Freya not in the house at that time?" I ask.

"I don't know. But I don't think I'd seen her after dinner that day."

"Hm. I see. What about the other girl? Anything that felt out of place?"

He thinks for a second. "I think she wasn't in her room either. Those three have rooms side by side on the first floor. I think I met Luna as she was coming out of June's room. Murmuring something like where could June be."

"I see. Is there anything that you noticed that night that felt weird? Perhaps something like a shady guest or anything?" I ask.

"Hmm" he thinks for a second. "There's this guy whose name I don't remember but I think he's friends with them. He visits them occasionally if I'm not wrong. He came there on our second day with some vegetables from his farm."

"Is there any reason why you are telling me about him? Anything suspicious about him?"

"No. But I think he was there that night during dinner along with Luna's father."

"Father? I thought she had no parents."

"Oh? Maybe then I made a mistake. Maybe it was a family member or anyone they knew. But those two weren't guests from the guesthouse."

"I see. Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Balkov."

"Anytime." He smiles though it doesn't reach his eyes.

"I'll try my very best to find you justice." I say standing up.

"Thank you."

***

Now

"I'm pretty sure he wanted you." I hear Luna's voice as I'm on the stairs.

"Thinking Freya will give a man tour is equivalent to her letting Daisy inside the kitchen and let her cook for us or worse.. me." June says which sounds a bit dramatic to me.

"You wound me." I say even more dramatically as I make my entrance.

"Oh hey good morning" Luna turns and smiles. I look around and see no Freya in sight. She's probably in the kitchen to avoid me.

"Not good, your friend just rejected my tour." I say pouting. I sometimes hate this job.

Luna offers an apologetic smile. "Will you have breakfast?" She asks.

"I was planning a breakfast date in the town." I say trying to look pitiful. "But oh well.."

"If you're okay with me we can have breakfast in a place I know." Luna offers. God bless her soul.

"Sounds good." I agree. She hands me a coffee made by Freya apparently to make myself feel better. "Thank you." I say.

"So you ready to go?" I ask.

"Wait a minute" she goes inside her room and comes back after a few minutes with her daughter holding her hand. She's in a light yellow top and jeans. While little Daisy wears a frock of the same colour with a little bag pack on her back.

"Would you mind if we drop her to school first?" She asks. So in other words she only said yes cause she already had to go to drop her daughter off to school. So much for a charming personality.

"No, absolutely not." I say putting on my best smile.

                 June has already made her way to the second floor with a broom and dustpan in order to clean. Freya is still not in sight, probably making breakfast.

"We're leaving" Luna shouts in order to let the girls know and I follow them from behind like the true gentleman I am.

"Is this uncle going with us mommy?" Daisy asks, pointing at me.

"It's rude to point." Luna says, bringing her hand down. "And yes. He'll come with us."

"Wow," Daisy says enthusiastically.

               I'm still puzzled about how we had no idea there's a whole kid involved in it. I had to call the agents last night to ask them how they could miss out such an important detail. We knew all three girls had no family. Now that I know Luna has a kid, there's a possibility of a boyfriend or a baby daddy. I know it's not a husband for sure as she's got no family or that's what the information said. Not to mention Jack's information about the possible father and the friend.

"Is this a hassle? Maybe I should've dropped Daisy first then taken you for the tour." Luna says, sensing my silence.

"No no. It's okay. I was just lost in thought." I take my camera that's been hanging pointlessly on my neck and start looking around through the lens. I've taken pictures of crime scenes often so I do have some experience with it.

"There's nothing picture worthy around here. Wait till you reach her school. There's a pretty garden and playground worth taking pictures of." Luna says like a tour guide.

"I see." I say but still take a few pictures here and there just in case.

             In about ten minutes, we reach her school. Luna kneels in front of her daughter and places a kiss on her cheek. We already got enough eyes on us on our whole walk. Luna said her greetings to a few of them. But in front of the school, there are more people looking.

"Goodbye, baby. Be a good girl." she says in her sweetest voice.

"Okay, mommy. Bye bye" she returns the kiss on Luna's check and waves at me. "Bye, uncle"

"Just Ezra" I wave back.

"Bye Ezra" she corrects before running inside.

"Hey isn't this Luna?" A woman in his mid thirties says.

"Oh hey Mrs.Wan" Luna says with a polite smile though I can feel she isn't particularly fond of this woman or the ones behind her.

"It's been a while isn't it? Haven't seen you in school for days" another woman says.

"Yeah, I've been busy." She tries to cut the conversation short.

"Busy with what? It's not like the guesthouse has any guests." Another woman remarks which somehow annoys me.

"Oh my, who's this young man?"  I don't notice which one of them says.

"Um.. He's Ezra Norwood. He's staying at the guesthouse." She looks at me. "Ezra they're.... people from town. All their kids go to the same class as Daisy." Love how she didn't even bother to introduce them individually.

"It's nice to meet you ladies" I say, putting back the charming smile which must've disappeared earlier seeing their faces.

"A guest? I thought you didn't have them anymore."

"How fortunate" , another adds.

"And he came to drop Daisy off with you? What a gentleman!" I don't like any of their tones. Judging by Luna's face she doesn't either but she doesn't voice it.

"He's not here to drop Daisy off. I was giving him a tour around the town as it's his first time here." She explains.

"Yes. I begged and begged her to give me a chance." I say dramatically so they focus on me. "Isn't she the best?" I grin. 

"Now let's go, we haven't even started our tour yet" I say as I playfully push Luna forward. "Bye ladies! It was nice meeting you."

Once we're enough out if their sight Luna lets out an annoyed sigh. "Thanks for the saving." She says.

"Is everyone in town judgemental like that?" I ask.

"Not everyone. They are usually nice to be honest. It's just since the incident they've been.."

"I see." If they were nice like she says, they should've been happy for her instead of mocking her. But I don't voice that thought.

"Don't be so disappointed. There are lots of good people here. I'll show you. Let's go." She leads the way.

                  After passing through the main street and a few more of their totally subtle stares, she finally stops in front of something that looks like a tavern. It looks pretty cozy from the outside. The small sign in front of it says "Mystic Mist Pub". Why does everything sound so shady here?

"Can't have you go all around on an empty stomach. Can I? Let's go in." She says.

"Thank God, you remembered. I'm famished." I follow her inside.

             The moment we step inside the pub a short woman with similar black hair as Luna turns and her whole face lights up seeing us, or more accurately seeing Luna. She runs towards us.

"Oh my Luna." She hugs her. "It's been a while. How are you? I missed you so much." Her voice is so loud I wonder if Luna's ear drums are okay.

"I'm fine. I missed you too. How are you?" She hugs her back, her voice genuine unlike the ladies before.

"I'm good. I'm so sorry I haven't been able to visit you since the incident. Something came up and I..." She can't finish as she finally takes notice of my presence. "Oh my Luna. Who's this fine man with you?" She asks teasingly.

"He's ..." Luna continues with the introduction. After the whole introduction part, the cheerful girl, Maylin, gets us a table for two. Apparently this is her parental pub. She runs it while her father works as the manager. Luna greets her father at the counter too.

            Luna does the ordering part and Maylin disappears to get our food.

"Maylin was in the same grade as me and Rae in school. We've been friends since forever."

"Oh I see." I say. I wonder why she didn't visit her childhood friend even once after the incident if they were this close. I thought small town people were all like family?

"You'll love the food here. May is a great cook."

"Better than Freya?" I ask jokingly.

"Nah, my best friend is always the best." Luna doesn't hesitate.

"I heard that" Maylin says as she puts the full plates on the table appearing out of nowhere. "I'm hurt, you know. I know Freya is the love of your life but give me some attention too" she makes a sulky face. Luna just smiles. "So you Mr. handsome. How about you taste my food and let me know if you like Freya's cooking better or mine?" She winks.

"I had pasta last night and this is.." I look at the dishes in front of me. "Waffles...How am I supposed to compare those two?" I ask, my question genuine.

"I don't know, just do it." Maylin says.

"Cut the guy some slacks. Also you aren't winning on this one either." Luna says.

"What do you mean?" Maylin asks.

"He's kind of interested in Freya." Luna says as she meets my eyes as if asking that "I'm not wrong, right?" I give her a firm node. My eyes lock with Maylin who goes silent after hearing Luna. But she soon gains her composure back.

"Well Freya can't have him if I snatch him first, right?" she winks at me and leaves with a playful grin.

"Don't take her seriously, she's joking." Luna says as soon as she leaves. I wonder how much she is actually joking. The whole jealousy thing she has with Freya didn't seem just "joke" to me.

             Soon we both dig in the food after being tired from all the walking. Maylin was right about her cooking. These waffles do taste divine. Though I can't be sure how I am supposed to compare the gooey, cheese filled pasta I had last night with these buttercream, honey filled waffles that.

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