All Shades of Passion

Maya POV.

It was 4 p.m. when I finally got to Monalisa's house.

After my ridiculous encounter with John, I was so disappointed that I stayed back in school to read up some books in the library, to lift my spirits.

Just because I wanted sex didn't mean I was unserious with my studies.

Monalisa and I had plans of getting into the same college, so I was putting in the effort to do well on the upcoming SAT(Scholastic Assessment Test).

Some schools didn't require it, but it was necessary in the application process if we really wanted to be considered for certain courses and improve our chances of getting in.

As I drew close to the house, I noticed two police cars were in the parking lot, alongside Monalisa's dad's Mercedes S450.

On the front patio, I saw Mr. Jonah and two police officers standing in a small gathering of three and talking.

What was going on?

I approached cautiously, and when I got close, their conversation became audible.

"Can you tell me where you were last night, Mr. Jonah Hopkins," one of the police officers asked.

"I was home throughout yesterday, I didn't step out of the house," Mr. Jonah answered. "I don't have any active cases at the moment, so I decided to rest at home instead of going to the office."

"You live here with your daughter, correct?" The officer questioning him asked again.

"Yes, I do," He answered casually, "But right now, my daughter's friend is spending a week with us," he looked over at me. "Here she is, Maya say hi to the officers."

"Good afternoon Mr. Jonah," I greeted, "Hi officers," I said awkwardly.

The officers nodded at me.

"Hi Maya, how was school today?" He asked.

"School was good. Monalisa is spending the afternoon with her mom," I informed him.

"Oh yes, she called me," he remarked.

I felt the officer's eyes on me, watching me keenly, so I hurried into the house and shut the door behind me.

Why were the officers here?

I racked my brain trying to remember if I broke the law in any way.

Concluding I had done nothing wrong, I went over to the window, overlooking the front patio, and peeped through the blinds, eavesdropping on their conversation.

Just then I heard Mr. Jonah exclaim, "What do you mean she is dead?!"

"She was found dead in her apartment this morning around 10 a.m." the officer told him.

Huh?

Someone died?

"So I ask you again, what time did Ms. Larisa leave your house last night?" The officer questioned.

I gasped and quickly put my hands over my mouth.

Ms. Larisa was dead?

Our nice, hard-working housekeeper who liked to make us nice Latina dishes was dead?

"My goodness, what happened to her?" Mr. Jonah demanded.

"Answer my question," the officer insisted.

"I already told you that she left last night around 9 o'clock after making us dinner. Now, tell me what happened to her!" Mr. Jonah yelled at the officers.

My nostrils flared and I felt my heart stop in my chest.

God, how did she die?

"We found her lying flat on her face with a knife to her stomach. There were also signs of a struggle," the other officer explained.

I saw Mr. Jonah's face ashen. "Who would do such a wicked thing to her?"

"That's why we are here investigating," the first officer said. "We are going to all the places she visited last. We were told she works for you, resumes work by 7 a.m., and closes around 8-9p.m."

Oh, that was why she didn't come in this morning to make breakfast.

Innocently, I thought she was stressed out by all the sex she got and didn't wake up early.

"Do whatever you can to find the culprit. As her employer, I will give you my full support," Mr. Jonah said firmly.

The officers nodded, "Thank you for your time, Mr. Hopkins."

They entered their vehicles and drove off.

Looking flustered and visibly upset, Mr.Jonah raked his hand through his sandy brown hair.

He climbed the steps towards the door and I quickly left the window, hurrying over to sit on a couch.

The door swung open and he walked in.

"Bloody hell," he cursed and walked over to the wine bar to pour himself a drink.

He held the full glass of scotch whiskey in his hand and downed it in one gulp. He quickly filled it up again.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, watching him.

No, he shook his head and stared hard into his glass.

"You rarely drink during the day," I pointed out, coming to join him on the barstool at the counter.

"I heard some bad news that's why I'm in a bad mood," he said, sipping the second drink instead of gulping it down like the first.

"I overheard your conversation, Ms. Larisa is dead," I murmured sadly.

"Don't tell Monalisa, she'll be heartbroken. She really liked her," he cautioned me.

I nodded, then asked, "Is that why you lied to the police?"

His head snapped up sharply and he pinned me with a look, "What did you just say?"

I shrugged nonchalantly, "I know Ms. Larisa was in this house till 12 a.m. last night."

Confusion swirled in his gorgeous blue eyes, then his brows shot up. "That was you in the corridor, last night?" He dropped the drink on the counter. "I thought it was the cat."

"The cat wouldn't pee in front of your door, would it?" I pouted my lips.

Monalisa's cat, Tootsie, was an absolute brat. She loved to scratch and bite. That was why Monalisa named her Tootsie. Knocking things over was also her specialty. My friend loved her cat regardless of its evil tendencies.

Mr. Jonah exhaled a deep breath, "Whatever you saw, let's keep it between us. I don't want Monalisa to know about my relationship with her."

"What of the police, shouldn't they know?"

"I didn't kill her, if that's what you're asking," he said gruffly.

"I know," I said simply.

I have known Mr. Jonah for eight years, since his daughter and I became friends at age ten. He practically watched me grow and I knew deep down that he wasn't a murderer.

Yet, I lifted my eyes and looked him squarely in the eye, "If you want me to keep your little secret, I want something in return."

His brows creased together, "What do you want?"

"I want you to deflower me."