THE LIFE I MADE FOR MYSELF

As we quickly gathered our belongings and prepared to leave, my uncle left to prepare where we will stay for a moment until everything settles down. He will come and pick us up later. I heard a faint noise coming from outside. It sounded like footsteps, light and cautious, as if someone was trying not to be heard.

I exchanged a nervous glance with Sophia, and she nodded slightly. She had heard it too.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman with long, curly brown hair and a kind face. She looked familiar, but I couldn't quite place her.

"Hello," she said softly, her eyes locked on mine. "My name is Rachel. I'm an old friend of your father's."

I felt a surge of surprise and curiosity. What was Rachel doing here? And how did she know my father?

Sophia stepped forward, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What do you want?" she asked Rachel.

Rachel smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm here to help," she said. "I've been watching you from afar, and I know what's been going on. I'm sorry that I came late. I want to help you stay safe and uncover the truth about your father's death."

I felt a sense of hope and uncertainty. Could we trust Rachel? And what did she know about my father's death?

Rachel's eyes seemed to cloud over for a moment, and I could sense a deep sadness emanating from her. "I knew your father a long time ago," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We were close friends, and I considered him to be like a brother to me."

Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly, and I could tell she was trying to read Rachel's expression. "What happened to your friendship?" she asked.

Rachel took a deep breath before speaking. "We drifted apart over the years," she said. "Your father got married to your mother and I... Well, I went through some difficult times. We lost touch, but I never forgot about him."

I felt a pang of curiosity. What had happened to Rachel during those difficult times? And how did it relate to my father's death?

Rachel's eyes locked on mine, and I could sense a deep sincerity emanating from her. "I've been investigating your father's death," she said. "I think I may have uncovered some evidence that could help us catch the person responsible."

Sophia's eyes widened slightly, and I could tell she was intrigued. "What kind of evidence?" she asked.

Rachel hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'd rather not say just yet," she said. "But I will say that it's something big. Something that could change everything."

I felt a surge of excitement and anticipation. What could Rachel have discovered? And how would it affect our investigation?

As Rachel finished speaking, I noticed that Sophia's eyes had narrowed slightly, and her gaze had intensified. She seemed to be studying Rachel's expression, searching for any signs of deception.

I followed Sophia's gaze, and I too began to study Rachel's expression. At first, I saw only sincerity and determination. But then, I noticed something else - a faint flicker of fear in her eyes.

It was a subtle movement, but it was enough to make me wonder. What was Rachel afraid of? And what was she hiding?

Sophia seemed to sense my unease, and she leaned in closer to me. "I don't trust her," she whispered. "There's something she's not telling us."

I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with possibilities. What secrets was Rachel keeping? And how would they affect our investigation?

"Still don't get you. How did you know my father?"

Rachel took a deep breath and began to explain. "I've known your father for a long time," she said. "We met in college, and we became close friends. We shared a lot of interests and values, and we supported each other through thick and thin."

As Rachel spoke, I could see the fondness in her eyes. It was clear that she had cared deeply about my father.

"What happened to your friendship?" Sophia asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Rachel's expression turned sad. "We drifted apart after your father got married to your mother." she said. "I was happy for him, but I couldn't help feeling a little left out. We didn't see each other as much, and eventually, we lost touch."

I felt a pang of sympathy for Rachel. It sounded like she had been hurt by my father's marriage and the subsequent distance that had grown between them.

"Why are you helping me now?" I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

Rachel's eyes locked on mine, and I could see the sincerity in them. "I'm helping you because I owe it to your father," she said. "He was a good man, and he deserved better than what happened to him. I want to help you uncover the truth and bring justice to those responsible."

I felt a surge of gratitude towards Rachel. It was clear that she was motivated by a desire to do what was right and to honor my father's memory.

But as I looked at Sophia, I could see the skepticism in her eyes. She didn't trust Rachel, and I couldn't blame her. After all, we didn't know much about Rachel or her motives. 

"Rachel, can you tell us more about your relationship with my father?" I asked, trying to probe deeper.

Rachel nodded, her eyes clouding over for a moment. "Like I said, we were close friends in college. We shared a lot of interests and values. But after he got married, things changed. We didn't see each other as much, and eventually, we lost touch."

Sophia's eyes narrowed slightly. "And yet, you're here now, offering to help us. What changed?" she asked.

Rachel hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I've been keeping an eye on your family from afar," she said. "I knew your father was in trouble, and I wanted to help. But I didn't know how to get in touch with him, or if he would even want my help. Until we met. "

I felt a surge of curiosity. "How did you know my father was in trouble?" I asked.

Rachel's eyes locked on mine, and I could see the sincerity in them. "I saw your father, a month after he got married to your step mom. We were so happy. After meeting him for a few days, I noticed he was not happy, that something was bothering him. After pestering him, he told me that there's something wrong in the family business. I promised him that I would help him investigate. But not up to a month later he got exposed to a gas that later killed him. So since then I've been investigating some... irregularities in your family's business dealings," she said. "I think your father may have stumbled upon something big, something that put him in danger."

Sophia's eyes widened slightly. "What kind of irregularities?" she asked.

Rachel hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm not entirely sure yet," she said. "But I think it may have something to do with your family's company and your stepmom ."

I felt a surge of anger and determination. I was going to get to the bottom of this, no matter what it took.