Searching for Love, Found Wealth

. I walked into the school feeling excited, relieved and expectant. Perhaps I’d finally have the quiet life I’ve dreamed about.

Well, walking through the hallway wasn’t as ‘quiet’ as I imagined.

Lots of students Vega running towards me and I could swear they resembled the reporters that were hanging outside when I was discharged.

Or are they?

When did I turn to a celebrity?

“Is it true you were kidnapped?”

“By the Carlos Ramirez?”

“What does he look like?”

“Why did they kidnap you? What did you do?”

“It said it was something of a marriage contract, are you married to him now?”

I pushed my way into my class’s and slammed the door. I was early as always but this time no single soul was at class.

I pondered in the last question. Yes, I had signed a marriage contract, unwilling. Where was it? Would someone use it against me in the nigh future?

“I am telling you she was so hot. Dripping hot” I heard a male’s voice say.

It had been quiet a while over heard my classmates voice so I couldn’t remember who it was.

“Every girl is hot to you, as long as they wear something revealing” another male sighed besides him.

I recognized that voice, it was Reuben’s. I heard the door of the other class close so I guessed the first guy wasn’t from my class.

I shifted from the door as Reuben opened our classes door and came in.

“Hey” I said softly and headed to my seat.

He held my hand back and I turned and we started a staring spree.

“What do you want?” I asked breaking the silence. We weren’t in a freaking Kdrama.

“How are you?” he let go of my hand. So that’s all he wanted to ask? And he had to make it feel so dramatic.

“I’m alive” I shrugged, facing him.

“I was worried you know” he made a nervous chuckle.

“Of course” I answered blank aced.

“You knew?” Excitement and nervousness were mixed in his tone.

“Did Jasper or Jacob tell you anything?” this tone had a bit of anger.

It didn’t seem like it was directed at me so I didn’t flinch. I hadn’t even seen him angry before.

I shook my head. Why were they always asking if the other party had something to tell me? I wasn’t that curious so let me act oblivious.

“I knew you were worried cos we’re friends. I’d be worried if it were you. It’s only natural you worry for a friend” I smiled.

His smile brightened, then dropped. Maybe after realizing I literally friend zoned him.

“Oh, well, I am glad you’re okay. Call if you need anything” he spoke slowly. Was this how he was she he felt he had been rejected? He didn’t also meet my gaze.

“Sure” I patted his shoulders and his face lit up with a smile. Since when did I have such effect on boys. Lawd!

A replay of what happened in the morning happened when school was bustling. Students coming to ask me if u was really kidnapped and met Carlos Ramirez.

Like I did not even know that, like Martinez, the Ramirez is a big name here.

And Carlos, their twenty year old son, was seen as one if the hottest boys alive. Like he was good looking but hot? I wasn’t looking out for that.

And it seemed the police reported tearing a marriage contract as they felt it was a legal enslavement, which it was, that Carlos wanted to do to me.

Thus making people think if Carlos had kidnapped me cos he loved me. And wondering our sweet convo when he had me.

If by sweet convo they meant letting his mom pour me yam water, beat me till I bleed, keep me in a dark room, position a torch light directly on my eyes, and threatened me with first a penknife, then a gun,… yes, we had a pretty ‘sweet’ convo.

My legs were still bloated and reddish so I wore long socks.

Many conspiracy theories lingered but I and few others only know the truth.

I tried to shield myself from them but one of them asked a question I couldn’t ignore.

It was by Tina, Chloe’s cousin. I really loved that girl.

She asked if Cara was to go of rehab and if she’d ever come out sane.

“Well, rehab is for insane people to get sane. I wonder what miracle can be done for Cara. But let’s believe in miracles” I winked at her. She and her small group of friends laughed.

“Let’s not hope to much on miracles anyway” Jacob added while pulling me from the crowd. They kept on nagging and dragging me. I felt like some queen even though it was draining.

“Thanks for saving me” I muttered to Jacob while he dragged me to the back of the school?

I remembered that that’s where they had their little meetings, his cousins and J-twins.

Perhaps I’d get to know of that ‘something’ everyone has been avoiding telling me. And did I have to know at the backyard of all places?

If I reject him, would I get buried there?

As we cornered to the back, I heard someone shout, “She’s here!” then “Welcome back!” with confetti splattered everywhere.

I opened my eyes that I closed, due to shock, to behold a cake with ‘Welcome back from Kidnap’ written on it. Okay, that’s was good.

Chloe, Chris, Nancy, Jasper, Sheena, Jennifer and Reuben’s had prepared.

“Wow. Thank you guys. I’m speechless” I smiled brightly.

Nancy ran to hug me and gave me flowered scarf.

“As you should be. Don’t forget to give us the details of your meeting with the hottest guy in America” Jasper laced his last words with disgust.

“Jeez Jasper, it was just a modeling company that called him that..” Chloe side whispered to Jasper.

Chris chuckled, “A crazy modeling company”.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

I came forward to admire my cake.

“That’s why I hate modeling. It’s so overrated” I heard Reuben added.

“Hey, let’s take a picture. I’d uploaded it later” I clapped my hands when the idea jumped in.

“Tag me” Jasper yelped as he came forward.

Maybe he didn’t know but it was my idea to tag him so I’d get my account some exposure from those his fan girls.

We all circled around and I took the picture.

That’s my first all friends in picture. It’d make a good memory.