Searching for Love, Found Wealth

Chloe explained how she had met an old classmate on her way to school. The boy had offered to drop her at school but his car broke down.

While waiting for it to get fixed, Cara had passed with her car so the boy, despite Chloe’s pleas, waved down for Cara to stop.

He was among the numerous boys Cara had dated but in his case, they had broken up peacefully without a fight so where still friends.

“He then insisted on Cara dropping you off?” I finished Chloe’s story.

“Yeah, giving Cara and I, this scarf he called couple scarfs” she enrolled the scarf from her neck and tossed it in her bag.

So that’s why they both had the disgusted look, couple scarfs. The boy might have thought that his classmate of then were the same as now.

“On the bright side, my sister got a new job. She’s really happy. And I have something against both Jennifer and Cara”.

Chloe ran her hands through her hair. I hummed. It better be good. I haven’t yet asked her about Sheena.

Sheena returned to her seat, after she had left for the toilet, “Hey, Chloe”.

Chloe gave me an innocent smile but I nodded to say I’m ready quite aware they’ve made up.

“We can catch up then right?” Sheena looked from me to Chloe. We both smiled at her.

**********

Chloe excused herself from our chitchat and scurried to the school’s back holding her phone. It was ringing furiously.

I had a feeling it could be Charles. I don’t know why it bothered me but I excused myself from Sheena and sneaked along. It was stupid, I know.

But Chloe stopped at a class with Jennifer. I wondered why she had to turn from the back of the school just to come back to a class to see Jennifer. Why see Jennifer?

“You know Tobi is back. He’s met up with Cara already” Chloe said, with folded arms.

“You know, Chloe, I’m really impressed you kept our secret all those years. Away from even Sheena, you bestie” Jennifer’s voice was grateful.

“A baby is involved. I don’t want two people’s lives to be messed up by your own stupidity. Tobi is already a victim” Chloe spat out.

Jennifer curled into a ball like she was feeling guilty.

A baby? Interesting. As much as I’d try to keep my own business, I’d so like to hear the end of this matter.

“You telling me Kiera doesn’t know then” Jennifer asked. I heard Chloe scoff.

“Is that a yea?” Jennifer asked again.

“Yeah, she doesn’t know you’re a murderer. And I’m sort of an accomplice. I didn’t wanna drag her into it. Its been a freaking year already”.

My eyes widened at Chloe’s answer. I let my brain lose interest in the matter and I sneaked away. A baby? Murder? Not interested please.

It’d surely be about abortion. Tsk tsk.

I receive a text as I sat down besides Sheena.

“You’ve found Wealth” sent to you by a Strange number.

Me:

Who’s this?

Strange number:

It’s me, Isa. *smiley face*

I frowned. Acting like we’re friends?

Strange number:

Can you come over?

My grandpa want to show you sumthing.

Me:

*something.© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

And yeah,

I’d be coming with my friend.

I hurriedly saved her line as “Martinez Barbie 1”.

Martinez Barbie 1:

Would be waiting for you.

She didn’t sound like she was about eating me. She sounded nice. Well, I hoped her message would be nice.

Chloe and I had to cut shirt from Sheena’s catch up and headed to the Martinez mansion.

“You’ve found Wealth? How rich is your grandfather?” Chloe chuckled as she read our texts. I shook my head. Isabella was corny as hell.

“Remember me when you’d be driving your limo then” Chloe handed me back my phone. We stopped at the Martinez mansion.

I mentally prepared my voice for the Spanish accent and nice tone I’d fake when speaking to the security guard.

Good enough, Isabella was at the gate with a smile. Chloe turned to me but turned back.

I didn’t notice if but Isabella was really pretty with her curly hair and small dimple. Mom had those features but mine was skipped in my creation.

We had a long walk into the mansion past the hall way we had passes by earlier to see her grandfather. I assume we were going to see him again.

“Wait here” Isabella turned sharply, halting both Chloe and I. She was referring to Chloe. Chloe nodded and I smiled at her.

The door opened slowly as we came close to it. A small woman and the grandfather sat on a couch inside, as I had expected.

“Good morning, I’m Kiera” I bowed to both of them. Isabella did the same.

I hadn’t met the woman before. And the man might be having the old people forgetful brain by now.

The man waved his hands like he was disregarding my greetings. I frowned. The small woman didn’t even look up at me.

He pushed a paper in front of me. It looked like a legal approval of some sort.

“Um…” I looked questioningly. Was this the papers to grant us access to my grandfather’s properties. They gave it up easier than I expected.

“You should sign that contract” the small woman looked up. She had a wrinkly smile. Isabella tapped my shoulders before leaving.

I titled my head to read the contract with it’s ridiculous font that was used to print it. So unprofessional.

I saw barely anything understandable till “70%”. That didn’t sound right. If it was the property then I’d be needing “100%”.

And my mom was the one to sign not me.

I only took it upon myself to come knocking for it everyday cos I knew my Mom wasn’t going to move a muscle.

Staying hidden at Cornfest didn’t solve anything. It was better we cane openly and leave life like normal people.

“How about I sign it when I get home then return it tomorrow?” I chuckled nervously. I’d need a magnifying glass for this small cursive fonts.

“No, dear. Sign it now. You’ve been bothering for it here it is…” The grandfather said.

And I could vow I heard a sinister laugh at the background of his voice.