CHAPTER THREE

THE RUNAWAY SOLDIER 

Just as bad news flies faster than good news, Prince's parents got to know about the incident and they felt highly dismayed as a reputable family. Prince also didn't love the situation as he tried to tell everyone that came to confirm the truth from him that they were all propagandas. 

The pressure became too much that he started avoiding people and stopped picking up calls from friends and relatives. He never knew it would turn out this way for him. After his parents tried reaching him via phone call but all to no avail, they got worried and informed the police of his disappearance.

Prince lodged in a cheap remote hotel and disguised himself as a woman so nobody could recognize him. He adopted the feminine voice and applied some materials to create fake boobs and ass. He did it for days as he couldn't attend lectures anymore. 

He had to just switch off his phone as the frequent calls from his relatives and friends kept disturbing him. The police first interrogated his friends about Prince's disappearance. 

"You must know something about his whereabouts. I heard the both of you are besties so don't try to hide anything from me. You should also know about the death of Rose because that's the cause of his disappearance. Speak up and cooperate with the police as a good citizen."

But Henry insisted that he didn't know his whereabouts either as he also dialed his number in their presence. It was still switched off. 

"Alright, if you say so. But we'll be keeping an eye on you. Thanks for your cooperation. You can now go. If we need you again, I'll let you know."

One day, the hotel attendant entered Prince's room to give him tea but heard a male's voice singing in the bathroom. He was confused and wondered how a female could sing with a male's voice, but he let it slide since that wasn't his business there. 

Soon they were pictures of Prince's disappearance on major media channels and anyone who could find him would be highly rewarded in cash. He discovered it when he was watching TV one evening. He knew his parents would go any length to look for him as the only son.

Another time, he called the receptionist that he wanted some classy food because he was getting tired of their local dishes. 

But they told him they didn't have any of those foods he mentioned. He got enraged and spoke angrily in a masculine tone that scared the receptionist and suspected that he was an impersonator.

"Madam Charlotte (Prince), take it easy. This isn't a classy hotel. If you want those kinds of food you requested, then maybe you should try other classy hotels out there."

"You must be mad. Do you know who are you talking to? Is it because I'm patronizing this cave you call a hotel." His manly voice proved he had been faking his feminine tone all the while.

"If you're very wealthy, then kindly leave this hotel and don't create a scene here. Learn to cut your coat according to size. Thank you." Hangs up.

Prince was full of rage that his arrogance got the whole of him. He rushed downstairs to show the receptionist the stuff he was made of. He didn't realize that he was uncovered. 

The receptionist and the hotel attendant saw his face and quickly recognized him. The way they looked at him, he realized he has blown his cover. He was only on his pants. He wasn't angry anymore but wanted to escape as he tried to run outside but he was stopped by the security guards.

"That's the guy we saw on TV. Catch him. We are gonna be rich." The receptionist screamed and within seconds everyone's attention was diverted towards Prince's direction.

The whole place was crowded and the receptionist immediately dialed the number she saw on TV concerning Prince's whereabouts. 

"Hello, good morning, how may I help you?" A man answered.

"Good morning, I'm Rachel from MIM hotel. I've found Prince. Please trace this call's location and come here as soon as possible. I've done my part as a good citizen. And I can't wait to get my 10 million dollars."

"Oh, sure. Thank you very much. Please stay on the line so I can get your location........ Good, I've got it. My men will be there in a jiffy."

"I'll be expecting you." Rachel smiled.

The police officer gave Prince's parents a phone call about the good news and they decided to get to the scene at all cost. However, Prince was trying hard to get out of the situation.

"I'm not who you think I am. You're making a very big mistake."

"Then why did you try to run when we recognized you?" Someone from the mob asked.

"I wanted to run for my life. I don't want to be in any trouble I didn't know of."

Then a smoker around there gave Prince a hot slap.

"You spoilt brat. Do you think I don't know your story? You impregnated a girl and caused her to lose her womb, yet you abandoned her and try to escape the disaster you created. 

Hearing that, the crowd shouted, "ahhhhhhhhhh." Then others were murmuring. "So this is the guy. You're horrible. 

You deserve to be imprisoned or stoned to death." Said a woman who wanted to strangle him and tear his pants, but the mob held her and someone advised her to take caution because the police were on their way.

When Prince realized that they knew him, he arrogantly said, "And so? Did I tell her to kill herself? Did I rape her? Our affair was mutual if you don't know. Since you all know me, just try to harm me. My father will lock all of you up."