Chapter 3

She had a lot of things in her list to do this morning Elena thought, as she dropped Nehita off at her new school. She couldn’t help the smile that broke off on her lips as soon as she saw the gladness in Nehita’s eye.

Is it really alright by you Lena, can I really resume school now? She had asked with a worried look on her face as she stared at her sister. She knew her sister was struggling to help them survive, and wasn’t ready to be a burden to her sister.

Bending to her sister’s level, Elena moved away the strand of hair on her sister’s cute face, with a fond smile playing on her lips. She was always satisfied and proud of her sister’s smartness, and that always gave her a reason to try harder to make sure her brilliant sister got the best education she could give her.

Yes baby, I will certainly come pick you up after school. Elena told her still with her smile, and Nehita hugged her tightly.

Thank you very much Lena, will you go see mom? She asked after breaking the hug, and Elena nodded slowly.

Now off you go baby before you get late. She said, and Nehita ran off joining the other children as they hurried to school.

Taking a deep breath, Elena stood up and walked off. Luckily, the hospital wasn’t so far from the hospital, and she wasn’t ready to enter any bus. She needed to save money no matter how little it was.

It took her 7 minutes to get to the hospital, and on seeing her mother; her eyes welled up with tears which she wasn’t ready to shed.

Her mom was still on life support and it hurt so bad to see her mom still this way after the accident.

Elena. You do know it’s not visiting hours right? Someone said right behind her, and turning, she saw the doctor in charge of her mom’s case “Doctor Charles”, and she managed to give him a little smile despite her heavy heart.

Hello Doctor, I had to see how she is carrying on before going to work. How is she doing? She asked managing a smile, but the doctor shook his head slowly.

I must be sincere with you Elena, your mother’s condition is getting more critical as time goes, and the surgery must be carried out, else I am afraid we might have to say good bye to her forever. He said calmly, and a tear successfully dropped from her eyes, but she quickly wiped it off, and pulled up a weak smile on her face.

How long do we have? Elena asked calmly even though her heart was threatening to fall off from her chest.

You have 2 months at most to get the money so the surgery can be carried out on her. He said and she nodded sadly, and the doctor gave her a pity filled smile, and gently patted her on the shoulder as a way of comforting her before he walked away with the nurses at his tail.

Elena’s eyes shifted to her mom again, and she smiled sadly again. “You will be ok mom, I promise you that”. She said gently, and made her way out of the hospital and headed to her work place with a grim look on her face.

She got to a little café 2 stops from her work place, and couldn’t help but wonder if there was a vacancy in the Café, where she can work part time. She was willing to do anything at this point.

Suddenly, water was splashed on her, and she froze as cars drove past her, only to stop some steps away. Already very angry, she matched up to the car that had splashed the water on her, and just then the guy stepped out from the car looking dashing in his complete blue suit, and was suddenly surrounded by other men dressed in black suits. They seemed to be heading to a company next to the café, and without thinking twice; she matched up to him already very angry.

How dare you? She said, and without thinking landed a slap on his check which caught him unawares because his eyes widened from shock. His men quickly rushed to cover him up, while 2 held her down while he kept glaring at her.

Who sent you? He asked simply, and she stared at him as though he had lost his mind, and then it occurred to her, it was the guy from the other night. “Vincent Blackwood”.

Really? After splashing dirty water on me, all you can come up with is to ask who sent me? You know what, fuck you. She said as she struggled to break free from the guys who were holding her, but it was impossible.

He kept glaring coldly, but she refused to feel intimidated under his glance because she returned his glare with one of her own.

The guy suddenly waved at the guys to leave her, and then they left her, and she struggled to her feet looking very dirty and angry.

Give her some money; she looks as though she needs it. He said with a cool mockery filled voice, and she felt her anger rise again, but before she could form a statement, a bunch of cash was dropped at her feet, and she couldn’t help the anger filled tears that came to her eyes.

She indeed needed money, but not the money that will place a stain on her pride. She picked up the bunch of money, and threw it at the man who was already moving towards the company which he had come to visit, and it landed on the back of his head, and this time, he turned to her with blood shot eyes, and she ran off, knowing that the story will be different if she was caught.

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She had managed to stay put throughout her shift at the Café where she worked, and when it was time to pick up Nehita from school, she’d taken her home, and had gone to her second shift at a supermarket where she worked as a sales representative.

Throughout her day at work, her mind kept drifting from how to get money to foot her mom’s bills, and suddenly her mind went to the grey eyed famous Vincent Blackwood who had turned out to be a real jerk.

At the end of her shift, she made her way back home to prepare for her next shift which would be till mid night, but she wanted to make sure Nehita was settled before she left again.

As she got to their apartment, she noticed the strange emptiness, and an unsettling feeling embraced her. In swift steps, she entered their own flat, and was surprised to see that the door was opened, and that was when her fear developed.

Nehita!! She called out trying to sound as calm as possible, but no reply came. Her eyes swept their little room, and the entire environment, but her sister was nowhere to be found.

She was going crazy, that she knew for sure as she ran across the yard, looking for her sister everywhere. Her tears were already falling as she was determined not to think the worst out of the situation. She quickly dialed Amelia’s number, and she picked up after 2 rings.

Babe, what’s up? Amelia asked, and paused when she heard Elena take in a shaky breath.

Are you ok Lena? She asked calmly, but her tears betrayed her, because she began crying as soon as she heard that question.

It’s Nehita. She is missing. Elena declared, and fear gripped Amelia who couldn’t find words to express her emotions.

How… how is that possible? She asked, but as Elena made to reply, a call came into her phone. It was an unknown number, she realized.

I will call you back; I need to take this call. She said, and then switched over to the new call, only to freeze at the first statement she heard.

Nehita is here with me, safe and sound, but I wouldn’t guarantee that for long, unless you are ready for my terms. The cold voice came from the other side of the phone, and her heartbeat increased in thuds.

Dad! She said in disbelief, as fear embraced her completely.