Searching for Love, Found Wealth

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

I grabbed the contract and began folding it into smaller sizes.

The grandfather sprang up immediately, “You are signing that here!” He shouted authoritatively. The small woman beamed a smile.

“The contract, all you need is for it to be signed right? It must have taken you a lawyer to write it. I’d take us one to sign it also” I said as I flinched backwards.

He stretched for his hand to retrieve it and I did something really stupid. Kiera run!

The hallways weren’t that long, when you’re running. I met Isabella on the way.

“Um, I gotta send this contract to my mom now. Let’s go” I acted excited whilst dragging her to the main gate.

Some butlers came in front of us but cleared up, with confused faces, when they saw Isabella with me. I bet the grandfather had summoned them.

Chloe and I successfully got past the gate, that was when the grandfather screamed Isabella’s name from a window.

I basically dragged Chloe and ran a marathon when I heard his voice.

The contract strongly in my chest pocket. The last expression I had of Isabella was her confused expression.

I still don’t know what came over me.

Chloe was really offended on me running away with her.

I know it was surprising but then she began saying things like me making her an accomplice. Of what crime?

“Chill, Chloe. I had to run..”.

“Don’t drag me too deep into your famiky problems. Martinez family is no joke. Even for you who isn’t fully part of the family” she cut me short angrily.

I exhaled and apologized. She wasn’t hearing any of it and left for home without me. Taking a taxi to her home, directly opposite direction to mine.

And she had been the one taking me to the Martinez’s house, cos I know nowhere at Washington.

“Hey, mom” yes, I had to call mom.

“Where are you? Come home cos we need to talk” came from her at the other end. Her voice was annoyed.

Everyone must be in their uncomfy pants today. “Okay, could you pick me up. I am around the Martinez’s mansion”.

“Doing what there?”. Why was her voice terrified?

“You’d know when I come home? Come pick me up, please?”. I was about hanging up when she added, “Charles would pick you”.

She hung up after that.

So there’s no need to feel nervous around Charles, self.

Whether he’s dating Chloe or not, is none of your business. Him, ignoring you so far was questionable though.

I texted him:

Hey? Are you free?

Could you… come pick me up?Please check at N/ôvel(D)rama.Org.

He answered seven minutes later:

Already on my way.

Your mama called.

I waited for another thirteen minutes before he arrived. I had texted earlier so the atmosphere would be more easier to handle.

“Hey, Miss” he opened the door for me. I smiled and got in. He made small glances at me but focused on the road.

“Won’t you ask why I am at the Martinez’s place?”

“Would you tell?” he asked back.

I shrugged, “I tell everything to my best friend”.

He chuckled softly and gave me nudge. I’m glad he was accepting that. Why wouldn’t he? He was probably dating Chloe. I shouldn’t still let that bother me.

I gave a funny narration of how Chloe and I had visited to convince Isabella to organize a meeting with her grandpa for us.

Of course, I made it look like we did some big time threatening.

I also added the temple run we had performed minutes ago. And why I laughed I noticed he was rather blunt.

“It was funny” I ended with a chuckle.

“What if you got caught?” he had no humor. Situations could have turned to that but would be the worst that could happen? Just some old people’s scolding.

“You know nothing of the Martinez, right? You’re reckless. So reckless. And you had to drag Chloe along with, huh?”.

Charles disappointed tone infuriated me. Reckless? I was trying to get my family’s properties. Maybe my idea wasn’t the smartest but it wasn’t done out if pure recklessness. At all.

“Chloe offered to come with me” I started, “And the Martinez family won’t just silent me or whatever you’re thinking. I’m their family”.

“Then why are you dragging property with them in the first place in you’re family”. He had a point.

“Martinez care about contract, not family. Anyone can join the family hood. And anyone, including family, could be removed, silenced or whatever” he was now sounding like he was narrating all those mafia books. Nice try Charles.

If they’re all that, would the government still live them to be? Tsk.

We got home to meet my mom standing outside the door.

She threw a paper at me when I stretched my hands to hug her.

“You must have done something silly to warrant this letter” she roared.

I wasn’t expecting that as my welcome approach. Gladys with baby John, ran inside as mom raged. I then knew I was in big trouble.

“She did. I didn’t understand that letter at first but after hearing how she heroically ran away from Mr. Martinez, I get every word. And every word had power”.

I scanned through the letter while Charles went on with reporting me.

They’d adopt me for a while. They’d have a little picnic with me. I’d have a mini-holiday vacation with them. Who the hell wrote this letter?

“Should I call the police or what?” my mom paced around before going into the house.

Police or was I dumb? Could this be a kidnapped letter? Meter of permission to kidnap or what?

“You dint get it right? Sometimes I wonder what goes on in your silly head. But then you’ve always been this silly” Charles scolded.

I had a scowl on my face, “Yeah, judge me. You only see the bad in me. I tried to get my mom rights back. I didn’t know it’d go this way”.

He shook his head and walked in. My head sank into my chest. Who gives a letter of kidnap? The Martinez?

We weren’t going to sign that silly contract anyways. Why are they being paranoid?