CHAPTER THREE
Exam days are approaching, and everyone's getting tense with each passing day. Yet, amidst the chaos, I'm growing closer to Carlton. We've been hanging out a lot since that gaming arcade day. Lisa, Harper, and Carlton's friends often join us.
I'm finally feeling like a normal human being, surrounded by people instead of just my textbooks and coding. Most days, Carlton picks me up from college for breaks, which always draws attention. People stare, and some even greet me now, trying to strike up conversations. It's surreal, as if I was invisible before.
Currently, I'm seated across from Carlton at our favourite restaurant, near my college, enjoying burgers and fries. Carlton keeps swiping fries from my plate, having devoured his own in seconds.
"Hey, stop stealing my fries! Go get your own." I say, playfully glaring.
Carlton just grins, snatching another fry. "Why order more when I can share with you? He replies, his dimples on full display.
After finishing our meal – Carlton had swiped all my fries, as usual – we decided to stroll through the amusement park since I had no more lectures for the day. We settled onto a bench, savouring our cone ice creams.
As I savoured the delicious ice cream, my phone rang. My Dad's tense voice came through the phone. "Sheila, return home immediately after your exams. We need to have a serious talk." His words sparked concern, and I wondered what was troubling him.
Carlton noticed my distraction and offered to drive me back to my hostel. My mind wandered, fixated on the ominous phone call. Hours passed, and it was now 7:00 PM. With my roommates out for the night, I had the place to myself.
I tried to study, but my mind wasn't focused. Giving up, I decided to sleep, but just as I drifted off, my phone buzzed. A message from an unknown number made my heart skip a beat.
"Unknown: 'You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, Sheila. The deal won't last long, but it will be long enough to make your life miserable."
Confusion and fear washed over me. What deal? With whom? And how did this stranger get my number? Sleep eluded me, and my mind raced with questions.
As my roommates returned, sleeping soundly, I remained wide awake. My thoughts drifted to Carlton. Was his kindness genuine, or was it connected to this mysterious message?
Despite the uncertainty, I decided not to jump to conclusions. I would take my usual morning jog, clearing my head and gathering my thoughts.
After the jog, I ducked into the coffee and pastry shop. To my surprise, I found the rude guy I bumped into the other time. He was sitting across from a guy dressed in a neatly ironed navy blue shirt.
As I waited for my order, the rude guy stood up, exchanging a hearty handshake with his companion. He then turned to leave, but someone called out to him. He glanced in my direction, giving me a cold, unsettling stare.
I held my breath until he left the shop. After getting my coffee and pastry, I sat in the corner, devouring my breakfast. My earlier worries momentarily forgotten.
Just then, someone approached me. Looking up, I saw the guy the rude guy was talking to earlier.
"Do you mind if I sit?" he asked, sitting down without waiting for my response. "I'm Rico, by the way," he said with a smirk. At that moment, I noticed I was caught staring. I couldn't help but be distracted by his chiselled features – blonde hair, dark brown eyes, and a fit physique that seemed to radiate confidence. I quickly averted my eyes, then replied to him, "I'm Sheila." He replied, still smirking, "Nice name for a hot chick. I see we'll be seeing much of each other from today." After saying this, he stood up and left, while I was still sitting there, processing what he had said. Back at my hostel, my roommates were out as usual, so I continued studying for my exam, which was starting in two days.
Some weeks later
We were finally done with our exams. Lisa exclaimed, "Wow, so I can sleep peacefully from now on!" She was squealing with excitement. Harper chimed in with her sarcasm, "Coming from someone who doesn't do night reading," making Lisa roll her eyes at her. I smiled, knowing that even though we were done with exams, I would still study at night.
Lisa jumped up, saying, "Hey girls, we need to go out tonight and celebrate." I rolled my eyes at her enthusiasm. Harper added, "Yeah, that's true. We need a cool night outing, and Sheila, I'm not taking any excuses this time. You're coming along." She said this without giving me a chance to respond.
As we entered the club, Lisa exclaimed, "Oh my, this club opening is so lit!" She couldn't stop raving about the new spot. I rolled my eyes good-naturedly, "You're making it sound like being in a crowded, noisy place with people dancing and doing all sorts of things is a great way to chill." Harper chuckled and called me a "weirdo" as we made our way to the bartender.
The bartender, a handsome guy in his early thirties, flirted with us as he asked, "What can I get my hotties tonight?" Lisa, being the chatty one, flirted back with him before ordering our drinks. When she asked him to make the third drink less alcoholic, she added, "My sister here is a nun," which made everyone laugh, including Harper and the bartender. I just rolled my eyes at their antics.
As I tasted the drink, I said, "The drink isn't that bad, though." Harper smirked and replied, "Yeah, we know. We just gave you what starters take." Not long after, Lisa spotted a hot dude and started grinding on the dance floor. Harper also found a guy with a gothic/rock-star vibe, and they sat down to converse.
I missed Carlton, my friend who was away on a business trip. I was bored sitting there, watching my friends flirt. I couldn't wait for Carlton to return, even though it would take weeks. At least he would be back before his birthday.
As I picked up my phone to browse, I felt someone's gaze on me. I looked up and checked around, but I didn't find anyone. I shrugged it off and continued browsing on my phone. Engrossed in my phone, I didn't notice when a male figure appeared opposite me.
"Yo, we meet again," Rico, the guy I met the other day in the coffee shop, said with a smirk. Before I could reply, I heard a deep voice close by. "Really, Jones? I didn't know you could leave your seat to woo a hot girl. What happens to ladies being the ones to woo you? Don't you need to put any effort?"
The guy laughed, but his dark aura remained. He sat next to Harper, who looked like his gothic queen. Rico swore incoherently and said, "Shut it, Don." Just as Rico turned to chat with me, my phone rang, interrupting him. I excused myself and picked up the call. My dad's voice was shaking as he said, "Sheila, my dear, please come home now."