A novel of salvage high chapter 21
Keisha’s POV
When school dismissed, Chris sent the group list to our class group chat and everyone dismissed discussing their group stuffs, while Melanie and I went to Chris.
“Chris, send me the topic, I’ll cover half of the research. You trust me, right?” Melanie said, and I scoffed.
“Of course, but it’s group work. We should all work on it together.”
“I said I’ll cover half. It should be stress-free for you because I doubt if she has anything to contribute.” Melanie said, and I glared at her.
“Is that how you want us to work?” Chris asked.
“I h@te group shlts. Bye.” With that, she left.
“So, Keisha, since Melanie will cover half, we have the remaining half to work on.” Chris said.
“Yeah… seems so.” I grumbled.
“Isn’t this fascinating?” He asked, waking closer to me.
“What is?” I asked back.
“Being in same group. It felt like everything happening if for a reason, and there is just one obstacle that is Alex.” He said, and I count few steps away from him.
“I don’t think so. It’s not like we are in a movie or some hung, so what are you even saying?” I asked, laughing sarcastically.
“Well, you can’t avoid me anymore, we have more reasons to he together now.” He said, and his last words rang in my head.
“What? Be together?” I shouted.
“I don’t mean it that way, but your assumption is also acceptable.” He said, and winked at me before leaving.
“Gosh.” I muttered, and let out a heavy sigh.
*
*
📌 Alex POV 📌
•
I laid on the couch, while Jeremy laid on my bed, and Gabriel was writing down the names of the guest in chairman Bentley’s birthday.
“Why? Just why would Chris and Keisha be in the same group? Just why?” I shouted.
“Heavens is on their side, bro.” Jeremy teased.
“And on our side too. Heaven knows how much I cherish my car.” Gabriel said.
“I’m going to the teacher to complain about it tomorrow.” I said.
“Come on. She is cook enough to make us a group so we won’t throw a fist. Why butt into others business?” Gabriel said.
“They are our friends. Melanie and Keisha are.” I shouted.
“Chill bro, yes are. Bug neither of them are complaining. Keisha is not even our friend again, she end the agreement we had.” Jeremy blurted.
“But I’ve a thing with her.” I muttered, my voice low.
“That’s the problem, man. You are yet to have a thing, because she hasn’t accepted your confession yet, and that’s why you are throwing a tantrum because of Chris. If you have a little confidence to win over him, then you should be relaxed.” Gabriel said.
“I don’t care, I’ll still go to the teacher.” I grumbled, and went to join Jeremy on the bed.
“Leave him man, he big a lot to lose if he fails.” Jeremy teased.
“Yoo. I have written down all the names, and canceled out the ones we know. We have just five options left.” Gabriel said, and Jeremy and I hurried to him.
“Who are they?” I asked.
“Chairman Kensington, but I just found out now that he has twin daughters studying abroad. Law school.” He said, pointing at the chairman biography on his screen.
“Next.” I said.
“His children must be intelligent, can’t you at least say that?” Gabriel said, rolling his eyes.
“Cut to the chase, bro.” Jeremy shouted, hitting his head.
“Ouch, that hurt.” Gabriel whined.
“His children are quite intelligent, so next?” I shouted, because I know Gabriel will keep whining over that.
“That’s so loud.” He whined.
“Geez…” Jeremy grumbled.
“Madam Chacha. 60 years old divorced chairwoman. I just found out that she didn’t take custody of any of her kids after she divorced two years ago.” He said, and we all let out a sigh. “Or, could Chris be her secret son? Could that be the cause of her divorce?” He added, and we both looked at him.
“The cause of divorce should be stated there.” Jeremy said, and I nodded.
“Indifference. That doesn’t make sense for a marriage of 42 years.” Gabriel said.
“42 years? But you said she was 60.” I said
“Yes, she married when she was 18. It was an arranged marriage.”
“Gosh. I agree with you, Gabe. She might have a secret child with a lover. She obviously doesn’t love her husband.” Jeremy said.
“Yes, Jerry just agreed with me, I’m feeling myself.” Gabriel cheered.
“We already have madam Chacha to one side, so next.” I blurted.
“Chairman Wellington, he has three sons, but no one knows them.”
“Wow. How does that make sense?” Jeremy grumbled.
“My grandfather once mentioned it, chairman Wellington is an old acquaintance of chairman Bentley, he barely associates with others, and he has been abroad, he basically base there.” Gabriel said.
“Wow. Something good came out from your family’s conversation.” Jeremy teased.
“Yuck, I rather not be a part of that family.” Gabriel whined.
“Why is he hiding his children?” I asked.
“So he will be on the list.” Gabriel blurted, and we both shake our heads.
“Do you think Chris fits in? The man is a Wellington, and Chris is Brain.” Jeremy said.
“You are right, so we should cancel him out.” I said.
“Then we have to cancel out the others, nobody is Brain here. Expect madam Chacha, incase he is her secret child.” Gabriel said.
“So, what’s your take?” I asked, because I could tell that he is trying to go against us.
“The children are all illegitimates, that’s why he I s hiding them.” He blurted.
“What?” We both shouted.
“Goodness, Gabe.”
“That’s what my grandfather said. So, it’s possible that they are going by their mother’s last names, to avoid attention.”
“He is still out, because if he is hiding his child, he shouldn’t bring him to a party.” Jeremy pointed out.
“You have a point, Jerry, but he could still take him along if the child didn’t stop whining, and it’s a closed party. We won’t be this curious if he wasn’t Chris.”
“Yeah, Chris confrontations shows that he has a hidden backing.” Jeremy said.
“That could also explain why he was in Germany before he returned to New York, he probably wants to grow close to his father.” I added.
“As the last son.” Gabriel muttered, and closed his laptop.
“Hey, who’s next?” I shouted.
“I thought we already solved the puzzle that he is Chairman Wellington’s son.”
“Come on, it’s just a mere assumption. We can’t be certain, remember madam Chacha is also on the list.” I said.
“Yeah, you got a point. The next is Minister Harrington.”
“Does he have to be on the list? He is Summer’s father, and his older children aren’t s secret from the world.”I said.
“Yes, but I just saw an article that rumored that he has a male son, that is around Summer’s age. It’s rumored here that he never knew the woman was pregnant before he married Summer’s mother. But when he finds out, in order to protect his political career, he kept it a secret. We all know that things can’t be hidden forever, those reporters will surely fish it out.”
“How come we never heard about this?” Jeremy said.
“Because it happened when we were born. The articles didn’t go far either. “
“So you think Chris could be Summer’s half-brother?” I asked.
“He definitely is. I heard that the minister and the Salvage’s are acquaintance.” Gabriel said.
“But besides the chairman, my father still has the highest shares in salvage high.” I said.
“Yeah, you got a point. Only chairman Salvage son should have such guts.” Jeremy said.
“Come to think of it, chairman Salvage’s wife was also at the party, what if..-“ Gabriel was saying, but Jeremy interjected.
“…- cut the crap, you are also aware that it’s impossible, that’s why you didn’t add it to your list. “
“I heard that the chairman has a son with his new wife. They got married twenty years ago.” Gabriel said.
“And he isn’t hidden, he is studying in Germany.” Jeremy said, and we both looked at him.
“Chris also studied in Germany.” We chorused.
“Cut the crap. Why would he be the chairman son? The Redford’s are no joke. Why wil he gagged his name and lay so low? He even allowed us to bully him. That’s not possible if he was a Salvage. Chairman Salvage isn’t even in your list.” Jeremy said, and we both nodded.
“So do you think he got such guts because his father is close to the Salvage’s?” Gabriel asked.
“Of course, anyone would want to prove something.” Jeremy said, and we both nodded in agreement.
“But Summer isn’t even close to him.” Gabriel said.
“Majority of people don’t get along with half siblings. You don’t even get along with your own family.” Jeremy blurted, and Gabriel nodded.
“Yeah, you got a point. Do you think Melanie knows about this? She is close to those Bees.” Gabriel said.
“Come on, guys. This is just a mere assumption. It’s not confirmed yet.” I shouted.
“Yes, you are right.” Gabriel said.
“Next.” I muttered, already exhausted.
“And the last is…., drum roll, drum rolling…”. Gabriel said, annoying us.
“Come on, man.” Jeremy shouted.
“Chairman Redford.” He shouted.
“Who is he?” I asked, and he showed us his biography on his laptop.
“What’s up with him?” I asked.
“He has an adopted son.” Gabriel said, and our eyes widen.
“That solves it all. That is why Chris is studying so hard for scholarship, and tried to stay out of trouble. But he couldn’t restrain himself because he has feelings for Keisha.” Jeremy said, and glared at him.
“‘Who says he has feelings for Keisha?” I blurted.
“He obviously does.” They chorused.
“You are so annoying. Then explain why he goes by a diff ent name?”
“Simple. Because the chairman hasn’t adopted him legally yet, or he allowed him use his biological parent’s name. The chairman is a philanthropist, his charity foundation is very popular.” Gabriel said.
“So you think Chris is a charity case?” I blurted.
“Obviously. He stinks.” Jeremy added.
“The nerve of him.” I uproar with clenched fist.
“Relax bro, we aren’t certain yet. We have four options here.” Jeremy said.
“Yeah. It’s either he is a secret affair child of madam Chacha, one of chairman Wellington’s hidden son, the illegitimate son of minister Harrington, or chairman Redford’s adopted son.” Gabriel said, and we all nodded.
“Who the h£ll are you, Chris?” I thought.
*
*
📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
•
I was trying to study on my own before going to Stef when I heard a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I shouted.
“Baby, it’s me.” I heard mum voice, and she came in without my consent.
“Why did she even knock to begin with?” I grumbled, and went to sit next to her on the bed.
“Baby, I already came up with a solution.” Mum said, and I looked at her; wondering what she is getting at.
“Soliton to what, mum?”
“You don’t have to transfer school once we leave.” She said.
“Are we still on that?” I asked. Due to some reason, I’ve already forgotten about that. I had too much problems already.
“Mum, so we are really leaving.” I said.
“Yes. I already discussed it with Queen, we are leaving before the weekend.” She said, and my eyes widened.
“What? With Queen? How did she reacted to it?” I asked. That was when I realized that I was being protective.
“Don’t worry about her, she will be fine.” Mum said patting my hair.
“Mum, are you ok?” I asked.
Obviously she is not, she might be trying so hard to be strong, but she isn’t.
“Vera, we’ve to talk this out.” My stepdad said, barging into my room.
“There is nothing to talk about.” My mum shouted.
“Why don’t you think about Queen?”
“Of course, I’m thinking about her that’s why I want to take her away before she gets affected by this.” Mum blurted.
“Keisha, excuse us.” My stepdad said, and I nodded.
They are in my room, if he didn’t ask me to excuse them, I would’ve sat there listening in silence.
*
I went out of my room, aiming to go downstairs when Stef dragged me from the hallway into his room.
“Stef, you startled me.” I muttered, my voice low.
“Keisha, will you escape this with me?” He asked, and I looked at him confused.
“Escape what?” I asked.
“Your mother is leaving, and mine might return. Should we elope before that happens?” He asked,
The word ‘elope’ took me to the memory of when Kaye and I were always planning to elope together. But at the end, we failed and I’m stuck in all these mess.
“Why?” I managed to ask, wondering why he could think of such. There will be little or no connection between us if my mother leaves.
“Because I don’t want us to be apart. If your mother leaves, you will follow and I’ll be alone again.” He said, and he suddenly appeared like a cute pitiful teenager to me.
“That’s not still enough reason to elope together.” I said.
Unlike Kaye, we’ve all the reasons in the word to elope, but with him, I can’t think of any.
“Does he want us to be studying the whole time? Does he think my life is all about studying?” I thought, and glared at him - I’m fond of reacting to my thoughts.
“Because I don’t want us to be apart.” He said, but it still makes no sense to me. “ I like you, Keisha.” He added.
His last words rang on my head in Alex, and Chris’s voice continuously before I snapped out of it.
“You what?” I shouted