A novel of salvage high chapter 23
Alex’s POV
I went to the estate security, to check the cctv footage, but there was no trace of Keisha, already worried, I returned to school and Gabriel ran to me immediately.
“Dude, did you fund anything?”
“Nothing. And I don’t have her number either.” I lament.
“What? How could you not have the number of the woman you claimed to be courting?”
“A lot of things have been happening lately, there is never time for a proper conversation. You are aware of that too.” I lashed.
“Relax. I’m not the one who kidnapped her.” He fired back.
“Do you think she was kidnapped?” I asked, already scared.
“I would rather say she kidnapped something.” He teased.
“Be serious here, man.” I shouted.
“How do you expect me to know? We are both here.”
“Let’s go get her number from her brother.” I said, and intend to leave, but he dragged me back. “What?” I shouted.
“He doesn’t have it either.”
“What?”
“When you left, I told him to call her, but he doesn’t.”
Does that make sense?”
“It does, since you also don’t have it. A lot might have been happening between them as well, they probably don’t have time for a proper conversation.” He teased.
“So how on earth will I be able to contact her? I’ve to be sure that she is fine.” I said.
“The class group chat.” Jeremy said, joining us.
“How come we didn’t think of that?” I exclaimed, and glared at Gabriel.
“Hey! Why me? You are the one who always flaunt intelligence.” Gabriel shouted.
“But how do we find her contact in a group of more than 20 students. It’s not like anyone uses their real picture or name in their profile.” I grumbled.
“Then we have only one choice.” Gabriel said, and we both looked at him.
“Split it already. It might end up being nonsense.” Jeremy blurted.
“Hey! At least hear me out first.” Gabriel shouted.
“Come on, let’s hear it.” I said, already impatient.
“Forming alliance with the enemy for a common goal.” Gabriel said, and we both looked at him confused.
“It seems like having too many conversations with your grandfather taught you how to confuse people with words. Can’t you just say it clearly?” Jeremy shouted.
“Are you trying to say I’m talking like an old man?” Gabriel shouted, and held Jeremy by his collar.
“When you say enemy? Do you mean Chris?” I asked, and Greg both released each other.
“No way! Why will we go to Chris?” Jeremy shouted.
“If there is anyone who has the number of everyone in the class, it’s Chris.”
“No way, man. Don’t even think of it, Alex.” Jeremy shouted.
*
We wait behind till the teacher is out of the class before we went to Chris.
“What do you want?” Chris blurted.
“Keisha’s phone number.” I replied.
“And why would I give it to you? You should ask her yourself.”
“You aren’t blind. You can see that she is absent.” I blurted.
“So, what?” He blurted.
I was about to lash at him, but Jeremy held me in warning.
“Call her, we want to be sure that she’s safe.” Gabriel said.
“I already sent her a message, she is skipping school today.” He said.
“What? Why?” I shouted.
“If that’s all, excuse me.” Chris blurted, and left.
“The nerve of that nerd.” I grumbled, sigh clenched fist.
*
We all went to our hangout and I couldn’t stop complaining about Chris attitude.
“Man, at least we are now aware that she is fine. She skipped school on purpose.” Gabriel said.
“No matter how I think about it, it’s not still right. We shouldn’t have gone to Chris. It’s a taint to our ego.” Jeremy complained.
“The both of you to stop complaining. Jerry, did you get anything from Summer? We should know who that l nerd is on time, so we will know the best way to handle him.” Gabriel said, and I looked at Jeremy.
“He is not related to Summer.” Jeremy blurted.
“How are you so sure?” I asked.
“That’s so fast.” Gabriel added.
“I told her that I think Chris likes her.”
“You what?” Gabriel and I shouted.
“She thinks it’s disgusting, she loathe him, because he is a nerd. Her expression, says it all. They aren’t blood related. It’s not possible for her to be oblivious to his existence.”
“You got a point. So Chairman Wellington is out of it.” Gabriel said.
“How do we confirm the rest?” I asked.
“With chairman Redford, it will be a little easier because we can simply look through his foundation.” Gabriel said.
“Yes, that’s my suggestion. Chris is a charity case.” I muttered, with a smirk.
*
*
📌 Keisha’s POV 📌
•
I left home in the morning on my bike, but I changed route after thinking of what is awaiting me at school. I haven’t even spent two weeks at school, and I already have ten years experience. I’m not some pretty girls that guys fight over so everything happening now is so new to me. Back then when I was in the county side, skipping school is usually my therapy, so I decide to go bucking off. I’m new to the city, but somehow, I found my way to a place to relax. I sat at the rooftop of an hotel enjoying the view when Chris sent a message. My phone is always on Do Not Disturb, so I’m sure that he would have call. I replied his text before putting my phone away.
“I love this, all days should be this peaceful.” I shouted, throwing my hands in the air.
*
I went down later in the evening ready to go home when I saw a familiar person - Jeremy.
“What is he doing here?” I thought, and duck behind a car.
A woman, obviously in her late 30s came out of the hotel, and he went to embrace her.
“What? Who is she?” I almost shouted, with wide eyes.
“My sweetheart.” The woman said, blushing hard.
“You are looking even more beautiful.” Jeremy said, playing with her cheeks; before he pecked her.
Gosh! A sugar mummy.” I shouted, and covered my mouth; before hiding well.
Jeremy looked around, obviously he could tell that someone was referring to him.
“Can we see this weekend?” She asked, batting her eyes in a cute way.
“No, I’m hanging out with my friends this weekend, let’s rain check for another day.” He said, and helped her adjust her hair.
“But I missed you.” She whined, and embraced him.
“I’ll see you later. Love you.” He said, peck her again.
“Hubby, let’s go in. I already bucked a room.”
“Hubby?” I shouted, again, and Jeremy looked around.
“Is someone with you?” The lady asked.
“It’s probably that nosy girl.” He said, and I heard him chuckle.
My eyes widen immediately as different thoughts started running in my mind. “Did he see me?”
“Babe, do you have a girlfriend?” She asked, obviously jealous.
“I do. You know Ella, right? I’m meeting her this weekend with my friends. That’s why we can’t meet.”
“You are ditching me for her? Why am I getting jealous of that girl? You know it’s very difficult to meet you.”
“I know. I’ll make it up to you when next we meet, you know I’m good at that.” He said, and embraced her.
They acted all lovey-dovey before she entered the hotel.
I was already getting everything. “Could it be that those thugs were attacking him because of this woman?” I thought, when I felt someone drag me up. “Argghhh…”I screamed, and turned to see its Jeremy.
“Why are you hiding there?” He asked, with a silly smile; like he is doing the right thing.
“What? How does it concerns you? I can’t believe I skipped school to see that godforsaken scene.” I blurted, and let out a sigh.
“You know how we ball, right?” He asked, winking at me.
“What? Is this another secret?” I shouted.
“What do you think?” He asked back.
“Seriously! Why are you always doing things you must hide? You even go as far as having a sugar mummy.” I shouted, and the few people around looked at us.
“Goodness, Keisha. Sugar mummy?” He repeated, with a silly smile.
“Oh! You are embarrassed because people are watching, right?”
“Whatever. I have no explanation to give you since you already solved the puzzle. But just keep this a secret.”
“I won’t. What you are doing is wrong, and your friends have to talk you out of it.” I blurted.
“Who says it’s wrong to have a sugar mummy? When a lot of girls have sugar daddy?” He asked, and I started reasoning with him.
There was time when a man in his 40s was showing interest in me, I almost thought of giving it a shot before I got distracted with something else. Well he is right, love has no bounds, but meeting a woman at a hotel, is wild. Gosh, I never expected him to he that wayward.
“Let me treat you to lunch.” He offered.
“I already eaten.” I lied and went to my bike. I can’t imagine people seeing me together with a sugar boy.
“He collected money from his sugar mummy to treat his girl. Yuck.” I blurted to myself.
“See ya.” Jeremy shouted, waving at me and I gave him a ‘’f¥ck you’ sign with my fingers before riding away.
*
I get home still grumbling at the thoughts that Jeremy has a sugar mummy. There is no way I could expect him to be that wild. The woman was clearly twenty years older than him.
I was still grumbling words to myself, but I stopped immediately, when I saw something unbelievable in the living room - Alex and Queen together, watching a movie.
I cleaned my eyes with my palm to be sure of what I was seeing, but he is still there, it’s accurate.
“Sis.” Queen, who was the first to notice me called out and waved at me.
*
I led him to my room still wondering why he was here, and why I’m even leading him to my room.
“So this is what Ms. Fearless room looks like.”
He said with a smile.
“Yes, this is my room. So, why are you here?”
“Keisha, I was worried about you. You weren’t at school, and I couldn’t even contact you. Your brother didn’t have your phone number, so I had to go to Chris. But I wasn’t still reassured, so I came here immediately after school.” He said, and I looked at him, my eyes widen agape.
“You went to Chris? Asked Stef for my phone number?”
“Yes, I was worried.” He said, and I could see the sincerity in his face.
“Oh!” Was the only word that escaped my mouth.
“I see that you skipped school on purpose as Chris claimed, so I’m relieved.” He said
I like a charm, I instantly believed everything he said - he truly went to Chris because he was worried about me. I felt like I’m caught in a Rom-Com with a strong male lead who has a soft heart for his beloved, but there…, there was a villain - Chris. But Chris doesn’t fit in as a villain. Whatever, whatever. I had to slap myself out of my wild imagination to face reality.
He stood up, and gave me his cellphone. “Input your number there.”
Like a spell, I obliged immediately without complaining.
“Don’t make me worry about you next time.” He said, and helped me adjust my hair properly.
I was so lost in his gentleness, feeling like a little princess that found love.
“Whenever I look at you like this, I’m always lost in your charms.” He said, and moved his lips closer to mine. He placed a soft kiss on my lips, and I found myself kissing back.
“I brought you some dessert.” We heard Queen voice, and I pushed him away immediately.
Queen eyes widen, and she covered her mouth in shock. “I’m sorry, I’ll leave now. “ she trembled, and left.
“Errrmmm… I- I..”. I shuddered, confused on what to say, and his lips curved in a silly smile.
“You can skip school tomorrow as well and let’s hang out together on Saturday.” He said, and my eyes widen.
“Together?” I shouted, wondering if that was his way to invite me for a date, just because we shared a kiss.
“Yes, together with the boys. Ella will also be there. She is a cute little girl, I’m sure you will like her.” He said, and I let out a sigh. The problem is I never get along with kids, I just have that aura that doesn’t make them like me. “I’ll text you, see ya.” He waved, and blew me a kiss before leaving.
“What was that about? Why did I kissed back?” I shouted, tossing on my bed. The thought of Queen bribing a bug deal out of it is more terrifying. “I h@te this, I h@te this, I h@te you Alex.” I shouted.