A novel of salvage high chapter 38
Keisha’s POV
Chris held my hand till we get to the rooftop, before be released his grip on me.
“Are you really the chairman’s son?” I asked, and he embraced me.
“Everyone has been asking the same question, and I’m frustrated by it. Can we just remain like this for few minutes?” He whispered, and I wrapped my hands around him.
My shoulder has always been a backbone for my friends to lean on so I didn’t bring a big deal to it. We remain that way till he is satisfied, and he released me.
“Thank you, I really need that hug to feel better.” He said, and I smiled. “You are so beautiful Keisha.” He said, and I looked at him wondering what came over him.
“Hun.” I muttered a little lost because I didn’t see his last words coming.
His gazed focused on my face, and he moved his lips down to mine, I count few steps back as I realized what he was about to do, but he was quick to pull me to himself and kissed me. I wanted to push him away, but instead I found myself kissing back until I realized what I was doing and pushed him away.
I might not be perfect, but I’m not the type to kiss every available lips.
“I’m sorry.” He muttered, and his lips curved in a smile annoying me more.
I turned to leave in anger, and my eyes widen when I saw Alex there. It’s not like we were in a relationship, but I felt awkwardly guilty for no reason.
“Alex.” I called, and he walked closer to us, each step he took closer, I counted back in fear, confused on why I was scared, and Chris held me before I could miss my step.
Alex continued counting his steps towards us, and Chris stood in front of me still holding my hand. Alex got closer, and dragged me forcefully from Chris, surprising me with a kiss. I was confused, I couldn’t even respond to it or push him away until he broke the kiss.
“If I have to compete Keisha, I’m ready and confident. But don’t go around kissing anyone, those have dirts in those sacred lips because each time you do, I’ll make sure to wipe it off with mine.” He said, and my eyes widen before he dragged me away.
•
•
📌 Chris POV 📌
•
I stood there dumbfounded and watched Alex drag Keisha away. I couldn’t help but applaud him for that, I wasn’t expecting such move.
I let out a sigh, and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration regretting my actions. I shouldn’t have kissed Keisha in the first place, but I couldn’t control it. I stood at the rooftop for a while before I went down, and heard a broadcast of an important assembly in the auditorium, obviously to introduce the new director to the students.
My elder brother and my mum have been competing for that position for more than a year now, that’s why the post have been vacant all these while, so I wonder how she was able to win him.
I went to the auditorium and eye searched for Keisha, there I saw her in company of Alex and his friends. I made a fist at the sight before I looked away.
The announcement started, and my mother was introduced to everyone, followed by a brief speech before we were dismissed from the hall.
“She is really Mrs. Salvage, the chairman’s wife.”
“Could she really be Chris’s mother?”
“Can’t you see their resemblance, they are undoubtably mother and son.”
“If she is the new director, does that mean Chris is the heir to the school.”
“Chris is the future director.”
“But why is his surname different?”
“I just confirmed that he goes by his mother’s maiden name.”
“We should have known that he is the chairman’s son, the resemblance is there.”
The students around grumbled, and I let out a sigh already frustrated as I found my way to my classroom, and everyone stopped talking immediately I entered.
I went to my seat, and few students ran to me.
“Chris, is she really your mother?”
“Why did you changed your surname?”
“Are you truly the future director?”
They asked, and I let out a sigh wondering how to get rid of them, and thankfully a teacher came in and they all returned to their seats.
When school dismissed, I intend to go to Keisha when I saw a message on my phone from mum, I ignored it and continued on my way but a call followed. I brought out my phone and ended the call in annoyance when her secretary came to me.
“Sir, your presence is needed in the director’s office.” She said, and I followed her - looking at Kaila who is in company of Stella.
I got to my mother office and the director excused us.
“What is this nonsense that you filled in your carrier future profession?” She asked, and I let out a sigh - it’s about time she sees it.
Mum and I have been arguing a lot convening the profession I want. Her aim is to take over the school and make me the heir, but I’m not interested in power struggle in conglomerates family. I’ve always loved computer engineering, and that’s the profession of my choice. My father has no problem with my choice because my elder brothers are assuring him in running the family business. But since I’m mum’s only child, making me the heir to the conglomerate, winning against my elder brothers is her only desire.
“Mum we already discussed this when I returned from Germany. You shouldn’t be surprised.”
“Shut up, Chris. I told you I’m against it. I made myself clear.”
“I don’t need your approval, dad supports me, so you can blab all you want, this is my life and I’ll live it my way.” I blurted, and she slapped me.
“Shut that mouth. Remember Chris, you are not the only son of the chairman, but you are my only son. We only have each other, son.” She said, holding my hands.
She is very good at acting, so nothing can even move me. Even if she break down in tears, I don’t care.
“I’ll leave first, mum. I won’t ride with you.” I said, and left her office.
I went out to the hallway and parking lot looking for Keisha, but some students gathered me asking irrelevant questions. I tried hard to be polite before freeing myself from them and finding my way home.
I got up, and met my immediate elder brother in the hallway while heading to my room. He is the one dragging the director position with my mum, so I wonder what he wants from me. The house is so big that we don’t have to see each other if we don’t want to. Our quarters is father apart from each other, so he is probably here for a reason.
“Good evening.” I greeted.
“When will you return to Germany?” He asked, and I froze on my feet to look at him.
All my life, since I learn to speak, I’ve always been in Germany. Mum sent me there at a tender age and recently asked me to return home. Home night not be the best place, but being a stranger in my own country was also challenging.
“I recently got back.” I said.
“No, you have been back for two years. I thought you aren’t interested in the family business. Have you given up on your dreams on being an engineer?”
“I can do that wherever I’m.”
“No, you can’t. Return back to Germany and don’t think of crossing me. Your mother might have won the director position, but that is as far as I can let her win. Return to Germany, Chris, and don’t get involved in this. Consider this an advice to my younger brother.” He said, before leaving.
I returned to my room and laid flat on the bed. Getting into power struggle is one of the problems conglomerates family face, but I never intended to be part of it. Returning to Germany has once crossed my mind, but there is only one reason keeping me back - Keisha.
When I returned to New York two years ago, I was against the idea of going to Salvage high but who am I to go against mum. It had it rough in Germany, being attending my father’s school and being recognized as the director son will only add more pressure to my life. I wanted to live freely and be able to do whatever I want. I might not be the spotlight in my former school, but o was shining in my own realm from different unpleasant attentions, so living peacefully was my only wish. I had an agreement with my dad that he would allow me use my mother’s surname if I passed the scholarship exam, and he gave in - although mum was against it.
I took the exam studied hard for it, and my hard work paid off - I got admitted into Salvage High with my mother’s name, and lived a peaceful school life as a nerd. But everything changed when she came from nowhere and stood up for me. That was the first, no she was the first, she was absolutely the first person to strand up for me. My parents were never there when I need them, I had always live standing up for myself so seeing her stand up for me was so amazing. The feeling was new that I didn’t even know how to react until she became Alex target because of me. I was disheartened by that, but there is no way I could protect her without revealing my true identity because Alex feels like he own the school.
In the process of warning her to beware of Alex and also trying to fight the guilt i feel while watching her suffer, u ended up developing feelings for her in the process, and competing with Alex who is only there for the dare.
I would have considered returning to Germany, but I can’t. I now have a reason to stay, and the reason is Keisha.
*
Later in the evening, I was busy working on my assignment and also wondering why Keisha isn’t replying my messages when I heard a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I asked.
“Sir, the chairman request your present in the main dinning hall.” A maid shouted and I let out a sigh.
We only eat together in the main dining hall whenever he has a boring discussion, something important to him and the others, but not me.
I went to freshen up and joined them in the dinner. The whole family complete including my eldest brother and his family - his wife and 3-years old daughter. They don’t live with us, but they’re always present in gathering like this.
“I’m sorry, I’m late.” I said, and they all looked at me.
“It’s fine, we just got her. Take your seat.” My father said, and I took my appropriate seat beside my elder brother.
They started their boring conversation, and I took my time in bitting my meal thinking of how to win against Alex and protect Keisha from him.
“Chris, are you with us?” My father shouted, and I jotted back to reality.
“Sir.” I muttered.
“Why are you absentminded? We are in the dinning all having a conversation, and you are lost in your own world.” Mum shouted.
“Leave him, he probably has his own things to think about. You made a god step Chris, your mother said you consider following the family legacy.” Dad said, and I looked at him, while my brothers looked at me.
“What?” My elder bother shouted.
“That’s a brave decision, Chris. We should all continue the family legacy, that’s what makes us family after all.” My eldest brother said.
“Do you give up on being an engineer?” My elder brother asked - unlike my eldest brother, he never hides his feelings.
“I never said that.” I blurted.
“There seems to be a missed up somewhere. But whatever your decision is Chris, I’ll always support you.” Dad said, and I nodded before he left.
*
“Stupid!” Mum shouted, and slapped me when we were alone.
“You shouldn’t have given dad a false information.” I blurted.
“You must be pleased now that you have gotten back at me by embarrassing me in presence of your brothers.”
“You shine also be pleased from slapping me.”
“You are my son, and you are living under my roof. You must follow the decision I make for you.”
“We aren’t in the 90s mum, and if you will be like this everyday because we live in same roof, then I’ll leave. I’ll return to Germany.” I said, unable to control the words from fleeing out.
“You will what?” She shouted.
“You heard me.” I blurted, and returned to my room.
I’ve no business here to begin with, I should have left a long time ago but I couldn’t, and when I got the opportunity to leave, Keisha appeared in the picture. But now, I refuse to think about that - she isn’t even replying my messages.
I went to my father living room and told him about my decision, just as expected he supported me and called his secretary to prepare the private jet for my departure tomorrow morning.
I returned my room and packed few stuffs. I don’t need to pack too many things because Germany had always been my home, and I know my way around there.
*
I shut the door to avoid any encounters with mum before my departure, taking my time to think about the only thing I’ll leave behind - Keisha.
When I woke up the following morning, I took my time to prepare myself and went to a salon to cut my hair and thought of sending Keisha a text.
💬*I’m leaving, Keisha. I’m returning to Germany, but I can change my mind if you ask me not to go.*
I sent the text with hope that she could ask me to stay. The thought of leaving after all the drama that has happened is very disheartening, but she didn’t text back.
I waited for her text but got nothing, so I left for the airport and switched off my phone.
“Sir, your flight is ready.” My father’s secretary said, and I nodded.
“This is really good bye this time. Until I fulfill my dream, and get mum off my case.” I thought, and handed my luggage over to him.
I take a final look around and intend to leave when I heard my name, I turned around and it was just the person I was expecting. I batted my lashes trying to come out of my hallucinations, but it wasn’t an hallucination, she saw still there.
“You can’t leave Chris, not because of me. I don’t want to lose any of my friends again.” She said, and my face brighten in a smile.
“I’m going nowhere, Keisha. Thank you for stopping me.” I said, and embraced her.
At that point, I’m determined to fight whatever obstacles, either it’s mum trying to force me into following the family legacy, or Alex who is also after Keisha.