SAMANTHA’S POV
I stood by the window with a glass of wine in my room while my friends sat on the bed behind me.
‘But, seriously, Samantha, I think that Alyssa’s going to be a great competition for you; Lily said, and it increased my anger.
‘Like, did you take a look at her drawing? Hers was one of the best. And consider the fact that she’s Mico’s girlfriend, it’s really going to earn her a lot of favor.
I halted and turned around, throwing the glass of wine on the floor.
‘First, I had to deal with Alexia’, Samantha said angrily.
‘And now, the brat, Alyssa has to show up.
‘I think it’s high time I put her in her place. I need to get her out of the contest.’
ALYSSA’S POV
He had driven for quite a long time and a song was even playing from the car.
I remained in my position and wondered when he was going to get home.
So many thoughts kept flashing through my mind.
What would his background look like? Am I really ready to find out the truth?
What if I get caught?
I was still drowning in thoughts when suddenly, the car stopped and the music stopped playing as well.
Oh my God!
Are we there already?
I used my head and peeped through the window.
The area was bushy and kind of deserted.
What?
Why did he stop?
I heard him open the car door and came out and I quickly resumed my upward lying position.
I heard his footsteps drawing closer and my heartbeat increased.
Where is he going?
Don’t tell me he’s coming towards my direction.
No, no, no. that’s not possible.
I shut my eyes tight as his footsteps became clearer and it was obvious he had gotten to the boot where I was.
Oh God!
Then next, I opened my eyes and a bright light almost blinded me and that was when I realized he had opened the boot.
Oh Alyssa!
What have you done?
You’re dead.
He pulled me roughly out of the boot and held me by the arm.
What?
‘Just what do you think you’re doing, Alyssa?’ he asked angrily still holding me and I looked at him with fear.
‘Are you seriously trying to spy on me?
I opened my mouth and tried saying something, but couldn’t.
But how did he actually know I was following him?
‘No, I had run out of words.’
‘I’m sorry I… i… was…” i stuttered in a frail tone and bent my head and he scoffed,
‘you’re sorry?’ he asked, and it was obvious he was angry.
Then he released my hand and took another step away, brushing his fingers into his hair.
Oh God.
I looked around and the area was really deserted. I couldn’t even find anyone driving by.
How do I get out of here?
‘Didn’t you realize you were taking a risk by trying to follow me?’ he asked with a stare and I gulped down nothing.
I really hoped this ends up being a dream.
‘I’m…I’m sorry, Jeremy. Please, forgive me,’ I said pathetically, staring at the floor.
Then, I heard him scoff and he went to the car and leaned on it.
He covered his face with his palm as though he was thinking about something and I prayed he wasn’t up to anything.
Suddenly, he opened the door of the car and stood by it.
‘Get in’, he said without looking at me and I wondered if he meant what he said.
I looked at him and he also looked at me idly.
‘Well, do you have any other alternative of getting out of here? He asked, and I swallowed down nothing.
i exhaled deeply and took a very nervous step towards the car.
I walked slowly and got in and he closed the door.
‘Hmm’
Then, he turned around and took the driver’s seat next to me and started the car.
Please, Jeremy, I hope you don’t have any bad intentions.
He drove silently and after a while, his phone rang.
He looked at me before picking the call.
‘Hey’.
‘Sorry, it has to be delayed; got hooked up with something.
‘Okay, sure.’
And the line dropped.
I lowered my gaze and fiddled with my hand. I kind of felt bad I wasn’t able to achieve my plans. But I think it was for the better.
Who knows? Maybe, it was risky.
‘I know most people are curious to know about me’, he suddenly said, and I turned to look at him.
‘But you should know that there are some things that should be kept a secret. Perhaps, letting them out might hurt everyone.
They say everyone gets to choose what they become, but, sometimes, life gets to choose for us. And we just have to accept it.’
He didn’t turn to look at me all through and my anxiety increased.
What does he mean?
He didn’t say anything else until he got back to the lounge, drove in and parked in a quiet place.
I stalled a little before turning to open the door. I tried opening it but it wouldn’t and I looked back at him.
‘What you did was crazy, Alyssa’, he said, fixing his eyes on the windscreen.
‘Don’t ever try it again’, he added and I kept staring at him muddled.
He pressed a button and the door unlocked and I stared for a short time before opening the door to walk out.
I stood by and watched him as he drove away, probably heading home.
Gosh! That was so close.
I think I just got to understand the full meaning of ‘fear’ today.
But, who could he really be? And why is he trying to keep a secret?
Well, I guess he has his reasons.
I turned on my phone and immediately, Mico’s call came in.
Oh – oh.
I reluctantly picked after a while.
‘Hey’, I said, brushing my hair with my fingers.
‘Alyssa, I’ve been trying to reach you. Where’re you?’, he asked and I touched my forehead.
Oh, God! What do I tell him?
I can’t tell him I was with Jeremy.
He might misunderstand it.
I think it’s better I pretend none of this ever happened.
‘Uhm… I… I, I’, I paused and looked around.
‘I was taking a stroll. Where’re you?’ I replied and asked immediately and I noticed he kinda delayed a little.
‘Mico?’, I called.
‘Uhm, I’m in my lounge’, he replied.
‘Oh okay. Do you want me to come out?’
‘No, no I mean… I’m feeling dizzy and I think I might be going out soon.
‘Don’t worry, I’ll call you later’, he said, ended the call and I ………
He kinda sounded weird.
MICO’S POV
I dropped the call as confusion niggled at me.
Something doesn’t seem right.
Why was Alyssa lying to me?
I had just seen her coming out of Jeremy’s car and I wanted to know what she was doing with him, but surprisingly, she’s telling me she was just taking a stroll.
What’s she hiding from me? And why was she with Jeremy?
JEREMY’S POV
‘Gosh! This lady’s really crazy. I can’t believe she actually followed me.
Seriously, she’s lucky I had noticed she was following me, else…, if she had really succeeded in following me home, I swear she wouldn’t have returned in one piece.
She’s just lucky.’
I smiled and shook my head
‘She really has some nerves.’