Chapter 14: Chapter 14

"What?". Cindy exclaimed.

"Elena and Stella, where did you export that name from?". Lovely asked and poured wine into a cup.

"It's really you? you were playing games with us!". Kapella roared.

"Calm, there's nothing to explain Lovely, we were leaving already and thanks for the dress, I guess I've solved and found the value of X". Kapella said and rose to her feet.

"I can explain".

"There's nothing to explain, Cindy let's move ".

Cindy rose and they left for the exit.

"Just listen to me, Please". He said going after them.

"Excuse me". He said as he bumped into someone.

He eventually caught up with them and blocked their way.

"Seriously Lovely, get out of the way!". Cindy said.

"Just hear me out alright?". He said.

"I appreciate your humility, Lovely, but I need to go because you have no idea how this feels, What are we gonna hear, that you live a fake life?".

"Alright go". He said and left their way.

"Goodnight". She said and walked past him with Cindy.

"All I wanted was true friends, all my life, I've had nothing but friends who pretend to be by my side because of my money, I've been betrayed and suffered from depression countless times, I just thought if I disguise as someone with a burnt face like a poor beast maybe I could get sympathy and true friends ". Lovely explained as tears formed in his eyes.

Kapella paused and turned back to see him.

"I... I.. I.. I didn't know it was that.. I'm totally sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you".

"All I wanted was friends, Goodnight Kapella". He said and turned to leave but she held his shoulder back.

"Don't take it personal, I'm sorry for hurting you". She said and he sniffed.

He turned back and unannounced he hugged her.

Cindy scoffed and stood at akimbo.

Kapella tried to push him off but for once in her life, she felt vulnerable.

"What are you doing?". She whispered.

"Thank you, I think I feel better now". He said as he let go of her and cleaned his tears.

"Don't take the hug too personal, I do it to feel safe and loved". He added and she found herself nodding.

"We'll get going". She stammered.

"Alright, I'll escort you out". He said.

They all walked out in silence until Kapella broke it.

"So your face wasn't burnt?". She asked.

"It was all a lie, no accident, just a skin mask". He said.

"That must be expensive".

"Of course it is, was it's ten billion dollars or more, can't remember". He said and they paused.

"How can you spend such a huge amount on some burnt mask?". Kapella said almost screaming.

"You think the rich have no problem?, they do, number one which is friends, you'll never get a true one, well the mask was customized to my taste so I had to pay big to get it done, I have money but without friends and family around, I feel empty, like a part of me is missing ".

" You spend such a huge amount just to get a friend ". She asked.

"True friends who would love me for who I am, just as I predicted everyone avoided me like a plague not for the burnt face but I acted like I was poor ". He said.

" Why? ".

" Even if I don't have a head but I'm rich like damn, I've still had a lot of friends ". He said and she chuckled.

" That's crazy but we suspected you're rich already ".

" Because I let my guard down, right from the moment you saw my phone".

"But you're the only true friends I have had apart from Nancy and her family". He said.

"Your family?".

"I don't want to talk about them, not now". He said.

"There are good people out there Lovely, not everyone is after your money". Kapella said.

"It's not about being after my money, it's about being a good friend". He said and they changed direction.

"That's a wrong way". Cindy said.

"I know just come". He said.

"What are you gonna do, now that we know you".

"Don't spill it to anyone cos you have no idea what's gonna happen if it leaks".

"That sounds scary".

"Indeed scary, so you're both gonna pretend today never happened, just flock like friends as usual". He said and they got to a black limousine.

"Boss". A lady in black said as she got down from the bonnet.

"Mira, you're gonna drive them to their destination and pick them for school tomorrow?". He said.

"Lovely?". Kapella called.

"Just please don't say no, it's stressful to get a cab this night". He said.

"You've done enough already Lovely, the book, the dress... You...".

"Don't thank me but I should thank you instead of for saving my life". He said

"What do you mean?".

"Goodnight Girls". He said and walked away.

"What does he mean?". Kapella asked and Cindy shrugged.

"Ma'am this way". The Lady in Black said as the door of the limousine slide open.

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"Now I can't go home because I've lied that I'll be staying at your place". Kapella said as they alighted from the limousine in front of Cindy's home.

"Best party ever". Cindy sang and took off her heels.

"Why take your heels like you're drunk?".

"Am I not, drunk with everything that had happened today". She said and they moved toward the door.

They entered the building and she put on the lights.

Behold was Francis sleeping on his couch with a girl covered in a duvet.

"What!". She exclaimed.

"I know that girl, she's a fresher". Kapella said.

"Few days at high school and he... You know what I feel like grabbing a knife from the kitchen right now but I'm just gonna go rest my head". Cindy said staggering away.

She flung her bag on the bed and collapsed on it.

"Move or I'm gonna break your bones". Kapella warned and collapsed on the bed as well.

"Is he always like that?".She asked.

"Who?".

"Francis".

"No, but he always bragged to become a playboy when he gets to high school".

"That's bad".

"I'll deal with him tomorrow, so like seriously your crush is the CEO of Phoenix Hotel, it's still unbelievable". Cindy said.

"C'mon Cindy".

"I'm trying to get asleep right now and would get non if I don't keep talking ".

" Then talk about something else ". Kapella said.

" No, What if he has a crush as well? ". Cindy asked.

" He's just a friend Cindy, dude in search of a friend, not girlfriend, can you let me sleep, Cindy? ".

" Did he say that?, Did you see the way he hugged you? ". She asked.

" Gosh! Cindy, a harmless hug, don't make my night dreadful". Kapella said and she closed her eyes.

"I'll make it a dreadful one".

"Actually Cindy, I didn't have a crush on him, I.. I. I don't know if you'll forgive me but I lied, I said that to cover the truth, there's something about me that you don't know about, I used that as a cover-up so you don't leave me but then I realized what if it was a partial lie, I don't believe in love at first sight but I think I love him, Cindy ". She said but there was no response.

" Cindy! ". She called out opening her eyes.

She turned to Cindy and she was fast asleep already.

" Jerk!, Such a dumb sleeper, for once I took courage to say it but she didn't hear it ". She said and turned over as she closed her eyes.

Cindy's eyes slowly opened and it was full of tears.

She turned to the other side and covered herself with the duvet.

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NEXT_DAY

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It was a beautiful morning as Kapella and Cindy walked down the stairs with their bags behind them.

"Yo Sis, There's a charming limo out there waiting for you, Did you hook up with some rich dude?". Francis asked as he walked after them.

"Just like you hook up with some fresher last night huh? that's the path you've chosen, right? ". She said angrily.

" What the hell is wrong with you? Are you interfering in my love life? ". He roared.

" It's not love Francis, you're gonna keep bringing different girls in, if it's just one I won't be complaining ". She said.

" That isn't your headache is, it's my life and you tell mom and dad I don't fvcking care, I'm the playboy ".

" You're nut and with your stupid attitude you're gonna drop out ". She cursed.

" I'm not the reason for your single life, I can see you have plans to be with Kapella right, you're gonna make a good couple, I never knew my sis was a... ". He was saying when she slapped him across the face.

" Aha, And I'm gonna assure you, you can't rule my life, I'm gonna bring girls in and we're gonna do it on your bed and you can't do shit about it ". He cursed and walked out.

" I thought my brother was the biggest jerk in the Universe but he's totally off the rail ".

Cindy sniffed as tears formed in her eyes.

" It's alright, Cin ". Kapella said as she put her hand on her shoulder.

" No it's not, totally not Kapella, it isn't his fault I don't blame him but my parents, they've been outside the country for almost seven months without wondering about the welfare of their kids, all they do is pump money into our account, I expected nothing less, we're late for school already we should go ". Cindy said as she stared at the limo through the window.

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There was a loud crowd around as Cindy and Kapella got down from the limousine.

"What's the crowd about?". Cindy asked as they gave way for them to pass.

"Last night Kapella, your face is all over the internet and newspapers".

"What?".

"You thought I was joking when I said you beat Rihanna".

"My parents would see it". She whispered and the students took shots of her with their smartphones.

"Can you stop the shit, am allergic to light". She roared angrily.

"That's right". Cindy agreed. s

Kapella brought out her phone and saw fifty missed calls from her Mom and thirty from her Dad.

"Finally I fell into a big shit".