Chapter 36: Chapter 36

Chloe Montclair

"Tiana?!" She called out her name again before embracing her in a tight hug. "Where have you been? H... ho.. how comes you're here? We've looked for you everywhere but you were nowhere to be found. Where have you been? How have you been? What happened to you? Where did you go to? How can you leave like that without a word?." She bombarded her with lots of questions and again, in a worried tone too.

"Excuse me, who are you?." She kindly pushed her body away from her she look at Janet's with a confused look written all over her face.

"Where did you get her from? Is she your friend or what? I can't believe you now tell strangers my full name." Tiana hissed at me as she questions me. Making me roll my eyes at her.

There we go again.

"You silly girl!" Janet said smiling whilst she smack her arm roughly. I swear, I wasn't the one that was being hit but I felt the pain.

I wasn't that strong so, I decided to take a seat while I continue watching the drama unfolding in front of me. How she comes to know her, will definitely unfold now here in my presence. "Can you stop hitting me like that? That was painful." Tiana hissed and rolled her eyes at her.

I could see the sudden sad look on Janet's face. She looks disappointed. Tiana moved closer to me and whispered to my ear. "Where did you get this crazy lady from? I know you with no friends at all so, how come you end up having one, and I have no idea about it?." She asked.

"When we grow up, I would want to become a fashion designer. Me too, I would want to become one. I want to be known all worldwide, I want my mom to be proud of me and... Take good care of her too. She's the only one I have and no one else." Janet finished saying and slowly, Tiana got up from my side and walk slowly towards her.

I look at Ken with a confused look but, he looks calm. He seems not surprised at all.

Well, why should I bother? He has always been calm in every situation.

"Janet Nicholas?." Tiana asked and she nod her head at her before they both embrace each other again in a tight hug and even had to shed tears. Okay, this is it!

What in the world is going on here... I have no idea at all.

"Oh my goodness! I missed you so much. Where have you been? You left and no one knows of your whereabout."

"It's a long story, Janet. I had no idea how it happened."

"Wait, you two know each other?." I can't help but ask.

"Yes." They both said in unison.

"How?." I questioned again. The last time I checked, Tiana doesn't have friends, in fact, she doesn't have one except me so... How in the world did she know Janet?

I've always been her best friend and would continue to be one. How in the world did, she knows Janet? How can she just show up and claim her as her best friend when I'm here?

"Janet here has always been my childhood friend. And, we kinda got separated years back. I think almost 9 years ago."

"Silly girl! It's 9 years, 5 months, and 3 weeks now."

"Wait, what?!!! You remembered every detail?." She asked her with her eyes widened open in surprise. The excitement is all written over her face.

Is this some kinda reunion or what?- I mentally thought and hissed.

"That's because I valued our friendship and I love you so much. I see you as my sister. You had no idea how much I've searched for you... We look for you everywhere but, we couldn't find you. Even Ken tried his best to search for you but all to avail."

"The cousin you've always told me about is Ken? Ken is your brother?."

"Yes, he's. And, he has given a lot of support in finding you. Mom was so worried about you too and even your-"

"Guys wait, that's enough! I'm still confused here. What's going on? You two know each other, your childhood friend but how?." I asked them again. This everyday drama is getting annoying day by day. We all sat and they told me how they met while they were kids. Apparently, they used to be neighbors with Janet's parents, and their mom used to be best friends too.

Wow! What a small world.

"Your mom, she has always been worried about you. She won't stop talking about you and how much she's missed you." Janet said.

Huh? Her mom is alive or what nonsense is she talking about? I thought, her mom is dead.

I looked at Ken and he still has that calm look on his face even though, I could sense a little bit of nervousness in him.

Why do I have a feeling that he knows about what's going on but, not just saying a word? , He didn't say a single word to me? For goodness sake, Tiana is my best friend and he hid such a big information from me?

But why?

"I know you're crazy but, this is not the right time to use my mom, Janet. You're upset at me, it's fine but, don't use my mom to punish me... Have you forgotten, my mom is dead." Tiana said.

"No, I'm serious Tiana. Your mom isn't dead. Ken, please tell her the truth. Look, a month after you left and there was no news about you, luckily enough... Ken found your mom. She... She wasn't dead in that car accident but, was kidnapped by your uncle. We tried looking for you but, you were nowhere to be found." She explained.

Both Tiana and I looked at Ken and he gave her a slight nod... Meaning, all that Janet has been saying is nothing but the truth.

"What nonsense are you all talking about? My mom is still alive? You mean, for the past 9 years that I thought I've lost my mom... she's alive? She's sound and healthy?."

"She's still weak, Tiana. She missed you. If you want, I can take you to meet her today. I had no idea you were here. Probably, Ken might not know you're the Tiana I've been looking for else, he would have taken you to meet your mom. Please believe me." Janet said.

Tiana slumped on the floor and burst into tears. "My mom.. my mom is still alive? My mom, she's alive? You mean, I can still see my mom again for the second time?." She said to no one but herself as she weep.

I got up from my seat and kneel beside her on the floor before hugging her tightly. I feel for her. Ever since I knew Tiana, she has always been the serious type and a strong girl but today, I'm seeing the weak side of her. She looked like a child crying for the help of her parents.

"She's... She's alive. My mom is alive." She said again in tears.

"Yes, she's alive. We're all happy that she's. Please, you just have to be strong okay? Be strong for your mother. It's now time to perform your duty as a daughter... Come on, let's go bring your mom home." I said to her.

"You want me to bring her here?." She asked in a surprised tone.

"Why not? Aren't you planning for that already? Why should we waste time when all that needed to be done is to bring her closer to you." I said.

"You have no problem with that?." She questioned me again.

"What do you mean?."

"Your hou-"

"Do not even dare finish that statement or, I might as well just slap you across your face for the first time. What do you mean? This is your house! This is our house and you have the right to bring your mom here because this house belongs to both of us. You know, I can't wait to finally meet your mom... I want to know what kind of a person she's."

"Look, girls! Enough of the talk for now. Tiana, you need to meet mom as soon as possible. At least, she needs to know that her daughter is safe and alive. She's been weak for the past years, I've not seen the lively mother I used to know ever since she learned that you were nowhere to be seen. We need to go see her first, at least. We have lots of catching up to do and you have to tell me every single thing that happened to you but I believe, now is not the right time for that. Meeting with your mom is the priority right now."

"Yes, you're right. Look Tiana, you need to go visit your mom, and afterward, we can start preparing how to bring her home while we arrange a room for her. Janet is right."

"And you? What about you?." She asked.

"I can't go with you for today, I'm sorry but I'm still weak. I promised to go with you next time."

"Are you sure?."

"Very. Besides, you'll need some private time with your mom. For you two to bond after a long time. Besides, I have some few things to take care of." When I said I have something to take care of, I'm talking about Ken.

There's no way, he's going to tell me he has no idea about this. He knew all along that Tiana's mom is alive and yet, he kept it from me.

"Vivian is right Tiana. Just do as she'd said." Janet said.

•

"Are you sure you don't want to go with me? You're going to be the only one at home." She said in a worried tone.

"Stop treating me like a kid. I'm an adult like you. You're just months older than me, you silly girl. Besides, Stanley is here with me. If I need anything, she's going to get it for me."

Stanley is our maid who helps with the chores of the house.

"Okay then... It might take me a while before I return. Just take good care of yourself.. okay?."

"And you too. Make sure you don't cry when you meet your mom. This is supposed to be a happy moment for you."

"Sure, I won't. Bye, and take good care of yourself." She said and after hugging Janet too, they both went out leaving behind Ken and me.

I glared hard at him. "We need to talk."

Without replying to me, he said. "I will drop them off and go to work. I have an important conference meeting to attend. While I'm done, I will get you your drugs and bring them to you." He said.

"I can get the drugs myself! Can I get the prescription?." He didn't answer me left without saying a word.

Jerk!

How could he do this? How could he do this to us?- I thought as I take a sit and tried my best to calm myself down.

A lot of thought keeps running through my head. I can't seem to think straight at the moment.

I finally picked up my purse ready to go up to my room and relax but, the beep on my phone indicating that I have a text made me stop.

I checked, and it was a message from Ken.

"Do not talk about what happened today to me. I don't want us to discuss it. Just pretend, you never saw anything or suspect me if anything. Do not forget, I owe you no explanation. In this game, I'm the boss and you have no right to question me." The text said.

I read it again and again before I scoff.

And he thought, I'm going to listen to him? I'm Chloe Montclair, he should know... I never back off on things I intend to do no matter what.