Searching for Love, Found Wealth

Mom hadn’t gone far. She was with baby John at a friend’s shop.

She frowned at me when she saw me there but it faded when she saw my worried look.

I explained that I needed her asap and she returned to me. I texted Jacob again if he could visit Chloe.

I added that it was too much to ask but I’d really appreciate if be did. Luckily he didn’t mind.

Jasper who was in the dark of what our fear was just ranted on why we were panicking on Chloe missing. That she could be at a friend’s house for all he cared.

“Has she come back home?” Mom asked whole paced around the house awaiting Jacob’s confirmation call.

There’s no way the Martinez would go after Chloe to hurt me. That’s plain bad cos she did nothing to them.

“Mom what are you doing?” I looked at mom blank faced while she striked her laptop.

I sat besides her as she tapped through to the surveillance camera of daisy street. It was Chloe’s street. Was Sitcom a security company too?

“I could get in trouble for using this feature but I needed to check” Mom sighed. I looked awed. I only saw these features of action and crime movies.

It was being supported by Google map and m was typing in come codes… was she hacking something?

The camera zoomed down to one of the CCTV camera at daisy street. Mom sent the video back to 9:39am when her mom claimed she had left for the errand.

We saw Chloe leave a street and corner to a coffee shop.

I frowned, her mother had said Chloe had gone to drop some clothes at her sisters house. What was she doing at a coffee shop then?

We watched her stay there for minutes before coming out to give a bag to someone I recognized as her elder sister.

She didn’t turn back after handing the bag and stood there. Her sister had left.

A black Mercedes stopped in front of her, twelve minutes later, and she got in. Mom looked at me confused.

The car belonged to Charles, even if there were a million black Mercedes I’d recognize his. Mom recognized it too, warranting the confused look.

“They’re friends. Maybe Chloe just went out with him for a bit. It’s explanatory” I scratched my head as I gave the excuse to mom.

“I haven’t even seen this girl before but Charles knows her? Hmm. If she’s your friend shouldn’t she be meeting with Charles with you?” Mom questioned.

Well, she was his friend and can meet when they liked.

“Chloe has a crush on Charles. I have been trying to… pair them up. I guess it’s working” I chuckled nervously.

Mom had a disapproving look, “Don’t force a girl on Charles” her tone was disappointed.

I nodded and hurried back go my room to call Jacob, to stop him from panicking, if he was. And to avoid him doing some mafia-y stuff to find Chloe.

Chloe and Charles just made us worry for nothing.

The least she could have done was tell her mom she’d have done the errand and was now going out with a friend.

Chloe just skipped important things sometimes.

“I’m technically in front of a police station now. Chloe went out with who you said? Her mom was worried” Jacob barked.

I wanted to yell back that he shouldn’t bark at me but I knew he must have been worried. I never thought of this side of him.

“She worried us for nothing and was reckless. Who she went out with isn’t the point. He thought he’s taking a girl who is responsible enough” I tried to defend Charles.

“I’ll call her mom and tell her daughter went to see her boyfriend. She’d be surprised but not worried. Or not…”/

“Charles isn’t her boyfriend… yet. Don’t assume. Charles is my best friends, that model, that’s him. Don’t say that to her mom” I rapped.

Jacob was mute from his end before finally hanging up. I groaned loudly. He better not term Chloe as Charles’ girlfriend. It’d drain his career.

I phoned Chloe again and it rang, she still didn’t pick up.

I went online to explain to Jasper, in case he was worried, I doubt.

Jasper: You’re serious that you know that model? And our Chloe is chilling with him now?

I sneered at his use of ‘Our Chloe’.

Me: Yeah, I know him. And our Chloe is.

I cringed. I sent a photo of Charles, Gladys, baby John and I at the park yesterday before the turn of events.

Jasper: Gosh, you mean this. That little girl is your sister too? Pretty family you got there. Wishing Chloe luck.

Me: Yeah. Luck and sense. Lots of that.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Jasper: Agreed. *laughing emoji*×4 Jacob ran out of the house thinking she was involved in some kidnap. He’s so dramatic.

Me: She could have been.

You don’t know what’s going on.

Jasper: Enlighten me. *smirk emoji*.

Me: Bye. Wait till Jacob comes. At least, he’d be there to smack off any smirk that’d be on your face.

My phone suddenly began ringing. It was Chloe.

“Is something wrong? You’ve been calling like crazy and now Jacob just called me” she sounded annoyed. And why didn’t she answer.

Well, we should be the ones annoyed. But when I thought of it, she could have hone her normal business without fear if being kidnapped.

Cos, honestly, she didn’t do anything to be a target of kidnap. Jacob and I, we’re being dramatic or worried for nothing.

“We tried calling after your mom called in that you haven’t returned home for five hours. Why?” I sounded irritated.

“I told my elder sister to tell mom I was called out my a friend. I told her. Did my mom begin calling all my classmates to tell them?!” she was having her own barking session on the phone. At me, again.

“Do you blame her? You could have called in before your date girl! Tsk. Go home now. She’s worried…”

“Wait, you know I’m with Charles now? Or what date do you mean?” she interjected.

Was I supposed to tell her my mom hacked some surveillance camera at her street to track her movements? I can’t even explain how mom could do that.

“You just told me Charles was with you. Call Jacob and say you’re okay. Take care” I sputtered.

I fell on my bed, holding my stomach that was now growling angrier than ever.

I hoped this weekend passed by with less drama. Someone should time travel me to Monday. This weekend wasn’t it.