Chapter 1

LAURA

Sitting on my bed in yoga style, with my palms pressed closely at the middle of my chest. Anyone would think that I was doing yoga. That was my intention anyways, but my mind couldn't stay focused. I inhaled deeply and started all over. I had to calm my nerves down for the atrocity I was about to commit.

My phone suddenly rang with an unknown caller. I knew who they were; they were the people who kidnapped my mother.

Answering the phone, a male voice echoed from the other end.

“We sent you the photos in the morning. Haven’t you seen it?”

“I did, but I just wanted to wait a little,” I replied with a low voice even though all I wanted to do was kill them.

The caller broke into a sarcastic laugh.

“How long do you want to wait till you post it? Seven days? Or till we drop your mother’s corpse on your bed?” He asked, his voice sharp with anger. “Now listen to me and listen good, within the next one hour, I want you to post the photos sent to you or we will kill your mother. Maybe we will send you your mother’s photo and Ashes,” he warned.

Tears flowed freely from my eyes as I tightened the grip on my phone. “Please don’t hurt her. I will do as you've asked. Please, she is the only one I’ve got,” I pleaded.

“Then act fast!” The man retorted.

“Okay but please can I talk to her?” I pleaded hoping they could allow me, but all my hopes went crashing down whe he replied.

“No, when you are done we will call you.”

Before I could reply, he ended the call. I couldn't help but break out in uncontrollable tears. I never wanted to do as they've asked.

I tried to concentrate and continue my yoga, but each time I tried, a video of my mother tied up resurfaced on my face. I had to do something.

The worst part was that I was the only one carrying the cross, my younger brother knew nothing about what was going on. Frustrated, I gave up trying and then focused on my laptop.

The surroundings slowed for a while and my breathing became difficult. They had sent me these photos in the morning but I had waited till in the evening.

At first, I thought it would be someone popular but not powerful. But the people in the photos were popular and powerful. Particularly the man they wanted me to post about. It was Eric Sloan and Damien Avery. I was supposed to accuse both of them of being gay. Not to save anyone but to save my mother’s life who was in the hands of unknown kidnappers.

The thought of my mother gave me the courage to open my blog page, then I started a new tweet;

—POPULAR MULTI-BILLIONAIRE AND HEIR TO THE SLOAN GROUP OF COMPANIES, ERIC SLOAN, IS GAY"—

"One month ago, Popular celebrity Bella Warner took the responsibility to announce the cancellation of her wedding to Mr. Eric Sloan popularly known as the multi-billionaire. According to her, she claimed that they had different interests and wanted to focus on their business. All questions asked were particularly left unanswered.

However, it seems that Laura Karma, CEO of Karma’s blog has found the truth we have been looking for. The wedding which was slated to happen in six months was called off because Eric Sloan is gay. You might be wondering who his gay partner is, but I got you covered. His gay partner is his one and only friend Damien Avery, son of the current prime minister, Louis Avery.

Below are the evidence attached to the allegation."

I attached the photo sent to me after typing as instructed, Even though they might end up killing me, my mother’s life will be saved.

Without thinking twice, I published it and watched until it ticked blue.

Within two minutes it had over five thousand views. I immediately turned off my phone and laptop, heaved a deep sigh, and fell back on my bed.

Two hours later I decided to turn-on my phone while waiting for their call. They called thirty minutes later and gave the phone directly to my mother.

“Lala.” my mother addressed me by my nickname, her voice sounded very weak.

“Mum, are you okay?” I asked even though I knew what the answer would be.

“No, but I will be okay if you tell me that you are fine. They said you did as they asked you to, I hope it won’t land you into trouble?” my mother asked, her voice was laced with worry. I could feel the pain deep down.

Giving a bitter smile, I replied “No mum. I will be fine.”

“One minute more!” I could hear the kidnapper shout to her notice from the background.

“Okay, Lala, I hope you are taking care of Jeff. If he asks you tell him I am alright, he is a medical student and I don’t want him worrying and getting distracted.” my mother sniffed, making me more broken.

“Yes, mum. I will take care of him. Just stay safe. I love you,” I replied, trying as much as I could to maintain my tone.

“I love…” my mother replied but before she could finish whatever she was saying the line went off. I broke down in yet another uncontrollable tears as the line went dead.

Bracing up to open my laptop again to check how the public was reacting to the news, I could view different hate comments about Eric circulating everywhere. Everyone was talking.

More photos of him and his best friend surfaced online and had been tagged;

**the couple we never saw coming**

**Welcome to the LGBTQ community**

#love does not select gender#

Of all the comments and hashtags that filled the comment section, none drew my attention as the two last ones; One was from Robes, a big podcasting channel.

**Miss Laura we would love to have you in our studio tomorrow if possible**

The other was from Bella Warner

**Thank you for helping me**

Why would Bella be thanking me if their allegation is true? And what the hell would I say on the podcast? Worst of all, the two people I was made to accuse had remained silent. Something within me told me it was calm before a big storm.