Chapter 5

LAURA

Well, I was left with no choice but to accept his proposal, even though I knew deep down that i just signed a death warrant. He had succeeded in forcing me to post the picture on my blog page, as well.

I never wanted to post the photos, but I had no other choice, he had threatened to make sure my brother wouldn't only spend time in jail, but he would also kill him.

“Will you just enter the car now!” Eric's voice echoed, jotting me off from my deep thoughts.

“She's just a gold digger,” Damian smirked. “Don't tell me you're catching feelings for that bitch already,” he joked.

Eric gave him a derisive stare as he barked, “you can never be serious for once in your life!”

“Where are we going?” I braced up to ask.

“Just get in the car, and stop questioning!” Eric glared.

The others went in their separate cars, and Eric and I went with the same car that we came in.

“Where do you live!” His voice thundered.

“Downtown,”

“Good! You heard her well, or are you just going to sit there and stare at nothing?!” Eric fired at his driver who was just there staring at heaven knows what.

Is he this mean? Even to his own driver?, wow, how pathetic!

“Why are we heading to my place?” I asked. I honestly had no idea why he wanted to know my place.

He turned with a cold look and spoke harshly, “enough of the questions! Besides, I need to make this as real as possible.”

“Does that even matter?” I asked.

“When we get there, you will know, bitch!” He cursed.

The remaining drive was swift and silent, except for the directions I was giving to the driver. Eric was just focused on his iPad, he never said a word.

“We are here,” I announced, as the driver pulled in at the parking lot near my apartment.

“Good!” Eric muttered, his voice firm, but cold.

“Can I go now?” I asked,

“No, there's one more thing I need to set straight!” He barked, “the person will be here in a moment, but before then, I want you to just mind your business, bitch!”

I feel very uncomfortable around him, his voice is always void of emotions each time he speaks. Well, I wouldn't blame him; who could be in his shoes and shouldn't act as him?

If only he knew the pressure I went through before posting those photos of his and his friend. Well, I wouldn't dare let him know, because my mother's life is more important right now. They might kill her if I speak up

“Are you honestly going to sit there all day and stare at nothing?” Eric's voice echoed. Before I realized he was already out of the car and had opened the door for me to come out.

Why is he always like this? One minute he's acting cold, the other, he's acting romantic.

Stepping out of the car, he held me romantically, and I could hear shutter sound flickering non stop. The next minute he leaned in to give me a peck, I tried resisting.

“You better behave yourself, else, you would regret my actions,” he warned. I was speechless, I just had to follow his instructions like a sheep to his shepherd.

The cameraman kept taking shots of the moment, I was almost carried away, but his voice made me realize I was supposed to act, but not get carried away.

“Now, take some copies from him, post it on the same blog, and caption it.” He said to me, “the caption should be 'THE DATE WAS AWESOME,’ and make sure you tag my official account,” he instructed and with that, he left.

“Don't try to act smart, remember your brother is still in detention.” he said, giving a deadly gaze

I stood there, staring at nothing, until they zoomed off completely. My teardrop that had welled up fell uncontrollably, I sobbed all the way down to my apartment.

Making my way to my room, I threw my handbag angrily on my bed not caring what was inside, and let it all out on my pillow.

Suddenly, I braced myself and decided to look at my system, and possibly post the update he had instructed. I wouldn't want to disobey, my brother also meant a lot to me.

I was wowed at what I noticed, I moved from five hundred thousand followers to one million followers within just three days.

“Is this a dream?” I muttered.

On looking at the notification, I could see 99+ notifications.

“LET THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY BREATHE!”

“LAURA'S KARMA HAD JUST MET HER NIGHTMARE”

#JUSTICE FOR ERIC SLOAN#

#SANCTION TO LORA KARMA#

#THE WICKED MUST NOT GO UNPUNISHED#

All the notifications read. The one that got my attention was an anonymous poster that made a meme video clip of me with ruined makeup and some captions that struck me hard. This particular caption was directed to my last post Eric had forced me to make.

“SHE'S JUST A POOR GIRL FROM A GOLD DIGGING FAMILY, HER MOTHER WAS ALSO THAT WAY; LIKE MOTHER LIKE DAUGHTER!”

“This is too much!” I barked slamming my system shut. I never heard anything bad about my mother's past, so why all the cooked up stories?

Reaching to my phone, I switched it on, I've had up to five messages from Rena- Some of them could read;

‘Why is your phone switched off?’

‘Have you heard from the anonymous callers ?’

‘Girl, I will not forgive myself if anything happens to you’

With wobbling fingers, I dialed her number, and she answered on first ringing.

“Thank goodness you're fine, I've been worried-sick about you girl!” Rena's voice sounded. “Where are you?” I just left your place a few moments ago.”

For a moment, I couldn't say a word, I was filled with anger and tears kept flowing down my cheek like water gushing out from a damaged dam.

I tried as I could to curtail my tears before replying. “I'm fine Rena, he…” I trailed off.

“He what? Tell me please, Where are you?” Rena asked.

“I will call you back please,” I ended the call as soon as I realized I haven't got any calls from the anonymous caller who held my mother captive.

Pacing around, I tried the number, and it was not reachable. What if my mum had been killed?

“This is more serious than I thought. I will not forgive myself if anything happens to her.” I muttered to myself. “I need to do something, and fast.”