Fries and apples

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can go separately without growing apart."

-Elisabeth Foley.

"They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel."

-Carl W. Buechner.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world can not be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart."

-Helen Keller.

Read, vote, comment and enjoy.

This chapter will be dedicated to

___

♥Anna's POV♥

The moment you master one of the hard yoga poses after trying for weeks. The happiness and positive energy you feel afterwards like you are the sole founder of yoga. Quite refreshing.

The moment you also realize how loved you are by those around you and how supportive they are, then you know you have something to hold on tight too. I got rescued by the boys two weeks ago and my family have been nothing but supportive and helpful. Nonna helped with cleaning my wounds and helping them heal. Mrs Bailey helped with bathing me. Jess helped by keeping me company to avoid boredom since I can't go to school. The first semester has ended and I missed my exams.

Ian, Amelia, Eric and Mike have been equally useful. They come around and play chess, cards and other indoor activities games. So far my scars are becoming fainter and my bones are healing. I now walk with crutches.

Turned out dad paid the Ransome yet they still hurt me badly. He is furious and mad with rage. He is thirsty for revenge and has been doing all within his capacity to bring the hoodlums to book. The last news I heard was that they had evacuated the abandoned building when the cops got there. They are currently on the run and I have done my part by describing their looks and exposing their logo that was written everywhere. S.B.G.L.

I'm currently brushing my teeth and trying to empty my bowel before heading downstairs for breakfast. Nonna has returned to Italy for an important business and she promised to be back anytime soon.

On getting downstairs, I saw an excited bubbly Jess in an apron as she learnt how to cook from Mrs Bailey.

"Come here." She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug while I groaned in pains. She smelt of fries, ketchup and sweat.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I tend to forget that you are now fragile." She waved me off and headed to the kitchen.

"I'm not fragile, I'm just hurt." I frowned and followed her to the kitchen limping.

"You know you need to visit the spa right? Your skin needs help." She spilled as she sieved some fries.

"If you dare bring up this topic, I might as well just return to my abductors." I moved towards the fridge to grab an apple.

"You are not allowed to die before I do, you greedy bitch." She yelled standing arms akimbo.

"Well if you keep bringing up spa and leg waxing. I might just go find someone else to sit with." I threw the apple up before taking a bite.

"You wouldn't dare." She glared and returned to her fries. "I almost thought you were gone forever." Her voice became softer.

I sighed. "The last time I checked, I didn't go willingly. Even my car was stolen, remember?" I cocked a brow.

"It was a traumatic experience. I was worried and sick and began to blame myself for everything that happened." She turned to me with little tears gliding down her cheeks.

"Awn! don't worry, I'm here to stay." I pulled her into a hug and stroked her hair.

"I really missed you." Jess smiled.

"You should sieve the burning fries." Mrs Bailey commented.

Jess quickly walked towards the pan. "How did Ralph help you escape?" She sieved the last batch of fries.

"We fought our way through and stabbed whoever blocked our way." I took another bite of my apple.

"Sounds like a war scene from a movie." Jess began pouring ketchup on the fries.

"Believe me, it was more than a war scene, I have never been more scared of my life." I followed her towards the dining room.

"I'm just so glad you are back in one piece and you are healing fast." She picked a ketchup filled fries and threw it into her mouth.

"Same here, where is Lia? We are supposed to play chess." I tossed the remnants of the apple into the bin.

"You piece of dumb shit, leave my side for a second and I will kidnap you myself." Jess clutched me tighter while I chuckled.

"Is someone jealous?" I teased with a grin.

"Whatever." She waved off her hands and continued eating. The sound of the television got our attention.

___

♥Everett's POV♥

In my gloomy office. A small room in the house that I designed as an office to easily and effectively work at home. I sat on my couch, drumming my fingers on the mahogany table while my thoughts pondered. S.B.G.L.

The need for revenge is like a rat gnawing at my soul, relentlessly, and unceasing. I opened the brown envelope and stared at the pictures sent to me in shock. It can't be, it wouldn't be--it is impossible.

I tipped the envelope on the table and spread the pictures out as if they were gold coins, I rubbed my hands together, massaged my temples and kept denying it. How does it all connect to S.B.G.L?

The light seemed to fade more slowly than other nights. It drained away with the reluctance of a small child being led from the candy counter. The dots weren't connecting. How did they correlate?

My mind wandered back to the day Sam came visiting. I turned her down and she vowed to leave with something I cherished. Something that will make me crawl back begging. I called her severally but she never failed to deny having anything to do with the kidnap reluctantly. She told me to ponder deeper and stop accusing her. How do I solve the mystery puzzle?

I smiled and bobbed my head in the darkness. They can play the aggressive bullshit games and I will smile, nod and give them every impression that I am the gracious loser of the skirmish. My revenge is definitely plotting slowly.

The boys arrived sooner than expected and I ushered them into my office ready to question them and listen to their own version of the story. I called a maid to help with glass of juice and some cookies for the guys.

"So, how are you guys doing today?" I asked shifting my gaze between them.

"We are good." They chorused waiting for me to go ahead.

"Firstly, I tender my gratification to you all. Is there any way I can repay You?" I took a slow sip from my drink.

"It was our responsibility to help when we found her. There is no need for extended gratification." The one with brown eyes and bangs said.

"Hmm!" I nodded. "What is your name?" I cracked my knuckles.

"Ralph Smith." He smiled and introduced his other friends.

"How did you know where to find her?"

"We have a small cabin located around where she was kidnapped. We happened to be passing by when we heard loud screams. The area is notoriously known for bad deeds, but hearing a girl scream only made us curious to help out." Brady spoke for the first time. He is dark-skinned.

"Why do you guys have a cabin in a place that is notorious and dangerous. What if you get into trouble?" I quirked a brow.

"If we never had a cabin there, how would we have found your daughter." Marcus fired.

"I know you are like the superheroes now, but it could have happened to anyone don't you think?"

"There is a reason we go there. We are emotionally attached to the place and why we own a cabin there or not shouldn't be the reason for your questioning this hot afternoon." Zion nodded.

"Fine, what do you remember that can be of any help to the police. Was there any red-head woman there?" I sat up curiously.

"There was no woman there, it was simply bad boys smoking and drinking," Ralph smirked.

"Will you guys be available to supply answers to the FBI when they come asking for details?"

"Sure." They all chorused.

"Any other question?" Ralph probed.

I stared into my glass of juice and took a long sip while they awaited my response. "That will be all for now, you are dismissed."

"Where are y'all heading to now?" I inquired, studying them.

"To Anna's room," Ralph grinned.

"I really don't like the idea of you going to see my daughter this evening. It's quite improper for you to be in her room by this time of the day." I frowned, contemplating if I should let them go.

Ralph chuckled, mischief glinting in his eyes. "She is totally safe."

"No funny business guys, tell my girls to leave the door opened I will be inspecting the room from time to time." I glared, feeling uncomfortable.

"There will be no funny business. It was nice having this meeting with you." They stood up, bowed their head and filed out of the room in a single line.

My phone began ringing with my personal investigator's name popping up.

I picked up the phone and braced myself for any new update. "Hello."

_____

♥Jess's POV♥

I helped Anna brush her hair, dressed her in her pyjamas and guided her towards the bed. Music from her Bluetooth speaker played and I bobbed my head to Cardi's song.

"Cardi keeps bursting my brain with her mad jam. You can't tell me Nicki is better than her." I danced across the room.

"Nicki is the queen of rap. You can't compare them both, Nicki is an older queen who knows her way around music." Anna groaned as she tried to adjust her sore leg on the bed.

A knock came on the door. "are you expecting someone?" I asked Anna who shook her head in negativity.

"I was about asking you if you invited someone." She countered and reduced the volume of the song.

"Come in," we both chorused.

Ralph, Marcus and Brady entered with smiling faces and flowers.

"Hey, guys." I hopped on the couch and Brady sat next to me, his bronze skin basked in the warm glow of the sunset.

"Hey," Anna said to Ralph and he walked towards her direction.

Brady smiled staring at me. "Is this the part I comment on how extremely beautiful you are and how your confidence excites me?"

"I bet you tell that to every girl." I countered but my rosy cheeks gave me away.

"Only the beautiful ones like you." He muttered and leaned closer to me.

"Indeed, why are you being so nice all of a sudden?" I cocked a brow.

"Is it a crime to be nice to my high school crush?" He put his arm around the couch where I sat.

"High school crush?"

"Yeah, I have always had this huge crush on you." He chuckled. "But seeing you exudes lots of confidence makes me chicken out."

"Really?" I felt my heart gladden. "Then why are you telling me this all of a sudden?"

"Because I might not be privileged to do it again. The first semester of twelfth grade has ended and very soon, we will be graduating. If I don't tell you now, then when is the perfect time?" He leaned closer, his breath fanned my pink cheeks. I'm sure I am as red as a tomato now. I wonder why I blush so hard over the littlest thing.

"So tell me, what's is the worst date you have ever been on?" He grinned.

"Uhm!" I scratched my head as I tried to remember.

"I had my first date last three years after ending a serious relationship. He told me he was scared of kissing a black girl because he didn't want to contact Aids." I shrugged my shoulders.

"That loser should be beaten up, how dare him!" Brady frowned.

"Enough about me, it's all in the past. The same question goes to you." I smiled knowing he was too perfect to have a worst date.

"I went to a date with this gorgeous girl I have had a crush on for a while. She totally believed that the sun revolved around the earth in a perfect circle." His face widened in disbelief while I chuckled.

"And what did you do?" I asked.

"I paid the freaking bill and left." He chuckled and I grinned.

"Don't you think this is the universe way of telling us we are meant to be?" He caressed my face.

"And?" I leaned closer.

"We should go on that perfect date, just you and me with no other person. I promise to make it perfect." He swore, I chuckled. He looked like a kid begging his mother to buy him candy.

"Yes." I smiled and he fist-bumped the air, beaming with all smile.

___

~~What is the worse date you have ever been on?~~

~~Are you a fan of Nicki Minaj or CardiB? I love both but my love for CardiB supersedes the other.~~~