Come Running [Season 1 Completed]

Chapter 31

"I first met Whitney at Lakewood. She was a freshman and I was a senior. We had an instant attraction but neither of us could tell what it was so we just went with the flow I guess.
We hit off quite well, became friends and before we knew it, we were both so consummated in our love."

Jayla felt a little tinge in her heart as she listened on as the man of her dreams spoke about another woman.

"We dated for about half a year when she told me of her new found faith and how she found solace and pure joy in it. She urged me to go to church with her and though I wasn't physically and mentally prepared to receive this Jesus, I went anyway because I loved her and would do anything for her."
"She told me of how she was maltreated at home by her step mum and half sister after her dad passed on. It got even worse after her step mum also passed on leaving her at the mercies of her step mum's husband and her half sister who were shamelessly having an affair so I got her an apartment,"
"Where's the plot twist?"
"I'm getting there."
"I had dinner with her one night and dropped her home. I was so beaten I wanted to spend the night, and till today, I wished I did but she bluntly refused. I was a bit irritated because it was never a problem and besides, we were never really intimate after she found a new course in life-
"Could have let that part out"
He rolled his eyes and continued.
"I felt she didn't trust me enough to think I'd force her to do anything she didn't want to do. That night she was discovered dead in her apartment. Autopsy revealed she was raped and then killed. All search lights pointed to me but my dad managed to clear it all up as I had an alibi."
"So where does Brian come in?"
"I searched for answers. I looked up every single person who had a motive. All these years, searching with no answer, I broke down and resorted to various means to ease the pain until I found Christ about a year ago and also found out from a reliable source that Brian might be involved in this. His fingerprints were discovered in her apartment that night."
"Brian's always hated me for being the first son and never bothered hiding it. He had the perfect motive."
Jayla gently rubbed his arm as Myles' voice came through the speakers.

"Shoot! I totally forgot! We have to get back to the hall."
"What? Why?"
"Myles' gonna propose."
"What?!" as he raced after her into the hall.

**********
"Jael" He motioned her to come up on stage with him.
She nervously climbed up stage. The cool music added a lovely effect.
"Jael... ever since I've met you, you've brought nothing but joy and love into my life. You've made me happy. You've made me a better man. Thank you for loving me even when I bug you and seem like some control freak. Thanks for being my ray of sunshine. I love you and I want you to forever be mine."
Then he went on one knee. Jael stood rooted to the spot, obviously bewildered.
"Please be mine. Marry me Jael."
She still stood in shock as everyone gasped waiting for her response. The music stopped.
"Jael, love... I know you're in shock but could you please say yes." Myles urged.

"Why's she taking so long?" Kaiden whispered and looked down at Jayla.
Jayla looked tensed and kinda scared.
"What's wrong?"
"I think Jael's having a panic attack. She doesn't do so good with such public outbursts." Jayla informed and Kaiden could sense the worry in her voice.

"Myles..." Jael finally found her voice
"... I'm sorry I can't do this." She said as she run off the stage. Jayla, Carrie and Chloe chased after her.

Myles stood completely heartbroken. Jason and Kaiden led him out. But Myles didn't want to be consoled. He just sat in his car and sped off.

Jael was no where to be found either. The party was over. Most of the guests left. The seven friends remaining converged at the hall.

"How's Jael?" Jason quizzed
"Jael's gone." Jayla answered
"What?! You were supposed to make sure she was okay and you lost her!" Jason was obviously worked up. Kaiden tried to calm him.
"Jael's a smart girl. If she doesn't want to be found, she won't be."
"But-
"Let's give her some space. If she's not back by midnight, we'll alert everyone."
"Besides, Shane's looking out for her." Carrie chipped in.

Another birthday party ruined...