Bounded By A Deal

Chapter 3

Isabelle's POV

My head was spinning, my throat was sore, my temperature was high. I felt cold, yet, I felt hot. Any typical Nigerian would say right away that I had malaria. I have tried my best to conceal from my parents that I was sick. I've been sick since this week's Monday and they did not know, but it's like they'll have to find out today because the sickness had reached another level.

"Can you believe that it's the second week of school already? This year is going fast so far" Sharon chirped in her ear-piercing, loud voice.

"Sharon keep quiet, Isabelle needs rest." Danna advised. They had brought their seats to my desk, since it was a free period, so that they can check on me while I rested my head like a helpless person. It was nice to see that they cared, to an extent at least. Bryan had also come multiple times today to ask if I was okay. He's so sweet!

"Okay! I'll be quiet." She tapped her fingers impatiently on my desk on my desk, looking at nothing in particular. I was used to it, it was her way of coping in a situation where she could not talk. "I'm bored!" she whined. "Do you know how hard it is to just sit down without talking?" I rolled my eyes at her, but just in my head so that my headache won't worsen.

"You guys can talk oo. I don't mind. It's not disturbing me." I convinced them.

"I don't have anything to talk about." Danna said, wanting of course to shy away from discussion but Sharon couldn't care any less.

"My dad just got an iPhone 15 for my mom and got a new one for himself. I asked him to give me his old one but he says I have to wait till I am fifteen. But that's next year! So I'm stuck with my iPhone 13 till then."

I groaned inwardly at the excuse of a gist she had brought up. It just reminded me of how I was different from all my classmates. Unlike all of them, my parents were not rich, I cannot even remember the last time my dad changed his phone. I, myself, didn't have a phone but I'll never to admit to anyone that my parents can't afford to buy me a phone.

"Yours is better. My mum told my dad not to get me a new phone because of my grades lately. But honestly, getting the latest phones is none of my concern, I just need a phone that can chat, snap, call, and browse. My Samsung A13 is enough for me." Danna contributed.

Sharon turned to me. "Your parents still think you aren't old enough for a phone?" I nodded slowly. To be honest, I didn't know if they thought I was too young for a phone. We've just never talked about getting me a phone, I've never bothered them for it, they've never bothered me.

"Sheesh! But you are a teenager now, they should get you a phone," Danna added absentmindedly.

"My dad can be very difficult at times," I managed to speak.

"They are really shaping you to be a nerd." Sharon laughed at her comment while I just chuckled dryly. Danna seemed to have zoned out, totally lost in thought - as usual.

"Isabelle!" I raised my head slowly to face the person who called me. It was our form mistress, Miss Ijeoma.

"Yes, Ma!"

"Your dad is here. I told the management to give him a call because of your condition. Pack your bag and go home. Get some rest!" Her kindness was obviously fake. I knew she was only acting sweet because she assumed that my dad was rich and if she was nice to me now, I'll tell my dad about her kindness and my dad would give her some money. Unfortunately for her, my dad barely had money for us, so giving her money was out of the question.

I really didn't want to to go home and miss the remaining classes for the day, even though I knew that I wouldn't pay proper attention during the classes. I just did not like leaving school. School was my escape-route from my boring, messed-up home. At least it took up about 9 hours of my day, if not more, preventing me from experiencing all the drama my mum causes because dad isn't so rich like before. He didn't have a job anymore, I wondered where he got his money from.

. . .

I sat in the front seat of my dad's 2018 Highlander, a car that had been with us for over three years. "Daddy good afternoon." I tried to act like I was healthy and alright. He ignored my greeting. "Why didn't you tell us that you are not feeling fine? Why did you pretend like you are okay?" His voice was low with a tint of worry expressed in it.

"I did not just want you to worry and spend your money on me." I let out a breath. "I'm sorry!"

"We are going to the pharmacist. I know things have been very tough and all but... I care about you, and your sister. You two matter so much to me and I'll do anything to fulfil my responsibility as a father to you two. Anything!" With that, he started the car and drove off. 

As we were driving, I checked the time from the car, it was 1:13 p.m. So early in the afternoon! I sighed. At least I'm missing only two hours of school.

We were about reaching the pharmacy close to the estate we lived in when my dad got a call. He quickly parked the car by the side of the road. I noticed his expression change as he looked at the caller's ID before he answered the call. He remained silent as he listened to the caller. When the call ended, he immediately started the car and reversed it, we were now turning back, heading to a destination I knew not.

"Dad, where are going?"

"Remember Mr. Jide, the one I've told you about?"

"Yes, your old business frenemy."

"Exactly! We might just be paying him a visit today." The depressed look on his face gave me the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

A/N: Hi my beautiful readers! How is this chapter? What bad thing do you think would happen? Please give me your thoughts.

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