Scars

Chapter 8✨

"Don't let the past trap you. Else you will be locked up in it forever and you won't be able to find the door. You can't get out once you're trapped in the past. So, don't forget any of it. Remember it all and overcome it. If you don't overcome it, you will always be a kid whose soul never grows."

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"Dear Diary! Mum died. She died this morning. I've cried my eyes out all day and the tears won't stop coming. I prayed. I begged. I fasted. But no response. I actually doubt the existence of this God mum kept talking to me about. If there was a God, he shouldn't have watched my mum suffer. He shouldn't have allowed her died. Should have sent her back to me well and healthy. Is there really a God? He watched my mum suffer in the hands of my father. He watched him maltreat her. He kept watching silently. When he could have just stuck him down with His powers or something. Dad had the nerve to get drunk tonight and continue is debauchery. On the night of mom's death. He could have pretended to care but No! he doesn't care. He never has and he never will. Dear Diary, when he gets sober tomorrow morning, I will inform him of my plan to leave this house and this country. I believe a change of environment will be good. If I continue to live in this house with him. I will either be like him or end up like mum. Dead. Neither of the two is a good option. They say when you hate someone, you still care about them because they will always be in your minds and you will be bothered about them, but right now I feel nothing for my father. It's not hate and it's not Love. I just don't care about him anymore. I feel numb. I feel drained. Mum! I hope you finally get the peace you deserve. Regardless of whatever you have told me, I have come to the conclusion that there's no God and Love is for the Weak. I refuse to be weak mum. Loving my father made you weak and vulnerable. I won't let myself to be subjected to that kind of misery". "If truly there is a God, the very day I realize I love a man, Let God bring me to you."



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"where in God's name are you Chris? Do you have to be fashionably late all the time? George groaned
Chris walked down the stairs, looking dashing in his black Armani suits.
"stressing yourself before getting to the venue is a bad party etiquette, I hope you know that''
''yea yea! Let's get going already"
"why do you seem extremely eager than usual"
"do you really have to ask"
"why should I not?"
"if you insist." Adjusting his tie ''I intend to find me a nice lady at the event leave your boring ass in the singles club
Chris laughed ''best of luck with that dude. Until you realize that this kind of event attracts gold diggers to you, you're not ready" he picked the car keys to his black Lambo Gallardo "should we head out now, Mr. Cupid"
"well at least, some of us are making visible attempts" he hissed "let's move then Mr. Not Cupid''

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"Gina!" Mo. Kept horning and shouting at the same breath space sitting in the car
"Get your lazy self out, we don't want to get stuck in traffic"
"I'M COMING" Gina responded
'I sincerely hope everything goes as planned. I'm glad Gina was able to acquire the serum from her doctor friend. Tonight's event is a big deal. We get to put another monster where he belongs. Then my baby girl can get closure and move on with her life.'
'I can't believe I actually thought I felt something for that man. Oh yes! I did feel something for him. Hate! Right from onset, I knew he was up to no good. No sane and good man would be in a business dealing with my father.'

'Mother earth! Is there a good Adam left in this world that has not been enveloped in the serpent's wickedness'? Mo thought.

Gina came running out "Sorry I'm late. Needed to make sure the plans for tonight doesn't flop at all"
"And?"
"it's all set"
"Great!" Mo. Squealed "I really can't wait to see his face when the serum wears off and there's no taking back his words''
'but why can't I shake this feeling of doing something wrong' she thought
"is everything okay? You suddenly kept quiet"
"it's nothing. Let's move" putting the car to ignition she drove off.
Arriving at the oriental hotel. The event was in full swing. People parading on the red carpet. Camera shutters sounds. Reporters clamoring everywhere. Different shades, designs and sizes of clothes. It seemed more like a contest of who is more glamorously dressed and wealthy. Everyone probably needed an excuse to play dress up and come show off their fat purses.
Gina and Mo. Stepped out in style.
Gina, dressed in a figure-hugging gown; the back is colored white while the front is black. She filled out in the right places. with a pair from black stilettos.
Mo. Dressed in a full length black backless gown with a front split, with a white bow just above the split.
They made their way inside the hall.
Different caliber of people. The old money. The new money. The money grabbers. The money miners.
''you know why I loathe this kind of events, despite the cause?"
Gina looked at her.
"it is because 80% of the people are here to flaunt money. 15% to seek their next target. The money miners. The 5% are the only legit people here for the real deal"
Gina burst out laughing at her friend's 0bsevation
"babe I'm been serious. I've lived this life long enough to know how the games are played''
''I trust you do" her eyes seemed to be scanning the hall in search of something or someone.
''you expecting someone" Mo. Enquired "your eyes can't stop twirling''
Gina looked sternly at her "Mo. Really!"
Trying to act oblivious "What?"
"have you forgotten so soon already"
"Stop mincing words and tell me"
"you must be joking right now" Gina was starting to look angry. Then Mo. Burst into laughter. "I'm sorry dear" she kept laughing "I was only pulling your legs.
"it's really not funny" Gina frowned
Trying to keep a straight face, she coughed "yeah! It's not"
"nice try. Just laugh and stop faking the face." She kept searching around.
"just chill babe. When he arrives, we will know."
"how are we supposed to know? Is there an amber alert upon his arrival?"
Mo. Rolled her eyes out at her friend.
"yea right! Have you seen the guy? He is like honey. Females are like bees around him. They just keep coming even when he doesn't give them a time of the day"
Gina looked pissed. Her eyes were literally fuming.
"why the sudden anger? Stay here let me get you a drink."
Watching Mo leave for the bar. She picked her phone and dialed a number.
"what's the update?''
"he is just arriving?"
"that's great." She smiled
"get the guys ready on standby''
''no! you fool''
"if you screw this up for me, I will cut of your balls and feed it to you''
"better!"
''wait for my call"
She ended the conversation.
Mo. Arrived immediately with a champagne for both of them.
''who were you on phone with? A plus one" she tickled her
"of course, not" she scoffed "it was mum. She sends her regards"
"you should have allowed me say hello to her also"
"it was time for her meds. When she calls back you will be the first to talk to her"
''how is her hea– "
A loud noise erupted from the crowd. Like a big celebrity just arrived.
''Finally!" Mo. Smirked. Emptied her drink in a gulp and passed it to a passing waiter.
The event kickstarts immediately Christian arrived. Felt like he was been waited upon.
He has been dealings with at least half of the crowd in the event. So, every corner he turned, he had one thing or other to do or say.
''this is not a business luncheon for goodness sake'' George cried out when he excused Christian away from another business associates.
Christian gave him a weird look
"don't even start I won't let you bully me this time around'' he warned
"Guy! Loosen up and have f – "he got stuck amidst words
"Cat got your tongue" Chris asked
"Don't turn around but I just saw someone and I sincerely hope I am wrong"
Chris tried turning but he stopped him "do you have listening problems"
"I want to help you confirm if you are wrong or right about whoever it is you saw"
George refused to bulge. Still holding Chris by the shoulder
"okay fine!" he gave up trying to turn "who did you think you saw"
"you see? Complying wasn't so hard to do. Good boy" he grinned boyishly.
"just cut to the chase already"
"impatient idiot"
"whatever"
"I might be wrong but – "
"when have you ever been right before"
"guy! Should I continue or what"
He raised his hands in mock surrender
"thank you!" feigning gratitude ''I believe I saw Gina just now"
Christian froze like anna from Frozen. George shook him into reality like Elsa did for anna.
Christian turned towards George's view and there she was laughing, in a group of four men.
'Four oblivious and unaware men'.
'Unaware of the ticking time bomb that she stood for'.
'Then I noticed her, she walked to the group and smiled. Her smile took my breaths away. She was breathtakingly beautiful in that dress.
She probably doesn't know this and might never do; she is the first woman I would ever truly notice. The first one to get my genuine attention.
I don't know when it all started but she keeps invading my mind. Seeing her right there, right now makes me realize that I am smitten by her. But I would be dead before I voice out those words. Saying them out loud will make it real. And I don't want anything to do with her.
Only if things were different. If only she had nothing to do with Gina. They seemed extremely close. My guts are telling me to see beyond the friendship they both share. but that's probably my heart trying to break free of the lock it has been kept in.
She's related to the very woman I despise. To the very woman that made me a man full of unseen scar. I know better. She's definitely like Gina.
This particular feeling. I am taking it to the grave with me.'
"I wish you were wrong George but this time you are right"
"is she stalking us now or what"
"look who she is standing with"
"that's the reporter Lady"
"She has a name George. Her name is Mo." He had a fierce look
"slow down lover boy" he eyed Chris
"if calling her the wrong name is getting you all riled up like this, I wonder what you will do to that man trying to force her to dance"
George pointed to the scene.
Before he looked sideways to gauge Christian's reaction. He was already walking upfront.
George laughed at his friend sudden change in personality
"this girl has done a strong thing to Mr. ice" he ran along to stop him from turning the party upside down.
"be a gentleman and leave the lady alone. She is not interested in dancing especially not with you" his voice was ice cold and his glare were enough to freeze the Atlantic.
"and you are?" the guy enquired
"the boyfriend" he pulled her in for a hug and gave her a peck on the lips "sorry, I kept you waiting"
There was a collective gasp from the watching audience.
Mo. Looked at him in awe.
George was dumbfounded.
Gina was boiling with anger.
"I apologize for trespassing" he apologized to Mo. And left them alone.
After the guy left, his actions dawned on him.
'what the hell did I just do' he thought
He looked at George who was still obviously shaken by his friend's outrageous behavior.
Mo. Kept waiting on him for an explanation.
Clearing his throat. He freed his tie a bit.
Mo. Can see he was uncomfortable, she dragged him to the other side of the hall. With less crowd and the music was faint.
"now spill"
"what do you mean spill"
"was that act really necessary" she was obviously angry
"I really don't know why you are getting all worked up. I just saved you. A thank you would suffice"
"thank you?" she gasped
"I do not remember asking you for help"
"your demeanor said otherwise"
"oh! Now you read sign and body languages to decode distress call and save damsels in the distress"
"I would rather not be painted a knight. I'm in suits not in armor"
"I can see that. Clearly"
He sighed and calmed down "why do we always have to aim for each other's head when we are together"
"probably because I know your kind of man"
"why does that sound bad to my ears? What do you mean by my kind of man"?
"you can cut the act because I know everything about you already"
"I see your friend told you already"
"She sure did. Told me the kind of devil you really are"
Christian was abashed
"don't give me that look" she moved closer to him; with her stilettos she was almost same height as he was "I wish it was not true. I wish you were different from the rest. I wish for so many things but I know better than to believe my wishes to come through. Because they never do."
She left me standing still looking like everything that just played out was a dream.
"what the hell is she talking about" he shouted
George came through immediately
"did you tell her?
Looking more confused "tell her what"
"that you like her of course"
Christian hissed and left his friend standing.
"this guy is a handsome idiot. Alright" he ran after him. Again.

Gina sent a message to an unknown number 'There's a change in plan. I will update you later'
Mo. Found a perplexed Gina at the bar, drinking heavily. She was obviously hurt by the scene earlier.
She seemed like a bad friend. 'I shouldn't have allowed him kiss me. I don't want Gina to think I betrayed her'
"Gina you've had enough. Come on let's go home"
"No! leave me"
"you're drunk Gina" she picked a clutch purse and helped her up.
They were waiting outside for the valet to bring their car when Gina acted up.
"you blew the plan Mo. Why? Why did you let him kiss you? I thought you were on my side" she slurred
"I'm sorry Gina. I did not see it coming. You of all people should know I would never intentionally hurt you"
She jerked her hands away from Mo.
"Gina come on. You will fall"
"stop it! Stop the pretense" Gina screamed "I saw the way you looked at him when he kissed you. You looked content and happy'' she got down and wailed
Mo. Was getting uncomfortable.
"where is this valet for Goodness sake, is it so hard to get the car around"
"now you're trying to evade the questions, which proves me right"
"Gina! You're drunk. Let's talk about this with a clear head tomorrow morning"
Gina stood up suddenly, holding Mo by the hands "Just tell me honestly, I promise I won't take it personal. I will be understanding" she pleaded.
Frustrated Mo whined "what do you want to know Gina? if I actually have a thing for him?" she shouted "yes I like him" she went closer to crying Gina and hugged her. Gina fell asleep almost immediately.
The valet arrived right on time.
Mo was furious at the man. Her eyes were busy shooting guns at the unknowing man.
'I sincerely hope she doesn't remember any of this come tomorrow.
She helped Gina into the backseat, buckled her seat belt. Got in and drove off.
"did you hear that" George whistled, stepping out from the sideline with Christian in tow.
They noticed the drama between Gina and Mo.
The only thing that kept ringing in Christian's mind was the last thing Mo. Said "Yes! I like Him"