THE LETTER
633 Words
CHAPTER 4
POV: Vanessa
The next morning at school...
"Vanessa! Vanessa!" Angel shouted as she ran towards me.
"What happened?" I asked.
"Have you checked your phone?"
"No."
"Just check it."
I quickly brought out my phone and unlocked it.
My eyes widened.
"What?"
There was a video of Tony and me kissing at yesterday's party.
"Who posted this?" I asked in shock.
"I don't know," Angel replied. "Scroll down."
I scrolled down.
Another post appeared.
The headline read:
KTS Boys Revealed To Be The Sons Of Senator Ralph And Famous Artist Ariel.
There were pictures of Tony, Charlie, Maxwell, and Kayode.
"Oh my God," I whispered.
"So they were telling the truth."
Angel smiled.
"You're dating a rich guy now."
"I'm jealous."
I laughed.
"Don't be."
Just then, Kemi, Lisa, and Linda entered the classroom.
"What are you girls talking about?" Lisa asked.
I showed them my phone.
Linda gasped.
"Wow."
Lisa smiled.
"I'm happy for you."
Kemi smiled too.
"I'm happy for you, bestie."
But something didn't feel right.
Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
She looked worried.
---
POV: Kemi
After school, I went straight home.
Mom wasn't around.
Amanda was outside playing with the neighbours.
I remembered what Aunty Beatrice told me yesterday.
"If you want the truth, search your mother's room."
I took a deep breath.
"This is my chance."
I quietly entered Mom's room.
I searched her wardrobe.
Nothing.
I searched the drawers.
Nothing.
I opened her handbags one after another.
Still nothing.
I sighed.
"Maybe Aunty was wrong."
I was about to leave when something caught my attention.
Behind a pile of clothes was a small wooden box.
I carefully picked it up.
It was locked.
I looked around the wardrobe again.
After searching for a few seconds, I found a small key hidden inside an old purse.
My heart started beating faster.
With shaking hands, I unlocked the box.
Inside were some old photographs...
A bracelet...
And a letter.
I slowly picked up the letter.
My hands were trembling.
I unfolded it and started reading.
The more I read...
The weaker I became.
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"No..."
"This can't be true."
The letter slipped from my hand.
At that moment, Mom walked into the room.
"Kemi?"
She looked at me.
Then she saw the letter on the floor.
Her face turned pale.
"You found it."
I looked at her with tears in my eyes.
"Mom..."
"Is this true?"
She opened her mouth, but no words came out.
Instead...
She burst into tears.
"I'm sorry."
"I never wanted you to find out like this."
"I was going to tell you."
I wiped my tears.
"So... it's true?"
She nodded slowly.
"I never meant for any of this to happen."
"You never meant what?" I shouted.
"You lied to me all these years."
"I had no choice."
"You always had a choice!"
"You should have told me the truth."
She covered her face and cried.
"I'm sorry."
"Please forgive me."
I shook my head.
"I can't."
"Not now."
I picked up the letter and ran out of the house.
"Kemi!"
Mom called after me.
But I didn't stop.
---
POV: Kayode
I was in my room when my phone rang.
It was Kemi.
I answered immediately.
"Hello?"
I heard someone crying.
"Kemi?"
She didn't answer.
She just kept crying.
"Kemi, talk to me."
After a few seconds, she finally spoke.
"Kayode..."
"Please..."
"I need you."
My heart skipped a beat.
"What happened?"
She didn't answer.
She just kept crying.
"Send me your address."
"I'm coming."
I grabbed my car keys and rushed out of the house.
I didn't even tell my brothers where I was going.
All I knew was...
Kemi needed me.
And I wasn't going to let her face whatever had happened alone.
- Writer
