The Hidden Deal
1385 Words
The rain had stopped by morning, but the storm inside Chisom hadn’t.
She sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the photo over and over, her mother’s signature taunting her like a ghost.
> “History repeats itself. The next deal begins tonight.”
The words wouldn’t leave her mind.
Her mother — her gentle, prayerful mother — was somehow tied to the same corruption that destroyed her father?
“Chisom,” Grace said softly, standing by the door. “You haven’t slept.”
“I can’t,” Chisom whispered. “My mother knew Vincent. She worked with him.”
Grace blinked. “That’s impossible.”
Chisom handed her the photo. “This was in my locker. And look—her handwriting.”
Grace studied it, worry darkening her eyes. “This could be a setup.”
“Or it could be the truth,” Chisom said. “I need to know.”
Grace hesitated. “You’re not thinking of going home—”
“I am,” Chisom cut in. “I have to.”
Grace groaned. “At least tell David.”
But Chisom shook her head. “No. He’ll try to stop me.”
And maybe, a quiet voice whispered, because he’s part of it too.
She hated herself for even thinking it, but after everything — the secrets, the lies, the danger — she didn’t know who to trust anymore.
---
🌧 Scene Two: Homecoming
The road home was long and lonely.
The bus rumbled through the countryside, the city shrinking behind her like a fading dream.
She pressed her forehead to the glass, watching raindrops race each other down.
Golden Crown had once felt like the world; now it felt like a trap built on her father’s guilt.
When she finally reached her old neighborhood, memories hit her in waves — the narrow streets, the scent of roasted corn, the laughter of children playing by the roadside.
Her mother’s small house stood at the end, paint peeling but still warm and familiar.
Chisom hesitated before knocking.
When the door opened, her mother froze.
“Chisom? My child… what are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
Her mother stepped aside silently. The room smelled of old books and palm oil, just like before.
Chisom sat down slowly. “Mom… why didn’t you tell me you knew Vincent?”
Her mother’s hands trembled as she set down her tea. “Where did you hear that name?”
“From you,” Chisom said quietly, placing the photo on the table. “You signed this.”
Her mother’s eyes widened, horror flickering across her face. “Where did you get that?”
“In my locker. Someone wants me to know the truth.”
The silence that followed was thick enough to choke on.
Finally, her mother whispered, “Your father wasn’t the only one who made deals, Chisom. I did too.”
Chisom’s heart dropped. “What do you mean?”
Her mother’s eyes glistened. “When your father’s business collapsed, I begged the academy for help. Vincent promised to pay his debts… if I convinced your father to sign certain contracts. I thought I was saving him. I didn’t know what I was really agreeing to.”
Tears filled Chisom’s eyes. “You helped them?”
“I was desperate,” her mother said brokenly. “And after your father died, I tried to end it. But they wouldn’t let me.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Her mother looked away. “Because I thought if you succeeded at Golden Crown, maybe the curse would finally end.”
---
💔 Scene Three: The Letter
Later that night, unable to sleep, Chisom wandered into her father’s old study.
Everything was exactly as he’d left it — papers stacked neatly, a broken clock frozen at 11:47.
She traced her fingers along the dusty shelves until she found a box labeled “Private.”
Inside was a sealed envelope. Her father’s handwriting.
Her hands shook as she opened it.
> “My dearest Chisom,
If you’re reading this, it means my sins have found you. I made choices I can’t undo. Your mother did too. We thought we were protecting you, but we only tied you to men who feed on dreams.
Vincent isn’t the true enemy. He serves someone bigger — someone who built Golden Crown for reasons darker than fame.
The one you must fear is the founder himself. And if he ever finds out who you are, you must run.”
The letter ended abruptly — no signature, no date, just those chilling words.
Her breath hitched. The founder?
Golden Crown’s founder was a mystery even to students — a billionaire no one had seen in years.
And now her father was warning her about him?
She folded the letter and tucked it into her jacket, her pulse racing.
---
⚡ Scene Four: The Spy
Back at the academy, Vincent’s men were already moving.
A hooded figure slipped through the campus gates, phone in hand.
> “She went home,” the voice whispered. “Her mother knows. Should I proceed?”
Vincent’s reply was cold.
> “No. Let her dig. The deeper she goes, the more she’ll drown.”
The hooded figure hesitated.
> “And David Isaac?”
Vincent’s chuckle echoed faintly through the phone.
> “Leave him. For now.”
---
🌫 Scene Five: Truth and Lies
Two days later, Chisom returned to Golden Crown.
Grace met her at the gate, hugging her tightly. “You had me worried sick! What happened?”
“I found answers,” Chisom said quietly. “And more questions.”
David appeared moments later, his eyes scanning her face. “You left without telling me.”
“I had to,” she said. “It was about my parents.”
He stepped closer. “You don’t have to face this alone.”
Her heart ached. “I don’t even know who’s telling me the truth anymore.”
David’s jaw tightened. “Then trust what you see, not what they say.”
But even as he said it, his phone buzzed.
He glanced down — and something in his expression changed.
“What is it?” she asked.
He hesitated. “Nothing. Just… studio updates.”
She frowned. “David.”
He pocketed the phone quickly. “We’ll talk later.”
He walked away before she could stop him.
Grace whispered, “Something’s off with him.”
Chisom’s stomach twisted. Her father’s words echoed in her mind:
> “Don’t trust the man you love.”
---
🌙 Scene Six: The Disappearance
That evening, Chisom called her mother — no answer.
She tried again. Still nothing.
Worried, she messaged a neighbor back home.
Minutes later, the reply came:
> “Your mom’s not here. She left last night. Didn’t say where she was going.”
Chisom’s heart dropped.
She ran to Grace’s room, breathless. “My mom’s gone.”
Grace’s eyes widened. “What do you mean gone?”
“She disappeared. No one’s seen her.”
Then her phone buzzed again — unknown number.
> “She left because of you. Don’t look for her, or she’ll die.”
Her hand trembled. Grace grabbed the phone, reading it aloud.
“Who keeps sending these?”
Chisom whispered, “Someone who knows everything.”
---
🌒 Scene Seven: The Cliffhanger
That night, unable to rest, Chisom slipped out of the dorm and went to the old rehearsal hall — the same place where her nightmare had begun.
The room was dark and empty except for a single object left on the piano: a gold locket.
She picked it up.
Inside was a picture of her as a baby… in her mother’s arms.
But beside it was another photo — her mother, standing with David Isaac’s father.
A note lay underneath:
> “The deal was never about you, Chisom. It was about him.”
Her vision blurred. Her knees went weak.
Before she could react, a shadow moved in the doorway.
“Looking for answers again?” a voice asked.
She turned — and froze.
It was David.
But his expression wasn’t the gentle calm she knew.
This time, his eyes were cold.
- Writer
