LARISSA

Chapter 12

KARINA (NATHALIE)

“Aren’t that two the bestie of Larissa Laurent?” The blonde woman asks her friend. They were picking clothes from the rack while looking at Karina and Nathalie.

“Yes, that’s them. They are Larissa Laurent’s best friends. I always saw them everywhere, in social media, in the news…”

Nathalie and I go to a mall and shopping. We have this attitude that when we are stressed, we find shopping as a way to release our problems and stress.

But to what I’m seeing right now, it seems that it’s not the case.

“You know what, I have this feeling that two has a connection to why Larissa Laurent is missing. You see, they are best friends. They are always with Larissa. For sure, they know all that’s on her mind and her plans. Not to mention that two is just like Larissa’s shadow. In short, they are just her followers. Who knows, they don’t want to be a follower anymore. Maybe, they want Larissa to be gone on their lives. We know that Larissa has everything. Maybe, envy and jealousy hit them to do that heinous thing to Larissa Laurent…”

My eyes widen in shock at what I hear from other customers. I want to enrage and slap that b***h who gives me false accusations.

“Woah, you have a point. I never thought of that, but now that you said that, I could say you have a point. Sometimes, besties stab you in the back, right?”

The two costumes continued whispering with each other while looking at us.

I clenched my fist, and as I was about to attack them, Nathalie stopped me. “Karina, I think it’s a bad idea. Don’t make a scene here at the mall,” she whispered in my ears.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance. “Why the heck are you stopping me? Can’t you hear what they are accusing us?!”

“I heard everything. But if you attack them, you’ll face the consequence. They’re going to think that we are guilty. Not just that, you have to face charges against physical injuries. Our faces will be in the news and social media. Think, Karina, think!”

“B-But… I can’t just let them spread fake rumors about us, Nathalie. We both know that is not true,”

“We don’t have to prove ourselves right now to anyone. Just ignore them and let us walk away from here. It’s just baseless accusations anyway,”

I did my best to ignore what I’ve heard.

Nathalie assisted me in getting out of here. We find ourselves in a coffee shop.

After we took a selfie, Nathalie spoke behind me.

“I’m glad that you take my advice, Karina. You scared the s**t out of me a while ago. I really thought that you were going to fight them. Oh God, I don’t want us to end up in jail,”

I gritted my teeth again. “Thank me that I had managed to control my anger, when in fact, I want to grab their hair and wag their face on the floor!”

Nathalie sipped her tea before speaking. “Well, the truth is, I’m shocked and disappointed. I’m shocked that someone is thinking bad about us. And disappointed by other people’s quick judgment,”

“Yeah. I can’t imagine that someone is thinking badly against us. We are Larissa’s best friend, for Pete's sake! We don’t even f*****g know where she is and where she went. And now, I’m going to hear that kind of accusation. We are Larissa’s best friend, her sister. We are always there for her. I can’t accept this!”

“I suggest you calm down, Karina,”

I c****d an eyebrow at her. “Why do you seem so cool and relaxed after what you heard? Don’t tell me you’re not even mad?”

“Who says I’m not mad? I’m freaking mad too, Karina. Those accusations are not acceptable to me neither. But if we are going to let our emotions control us, then in the eyes of everyone, we are guilty. I’m just protecting ourselves,”

I took a deep breath as if I was releasing all my stress. “Where the heck is Larissa? Things are not doing good here. She needs to go back. Everyone is affected and getting crazy because she’s missing,”

“I wonder that too. And I hope wherever she is right now, she’s fine,”

“Larissa is a strong woman. I know she can survive. I can feel she’s not dead yet,”

“I hope that too,”

“But you know? We can’t blame the two women a while ago. Once the investigation goes further, I’m sure everyone in that party will be a possible suspect,” Nathalie said.

I gulped. “What! I can’t afford to let that happen! My parents are going to kill me!”

“Karina, calm down. I said, possible suspect not your fault,”

“I know, but my parents will not like the bad publicity,”

Nathalie took a deep breath too. “Same as my parents,”

Karina blinked her eyes. “But, if that’s the case, everyone in the party… then meaning, all of us is a possible suspect? Even Larissa’s family and business partners?”

Nathalie tilts her head. “It looks that way,”

I put my palm on my mouth. “Why?”

“I suddenly felt bad for Larissa’s family. I’m sure they are already stressed out finding where she is, but then if what your idea is true, then it must be painful on their side. To think your family member is missing, then everyone is accusing you of such things… I know now the feeling of being accused even though you did nothing. I’m sure it will break their heart,”

“I get what you mean, and yes, how sad for Larissa’s family and friends. But that’s how the police and investigation works, Karina. And all we have to do now is wait for the result and pray that Larissa is safe and sound,”

“You are right about that. You know? I missed her already. Even though sometimes she’s irritating and bossy, I still love her.”

Nathalie chuckled. “Who wouldn’t love her? She’s naturally charming and kind. I hope we can see her soonest,”

Yeah… I hope that too.