The Secret Contender

The sound of the pounding music could be heard from the distance. Kimora was hosting another party and even though the neighbours were highly irritated by this loud music and blinding disco lights on the porch, they could not do anything about it. The Police would not be able to help either. Kimora was the arrogant and haughty daughter of George Delano, the mayor of the city of Alaba. With the influence of her father and the absence of her mother who died after giving birth to her, Kimora was a free spirit, doing as she pleased at any time, any day and anywhere. The former was a queen with long blonde hair, a voluptuous pear-shaped body and a model’s face that exhibited an attractive aura; and with cash in her bag, she maintained her gorgeous looks with elegant apparel and footwear. Her boyfriend, Gilbert Monroe was no different. He was the son of Dylan and Zain Monroe, the billionaire couple with more than one firm scattered across the City of Alaba. Clad in a pretty boy face, a pair of grey piercing narrow eyes and hair styled in a textured Quiff with a low fade, Gilbert was a lad the girls could not ignore. He oozed with charisma and class; qualities that most high school students did not possess. A playboy at heart, his gentle manliness was something you could see from the way he talked, walked and interacted with others yet it was just an allure. The real Gilbert was a bad boy, haughty and proud. He had a motto in life-to get what he wanted and never to lose to anyone. Just like Kimora, he did whatever he wanted and no one questioned him about it-not even his parents. They lavished him with freedom and anyone who dared take this freedom away from him was an enemy and one such person was Maria Roldan; a sweet seventeen year old girl with a sweetheart smile that complimented the freckles on her face. Ever jovial, the girl never cared about her poor background but she did everything she could; including studying hard to change the status of her family. Compared to Kimora, Maria was nothing but a small frame lacking physical and financial prowess but this did not stop her from getting the attention of Gilbert. Expecting a king’s treatment and a sugar coated yes from Maria, Gilbert haughtily proposed to Maria but she rejected him and thus humiliating him in public, making him spiteful. He plotted to avenge his humiliation in kind and his desire would be fulfilled at his girlfriend’s party. Gracing the dance floor with her presence, Kimora danced merrily with her friends Penny, Tasha and Coral. The partiers cheered happily but the person she wanted to impress the most was nowhere to be seen. After her, dance, Kimora gloried in compliments as she headed to the kitchen for another shot. She had promised her father that there would be no liquor at the party but as usual, it was just a lie. Her friends followed her into the kitchen and slumped at the table, feeling tipsy. "Have you seen Gilbert?" Kimora asked her friends after gulping down a glass of whiskey in haste. “Slow down with that.” Penny, the most loyal and most concerned of her friends said. “Have you seen him?” Kimora ignored Penny’s advice. "We saw him at the pool with his friends." Tasha replied. "Why didn't you tell me earlier? Christopher and Liam are bad influence on Gilbert." "Come on, Kimora. It's not like you can stop him from hanging out with them." Coral chipped in. "Of course I can't, but I can still keep an eye on them if they are nearby." Kimora said. "Go and find them. I will be at the table." Penny, Tasha and Coral obviously didn't want to go but they left in search of Gilbert, each one aiming to get to him first. Penny wanted to score some points with Kimora while the other two sought his love and between Tasha and Coral, Coral was the most dangerous. She was obsessed with Gilbert and his fame so much that it did not matter if her obsession ended in a one night stand. Penny found Gilbert and went back to give a report. He was among his friends playing a truth or dare game and binge drinking. The girls cheered, hoping to be noticed. Tasha and Coral joined them after a few minutes. Maria, her brother, Michael and her friend, Julia were also attending the party. Gilbert had asked Kimora to invite her too and even though she disliked Maria, Kimora had no choice but to invite her and her companions in order to please Gilbert. Little did she know that Gilbert was up to no good again. Kimora came to meet Maria and gave her a pretentious hug and a kiss on each cheek. “Thank you for inviting us.” Maria said. “It was nothing.” Kimora shrugged and walked away. she resented hanging around people beneath her status anyway. Maria flipped her hair back in discomfort. She could not help but think she had made a mistake to go to the party. “Why are people avoiding us?” Julia complained. “We are in the wrong place.” Michael replied. “Maybe we should go home now.” Maria said and turned to start leaving but Gilbert was directly standing in front of her. "It's just a party, Kitty cat." Gilbert retorted, his hand caressing her cheek lovingly. "Don’t touch me, Gilbert!" "You should come and join us." Gilbert ignored her directive and grabbed her wrist. "No." "Why are you so rigid, Maria?" "Can you let her go? She doesn’t want to come with you." Michael pouted. Gilbert tried to protest but she was stronger, weakening his resolve. "Fine….Then you hang out with us, Michael." Gilbert said and took Michael’s hand instead. The two of them went to join Liam and Christopher. The three of them were whispering in soft tones. “Make Michael drink to a stupor. I do not want him to get in the way.” Gilbert whispered. “Are you sure you want to do this, Gilbert?” Christopher asked him. “Think it through, man.” “I could easily forget about the humiliation Maria subjected me to, but I don’t want another girl to do the same thing to me next time. I want Maria to be an example to all the girls that think they can reject Gilbert Monroe.” Gilbert said. “What is the plan?” Liam asked. “I will distract Kimora. Then you guys can help me get the plain Jane into my car.” Gilbert said and left to go and meet Kimora. The latter chirped when she saw him approaching. “I thought you wouldn’t come to find me.” She said. “Why wouldn’t I?” Gilbert asked and pulled her close. Kimora giggled as he planted a kiss on her red lips. “What took you so long….” “The boys kept me busy but I’m all yours now.” “Shall we go upstairs?” “Yes. I just need to grab a drink. You go on first.” Gilbert said and left for the kitchen. There, he poured himself a glass of wine, took a sip and slipped something into the drink. Kimora did not go to her room as directed. She rather followed Gilbert to the kitchen and saw him. She retreated immediately and went up the stairs in haste. Meanwhile, Gilbert followed her to her room. Walking in, he found Kimora seated on her bed, sipping another glass of wine. “You should have told me you have some wine in here.” Gilbert said and placed the glass on the table with the other one. He kissed Kimora to distract her and while she was not watching he switched the glasses. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Kimora asked him. “Maybe later.” Gilbert said and grabbed a glass, drinking from it. Kimora flowed suit and dunk from hers. “Dad is not returning home until Sunday evening.” Kimora said, indirectly asking Gilbert to stay over. “That means I can stay over for two nights.” He said, chortling merrily. Kimora smiled. She was hoping for one night, but two was a double potion of bliss. “I would love that.” she said and leaned on his shoulder as they continued talking. *** After a while, Christopher and Liam ditched the crowd and went to talk in a secluded area. Liam looked around, his eyes searching every nook and corner to see if anyone was nearby. With the coast clear, he turned back to Christopher with a grin. "We have succeeded in getting Michael drunk. Julia is being taken care of by Karl. Now we need to make sure that we separate Kimora from Gilbert" He said. "Is this the only way we can get to fulfill the task?" Christopher retorted. "Kimora is a pest." "Maybe we should let things go, Liam. I feel sorry for Maria." "Oh come on!" Liam pouted. "You can't have second thoughts now." "Fine." Christopher agreed reluctantly and went upstairs. In the hallway, they met Penny, Tasha and Coral eyeing them suspiciously. “Where are you going?” Penny asked the boys. “We haven’t seen Gilbert in a while.” Liam retorted. “I saw Gilbert and Kimora enter her room.” Penny said. “We shouldn’t disturb them.” “Then you hang out with us instead.” Christopher suggested. “Three is a crowd. Tasha and Coral can come with you.” Penny said, desiring to linger behind. “I need some fresh air. Liam, Christopher, Tasha and Coral exchanged worried glances, but they agreed and left Penny alone. She went to the balcony for some fresh air and returning, she saw Gilbert tip-toeing out of Kimora’s room and closing the door behind him gently. Penny followed Gilbert downstairs to see what he was up to and she was shocked to see him chasing after Maria pleadingly. “Let go of me!” Maria shouted at him. “I need to go now.” “You can’t go. Your brother is drunk and your friend is nowhere to be seen. What will you tell your parents?” “This is all your friends’ fault! They made him drink when he is not even used to it.” “You mean your brother is a first timer.” Gilbert laughed. “What is so funny?” Maria glared at him. “I’m sorry.” Gilbert said, caressing her cheek. Maria swatted his hand away. “I have an idea.” Gilbert chuckled. “Why don’t you and I step out for fresh air and come back? Your brother would have sobered up a little by then. I will make a call to Liam to give Michael a glass of milk.” “I don’t want to go anywhere with a playboy like you.” “Relax, Maria. It’s just a drive to the park. Then we will come back and I will take you, your brother and your friend home.” Gilbert remarked, hoping for a yes this time. Maria hesitated. She did not want to trust Gilbert, but the ambience of the party, the sweat and the smell of alcohol was nauseating. “Alright…” Maria said. Gilbert chortled merrily and took her hand. Penny watched them leave and dashed back, tramping up the stairs to Kimora’s room. Gilbert opened the door for Maria and she got into the car. Her mind was still cautioning her about her decision to go out with Gilbert but she brushed the thought off. “I'll handle the problem if he tries anything stupid.” she thought to herself. Gilbert got into the driver’s seat beside her and started the engine. Meanwhile, Liam chirped as he pulled Christopher aside. “Gilbert just texted me….” Liam said. “He is about to make Maria pay for mistake. Isn’t that good?” “Yes….” Christopher replied and forced a smile. “We should go and celebrate.” Liam said. “Yes, sure. But I need to use the rest room quickly.” Christopher said and left immediately. Gilbert brought the car to a stop in Greenview Park. The place was quiet and dark with only trees and crickets as their companions. “We should go back now.” Maria said, feeling uncomfortable. “We just arrived.” Gilbert replied and chuckled. “What is the hurry?” “There you go….I should not have trusted you.” “Why are you always so irritated by my presence?” Gilbert put on an emotional show, his expression grimaced. “I don’t have anything against you, Gilbert but we can’t be together.” “Why?” “You have a girlfriend.” “I can break up with her.” “Yes, but I don’t love you.” Maria said and looked elsewhere. “Do you have someone in your life already?” “No.” “Then give me a chance. I promise I will make you love me.” “No.” “Why not?” Gilbert complained. “We all deserve a chance, don’t we?” “Gilbert, I love someone else.” “Who?” “It’s Christopher.” “Christopher?” Gilbert was shocked. “I will deal with him after I am done with you.” “…and please don’t tell him about it. He doesn’t know yet.” “You’re planning to confess?” “No.” Maria frowned. “I will endure the pain of loving him from a distance. We will soon graduate high school anyway.” “Will you give me a chance then?” “Gilbert…” “All I am asking for is a chance to prove that I love you, Maria.” Gilbert pleaded, taking her hands in his. “You don’t understand.” Maria said. “Please…please, Maria.” Duncan kept on begging her. “I…Gilbert.” “Please, I am begging you Maria.” Gilbert said, kissing her hands. “Okay. Fine….” Maria said and withdrew her hands. “I will think about it.” “Thank you! Thank you so much.” Gilbert said and abruptly hugged her. “We should go back now.” Maria said, freeing herself from his grip; unknown to her there was a camera capturing them in the car. “Sure.” Gilbert chortled and kissed the back of her hand. “Since I have to prove that I love you, can I start now?” “You are dating Kimora.” Maria said. Gilbert chortled and reached his hand into his pocket and took out an identity bracelet and slid it on Maria’s wrist. “This was my mother’s. It is yours now. She told me to give to the girl I love.” Gilbert said. Maria was flustered. Gilbert sounded sincere but he loved someone else. “Gilbert, I have already- “I know, Maria.” Gilbert said, putting a finger on her lips to hush her. Maria flinched. “I am going to wait for you.” he added and leaned in kissing he shoulder. Maria moved back but he leaned in further and kissed her under her ear. Maria recoiled but Gilbert brought closer in a single pull and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck and she weakened in his embrace. “Wait!” she said. “What now?” Gilbert groaned. “I- well, I am a virgin.” “I know.” Gilbert said and tied to kiss her. “No.” Maria said pushing him away. “I don’t want to be a mother before college.” “Who said you are going to be a mother?” Gilbert felt a prick of irritation. “Let’s go back.” Maria said. Gilbert softened and caressed her face lovingly. Maria weakened again, breathing softly as he cuddled her. “Tell me you don’t like this and I will stop.” Gilbert whispered in her ear. “I do.” she muttered, letting her hands hug him close to her body until she gave in. A few minutes later, Gilbert leaned back; feeling exulted for having fulfilled his plan. He looked up at the tiny camera above them and smirked. The second step was completed and now all he had to do was blur his face and upload the video on social media for everyone to see. Gilbert was all smiles but Maria was beating herself for having lost her virginity to someone she did not even care about. “What’s wrong?” Gilbert pretended to be concerned. “Nothing.” Maria said. Gilbert reached out into the compact and took out some pills and gave them to Maria. “If you are worried about getting pregnant, that is the solution.” “This shouldn’t have happened, but I supposed you planned it.” “What if I did?” Gilbert chuckled. “What will you do about it, Maria?” “You are so despicable. I should not have trusted you” “I did not hold you at gun point. You had a choice, but as usual no girl is able to resist my charm.” Gilbert said and laughed. “Is this why you brought me here?” “Just put yourself together. This is normal.” Gilbert snorted inconsiderately. Maria was about to snap when suddenly, a blinding light coming from another car shined on them in full beam, glowing on their faces and deterring their sight. As they were trying to understand the situation, the driver of the other car started speeding towards them while hooting their horn in an exaggerated manner.