Chapter 9 (Diego Paper Factory)

Ian had to tell the Priest that Sally was going back to her rebellious way of life again and after a five hours sermon from the man of God no one needed to tell her to go back to school. Left for her she would just stay a delinquent and spend the rest of her miserable life trying to get Diego but in the bid to avoid another sermon she packed her bags and stomped her way to school into the open arms of her classmates.

"Hey Sal, glad to have you back. How's your fever?" Ray asked

"Fever? What on earth are you saying?" she asked with a frown. The constant fever story Ian had told them was beginning to backfire. He quickly stepped in to avoid further damage.

"She lost her memory because of the sickness" he said

"I had to come up with a lie as you kept skipping school" he whispered into her ears

"Are you better now?" Nikolay asked

The others gasped in surprise seeing him concerned about someone else. Well, she had been starving herself all these while so she looked like she was sick. He would be the devil not to show concern.

"I was never sick so there's nothing to get better from. And the hell you guys should stop asking me useless questions" she said angrily and walked out of the class. If only they knew why she was back.

"Nikolay, what happened to your face?" Ray asked

"Nothing" Nikolay said

Emma sidetracked Sally in the hall way asking her to submit her assignment in late. All that was Legend's fault. If only she didn't convert Sally into a delivery girl Emma wouldn't have the guts to approach her and ask for her assignment to be delivered. Sally was sure if she let it continue she would one day end up cleaning their rear ends.

"Look Emma, I'm having a really shitty day and the last time I felt like this I broke someone's fucking rib and ended up in juve so if you don't want that from me you better get lost!" She ranted and shoved her aside

"What?! I only asked her politely to help me give this to Mr. Luke so why did she get angry?" Emma asked herself. She rushed into the classroom and told the students what happened and what Sally said word for word. It was literally a reported speech.

"She broke someone's rib?" Sandra asked

"She went to juve?" Oscar asked. They were all concerned about what Sally said but Ian wasn't too happy about Emma trying to make her an errand girl again.

"Didn't I warn you never to order her around again? Are you stubborn or are you just plain stupid?" He asked

Ian West, the school's coolest dude just called someone stupid. And it was his campaign manager. Mrs. Andre walked in, killing the tension once again like she always did. It was as though she knew when the kids were about to go at each other's throats.

"I heard Sally is back, where is she?" she asked

"She just stepped out" Ian answered

She was at the basketball court for hours not minding the stench this time. She just wanted to be alone and the classroom wasn't going to provide her the privacy she needed.

"Sally? I figured you'd be here" Nikolay said walking in. Privacy!

"What do you want?" She asked

"You missed class and lunch, it's P.E now but I don't take that class because everyone is there. So, that's why I'm here" he said. Was he asking for his spot in the basketball court back.

"So? That doesn't answer my question. What do you want?" she asked again

"My notes!" He said suddenly thinking of something

"What notes?" She asked

"Ian didn't give you my notes? I asked him to send them to you since you were sick and missed school" he said

"Ian didn't give me any notes so go and ask him for them. Now leave me alone!" She shouted

"You seem paranoid" he said

"Since when did we become close enough for you to tell me that I'm being paranoid? Huh? Didn't I say that as long as you sat beside me in class you should never speak to me?" She asked

"Should I exchange seats then? Would I be allowed to speak to you if I did that?" He asked

"Look, I don't know what happened to you today that made you so chatty but look for someone else to bug since I'm not in the mood" she said turning away

"I know I'm being very nosy here but that day we were supposed to meet up at the Cafe to study I followed you guys and I saw you and Ian enter some sort of construction site. What were you guys doing there?" He asked

She was startled. Followed them? Construction site? She thought there was no way he would have done that. But to guess the construction site correctly would only mean that he maybe followed them that day.

"As you said, you're being nosy" she said

"Are you guys even siblings? There's no resemblance at all and your names are totally different. Ian said he went to get your medicine but you guys went to a construction site and then, I heard a name he keeps on mentioning"

"Keres" he said

Sally stood frozen to the spot. He wasn't bluffing. He had truly followed them. She turned to him and looked him in the eye. He looked like someone who would tell people about what he saw and heard.

"Keres is Ian's girlfriend and we went there that day to see her" she lied quickly

"She's older than he is so they like keeping it a secret and if you tell him that I told you about her I swear I'll kill you" she said and made to walk away

"What about the tattoo? You and Ian have the exact one" he said still not satisfied with her answer

"Still on to Keres. She's a tattooist so she gave us the tattoo as a gift. It was free" she said

"Any more questions?" She asked

"No, you've clarified everything. See you in class" he said and began to walk away. He didn't look convinced at all.

"Ian!" she said stopping him in his tracks

"He isn't my brother. It's just for show" she added

"I knew it!" Nikolay said turning around. That was what he wanted to hear. Nothing else.

"But don't tell anyone that we aren't siblings" she said

"Sure, but on one condition" he said

"What?" She asked

"You'll let me breath freely in my own desk" he said

"Deal" she said. She noticed the scar on his face

"What's up with your face?" She asked

"My face?" He asked

"Here, you have a cut right here" she stroked the scar with her fingers. Nikolay nearly jumped out of his skin at her touch. Her fingers were cold and they tickled him. He liked it. Maybe it was puberty. His hormonal changes.

"Oh..... Yeah, I ummm..." He stuttered trying to gather his thoughts

"You what?" She asked. She took out a bandage and placed it over the cut.

"I'm simply repaying you for the time you gave me one. Remember?" She asked

"I don't like being indebted to someone" she said

"Yeah..." He said

Legend had been watching them from the entrance. She saw Sally place the bandage on Nikolay's face and walked out with the one she had in her hands. Sally was beginning to get on her nerves. For some reason Nikolay was always speaking to Sally but when it came to her it was like he didn't want to spend even a second talking to her

"Do you always carry this with you?" Nikolay asked Sally

"Yeah, since I keep getting into trouble" she said and walked away

She walked into the field angrily. Ian had nearly given her out. She wouldn't have been bothered if she was still with Black Cat but now she was alone and with all the things she planned to do she couldn't afford anyone messing it up

"Ian West!" She shouted angrily

"Hey big sis!" He said waving at her

He rushed towards her just as Nikolay stepped out. He looked at them smirking, so happy that he had known their secret.

"Hey sis" he said placing his arm across her shoulder. She was really mad but lashing out in public wasn't going to do her any good.

"Let's go to the classroom" she said and walked back inside

"Hey Nikolay, glad you've covered that stuff up I was beginning to want to puke" Ian said following her. The game was over for them. Nikolay just wanted to find out who Sally was. She was intriguing to him so he wanted to find at least one dirt on her and he had found out about her fake sibling relationship with Ian as well as Ian's forbidden relationship

"Um... Ian, I'll be needing my notes back" he said

"Sure. Sal wait up!" He said and ran after her

"What's wrong?" He asked in the privacy of the classroom

"Nikolay followed us to the construction site the other day" she said

"What?!" Ian exclaimed

"He knows we have the same tattoo" she added

"Get out!" He said

"I'm not kidding. And he said you kept mentioning my real name Are you nuts?!" She asked hitting him on his head

"That was a mistake plus I was on edge knowing I left you alone in the church and that you're capable of doing anything. That's why the name just kept popping out of my mouth" he added holding his head

"I had to lie. I told him that we went to the construction site to see your girlfriend Keres who happens to be older than you and I told him we aren't siblings" she said

"Smooth bluff. But did he buy it?" he asked

"Yeah, because I told him what he wanted to hear" she said

"What's that?" He asked

"That we aren't siblings. He kept asking that anytime he saw me so I finally told him what he wanted to hear" she said

"You're so good at this but you don't think he was asking so he'd get my permission to court you, right?" He asked

"Oh shut up. And I warned you already didn't I? You don't know how to cover your tracks. Anymore mistakes from you again and you'll get it from me" she warned

"Get what from you?" Sandra asked walking into the class with the others

"What are you guys doing here, alone?" Legend asked

"What do you mean alone?" Sally said and walked out of the classroom

"Ian?" Legend asked turning towards him

"Why are you curious about that?" He asked and followed her

Keres kept her promise of coming back to her old neighborhood. Mrs. Blueberry's shop was the first place she hit after patrolling the area like she was a Cop or something. She believed they would have more information than any other person because they witnessed the whole reconstruction.

"Hi Lucia!" She said standing in front of Mrs. Blueberry's shop

"Maeve!" The lady shouted rushing out. Keres' expression changed instantly.

"Where? Where's she?" James asked walking out

"James" Keres said waving at him

"Oh my God, it's really her" he said with his hands over his mouth. "Don't just stand there, come and give me a hug!" He said

"Okay" Keres said and hugged him

"Come inside" Lucia said

"Is Perry back from school?" She asked

"No, he has after school class" Lucia said

"I had after school class but since Maeve, I mean, Keres told me she was coming I cancelled it" Perry said walking in

"Hi" Keres smiled

"You look good in a uniform" he said

"Thanks" she said

"Which school?" James asked setting down a feast in front of them

"Delta High School" she said taking a chicken drumstick. They all seemed frozen hearing the name of the school she attended. It was Delta High. Owned by Diego Enterprise the people who kicked them out of their homes.

"What?" She asked as they stared at her

"Um... Do you know that the owners of the school are the ones who caused the reconstruction?" Perry asked

"Yeah, why?" She asked

"Nothing" Lucia said

"Wow, you seem hungry" Perry said also digging in

"I've missed this plus I didn't have lunch in school today" she said

"Why? Are the kids there bullying you?" James asked

"Not at all. Was so busy with school work" she said

"Look Dad, it's Keres we're talking about. Who'll bully whom?" Perry asked

"Let's leave two of them" Lucia said pulling James away. They were old fashioned but the two teenagers in front of them seemed to bond well so space was the only thing they could offer aside from food

"Speaking of school work, I need some A4 papers for a write up. Do you know if the distribution department in the paper factory takes small orders?" She asked

"They take anything. I'll take you there when we're done" he offered

"No, don't bother. I can go alone, and your Mom needs help here with the shop" she said

"Her husband's here, he can help her out" he said

"You never change" she said smiling

"Um..... I'll go get those papers now so that you can get changed into comfy clothes" she said getting up

"Okay, don't take long or Mom's going to make me go find you" he said

"It won't be long" she said

She walked briskly towards the paper factory and stopped at the gate. A kindergarten had occupied that land before the reconstruction. Parents who were too busy with work brought their kids there and could leave them in the safe hands of the owners till midnight. Her parents often left her and her twin at the kindergarten there till the unfortunate incident happened. Now it was a paper factory. She stood outside looking at the building until a security guard walked up to her.

"Excuse me Miss, can I help you?" He asked

"Yes Sir. I would like to buy some A4 paper for some school work. Would that be possible? I don't know if the factory takes small orders" She said

"Yeah, do come in" he said opening the gate

"Thanks" she said stepping in

"What kind of a factory takes orders anyway? Not that it isn't good for me in this situation. I just want to know" She said

"Well, this is no ordinary factory. They produce and sell. The profit is bigger that way. According to them" he answered

"Thanks for the information" she said and walked inside without getting inspected

She walked into the factory looking around like she lost something.

"Miss, can I help you?" Someone asked

"Yes, I want to get some A4 paper" she said

"Okay, come with me" he said walking to his desk

"There sure are a lot of papers here" she said taking a seat

"Of course, it's a paper factory" he said

"You guys should be careful you know. The building could go up in flames" she said

"How many do you need?" He asked laughing at her supposed joke

"For a family that died?" she said

"Excuse me?" He asked

"There was a Father, Mother and two daughters but one daughter died along with the Father and Mother while the other one had gone missing for years. How many sheets of paper do you think they'd need to narrate their sad story to the world?" She asked

"I don't think I understand you Miss" he said

"You'll never understand" she said looking at him straight in the eyes. He didn't understand a thing she was saying but she was narrating her story to him. The one his overall boss was involved in.

"Miss?" He asked

"I'm writing an essay, that's what I need the paper for and you gave me the right emotion I needed. I want my Teachers to be confused like you were" she said

"Ok. But confusing them sometimes might just lead to you getting a low score. Most of them Teachers aren't ready to read the whole story" he said

"Exactly. But I'll make it so bloody they'll want to read everything" she said

"Okay. Good luck young writer" he said

"Thanks. And, I'll need just five" she added

"Okay. You can pay at the desk on your way out" he said and handed them over to her

"Thanks. Can I use the restroom?" She asked

"Yeah, go upstairs, it's the last door to your right"

"Thanks again" she said and walked away

"What a strange girl" he said to his colleague

"She's a high schooler. That's how they are. Strange" his colleague said.

She walked into the bathroom, made sure no one was in any of the stalls and unzipped her bag. It was packed with IED's and cellphone bombs. She took out a handful of them from the bag and placed them under the wash-hand basins, by the side of the toilet sitters and on the walls around the bathroom. She walked out of the restroom and put up the In use sign.

When she was done she proceeded to the hall way leading to various working rooms. There were no CCTVs around there. She opened a door to a room and found two people making out. Smiling to herself she walked in as they were too busy to notice her presence, took out another homemade bomb with a cellphone timer and placed it on the wall between a pile of papers and as silent as ever she sneaked out of the room then locked the door with a padlock and chain and as quickly as possible raced down the stairs before closing the door that lead to the stair case

"Hey, I'm leaving" she said to the man who attended to her

"Thanks for patronizing us" he said

"I loved patronizing you guys" she said and walked out. All smiles she waved the guard at the gate bye and walked out of the factory

"I didn't take long did I?" She asked standing beside the door

"Maeve!" James said smiling

"No you didn't. You took twenty six minutes and fifteen seconds" Perry said looking at his watch

"Wow, you timed me?" she asked stepping in

"Yeah, Mom told me once it was up to thirty minutes I should go get you" Perry said

"What do you want to do?" she asked setting down her bag

"Actually, someone wants to see you" Perry said

"Who?" She asked turning around

"Keres" Hunter said

"Hunter, it's a miracle!" Lucia said

"Maeve came back alive" she added

"Keres!" She shouted. They all turned to look at her

"It's Keres" she said in a calm tone

"Of course. I was just saying your Uncle finally showed us his face after two years since the incident" James said trying to ease the tension

"Aren't you two glad to see each other again?" He asked. Hunter knew she had seen them the day they were on their toes trying to find her and so he decided to look for her at the shop after Ian gave him a call saying he hadn't seen her after school.

"Can I be excused?" She asked

"I want to use the restroom" she said picking up her phone, all the time maintaining eye contact with Hunter. She dialled the number of the phones attached to the detonator one after another.

"Sure, go on dear" Lucia said. As she walked inside Hunter knew she was up to something but he couldn't come out in front of Lucia and the others to tell them he made Keres part of something and since kicking her out she became a black sheep.

"Dad, she doesn't seem to be interested in Uncle Hunter coming back" Perry whispered to James. James was trying to get Hunter to tell them where he had been when they heard a bang. It was as if the earth was shaking

"Oh my gosh, what was that?" Lucia asked holding onto James' arm. Keres had come out of the restroom and Hunter saw the most wicked smile he had ever seen on her face.

"Maybe it's the apocalypse, or the alien invasion" Perry said holding his head

"Oh my God!" James said as he turned towards the direction of the factory.

"James there are people in there. Call 911!" Lucia said

James took out his phone with shaky hands and tried calling the Police while Perry tried the fire station. It wasn't going to work. Keres had jammed all communication services with the IED. There was no calling for help.

"Let them burn" Keres said putting on her bag

"Before the fire fighters get here everything must have gone down anyway. There's nothing you can do to stop it" she and walked out. Hunter knew at once it was her. She was at it again.

"What?!" Diego screamed. His phone dropped from his hand

"Honey, what's wrong" Claudia asked rushing towards him

He held onto his chest and began to gasp for breath. A heart attack it was. Just what Keres wanted. He collapsed from the shock that his paper factory was burnt to the ground. It wasn't up to six months since he lunched it and now all the money he invested in it was levelled to the ground.

"Nikolay! Your Dad's dying!" She screamed

"What?!" Nikolay and Stellar asked walking out of their rooms to see the scene. They weren't in any way bothered about him because he could be faking it. He had done it before to avoid investigation from the Persecutors so he could do it again. But this time, he was really dying

"Daddy" Stellar began to cry noticing it was real. If it wasn't he would have asked them to join in the pretense.

"Um..... Mom help him into the car, I'll drive to the hospital" he said

"But you don't have a license" Claudia said

"Is that what's important right now?!" He asked angrily

"Okay, let's go" she said and Stellar helped lift him up from the sofa.

Fortunately for the Diego's he received treatment immediately and was taken to the intensive care unit. "Your husband had a mild heart attack but he's fine now, you can go see him if you want" the Doctor said

"Thank you so much, Doctor" Claudia said thankful she wasn't a widow. She held Diego's hands. One would think they were a happily married couple.

"How're you feeling Dad?" Stellar asked

"I was so worried" Claudia said

"What made you have a heart attack? Bad news?" Nikolay asked without any compassion

"Nikolay, don't talk to your Dad like that. He's sick" Claudia said

"The factory. The paper factory blew up" Diego said

"What?!" They exclaimed

"Yes" he said

"How much did I invest in that?" Diego said in agony

"Are you concerned about your investments burning away or whether there were any workers in the factory and that their lives are on the line?" Nikolay asked

"I should have just let you die" he said and walked out of the ward

"Darn him!" He said hitting his leg against a chair. If he knew it wasn't because he had a failed health but a failed business he probably would have let him die

"Nikolay" Legend called

"What are you doing here?" He asked surprised to see her

"I saw the news and went to your house but your nanny said you guys were here. How's Uncle?" She asked

"He'll live" he said and sat down

"That's great to hear but how's he taking the loss?" She asked sitting beside him

"You can go and see for yourself" he said and walked away

Legend wondered if they were still on bad terms. Nikolay and his Father weren't always on each others throats. In fact they were best friends and he often bragged about having the best Dad in the world but after the whole reconstruction story that led to Hazel's death he saw who his Father truly was and all the good times they had turned into bad times.

"Hello, Auntie"

"Oh Legend, thanks for coming" Claudia said hugging her

"Uncle, I'm so sorry for the loss" she said

"Thank you my dear, you really are the one for me" Diego said smiling

"Where's my brother?" Stellar asked

"He went to the vending machine" she lied nervously

"How can he think of drinking soda when Dad's like this?" Stellar questioned angrily

News about the Diego Paper Factory going up in flames had spread like wild fire. The students at Delta High couldn't help but whisper amongst themselves when Nikolay wasn't in the class. It was a misfortune for Nikolay's Father but to them, juicy news.

"Hey guys, did you hear about what happened to Nikolay's Father?" Ray asked

"What happened to Nikolay's Father?" Ian asked

"He collapsed from shock when he learnt that one of his buildings exploded" Ray answered

"What?!" Sandra exclaimed

"How's he now?" Emma asked

"You should ask Legend, she went to the hospital so she should be able to give you the details" Ray said

"First the school and now his building. What's going on with the Diego's?" Oscar asked

"I'll say karma" Ian said

"When Sal gets here I don't want you guys talking about Nikolay's Father, okay?" he requested

"Why?" Emma asked

"Because my big sis might be concerned about her desk buddy" he said and took out his books

"Sure, but what did you mean by karma?" Sandra asked

"Think about it, concerning the school they promoted those who failed but had money to push their way through but those who didn't have the money to do so were kicked out. Why even start the policy of once you fail you get kicked out in the first place?" He said

"All that's happening to them is pay back for what they did to the students they drove away" he added

"You have a point but that's not reason enough for you to say it's karma. There must be something else. What's it?" Ray asked

"Finish your class work" Ian shut him up

"Hey, I heard that Alice in Ruby Class was called back to school and Susie was sent home" Danielle said rushing in

"Why?" Ray asked

"Alice failed last session and according to the rumors didn't have any money to push her way forward while Susie pushed her way forward with money so she was asked out of the school" she explained

"So Susie that snake pushed her way with money and that day on the field when we were leaving school she went on about how she was one of the brilliant students in Ruby Class" Oscar said

"Is there anyone in Lily Class who is involved?" Legend asked

"Our class? I don't know" Danielle said sitting

"Great, just great" Ian said

Sally sat at the entrance of the school smiling to herself as she listened to some music on her phone. She knew what Keres had done. It explained her cheerful mood that morning. If things didn't go as planned she would have been in a grumpy and grouchy mood. But no, Diego was slowly going down. That was enough to put a smile on the devil's face. She saw Legend hurrying into the school from the gate checking her wrist watch with every step she took.

"What's the hurry for?" Sally asked taking off her earphone

"Sal, did Mrs. Andre ask about me when she came for the roll call?" Legend asked slowing down

"No, surprisingly she's sick so no one has come for the roll call yet. And why are you coming in now?" She asked

"I had to see a friend's Dad in the hospital" Legend said

"Go on. No one's in the classroom" Sally said

"Okay" Legend said rushing past her

Sally placed the earphone back on, closed her eyes and continued to savour the relief she felt in her heart. Suddenly, a shadow blocked the ray of the sun from her face. She opened her eyes to find Nikolay standing in front of her

"Aren't you going to pay for the show you seem to be enjoying?" She asked him and took out the earphone

"I thought it was free. Why are you out here?" He asked

"That's none of your business" she said looking away

"Hey, you and Legend came in the same time. Suspicious" she said turning towards him

"It's not like that. I was at the hospital earlier and she came to see me so we took a taxi here together" he said

"Ah, the friend's Father who's in the hospital was you? Quite chummy isn't it?" she asked

"Legend sure tells you stuff" he said

"Because I asked. How's your Dad?" She asked

"Good. Thanks for asking" he said

Legend walked back to the entrance of the school wondering where Nikolay was. She saw him and Sally talking and hid behind a piller listening to their conversation

"Aren't you going in?" She asked

"Want to go together?" He asked

"Sure" she said and made to walk away

"Wait!" He said holding her back

"Yes?" She asked

"I know this is going to sound crazy but I've got to ask. You and Ian, do you guys sleep in the same room?" He asked

"Why does that concern you?" She asked

"Well, I wasn't bothered about it before when I thought you guys were siblings, but now?" he said

"Now what?" She asked

"I mean, he's a guy and you're a girl. It doesn't make sense that you guys should be sleeping in the same room" he said

"Then should I come join you in your room?" She asked standing so close to him he had to back away

"Ummm..... That's...." He stuttered

"You're imagining weird things. And yes, we sleep not just in the same room but on the same bed" she lied

"What?!" He exclaimed

"I was kidding" she laughed

"You know what?" He asked

"What?" She asked

"Sometimes, you sound like someone I knew. The voice, gestures and way of talking is the same, except the face" he said staring into her eyes with a nostalgic expression

"Let me guess. Your first love?" She asked

"Maybe" he said still holding her wrist

"Okay, you can let go now" she said and pulled away from him

"You now reply when I talk to you. Is it so I won't tell anyone you and Ian aren't siblings?" He asked

"It was a mistake starting up a conversation with you" she said and began to walk away

"What are you guys doing after school?" He asked following her

"I'm bored, I want to join" he said

"I thought you said your Dad was sick in the hospital?"

"Aren't you supposed to be watching him?" She asked

"I hate him" he said

"What are you doing?" Ian asked appearing behind Legend who was trying to hear their conversation. She couldn't even hear half of it and when she was beginning to grab a few words Ian had to interrupt

"Nothing" she said and walked away

"Well, we might kill some human beings. Interested?" Sally asked

"Yes" he said smiling at her joke

"I think we've become friends" he said staring at her again

"Stop looking at me like that. It's disturbing" she said

"What if I want it to be disturbing?" he asked

"What the hell?" Sally screamed in her head

"What's going on here?" Ian asked from behind them

"Oh my gosh, you scared me!" She said hitting him slightly

"Ouch, were you caught doing something wrong? Why are you angry?" He asked rubbing the spot as she walked out

"What was that I saw?" He asked Nikolay now serious

"What did it look like?" Nikolay asked

"Look, I don't want things to get awkward between us" Ian said

"Things were already awkward between us from the start, let's not pretend like we are friends when we're not" Nikolay said

"Then stay clear from my sister" Ian said

"Sister? Gosh Ian, don't give me that" Nikolay said and walked inside brushing past him