Chapter Seven

     Chapter Seven

‘Hello’

‘Hi, you took so long to pick your phone, I was about to hang up is everything ok that side? Connie asked curiously trying to sound as normal as she could.

‘Sorry about that Connie, we are in the middle of breakfast and my phone was on the couch. If you can hold on for a second, let me excuse myself.’ Trish said as she rose up from the table munching on her sandwich.

Her mother gave her a disapproving look and she just shrugged her shoulders apologetically. Trish knew that her action was going to get her into trouble, even before she was out of earshot her mother was already complaining.

‘Ben, you see what I am always talking about, your daughter knows the rules of the table yet she brought her phone to the table setting a bad example to her younger siblings.’ Annie grimaced.

‘Annie, please let us enjoy this wonderful breakfast in peace.’ Ben replied in a cool tone 

Closing the door behind her, Trish went to sit on one of the verandah chairs.

‘Hello, sorry that took a while. So tell me how are things your end? Trish asked 

Connie replied in a soft voice ‘I wish I had an answer to that especially after last night_________’ 

Trish excited voice interrupted her, ‘You know I can’t stop thinking about yesterday, I really had a wonderful time. Did you by any chance talk to that stranger from last night again?’ Trish asked the first thing that was on her mind.

Trish’s question took her by surprise bringing back the conversation she had with Nick last night and she took a moment to reply wondering if it was Trish who gave him her number. Nick was part of the reason she had called but was not the subject, she had another pressing matter on her mind. Trying hard to sound casual Connie replied non-interested. ‘No. how could he call, I neither got his number nor gave him mine. What about you, have you spoken__________ .’

Connie was not allowed to finish as Trish in her excitement cut her off again ‘Even me too, I have not spoken to him. It was so naïve of us not to get his number, such a handsome and hot looking guy, anyway maybe the right thing to do is to just forget about him’ 

Connie got an answer to her suspicion it became obvious to her that it was not Trish who gave him her number. Her eyes flew open as another thought crossed her mind, could it be Emma during an interrogation? Connie closed her eyes quickly pushing away the flashes of Emma bound to the chair dripping blood all over.

On the other hand Trish was silently happy that Connie had not given her number to Nick and she was showing no interest in him at all. Connie so far had appeared to her as the only possible obstacle that could hinder her and her plans to conquer Nick. Now that she was out of the picture Trish purposed to pursue her interest but secretly at first.

Clearing her throat Connie asked, ‘Umm, there is something I want to ask you about last night. Umm…did you notice anything out of the ordinary about that guy, Nick? I mean how do you see him?

Trish was taken aback, Connie had shown no interest even to talk about the guy and now because out of curiosity she has asked about him suddenly she too is interested, hell no. Trish was not going to allow that to happen, ‘Connie must stick to her first decision of no interest.,’ she thought 

‘Well, I can’t say much about him because the only time we had contact is when we danced and we were not chatting because of the loud music. Why do you ask about him all of a sudden, are you reconsidering perhaps?’ Trish asked her tone irritated

‘What do you mean reconsider when there was nothing to consider in the first place? Its only that he appeared a bit weird to me that’s why I asked.’ Connie scoffed

Trish couldn’t help but smile. Her reply was a sign that the coast was still clear

‘Handsome rich guys are always weird that’s a known fact and that is what makes them interesting. Anyway, I hope our path does not cross again.’ Trish spoke the last part with strong emphasis.

Baffled Connie said ‘Finally, you have your senses back regarding that guy he is not worth any effort so the quicker you forget about him the better. Anyway, can you please stop interrupting me every time Trish, give me a chance to say the reason why I called. By any chance did you talk to Emma today?’

 Trish was disturbed by Connie’s statement she wondered if she had given away her feelings regarding Nick. She silently hoped it was not so and just to be safe she needed to come up with a solution to rectify the situation. 

‘Yes, I think you are right, he is very arrogant anyway. I hope you understand that talking about him does not mean anything to me at all. Its just that____uh, you know after last night, being our first time in that club ________.’ Trish was interrupted before she finished.

‘What is wrong with you Trish, I thought we agreed that we are not talking about that crazy guy again. I asked you if you have spoken to Emma at all today but you are not answering me ‘ Connie yelled,  was slowly getting impatient with her. Nick had done enough damage for her today and she did not appreciate Trish constantly bringing him up in their conversation.

‘No! Dammit! And why do you keep asking me the same question? You can call her yourself and ask if she has called me or not.  What is it to you whether or not I did, does she have something to tell me that you know of?’ annoyed Trish responded angrily.

 Connie ignored her anger as she replied gloomily ‘Emma’s mum was here at my house this morning. I wish you knew what kind of trouble she has stirred up for me.’ 

Connie sobbed in the phone.

‘What? Whatever the hell for, was she with Emma? That bitch must have told her that we were at the club together last night’ Trish screamed, she suddenly felt angry, earlier on she had also tried Emma’s number but it did not go through.

‘I wish but No. Apparently Emma did not return home last night nor this morning either so she wanted to inquire if I knew where she was.’ Connie said wearily

Trish’s mind started racing and she found herself saying ‘Dammit! That bitch, she just doesn’t know where to apply her brakes. No wonder she refused to come home with us, she must have decided to spend the night with that guy.’ She cursed beneath her breath before adding , ‘We must have seen this coming. I am telling you she is wrapped up in his arms right now after some all night of bliss lovemaking you know,’ Trish was beside herself as she started pacing up and down.

 Despite trying to sound normal, Connie registered the anger in Trish’s voice that she could not understand.  It was not surprising because ever since she started talking to her she has been behaving strange prompting Connie to question if she had taken intoxicating drink. Her indication to the possibility of Emma spending the night with a guy concurred with what James was saying earlier.

‘Trish why does this upset you so much, are you and Emma fighting?’ Connie asked out of curiosity

Trish chuckled ‘Of course not, Emma and I are good. Don’t mind my behavior it’s just the hormones talking.’ Clearing her throat she added, ‘Why should it bother me if she ends up with Nick, I mean what can stop her from having him, they are both singles. I just think Nick is a good guy and for him to be with that wild bitch can mean disaster’ 

Connie was astonished by Trish’s words. She has started going on and on about Nick again so without warning she cut off the call.

Trish called her back instantly and before she could say anything Connie’s fuming voice buzzed in her ears,

 ‘You know what I was starting to believer that you were right in your assumption earlier but then I realized that your opinion was based on your own emotional feelings towards her. How can you even think like that in a moment like this? Have you forgotten quickly that we left her alone in that downtown club?. What if she is in real trouble and here you are busy with your own theory.’ 

Trish would not have it especially now when the facts were suggesting that Emma was a possible rival.

  ‘Oh, Come on Connie that girl has been clubbing since forever so I won’t buy into that crap. I don’t know about her missing but I know  she knew exactly what she was doing when she refused to come home with us. I bet you, that girl is curled up somewhere having a good time so please stop crying for nothing.’ Trish snorted

 ‘Oh my God! Have you gone crazy and are you listening to yourself right now?  Emma is our friend and we must be concerned if she does not return home. Whether or not she is curled up somewhere it doesn’t matter as long as we don’t know if she is ok’ Connie cried in disbelief.

‘Rubbish! She should have thought of us like that and agreed to come home with us. I can’t read that girl sometimes’ Trish said angrily.

Connie threw her hand in the air, she was having a difficult time in understanding Trish today. Earlier on she had thought her parents were being dramatic but this, this performance deserved an Oscar award. Connie was starting to regret why she had called her in the first place, instead of easing her mind and making the situation better she was making everything worse with her suspicious jealous.

 Connie knew Nick was not a saint as Trish was leading herself to believe and her heart sank, she did not know how to tell her. She had enough on her plate to focus on right now and her hands were tied to take on anymore drama. Her parents were pressuring her on one side and Nick on another side and now Emma’s disappearance was added on the pile also. Mopping about it was not going to solve anything, she realized that right now she needed to try and find Emma at all cost otherwise like her mother pointed out, should she remains missing it was her who was going to be questioned by the police first. The thought of the police made her squirm, Nick was blaming her for his brother’s disappearance and now this again, she began to feel the walls closing on her and tears started streaming down her face.

 ‘It’s easy for you to say that because your house is not on fire, I am burning here and this is all that you can say? I can’t believe you Trish,’ Connie sobbed as she blew her nose.

Trish was quiet for a moment and in a resigned tone she said ‘So that it is that bad huh? Ok, ok there is no need for you to irritate my ear drum with your sobbing sounds. So what do you suggest we do? Maybe start where we left her?.’ 

Relieved by her question, Connie pondered for a moment, ‘I think that sounds like a good idea, who knows we might get leads from there. Better than just sitting and waiting, lets try that.’ 

Connie felt pleased that at last sanity had dawned on her friend but little did she know that when Trish suggested going to look for Emma at the club it was just a figure of speech she had not thought that Connie was going to take it serious. Trish, silently cursed under her breath with regret but It was too late for her to back out now.

‘That’s settled then, I will borrow my mum’s car and we can meet say in 2 hours. How does Monerville park sound?’ Trish asked. She was going to do this only to get over with it and unlike Connie, she was convinced their friend was probably back home as they spoke.

Excitedly Connie replied, ‘It sounds just fine, I will be there.’ Curious she asked, ‘By the way do you have any idea if the club will be open in the afternoon?

Irritated by her dump question Trish thought ‘ It’s a night club girl what do you think?’  But instead she replied her quietly ‘There is only one way to find out.’

When she hung up the phone Trish’s mind was on overdrive. This is not how she had pictured spending her day and though she appreciated Connie’s naivety it was beginning to irritate her. Because she now had her eyes on Nick, she knew in that moment that this friendship’s doom was near and some difficult choices lied ahead of her. Her happiness mattered to her and she was ready to sacrifice anyone who was not on her side