Chapter 3 Three

CHAPTER 3

First Metro, New York.

Samuel and Stella walked out of the room together when the working hours were over. It was time to go home. Usually, Stella would go home with Karen and Clara. Hitch a ride in Om Antoni's car or use an online taxi service. But since Karen went missing and Clara stayed away, Stella always came to and from the office building alone.

Her world seemed to turn 180° degrees overnight. Her close friendship with Karen and Clara suddenly broke down in an instant. Karen left and Clara began to act antipathetic.

"Should we wait for Harry and Juna first?" asked Samuel as they reached the main hallway of the office building.

Harry and Juna had been in a different room from Samuel and Stella since they went up to room two. In order to keep up with work and results, Harry and Juna had been assigned to the social division.

It was said that the social room at First Metro was the place where lazy, creative and insane people gathered. In fact, many of the employees in the social room have made it to national and even international championships and have higher academic grades than employees from the data room.

"Do they want to be waited on?" said Stella unconvincingly.

Before Samuel could answer his best friend's question, Clara suddenly flashed in front of them. It drew out the reckless side of Stella to run after her and stop the short-haired girl's footsteps.

Clara frowned in confusion, though her mouth said nothing.

"Clara, are you going home now?" Stella smiled kindly. "Why don't you come with us?"

Clara looked at Samuel who walked up to them and looked away for a few seconds. She then looked at Stella coldly and shook her head. "I can't."

Stella frowned. "Why?"

Ganisa then appeared there and embraced Clara intimately. She smiled and waved at Samuel. "Because Clara wants to take me to the salon." Ganisa and Clara looked at each other. There was a different look the queen of the archipelago was throwing at her best friend and Stella couldn't understand it. "Right, isn't it?"

Clara took a breath and snorted in disgust before looking back at Stella and Samuel in front of her. "Sorry, maybe next time," she said and turned around.

Clara left while Ganisa watched Stella with a dismissive look from her place. "Poor, Stella." She then flicked her ombre hair back and grinned triumphantly, "I just stole your best friend." then left following where Clara had gone earlier.

Stella clenched her hands into fists as she watched Ganisa's back disappear from view. That senior of hers really wanted revenge. Shouldn't Ganisa be satisfied with just one death? Or did the girl intend to kill another Karen?

Samuel tapped Stella lightly on the shoulder. "Never mind, never mind." Trying to diffuse the heated atmosphere in front of him. "Shall we go home?"

Stella turned her head. "What's the ride?"

"A car," Samuel said. He lifted the corners of his lips and ruffled the top of the long-haired girl's head anxiously. "You forget that I always bring my car to work, don't you?"

Juna suddenly flashed into their midst, splitting the distance until both of them took a few steps to the side and left without saying an apology.

It left Samuel and Stella both surprised and astonished at the behavior of the office building thug who was once their best friend. The two then exchanged glances. "What's wrong with him?" Samuel asked.

The girl who was quite popular in First Metro because of her pretty face just shrugged her shoulders briefly. "One, he has a personal grudge against us or two, he's already brainless."

Samuel chuckled amusedly. "You're the coolest employee at First Metro. Let's go!"

Samuel then let Stella sit on the front seat before finally leaving the courtyard of the office building. To break the silence, the car owner deliberately turned on the radio which happened to be playing a Taylor Swift song.

"That song--"

"Karen's favorite song, right?" Samuel interrupted confidently. He glanced at Stella for a moment before refocusing on the steering wheel. "She likes this song because of its deep meaning."

Stella gave a short snort. "What depth? Out of all the songs, why does it have to be about sad things?" She folded her arms across her chest and shook her head in disbelief. "I prefer upbeat and modern songs to keep my spirits up."

But Samuel laughed instead. He looked at Stella and raised his eyebrows. "Okay, Miss Energetic. Are we going straight home now or are we going to get something to eat first?"

"No," Stella said quickly. "Because of Ganisa, I have no appetite for food. I'm really curious about the reason why Clara ended up avoiding me and preferring to be friends with our archenemy. Why do you think?"

The fair-skinned boy shook his head. "I don't know. Why don't you find out? Now you're not alone, I can help."

The girl turned around enthusiastically. Her face that was previously scowling now looked happy. "Seriously, you want to help?"

"Yep. I'll help you find out about Clara and you'll help me find Karen's killer." The smile lines on Stella's lips dropped instantly. Her eyes rounded in disbelief. "What do you say? Agreed?"

"Sam, Clara and Karen's cases are different," Stella said cautiously. "Karen's death is already a crime. If we make a wrong move, it could be dangerous."

"I can't just accept my cousin's death while the culprit is still out there."

"Sam, don't cross the line," Stella warned.

"Stella, please."

"Sam--"

"If I don't ask for your help, who else should I trust?" This time Samuel's voice rose an octave. He pulled the car over and wiped his face in frustration. "I really need your help, Stella. I really need."

Stella returned Samuel's gaze with a concerned look. Somehow, the feeling of compassion suddenly appeared in Stella's mind.

TRIIIING!

A ringing notification appeared on Stella and Samuel's cellphones at the same time. A message in the group chat they had made when Karen was still alive. Even Karen's old number and name were still there, no one had dared to kick her out.

"Group, huh?" Samuel only took out his cell phone a few seconds after Stella. And both of their faces immediately turned shocked when they finished reading the contents of the message and found out who sent the message in the group chat.

Stella gulped down her saliva with difficulty. "Ka-karen?"

"Karen sent a message in the group chat that we forgot about a long time ago." Samuel and Stella exchanged glances. "What now?" []

Karenina:

Someone please help me.