Chapter 3 Suspicions Scattered

'These weight of suspicion pressing down on me, a burden I never asked for. Accused and demanded to repay a debt that I never incurred. Some thick ink that caught the very essence of my being into question.' - Lara B.

"So, what's the problem? You were so quiet in the car. What happened?" Lucky asked, starting the conversation while cleaning and bandaging the wound on Lara's palm soon as they arrived at Cherry Karaoke. Ronda also came right away.

"Yeah, What's wrong? And, why did your hand bleed like that?" said Ronda worriedly.

"Huh? Oh, this. I was just in a hurry. So I carelessly got my hand stuck through the tire's ring as I navigated the wheelchair. That's why I got this wound! Oh, thanks for helping me with the wound right away!"

Lucky smiled.

"Hmm, are you sure? Then, look at me in the eyes now!" said Ronda as she stared at Lara seriously.

"Wh-what? I'm totally fine, Ronda! Really!" Lara turned her face away from Ronda's gaze.

"Come on, what's wrong, Lara? Just tell us! We've been friends for a long time, do we? Of course we know that you are hiding something. I can see it all on your face. And I know for fact that you wouldn't be so careless as to not realize that your hand stuck through the tire's ring. Unless something was really important or upsetting you that you wanted to rush out. Am I right?"

Lara went silent. Beads of crystal ready to soaked down her pretty face.

"See? there's must be something wrong. What is it?"

"I-I... I'm disqualified." Lara spelled under her tremble breath.

"WHAT? DISQUALIFIED? HOW CAN IT BE?" Ronda and Lucky exclaimed in unison. Lucky even spit out the orange juice he gulped down in shock.

"Yes. They accused me for plagiarism. They said, the poem I sent was exactly same with another writer. Mrs. Boss was deadly furious and she gave me an ultimatum." Lara explained stammeringly. Her body shaken.

"What, another writer? But who? Didn't you just write this poem last night in your journal. Even Tommy and I were there too," said Ronda, remembering when she and Lara took a break in backstage.

"That's exactly right, bu-but-"

All eyes were on Lara's.

"M-my journal is missing." Lara breathed, choked up.

"WHAAAT? YOUR JOURNAL IS MISSING? YOUR BOSS GAVE YOU AN ULTIMATUM? WHAT DOES SHE SAY?"

"I asked her to give me time to do investigation and she gave me two months to prove my innocence and that the poems I sent to the contest is really my work, my creation. If I fail, I will dishonorably fire, my writing license and membership will be revoke, and..." Lara took deep breath.

"I must pay hundred thousand dollars as reimbursement for preparation and training the agency has given me." A few white droplets hung from the corner of her eyes obscured Lara's vision.

"WHAAAT?! HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS? Oh God, this is bad! I know how important the job and that journal to you. Wait, what if... ." Ronda spilled suddenly.

'Is it possible that the curly-haired guy who helped Lara got off last night took it? I couldn't see his face clearly because of the dark. But I remember he was also the one who put all of Lara's things back to the bag right after he dropped it. Ah but wait, I don't have any evidence!"

"What could it be? Why are you become silent?" asked Lucky curiously.

"Ah, no, I mean...i don't... "I-I mean-- maybe your journal was tucked in your bag or your bag had a hole in it and your journal fell out without you realizing it-" said Ronda hiding her suspicions. Yes, she would tell Lara about her suspicions. Soon. But, not for now.

6:00 PM at 66's Cafe...

"How is it? Any luck or clue?" Tommy asked, he is one of the 66's Cafe waiters who was also in backstage with Lara last night soon as Lara finished questioning two security guards. Meanwhile, Ronda couldn't join because she had to work overtime at the restaurant where she worked. Tonight is Saturday Night. Of course the restaurant is packed and busy. So, only Lucky that come with her to start the search.

Lara shook her head as she sighed heavily.

Indeed, there is no CCTV in the parking area. Because, the owner of 66's Cafe had already paid two security guards to stand and guard the area. So, why install CCTV. That's a waste of budget.

"Is it really nothing, there? Could you check it one more time? Please!" Lara pleaded while they took search to every corner of the backstage. But still, the journal they were looking for was nowhere to be found.

"Thank you so much, Tom." Lara spelled disappointedly

"It's okay, just take it easy. Where did you put it last time? As I recall, you already put it to your bag. In fact, Ronda and I were here too with you. Wait, is it possible that your journal was tucked away inside the bag?"

"No, I've checked it already. Over and over again."

"Hmm...Or, perhaps your bag had a hole and your journal fell out without you realizing it, and someone took it?" Tommy continued, only mirroring what Ronda said earlier.

"Right. It's totally possible." Lucky agreed.

"Yes, it could be true. But, the problem is there is no CCTV in parking area or backstage. which means, will be difficult to find evidence let alone the culprits who took your journal. Of course you know how stingy our boss is, right?" Tommy whispered nervously.

Lara gave a small smile. "Isn't there anything we can do? I really need that journal. It's about my job and my credibility as a poet."

"Your job? What's wrong? Anything happened?" Tommy asked curiously.

Lara went silent for moment. "Remember when I said I was entering a poetry contest?"

"Of course. And if you won, you'd use the prize to pay off your renovation debt and get treatment in America, right? So, when will the announcement coming out? You made it to the semifinals, do you?"

"WHAT? DISQUALIFIED? HOW COME? PLAGIARISM? THEN WHO TOOK YOUR JOURNAL? AND WHEN?" Tommy stormed right as Lara finished explaining.

"That's what we're investigating now, Tom." Lucky said. Lara nodded. Tiny droplets began to peek between her almond eyelids. However, she quickly wiped them away with a tissue.

"Wait, what if one of your fellows from the agency took it?"

"No, they didn't. They don't even know that I sing here."

"Don't just make wild assumptions, Tom!" Lucky said.

"Okay, Okay! I'll ask all of our friends to check and search the whole area, and ask Mr. boss's permission to contact all the guests that came last night." Tommy said as he got up and cleaned the table.

"Contact all the guests? Are you serious? You surely know how many guests came last night? The café is totally packed! What if we do internet search?"

"It's complicated and will surely take a lot of time and effort. Besides, there's possibility that the person who took your journal not confess. However, we have to investigate and find the culprit who destroyed your dreams and ruined your reputation! That person has to pay!"

"Tommy is right. Complicated doesn't mean we just sit and can't do anything about this. Don't worry, We'll definitely find the culprit. And about internet searches, I don't think the thief would be so careless as to upload the stolen words to the net. Because they know you'll surely track them down." Lucky breathed.