Chapter 5 WANTED

Wendy's eyes snapped open, jolted awake by her piercing ringtone.

"Shit!" She muttered, quickly silencing her phone.

She quickly got out of bed and checked the time. It was 2pm. She had overslept. She decided to wait till 5pm, by then, Clara should be back from work. She needed to know what was happening at the company.

As she entered the living room ,she spotted the note Candy had left for Clara. She turned on the Tv and her heart sank. The first thing that appeared on the screen was her picture, with a big bold WANTED! She was all over the news.

Wanted? She is wanted? CEO Reginald ruthlessness knew no bounds. What was $350,000 to him that he couldn't let go? Why was he being so stingy? Does he really have to go to that extent?

Wendy was so frustrated, but she quickly realized her phone location was still active.

She is so dead!

By now, they would have gotten her location. Panic set in as she turned off her phone, rushed into Clara's room and search through her things. She took $10,000 from Clara's safe and packed few snacks too in a bag before dashing out.

Just as she hailed a cab, CEO Reginald's car pulled up in front of Clara's house. She breathes a sign of relief and asked the driver to take her to any cheap hotel in another street.

Meanwhile ,CEO Reginald patience was wearing thin each minute as the bodyguards searching the house couldn't find any trace of Wendy.

"Sir, she is not in the store" The last bodyguard finally reported.

"Did you tell her we were coming?" CEO Reginald's voice was laced with anger as he turned to Clara.

Clara didn't know when she started shaking.

Why was Wendy here?

"I.... I...didn't tell her anything. I didn't even know she was here" Clara tried to explain.

"This is your house and you didn't know she was here? Tell me another lie" CEO Reginald roared angrily.

Clara's eyes welled up with tears "Sir I really didn't know. I didn't return home yesterday, it was just my cousin at home, let me call her" Clara brought out her phone and dialed Candy's number.

"The number you're trying to reach is currently not available at the moment, please try again later, thank you" Came the electric voice. Clara started panicking, she dialed the number several times and it kept saying the same thing. Cold sweats dripped from her face and she locked eyes with the CEO

Desperate, she said: "Sir please believe me, I really didn't know she was here" But he was unconvinced.

"Tie her up, snap a picture and send it to Wendy. If she really consider you a friend, she will come here" As the bodyguards did as they were told, Clara's heart sank. She knew Wendy would come for her, but at what cost?

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As soon as Wendy arrived at the hotel, she immediately regretted her decision. The hotel was looking shabby and dirty. But she didn't have a choice, because she couldn't afford better. This hotel is the cheapest and it cost $500 per night. She couldn't afford much for now, so she had to make do with the $10,000 she took from Clara's room.

She got to her room, though it wasn't that good, it was still okay. She just has to manage for few days till she fix herself.

But how will she do that? All her documents are at home, she can't apply for a job and she doesn't have enough money.

Wendy went out to get a new SIM and a small phone and she returned to her room. She quickly plugged the phone and went online and saw nothing new except for the presidential campaign. Her thoughts drifted to Clara.

Was she in trouble ?

She knows Clara's number off heart so she texted her, and she got a reply immediately.

"Wendy where are you? We need to talk. CEO Reginald held me responsible and he took all my savings and the only property my parent left. If you have any dignity left, meet me at the Seaside at 7pm"

Wendy's heart sank. The only property her parent left? That's her house. What will she do now?

She didn't reply, but turned off her phone instead.

Once it was 7, Wendy immediately stood up. She has to go. She can't let her friend suffer for her sins.

When she got there, she saw Clara pacing anxiously. She tapped her. Clara who was lost in thought immediately jumped, scared.

"It's you" Clara said, calming down.

"Yes. Can we go somewhere else?" Wendy asked. "Someone might see us here"

"This is the safest place for now." Clara looked at her childhood friend and her eyes turned red, remembering what happened few hours ago.

"Wendy, what really happened?" Clara asked, her voice laced with concern.

"I just need money to pay for my mum's surgery, her health was deteriorating" Wendy suddenly became sad.

"But you could have just asked me for money. Or even asked the boss for a loan" Clara was upset. "What about the money you took from my wardrobe too?"Clara's eyes narrowed.

Wendy was ashamed. She couldn't believe she has suddenly become a thief.

"Wendy what is going on in your head? Seems you're hiding something " Clara looked at her with suspicion.

"I'm so sorry Clara. So, what are we going to do about your house?" Wendy asked, feeling guilty.

CEO Reginald released her after 3 hours when Wendy doesn't show any sign of coming. He really took her savings, but didn't touch her house. But they had a deal.......

"Wendy, why haven't you gone home? You said you needed the money for your mother's surgery but you've not gone home since yesterday. Your father is so worried. Wendy don't lie to me, what is really going on?" Clara asked.

"Fine. I'll tell you everything" Wendy explained everything from when she overheard her father's conversation till when she got Clara's message.

"I'm so shocked right now. I really can't believe your father can do such a thing" Clara was shocked. Wendy's father was also like a father to her. He has always treated her well since she was a child and he is a hardworking man with a good heart. If Wendy wasn't her friend or his daughter, she wouldn't have believed it at all.

Now Clara was confused and torn........

She only has three choices.....

Mr Jackson called her some minutes ago before Wendy got here to let him know when she sees Wendy that her mother's condition is getting worse.

"Clara are you okay?" Wendy asked when she saw her spacing out.

"I.... I'm.... I'm fine" Clara said. But her mind was racing. What should she do next?

Should she notify CEO Reginald?

Or Mr Jackson?

Or let Wendy go without informing anyone?