Chapter 3 Went MIA

CHAPTER 3

Went MIA

" Don't bother yourselves. I will be fine. "

" Ade!!" Violet roared with anger, " You can't even apologize for what you did? How could you throw files in my face? I even waited for you thinking you'd come to your senses and realize your mistake but clearly you are such a spoilt brat! You've been living off the Cleland Family for so long , now your wings have grown and you don't even know your place again."

" Look at what you did Ade." Sandra said, " Most people would focus on repudiating whatever negative accusations have been thrown on them and clearing their name, but you seem to be doing the very opposite."

Ade chuckled. " Shouldn't you be trying to salvage Cleland Family Conglomerates? Or your falling stocks does not bother you? I think it bothers your father Sandra, so it should bother you too. But you chose to have misplaced priorities instead."

Shame washed across Sandra's face, but it quickly morphed into boiling rage. " You good for nothing whore!!!"

Ade moved swiftly, like a lethal cat and landed a loud slap on Sandra's cheeks.

Sandra stumbled back, clutching her face, looking horrified.

Ade's palms left an imprint on her fair face.

She had never expected that this timid, shy lady who never spoke up even once, could now fight back.

Ade had always taken whatever BS that Sandra gave her, but now she held and radiated a fierceness that terrified Sandra and made her rethink attacking back, even though she badly wanted to.

"How dare you!!"

"Ade!! You have done enough!! What is your problem?" James yelled after Sandra. " I understand you are angry with me but you cannot take it out on my family members."

" Goodbye James," Ade said, taking her luggage and stepping out of the house.

"She slapped me James, are you just going to stand there and do nothing?" Sandra wailed behind Ade.

" What do you want me to do? Hit her back? She's a woman. My dignity as a man will be on the line. You should have hit her back when you had the chance." James fought back in irritation.

The last thing he needed was to hear Sandra's voice buzzing on his mind like an annoying fly. He was already in a chaotic state of mind seeing Ade leave.

He thought it would mean nothing if she left. But why did he feel like he was losing something so critical and precious?

But his arrogance wouldn't let him acknowledge that as he watched Ade's figure disappear into the streets beyond. "If she wants to leave, then so be it."

Ade quickly boarded a cab and on the way she held two phones in hand as she stared out at the city's landscape sprawling out in a side view.

Towering glass buildings and conventional apartment complexes dazzled past, littering the streets of Los Angeles

It seemed like she was leaving all of them behind, not Los Angeles in particular but the reason she had come to cherish the place.

It all looked like one big betrayal plot now. Cherishing something that would only plunge a dagger into your heart when you were fast asleep or you weren't watching.

Cars dashed by, the occupants unaware of her pain and misery.

Even if they did, probably they'd offer her condolence utterances, and that would be all.

Everyone would immediately afterwards be occupied with their own daily troubles and issues.

That was how the world worked anyway. And she was fine with that.

An ash-painted building caught her focus. It was Cleland Family's Nutrition faction, the insignia on the facade was headlined in black marble glass.

She recalled how much she had worked hard to revive this particular segment of their business.

The sweat and toil.

She had given James and his family her all, and they cast her aside like she was a societal reject.

An outcast.

This was how the world worked anyway.

She would push the line with that.

She put on one of the phones and made a call, and soon enough the person on the other line answered.

"My God!!! I am dreaming aren't I? " A high pitched female voice rang out. " Did Silent Star just call me or perhaps AI has upgraded to the extent that they can initiate random calls single-handedly now ?"

" Quit playing around Agnes. What's going on?"

" You are seriously asking me that?" Agnes countered. " What do you expect after you went MIA for years. No one ever heard from you again."

" You heard from me ...a couple times. I could never get rid of you." Ade meant it to come out as a joke but she was drained, dispirited, so her voice came out in a flat, droning tone.

"What's happened, I'm guessing there's some bad news that's occurred. Even though we haven't communicated in what seems like a year and I am angry; as your paddy, I can still dictate an emotionless response from you."

" We can discuss that later," Ade took in a deep breath. " What's happening in Hollywood?"

"Since your departure, we have tried to manage and scrabble together who we can, and I am surprised to say we have survived. I didn't think we would at the time though.

"Please....pllleeeeeeeaaaase tell me you are coming back. I've asked you a million times and you have refused, but I will never stop. I'll keep asking. We still need--"

" I'm coming back Agnes."

The line went silent, then Agnes voice came. " Please say that one more time I didn't get you. Like you are coming back here or other places where your different skills are needed?"

" You heard me. I'm getting my life back, one step at a time."

Agnes couldn't believe her ears. Ever since Ade had found some Mr. James of the Cleland Family she had disconnected from everyone else, including her.

She had respected her decision and still kept in touch as much as she could. Mostly because Ade had explained that her man wasn't okay with her lifestyle choices.

He had said she was spending time away from him, and she wouldn't even explain what she was doing, so he wasn't okay with it and needed her to drop.

Agnes had suggested Ade come clean to him about who she was since he was her fiance, instead of keeping the Silent Star pseudonym.

But Ade had refused, she had argued that keeping her career private prevented anything about her identity from going public, and she could avoid the online commotions, criticisms and scrutiny that followed famous people.

Now she didn't know what happened, and why she was suddenly returning, but she was so glad about it. It was like much needed furcoat in Antarctica to shield a shivering soul from the frigid cold.

"Stop me here," Ade said, and the car slowed down to a pause. "I'll call you later Agnes. Gotta go now."

She ended the call, and descended down onto a low asphalt-decked-pavement before paying the cab fare.

As she turned, a busy pet shop stood mediocre before her. It's glass doors wide open and welcoming.

A couple clad in uniform denim jeans strolled out leashing a white coated Lhasa.

But it seemed the little whelp wasn't used to the ropes, because as it's owners went right it took to the left.

The lady had to scoop it up into her arms and cuddle it affectionately.

She seemed to be the one endeared to the dog, while the man on the other hand appeared to have somewhere better to be, judging from the disgruntled look on his face.

Ade frowned. Men!

Why couldn't they just be upfront and tell women how they truly felt? Why did they feel the need to deceive women? To string them along only to shatter their hearts in the end? To be caught cheating before they agree they were ever even cheating?

Ade shook her head as both of them walked past.

But maybe she could string them along too, just as they did to women?

A small smile played on her lips as she ruminated on the cruel thought and then shook it away.

She wasn't one to keep evil in her heart, so she didn't have any malice towards men.

They ought to thank their stars she wasn't that kind of person.

Something caught her attention to the left.

A moving shroud of white--wierd white, limping with crutches.