“Yes… it is something to think about guys… why Laura is the only girl in our family… and your parents’ marriage was the only one that is arranged. My mom told me that grandma force Uncle Kevin to marry Aunt Stephanie. That explain why Uncle Kevin celebrate his wedding anniversary,” Ron said, eating his cake.
“No you are wrong Ron … my parents love each other so much. It just that daddy doesn’t like parties but on anniversary day he bought mum very beautiful gifts” Laura said. She lies to make herself clear.
“Enough Ron … leaves her alone, we know that we are not allowed to talk about our family so change the topic” Connor said. “But you need to think on this Connor” Grey said. Connor looks at Laura then said, “I know Grey… and I did but it get burn… my whole project so I leave it alone”.
“Laura… Laura” Laura gets attention when Ryder pushes her as he sees her in deep thoughts. “What happen… you okay” Ryder asked “yes… I am fine” Laura said, as she stables herself. “You are going school tomorrow and I’m not going to hear anything else… ok?” Ryder asked in his charming voice, Laura cannot say anything just smile at him.
CHAPTER 7
“OK… we are here” Ryder said as he stops his car at St. James high school, it was three block away from their house. Laura looks at the school then Ryder who was grabbing her bag from back seat. She was upset for going school she doesn’t want to go school but she can’t say “no” to Ryder. “Ok… you go straight to Aunt Jenny, she tells you everything about syllabus but make sure she can’t see your real name, Uncle told me that she might know who you are and if anyone asks your name is Walter… ok and you will…” Ryder stop as he notice Laura’s long face.
He take her hand in his hand then say “Laura you know I love you so much and I can’t see you upset like this” “then don’t send me away from you… I am fine at home” Laura said impatiently. He takes his face in his hand then said “I am not sending you away… I just don’t want your father to think that I destroy your future… I can’t be that selfish”.
He moves to sit straight, his hand on staring wheel. He holds it so strongly, head down. As Ryder says Laura can feels guilt in his voice “Laura I … I can’t… it was very hard for me to leave you there, even the thought of losing you scared me so much. If I didn’t feels hatred in your father eyes for me and if I don’t believe that he says no to me always, I will never do such a thing… never takes you away from your home and your family” Ryder grips on wheel gets tied.
“it’s not your fault Ryder I can’t live without you either and I know daddy will never say yes to you and he never let me out and…” Laura stop as she sees it’s not helping Ryder to overcome his guilt. She kisses him on his cheek and get out of the car. Ryder starts the car and leave.
Laura was standing as he leaves, she feels that Ryder has changed since the first time she saw him. His confident, his bold personality which makes Laura impress was fading away. Now there is some guilt between them. She can feel it is not Ryder anymore, there was something that Ryder wants to take out of him but he can’t.
Having all of this thought going in her mind, Laura was walking toward main gate of school as all the students. She haven’t notice a guy in her way as she was going head down and collide.
“Oh… I am so sorry… I… I did not see you… I’m so really sorry” Laura said panicking. She also didn’t notice that guy was looking at her smiling. Then she look around it was public school, students were placing their vehicles in row, some student doing skate-boarding, some girls were backing the wall cheering on something. She never had seen so many students out of the school as she always study in private school, which have strict principles.
That guy notice Laura is thinking so he breaks into by saying “hi… I’m Elton… Elton Gunner” said Black curls hairs, light blue eyes, tall and handsome with fair complexion Elton Gunner.
Laura was surprised by his reaction, she never spoke to stranger before like this but she did not reply to him he again says “and you are”.
“Oh… I am Laura… Laura cr… Walter” Laura said in hesitation. “I have to go… I am really sorry for that” Laura continue and then she move but Elton block her way as he says “It’s fine… nice to meet you Laura” Elton said. Laura smile and move inside the school, she asks other students about Miss Jenny Jenkins. She goes to the administration where Aunt Jenny gives her class schedule then guides her to her class.
As she enters in her class, she gets astonish by the class environment. The students were sitting on their desks, some throwing paper balls on some students and calling them geeks. Some girls who were cheer leaders gossiping about something.
She scarcely moves toward an empty chair, she take her bag in her in her arms and holds it tightly. And sit in 2nd rows 2nd chair. The class walls contains poster of quotes and science fairs. She looks around, on blackboard cartoon of some teacher’s. She was staring the board then get attention as a guy throws a ball to his friend that nearly touches her.
The class was so much noisy. She stables herself and suddenly someone call her “hey… I am Cheryl… you are new here? Why are you so scared? Where you from? You don’t looks from here” asked excitedly Cheryl Jones. She was Blue eyes, blonde hairs, cute face and very talkative girl. She was wearing blue jeans and white and yellow top.
Laura looks at her then nervously says “yes… I am from new York”. “Ok… so you just move here… is your daddy broke or your parents get divorce… where’d you live now? Cheryl asked again.
“Leave her alone Cheryl… gives her time to breath” said black hairs and eyes, tall and smart Charlotte Coleman. She was the one of cheerleader.
“No… I am fine” Laura said. “See I’m not bothering her” Cheryl said. “Hey… I’m Charlotte and you are sitting on my seat,” Charlotte said pointing toward the chair. Cheryl looks at Laura who looks around for another place to sit.
“It’s not your place… its Elton’s and…” Cheryl interrupted by charlotte as she says, “yeah that makes it mine Cheryl”. Laura looks at Cheryl then hold her bag “I am so sorry” Laura said and try to stand.
“Its fine…” everyone get attention. Laura was surprised; as he was the same person, she met outside the school. Elton came close to her then continues, “You can sit here… I’ll find another chair” “but Elton…” Charlotte tries to say but Elton interrupted her “I said its fine charlotte”. Charlotte moves to sit on her chair, Cheryl smile as Elton insulted her Laura feels very odd as Elton sit next to her as someone was already seated there and then he smile at her.
Class teacher came in class and everyone sits on their chair, “take out your assignment” teacher said in Spanish. Then she notice Laura and ask her “hello I’m Miss Lopez, you are new student… what is your name?” Laura looks at her black curly hairs and black eyes, tall. She was wearing jeans and navy blue full sleeves top.
“I am Laura Walter” Laura said in Spanish. “So you can speak Spanish” Miss Lopez said. “Yes… and six more languages including French, Italian and Chinese” Laura said smiling at her. She feels everyone is looking at her with surprise. “Great… then I expecting you to get straight A in my subject Laura” Miss Lopez said. “Thank you Miss Lopez… I will” Laura said she feels proud in her. “Alright everyone takes out your assignment” Miss Lopez shouts again.
She looks at Cheryl who give her thumbs up, Laura feels happy as she make new friend. At noon when school over Laura was finding Aunt Jenny but someone calls her from back “Laura wait” Elton said as he came close to her “I was trying to talk to you whole day but I guess you have a busy day today” Elton said, holding his bag with one hand and other one in his jeans pocket.
Laura hesitates then said “yes… it was... do you want something” Laura annoyed as Elton stare her then said “no… I just want to ask you, can I drop yo
u?” “No… I can go with my aunt” Laura said “ok… not a problem” Elton said, and Laura leave.
“El man… what are you thinking… you been looking that girl whole day” said Cody Brown Elton’s friend. “I don’t know man… right now I’m blank page” Elton said taking a deep breath. Cody laughs and put his arms around Elton then says “let’s go”. They move toward his car.
CHAPTER 8
“So how’s your little girlfriend” Sara asked to Ryder, as they were in their college library. Ryder look at her then take a deep breath and says “as usual… why’d you care” “damn right I don’t care about her” she hold Ryder hand then continues “I care about you Ryder… look at yourself Ryder, you are doing two shifts then college and then babysitting” Sara was nearly shouted.
“Sara… I am fine and it’s none of your business and please don’t interfere… I love her” Ryder said with rough tune looking at his book which he was reading. He didn’t realize that it would break Sara heart in pieces and tears fill in her eyes.
“And I love you Ryder… more than you do to her and long before I remember” Sara said with heavy voice and leave the library. She leaves Ryder puzzled, he knows that Sara was so sensitive about him but never thought that she is in love with him. Ryder can’t move himself as he was so shocked; he sweeps his hand through his hairs. Then takes his book and leave the library.
Laura was all home alone, Ryder was doing two shift and he came in night so after school Laura usually alone in home. She sits on couch near window to spend her time. She hold herself close as she remember “mom can I ask you something” Laura asked her mother as she was placing her books in her shelf.
“Yes… Laura” Stephanie Craft said as doing her work. “Mom… is it true that you marry daddy because grandma told you to” Laura said. Stephanie Craft shocked for a moment then stable herself and continue her work to hide her astonishment “no… that’s not true, who told you that” Stephanie Craft said.
“Aunt Anne told Ron that…”Laura gets interrupted by her mother as she says “how many times I told you to place your thing where they belong… what you do without me… I am not always being there to help you” Stephanie Craft shouts, Laura get afraid so she starts placing her stuff by herself. Her mother left her puzzle alone in her room.
The knock on her door bring Laura in reality. She looks at the clock which was showing 10’o clock. She didn’t realize that much time pass. She opens the door it was Ryder “hi…” Laura said with smile.
“hey” Ryder said in low tune, she can feels that Ryder was so tried as he doing double jobs “I know you are hungry… sorry there was so traffic and my friends stop me for a drink but it won’t happen again” Ryder said so many thing without noticing that Laura is staring at him.
Her eyes get fills with tears because of Ryder’s condition. She want all of this to stop, she blame herself for his condition. When Ryder stops, he looks at her and surprised that Laura is crying, a tears drop from her eyes Ryder moves quickly to sweep it.
“I am so sorry Ryder, it all happening because of me… I should never meet you, you were so happy without me. I should leave…” Ryder stops Laura by putting his finger on her lips then smiles “you are the most amazing thing that happens to me... I feel so alive because of you; you make me feel so special. Every time I see you I feel so powerful, all my stress… my all tiredness gone when you smile… your eyes shine is my every day light, when they shine I feel I can win the world… I love you Laura” Ryder said in his charming voice.
He takes her face in his hands, Laura smile there was a moment of silent they look at each other. They kiss each other, but then Ryder realizes it was too much when Laura holds him so tight. He pushes her slowly then said “well… I’m so hungry. Why don’t you set the table and I get fresh then we dine together… ok?”
Laura nod and smile as she put her hair strand back to her ear and Ryder move toward bathroom.
CHAPTER 9
“It’s been a month and half and you can’t find my daughter and that boy” Kevin Craft shouted on police officers who were searching for Laura. He was wearing navy blue pants, white shirt with blue lining under the navy waistcoat and red ascot around his neck. He was standing in his office, his hand in his pants pockets.
“Mr. Craft we told you before we can’t find her because we don’t have any clue. We tried to search her but it like she doesn’t exist… our all report on her was vanished… we have to start all over again” one of the officers said. Local police officers came to meet Mr. Craft about Laura missing.
“And that girl… my daughter’s friend I tell you about her… did she tell you about her?” Mr. Craft asked curiously, as he sits on his chair. “No Mr. Craft… we can’t get anything from her and we can’t pressurize someone… she’s just a kid” officer said.
“Do everything you need to do… please just get me my daughter and that boy he kidnap her” Mr. Craft said, his voice get loud. The officers look at each other then said “we will inform you if we find something Mr. Craft” and leave.
Kevin Craft’s younger brother Edwin Craft enter in his office, at his home. Mr. Craft was sitting on his chair; his Cuban cigar was light up in his ash tray. He was rubbing his finger in his forehead like he was having a headache. Edwin craft sits on the chair next to his brother.
“Is there any news of her” Edwin craft asked. “No… they still can’t find her… or anything about her” Kevin Craft. “Well… there is some news in the media that we are… we are looking for someone... and that, maybe our daught…” Edwin Craft stop as he feels Kevin Craft’s sharp eyes looking at him.
“If there are so gossips going around… then silence them Edwin… and I don’t think that’s a problem for you” Kevin Craft said calmly. “Yes of course brother… but if you stay home all the time and don’t go to the hospital then people… will talk… you know” Edwin Craft said. “I am not in my senses Edwin… I can’t do anything right now” Kevin Craft said in very low tune.
Edwin Craft look down then think for moment and say “Kevin… do you know she’ll be 18 in two weeks… and then you can’t do anyth…” “Really Edwin… you think… what can I do now?” Kevin Craft said loudly and stands; he hit his hand on his table.
He sweep his fingers in his hairs, he was trying to control his anger “I know… I know everything in world but I still can’t find my daughter” he move toward the window looking outside, it was raining. The rain drops were falling on window. “My only child will be in trouble… even knowing it I can’t safe her” Kevin Craft said with tears in his eyes.
“Hey… what are you thinking” Ryder asked as he feels Laura was lost in thought. He was sitting on his couch with his laptop working on his assignment; it was Sunday noon so she was doing her homework.
“Nothing… I just… I am missing my daddy” she take a deep breath “he always help me with my work… it’s just” Laura stops as her voice get heavy. Ryder feels so bad for her, he curse himself for her condition.
He put his laptop aside then sits on bed next to Laura “Laura please don’t cry… you know I can see you upset” Ryder said sweeping her tears, then take a deep breath and says “you know I try my level best to win your father heart… so he would accept my proposal for you”
“But you remember what your father did when I get invited to your home… how much your father…” Ryder stops talking as he remembers when he insisted to Laura, to let him meet her father but she refused.
“My daddy will never allow me to go outside the house… how he can allow me to go with you” Laura said as they were standing in the central park. It was raining, there was no crowd. They were standing under the hood. In light of street lamp next their hood, the rain drop falling looks like diamond are falling.
“Let me talk to him… I’ll convince him Laura, I can do that… please” Ryder said trying to convince Laura
.
“He will never listen to you… I can’t tell daddy about if I did he will never let me meet you… I can’t take a chance to loss you please Ryder let just leave this place… please” Laura insisted, she hold Ryder’s hand but he move away to the corner as he was confused.
“You do not understand Laura; I really need to meet him. You know your father is powerful person even if we run he will find us and then what he will do the same thing then and… then what will I do? I can’t lose you at any cost… please” Ryder said putting his hand on pillar of hood.
Laura move toward him then says
“he can’t do anything, I’ll be 18 years old in 2 months Ryder… then I can go anywhere I want… you don’t need to worry about him… my cousin Connor will help me… please Ryder… please take me”.
“I won’t leave like this… I’m not doing a crime for that I need to hide Laura… I love you Laura and I can’t do this. I can’t just hurt your parents, be selfish… I know when your father meets me he will like me and he will accept my proposal… trust me Laura I got this” Ryder said putting his hand in her shoulder, Laura looks him in surprise.
She knows that her father will never approve Ryder.
Laura smile and Ryder hug her, but in heart she was upset because once her father knows about Ryder he will never let her out of the house.
CHAPTER 10
They were sitting on the dining hall at Laura house. Ryder was all suit up, he was wearing Jamie’s black suit. “So what is your name again…?” Kevin craft asked Ryder sits next to him. He put little of some Italian dish, which he never see or know. The table was half filled with dishes Ryder never taste, he was nervous but he calm himself as Kevin Craft asked him again his name.
“It’s Ryder… Ryder Jenkins” Ryder said and to make him comfortable he take a pieces of a dish which placed in front of him but suddenly Kevin Craft said “it’s a main dish take this for starrer, I can bet you never have a taste of it”.