*EPISODE 4*
(LOVE AND DECEPTION)
Beatrice was dressed and ready to go to school, when her mother came knocking at her door.
“Yes, come in.” She said reaching for her school bag which was on the bed.
“Good morning my princess.” She said walking into Beatrice’s room.
“Good morning Mom.” Beatrice said hanging her school bag at her back.
“All set for school?.” Her mom asked.
“Yes Mom.” Beatrice replied with a reluctant smile.
“So tell me, how does it feel like being a part of the Johnson’s family?.” Her mother asked readjusting her collar.
“Aside from the luxurious clothes, shoes, bags, hairs, and other stuffs I’ve been enjoying since I joined this family, I don’t think there is anything special about being part of the Johnson’s family.” Beatrice said.
“What do you mean by that? Do you really enjoy suffering or you don’t just know how to appreciate a life of comfort?. There is nothing special about being part of the Johnson’s family? Really?.” Her mom asked in disbelief.
“Mom it’s just that I miss my friend, I miss being myself. And It’s not easy adjusting into this new found lifestyle of mine. Everything is happening so fast mom and it feels like I’m being forced to live above my age. And whenever I remember the evil I did to my best friend, I get really scared cause at this rate, I’m afraid I might completely lose my conscience and humanity. Don’t you think it’s high Yizef stories time we stopped being greedy? We’ve already gotten the recognition and acceptance that we’ve always wanted. Can’t I just go back to how I’ve been living my life with my friend?.” Beatrice asked.
“Do you think that being a member of the Johnson’s family automatically means that you’ve arrived?. You need to to set things straight now. If you want to be respected and not treated like the daughter of Johnson’s side chick, then you need to change your mentality for good. You are now in a position that’s above that of your former life and friends. You have to do away with poor friends and anything that will drag you down. My child It’s time to roll with girls and boys of high class and dignitaries. Who cares if you lose few poor friends on your way up?.” She said placing her hands on Beatrice’s shoulder.
“Mom?.” Beatrice called out surprise.
“Yes Beatrice. That’s just the fact my child. And the earlier you accept it, the better for you. Keeping poor friends like Belinda won’t do you any good. You need to change your circle. You might have both gotten into unique high school through thesame scholarship but that doesn’t mean that you are both of thesame class. And the earlier you step up your game, the better for you. Have you ever wondered why Belinda is always lucky and you are not? Do you think it’s ordinary?. It’s more like she is a tree covering your shine. And I’m afraid to tell you that, if you keep being friends with her, you will keep having her to contend with. Set boundaries now before it’s too late. I hope I’ve made my self clear?.” She asked touching Beatrice’s cheeks.
“Y..e..s mom.” Beatrice reluctantly replied.
In school, students were surprised when they saw Beatrice and Felix stepping out of thesame car. Belinda too could not understand why they both arrived school in thesame car.
She was hoping that Beatrice would wave or talk to her, but to her greatest surprise, Beatrice walked passed her without saying a word.
Belinda was uncomfortable with the whole silent treatment that she was receiving from her best friend Beatrice. When it was break time, she dragged Beatrice to a corner.
“Why are you dragging me? Get your filthy hands off me.” Beatrice shouted at Belinda forcefully pulling her hand from Belinda’s grip.
“Beatrice i need an explanation to what is going on.” Belinda shouted back.
“Really? And who said I was answerable to you?.” Beatrice asked folding her hands.
“Beatrice what has gotten into you? I really don’t want to believe that you poisoned my drink with sleeping pills just so you could participate in the interschool competition. I also don’t want to believe that you didn’t care to check up on me because you didn’t feel remorseful or you wanted me dead for real. Beatrice I thought we were supposed to be best of friends? Why the sudden cold attitude towards me?.” Belinda asked curiously.
“And what if I actually did add sleeping pills to your drink on purpose?.” Beatrice asked taking few steps closer to Belinda who was speechless.
“What?. This must be a joke right?.” Belinda asked trying not to believe her ears.
“Do I look like a comedian to you?. Well, if you must know, I purposely added sleeping pills to your drink because I wanted to get rid of you for good.” Beatrice said.
“What? I mean why? What did I do to you? Why would you want to get rid of your best friend?.” Belinda asked in disbelief.
“Best friend? I’m sorry to burst your bubbles love. I can’t remember having a poor wretched and God forsaken friend like you. And if you must know, I am no longer the Beatrice you used to know. I’m sure you saw me stepping out of thesame car with Felix this morning. Well, you wouldn’t know how much such a car cost because you don’t have a father who owns one. As a matter of fact, I’ve reunited with my father and guess who he is. He is the almighty Johnson of Johnson’s group of companies. Which means, you and I are no longer in thesame class. I’ve grown above your standard baby girl. And I would appreciate it if you keep your distance from me cause from now on, I intend to roll with big girls and not some trash like you.” Beatrice said.
“Beatrice?.” Belinda called out in shock.
“Add Johnson to my name bitch. And please you can’t afford the cream I use on my skin so be careful not to scratch or touch my skin like you did today. Have a nice day.” She said.
She then pushed her aside and walked away leaving Belinda in complete shock and disbelief.
“What happened to Beatrice? How did she change so much in few days?.” Belinda marvelled.
And from that day, till they got to their final class in senior school, Belinda and Beatrice seized to be best of friends. Beatrice rolled with girls from wealthy homes. And she made sure she used every opportunity she got to attack Belinda and make life miserable for her in school. But that didn’t stop Belinda from being the cheerful and happy girl she had always being.
Meanwhile, Belinda and Benjamin’s friendship kept growing stronger as they were always seen together during school hours. Felix also grew to admire Belinda that he also became her friend and he was jealous of her closeness with Benjamin that he wished she would be with him instead.
When they got to their final year in senior school, they started preparing to write the high institution scholarship examination as well as their senior school certificate examinations. Before then, Benjamin had promised to tutor Belinda on topics she was still finding difficult to understand.
* * * * * * * *
The Johnson’s family were invited to the birthday party of the president of Gideon and Sons Cooperation. Which was a larger and bigger company than theirs.
Mr. Gideon was a very wealthy and influential man. He had two sons of which his first son was Benjamin. But Benjamin was too humble and lived a quiet life that no one except Felix his best friend, the vice principal and the principal knew of his family background.
Before the D-Day, Beatrice’s mom called her to order.
“You see, I heard that the eldest son of the Gideon’s family is a student in your school and your class mate. How come you never told me about it?.” She asked Beatrice who was clueless.
“My classmate? Mom I don’t know anyone of that nature.” Beatrice said after racking her brain.
“That’s why you have me. His name is Gideon Benjamin.” Beatrice mom revealed.
“Ahhh! I know him. He is the most intelligent boy in our class.” Beatrice said.
“And I thought I have told you to get close to the intelligent boy in your Class when you guys were still in your first year?.” She asked
“I’m sorry Mom. He is friends with Belinda so I avoided everything that had to do with her.” Beatrice said.
“What? How in God’s name did they became friends right under your nose?. You see why I don’t like that girl. She is always smart and luckier than you. Don’t you think she’s with him because of his background?.” She asked.
“No mom. Beatrice doesn’t have any idea about Who Benjamin is. Benjamin kept it from everyone in school. He comes to school in school bus. He is not a type that show off. And he hated Belinda on her first day in school. But right now, their friendship has grown stronger.” Beatrice said
“My goodness! Why are you so dumb? You know what? I would like you to restore the hatred they had for each other. I don’t care how you do that. Just make sure you create enemity between them. Make them doubt each other. Only then will you be able to walk your way into his heart. And try your best to see that Belinda does not partake in the upcoming scholarship examination. We can’t risk letting her travel out with Benjamin. Their friendship might turn Into love over there.” She said.
“But mum….” Beatrice tried to complain.
“I won’t listen to your excuses and complains. I have told you before that that girl will be your greatest competitor. The earlier we set the record straight, the better for all of us.” She said.
Don’t forget to comment, like, and share as it encourages me to write more episodes. And please minimize the use of comments like, “Hmmm”, ” next”, “nice one.” Etc. It weakens my spirit๐๐
Wickedness in the higher order