When I heard Ade's phone buzz we had a temporary stare off. Then I snatched the phone and dashed with it, with any luck I could call the police. I ran until I reached the foyer and found stairs to climb up, because this was apparently some sort of mansion, I was faced with the east and west wing. I turned east, bee lined for the room at the end of the hall which seemed to be a random guest room, and hid inside a box containing guest towels in the closet, hoping it'd buy me some time. I hurriedly dialed 911 almost laughing hysterically with happiness. However the second the call was answered, it dropped just as quickly. I tried seven more times, all with the same result. One tear flowed down my right cheek and I wiped it with such ferocity that I was sure my skin would be red for a couple minutes, as dark as it is. I climbed out of the box and opened the door to find Bobo sitting on the bed as relaxed as can be. I threw the phone across the room at him and screamed as I plopped on the bed in front of him.
"He has connections. All calls that aren't from him or work were blocked on this line in case of this. " he explained, " Sorry." I glanced back at him and buried my face in my arms.
"Am I ever going to get out of here?" It was a rhetorical question, a stupid question I almost didn't ask, but I was desperate. I still wasn't in my most vulnerable state, but this was about as vulnerable as you could get without me being completely broken. I had spent eight full days with Ade so far and I was having extreme cabin fever. Since I had been able to convince Ximenes that I was sick for one night and then bribed Bobo to pretend he got sick from me, I was able to buy myself a few more days without having to touch the delusional imbecile. Keeping up the lie that we were both sick meant full days of just him and I in the mansion alone. If the stakes weren't so high I would've fully regretted asking him. The only way I could keep convincing him to lie to Ximenes was by promising to convince X to give Ade more stake in his company. Sound like he's plotting something to you? Good. It does to me too. Do I care? No. X is a horrible person and I might hate Ade less if I find out he's not a complete sellout.
"To be honest, I don't know." he responded what felt like a century later. " If it makes you feel better, I hope you do escape."
"Aww I'm growing on you? Can we be best friends and braid each others hair now? Oooo what about some facials?"
"Fuck off. I want you to escape so you're out of my life. I'm tired of you and I'm not wasting my cantu on your ass." I patted my box braids irritatedly as he spoke.
"Fine. I already have a best friend anyway. You were bouta be my side hoe." I remark.
"Sure I was. I'm bored, wanna go out and do something?"
"You're not afraid I'll escape?"
"Right now Ximenes keeps his hands off of you because I make him. If you leave now, you're vulnerable and X's crazy ass would find you again anyways. When he does, I won't be there to help you. Everything you do is very calculated, even just calling 911 was a plan that took you two days. Granted, I assume there were more parts that you didn't get to, but you see my point, if it was any normal kidnapper your plan would've worked. I even caught that you tried to distract me and cut every other phone line so that it would take me longer to notify Ximenes. If I bothered, which I probably wouldn't have. But you weren't taking chances . I've noticed you're quite intelligent. I watched you go through all possible methods and results of escaping the second I said we should go out. You obviously came to the conclusion that this isn't the time, or you wouldn't have asked me." My thoughts echoed his words, 'I will find some way to escape and take X the idiot off my trail. My gut is telling me today's not the day and it's been correct so far'.
"Fair enough. Where we going?"
"Six flags "
"I guess, but you're paying. What if someone recognizes me and calls the police? Let's keep in mind that you're black. You suicidal?"
"You're black too, and eighteen I assume, which is why the news stations and police have barely done shit, and they'd be doing less if it wasn't for your mother and father. They've painted a picture of you being just another ill behaved black girl who dipped on her parents to do drugs or live with her boyfriend. They completely ignored your 5.0 GPA, stellar extra-curriculars, and clear devotion to your siblings. I doubt anyone will recognize you. We aren't close to your neighborhood anyways and you're gonna wear sunglasses the whole day. But don't you want the police to catch me? Or are you getting attached..."
"I ain't attached to shit but a bag, but to be honest, no, I don't. Xenobia deserves to go to jail for the rest of his life but knowing our justice system, you'll get thirty years while he'll get five. The irony in all of this is their blatant disregard for my black life made it easier for some crazy white boy to call me his property successfully. Yet when I say black lives matter hoes wanna act like they don't understand it. They really got me fucked up. Congratulations y'all, I hope you're happy. Because of your racist asses I'm stuck with this annoying ass motherfucker till I escape" Ade looked lost in thought for a few moments then sighed.
"You know I was just about to feel bad, then you had to throw shade. Regardless, you know that if I could help you I would, right?"
"Then why the fuck don't you? What does he have on you? You hate this, you hate him, but you can't do anything about it. Why?" I was trying to keep my voice from raising but it was getting there.
"That's not your issue to worry about right now." For once, his voice was hard and serious. No sarcasm, no jokes, no lightness.
"I'm still going to worry about it."
"Nki all you need to know is when I can, I've got your back." he spoke honestly, and I did too.
"I suppose if you were to be dangling on the edge of a volcano I might decide to help. But only because you're my only hope, I still hate you."
"I hate you too." he laughed then. Like a full bellied laugh. It would've been adorable if I wasn't itching to beat him up.