Chereads / Charis Institute / Chapter 17 - Chapter 16

Chapter 17 - Chapter 16

"Mr. Hansen? May I speak with you?" The detective called, interrupting his peace.

It's now Tuesday morning, and with no school due to the investigation, the students are out and about. Kaiden, specifically, is enjoying playing his guitar in his favorite spot, in the main room, beside the window.

"Yes, of course," Kaiden motioned for the seat in front of him and Bassi sat down.

"Angelique Yang has come to us and told us that you're the one who killed Alexandra Collins. Can you elaborate?"

Kaiden's mind came up with questions almost immediately.

'Angelique? I killed Alexandra?' He thought.

He opened his mouth to say one thing, 'No, I didn't kill her.' but with all of the questions in his mind, and it's telling him to say, 'Yes, I killed her.' to save his friends. His body was not agreeing with his mind.

"I-I, yes, I killed her," Kaiden lied.

Bassi raised her eyebrow at his hesitant answer, "You didn't," She stated.

"I," He paused, "I did, Ma'am."

"You didn't," The detective repeated.

"Why don't you believe me?" Kaiden asked, putting his guitar down.

"Because you didn't say anything to defend yourself, you also don't know anything about how she died, and your hesitation, just moments ago, wasn't from fear, you were thinking," Detective Bassi said, reading him and making his heart thump.

But Kaiden did know something, and now, he's putting it to everyone's advantage.

"But I do know how she died. She was thrown out of the window, I threw her out the window and hid her in the forest. Is that enough of a confession to you, detective?" He taunted.

She sighed, taking out her handcuffs with resignation, "Kaiden Hansen, you are under arrest for the murder of Alexandra Collins. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you."

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Marcel, Dominique, Angelique, and Moniqua watched as Kaiden was dragged out of the building, and into the police car.

Angelique's eyes were cold but it looked in some way, regretful, but Dominique wasn't showing any emotion at all. Marcel was, to be said, disappointed, sad, angry, because he knew that Kaiden didn't kill Alexandra, not alone. And Moniqua, she was confused.

The car drove away, and the reporters in front of the school slowed it down, before driving away.

"Did you do this?" Marcel asked Angelique coldly.

"Angelique? You did this? To Kaiden?" Moniqua whispered, soft enough for only them to hear.

"No, Monique. I didn't," Angelique answered, turning around and into the building, Dominique followed shortly, leaving Marcel and Moniqua, one with anger and the other with confusion.

"Marcel?" Moniqua called.

"Yeah?" He answered, still distracted.

"I'm gonna get ready to visit him at the precinct. Do you wanna come with?"

"No, you go. I'll sort out whatever's going on here," Marcel said.

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Moniqua left her room, wearing a red dress, with red lipstick and black Louboutins, and a personally designed black handbag.

"Hey, Monique. Where are you going?" Scarlett asked her as they passed in the hall.

"Just out," She answered with a fake smile.

"Well, be careful."

"I will. See you later, Scar," She said with a wave before going down the stairs and leaving Charis Institute in her car. And yes, she had gotten permission from Ms. Jones beforehand.

Moniqua drove in silence with songs playing in the background, her focus was split between how Kaiden is doing and driving. Soon, she arrived at the precinct and walked in. With her power, she gracefully got in without any trouble.

"Kaiden," She whispered from the doorway, seeing him in orange uniform and a tired look on his face. To be short, he looked awful.

"Monique? What're you doing here?" He looked up to meet her eyes.

"I was worried, Key," She said, taking a seat and reaching to hold his hand. "You didn't kill Alexandra Collins, did you?" She asked, though it sounded much more like a statement.

"And I didn't even have to explain myself. No, I did actually. Gotta say, revenge tastes sweet. Ever since I was born, they followed me around. Lingering in the shadows to catch me do something scandalous," He said, with a fake evil smirk which Moniqua can see right through.

And his words? Moniqua saw the message behind it. A-N-G-E-L

'That bitch!' She thought.

"By the way, is something wrong?" Kaiden said, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Moniqua's brows furrowed even more, "No, nothing's wrong."

"Lying doesn't suit you, Niki. Neither does red," Kaiden said, a grin on his face.

"Are you...flirting?"

Kaiden chuckled, "It would be odd if I was, considering what I'm wearing and where I am."

"Can't agree more," She laughed along.

His face turned serious, "But, tell me, Monique, what's wrong? You're not wearing anything you."

Moniqua shrugged, "I'm just trying something new, that's all."

"Who are you?" He said jokingly. "Moniqua loved herself with every bit of her cold and rich heart."

Even though he said that as a joke, Moniqua could hear the truth behind it.

"It's just...Zach said something, that I know he didn't mean, but it just made me feel like I had to change. It's nothing, Key. Don't worry about it."

"Don't listen to Zach, alright? You shouldn't change who you are over something someone else said."

Hearing him say that made Moniqua's heart flutter and a shy smile reached her lips.

She nodded as a police officer came inside the room.

"Time's up, Ms. Quesada," The officer said.

"I know you didn't kill her, Kaiden," She said before standing up and leaving.

Moniqua stood on the parking lot, debating whether she should go back now or enjoy the free day she has. She chose the latter, to leave her car here and walk around town, something they don't have the time to do much.

As she walked around town, going in shop after shop, buying clothing after clothing, something kept bothering her. And now she knows what, people have been watching her as she walked on the sidewalk, people who are not as rich as she is.

"Excuse me? Miss?" A woman, only a few years older, came up to her.

"Yes?" Moniqua answered, lowering her sunglasses.

"I'm sorry for disturbing but you seem like a successful person. And I was just wondering if I could have some advice," The woman said politely.

Moniqua smiled, "Of course. What's your name?"

"I'm Dani, nice to meet you," Dani offered her hand which she gladly took, Moniqua loved meeting people who don't judge her by her appearance and her title. It made her feel ordinary. But then again, no one ever is.

"Likewise, I'm Moniqua. So what seems to be bothering your mind?" She asked.

"Well, my parents set me up with this rich person, who I'll admit is nice and all but I just feel less independent when I'm around him. I think it's because he treats me as if I'm some prize or a child that he needs to take care of and I don't like that. But if I do marry this man, my family would benefit a lot of his money, to pay off debts and live more comfortably. And I want that for my family, you know?" Dani explained, her face pained when she thinks about her problem.

Moniqua thought about it for a while, then finally came up with an idea.

"Look, Dani. I don't think you should marry this man for his money because if you do, it would make you live an unhappy life. And you want to make your family richer? Don't marry rich. Be rich," She said, proud of her answer.

"You seem to know a lot about that, are you speaking from experience?" Dani leaned in.

She shook her head, "Not me, but my mother. She had the same problem."

Dani nodded, "Thank you, Moniqua."

"You're welcome, Dani."

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