At a cafe shop, Stephanie sts alone with a cup of coffee in hand completely lost in her thoughts,just then Joshua walked in with his friend Nick.
JOSHUA: Oh!, STEPHANIE! (He called out to her from across the cafe but she couldn't hear him being lost on her thoughts)
Joshua walks up to her and patting her on the shoulder was enough to snap her back to life
JOSHUA: Uh, are you okay?
STEPHANIE: uh yeah...who are you?
JOSHUA: I'm Joshua a friend of Vivian?
STEPHANIE: Ohhh Joshua , wh..what do you want?
JOSHUA: I was just wondering where Vivi was, she didn't seem like herself yesterday and she also isn't returning any of my calls..is she okay?
STEPHANIE: How..How would I know??(she asked nervously)
JOSHUA: Um, Because you're roommates...
STEPHANIE: Well last I saw Vivi, she told me she was going to her Aunt's place
JOSHUA: Her Aunt's?, I thought she didn't have any relatives in D.C?
STEPHANIE: Well I don't know!, Geez, would you stop asking me so many questions!(she lashed out, stomping out of the cafe)
NICK: Dude,where you hitting on her or something (He chuckled as he walked closer to Joshua)
JOSHUA: Ofcourse not, but she was acting strange tho
NICK: (Shrugs) eh, well you know how chicks can get, now are we gonna order something or what?
Joshua looks over at Stephanie's cup of coffee she had left behind, he sits with his friend as they ordered but still wasn't able to shake off a bad feeling he had, that something just wasn't right.
*. *. *. *. *. *. *. *. *.
At the Hotel, Júlia singing as she approaches Vivian's hotel room for the daily clean up, she reaches out to knock but was surprised to find the door was open,she pushes the door a bit to peek in and her eyes widen in horror as she sees Vivian laying bleeding on the floor, she screamed in shock as she calls for help and in seconds hotel staffs rushed to the scene. The Police is called and so is an ambulance that arrived in minutes and Vivian is taken to the nearest hospital.
Few hours later Vivian wakes up to Júlia holding a bowl of fruits in hand,some food on the table and a bottle of water.
JÚLIA: Hey girl..how are you feeling (she asked in concern)
Vivian was still too weak to respond, so Júlia sits her up and feeds a bit so she could regain some strength and it works,as she was being fed an officer walks in .
OFFICER: Oh she's awake? ...good afternoon Miss Vivain, I'm officer Fred and I'm very glad you're fine,if you want we could call your family members over if you give us their number
JÚLIA: Yeah, we tried to reach your relatives but your phone is completely bashed
VIVIAN: Wh..what happened to my phone? (She asked weakly)
JÚLIA: It must've fell or something
OFFICER FRED: Don't you.. remember anything that happened?( He asked sitting beside her)
JÚLIA: Girl we found you bleeding on the floor,did your boyfriend force himself on you or something??
On hearing the question,the whole scene of last night replays in her head making her break down in tears
JÚLIA: Oh no, I'm sorry, it's okay (she said comforting Vivian)
OFFICER FRED: If he forced himself on you then that is rape and he need to be taken accountable for that,just give me his full name and we'll have him arrested
VIVIAN: (sobs) no...no
OFFICER FRED: No?
JÚLIA: What do you mean No??, I'm sorry but if that bastard was the one that did this to you then he should fae the full hand of the law!
VIVIAN: No, I..I, we were having dinner and we'll,I took him to my room, but..I..I just don't know what happened (she sobs)
'knock, knock'
"Um, I'd advise you don't stress her, that's the last thing she needs" (a young doctor said as he walked in)
OFFICER FRED: I agree completely Doctor, uh, Miss Vivian if you're ready to talk or press charges,just give me a call(he said handing Júlia his card before walking out)
DOCTOR: How are you feeling?(he asked)
VIVIAN: Tired (she replied wiping away her tears)
JÚLIA: I mean girl if you're feeling bad because he's your boyfriend then forget it!, That idiot doesn't deserve any sympathy much less from you,he needs to be taught a lesson(she protests angrily)
VIVIAN: Júlia please...(she replied softly holding her head in pain)
DOCTOR: It's better you let her rest a bit,she's not ready to talk right now..may I see you outside please Miss Júlia(he asked and Júlia walks outside with him)
JÚLIA: She just needs some time Doc,but trust me, I won't let this slide just like that (she said with her arms folded)
DOCTOR: I admire how much you care for her,it's good he has someone like you by her side...may I ask what your relationship with the patient is?
JÚLIA: Uh, were cousins. (She lied)
DOCTOR: Okay, um,you said her boyfriend was the one who took advantage of her right?
JÚLIA: Yes, they had dinner last night at the Hotel where I worked but, my shift was over so I didn't really see how their night played out. I just went for my regular clean up this morning and (sighs) I saw her lying there... bleeding.(she replied brokenhearted)
DOCTOR: hm, I'm so sorry, but when she was brought in,she had..alot of bruises , and after analyzing her wounds I discovered her vulva was badly torn and that's why there was a hemorrhage (he tells her quietly)
JÚLIA: oh my god. (She whispered with one hand covering her mouth)
DOCTOR: Yes, the wounds indefinitely proves that she was raped, but the severity of the wounds lead to me believe it wasn't by just one person.
JÚLIA: What!..b.but how is that possible??, (Gasps) someone must have gotten in or something,no wonder the door was open
DOCTOR: You can choose to tell her but I'd advise you don't do that now rather when she's feeling much better..but please do make sure to report this to the police,the scumbags that did this has to pay
JÚLIA: Ah,now we're on the same page Doctor,but when will she be discharged?
DOCTOR: Well we still have to monitor her recovery for a few days, but if she eats well and stays properly hydrated she would be fully recovered by next weekend and it's important she stays relaxed and keep away from anything that may stress her out
JÚLIA: Understood, thanks s much Doctor...
DOCTOR: Oh I'm sorry sorry, where are my manners, Doctor Leo Mackenzie,at your service (he said introducing himself with a handshake)
JÚLIA: Well Nice to meet you Doctor Mackenzie
DOC. LEO MACKENZIE: Please,just call me Leo(he smiled)
JÚLIA: Alright,Leo (she chuckled)Julia Perez nice meeting you
DOC. LEO: Alright,I have to run now, I'll be checking on her from time to time,and uh, we'll send maybe a psychiatrist to just maybe analyze and talk to her maybe I mean, if that's okay?
JÚLIA: Yeah, sounds good
DOC LEO: Okay but yeah, if she needs anything just hit the call button
The Doctor said before leaving and Julia turns to see Vivian still crying silently on the bed she walks over to console her
VIVIAN: How..how did I not know it was him,I'm so stupid! (She cried)
JÚLIA: It's alright,it's not your fault, but, what exactly happened??
VIVIAN: He raped me Julia!, That damn bastard raped me!(she screamed as she continued crying and Júlia hols her in her arms for comfort)
SOMEWHERE IN LAGOS
Vivian's mother sits on a sofa chair in the living room, desperately trying to make a call, her husband sits across her with a look of disapproval on his face.
MRS ANTHONY: Yes Hello?(she said making a call) this is Mrs Anthony...yes Vivian's mother, I was wondering how much it would cost me to travel to D.C let's say maybe next week?
MR ANTHONY: Travel out?, Mummy Vivian,I think you're over reacting
MRS ANTHONY: Yes I know it's on short notice,but just tell me how much it would cost me let's begin the processing today by God's grace(she said completely ignoring her husband's comment)
MR ANTHONY: (folds his arms to his wife,with an incredulous look on his face)
MRS ANTHONY: ....What do you mean three to six months??, Please get out of my phone you're incompetent!(she yelled hanging up) imagine, I said Next week you said six months.. nonsense (she growled)
MR ANTHONY: Mummy Vivian, better try and calm down before you give yourself hypertension, Vivian not calling for one day is not the end of the world,you need to relax!
MRS ANTHONY: But how do you expect me to relax??, Vivian's line has not been going through all day since yesterday, and I just have this bad feeling in my stomach (she replied getting tensed up)
MR ANTHONY: You're just being worried for nothing
MRS ANTHONY: Oh good Lord have mercy, I only have one, please don't let anything happen to my child please (she said as she broke down crying and her husband goes to comfort his wife, hiding the fact that he too was worried)
A Week Later
At Lummy Hotel, Kathy is being yelled at by the manager as the other staffs Stare
KATHY: It won't happen again sir (she apologized)
MANAGER: Better don't let it happen again, I mean you can't just disappear for not just one but two! Whole weeks and then just show up like you own the place! (He continued yelling)
KATHY: I wasn't feeling well, but I promise it will be the last time (she replied with her head down)
MANAGER: One more slip up and it's good riddance to you, now get back to work! ( He roared as he stomped away
Kathy raises he read back up to see her co workers staring, embarrassed she walked away quickly to go change, there she overheard some of the hotel's staff talking as they passed by
STAFF 1: That's terrible, you said she was a foreigner?
STAFF 2: Yes, seems like she was African or something, Júlia was the one who found her in a pool of blood
STAFF 1: Oh my God(she gasps) was she taken to the hospital?
STAFF 2: Yes but, then we never heard from her again
The two staffs whisper away and Kathy instantly knew who they were referring to. she heads to work and as she washed the dishes, she asked a friend about what she heard
WAITRESS: Yeah, it was crazy, it happened about two weeks ago I think,yeah, you know the last night you worked?
KATHY: And, does anyone know where she is now?, Was she discharged or something?
WAITRESS: No one knows but Júlia, she was the one who followed her to the hospital,seemed she knew her or something,but the whole thing was just a big mess the manager didn't want to be wrapped around
KATHY: And Julia didn't tell anyone anything?
WAITRESS: (scoffs) no, Júlia may seem like a loud mouth but she keeps most things to herself, why so many questions anyway?
KATHY: (sighs) nothing...I just feel bad for her
WAITRESS: Yeah, no one should ever go through something like that (she replied)
Meanwhile At Stephanie's Apartment
Stephanie sits with Emily and Carla watching a movie, as she minches on a bowl of popcorn she thinks back on a conversation she and Vivian had about a year ago
VIVIAN: There are alot of creeps and weirdos lurking on every corner, you shouldn't be staying out so late,it's not safe
STEPHANIE: (groans) fine, if that will make you feel better I won't be staying out as late as I did last night gosh!...but I'm still gonna be attending parties
VIVIAN: Well Rome wasn't built in a Day, so it's a good start (she said with a light chuckle)
STEPHANIE: (chuckles) Hey Vivi..
VIVIAN: Yeah?
STEPHANIE: Why did you never movie out?..And don't lie to next I know everyone tells you I'm a bad influence so...why are you still here?
VIVIAN: Hmm, well I would've left...If I was perfect, but I have my flaws too, everyone does. You're not a bad person Steph, sure you may annoy the hell out of me sometimes but, you're not a bad person,I trust you(she smiled)
'Snap,snap!' goes Emily's fingers as she brings Stephanie out of her memory
EMILY: Girl, are you even watching the movie?
STEPHANIE: Oh yeah, right,sorry
CARLA: What's up with you?
STEPHANIE: (sighs) girls ,it's been more than two weeks now and I still haven't heard anything from Vivi (she said worriedly)
EMILY: ugh, not this again, really Steph?
STEPHANIE: I mean, Steven didn't even go back to the hotel, what happened to Vivi after that night??,I mean, is she okay?,and if she is where is she!? She should be back by now
EMILY: So ..whY exactly d you want us to do?,go look for her?, Keep it together and stop sounding like a freaking idiot Steph!(she yelled)
STEPHANIE: Hey watch the way you talk to me! (She snaps back)
CARLA: Girls, keep your voice down,Look Steph..I wasn't there that day but didn't you guys say she left supposedly to her aunt's place but actually went to a hotel downtown?..which means she didn't want to be in the apartment for a few days in the first place!, So just chill, she'll be back soon okay?
Stephanie gets up angrily and stomps to her room slamming the door.
CARLA: Girl, if you don't do something about Steph soon,she's gonna talk
EMILY: I know Carla...I know (Emily replied coldly as she contemplates what to do)
At Joshua's Shop
Joshua on his phone tries to reach Vivian again but she doesn't respond,his friend sits across him with a look of concern
NICK: Still no answer?
JOSHUA: No (he replied with a deep sigh)
NICK: Are you sure she's not at her aunt's place like Stephanie said?
JOSHUA: Vivian has no relatives in D.C, that's a fact
NICK: Well then maybe she just wanted some time to herself or something
JOSHUA: No, Vivi always picks up my calls, something happened to her,I can feel it,and it's killing me (he yelled kicking the chair beside him)
NICK: Calm yourself down dude, look, I'm sure she'll turn up eventually with a reasonable explanation
JOSHUA: (sighs) She already missed an exam, and that's unlike her,it's been two weeks since I saw her,, If she doesn't show up by Friday, I'm calling the police.
NICK: Okay..that sounds good
JOSHUA: Oh Vivi, please be okay (he thought to himself)
At an apartment in the heart's of D.C sat Vivian at the balcony alone, completely lost in thoughts as she rocked back and forth on the chair, Júlia comes in.
JÚLIA: Girl, don't tell me you're out here again
VIVIAN: How was work?
JÚLIA: Work was okay..and how are you? (She asked sitting on a chair beside her)
VIVIAN: I'm fine
JÚLIA: I thought you'd be on your phone or something, weren't you taking your exams online?
VIVIAN: I did,but I'm not sure I did well...
JÚLIA: I'm sure you'll do just fine
VIVIAN: My mom's been calling alot
JÚLIA: But why don't you answer?
VIVIAN: And tell her what?..that I disappointmented them and my self (she sobbed)
JÚLIA: For the last time Vivian,it wasn't your fault, you couldn't have known Steven was th..th..the snake your mom dreamed about, you didn't want him in your hotel room,that bastard spiked your drink, you couldn't have known!
VIVIAN: I've been thinking alot about that day and no, it doesn't make sense,I was there with Steven, I would have seen if he was the one that drugged me..but he wasn't...he didn't do this on his own
JÚLIA: You think so??(she said baffled) but I don't understand,who could have helped him,did you think he payed someone or something? (she gasped)
VIVIAN: No...I don't know,but something tells me Stephanie was involved
JÚLIA: Your roommate??.. but how?
VIVIAJ: I don't know, but God so help me when I set my eyes on her (she replied with a low scowl)
NEXT: Episode 5
Acceptance