LAYAL:
"So you mean there's a defamatory blog posted about Kiarra, and apparently from your instagram account, while you were in coma?"
I nodded in response to Ahmed.
"What I can't fathom is why we are the only ones the post is invisible to." Salma taunted, wavering a finger between her and Ahmed.
"Perhaps your bestie blocked you." Hella shrugged.
"We can still see her profile dumbass." Salma shot back.
"Not now please." Ahmed chided.
"This is a lot messier than I thought." Salma sighed.
I subconsciously bit my nails. A habit developed from anxiety.
"If Layal claims to be innocent, then the only logical conclusion is that someone else posted the blog. Question is: who?" Hella inferred.
"maybe you." Ahmed accused.
"Have you lost it?! how could it be me?! stop spewing crap!" She snapped.
"Can you prove that it's not you?" Salma pressed.
"This is ridiculous. We're done here. Call me when you've matured enough to have a proper conversation." She stood up, ready to leave.
"Now look at you getting all defensive. See how it feels to be falsely accused." Ahmed smirked.
"and that's why you shouldn't go around running your mouth if you don't know shit. Got it?" Sal added.
Hella's eyes welled up and her lips quivered, fury dominating her entire demeanor.
There I was, calmly watching while my friends shatter someone's self-esteem to pieces. It's not like I couldn't do anything about it, rather, I chose not to. See, I'm not good with confrontations because they're physically and mentally exhausting. Moreover, it's about time Hella take a little sip from the mug of discipline.
Shockingly enough, she did apologize before leaving, and promised to call if she finds out anything. That wasn't so hard now, was it? It costs nothing to be respectful.
"What now?" Ahmed asked.
"Duhh, finding the culprit behind the blog ofcourse." Sal replied.
"There are two possibilities. Either the person manually posted it from my phone while I was unconscious or.....
"They hacked you." She completed the statement.
"Exactly."
"Then that'll narrow it down to relatives and friends." Ahmed chimed in.
"Actually, it narrows it down to only immediate family members, because when a patient slips into coma, their personal belongings are given to their closest relative."
Our faces lit up with excitement at Sal's assertion.
"Plus, we're the only friends you have. "
I gasped and kicked Ahmed on the shin. "Rude!"
"Just saying." He raised his hands in defense.
"We're getting there. Now we just have to find out who the other visitors were." Sal implied.
That's easy, I just need to call the hospital. I dialed Dr. Okçan's number and he picked up after the first ring. I was under his care.
"Merhaba, Doctor. "
"Merhaba, Miss Layal. it's been a while, I assumed you've fully recovered now."
"Yes, I have. All thanks to you, Doctor."
"It's my pleasure, dear. "
"I need the list of people who visited me while I was admitted. If you don't mind."
He went silent for a moment, the only audible sound being a rustling in the background.
"Doctor, are you still there?"
"Yea...yes! yes! I am. Miss Layal, you know I'd never say no to you, but this time around the situation is beyond me. " He nervously stated.
"What do you mean?"
"I've been strictly ordered by UP not to disclose that list."
"Who's UP?"
The line went silent for some time before he responded.
"The chairwoman, Miss."
Indeed, the situation had surpassed him. I thanked him and hung up, pondering upon my next move.
"How did it go?" Sal looked at me with hopeful eyes.
"He had been strictly ordered not to disclose the information."
We all know who passed the order, and meeting them isn't part of my plan, but now I'm left optionless. I called her PA to inquire about her whereabouts, while silently praying that she was out of the country, but luck wasn't on my side. She was on the island at the moment, and in fact resides close by. I massaged my temple and deeply exhaled.
"She never ceases to make her presence known." Ahmed snorted.
"You'll meet her?" Sal probed.
"Mmhh."
"Want us to tag or you good?"
"No one is staying behind." There's no secret between us. We're practically like siblings.
"We'll use your car Sal, my tyres aren't strong enough to withstand the potholes on that road." Ahmed explained.
"Sure."
Our destination was Clementon Residence, which is located in Maras, a distant village in Famagusta. True to Ahmed's words, Sal's car was more suitable, and what could've been an hour's journey was covered in thirty minutes.
upon arrival, I greeted the valet and handed him the key before heading inside. The apartment complex changed a lot since my last visit, which was two years ago. There were more staff than usual, new facilities, and a brand new decor. I scoffed when my eyes fell on the bright pink couch singled out amongst the rest of the black ones in the reception lounge. Nice one.
"Like Ahmed said, she loves making her presence known. " Sal mused after noticing the disgust on my face.
"That's a direct shot. She knows how much you hate pink." Ahmed chuckled.
"Good day, Miss Layal. This way please." A lady I assumed to be the butler, curtsied and led us to the elevator. We were about to enter when my attention shifted to a sudden loud bang coming from the hallway.
"I'm so sorry ma'am, it won't happen again. I'm so sorry, forgive me!" A voice desperately pleaded. I went to check the source of the commotion, and was shocked to find an elderly woman knelt before a very young girl with her head bowed, and drenched in what appears to be juice.
"What's going on here?" I calmly queried, not wanting to jump to conclusions without hearing both sides of the story. However, it's still sickening to see an elderly woman knelt before a girl who's young enough to be her daughter.
The girl glared at me.
"And who are you?" She snapped. Another one with a rotten attitude, nice. I might just end up in jail before the day ends.
I smiled and approached them.
"The owner of the building."
She laughed.
"Sure, and my grandma is a virgin. Just go play with dolls or something, kid. This is a matter between adults."
What's with everyone and calling me a kid. I'm 5feet, not 5 years old.
I ignored her and squatted to the level of the old woman, who still had her head bowed. I lifted her chin so she doesn't fall victim to a neck sprain.
"Could you please explain what happened?" I asked while helping her stand up.
Her gaze shifted between me and the girl, tears of terror brimming in her eyes.
"It's okay, she won't do anything." I assured.
She relented the altercation and I wasn't the least bit surprised. Dealing with spoilt, rich brats like that in a high-end luxurious apartment is becoming second nature to me. I handed my bag to Salma before squaring up to the girl.
"This is an apartment, not a nursing home. The staff are paid to clean the rooms and facilities, not someone's ass. If you're so disgusted to wipe yourself then don't use the toilet at all."
I've came across ridiculously demanding rich kids, but none was audacious enough to order the staff to clean their behind. This one was just outrageous.
"Listen here, kid. I paid such a hefty amount so I can be treated however I wish. Now get lost."
"Just punch her already." Sal murmured. I really wanted to, but there's a classier way of putting these brats in check without resorting to violence.
"Okay, I believe I've been nice enough already. Since the carrot didn't work, the cane definitely will."
I called the manager and she immediately rushed over.
"I want her gone this instant, and get the woman a fresh set of uniforms." I ordered.
"Yes, ma'am." She curtsied
The girl's mouth hung agape and she repeatedly blinked.
"Wait, what's going on here?"
"Nothing. Just weeding out some pests on my property." I casually shrugged.
She nervously gulped and looked around.
"Are you really the owner of the complex?"
"Google is free you know." I winked and left. Sal and Ahmed opted to give me some privacy and stayed behind, despite my several objections.
On the elevator ride to the penthouse, I gave my personal contact to the butler, whose name I later learned to be Freya, and told her to inform me when the staff are being disrespected. Without them, the building wouldn't acquire the status it did, and so I'm forever indebted to them. The journey to the 20th floor was tense, because thinking about how the meeting is going to end was already mentally draining.
We eventually reached and Freya escorted me to the room.
"Miss Layal is coming in." She announced and then turned the knob which opened to a grand interior. I thanked her and walked in, taking in the typical view.
Everything was pretty much the same. From the giant floor-to-ceiling windows, zebra-printed leather couches, to the magnificent chandelier dangling in the center of the spacious living room. The usually white ceiling, was the only facility replaced with a transparent glass, revealing an intriguing view of the dark clouds. I suddenly wondered how it'll feel like to spend the night, just star gazing.
I sensed a presence behind me, and turned around on instinct.
There she was. In all her glory. Standing tall in a white chiffon blouse, black palazzo pants, and red stilettos, matching her bright red lips. Her chestnut hair was neatly packed in a tight, low bun, adorning her sharp facial features. She smirked and closed the distance between us, grazing my cheek with red, razor-sharp nails.
"Mother." I gulped.
"Hi poquita."