Chapter 3

• “Rush her to the emergency ward!” The doctor said, and a stretcher was brought. She was placed on it and rushed in, while Sophia followed suit.
• When they got there, Sophia was asked to wait outside while they attended to her. She paced back and forth as she remembered the doctor's words and prayed vehemently for nothing to happen to Amber.
• Amber had gone through a lot, that she knew, and now just one single mistake and this had to happen? Her heart ached so much for her friend.
• A few minutes later, the doctor came out and wiped the sweat that was on her forehead. Sophia rushed to her.
• “How's she?”
• “She just suffered from shock and will be fine.” The doctor answered.
• Sophia sighed in relief. “Can I go and see her?” She asked.
• “Sure.” The doctor smiled and left.
• Sophia rushed into the ward and met Amber crying her heart out. She gestured for the nurses to leave and sat beside her, then patted her shoulder.
• “Why is my life like this, Sophia? Why?” She wailed. “It was only one goddamn night and this happened? Why, just tell me why? Why has my life been nothing but a rollercoaster ride of sorrow and pain? Don't I deserve to be happy like everyone else? Don't I?” She wailed loudly.
• It was so sad that Sophia didn't know when her tears fell. “It's alright, Amber. Everything will be fine, okay?”
• “I've heard that countless times and nothing has ever been fine. My life is officially over, Sophia. I failed. I failed woefully.” She buried her face in her palms and wept.
• “Stop saying that, Amber. You aren't a failure. You're a typical example of an independent woman. You work for your money and don't resort to dubious means to get them. You've been working and struggling to pay your parents' debt. Not all ladies can do this, Amber. Your parents are proud of you wherever they are. Don't let this silly mistake change your perspective about yourself and life. You're more than this, please.” Sophia pleaded, but Amber shook her head.
• “It's all my fault, Sophia. Everything. I can't become a single mother at this stage.” She cried.
• “Amber, it better not be what I'm thinking. You're keeping this baby, do you hear me?” Sophia snapped.
• “I wasn't thinking of aborting the baby either,” She said. So many thoughts rushed through her head that moment, like what would people say when they find out that she's pregnant? Her life was already a total mess, and she wouldn't want stigmatization to worsen it for her. She needed somewhere to clear her head; somewhere no one would know her and she would be able to bear her children and raise them in peace.
• “What about the guy? Won't you find him and tell him?” Sophia asked.
• Amber snickered. “He looked like all these rich Billionaires, Sophia. Do you think he would believe me? He would simply accuse me of trying to get money from him by using blackmail.” She sighed.
• “You're right.” Sophia nodded.
• Amber sighed. “Sophia, I want to leave this country. I can't bear staying here anymore. I have my travel documents already and once I'm out of this hospital, I'll be gone for good.” She said,
• Sophia understood why she was doing this, and she felt the least she could do as a friend was to support her. She got close and engulfed Amber in a comforting hug while the latter cried on her shoulders.
• ****
• Amber was discharged from the hospital two days later and packed her things. Sophia escorted her to the airport to bid her farewell.
• “Make sure you call me when you land, okay?” Sophia said and Amber smiled.
• “I will. Thanks for always standing by my side, Sophia. If you weren't here, I don't know what I would have done to myself. Thanks for your support, your love and care. I love you.” She hugged Sophia.
• Sophia patted her back. “I love you too. Just don't stay there forever and come back soon, else I might kill you.” She warned and Amber chuckled.
• “I'll keep that in mind.” She smiled and pulled away from the hug. Her name was called and she sighed. “That's my cue,” She smiled. “I'll miss you, bestie.” She pecked Sophia's cheek.
• “I'll miss you more.” Sophia hugged her again.
• “Stop trying to be strong. Let the tears flow already,” Amber said, and Sophia burst into tears.
• “I'll miss you damn much!” She cried while Amber patted her back. Her name was called again, and she pulled away from the hug. She blew Sophia a kiss and started leaving. Sophia stared at her back as she left, and Amber would turn at intervals to check if she was still there. This continued until she was out of sight.
• Sophia stayed until the plane took off and waved. “Go and have a happy life, Amber. You deserve it.”
• ****
• “We couldn't find her, sir.”
• Xavier couldn't believe his ears. “What the hell did you just say? It's been 3 months, 3 fucking months, and you come back to tell me you couldn't find her?” He snapped, slamming the files in his hand on the desk.
• “You have to calm down, Xavier.” Jake said.
• “Don't tell me to calm down, Jake. They aren't doing their jobs. I gave them different ways to find this girl, but they're still coming back to disappoint me. What the heck!” He snapped.
• The officer had his head bowed. He knew better than to talk when Xavier was talking, especially when he was mad. He might lose his job if he opened his mouth and so, he remained quiet.
• “Now go back and utilize those things I gave you well and find that girl. I'll also do something on my end, and you better not disappoint me this time.” He ordered.
• “Yes, sir!” He saluted and walked out.
• Xavier ruffled his hair as he paced around the office. How on Earth was he going to find this girl? He was able to remember her face even though it was blurry and had given that description to the officers and search team and still, they were disappointing him. He wanted to find this girl at all cost and get rid of the guilt that was eating him whole.
• Ever since that incident, he had stopped drinking whenever he felt down, and his parents weren't even helping matters at all. They kept disturbing and pressuring him to get married, even when he told them he needed time.
• “You have to calm down, Xavier. I'm sure they'll find her.” Jake assured him.
• “They better do it.” He said and sighed.
• “You're rushing them too much, and that's why you aren't getting what you want. You have to be patient and wait.” Jake said.
• “I've waited for three months and got nothing, Jake. How long do I have to wait again? Five years?”