CHANTEL

CHAPTER 11

"WHAT!" Jade yelled. "HE DID THAT TO YOU!" she added.

Chantel never ceased to tell her sisters about her dates. And now she told them all that happened.

She was expecting Jane to react.

"Maybe he drank too much," Jane said.

"Wait! Jane, are you taking sides with that jerk?" Jade asked in surprise.

"He is not a jerk."

"He is because we didn't drink alcohol," Chantel yelled.

"Sisters, let me give you reasons why he acted that way," Jane said, adjusting her dress. "He tried to

abuse you because you are looking wayward. He saw the way you danced at the club, that ain't no

virgin's dance moves. You lived with a total flirt, Steven, for a night and expect him to think nothing

happened. Lastly, you dated Andre and Max saw how Andre harassed you! What do you think he will

think of you? Holy mother of Jesus? Please, sisters, don't blame an innocent bloke."

Chantel was silent.

"Jane, you are stupid! Now you are making Chantel feel at fault!" Jade cursed.

"She is at fault!" Jane said.

"Now I know---" Chantel cut in.

"What?" Jade asked.

"Now I know why he did it!" she completed.

"Yes! Now you know he ain't no snitch!" Jane smiled.

"Jane, what do you think I should do?" Chantel asked.

"All you have to do is just call him on the phone and act like you are dying. If he really cares, he will

come as fast as possible. Then you leave the rest to me," Jane said, grinning.

"That is a silly idea!" Jade yelled.

"No, I like it. I will do so," Chan"Oh God, what about if he doesn't come? I know you will kill yourself because you will feel like no

one cares!" Jade complained.

"Jade, stop being a killjoy!" Jane chuckled.

"I don't blame you!" Jade angrily left the sitting room.

"Let's start planning!" Jane jubilated.

***

"Has he picked up?" Jane whispered.

"No, not yet," Chantel whispered back. It was the fifth day after the incident, and she had made a

plan with Jane.

"Hello?" Chantel nervously uttered.

"He picked up?" Jane whispered, and Chantel nodded.

"Hello," a masculine voice answered.

"Max, please help me! He... he's threatening to kill me—"

"Who is this?" the masculine voice interrupted.

Embarrassment flushed Chantel's face. Oops!

"He doesn't even have my number!" Chantel whispered to Jane.

"Did you ever give it to him?" Jane asked.

"It's Chantel," Chantel said, rolling her eyes like a merry-go-round.

"Sorry, my boss is not around. I will tell him you called. Thank you!" **He hangs up.**

"Geez!!!" Chantel exclaimed, dropping the phone.

"What happened?" Jane asked curiously.

"I don't know what to do!" Chantel's eyes turned red. "The receiver claimed Max is not around. But I

don't think it's true!" Chantel said pathetically. "As soon as he asked my name and I told him, he said

Max wasn't around and that he would let Max know I called when he gets back."

"See what I was saying?" Jade yelled.

"Shut up, killjoy!" Jane yelled back. "Let's wait and see if he calls back," she added.

Phone rings.