CHANTEL

CHAPTER 5

"What is it? You are scaring us," Jade asked curiously.

"I will go get the door," Jane said, about to leave.

"No!!!!! Don't go! Not yet!"

"I will go if you don't briefly explain what is wrong," Jane threatened.

"O—okay, I will explain. Yesterday---" the doorbell interrupted again.

"Talk, Chantel! Speak!"

"Yesterday, I met a guy at Mrs. Andy's theatre, and he saved me from----- from Andre, who was

trying to rape me," Chantel stammered.

"WHAT!!!! Andre tried to rape you?" both twins chorused.

"Yes!!!!!!!!" Chantel exclaimed. She panicked when she heard the bell ring over and over again. This

time, Jane didn't hesitate to open the door.

***

"Hi," Jane said when she opened the door and saw the gentleman who had offered his rope to them.

"Is she okay?"

"Yes! She is in good hands. Come in, please."

Max entered, and Jane led the way.

"JANE!" Chantel screamed when she saw Max.

"What? Is he your enemy?" Jane asked, smiling.

"He—he is not my enemy! He saved me fr—"

"He saved you from Andre the rapist?!" Jade yelled, interrupting Chantel.

"Yeah," Chantel said tiredly.

"Good morning—" Max said, trying to recall a name he didn't even know.

"Chantel," she said, slightly frowning.

Max bent down and used his hand to gently smooth out her forehead.

"Ohhh, so romantic," Jane said with an imaginative expression.

"How was your night?" he asked.

"Fine," Chantel managed to say, feeling shy.

Then Jane started pinching Jade, asking her to leave the balcony with her.

"Ouch! Why are you pinching me?" Jade complained naively.

"Oh gosh!" Jane exclaimed, pulling Jade to the sitting room. "Please, let's clear up the mess on the

dining table," Jane said, trying to act cool.Chantel just watched Jane betray her. Jane was so good at matchmaking games, and she loved this

one!

"Do you mind?" Max asked as he sat down.

"Oh no," Chantel's heart was beating fast! If a doctor had used a stethoscope on her, it would

probably have exploded because her pulse wasn't normal. It was the heartbeat of—LOVE!

"I want to know more about you, so I'd like to take you out for lunch—and please don't say no."

"Oh, alright, I will see if it is going to work."

"Of course it will work."

"Chantel?"

"Yes?"

"I know I am some sort of stranger and have no right to say this, but I'd be glad to share my home

with you—in case anything happens with Steven. I've got your back. Please don't hesitate to seek my

help when you need it."

"Oh gosh," Chantel's forehead was already beaded with sweat.

"If you don't mind," Max said, wiping it off. He handed her the handkerchief and stood up to leave.

"What did Jane tell you?" Chantel asked in frustration.

"Exactly what is on your mind."

"JESUS! JANE!"

"NOT MY PROBLEM!" Jane shouted from the distance.

"I think I will take my leave now," Max said, and left.

"Oh Jane, oh Jane, oh Jane," Chantel said, running after Jane who had already set her pillow and

gone to sleep.