CHANTEL

CHAPTER 7

"Jane, Jade, I am so sorry I can't do what I am obliged to do as your senior sister. I am so sorry."

Chantel fell to her knees and started crying like a baby. She drew attention. Every single soul around

them was watching.

"Chantel, stop, please! People are watching," Jade complained.

Jane just stood and stared; it was so unlike Jane.

"Why were we born from a tyrannical father!" Chantel yelled, still crying on her knees. Then a car

horned. It was definitely for them. Jane looked up to see the useless driver who wouldn't mind his

business. It was Maxentinus.

"Chantel! Are you okay?" He ran towards them and bent to take a good look at her. Chantel sighed

heavily, looked at him, and raised a brow.

"You are the one, right?" She asked with her watery eyes.

"I am Max."

"Dumbass! You were the one that paid him to chase us out!!!"

"Chantel, what are you talking about?" Max asked, surprised.

"Don't touch me!" she yelled at Max, who was trying to help her up.

She got up with the help of her twin. Max just squatted there in disbelief. Jane was so worried. She

really liked Max for Chantel.

"I will take you guys to the bus stop." He stood up and grabbed Chantel's hand.

"Is this a choice or a command?" Chantel asked, struggling to free herself.

"Both."

"Jeez--- let me go! Let me go!" Chantel yelled when Max carried her on his shoulders. Jane and Jade

couldn't help but laugh at the way she swung her legs up in the air. Max opened the car, dropped

her in the passenger seat, and locked the door. He signaled the twins to get in, and they cooperated.

Chantel was busy banging the window.

***

"What made you think I would do that?" Max broke the silence in the car.

"I know! I didn't think! I know you are the root of all evil."

"Hahahahaha, that is money, not me!"

"Yes, you used your money and bribed Steven to chase us out so we could come live with you."

Max frowned.

"Sister, don't just jump to conclusions when you don't have any proof," Jane said softly.

Max parked the car on the roadside and stared at Chantel for minutes."I guess my kindness is taken for evil." He turned on the engine, stepped on the accelerator, and

drove at random speed.

"Max, please stop! It will never happen again!" Chantel, Jane, and Jade begged him to slow down,

but he turned a deaf ear. They fastened their seatbelts and said their last prayers.

***

"Sorry," Max finally said while Chantel kept vomiting. She was travel sick.

"Oh, you nearly killed us, and all you say is sorry?" Jade said, trying to make her tiny voice cruel, but

it didn't work.

"Atta boy, atta boy!" Jane tapped his shoulders and left Chantel alone with him at the junction.

"Don't leave me here, please, Jane!" Chantel cried.

"Enjoy your youthful days, says the Bible," Jane chuckled, dragging Jade with her.

"Cha---"

"Hush! Please don't start," Chantel interrupted him.

"If you don't let me talk, I will carry you into the car and increase my speed."

"You won't dare."

"Watch me!"

"Okay, okay, okay, talk."

"I left home immediately after I talked to you this morning. I am begging you to believe me! I am

innocent, I swear on my father's grave."

"Jesus, please don't swear. Okay, I believe you. I actually just needed someone to blame, and you fell

for it."

"Are you for real?"

"Yup."

"You know what?"

"What?"

"You deserve punishments."

"For what?"

"For blaming me."

"What is the punishment?"

"The punishment is punishments!"

"Two?"

"No, three!"

"Oh God.""Number one: You and your sisters live in my house. No need to worry, because I would rent

another. I will just come to visit."

"Mmm, okay."

"Number two: I will treat you to a meal whenever you are free, twice."

"Oh my God, I love this one!"

"Number three: I will leave number three for some other time."

"Hmm, alright, I will serve my punishments correctly."

***

"It's getting dark. Are we going to sleep outside?" Jade asked Jane.

"Trust me, Jade, we've got luck coming our way with Max."

"Hmm, what kind of luck?"

"Did I just hear my name?" Max and Chantel jumped in.

"No, we-----"

"We have good news, sister," Chantel interrupted.

"What good news?" Jade asked.

"I am serving punishments!"

"How is that good news?" Jade complained.

"The punishments are to live in a flat till further notice and to have meals with him!"

"And you call it punishments?" Jane said.

"That is what he calls it!"

"Let's go, guys. It's getting late!" Chantel jubilated.

"Alright," they chorused, including Max.