Unappreciated Treasure

Chelsy's eyes fluttered open and she could feel a terrible headache. Her head was banging, and she groaned while grabbing her head with both hands. "Ouch my head hurts." She muttered to herself.

At the bedside table, there was a glass of water and a pill with a note saying, 'take me'. Chelsy took the pill and finished the glass of water. When she was fully awake, she realized that was not her room.

''Oh my gosh, this isn't my room. This is Rachel's room. How did I get here and what happened last night?''

Chelsy tried recalling the events of the previous night, but couldn't remember. As she was still trying to put her thoughts together, the door suddenly swung open and Rachel walked in wearing her gym outfit. Rachel had gone to the gym earlier while Chelsy was still sleeping. "Hey sleepy head, you are finally awake." Rachel said while taking off the scrunchy from her long wavy hair and letting it fall on her shoulders.

 Chelsy, who was already in a sitting position, asked how long she had been sleeping. ''Baby girl, it is almost midday. You've been sleeping since last night.'' Chelsy's eyes were widened, and she exclaimed, ''What! And you couldn't wake me up Rach?''

Rachel smiled and said, ''sis, I am still trying to recover from the drama you played yesterday. Henceforth, you will never consume alcohol ever again.''

When Chelsy heard this, she could feel goosebumps on her skin. She spoke with an awkward smile. ''Rach, please tell me what happened yesterday. Did I do something stupid?''

Rachel's intrusive thoughts kicked in and she gave a mischievous smile. I guess I should tease Chelsy a little. She thought. She cleared her throat and said, ''Chels, so you don't remember what you did yesterday? Anyway, I will tell you. You kissed Samuel last night and threw up all over him.''

When Chelsy heard this, she was mortified. She felt like she should just dig a hole in the ground and bury herself or vanish into space. "What?" Chelsy asked with her eyes wide open as if she had met with a ghost.

''Oh my God, Rachel. Why didn't you stop me from kissing him? Right now I don't know where I will bury my head.'' Chelsy's face was as red as a tomato. This was one of the most embarrassing things Chelsy had ever done.

Rachel couldn't hold it any longer. She burst into hysterical laughter and couldn't control herself. ''Baby girl, calm down, okay? I was only joking. None of that happened. You didn't kiss anyone, and you didn't throw up on anyone. I was just teasing you.''

When Chelsy heard this, her face grew red with anger. She picked up a pillow from the bed and threw it at Rachel. ''How dare you trick me like that? Are you crazy?'' Rachel couldn't stop laughing and she said.

"I just had to tease you in order to get back at you for all the stress you made me go through yesterday."

When Chelsy heard this, her countenance softened, and she said, ''Rach, please what really happened yesterday? Can you tell me every detail?'' Rachel looked at her and said, ''okay ma'am. I will tell you everything. But you have to promise me you will tell me what made you drink so much last night.''

Chelsy gave a big sigh and nodded. Rachel recounted everything that had happened. How she got drunk and started dancing on the dance floor. How she was crying and how Samuel carried her to Jade's car. When Chelsy heard this, she felt her stomach churning. She covered her face with both palms and muttered, ''what the hell did I do last night? I'm so embarrassed.''

Rachel walked closer to her and sat by the edge of the bed. She placed her hand on Chelsy's shoulder and said, ''sis, it's not as bad as you think. People get drunk all the time, and do things that are far worse. Remember how drunk I was when we went to Brighton last summer? And how I crashed into a stranger's wedding ceremony claiming I was the bride's mother?''

When Chelsy heard this, she remembered that day and couldn't help but laugh and said, "Girl, you were definitely high on something higher than alcohol." They both laughed hysterically and Rachel said, ''Chels, please tell me why you wanted to get drunk on purpose yesterday.''

Chelsy's face suddenly became sullen as she remembered what happened between her, Ken and Helena. She told Rachel everything that happened and Rachel could not help but furrow her brows. Rachel looked at Chelsy and said, ''Sis, from the way Ken is acting and behaving towards you, I have a feeling he is hiding something from you. But whatever the case, just prepare your mind for anything at any time, okay?''

Chelsy gave a big sigh and said, ''Rach, I don't know what to think anymore. I just love Ken so much. I don't know why he keeps treating me like that. He said I should give him sometime to sort things out. I guess I will just do that.'' The two girls chatted for a little longer and Chelsy went into the bathroom and took a shower.

Back at Samuel's house, he kept walking around the house with his phone in his hand contemplating whether he should call Chelsy or not. ''Hey Samuel. You are making me dizzy with this up and down movement of yours. Just call her already and stop moping around like some lost individual.'' Samuel's cousin snorted.

Samuel couldn't help it and replied, ''What should I tell her when I call? I don't want to sound desperate or sending the wrong signal.'' His cousin scoffed and said, ''bro, you are already sounding desperate right now. Just calm down and ask her if she is okay? No need to beat around the bush. Just tell her how you feel about her and that you still care about her.''

When Samuel heard this, he hurriedly said, ''No. No. No. I can't tell her that I still have feelings for her. I don't want to lose her friendship.'' His cousin just looked at him and said, ''Just do it dude.''

Samuel sighed and took a long breath in. He exhaled and dialed Chelsy's number. When the call got connected, there was a soft voice on the other end. "Hello?" Samuel cleared his throat and said, ''Hello Chelsy, it's me Samuel. How are you feeling today? Hope you are much better.''

Chelsy, at the other end of the line, said, ''Samuel, I am fine. Thank you for everything you did for me yesterday. Rachel told me how you helped me. I am so sorry if I embarrassed you.''

Samuel stuttered and said, ''no, no Chelsy, it's nothing okay? I am glad I could help you and be there for you when you needed someone. You can call me at any time if you ever need help with anything, okay?''

Chelsy, on the other hand, gave a little laughter. ''Thank you, Samuel. But you don't have to worry, okay? I will be fine. Oh, I remember you saying you would be leaving tomorrow for Manchester. Have a safe trip back.''

Samuel smiled and said, ''Oh, you remember. Thank you and stay safe then.'' They said goodbye and he hung up.

Samuel's mood became much better and he smiled. His cousin looked at him. While tapping his index finger on the sofa, he asked, ''Bro, why are you smiling as if your lady friend kissed you through the phone?''

Samuel looked at him and scoffed. "I am just happy knowing she is okay, and she actually sees me as a friend." He spoke and walked away with a smile plastered on his face.

It was Monday, and Chelsy went to school to see Mister Edward, her school supervisor. ''Good morning sir, you asked me to come see you.'' When Mister Edward saw her, he said with a smile on his face, ''Chelsy, finally you have submitted the final copy of your dissertation. I guess you can start preparing for your graduation.''

When Chelsy heard this, she could not help but smile and said, ''Thank you so much sir. I really appreciate all your help.'' When Mister Edward heard this, he just smiled. '' You know your dad was a very good friend of mine, and he helped me in so many ways that I can't even begin to repay him. I promised him that I would do everything within my power to ensure that you were okay.''

When Chelsy heard this, her eyes began shimmering with tears starting to form, and she said, ''thank you Uncle Ed.'' Mister Edward smiled at her and handed her a brown folder. ''This is an exchange program that is being sponsored by the Whitemore Foundation in the United States. It is a two-month exchange program, and I was asked to recommend two public relations students from my department. So you and Simon Grey have been recommended. This exchange program will really boost your résumé. Make sure you attend the interview on Friday at 8am. I will send you the necessary information. If you miss the interview, you will be replaced by someone else.''

When Chelsy heard this, she felt as if she was dreaming. She was so excited. ''Thank you so much sir. I promise I won't miss the interview for anything in this world.'' She rushed out of his office with her face full of smiles.

Meanwhile, someone's silhouette walked away from Mister Edward's office window. 

On Thursday evening, Chelsy had fully prepared for her interview with the Whitemore Foundation which was scheduled for the next day. She picked up her phone and called Rachel. "Hey sissy, are you at home?"

Rachel, on the other hand, answered, ''hey Chels. Yes, I am at home and I have terrible period cramps.'' Chelsy's voice softened, and she said, ''Oh my poor baby. Don't worry, I am coming over, and I will prepare some ginger and honey tea for you, okay?''

Chelsy rushed into the kitchen and made a quick ginger and honey tea. She placed it in a little thermos flask.

As she was about to leave, Melinda came out of the room and asked, ''hey Chelsy, where are you rushing off to? I need you to stay with Fiona. I need to rest. The nanny called in sick today.''

Chelsy didn't know whether she should laugh or cry at Melissa. ''Listen, Melinda. My best friend is sick, and she needs me right now. I understand that you are tired, but I just have to go to Rachel.''

Melinda scoffed and said, ''I don't care whether your crazy best friend or whoever is sick. Just sit down and take Fiona.'' Chelsy looked at Melinda with eyes full of fury and walked towards her. ''Melinda, listen to me. I only respect you because you are my brother's wife and the mother to my amazing Fiona. If not, I would have shown you the dark side of me. The next time you speak to me in that manner, or talk about my best friend in that manner, you will regret it.''

Chelsy spoke and left the house.

Melinda stood there looking stunned. With her mouth wide open and her hand on her chest, she couldn't believe that Chelsy had spoken to her in such a serious and rude tone. ''How dare that crazy girl talk to me like that?'' Melinda muttered to herself.

 Chelsy could receive insults and backlash from others. But when it came to those she cared about, she would never tolerate that disrespect. 

As Chelsy reached the bus stop, she was alone at the stop. She checked the time and her watch showed four thirty pm. Suddenly, a black Dodge van stopped in front of her and two men whose heads were covered in a hoody grabbed her into the car.

They held a cloth over her nose and she passed out.

Has Chelsy been kidnapped? If yes, who is behind this? And what will they do to her?