Unappreciated Treasure

 One week had passed since Chelsy moved in with her best friend Rachel. Chelsy was in the kitchen cooking dinner when Rachel walked in from her evening run.

''Hey baby girl. What are we eating tonight?''

She walked in all sweaty and hugged Chelsy from behind.

Chelsy was startled and shouted, ''ewe Rachel! Can you go take a bath and stop hugging me from behind? Or have you mistaken me for Jade?''

Chelsy gave a little cackle. Rachel rolled her eyes and said with a playful expression. "You can't and won't be my Jade."

Rachel suddenly held her mouth and said, ''I am so sorry Chels. I keep bringing up Jade when you are still hurting from what Ken did to you.''

Chelsy smiled and placed her hand on Rachel's shoulder and said, ''Rach, you don't have to apologize or feel bad whenever you mention Jade's love for you, okay? It's not yours nor Jade's fault that I got hurt. So please just be the normal you and stop holding back. Now, go take a shower and come back so that we can have dinner. I made your favorite.''

When Rachel heard this, she smiled and said in a croaky voice, ''Yes ma'am. On my way to the bathroom.'' They both chuckled as Rachel walked into her room.

After the girls had finished having dinner, they sat by the fireplace and started talking. Suddenly, Chelsy's phone started ringing. When Chelsy checked the caller ID and saw that it was Leonel, her heart skipped a beat and she nervously answered the call.

''Hey Lenny, you finally called. I've missed you so much.''

Leonel, at the other end of the phone, was so excited to hear his sister's voice. ''Hey Chels, it's been like forever. How are you, and how is everyone at home? Especially my little Fiona?''

Chelsy took a deep breath and answered, ''Everyone is fine at home Lenny. How are you guys handling the pandemic? Hope you are protecting yourself to the best of your ability.''

Lenny answered affirmatively and asked. ''Where is Melinda? I have tried reaching her several times, but she isn't taking my calls.''

Chelsy was a little shaken and was scared of telling him the truth. ''Well Lenny, she should probably be at home. I came to spend the weekend with Rachel. I will check on her when I get home tomorrow.'' Chelsy spoke while crossing her fingers.

''Okay then. I have to go back now. We had a little free time and I decided to check on you guys. I will be back next week. Take care of everyone and yourself, okay?''

They both said goodbye and he ended the call.

All through the call, Rachel's face was red with anger. "Chels, why didn't you tell your brother that his witch of a wife sent you out of his house?" Why do you keep protecting that evil spirit?'' Rachel asked with her brows furrowed and her eyes full of fury.

''Rach, it's not that I don't want to tell Leonel what happened. I know my brother so well, and I know how he would have reacted if I told him his wife chased me out of his house. He would have left his job and come back home. I will just wait for him to come back next week. Besides, I wouldn't feel comfortable around Melinda anymore. If I should go back, she might one day kill me or even harm me.'' Chelsy spoke with her eyes full of sadness.

''Anyway, I have been thinking about finding different options. I want to leave Wolverton and move to a new city.''

When Rachel heard this, her eyes were wide with surprise. She stuttered and said, ''But Chels, why would you leave? You have got lots of opportunities here and Wolverton is your home. Besides, you know no one out there. What if something happens to you, and you have no one to take care of you? How will you cope alone if you leave?''

Chelsy held her best friend's hand and replied with a gentle smile, ''Rach, I know it will be hard out there, but I will survive. Do you think the stress, heartbreak and hardship out there would be worse than what I have already experienced here? You know my reputation has been destroyed in Wolverton. Who would want to employ me after the rumors about me have spread like wildfire? At school, everyone sees me as a home wrecker and a cheap sleep around. Besides, the Roberts have ensured no major company here in Wolverton will employ me after graduation.''

As she spoke she gave a little sad laughter. ''Anyway, I will be going to school tomorrow to see uncle Ed. I will ask him to help me out with his contacts outside Wolverton. I will ask him to help me find an internship where I can start from.''

When Rachel heard this, she asked, ''so where are you planning on going to?'' Chelsy pressed her lips together and then said,

''I was thinking of relocating to London. I believe London has got so many companies and better opportunities for someone in my field of study. I just believe there is a silver lining there for me.''

Rachel's face dropped, and she had a sad look on her face. ''But Chels, how will I cope without you around? You have actually grown on me and Wolverton will be so boring and meaningless without you around.''

Chelsy looked at her friend and gave a little laugh. ''Come on Rachel. Don't be ridiculous. You've got your whole family here, and most especially, you have got Jade, the love of your life as well. I will just be a call away. So it won't be as bad as you think. It's not as if I am going there to die. There will be holidays where we can always see and spend time with each other.''

Rachel made a playful pout and hugged her friend. ''Come on girl, don't be such a drama queen. It's not as if I am leaving right now. I still have until our graduation to leave, which is in a month's time."

It was the next day. Chelsy went to Wolverton University to see Mister Edward. When she got to the administrative building, she met with Philippa and Kate. When Philippa saw her, she sneered at her and said, ''Well, well, well. Here comes the latest home wrecker. I thought you were only a social climber. But you have added home wrecking to your resume.''

She gave a devilish laughter and said, ''I don't have to do much. Your sins are catching up with you.''

Chelsy's hands were clenched in a fist. Her eyes were red with rage. She gently walked towards Phillipa, and held her by the shoulder and said in a low but dangerous tone, ''Philippa Clerk, you have won this time around. I know you have wanted so badly to suppress me and be at the top at all costs.''

She moved her mouth closer to Philippa's ear and said devilishly, ''You know what? Someday, I will make sure that every single person that has trampled on me, and framed me in any way, will pay very dearly. And when that time comes, I will start with you. Make sure that when that time comes, you will be able to withstand my wrath.'' She looked at Philippa, gave an evil cackle, and went into the office building.

Philippa and Kate, who stood scared and stunned for a moment, came back to their senses.

''What is wrong with that Chelsy? How could she threaten me like that?''

Philippa asked while still trembling from Chelsy's grasp.

Kate, whose eyes were still wide in shock at the fact that Chelsy stood up to Phillipa, and even threatened to deal with her someday, said in a shaky voice, ''That Chelsy is crazy. I think we should avoid her for now.''

Philippa turned and looked at Kate, ''Are you such a scared cat? Chelsy cannot, and will never do anything to me. She is a nobody.'' The two of them quickly left without speaking with each other. 

Chelsy went to Mister Edward's office and found him seated at his desk. ''Greetings sir.'' She said with a little smile on her face. Mister Edward politely responded and asked her to sit down.

''Chelsy, I have read the rumors going around campus about you. I believe you not to be such a person, because I actually watched you grow into a responsible young woman. So, whatever the case, don't let it affect you, okay?''

Chelsy nodded with her eyes glistening with tears threatening to fall. ''Uncle Ed, please I want to ask a favor.'' Chelsy was fidgeting with her fingers and her head and eyes were down.

When Mister Edward saw the nervous reaction from Chelsy, he asked, ''Chelsy, are you okay? If there is something you would like to tell me, I am ready to listen.

Chelsy cleared her throat and responded, ''Uncle Ed, I want to leave Wolverton and move to London. I wish to find out if you know of any company in London where you can give me a referral?''

Mister Edward smiled and said, ''Chelsy, you are definitely the best postgraduate student in my department and the overall best postgraduate student in the University. You will definitely get internship offers from big companies in London. But I do have a very good one in mind. Just update your resume and email it to me. I will send it to one of my contacts in London.'' 

When Chelsy heard this, she was overjoyed and thanked him. She left Mister Edward's office and went back home. 

One week had passed and Leonel returned home. When he got home and found out that Melinda had sent Chelsy out of the house? He was so furious. He picked up his phone and called Chelsy. When Chelsy answered the phone, he couldn't hold his anger.

''Chels, where the hell are you right now? And why didn't you tell me that Melinda sent you packing?''

When Chelsy heard her brother's angry voice, she stuttered, ''Lenny, please calm down. I will tell you everything that happened.''

She went ahead and explained everything, from Ken hurting her, to the rumors online and to Melinda kicking her out.

Leonel's fists were clenched, and he could not help but gnash his teeth in anger as he listened to her.

When he heard Chelsy's sobs, his expression softened and his rising anger subsided.

''Chels, why didn't you tell me all this when I called you last week? I would have been there for you. I am your elder brother, and you are my responsibility. Whatever happens, I am here to take care of you.''

Chelsy spoke in between sobs, "Lenny, I didn't want you to abandon your duty and rush home for something like that."

Leonel gave a sigh and said, "Chels, please just come back home." Chelsy shook her head and replied, ''Lenny, I can't come back. I am not comfortable around Melinda. I don't want to be the one who would cause trouble between both of you.''

Before Leonel could say anything, Chelsy went ahead to say, ''I have made up my mind, Lenny. Please don't insist.'' Leonel was so furious and ended the call. He walked up into their bedroom and found Melinda sitting on the bed and using her phone. When she saw him she said with a smile, ''Hey honey, let's eat out today. I have missed you so much.''

She froze when she saw the cold look on Leonel's face. That was the first time she had ever seen a terrifying look on her husband's face. She could feel chills running down her spine. She stuttered and said in a shaky voice, " H - Honey, why are you looking at me like that?"

Leonel gently walked towards the bed and held her by the shoulder and said, ''Melinda, I know how you treated Chelsy in the past. I know how you belittled her and maltreated her in my own house. I stayed quiet and tolerated your excesses because I thought you would change. But now I can see that you are adamant about change. If you don't bring Chelsy back to this house, make sure you don't return. I don't care how you do it, but make sure she returns to this house. I have canceled all your credit cards. No more partying with your friends, no more expensive trips. Until Chelsy comes back.''

He spoke and turned around and left.

Melinda, who was stunned at what her husband had said, came back to her senses. ''No way. I cannot go back and beg that stupid girl. But if I don't bring her back, Leonel will never forgive me, and he will definitely chase me out of this house. I cannot go back to living a poor and wretched life.'' She contemplated what to do as she stomped her legs. 

What would Melinda do? Will she go back and beg Chelsy to come back? Or will her pride send her back into the streets of poverty?