The guys they shot on air to enforce my adoption showed they were well-prepared.

"Who are you guys, why are you blocking our way?" DMC yelled at them as they could bow before him.

"All we need is her; we are here to take her away from you. You can't have her." The lead gang member, who is wearing a mask, spoke.

Looking around, I am the only female. Meaning I am the one who came after. I got confused when I heard them say "her". My heart started panting.

"I am not going with them; please don't give them room to take me away." I helplessly shouted.

"Hey! Calm down and get into the back seat." One of DMC's boys directed me.

Shivering like I am in foul weather under heavy rain, I entered the back seat since the front one had become uncomfortable.

DMC gave them an order to give way. If not, he would crush them, but they wouldn't listen. He requested the gang leader to tell him who they were working for, but he refused.

This was happening at a bridge that had a river, almost like an ocean. They came out of the bush close to the River and followed us up to the bridge.

"We are more than you guys and can push you all inside the River. You have to hand her over to us, or we kill your boys and still go with her." The gang leader spoke while he was vibrating.

I looked through the car window and saw that the river was deep. Pushing someone into the River is to end their life.

DMC kept negotiating with them but they remained adamant. Their resolutions to adopt me were clearer.

I kept watching from the car to see what the great Don Master Cole could do to surpass them. His ability to do so becomes unabated.

"We have waited for too long for you to hand her over to us, but you seem to be stubborn." Says the gang leader

"She is my lady and I have her in place of the money the father owes me." DMC highlighted.

"She is on a pledge, yes, but I wish to make her my wife. Do not take her away." DMC still laments.

His two boys went closer, and they pointed guns at each other. The gang leader was released alongside his other three. They were six in numbers and DMC and his boys were three.

I started thinking about what to do next since I wasn't comfortable joining them in the name of adoption. I opened the door a little and sneaked out. Not only that, but I tried to watch if they would be distracted to enable me to run away but to no avail.

I made a little move like I wanted to urinate.

"If you move an inch I will shoot your leg. Don't try to be funny." One of them pointed a gun at my back as he rebuked me.

"Give me way, I want to urinate, don't you have a mother or a sister?" I scolded him, but that didn't move him.

"Don't you ever hurt her. She is my woman, not yours. She cannot belong to you." That was DMC's voice which gave me some breath.

The other guy came closer to monitor me. He is very tall and dark. So I mean looking at her face. I couldn't urinate again, even though I was pretending to do so.

"Hold her hands, don't let her move further." He spoke in authority.

Behold, he held me tight to himself.

"Stop, you are hurting me." My shout was nothing to them.

DMC tried to come closer but was blocked by the gang Leader.

I looked back and saw a red car far behind us without a number plate. As soon as they carried me up, the car started driving closer.

I struggled to resist them, but it wasn't possible. I tried to fight but they overpowered me.

"Nancy, don't let them take you away. Resist them, you are a strong woman." DMC was giving me a directive that I knew would not hold water.

"Get her in fast," The driver of the red car said as they took me into his car.

They quickly covered my eyes and drove off. I observed, the gang leader and the other two didn't join us.

"Where are you taking me to, release me? I want to urinate." I kept disturbing myself.

"When we get where we are going, you will see where you will be." The driver says.

"Let's stop a bit and allow her to urinate." The one at my left told the driver.

I was asked to go down and urinate as they removed what they used to cover my face. Meanwhile, they handcuffed me to prevent me from running away.

Looking around, no one lives around. We were in the middle of the forest. I couldn't hear the sound of birds.

"Do fast and urinate. Stay at the back of the car to avoid animals from the bush attacking you." The person to my right told me.

"Move to the back and stop time-wasting." The driver shouted at me as I owed him something.

I urinated with fear and went back to the car. Their guns were pointing at me, and I decided to behave myself.

Getting into the car, they didn't cover my eyes again.

"Take this and be cool." offering me an ice cream.

"You want to kill me?" I asked.

What happened to us?" Ray asked.

"Our mission is not to kill you but to fulfill the need of our paymaster." The one to my right told me.

"So who is this your Master and what does he want from me?" I was curious to know.

"Do you think I will answer you?" He removed his face as he responded.

"When the Pay Master sees you, he will explain. You need an ice cream. Take." Showing some concern the one at my left told me.

I took the ice cream from him. Finished it like one who has been hungry for decades.

"Thank you for the offer. It is as if you know I was hungry." Trying to be friends with them, I showed appreciation.

"So tell me your names. Can we be friends?" I asked in humility.

"Jack, Ray, and Ken," the driver gave out the names.

The driver is Ken, the one to my left is Jack, and my right is Ray. Ray appeared to be more hostile than Jack, despite how handsome he was. His words are hurt and could make you lose interest in relating to him.

He offered me the ice cream and from all indications, he bought it with his money, understanding the journey could be too Long.

"How long can we be on the road before getting to where we are going?" I asked.

"We still have more hours to drive to our destination. We will get somewhere and have some food." Jack explained.

Jack brought out a cigarette pack, took one stick, and lit it up.

"I don't like the aroma; it reminds me of me," I begged him not to smoke.

"Your father is a chain smoker, and he often smokes but at home or outside. How do you cope with him?" Ray asked, meaning he knows my Daddy.

"It appears you know a lot about me, tell me. How do you know my father?" I asked, rushing.

"We gamble together, smoke together, and some other naughty things."

"Naughty things like what?" I asked.

"He is not a killer, but he is a womanizer. That's a naughty thing, isn't it?" He asked me with laughter.

"So what about you guys?" I asked a question.

"Are you guys killers?" I asked with fear.

"You are not slaughtered yet I guess?" Jack stated.

"We don't kill and haven't killed. We do our job and hand over to the pay Master and go. He decides what to do with the person." Jack yelled at me.

I noticed he wasn't pleased with the question. His humor changed. That made me understand they are drawn to wasting lives. However, the issues with my Father made me recall the past.

I agreed with them in my mind that my father is promiscuous. Mother complained about it when she was alive, but he kept denying it.

In the past, when Dad took me out, he dropped me off with a caregiver and left with a young lady in a hotel room. He came out sweating like he had done press-ups or some other sports activities. With the eye of a little baby, I didn't know what happened.

Dad, I knew smokes, gambles, and drinks, but didn't know he womanizes, if not for the revelation by them.

"Ken, we are close, slow down." Ray alerted him.

He drove in and parked in front of an eatery. They removed the handcuffs from my hand and asked me to behave.

"Do not try to play smart so that you don't force us to act stupidly," Ray told him in a calm voice.

I nodded my head in acceptance. He held my hand like I was his girlfriend. It was evening and the night was falling.

So many young people are drinking and marrying. The sound of the music moved me. I felt like dancing, but I do not know what to do.

"Can I dance a little?" Ray nodded. I stood up and danced for a few minutes. In the process, somebody came closer to dance with me, and he called himself Roy.

You can dance well. I am Roy and you?" He asked, holding my hands.

"Nice meeting you, Roy. I am Julie."

He signaled the waitress to bring me a cup of red wine. I took a little and kept dancing with him. The red wine tastes good and it's my favorite.

"Do I get you more Julie?" Roy asked, noticing I liked the wine.

"Yes, I need more if you can," I answered him with joy.

I haven't been to parties or clubs in a while. Dancing is part of my hubby, but he doesn't have the means to display it to my certification. Daddy doesn't allow me to go out for fear of people coming after me, her only daughter and child.

Jack had gone out to smoke while Ray and Ken were watching me with keen interest. They ordered some food. There was spaghetti and fish on their table.

Moving forward a bit, Ken stood up and reminded me that I should comply with the agreement.

"Who's he?" Roy asked.

"He is my friend. We are together." I asked him to avoid a clash.

"Your friend is handsome." Roy acknowledged Ken's appearance.

Ken is actually handsome, and his pointed nose is very noticeable. He went back to their seat and continued with his meal. Ray signaled me to come over and place an order.

I love white rice and sauce. I excused Roy to go and eat. He begged me to allow him to pay for my meal, which I gladly granted.

Taking the food to Ken and Ray's table, he waved at me as he left to dance with them.

"Sure you had fun dancing with him?" Ken asked with a smile.

I looked at him and nodded my head. He gave me an unused handkerchief to clean the sweat on my face which I collected.

"You sound carting Ken, don't you?" I asked him with pleasure.

"Sometimes, not always" He answered, pointing at me to continue with my meal.

"Your food may get cold, eat fast, ok." Ken insisted.

"Jack walked in and touched my back. Where have you been?" I asked him.

"To smoke."

"You took time, how many sticks?" I asked Jack.

"Just one, I have been busy observing the environment. I watched you dancing from afar, and I like your steps; it is impressive." Jack declared.

I took time and had my meal and was wondering why we stopped over when the night was falling. From all indications, they would rather not tell me where we are heading and how long it will take us.

I have asked before, but I do not see them even disturbed. Showing me love is to make me feel free and never wanted people to understand what was going on.

"Nancy, let's go. We are going to stay in a hotel nearby." Jack requested.

They ordered me to enter the vehicle when I started questioning them about where they were taking me and what business we had with the hotel.

Their tempers changed when I felt I had a good time with them. Jack, who appeared to like me, was the one who ordered me to enter the car. He even dragged me into the vehicle like a common criminal.

"You are hurting me, and I do not like it. Stop!" I scolded Jack.

He wasn't listening to me but kept pushing me inside. I had no option but to stay calm to avoid more hurt.

"Don't be ridiculous, showing you friendship and care shouldn't get you to be so loose," Jack yelled at me.

"It seems you want to get us into trouble. You are under hostage and should understand your status and maintain it." Ray's Hollering was much on me while Ken was busy laughing.

That made me realize that I was thoroughly under a hostage. I got to be tranquilized in the vehicle.

I called Ray, and it was a long discussion. His words, while discussing on the phone, signify that the so-called paymaster was the one on the phone with Ray. After the call, he asked the driver to go to the Dialogue hotel, which, according to him, is not far from where we were.

Within ten minutes we got to the hotel. With the name Dialogue, I was asking myself what we are dialoguing for, though a rare joke in my mind.

"We are at the place. This is the hotel where all of us will lodge until tomorrow before proceeding to our final destination. You must behave and be calm." Jack read the riot act to me.

"That wasn't enough, if you try to do anything funny, we will blow off your head. Do not force us to take your life." Ray added.

I got out of the car as they removed my handcuffs. Jack led me through as we processed the lodging modalities.

I was lodged in room 232 on the second floor. Jack followed me to my room to instruct me further.

"Look here, we do not wish to hurt you, but we are only doing our job because we live on it, and it pays our bills." Jack went on to apprise.

"The hotel is surrounded by some other guys who are working with us, and they saw you when we entered. Therefore, if you do it anyhow, you will regret it." Jack said, holding my ears.

He quickly left the room, and I followed him to see where he was going. Looking through the door, I noticed he had entered the room opposite. Meaning he will be there to keep a vigil and monitor me.

My heart was panting, and I kept asking when this would come to an end.

A knock came to my room door and I rushed to open it. Jack was standing at his room door monitoring the hotel waiters who I opened the door for.

"Good evening, please let me in, so I can get your needs met." The waitress saluted me.

We got in, and I asked her to sit down on a short couch there.

"What is your name, I asked her."

"We do not disclose our names to customers because it is against our ethics here." She told me with a smile.

"Never mind it is against your ethics, I want to be your friend, tell me no one will know about it." I insisted, but she pointed up her hand for me.

"Yes, no one will know, but the camera is very active in your room." She said as I looked at the CCTV Camera.

I sat down and made my requests to her. She is average in height and has straight legs, which makes her back curvier. Fair and smiles randomly.

"In your demands, I have taken note of them. Let me get you the red wine you requested quickly before anything else." She said and left the room.

I stood up to study the room, a standard and spacious room indeed. The cottons were scenting and the lighting was shining too well.

Going closer to the bathroom, I observed that the lighting isn't as bright as the original lighting in the room. It also has a CCTV Camera, which got me worried.

Meaning one could play a video of me being naked, which is unfair.

"Why did your management put up a camera in the bathroom?" I scolded the waitress attached to me as she came in with the drink.

"I can't give answers to that. But I know that the camera was put up early today. Those who installed it were there when I was taken around by my supervisor." She cleared.

"Keep the drink and cup, get me other things as at when due. I am fine with you now." I escorted her to the door.

Likewise, I sat down and started thinking deeply. Not only that, but I took a class on wine and lay down on the bed. I stood up and removed the wig from my head.

I became restless not because I was afraid of death, but because the planners of my adoption had long made their plans to be successful.

If a CCTV camera was installed early that day I arrived in the hotel, it means they know the room I will be lodging.

"How come Jack? Why register me? The receptionist told him that room 232 was available." She must know Jack, who made him take the room directly opposite my room.

My questions were begging for answers that will never come. My dad's hearing that I was adopted will trigger his blood pressure, which made him go to the hospital recently.

"How about DMC?" I was asking myself.

"How will he feel if the girl whom he should take care of is taken away by other persons?" I kept asking.

The knock came again at my door.

"I am here with your demands." My waitress said as I opened the door.

"Take this phone, it's programmed in a way that only one number can call you, and you can call it too. In case you have an emergency." Jack came out of his room and gave me a phone.

"Come in my dear." I collected the phone and opened the door for my waitress.

I checked the items: a towel, pieces of handkerchief, perfume, cream, oil, some makeup materials, clothes, and footwear. A good service from them.

I had to take off my clothes, so I could take a good bath because it was really a long day.

I got to the bathroom to bathe with discomfort; hence the CCTV Camera was set up in the bathroom. My doubts were very much in order but no one would bail the cat.

Coming out of my bathroom, the configured phone started ringing.

"Hello, Jack. Ahhh. Hope all is well?" I asked with fear as I picked up the call.

"This isn't Jack but Ken. We are together. Just to check on you to know if you need anything" Ken's decision to call me was surprising to me.

"Yes. I think I am ok." I answered him so he could cut the call.

Ken hasn't been friendly since he drove us to the hotel. His call seemed like he was trying to be nice. I wouldn't play along with him or any.

There's a tendency for they to oppress and suppress me. Therefore, I decided to be careful until I met with the so-called paymaster to know why he kidnapped me.

For DMC, the pay Master must be his rival. I knew that many Don Masters had rivals, but I should be the one to be used to them getting at each other.

Once my mummy told me that the race for life is not for the indolent but for the vigilant. They always get at each other all in the name of affluence and power. Their lifestyles are different from the ordinary ones. Wealth is good, but it shouldn't be because it hurts others.

While trying to think deeply, I fell asleep.

When I woke up, I missed some calls on my phone. No one could cheat nature and I had my share of it.

Calling back no one was picking until the 5th time.

"Hello, Julie. How was your night's rest?" That was Jack's voice which I couldn't discover at any given point.

"I am sorry I was unable to pick up because I was deep asleep. For my night, it was splendid." I calmly responded.

"When are we living, so I can prepare?" I asked in curiosity.

"Pay Master is yet to give us signals. You have nothing to worry about. Take your morning bath so you can be served breakfast." Jack's response wasn't pleasant to me.

I brushed my teeth, took my bath, dressed up, and ordered breakfast. It was coffee they gave me first by another waitress whom I never knew.

"What happened to your colleague who was attached to me yesterday evening?" I asked with anxiety.

I do not know, I was only asked to come and serve you." The girl responded as he dropped the cup of coffee.

Her response wasn't satisfactory to me. I decided to call Jack to know if he had a hand in what happened.

"Hello Jack, why am I served this morning by another waitress instead of the one who served me yesterday?" I asked with fury.

"Your questions show how bitter you are now, being furious will not help you." His response angered me more.

"Jack, you haven't answered my questions, and I need an answer " I raised my voice at him.

For the fact that I could stay in the room without opening the door for anyone, I could equally use the opportunity and express my dismay. I was so downhearted and I quickly ended the call.

"What kind of oppression and intimidation?" I asked myself as I felt demoralized.

I knew I used to be easily irritated; my mother told me that when I was younger, to do well and control it. Even two of my teachers observed and advised me to work on myself.

I remembered all that and decided to take a chill pill to enable me to follow up to the end.

A few minutes later, a knock on my door came. I went closer, looked through the hole, and it was the waitress, coming with my breakfast.

I opened the door and she got in.

"What took you so long?" I asked to know her reactions.

I was sent on an errand, which took me a while. Please pardon me." Her face showed she was innocent.

Psychologically I knew she was innocent. Though I was afraid of them poisoning me, but in the other way around, I shouldn't think in that direction.

The pay Master wants to probably knock out DMC to take over me. Therefore, it will be foolish of him to allow anyone to hurt me along the line.

When I checked what was in the tray she served, it was toasted bread, fried egg, and butter. That's one of my best meals. I was happy to take them until another knock came truncating my happiness. Shouting out my joy is what I hate so much.

I got to the door, and it was Jack and Ken.

"What do you want me to have for breakfast?" I asked them with an unfriendly face.

"Let us in first, you can continue with your breakfast, we will wait until you are done.," Jack pleaded with me.

"Go on and speak. I am listening." I said I opened the door and let them in.

"This paper was printed from the mail Paymaster sent to us. It is yours." Jack handed me a paper

I tried opening the letter but they stopped me. Insisting it was for good and that shouldn't stop me from having my breakfast.

I took my time and had my breakfast as a slow eater that I am. They were busy watching a movie which made them feel comfortable in my room. Ken laughs so loud, and that is his nature, from my observations.

Jac was watching with keen interest as well, using his eyes to monitor the way I feed.

"I can see you are slow in eating. Not like me who could eat fast, " Jack expressed his observation.

"I learned it from my late mother. They said I am a replica of her. She works fast but takes her time with it." I smiled as I explained.

"So what happened, I mean, her death?" Jack asked, showing concern.

"You did hurt me yesterday, and you have not apologized to me. I thought you were my friend. Until you apologize, I wouldn't speak with you about my mother." I requested his apology.

"I knew I was hard on you, but blame me not, whatever, I am deeply sorry," Jack said, holding my hands as I nodded in acceptance.

"She was such a remarkable person, very responsible, resourceful, reasonable, and responsive. Her kind is not easily found. She died of wolf fever, which no one could detect in time." Jack felt sorry and shifted closer to me.

"How do you cope without her having a father who is not that caring about people?" His interest was marvelous.

"My Daddy has his life to live. I am even shocked he could survive my mother's death. They loved each other too well, but death got them separated."

"I do not totally agree with you that my father isn't caring. He is, but his way of life would make you think he has nothing to offer in that aspect." I defended my father.

Observing Jack, I noticed he didn't believe my story. They knew my father for a long time but where they usually do some unusual things together, I couldn't picture them.

"Can I open the letter now?" I asked for permission. While he asked me to carry on Ken stood up and left like he wasn't interested in the letter.

"What is eating him? Why is he not comfortable seeing me read the letter?" I asked Jack, wondering about Ken's attitude.

"He isn't part of us, we only hired him to come and drive us since he is a highway professional driver." Jack's statement shocked me.

"Then why was he rude to me and had some unimaginable attitude towards me?" Jack smiled at my question.

"His job has ended. Another guy will come and take over and drive us to our destination." Surprised at his words

"So, why change plans, and why are you guys dropping Ken?" Passionately, I asked

"The Paymaster gives his orders and our duty is to obey. No one questions the Paymaster." Jack's response amazed me.

"Is his name Paymasterer, or does he have other names," I asked in a low tone.

"Read you later, I will be with you shortly." Jack stood up and left my room.

He was not ready to answer more questions from me or make more clarifications. Ordinarily, he is not the type who likes to be asked more questions. He appeared to be so reserved, maybe because of the instructions given to them.

Looking at the letter, I wasn't scared what the content could be. What's the possibility of one who ordered your kidnap to write to you?" My fears are justifiable.

Anyone who kidnaps is a totalitarian and shouldn't be trusted. His arbitrary way of doing this is questionable.

Opening the letter, it wasn't a lononene as I read.

"Hello, surprised that I'm writing to you. I do not mean to hurt you, but unfortunately, you are in this picture. Your Dad is all our pack and Don Master Cole wanted to have you all to himself as collateral.

He does this often, making me feel like I am not significant. I was told you are resisting in several ways. Stay calm and behave well, no one will kill or hurt you for any reason. I am Fred."

"Guess what I did after reading from the Pay Master or Fred?"

I went to bed, covered myself, holding three pillows at the same time. The letter showed that the journey is too far. The family is fighting over who gets the cut and the Lion's share.

"Now that I am in the picture, what will I do?"

The phone rang and I picked d quickly

"Jack, come and open the door." Jack came in as I opened the door, closed it, and returned to the bed, covering myself.

"Are you feeling sick or something?" Jack asked, touching my face to know if I had a fever.

"Your body is ok, no sign of fever. Talk to me, Julie."

I kept ignoring him until he started pressuring me.

"The letter shows that the journey is too far, and I am worried why I am to be the sacrificial lamb," I explained to Jack.

He got into laughter for a while, and I wondered why he should be laughing at profound words.

After a Long period of laughter, he drank a bottle of water in just a few seconds like someone who had not tasted water for ages.

"Let me inform you approximately. Are you listening to me?" He adjusted himself facing me.

"Our Paymaster, er, that I know will never hurt you; he may negotiate with you before going further to make decisions. Only he knows why he is out for DMC this time around." Jack defended Fred.

"Do you mean Fred?" I asked.

"Oh. You now know his real name through the letter?" I nodded my head to Jack's question.

"So what's next?" My curiosity couldn't allow me.

"Waiting for instructions from the paymaster, you just have to take a nap, wake up, and have your lunch." Jack appeared not to be worried.

When he stood up and left, I kept wondering if we were to spend another day at the hotel. My worry will not change anything rather to be calm as Fred stated in his letter.

His words, though I wasn't very solace with them, have attested to what Jack kept telling me to be calm. Whichever way I come I am ready to get to the roots.

I quickly took a nap for an hour. The room's air conditioner was working well to make me sleep like a newborn baby.

The breakfast I had was heavy, and I enjoyed it; hence it was one of my best meals. All other things were left with them.

If I were to spend another night, so be it. I decided to play along, so I could meet this powerful Fred who outsmarted the great DMC, whom my father told me no one had passed his part, and go scot-free.

While I was with DMC in his car, he was communicating with me with humility, honor, and dignity. He changed from the outburst he was known for which surprised me.

After I finished taking a nap, I had to call Jack to beg him for an outing following my long stay in the room.

"Hello Julie, are you awake?" Jack asked as he picked.

"Hello, I am awake, and I need to have some fresh air. Can you please take me around?" I made my request to him.

"Sure, we can go to the poolside. Let me get you swimming kits. Can you swim?" Laughing over the phone

"I can jack. Get it for me and come over to take me there." I answered him with joy.

I went to the bathroom, washed my face, brushed my hair, and dressed up, waiting for Jack. In a while, Ray never showed up, and I do not care. He is such a pugnacious type who cares only for himself.

His presence irritates me. Now that Ken was about to leave, who knows how the incoming would be?" I honestly need tranquility between us, particularly Jack who could apologize without minding his status in this movement.

"Who is by the door?" I asked following a knock. I dropped things I was holding and rushed to the door.

It was my second waitress who brought me swimming kits. I quickly opened the door, and she bowed in greetings.

"Come inside my dear." I directed her where to drop them and shot the door.

The kits were fine, and they matched me like they were made specifically for me.

She kept standing like she was waiting for me, and I asked.

Are you not going?"

"Not yet until I take you to the poolside, that was the instruction given to me." Her innocent voice melted me.

"Sit down and wait for me." I directed her to sit.

After putting on the materials. I requested we go.

She collected the door keys from me and locked them up.

When I was walking down, she was in front of me and I asked her name.

"My name is Rose, and I am sixteen years old." She looked at me and smiled.

"Would you not further your education, why do you choose to work in a hotel?" I asked, holding her close.

"I will with time ma. I came from a poor home, but I will raise funds and further my education." Rose impressed me.

Walking through the park, there were many people who were passing by the road to the poolside. Many do not respond to my greetings. Some look at me and remove their eyes while some look for too long before removing their eyes.

Things I was putting on brought out my sexy shape and made me attracted to people which shows I added glamour to beauty.

I do not like putting on tight wears for a function because it makes me uncomfortable with all eyes that will be on me

"We are already there." Pointing hand to me, Rose showed me the poolside.

I saw from afar the large and small ones. They were all cute, but were eying the small one, so I could swim freely.

Jack and Ray were sitting by the side with another young man. He stood up and greeted me as I walked closer.

"May I know you?" I asked as he stretched his hand to greet me.

"He is Dave, he has come to replace Ken," Jack explained before I brought my hand to shake him.

He is taller than me, about six feet. I am a bit less than six feet. Grey hair all over him.

"You are very young and why the gray hair all over your head?" I asked him in delight.

"It is my nature, my family is known for that. That's not a problem." His cute voice was touching.

A drink was offered to me by Jack. It was whiskey. I tasted it a little and dropped the cup.

"I am not a fan of whiskey, but red wine, Jack." I quarreled with him as if he were aware of my choice.

Rose whispered into my ear that he was going. I waved at her with cheers.

Looking at Ray, I didn't say a word to him. I avoided sitting closer to him as well. I choose to sit between Jack and Dave.

Dave appeared to be calm and mature. Knowing how to treat a lady is all-important. I refused to acknowledge his presence and decided to make the place so uncomfortable for him by responding only to Jack and Dave.

"I want to go and swim, Jack," I said, standing up to go to the pool, but Jack held my hand.

"Dave will swim with you." He said.

"But why?" I asked, looking into his eyes.

"That's an order from Paymaster."