C3 Thinking

Overthinking

Chantrea's mind whirled in a storm of conflicting thoughts and emotions, the night's revelry masking the turbulence within. Amidst the laughter and merriment, a creeping sense of unease lingered, gnawing at the edges of her consciousness.

The messages from Adrian added fuel to her spiraling thoughts. There was a sense of urgency, a feeling that something wasn't quite right. Her instincts told her to trust Adrian, to believe in his sincerity, yet an unshakeable doubt lingered in the shadows of her mind.

As she scanned the room, a fleeting glimpse of a familiar figure sent a jolt through her intoxicated senses. The man, unmistakable yet elusive, seemed to disappear into the crowd, leaving her questioning her own perception.

Her friends' banter and playful exchanges echoed around her, a stark contrast to the turmoil within. The encounter, however brief, left her uneasy, a sense of foreboding settling like a shroud over the festivities.

Amidst the celebrations and the cacophony of laughter, Chantrea couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous loomed on the horizon. Adrian's cryptic messages, the unsettling presence of the man, and the inexplicable sense of impending danger weighed heavily on her.

Her heart raced, fueled by a mix of apprehension and the throbbing beat of the music. Was it just paranoia? The alcohol-induced haze clouded her judgment, blurring the lines between reality and the murky depths of her fears.

A tug-of-war between trust and suspicion waged within her, leaving her torn between the desire to embrace the joyous reunion with her friends and the gnawing worry that lingered like a persistent shadow.

She clung to the fragment of certainty offered by Adrian's words, the promise of making amends, a flickering beacon in the tempest of uncertainty. Yet, doubts gnawed at her resolve, teasing at the edges of her consciousness, whispering unsettling possibilities.

Despite the festive ambiance, a shroud of unease settled over Chantrea. The night, once brimming with joy, now felt cloaked in an eerie silence, a prelude to the storm that brewed within her troubled mind.

"Chant, use your cell phone later, have fun first!" Rich shouted as he took a sip of wine.

I didn't pay attention to him at first. I need to know what's going on. I looked back at the cellphone then typed again.

I:

Adrian? Where are you?

"Rich's right, Chant. Have fun! You just got back so you're sure to miss partying here in the Philippines." Crizel

I just let him talk. I typed again. I can't be complacent without knowing why the police need to talk to Adrian.

I:

What happened? Who's the dead body? Did they find it? Should I see my attorney? Adrian, please text me.

What if they did find the body? What will I do? Will I run away or face what will be the case against me?

"What did you miss? That night we were at the bar in America! This kid's lungs are full of alcohol!" Rich.

I don't usually use my phone when I'm in a bar because I always like to socialize. If we are still in America I would talk to everyone, even strangers. But right now is different. I can't keep my hands off it. I need to know what's going on.

Do I know if the body of that woman has really been found? Maybe while I'm having fun here, Adrian is already suffering in prison and taking responsibility for a sin he didn't commit.

Adrian:

No need for an attorney. It's not her. Don't worry, Chant. That happened a long time ago. It is impossible for anyone to find his body.

I:

If it's not him, why did the police come to you?

Adrian:

I'm running for mayor Chant. They need to report it and I need to do something about the dead body, its for my city. It's good for publicity.

I breathed a sigh of relief that it was probably not the body of that woman that was found. If you think about it, it's been a while and maybe it's rotten or decayed. So why am I so worried?

My God, Chantrea. Calm down. They're not gonna find it. You're not going to jail. She already brought that secret to her grave.

That's right. I must be worrying too much about you. I'm over thinking so much and it's not good. It's like a growing tree of regrets and mistakes that I keep on thinking and the branches lead to another until I can't even go back from the very first thought that made me think like this.

Nothing bad can happen. No one can ruin everything for me. No one can take what I have now. Not even the dead or ghost.

"That's not enough! Let's get the wine out of your lungs Chant!" Crizel said with a laugh.

I sighed. I need to loosen up a little. I glanced at them who were smiling widely at me. We are all sitting on the sofa where we can all see each other's faces.

Danica, Denise and Crizel are sitting next to each other on the sofa facing me while Rich is next to me. They were my friends before leaving the country, we still had communication after I left, sometimes they visited me there, so Rich got to know them too.

"Yeah right! We missed you so much!" Danica.

"Every party is not the same without a Calejo!"

I don't need to think about that dead evil girl anymore. She's gone and I'm alive.

Since he is gone I have to do everything to hide what happened before. I shouldn't have done this. No one should dig up the past. No one will know.

I need to be me, again.

"Tell me a story, Chant. We haven't seen you in years!"

I gave them the widest smile I could give. "I'm better than ever. America is such a great place to study and live but I can't stay that long. I mean,.. I went there to study but now I'm back here and it's time to take over my family's company."

"Yes gurl! The heiress of Calejo Corporation." Denise.

"Something that suits Chantrea!"

"He was born to manage that so it's a good thing!" Rich.

"Born to be the ruler of Calejo empire!" They are right. I was promised to lead our company so I must do it.

"Wait!" Crizel.

"Let's cheer for this!" we raised our glasses.

"To the most beautiful heiress in the world!" Denise said with a laugh. We cheers then drink the alcohol.

"Did I hear someone say my name?"

"Panina!!"

I glanced at the newly arrived girl. Our eyes met. I looked at him. Nothing has changed, he still looks like a stick.

"So how's the fashion show?" she asked.

"The fashion is the best it's tiring but you know me it's my passion." I smiled.

"Good to hear Chant. I'm happy that you enjoyed your last run way." he said smiling.

My right eyebrow raised as I tilted my head. Oh! Panina, nothing's really changed huh?

"What do you mean Panina?" Denise.

He sat down first and then answered Denise. "Well, she's going to take over the company. Business is a lot of work. She's going to be busy and will have no time for runways and shoots."

"And?" Danica.

"That's why I'm going to replace him. I might even surpass him in the ranking of the highest paid model," she smirked.

I still can't believe it. There are people who don't really change even after a few years have passed. It turned out that Panina was still looking nervous.

"You're right, You're always my replacement whenever I turn down a cheap brand." the smirk on her face fade away.

When we were young, I could already feel Panina's envy of me, she was competing with me in everything.

My father always told me that I'm Calejo and I can do anything that I want. I can win in everything, so I did. That's why she became more jealous. I know that she's not my real friend.

I know I can't trust her. I didn't exclude her from our group even though I know she's a bitch, because where's the fun in that right?

I get entertained when she compliments me like she doesn't hate me at all.

He is your friend who will not only stab you backwards but forwards.

But that won't work on me, Panina. You don't know what I can do.

"And I don't think so, Panina. If you want to be included in the highest top paid models in the world, you need to be a famous international model... But you're not. Business is a lot of work if your not a Calejo but I am. I'll make time for my passion." I smirked at her.

I'm back Panina, you're not the queen you thought you were, because I am, the queen.

Rich giggled beside me while others were silent. She looked at me with dagger eyes while greeting her teeth.

Rich couldn't stop laughing. "You're tactful Panina, you made me laugh!"

"You really are two!" Denise said with a laugh.

Everyone burst into laughter. They all know that they were always like this. I always embarrass him in front of them, it's not my fault because he wants it, I just let him. They got used to me.

Panina's a brat bitch but I'm a spoiled bad bitch.

After what happened we drowned ourselves in alcohol. Panina went to another table while Danica and Denise were dancing.

I also followed them. Rich and I were both tired so we sat down first.

"No more alcohol!" he said.

"Let's have the expensive hard liquor!" I screamed.

"Be tactful as long as you pay Chantrea, you know I'm still studying!" he said laughing.

"Sure thing!" I winked at him before standing up.

I looked around while waiting for the wine. My eyes landed on the familiar body of the man. His back was to me, he was talking to someone not far from where I was standing.

I looked at him. He was still wearing the same thing as before. Didn't he follow Adrian with the police? Why is he here?

The beautiful woman he was talking to left, my eyes narrowed when I saw her turn directly in my direction causing our eyes to meet.

His face is serious now but his eyes remain cold just like a while ago.

The wine has already arrived so I took my eyes off him when I turned his seat again he was not there.

I closed my eyes tightly.

I don't know if that is really him or I'm just too drunk that I'm having delusions.

I went back to our place, Denise and Danica were also there who were tired from dancing.

I checked my phone to see Adrian's text again.

Adrian:

I can't, Chant. I have something to do, I'll make it up to you and I'm sorry for ruining your night. I'm glad your back. I promise I'll make it up to you.

I asked him to go here, that's his reply.

My brain is whispering something to me but I know Adrian can't do that. He even went to visit me earlier, he must have been doing a lot.

He loves me so much, I know that. He's a mayor now because of me, he won't do stupid things right?