The poison of jealousy

Lara is a salesgirl at McCarl stores. She is a college student; she lost her mother to cancer, and her father remarried to a woman who doesn't love Lara at all. This made Lara move out of the house to begin her life by working to support her education.

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She had always been on the night shift because of her school schedule during the day. Every customer at McCarl knew Lara to be a hardworking and jovial girl. She is always doing her duties with a broad smile no matter how tired she is. Mark, who is the manager of McCarl stores, is so fond of Lara and always gives her something, sometimes to encourage her for a job well done, likewise, some customers also give her tips. This was something Zoe didn't like. Zoe is also a salesgirl at McCarl's store. She's envious of Lara because of how well she's been treated by Mark and customers.

"I heard Mark gave Lara extra change on her salary", Zoe asked Kate, a salesgirl at McCarl's.

"I'm not sure about that so I can't say, it might be a rumour", Kate replied.

Zoe hissed as she knew Kate would never be part of her gossip.

"Well, that's unfair, we should be treated equally. Anyway, I'm just saying", Zoe said as she returned to her counter. It's afternoon, and Lara is off duty till later in the evening.

"Hello girls, good afternoon, Kate you look tired, do you need help. I'm early today", Lara said with a smile.

"Hope no problem, why are you here early, how was your examination?, Kate asked.

"Fine girlie, I finished early so I thought of coming to work instead of just loitering around", Lara replied.

"Attention seeker", Zoe snapped.

"Hey Zoe, hope all is well", Lara asked.

"I never complained to you, or did I?", Zoe replied almost angrily.

"Oopss!, sorry, I'm not in for a fight", Lara replied with a smile and went to the store room to change her clothes.

Mark came out of his office to see Lara coming from the store room. "Hey, why are you here?", Mark asked.

"Hello Mark, I finished early in school so I decided to come to work", Lara replied.

"Hmmm, that's thoughtful of you", Mark commented.

"She wants to be paid for extra hours", Zoe cuts in.

"That's enough, don't keep my customers waiting", Mark said to Lara with a smile pointing to her to go to a counter to attend to customers.

Zoe had been on Lara's neck like a sworn enemy. She planned against her with some boys in her neighbourhood to take Lara hostage.

On Saturday evening, as Lara was on her way to work, two boys approached her, pointing a gun at her back while she was commanded to follow them silently. Lara obeyed has she was scared and didn't know what to do. She was taken to a dark room somewhere she hadn't been before, blindfolded. All Lara could do was plead for her life. Her mobile phone was collected. When it was past her resumption time, Mark called her phone to find out where she was, but he couldn't get through. He became worried.

The next morning, he expected to hear from Lara, but nothing forthcoming. Immediately, Mark called 911 to report the incident, as Lara was not home either. The police promised to look into it and bring Lara home safe. Zoe was happy as Lara was not found unknown to Mark and Kate that Zoe was behind Lara's kidnapping.

Monday morning, there was still no sign of Lara, her phone was switched off, she had been taken for over 24hours with no clue of where she could be. Everyone noticed how calm Zoe was with the situation while others were worried.

"Aren't you worried for Lara, you seem not to care", Kate asked Zoe

"What was I supposed to do? I'm sure she's somewhere enjoying herself while you're here, worried for no reason", Zoe replied.

"Lara is no such girl, she wouldn't do something like that", Kate replied.

Lara has been fed where she was kept, although not as she wished, because she was given food once. She begged those who held her captive to let her go but they declined. Then she heard one of the boys speaking on the phone and mistakenly mentioned Zoe's name, which gave Lara the idea of what was going on.

"Zoe had me kidnapped?", Lara asked herself.

The boys reeked of smoke and alcohol, Lara knew that where she was wasn't healthy for her. Monday evening, the boys were outside drinking as usual while they heard a police siren on patrol.

"Gosh, why are they here? They don't patrol on Monday", one of the boys said.

"Isn't their patrol on Thursdays?", another boy asked.

"Is the room door locked, I mean the girl's room?" the third boy asked.

"Yes, why are you asking?", the first boy replied.

"Let's get out of here, we will come back", the third boy said as they took to their heels.

Lara could hear the siren and the sound of footsteps running. She guessed maybe the boys were running from the police. She thought to use that chance to shout. Lara stood up, moved closer to the window, and shouted at the top of her voice for help. Luckily the police car stopped in front of the building. The windows were shut only Lara's voice was echoing slightly outside. The policemen came down to check, they moved closer to the building, and heard a girl's voice. They tried to enter, but the door was locked; they had no choice but to break the door open, which they did, and find Lara in the room alone. She was rescued, told them her experience, and what she guessed might have happened. Zoe was brought in for investigation, and she was found guilty. She was punished according to the law with her other accomplices.

Thanks for your time and your comments will be appreciated.

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