Chapter 399: Double Trouble-2
Mina recognized the area in which the car she was in was traveling, and as they continued to drive, her memories of the place triggered. There were many camping areas around her hometown, and while Mina had never camped out before, she used to work in the vicinity. Mina became even more excited when the thoughts of fleeing to her parents started to flood her mind.
With the money that she had safely hidden away, moving would not be a problem, the issue was her parents. Mina would have to think of a way they could be safely smuggled out of the country without it causing too much stress on the couple. Of course, they could always stay in Pan; move deeper into the mountains and live on the money Mina was able to make through trades, but they would need a third person to funnel the money through as they would no longer be able to use their own identities.
"What are you thinking about?" Willow asked, recognizing the wheels that had begun to turn in her friend's mind. Anytime Mina had that spaced out look on her face was because she was deep in thought, and her mouth, on autopilot.
"I'm wondering how hard it would be to smuggle people out of Pan." Willow did not mean to laugh, but Mina's mind was an amazing place. There was no telling where it would end up or why.
"The people who died trying to come over here from Sani would roll over in their graves hearing you say that." Mina's head snapped toward Willow.
"It was just a thought," she explained.
"I know, but your thoughts are different from others. If you want to leave everything behind and start over; buy a plane ticket. Why put your life and body on the line?" Mina agreed, wanting to drop the conversation because her friend was right. Traffickers often disguised themselves as smugglers, and many unsuspecting people from impoverished countries had died as a result. She could only imagine the same would be true for someone trying to smuggle themselves out of Pan.
----
The car came to a slow stop, but it was not where Mina thought they would be going. She got out of the car, looking at the grand cabin that was in front of her. It looked like a mansion made of logs, and in front of it was a large bond fire that only seemed to have just been started.
"Everyone is inside waiting," the chauffeur said, and Mina found herself confused. Even Willow was baffled.
"I thought you said we would be camping," she whispered to Mina, who also assumed they would be sleeping outdoors.
"I thought so too," Mina replied. The women cautiously walked into the large cabin and made their way toward where a sign showed the eating area was found.
Inside, the room was buzzing with people, who were laughing and joking with one another while they ate random dry foods. With a start, Mina realized that camping to rich people had a different meaning.
"Is that who I think it is?" Someone shouted, and Willow froze. Her eyes darted to Connor and then back at Mina who had started to retreat. Connor made his way to Willow and Cylus followed closely behind.
"I haven't seen you in years," he said. He looked genuinely happy to see her, but Willow's face remained impassive.
"I think there has been a mistake," Willow said, and she left the room. Connor went to follow her but Cylus stopped him. He had seen Mina sneak out, which told him that the girl had tricked Willow into coming.
----
Mina stood behind a large couch, while Willow stared her down from the other side. The women moved around the sofa in circles as they spoke.
"You set me up," she whispered.
"Oh, I set you up?" Mina replied sarcastically. "And what do you call all those conversations urging me to take interest in President Lee?"
"I wasn't working with a full set of facts. Now come here so I can kick your ass." Mina shook her head. She knew she could not win against Willow.
"You can't hit me. I'm your friend, and I'll be twenty-four soon."
"You're twenty-two, barely an adult. Now come here," Willow whispered.
"Why are you so angry?" Mina asked.
"Do you remember the guy who broke my heart?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean-"
"Those men are his best friends." Mina stood still and Willow jumped over the couch pinning her down. She punched Mina's arm repeatedly, hoping to make a satisfying bruise.
"Sorry, Sorry, Mina wailed. I didn't know." Willow stopped punching and pinned Mina down to the ground.
"Spill it," she growled, and Mina wasted no time.
"Oric Lamar's mother said that she had always liked you for her son, but you would never give him a chance. I thought it was because you were hurt by someone else. I did not realize it was Oric himself. I invited you so I could play matchmaker." Willow released Mina, knowing that her friend was innocent enough to try something so stupid. "We can leave if you want." Mina added.
"How do you know those men?" Willow asked, still sitting on Mina's stomach.
"One is my friend and the other one is a jerk I met." Willow laughed at Mina's description. She did not have to ask who she was referring to because she knew it was Connor. "And what about President Lee? Why are you suddenly his top fan?"
"I thought he was a nice person. I agreed to say good things about him to you, and I am just holding up my end of the bargain. I know you aren't dumb enough to fall for it."
"Truce?" Mina asked from the ground and Willow nodded, releasing her friend who rubbed her wrists before holding her arm in pain. When the women stood up, Cylus and Connor were standing in the doorway, likely listening in on the conversation.
"The jerk you met?" Connor questioned. Pretending to be hurt. Mina did not respond, and Connor approached her. "I'm a jerk?"
"I don't recall saying your name," Mina replied, and Connor's mouth hung open.
----
Mina and willow were shown to their rooms, and Mina once again asked Willow if she wanted to leave, but the woman shook her head. She told Mina that she was not the same little girl the men used to bully, and Mina found herself wondering what happened between Willow and Oric, so she asked.
"My parent's and Oric's parents were close. From childhood they used to couple us together, and eventually I was brainwashed into thinking Oric was the man I would marry."
"So? Why do you hate him now?"
"I slept with him, and he told everyone with ears." Mina flinched. She had not known that part of the story.
"How old were you?" She asked in confusion, and she gasped when Willow told her that she was fourteen.
"Don't look so shocked. You might be the only woman in Pan still living up to societal expectations. Mina shook her head and Willow jumped up.
"No, no, no, Mina, don't tell me you chose one of them." There was a certain amount of fear in Willow's eyes. She didn't know much about Cylus' love life, but she had heard many things.
"No!" Mina shouted. She then told Willow everything that had happened to her. She felt as though secrets had caused them to act against each other, and she did not want a repeat situation.