Keep Left
chapter 3

I started my college education at the University of Alabama. I was studying architectural engineering. I was looking to obtain my bachelor’s in 4 years time. I had started over summer break taking courses. Max was still my driver, but I tried not to depend on him as much as he was embarking on reenlisting in military services. He just out of no where told me that he was considering it. I didn’t want to hinder what he wanted to do. I was crushed internally, but I cared enough about him to want him to achieve his dreams and aspirations as well. So if letting him go was a form of showing my love, then so be it.

Daddy had purchased me a vehicle, but I declined to take it. I told him to give it to Miles in a couple years, he was entering high school already. He had buckled down and studied harder so he too could complete his high school studies in two years like myself. I was happy he was looking up to me and I had to continue to be a great example for him. He had come into my life as a surprise, but he turned out to be the distraction I needed from self sabotage.

My course load was loaded and I was busy with classes. I enjoyed the challenge though. Instead of taking regular courses, I decided I wanted to take the honors portion of them. Uncle Mike had told me that my college expenses were covered in a college account mom had prepared for me. I asked him where she went and he yelled out ROLL TIDE. I asked what that meant and he told me the University of Alabama. I looked more into it, not receiving any scholarship offers from there as I did not apply there. He told me no need to worry about tuition, room and board or books.

I applied online and got an instant answer. Once, I expedited all the paperwork that was requested, I was cleared to begin my studies over the summer. All of my first semester courses were taken during the summer. Before I knew it one semester was already completed. Only 7 more semesters and I was done, if I kept at this pace. I had a two week break in between summer and fall, so I came home to visit Miles. He was excited to tell me about him joining the football team. He made a lot of friends his freshmen year and was now eager to attend all four years. I told him to enjoy his high school years. He didn’t have to put pressure on himself to complete his studies in two years. I did it because I wanted to get out of presidential living arrangements quicker. He told me he understood.

I had phoned Max, but he didn’t answer. I figured he was undergoing training for his enlistment. I sent him a message that I was home for a short break and would be at my apartment. During my summer classes he and I spoke less and less. I was beginning to think I jumped into a relationship with him too quickly and this was the repercussions of doing such. I tried not to trouble my heart with it as I was use to being hurt. Machen was no different in the aspect of causing me grief. I sighed as I put away my things I brought back with me. Tate was subbing as my driver and I didn’t complain. Daddy sent me a message asking if I would have dinner with he and Eva. I declined.

The quads were seniors this year and I had heard that they were giving Miles a hard time. I secretly had a few people teach them a lesson about messing with my little brother. Once they were out of his way, he was able to begin enjoying being a high schooler. I sat down at my desk in my study and drew some designs for a building I had in my head. I put all of my time and energy into it. Night fall quickly approached and I realized I hadn’t eaten or done much since coming home. I pulled away from my study to prepare myself food.

A half hour later I was eating until I got my fill. I washed my dishes and cleaned the kitchen. I headed up to have a shower, when I heard the front door open. I turned to look and saw Machen staring back at me. He looked nervous and I could tell right away that something was wrong.

“Machen, what’s wrong?”

“I have been assigned a mission in Afghanistan. I am set to leave in two days. I’ll be gone for the next 3 years Chloe.”

“That’s good. Why do you look so nervous?”

“You’re not upset about me leaving for 3 years?”

“I mean of course it bothers me that I won’t be able to see you for that long, but this is what you want isn’t it? Who am I to stop you from pursuing your dreams of becoming a sergeant?”

“Is that it? You’re happy for me to accomplish my dreams and therefore not saddened that I won’t be available to drive you or come home to you at night when you’re home from school? Do I mean so little to you?”

“Machen, it sounds like you want to argue and I don’t. I’m happy you got an assignment that helps you get closer to your goal you’ve set for yourself. I do care about you a lot. I’m use to being let down, so there’s no shock value in my response because I prepared myself for this already. What do you want me to say?”

“I want you to be a little more devastated! I want you to beg me to stay or are you just the spoiled brat I thought you weren’t? Only caring about yourself!”

“Spoiled? Brat- you know what Machen, you can let yourself out the same way you let yourself in. You’re obviously mad about something else and instead of addressing that you want to pick a fight with me and I’m not going to argue with you.”

“Fine, Chloe! I’ll leave your key!”

“I never said-“

He stormed out of my apartment and slammed the door. I went after him, but he got in his car and drove away quickly. I sighed and went back into the house. I locked the door and was headed back upstairs when I noticed a letter next to Machen’s key to my house he had left. I opened the letter and read its contents.

Chloe, somehow your father has found out about you and I. I know you wouldn’t tell him, but he knows. He threatened to send me to prison for sleeping with his underaged daughter unless I enlisted and got as far away from you as possible. I’ve informed Tate he will be taking my spot as your driver permanently and he has agreed to keep you safe. I love you my Chloe bug, but until my time elapses in Afghanistan, I’ll be less in contact with you. I was able to run analysis on your phone and he didn’t find out through your phone, so my only guess is your apartment is bugged somehow. I’m sorry to leave you this way, but I had to make it sound convincing and depart in such a way that was painful to you. I promise this isn’t goodbye, but a see you later. I’m not asking you to wait for me. I wish you well

-Machen “Max” Wright

He was telling me goodbye, daddy had sent him away because of me. I felt horrible and broke down right where I stood. I pulled myself together some time later. I thought about what I read, my apartment was bugged! Of course it was! No wonder daddy let me live here in peace, he was watching/listening to everything I did! I pulled out my laptop and entered a incognito browser and searched for me an apartment in Tuscaloosa. I wasn’t going to have my privacy taken awaken! I found a townhome similar to the one I was in now and scheduled an appointment to view it when I got back. I phoned Uncle Mike to ask how much money had mom left me.

“What’s going on bug? You in some kind of trouble? I can call your da-“

“No uncle Mike, I was just curious. I don’t know much a bout my mom, but she made all of these arrangements prior to her death. It seems she knew she was in trouble.”

“According to what I have in my possession, your mom left you $500 million dollars Chloe. Your college account was separate. You won’t have access to the $500 million until your 18th birthday. The account has grown interest, so it will be more than that once it maturates. Your father told me you declined the car he got for you, do you need transportation?”

“I want whatever funds I can have right now transferred into my account. I don’t need you telling my dad what I want to buy.”

Bug-“

“Save it! I know you bugged my apartment yet I still chose to live here. I put on quite a show for you and daddy and you proved me right by sending Max away. I’ll never trust either of you again!”

“Bug, let me explain. Your father asked me to keep tabs on you. I never wanted to invade your privacy.”

“But you did uncle Mike and because you did, I hate you just like I hate my father! Give me the money mom left for me that you can transfer over right now. I want it in my account before this call ends!”

My phone dinged and I looked to see he transferred over the amount he told me was locked into a maturation account. My heart beat rapidly and I was dumbfounded why he didn’t mention this to start with. Something fishy was going on, but I wasn’t going to ask him. He’d only tell daddy I was asking questions.

“I have transferred it, did you get it?”

“Is this all? Email me the documents right now Uncle Mike, I want to read for myself what mom left for me.”

My phone dinged again and more funds were transferred and then I received an email containing last will and testament documents. I skimmed through them as I wasn’t sure what I was reading at first and I knew I would have to take some time and read them thoroughly.

“I have sent you everything that I legally can at this time. You have the documents. Chloe, I’m sorry-“

“Save it! If you were sorry, you would’ve been upfront with me! You sent my only friend away and though you didn’t do it personally, you contributed. You spied on me and reported back to my dad! I won’t contact you ever again, so if this isn’t all I’m due then you better send it all or when I obtain counsel, I will sue the skin off your ass!”

I hung up the phone angrily. I looked at my account and saw that I had billions of dollars in my account. I could never imagine spending this type of money in my lifetime. $398,956,456,876.52 was the balance of my account. I phoned for an Uber. I was driven to the bank where I withdrew $500,000. This should be enough money to not use my cards for anything. I left my cellphone at my apartment after I wiped it clean. I had backed up my contact on my email account. Once I had put the money away in my purse, I returned to my Uber. I was wearing sunglasses and noticed we were being followed. I asked the Uber to parallel park about a block away from a car dealership. I walked to purchase myself a car. I decided on an Audi A5 fully loaded. I waited for the windows to be tinted. I paid cash and returned to where the Uber was parked. I simulated getting into the Uber, paying the driver for my stops and to drive out of the city limits and then proceed where ever he needed to go. I would know if he didn’t do as he was paid as my uber account would tell me how far he went and when the ride had ended. I closed the door and stooped down to walk back to my car. Once I saw the tail follow the Uber, I got into my car and drove away.

I was planning on staying in the district, but I wanted out of the city limits. I knew the drive was a crazy one to take, but I didn’t care. I stopped to see Raith Empers to get a fake ID. I knew I would get tired. I would use it to buy myself a room and continue the drive when I had rested. I had a 12 hour drive, almost, ahead of me. I drove half way and stopped to rest. I only had to fill up once. I was able to get insurance on the vehicle under my fake ID. I booked a hotel in Tennessee. Once I was rested, I continued on the rest of the way. I arrived around midnight and booked another room under my ID. I showered and rested. I ordered food from the local waffle house and it was delivered to my room. I had purchased me a new cellphone under my ID name, Ava Wright. According to my ID, I was 21 years old. Raith was even able to get me a social security number that matched my ID. He was a reknown hacker and was able to make up people and numbers for them, plugging them into the database. I told him he wasn’t charging enough for his services. He told me because he had a soft spot for me, he didn’t charge as much. I smiled and thanked him.

I phoned Max, but I knew he wouldn’t answer. He probably thought I was a scammer. I had chosen to get a new number. I put my phone away and was about to turn in for the night, when my phone rang, it was Max. I was pulled out of my goggy state.

“Hello”

“Chloe! Where are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Why do you sound distressed? Did my dad reach out to you?”

“Yes! He had them clear my enlistment to come back to find you. Were you taken? He said you withdrew half a million dollars and disappeared. They lost your Uber in New York traffic!”

“I’m fine Machen. I intentionally gave them the slip. I have much to discuss, but not on your phone or while you’re working for my dad.”

“Okay, how will I reach you then? I see your signal is bouncing through several countries.”

“I’ll call you, roll tide.”

“Okay, be safe Chloe. I love you”

“I love you too Machen”

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