Chapter 149: FIND THE UNIQUE KEY

“We will find a way to enter the organization and learn more. Fortunately, I have heard that each official carries a key that means...”

“Mom also has one,” Selena added. “We only need a little distraction to get it from her, and I have just the thing.” She gave a sly grin.

“Emotional blackmail?” Jade asked.

“Even better. Using myself as bait. Mom is desperate for my love and will believe anything I say. A little emotion never harms anyone.” Selena chuckled. It is high time she got back at Isabel for everything.

"Mom." Selena called when she saw Isabel leave the room with luggage. Selena regretted having to do this, but it was the only way she could hurt her mother. Selena’s gaze shifted to the luggage.

“Ah.” Isabel chuckled. “I was planning on taking a break for a month.”

“A break? But why?”

“I... Err... Jade says you two will be fine. I would like to go see my family, and I would like you two to have the house to yourselves. You can also have a party every weekend. Isn’t this exciting? To have your parents away from home? I know teenagers crave that freedom.”

"Mom.” Selena breathed out a sigh. “I... why are you trying to leave us? Do you think I will be fine if you leave?”

“Oh. If you prefer, I can cancel the trip and stay. Of course, I would not want to leave the two of you home alone. Allow me to cancel the maid who will be arriving from the agency. I had a feeling it was a bad idea.” She turned to leave, but Selena quickly hugged her. Isabel was not expecting it. She wondered if her daughter was alright. “Selena.” She tried to break free, but Selena embraced her even more tightly.

“Only a little more. Just a little longer, and I will let go.” She sniffed. She then started crying.

“Are you alright? Let me cancel the trip if it helps you feel better.”

Selena shakes her head. “Of course, you should go.” She looked at her mom. “If this break will help you feel better, go for it. Who am I to stand in the way?”

“Selena. Are you sure you are okay?”

Selena smiled and let go of Isabel. “I will be. What time are you going to leave?”

Isabel checked her watch to see what time it was. “Ah. In one hour.”

“Is there anything you would like to do before leaving? Just tell me.”

Isabel sucked her teeth and looked at Selena again. “Are you sure you are alright, sweetie?” Selena had hated her just the day before yesterday, but she did not seem angry with her today.

“Just name it.”

“Okay. I would like to spend some time with you before I leave.”

Selena gave a smile. “Popcorn? We could watch a movie that is under an hour long.”

Isabel burst into laughter. “There isn’t a movie that isn’t at least an hour long.”

“Comedies? They are shorter.”

“Okay. Let’s go with that.” Selena linked her arms with Isabel as they descended the stairs. She turned to Jade, signaling that it was time to leave. Selena and Isabel went to the cinema room to spend time together, while Jade and the girls searched for the key.

Jade began in the closet, where Isabel stores the house keys. When she opened the drawer, she found numerous keys. She selected a few and began searching. Trisha was looking elsewhere while Dalett kept an eye on the door.

“Do you know what the key looks like?” Trisha asked.

“Yes, it’s not like a normal key. More unique.”

“I doubt Isabel would keep something that important in her closet.” Dalett spoke up, and everyone focused on her. “Just a thought.” She added.

“Do you know what? You are right, Dalett.” Trisha said. “Jade. We need to look into a location where she keeps her secrets.”

“My mother doesn’t have that.”

“Then we need to check her bag. If we want to learn more about the organizations, we must find a way to get the key.” Dalett suggested.

“Slow down.” Jade continued to look. She groaned when she could not find anything resembling the lock on the organization’s door. Jade pulled out her phone and texted Selena. “We could not find the key. We believe it is in Mom’s bag. Is it possible for you to get it from her?”

“It’s not going to be easy, Jade. She keeps her bag close to her.”

“That implies the key is there.”

“Okay. presume she has this key in her possession. How do I know which key we are looking for?” Selena texted back.

“It’s not the same. You will recognize it when you see it.”

Isabel noticed Selena was more focused on her phone than on what they were watching. “Who are you texting, Darling?”

“X...Xavier?”

“Xavier? I thought you both had stopped talking. Selena gave her an expression that said, “How did you know that? This happened only two days ago. Oh! Jade told me.” Isabel explained.

“Jade! She does not know when to stop talking, of course.”

“You already know. You have known each other since you were children. Everything will pass, and you will be fine.”

“We are already fine. Xavier just texted me to ask if he could borrow my notes for Tuesday's classes. We broke up that day, but things are fine now. We decided to separate our emotions and focus on our friendship.”

“That is wonderful, Selena. Good friends are hard to find.” She laughed and popped some popcorn into her mouth.

Selena took a deep breath. “You are correct. They are difficult to come by.” She began to regret her decision to let Xavier leave. They could have become good friends, but he would not have wanted that. Selena looked at the cold drink in her hand before dropping it to the ground, making it seem to be an accident.

“Oh.” Isabel was startled and her bag dropped to the ground. Selena caught her eye. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”

“I’m fine." Selena bent down and noticed Isabel’s belongings scattered on the ground.

Isabel rose to her feet. “I will turn on the lights.” Selena began looking for the key while Isabel went to the switch. Isabel’s bag contained a different variety. Jade had stated that she would know when she saw it. The key would stand out from the others. Isabel turned on the lights as she approached Selena. “Oh no. I will have to clean this place up.” Isabel quickly stuffed the items that had fallen to the ground into her bag.

Selena stopped her as she stood up. “I will clean it.”

“Really?”

Selena spotted something near Isabel’s leg. Her lips curled into a smile. It looked like a key. Selena hugged Isabel and stepped on the key with her leg. “Yes, I will clean it up. Your flight will depart in thirty minutes.” She let Isabel go. “I had a great time today. You should clean your luggage and prepare for your trip.”

Isabel kissed Selena on the cheek and smiled as she walked away. Selena stood there, watching her mother leave the cinema. She then knelt to get the key. “Finally.” She inhaled deeply.