In her room.
Kkrrrrriiinnnggggg...
Jean Mary's phone rang and the name that appeared on her phone screen was Anne's parents. Jean answered the phone straightaway.
"Hello aunt, do you have any news about Anne?" She heard that Anne's mom was crying on the other side and that gave Jean a sense of fear.
"The police saw her belongings, IDs, and phone nearby the empty building. They will conduct a DNA test whether the unidentified body of the victim that was reported is Anne." The words Anne's mother spoke made her cry even more.
"Let's just pray to God that Anne is safe." Jean tried to reassure Anne's mom.
"I will call you again Jean if there would be any progress made by the police."
"Okay aunt. Thank you. Bye." Jean ended their conversation.
Jean was dumbfounded. She doesn't know anymore if she will be hopeful or she would expect the worst. Given by the situation, Jean could not bear to proceed her wedding ceremony without Anne who was about to be her bride's maid. She went to Jan's room to talk about this matter.
She knocked to make him aware of her presence but she did not wait for his response and entered his room.
"Excuse me Jan, can I interrupt you for a moment?"
"Hmmm. Yes." He agreed.
"I have something to discuss about our wedding." She said.
Jan had a wild guess in his mind but she waited for Jean to say it. He only hoped that it would be something else and not what he's thinking. "Okay. What about it?"
"I decided to postponed our wedding." Jean Mary uttered with finality.
Jan Reynolds was disconcerted about Jean Mary's words. He's right. He paused for a moment. He doesn't know whether he will agree or not about it. But he thought that Jean Mary's feelings should be taken into consideration. Given the current situation that Anne is "missing", Jean would be feeling guilty if they will proceed with the wedding. "Hmmm... Whatever you decide, I will agree." Jan sighed.
"Thank you, Jan." She hugged Jan as a sign of her appreciation. Her impression about Jan completely change. Whatever rumour there is, or whether the "curse" is true. It is up for her to decide whether she would believe it or not. And for Jean, Jan's good deeds toward her is far greater than her fears. She would take a leap of faith to accept Jan Reynolds completely.
"Jan, it will be just for the meantime. Besides, it would be better to take sometime for us too. We will be able to know each other better before marriage." Jean Mary tried to rationalize their postponement of their wedding.
"Indeed." He said.
That day they decided to go to school since the both of them have been absent from school.
Jean noticed that Grand was aloof. Jean understood that Grand is also Anne's friend. Perhaps Grand is also low-spirited that Anne disappeared.
With Grand's indifference. She was left alone and had no friends to chat with that made her miss Anne even more.
Suddenly, Shane approached her.
"Jean Mary, we heard the news about Anne. We also feel sad about her disappearance." Shane said.
Jean Mary smiled awkwardly and said, "Thank you for your concern about Anne."
"We can be your company for the meantime so you won't feel alone." Shane offered.
Jean Mary thought about it for the moment. She felt uncomfortable but she was not brave enough to refuse so she nodded instead. "Okay."
So Shane and her friends tried to make Jean Mary happy that day. Little did Jean Mary know that it was all just a facade and that Shane's friendship offered is just a disguise.
Shane felt so jealous to Jean Mary because of Jan Reynolds. "How on earth Jean Mary became so lucky to make Jan Reynolds fall for her? She's just a scheming bitch and a slut." Shane said to herself.
"Uhm Jean. I want to invite you later for a party." Shane invited her.
"Hmm.. I want to Shane but I have to come home early. I have something to do." Jean Mary refused.
"I thought you consider us your friends. I was wrong." Shane sounded like she was sulking.
"I'm sorry." Jean was apologetic.
"It's alright. I was just trying to ask you since I can sense that you are depressed right. I was just trying to divert your attention for you not to feel sad." Shane was trying to make Jean feel guilty for refusing her "kindness."
And it was a success."Uhmm. Okay, I'll go home first because I am still in my uniform." She finally agreed.
"Ow. You don't have to. I have a lot of clothes." Shane made it sure that Jean Mary will have no escape.
"Okay, but let me have a phone call first." Jean Mary excused herself without hearing Shane's reply. She called Jan.
"Hello Jan, I was invited by Shane to attend a party."
"Where?"
"I don't know where. I'll just inform you when I get there."
"Okay." Jan agreed.
"Bye." She ended their conversation.
Jan was restless, he called Mr. Smith and asked him to follow her.
"Mr. Smith, please find out where will Shane take Jean and report it to me. Please make sure that no harm will befall to her." He instructed Mr. Smith.
"Yes young master."
Shane was very happy. Her plans on ruining Jean's reputation is coming into fruition.
Jean Mary went back after her phone call to Jan. "I'm done." She said.
"Okay let's go. We have a long night ahead." She said and smiled meaningfully to her friends
The group went out of school and went to Shane's residence.
Grand saw them and suspected that Shane's intention were not good.
Shane and her friends brought Jean Mary to a bar, she made them Jean wore a revealing clothes that showed her cleavage and curvy body. Men were staring Jean Mary with lustful eyes. Shane noticed that and asked Jean Mary to drink.
"Take a drink Jean." She offered.
"I don't drink Shane." She refused. But she did the same tactic she use earlier for coaxing Jean to come.
"Go Jean. Just one drink." She insisted. So Jean drink a shot of beer.
Jean Mary felt dizzy.
Seeing Jean Mary's low tolerance of alcohol. Her evil smile appeared.