CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Shola dashed out into the parking lot of the hotel unlocking the car with her remote. Her face was dry, her eyes beginning to swell and her breathing short. Sadness overwhelmed her completely, first her father's death, now this.

But she wasn't going to cry any longer, she was done crying. This was her new reality and she was going to face it. No more showing people her tears, no more showing people her pain, no more running. She knew she had to grow and move on, to understand that life gives back to you what you give it. So now, unlike before she was going to give it her all and toughen up.

"Shola!!!" Samuel's voice called from behind, finally catching up to her as she continuously strode to the car.

Getting closer, Samuel grabbed her hand from behind. "Please hear me ou-"

With a quick spin on her toes and a heavy swing of her hand, Shola slapped him, "Don't you dare touch me again!!" Her voice echoing in the empty parking lot.