Chapter 06~The Package~

"Three may keep a secret if two of them are dead."

Iris's POV

Oh, Saturday! the one day of the week I get to relax and enjoy myself.

I sat crossed leg, with my sketch pad on my thigh and a 2B pencil, between my right fingers. Trees rustling brought my attention to the dark sky above me. Dark clouds shaded the whole land around me making the whole place eerie and cool.

With what has been happening lately, most especially in school, I realized I just needed a little time alone.

After the whole news of me being on Zander's so-called list, everyone got their eyes on me. I decided to walk home or follow Chris in his car every now and then rather than use the bus.

There goes my cover of not being noticed.

I walked back inside, sitting down on the couch.

"And we are live with breaking news! A twenty-one years old surrogate mother has been said to escape from an unknown hospital... Before the Demise of this unknown lady, reports show that she had worked under one of the syndicates involved in an illegal baby factory...The investigation is still ongoing, so stay tuned. I am Jennifer Blue. TVC news."

I listen to the news once in a blue moon, but this one caught my attention. It said something about the baby factory.

For over ten years now, the security agencies haven't caught the syndicate in charge of the baby factory. The syndicate consists of doctors mainly pediatricians, obstetricians gynecologists, security personnel, and businessmen whose identity has not yet been revealed, they haven't been able to track them.

I know you would be wondering if all business to go into why baby factory?

Their work is to persuade, sometimes kidnap young women, mostly from age 18 to 25, and turn them into surrogate mothers, making sure to sign surrogacy agreement and at the end, the syndicate is paid a huge amount of money from the childless couples.

They do not only engage in baby farming but they are involved in the possession of illegal firearms ammunition and drugs and organ selling, which is the more reason why the government has been on their trail.

I know you would be thinking that there is nothing wrong with helping childless couples. Well, you are right, but these syndicates in charge of the baby factory are criminals, luring young women especially those who are financially unstable for their gain.

I have heard a lot of news about surrogate mothers being held captive, and anyone who tries to escape or tries to expose them is eliminated.

I know you will be wondering why a boring teenager like me knows a lot about this. Well, as I said before Chris's dad is a soldier, and ever since we were little he would always talk about this, which up until now I don't understand. Sometimes I feel like I am connected to this whole situation.

Never mind, I am just being paranoid.

*Ding dong*

"Good day Miss, have got a package for Mr. Andrew Jones." A young mailman appeared at my door, smiling and showing his whole pearly thirty-two teeth.

"Umh...He's not in right now, I'm his daughter, is it okay if I take the package?" I asked as I adjusted my glasses.

"Okay, sign here and here." I signed and he gave me the package and left.

"Thank you so much". I shut the door swiftly.

The package seems a little bit heavy, but the sender's name was not written, but my dad's name was written as the receiver.

That's weird.

I was so curious to know what was inside. I know I'm not supposed to open it but... Who cares?

I opened the package and I saw a chest box, luckily the key was beside it. I opened the box and saw a purple Iris flower wrapped in something like a foil.

Ironically, my name is Iris and I love purple... hahaha.

Something didn't add up, because of all flowers why will this anonymous person send an Iris flower.

According to mom, she would always say she gave me that name because of my personality, and as attractive the flower is, it can be very dangerous.

Besides the iris flower, I spotted a brown envelope, inside it was pictures of different people, mostly women, in somewhere that looks like a hospital.

The one thing in the chest that caught my attention was an old brown ledger. I tried opening it, but it seems like it needed a key, but unfortunately, there was no key inside the chest. It was very impossible to open, so I gave up.

Why would someone send a ledger without a key?

While so many thoughts were bubbling inside of me, I heard a car horn. I looked through the window and I found out that it was dad.

Shit!

He can't find out that I opened his package, he will be so furious and this looks personal.

See what curiosity has done to me.

I managed to put everything back in the chest, and I used duck tape to seal the package back.

I was already panting.

"Sweetie, daddy's home."

"And I'm also here," Devon said holding his skateboard.

"Hey, guys." My voice was an octave higher.

"Are you okay. You look kind of pale and sweaty". Dad asked dropping the huge bag, which probably contained mechanical tools.

"I'm great." I plastered a fake smile on my face.

"Umh!, What's that?" He pointed towards the box.

"Ooh that! The mailman brought this package, it is for you but the person who sent it is well anonymous". I grabbed it and gave it to him.

Dad's demeanor changed. "I hope you did not open this, it is very confidential you know." He collected it and was inspecting it.

"N...no". I hiccuped and covered my mouth immediately, Devon gave me a suspicious look.

"Good, I will be in my room." Dad left with the package and I also ran to my room.

"So why did you open the package?" Devon barged into my room, shutting the door behind him quietly, and leaned on the door with his hand folded across his chest.

"What?" I acted surprised ...well because I was surprised.

How did he know?

"Well, I have known you for exactly 15 years, and when you lie you tend to hiccup". He gave me the 'its obvious' look.

Curse my hiccups!!

"I...umh...I." I stammered.

"You know those are not actual words, but as an awesome brother I ain't gonna snitch you". I placed my hands on my chest as I breathe a sigh of relief, but this is Devon, he wants something.

"So I heard you are on ...what's his name again. Uh!, the Almighty Zander's list". He laid down on the bed beside me, staring at star decorated ceiling.

How does he know? This boy keeps surprising me.

"What the!... how did you get that information?"

"Duh!!, I am The Devon, and besides, I hooked up with some of your mates, and everyone knows the Wayne's family." He smirked at me.

Everyone, except me.

"Jeez, Devon!" I gave him an irritated look.

"Whatever." He rolled his eyes subtly.

"But you've got to be careful, I have heard a lot about him, he tends to get whatever he wants"

He continued. "You need to show him, that you are different. That you are not like those girls that fall at his feet for his money or fame. Show him that you are Iris...that you are Iris....umh what's your middle name again". He scratched the back of his neck.

"Ann." I giggled.

"Yes, Ann. Show him that you are the one and only Iris Ann Jones. I believe in you". I wiped a fake tear and applauded him.

He's all grown up.

"Whoa! great speech." I laughed and punched him playfully on the shoulder.

"I know I am awesome." He smirked, dusting and invisible dirt off his shoulders.

"But really thank you". I smiled genuinely this time.

"You are always welcomed."

"So umh! Since I'm the best brother in the world....can you lend me 10 dollars". He said with his cute puppy eyes.

"I knew you wanted something all along."

"Fine, you got me, so 10 dollars?". He still did the puppy eyes and I sighed. I grabbed my purse and bought out the money.

"Fine take it, but you better pay back." I shoved him the money.

How can I resist those cute eyes?

"Aww, you are the best." He hugged me so tight and I squirmed, that it was so hard to breathe.

"You are so annoying." I grinned at him.

"I love you too." He jumped out of the bed and ran out of the room like he just won a lottery. He didn't even close the door.

Dude, it's just 10 dollars.

I shut my door and drowned myself in music.

Lonely by Justin Bieber

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Sup readers! hope you are enjoying the story so far.

I love you guys so much.*air kisses*

So remember to vote and comment :), it means a lot to me*cute puppy eyes*

Love ibby_gal