KEPT

29. SOMETHING IS OFF

I look at my pajamas and slippers then back at Cheryl's 'ready to beat someone up' face

"You know what, you're right. Let's confront the witch" I say rushing back to my room and she follows

I take what I consider to be the quickest shower ever then I put on my jeans, blouse and sneakers. I finish up quickly then we jump into my car and drive to Rosebank college. When we get there I produce my license as identification then ask where the library is, The guard directs me then we head on over there

When we park we both rush out the car like two mad women

We stop at the help desk and an elderly lady attends to us

"Good day"

"Yea, hi. We are looking for her" Cheryl points at the young lady behind and she looks at us, dread fills her face

"I've got this, Veronica" she says coming around the help desk

"Is everything okay?" The old lady asks

"It's fine, I'm just going to speak to them" she quickly says "Please follow me this side" She says quietly and we follow behind her

She leads us to one of the study rooms then closes the door

I look at her and she can't hold my gaze, she knows exactly who I am

"You know why I'm here" I say and she nods

"I'm very so-"

"Nope, we aren't at that part yet. How dare you? Do you know the damage you've done? The distress you've caused my friend and you stand there looking like a lost puppy?" Cheryl goes off at her

"Why did you do it? Why did you steal my work?" I ask her

"I honestly had no idea it was yours-"

"Oh, so had you known you would have targeted someone else? Is that what you're saying?" I say

"Please let me speak"

"You don't get to tell us what to do, you're the thief here and you're going to listen to whatever she has to say because you have screwed her over and beyond. You should be ashamed of yourself!"Cheryl tells her

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Mdlalose... I made a mistake and I don't even have an excuse for my behavior. I saw an opportunity and I grabbed it not thinking about the after effects"

"You did not stop to consider the kind of damage you would be causing the original author? My work! My hard work and you just took it and put it out there as your own? What kind of a heartless monster are you?"

"I'm sorry" she whispers with tears streaming down her cheeks "I really did not give it a second thought... I was selfish, I agree but I'm very sorry"

"Your tears won't work with us ma'am, and I'll have you know that my husband is a hot shot at his law firm and he will gladly deal with you" Cheryl threatens

"How did you get it? How did you get my work?" I throw another question at her, I don't care that we are suffocating her with a confrontation right now because she deserves it

"I've already told your husband... The text messages, the USB... Please, I'm not looking for anymore trouble, as it is I'm in the process of recalling the copies... Please, I'm trying to fix this"

Did she just say my husband?

"My husband?"

"Yes, when he came to see me last evening... I gave him everything, please believe me when I say I'm sorry..."

Cheryl and I exchange a look, we are thinking the same thing

"We will be in touch, stay away from other people's work! And those books better be recalled" Cheryl says before leading the way out then she goes back "I'm going to need the number that you gave her husband"