Chapter 55 & 56 : Learning from Mistakes
“Hey, why did you say my name. Are you high or something? Why would you want to stay with me?” Ramona said.
Lisa and Miguel stood looking at Alvin and Ramona suspiciously.
Is something going on?
“Back off Alvin, we all know Ramona is my…”.
“Yeah, your girlfriend. We get it.” Alvin cuts in as everyone wore on a surprise and confused look.
“When you know that, why would you want to stay together with my ‘girlfriend’.” Reece said emphasising on the girlfriend.
“I want to stay with her and I know she’s not your girlfriend.” Alvin said and Reece chuckled.
“Like do you mean what you are saying right now, have you been taking what’s wrong for you? Am not staying with you that it is!” Ramona lashed out and Alvin looked at her, dipping his hand in his hair. He shake his head and started walking off.
“Where do you think you are going?”
Alvin didn’t reply. He walk inside back to the resort.
“I’ll be back Miguel, just a minute.” Lisa said to Miguel and he nodded before she ran into the resort too.
“Okay guys, before that, why don’t we do something fun.” Jayden suggested and they chorused in agreement, settling down on one of the small rocks there.
Lisa ran after Alvin before he could enter his room, she stopped him.
“Hey Alvin, stop!” She said while panting.
“What?” He asked unfazed.
“Umm, is something going wrong with you?” Lisa asked and Alvin scoffed.
“So you care now…after how I chased you huh!!” He yelled and Lisa flinched. He started walking towards her and caged her by the wall.
“Alvin, stop.” Lisa managed to say.
” Why, you’re afraid your boyfriend is gonna come.” He replied.
“I just wanted to ask why the sudden strange… behavior towards .. towards Ramona, is something going in your…”.
“No, you don’t have the right to ask me any questions again. Leave!” He said releasing her and turn his back at her.
“Listen Alvin… I don’t understand whatever is going on with you, but please you have to move from me… accept whatever you have in your heart, and embrace a new identity. You are starting to…I mean Ramona but you’re not ready to welcome it, just think it all over again.” Lisa said and once she was done, she left him.
Alvin looked at her retreating figure till she was gone.
“She has a boyfriend.” He muttered before entering the room.
“Okay now, over to Kaylee.” A girl said among the students, they were now asking random questions among each other. Not really like a truth or dare.
Rosie and her minions weren’t present though.
“Do you like someone among us here…and if so, who is he?” She asked and Kaylee bit her lips.
“Umm, like? Hmmm, Kingston.” She replied and immediately Kelvin looked at her, he nod his head before looking away.
“Awwwn, so great.”
“Wait, are you kidding me. You aren’t supposed to choose me, am I right?” Kingston whispered to her.
“I already did, why didn’t you choose me earlier. You allowed Kelvin say it before you.” She whispered back.
“Common, I don’t want Kelvin’s eyes shooting lasers at me, it’s obvious he wouldn’t agree and would argue with me again.” He replied and Kaylee scoffed lowly.
“Whatever.”
“Over to Ramona..” Lisa spoke this time and Ramona looked at her weirdly.
“Do you and Reece really love each other as you two claim?” Lisa asked and Ramona looked at Reece, who was giving her the knowing look.
“Yes..”
“And no one else? No secret too?” Lisa asked again and Miguel looked at her.
“Hey, it’s just a question. Stay in your lane.” Reece said and Miguel glared at him.
“You don’t get to threaten my girlfriend, know your limits.” Miguel replied him and they glared at each other.
“It’s okay Miguel.” Lisa touched him and he calmed down immediately.
“Tee..” Ryan called and Tiana looked up, wait Ryan just called her that…only Jayden does.
Jayden was secretly glaring at Ryan..
“Is there anything you wanna say here, to Jayden?” Ryan asked.
Tiana stayed silent for a while, contemplating on what to say.
“Umm, I don’t really want to stay with Jayden.” She broke the silence and once again silence ensued, but a round of laughter broke it afterwards.
“What, are you really serious now Tiana.” Ariana said amidst laughter. Tiana looked around and saw everyone laughing, including Lisa and Miguel. Excluding Jayden and Ryan.
“Did I say anything funny?” She asked.
“Common, why would you want to say that to him. You don’t wanna stay with him?” Ariana said and laughed again.
“Tee, come with me… now.” Jayden said standing up, with a change of mood. Tiana immediately followed.
“What do you mean by that?” Jayden asked.
“I don’t wish to stay with you simple..why should I stay with you, we are nothing to each other.” Tiana said and Jayden moved closer to her.
“Really, I don’t mean anything to you?” He asked.
“Yes, you don’t.” She replied looking away.
“Look..into my eyes Tiana, and tell me that I really don’t mean anything to you.” Jayden said.
Tiana closed her eyes for a while before opening it and looking at Jayden…in the eyes.
“You.. don’t.. mean.. anything..to ..me.” she said one after the other, she moved away and left.
Jayden’s hand dropped and he just looked in one direction without blinking or saying anything.
Tiana got back and sat down again, Lisa looked at her.
“All cleared?” She asked.
“Am not staying with him.” Tiana concluded and Lisa sigh taking hold of her hand.
“Fine then, you can stay with me.” Ryan spoke up and they looked at him weirdly.
“Are you crazy or something?” Ariana muttered to him.
“Fine.” Tiana said and Ryan smiled.
Lisa took of her hand and held them, hoping to soothe her.
After a while they ended the game and they retire to their various tent, in Ryan and Tiana’s tent.
They stayed away from each other with Ryan looking at Jayden each second.
“Hey, why did you reject Jay?” He asked.
“Because I want to.” Tiana replied and Ryan sigh, he moved closer to her and Tiana looked at him.
“Listen Tiana, I know you and Jay are nothing but this is unnecessary, rejecting him in front of everyone is just…”
“I know, I just didn’t want to stay with him.” She cuts in.
“Sorry, but you have to.” Jayden entered and immediately went for Tiana’s hand, making her stand up.
“Stop Jayden.” Tiana removed her hand and Jayden looked at her before bending down and carrying her in bridal style.
“Woah.” Ryan muttered.
“You’re coming with me.” Jayden said and took her out.
After they got to his own tent, he set her on the little bed there.
“Why are you doing this Jayden, I don’t want to stay with you please.” Tiana said while Jayden just stared at her.
He didn’t talk, none of them did. Jayden immediately engulfed her in a hug, which Tiana reciprocate. Hugging him tightly.
“Why are you doing this also Tee, why are you hugging me back if you don’t want me.” Jayden said in a low tone, hugging her the more.
“I don’t know.” She replied.
None of them talked again and just let themselves feel each through the hug.
KayVin’s Tent•
Kaylee slept on the bed while Kelvin was on his phone, Kaylee didn’t sleep though. She kept staring at Kelvin’s face who sitting.
Kelvin looked at her and she immediately closed her eyes. He chuckled.
“You can look at me if you want.” Kelvin said and Kaylee opened her eyes.
“Says who.” She replied.
Kelvin dropped his phone and slept too, staring at her. Both looking at each other, when Kaylee couldn’t take it anymore, she sat upright.
“What?” She asked, Kelvin sat upright too.
“What?” He asked back. Kaylee chuckled and look away, unaware of how Kelvin moved closer to her.
She turned and was immediately met with Kelvin’s hot face, she felt breathless immediately.
“What are you doing?” She muttered, trying to look away.
” I..I don’t even know.” He replied and before Kaylee could see another word, he took in her lips.
Shocked Kaylee wasn’t grabbing anything, Kelvin broke the kiss and look at her. He chuckled at her face expression, kissing her again and this time she responded.
Miguel and Lisa slept closely together, looking at each other’s face.
“Do you know something Mona?” Miguel asked.
“What?”
“Okay..I don’t even know how to describe it, cause everything about you is beautifully undescribable.” Miguel said and Lisa smiled, hitting his chest playfully.
“Stop flattering me.”
“But Mona..I would like to say something important.” Miguel seriously and Lisa stood up, and Miguel sat upright too.
“It’s about my Dad, I don’t know what he might do next. Before I came over here, he called and threatened me not to go. He wanted me to go back to Paris but I can’t, I can’t leave you.. just promise me you are going to be by my side, no matter what.” Miguel said and Lisa held his hand.
“I promise Miguel, I will always and forever be with you my Knight.” Lisa said and Miguel smiled.
“New nickname huh?”
“Of course, you are my Knight. Since no one knows you are Daniel Knight’s son yet, you’re just my Knight.” She replied and Miguel chuckled.
“I love you.” He said.
“Love you more.” She replied him.
It’s felt new to them, as if this is their first time of saying it, this is their first time of being together.. everything just felt new.
They sealed the great moment with a sweet kiss, rolling in each other’s tongue and biting on her lips. Everything felt so new, it’s forever.
Ramona sat miles away from Reece and even set their besides aside. She wasn’t looking at him but he was looking.
“What happened yesterday..at your house?” Reece asked.
“You don’t need to know, it’s personal matter.” Reece asked.
“I’ll soon become one of your family.” Reece said.
“No, you won’t!” She half yelled and Reece smiled.
“Yes, I will.” He replied.
“Just.. let’s stay quiet and just sleep please.” Ramona said.
Reece was about to talk when Alvin burst in.
“I can’t let you be with him Ramona, I can’t.” He said, breathing crazily.
Ramona kept looking at him like some of kind of..
What’s wrong with Alvin?
Chapter 57 & 58 : Miguel’s Growing Connection with Monalisa
“I can’t let you be with him Ramona, I can’t.” He said, breathing crazily.
Ramona kept looking at him like some of kind of..
What’s wrong with Alvin?
“Hey, you are crossing your boundaries, are you nuts huh!” Reece said standing up, even Ramona stood up confused.
“Look, I don’t know what all this is about either. Something is not right between you two, Ramona is not safe with you.” Alvin said and Reece scoff.
“Why the heck are you thinking that way, when did we both become that close.” Ramona added.
“Come with me now.” Alvin said going over to hold Ramona and started dragging her out but Reece held the other hand again.
By now, some of the rest are already coming out of their tent.
“Leave me Alvin, let me go.” Ramona said trying to release her hand but Alvin was too strong.
“Stop it Alvin, what’s wrong with you?” Lisa said.
Then the two of the professors arrived, they heard the commotion outside.
“What’s going on here?” They said, Reece released Ramona but Alvin didn’t let go of her.
“Because we allowed you guys to spend this night how you want it, you decided to create commotion right? Do you realize this is a resort, y’all are grown-ups, behave like one.” A professor said as the students kept their heads bowed.
“Now get in ,we will continue the fun tomorrow. We still have a lot for you guys, you’ve done enough for tonight.” Another one said again and Ramona glared at Alvin, jerking off her hand before leaving with Barbie.
The students started dispersing also.
“Gosh, can’t believe they spoil the fun.” Tiana groaned.
“Don’t worry , we still have tomorrow.” Lisa whispered and she nodded as they walked back into the resort.
Next Day •
The students are all dressed up in a good adventure wears, today they will be going on adventures. Like visiting the zoo, the aquarium, some part of forest, market square and all.
Some of them are with cameras while some just their phones.
They first went to visit the zoo, they took pictures of the amazing animals there.
“Wow this is amazing.” Lisa murmured, taking a picture of a tiger in a cage though, birds, giraffes and all.
Amazing.
After they were done here, they went to the aquarium.
Fishes, even with gold skin swims with a lot of escatsy as the students took pictures. It was an amazing view.
They watch the fishes for a little while before leaving as they started the adventure to a forest, a man which supposed the guardian led them through.
The grasses they path through has dew they walk through it, after walking for a while they finally got a waterfall.
“Wow, it’s my first time.” Some of the murmured as they took pictures.
Beautiful butterflies flying around, as they students tried to catch some. Unexpectedly, five of the butterflies flew over to Lisa as they took positions on her head and shoulders.
” Wow, I think Lisa is a special girl. Let take a life.” One of the students said, as they took pictures of Lisa with the butterflies especially Miguel.
He captured the beautiful moment with his beautiful Mona in it.
From there, they left to a good restaurant and tried to quench their hunger. They left for a museum afterwards.
The crafted sculptures and images beautified the museum as the students walk around, taking pictures of literally everything.
Alvin sighted a beautiful transparent globe, in it was a boy and a girl (dolls), holding onto each with snows around it.
“How much for this?” He asked the seller, though no one knew.
He paid after the seller told him the amount, he placed his small bag carefully before joining the rest.
They left after a while and went to the busy market , all they wanted to do was to admire and take pictures but the things there caught their attention as some of them started buying things.
Miguel spotted a beautiful butterfly necklace and remembered the incident at the waterfall, he bought the necklace and called over Monalisa.
“Hey, look what I got you.” Miguel said as he placed the necklace on her neck.
“Wow, this is so pretty.” Lisa muttered as she touched the necklace.
“Thanks Miguel.” She said as she kiss him on the cheek and Miguel smiled.
Kelvin and Jayden also spotted some different types of bracelet, Kelvin bought a pretty pink bracelets for Kaylee obviously.
While Jayden took a green bracelet and a gold anklet for Tiana.
Unexpectedly, Jayden bent down in front of Tiana and tied the anklet on both legs.
“Awwwn.” The students chorused. After that, he wore the bracelet for her. Barbie fumed where she is.
” My love for you.” He said and Tiana looked at him.
” Huh?” Tiana questioned but got no reply, Jayden just smiled and held her hands as they continued admiring.
Kelvin stopped Kaylee and wore the bracelet for her.
” Oh, you didn’t have to…”.
” Shut up and let me do my thing, you’re too stubborn.” Kelvin said lowly and Kaylee smiled.
“I got you something.” George said to Claire and she looked at him.
He placed the pretty hairpin in her hair before she could oblige and Claire looked shocked.
“I didn’t tell you to..”
George just walked out without replying.
“Ramona..”
“You don’t have to buy me anything okay? I don’t need it.” Ramona cuts in Reece’s word.
He bought a flower ring and when Ramona saw it, her face changed.
He doesn’t want to put it in her finger right? She walked out on him instantly.
“Hey look..” Lisa said to Miguel, bringing out a silver wristwatch. She held his hand and wore it for him.
“My gift.” She said and Miguel smiled, hugging her for a while.
After some few hours there, they finally decided to call it a day and return back to the resort.
Not to call it a day actually, the professors organized a little party for the students at one of the hall when it’s evening.
The decorations are already taking place as the students helped the organizers.
This party, they are going to use colours on everyone and water colour also, which is in a small balloon.
The party theme is white, they decided that because of the powder colours.
Evening •
The students are already dressed in white as they filled the hall, even some of the workers in the resort joined including the professors.
Everyone can be seen running up and down trying to chase each other with colours amidst laughter.
” No no, don’t use colour on me. I want Miguel to do that first.” Lisa said to Tiana and Tiana frowned.
“Common,how does it matters.” Tiana groaned.
Lisa was about to talk when Miguel appeared at her back, smearing her face with colour.
“Hey, that’s cheating.” Lisa pouted
“All is fair in love and war.” He shrugged and Lisa also smear his face with colours, turned out they wanted to be the first on each other.
After that, Tiana started chasing Lisa trying to smear her with colours.
But Lisa bumped into Alvin, and he smeared colours on her. Tiana stopped and frowned
“Oh no, not again. Why me, am suppose to be the first.” She mumbled as she quickly rushed to Lisa and sprayed water colours on her
“Arrgh, Tiana. Am gonna kill you.” Lisa half yelled as she started running after her.
The fun continued and colours filled the air, Kaylee and also Kelvin. All of them.
Lisa excused herself to their room to use the restroom, after she was through.
She got out of the restroom and started walking to the door but someone opened it and walked in. A strange person.
“Who are you?” Lisa said moving backwards but she hit her back on something.. rather someone, before she could look at the back, the strange people rendered her unconscious by hitting her head.
She fainted into their arms.
Chapter 59 & 60 : Uncovering Trust
As the party continues in the hall with everyone enjoying themselves, as laughter filled the air.
Then, Miguel noticed Lisa’s absence. His eyes scanned through thoroughly but couldn’t see her, he walked over to Tiana, tapping her gently.
“Tiana, sorry to disrupt your fun but have you seen Mona?” He asked worriedly and Tiana also got alert, she stopped dancing and look around but didn’t see a single sign of her.
“Common, I’ll go with you. Let’s go look for her.” Tiana said and Miguel nodded.
They left the hall without anyone even noticing as everyone was busy laughing, running around, drinking or dancing.
They went to the room they were staying, checked the restroom but didn’t find Lisa.
Miguel and Tiana got worried, as they searched the entire place. Outside, asking people around but no one told them the reply they wanted.
“Gosh, where could she have gone. An getting worried.” Tiana said biting her lips, just then Miguel’s phone rang.
Miguel’s hand shook as he looked at the caller, slowly he took the call.
“Shocked right?”
“Where the hell is Mona, it’s will no longer be funny if I see a single scratch on Mona, trust Daniel Knight.” Miguel said and Tiana’s eyes widened.
What does he mean Daniel Knight, there’s only one Daniel Knight. How does Miguel knows him, what connection..geez.*. Tiana puzzled in her head as she stared intently at Miguel.
“Relax okay. By now, umm your Mona should be ready to take the flight going to Paris. So it’s up to you if you can stop them but before you can stop them, the flight would have..” Mr Knight said and Miguel held his fist in anger.
” How much I hate you Dad.” Miguel muttered before hanging up on him.
” Don’t tell me you’re the Daniel Knight’s son.” Tiana asked, trying to be sure.
” Look Tiana, what you heard is true but I don’t have the time to explain right now. I promise when I save Monalisa from Dad’s clutches, then we can sit and do the explanation but before that, I need to go.” Miguel said roughly and started running off.
He boarded a bus back to their city, and quickly take a cab.
First to Ms Brianna’s place. He opened the door roughly and his Aunt sprang up, seeing his tensed look.
“What’s wrong Miguel, you’re back from the trip?” Ms Brianna said.
“Aunt, Mona has been kidnapped by Dad. He is taking her back to Paris, I need to stop them.” Miguel briefly explain.
“What! What are you going to do now?” Ms Brianna asked worriedly.
“It’s likely I can’t meet up with them anymore, can you please help with the ticket to Paris. I’ll go pack my bags please.” Miguel said and Ms Brianna nodded, bringing out her phone to see what she can do.
Miguel rushed back to his room and started packing some of his luggages.
Paris ~ Knight’s Mansion •
Monalisa’s hand were tied as she laid unconscious on the couch.
Mr Knight sat on another couch, with his legs crossed. A glass of wine in his hand which he sips slowly while his eyes were on Lisa.
The door opened and Federick ( Miguel’s brother) entered. He smirk and sat besides his father.
” You will really do anything to get Miguel back here?” Federick asked.
“This is the only thing I could think of, I warned him and even threatened him to just come back to where he belong but no he was so adamant, I had to kidnap his dear girlfriend. Am sure he must be on the plane back to Paris, let’s expect him by tomorrow.” Mr Knight said with a sly smile.
” So when do you think she might wake up and…she is certainly a beauty, my goodness.” Federick said coming towards Lisa and caressing her cheek.
” Hey Federick, am stopping your brother from getting ruined and here you’re admiring this girl?” Mr Knight flared up and Federick sigh.
“Chill Papa, am not thinking of anything like that…am not interested in her.” Federick said and Mr Knight nodded.
“Get her to a room up there.” Mr Knight said and Federick carried Lisa in his arms, he was about taking a step when Mrs Knight came in, looking surprised.
“Who’s the girl?” She asked curiously.
“Miguel’s distraction.” Mr Knight answered, urging Federick to leave. He left afterwards.
“His girlfriend..” Mrs Knight corrected.
“You should be ready to welcome your son tomorrow, he is coming from America to France. It’s a long journey, you must have missed him.” Mr Knight and Mrs Knight scoffed lowly.
“After you sent him away from me right, and here you are again trying to bring him back. What exactly is your motive, what are you doing all these for.” Mrs Knight said and Mr Knight glared at her and she bowed her head slightly.
“Leave my presence before I get too angry.” Mr Knight said and Mrs Knight quickly rushed to their room.
Mr Knight scoffed and stared into nothing.
“Once he’s here, I’ll make sure he doesn’t go back. I need my two sons.” Mr Knight muttered to himself, taking a sip from his wine again.
Back to the resort •
Tiana ran back into the hall where everyone was dancing to the rthym of the slow and vibrant music.
“Stop guys.” She said loudly earning everyone’s reaction.
“What’s wrong?” One of the professors asked.
“Monalisa is missing, she’s been kidnapped I guess and Miguel has gone looking for her.” She announced and everyone started murmuring.
” What! How’s that possible?” Ramona asked.
” Miguel has left…for Paris.” Tiana said and the murmurs began.
” How can he go alone, we understand that she’s his girlfriend but he just can’t leave without telling anyone..and that too alone.” The professor said.
“He said it is his personal matter, he wanted to handle it himself… it’s kinda include his family.” Tiana explained further and the professors sigh.
” Everyone, pack your things. We are returning back, return to your various homes. I guess it’s no more safe, this is where the trip ends.” The professor said.
..oh no.
…why does it have to end here
The students murmured.
” Did you just stay Miguel went after her?” Ramona asked Tiana and she nodded.
” Why, why do you care?” Reece said behind her but she didn’t reply.
Ramona went to pack her bags straight. She’s feeling some different emotions right now, angry, jealous maybe or surprised.
” Why is she angry.” Alvin muttered leaving the hall too.
The students started leaving and soon they board on the bus
Next day •
As expected, the flight took a night so the plane just landed at the airport. Miguel then got out of the plane.
He sigh staring at the city which he was once in, created tantrums and had some issues with. He rembered his former college and sigh again.
He began walking out of the airport, all that was on his mind right now is to save Lisa away from his Dad and get her back to her mother.
He boarded a cab and headed to Knight’s Mansion, a place where no one knows he is from. A place where he grew up in, hiding his first name and real identity from everyone, his friends and whoever cares to know.
The son the world knows with Daniel Knight is Federick Knight. Daniel Knight is a popular business man and known in the business world a lot by some great people.
The car screech to an halt, jolting him out of his thoughts and he stared at the gigantic mansion in front of him. He paid the cab driver and the driver drove off. The guards, guarding the place knows Miguel so they allowed him in. Miguel looked around, nothing has changed and it’s look more pleasant and awesome.
He finally got to the door and held his breath for a while before releasing it and he didn’t bother pressing the door bell….is he stranger? No, he is not.
He entered and there he met him, the one who has been bothering his life since childhood…the one who didn’t care less about him..Daniel Knight, his father.
Mr Knight’s face seems to brighten up as he stood up immediately.
“Oh wow, look who is here. Welcome back.” He said with that same smile.
Federick and Mrs Knight who heard came down the stairs, Mrs Knight rushed to him but Federick stayed besides his Dad.
“Oh my dear son, you’re really here..how much I have missed you.” Mrs Knight said hugging her son, like a prodigal son who just return home or like a lost sheep.
Miguel wanted to hug her back but the memories of how she wasn’t worried or bother to plead with his father, when he was being sent off flooded his head as he dropped his hand.
“Welcome back home.” Mrs Knight said breaking the hug.
“Where’s Monalisa.” Miguel finally spoke up and Mr Knight frowned.
“Is that the first thing that’s supposed to come out of your mouth huh, you just arrived back to your humble abode. You should be glad.” Mr Knight.
” Don’t mind Dad… it’s been a while, missed you.” Federick said, hugging him as well and Miguel only patted his back once and return back his hand.
“I didn’t believe when Dad said you’ve returned, you ended college already?” Miguel asked, he seemed pleased to see his brother.
“Yeah by God’s grace, am finally done with everything about school.. it whole stress and all, it was a long journey.” Federick answered.
“Happy for you.” Miguel muttered.
“Thanks bro.” Federick replied with a smile.
“Where’s Monalisa?” Miguel asked again and Mrs Knight moved closer to him.
“She’s upstairs, the room at the end.” She replied and Miguel released his luggage bag and ran upstairs.
He located the room and didn’t bother knocking as he barge in the room. How much he has fvcking miss his Mona just for a day.
There she was, standing by the window side. Staring out at nowhere in particular. She turned when she heard the door opened.
“Please.. please just get me out of here.” Lisa said as Miguel immediately ran to her and engulf her in a bone crashing hug.
“Mona, thank God you’re safe. I missed you.. like crazy alot.” Miguel said still hugging her.
But Lisa suddenly pull away from the hug, pushing him a little. Mr Knight, Mrs Knight and Federick stayed by the door looking at the duo.
“Who are you?” That question from Lisa made Miguel’s heart suddenly sink, what the hell does she mean by that..is she kidding him?
“Mona, are you being serious right now. Common stop, am here for you okay? You don’t need to worry.” Miguel said, placing his hand on her cheek but Lisa jerked it off, putting on a irritated look.
“I said who are you, get me out of this motherfvcking place, I want my Mom.” The words came once again as Miguel looked shocked.
He looked back at his family who were staring at him in return.
“Who are you.” The words came repeatedly in his head as he looked at Mona again.
Is this a joke or what? This can’t be true, can it?