Chapter 16: The Stolen Painting

Rakiza was walking as quickly as she could through the foyer when she noticed her dashing drawing on the student's wall. In the pencil drawing, Theo looked sexy. She grinned, pleased with herself for what she had accomplished. She then ran upstairs, bumping into Teri, who was on her way down with her group of pals.
"What a fucking fuck!" Teri screamed at her. "You're a bumbling idiot."
Rakiza snarled, "Don't call me an idiot. I'm on the right side, and you were purposefully banging into me. "
"Did I?" Teri inquired sarcastically, flashing her long red finger nails to her pals.
"You did that on purpose." Rakiza said, "I don't want any trouble with you guys," as she stepped aside to mount the stairs, but Teri blocked her way.
"You have to apologize first," she said cynically.
"What's the matter with you?"
Teri proclaimed, "You make yourself a winner. I knew what you were up to, Rakiza. You enticed Professor Malden to allow you more time to work on your drawing, whereas he only offered us a few minutes. "
"That wasn't my intention; I despised Theo, which was why I had drawn him so absurdly. It's my vengeance, and I didn't expect to win after being punished. "Rakiza explained defensively.
"Don't mess with me, girl. You don't really know who I am. "
"Why don't you ask Professor Malden to declare you the actual winner?" Rakiza said, bluntly. "If you so desire, you have access to money that can influence the decision. I don't care. And please let me pass because I’m not going to skip art class like you. "
"You don't belong here, Raki."
"Unfortunately, I’m present, so bear with that fact, and stand away," Rakiza said.
Teri's pride rose and slapped Rakiza across the face. But Rakiza was quick enough to slap her back harder.
"Oh my gosh! You slapped me! " Teri bumped into the wall.
"You did it first," as Rakiza walked past her and ran as fast as she could before Teri's trolls could catch her. She was about to round the corner when Theo grabbed her.
"Stop right here," Theo said.
"You startled me! Do you want me to pass out right now? "
"Just don't go there," he clearly said, preventing her from entering the classroom.
"What are you talking about?" Rakiza scowled as she entered the room, astonished to see her classmates gathered towards the wall where her drawings and paintings were posted. There was also one painting that was visibly missing.
"Where's my Queen Maruja painting?" Rakiza exclaimed, and frowned.
"That's why I kept you outside." Theo murmured.
Every pupil had a different theory about what happened.
After a few moments, Professor Malden arrived, agitated. "After the class, no one was permitted to leave. There's an investigation going on, and you're only permitted to go home after answering a few questions. "
Rakiza was being interviewed by student members and reporters from the broadcasting class.
"What was your initial thought as to why your painting was stolen? Who may have stolen it? " The first reporter inquired.
"I have no reason to suspect anyone." It's difficult to tell and convict those who may be innocent. And I have no idea why he or she chose the Queen Maruja artwork. It didn't make sense to me. I'm not a famous painter, and I'm not even close to one. "
"Do you often obtain references from your dreams for your paintings?"
"Yeah, most of the time, it's easier than having an actual reference for precise replication."
"What motivated you to create such a medieval painting? Someone told us it was a female fighter age ago. "
Rakiza explained that "nothing inspired me; it just sprang into my head and I painted it, which culminated in a self-portrait of myself."
Rakiza noticed Theo across the room entrance, leaning against the wall, peering at her and observing her as she was being interviewed. She couldn't bear to make eye contact with him. There was something strange but not threatening about him.
"Deep in your heart, please don't reveal a name. Do you have any suspects in the artwork theft? Just tell me yes or no. "
"Yes, I have several individuals that could have done the stealing, but I doubt they are responsible for Queen Maruja's disappearance."
"Thank you," one of the school reporters said as they all left Rakiza.
"Who was your suspect?" Theo asked a question as he approached her.
"I don't want to discuss them," Rakiza said, "I want to go home," as she stepped away from Theo.
Rakiza had left the school earlier to continue writing her novel. She had begun the ninth chapter and was looking forward to it. But every now and then, she was interrupted by the thought of the stolen painting. She suspected Teri of taking her painting, but she was unwilling to drag her into the school administration's office.
Rakiza's roommates cursed Teri for taking it when they heard the news.
"Teri is the thief," Susan stated unequivocally.
Rakiza reassured her companions, "We're not certain if she did it." They were curled up next to Muriel's bed, a pack of peanuts in the middle.
"We needed substantial evidence before we could pin down a suspect," Chin said.
"Give Teri a rose, vampire Chin, so she may repair the offense," Susan joked.
"She had to have had a solid motive if she stole my painting."
"She wants to exact revenge on you," Muriel explained. "She despised you being the victor."
Rakiza gathered her laptop and notes in her arms.
"Where are you going?" Muriel inquired.
"I wanted to write, and I needed a quiet environment in which to do it," She shrugged and said, "And it's too busy over here, so I'll have to go outside."
"The bench beyond the dorm would give you a tranquil setting," Chin recommended.
Rakiza remarked as she walked outside. "OK, I'll heed your advice."
The trees had created a nice ambiance, and Chin was correct: it provided Rakiza with what she desired: a quiet spot to compose a story. She had finished a few lines when she heard footsteps approaching. When Rakiza turned back, she saw Teri approaching, her trolls following her in her rage.
"How come you told your pals that you accused me of being the thief?" Teri screamed.
"Wait, who told you that?"
"That was mentioned by a few of your pals."
"I made no accusations. Maybe it's your remorse that drives you to tell me that. "
"What's the problem here?" asked Theo, who had emerged from nowhere.
"That rag accused me of stealing her painting," Teri shouted.
"I never stated it; perhaps you just heard someone's point of view."
"Susan told me," Teri said, as she moved closer to Rakiza. "And everyone despised me for it."
"It's her point of view, not mine," Rakiza added. "You didn't hear me accusing you."
"You, cretin!" Teri was launching an attack on Rakiza.
"Teri, don't do things you'll come to regret later." As Theo grabbed her hand tightly.
"Let go of my hands, I'll show that girl what I'm capable of," Teri tried but failed to get free from Theo's clutches.
"Stop it, Teri!" Theo became enraged and pushed Teri to the ground.
The way Theo protected Rakiza terrified all the girls. He was obviously willing to harm them in order to keep Rakiza secure.
"Both of you will suffer from vanity," Teri said as she walked away with her terrified companions and then screamed. "You don't belong here, Rakiza!"
Rakiza shouted at Theo, "You should not have done that, pushing her down! It simply serves to rekindle her dislike for me! "
"She was on her way to hurt you," Theo reasoned.
"And you aren't supposed to be here, watching over me!" She cried, "I can deal with her, but not with you, Theo."
"Why can't you deal with me?"
"Because I don't know who you are, and I don't want to be stalked!"
"You think I'm a stalker?"
"Yes!" Rakiza erupted in a rage. "I hated you the moment I met you, Theo. I don't like how you've been treating me. I despised it! "
"That's not my concern, Rakiza," he said coldly and solemnly, and added, "Whether you like me or not, I'm responsible for keeping you from bleeding."
"What are you on about?"
Chin dashed over to them, calling out excitedly.
"Rakiza!" I have something for you," Chin panted for air, too late to realize she was in a love-hate relationship argument. "Ups, I'm sorry for butting in at an inopportune time. But I have to deliver this to Rakiza, "she said, as she gave her a white envelope.
*Reign-Bridge Book Publishing Company* was written on the envelope's heading.
Rakiza eagerly opened the envelope and silently read it. Then her expression transformed to one of happiness and excitement.
"I've been invited for a personal interview, Chin," Rakiza said, laughing.
"Don't go to that interview," Theo stated emphatically, adding, "And don't work with those folks, Rakiza." His tone was cold and dangerous.