I heard my mom footsteps approaching. "You're up" My mom said to me with a teasing grin on her face as she stood beside the couch I was sitting on."Morning mom" I replied, also forcing a smile on my face. "So um... We need to talk to about last night and the guys that came after you?" She asked, giving me a motherly look.But the smile on my face faded gradually on hearing her inquisition because I wasn't sure of what to say or give as a response. So I heaved out a sigh before lifting my head and looked my mom straight in the eyes and lied. "I don't know why they came after me mom... Maybe um.. maybe they thought I was someone else.""Liam?" My mom stressed my name in a low doubtful voice as she stood - lowering her suspecting gaze at me with an expression that was slowly making me feel uncomfortable. "Ugh... Why give me that look mom, so you don't believe me?" I growled in a low frustrative voice before turning my head to see if Shelly was in sight. But gladly, she wasn't any wh
"Yea--yeah... Sure. See you tomorrow" I answered sharply with a vigorous nod of my head before dashing out of the playhouse to meet Andrew so I could talk him out of carrying out with our plan because I had a change of heart; not that I wasn't bold enough to face Kelvin - no! But because I wasn't willing to risk Chloe's trust for me nor our relationship.I FOUND Andrew standing behind a half brick wall - poking his head sideways to spy on Kelvin who was totally unaware but stood, conversing with someone outside the cafe. So I walked towards Andrew from behind with my steps so stealthy he wasn't even aware of my presence."Bro... We need to talk" I whispered with my lips close to Andrew's left ear - causing him to jerk in fright on hearing my sudden whisper. "Man don't you sneak up on me like that... Fu*k!" Andrew sighed as he turned to face me - holding a wooden stick in his left hand which I presumed was for Kelvin. "The dude's over there talking... We'll just wait for him to be do
"Um.. Andrew -- the blood stain is from Andrew" I said cowardly, giving my mom a convincing nod as I stood - waiting to hear her next response. "Andrew?" She gasped rhetorically in a concerned voice - moving a step closer with her facial expression a bit worried than angry. "What happened to him?" "Pfff... Nothing serious to worry about mom - he was drunk and bumped his head on a brick wall. That's all" I chuckled nervously with a shrug - rubbing the back of my neck with my right palm as I spoke.Then my mom heaved a deep breath of relief and said "Okay, you get changed -- and your dinner is in the...""I think I'll pass -- dinner. I don't really feel like eating tonight" I cut in sharply - grinning widely at my mom who only gave me a slow suspecting nod before turning and walked towards her room down the corridor. 'oooff... That was close' I muttered inaudibly to myself in relief before turning to enter my room."What's you and your mom bickering about?" Shelly asked the moment I s
"Shelly!" I called out sharply with my voice raised in panick - chuckling awkwardly as I moved towards them the moment they simultaneously turned their heads to face me."Shelly, why don't we um -- get Chloe here some refreshment then, you both can continue your chit chat" I said, clearing my throat halfway as I spoke while rubbing my palms with my gaze fixed on Shelly who only gave me a mischievous smirk before turning her gaze at Chloe and said. "Babe, what will you like to have?""Water will be nice" Chloe answered calmly. "Nah... I know what I'll get you" Shelly teased with a faint chuckle and left for the kitchen.I squeezed my eyes closed for a split second in pleasant relief before turning to look at Chloe whose eyes were roving - staring at the family portraits hung on the wall. "Please feel free to look around... Um, I'll be with you shortly" I said to Chloe in a hasty voice with my legs impatient to leave. I needed to rush now into the kitchen and see Shelly just before she
I cleared my throat and moved forward to assisting her unburden the load. "Welcome Mom... Let me help you with those" I urged, stretching my hands forward with a forced smile on my face. "No don't worry..." My mom countered with a calm voice, shifting the bags away from my outstretched hands and walked past me. "So Chloe, I hope you're comfortable?""Yes Miss, I am." Chloe answered my mom with a courteous nod of her head."And I hope you'll stay -- for lunch? It will be nice to have a new face in the dining room" My mom teased - smiling softly at Chloe who giggled, giving me a quick glance before returning her gaze back on my mom and chuckled "um... I guess I will""Liam... Where is Shelly?" My mom inquired in a concerned voice, turning her body halfway to look at me from where I stood few metres behind. So I moved a step closer and was about speaking when I paused instantly on seeing Shelly entering into the palour -- almost making me wonder if she'd been eavesdropping on our conv
It was Andrew looking lifeless on his knees with his face bloodied from the bruise and cuts which made me wonder just how long he endured being tortured and beaten by the two guys who flanged him on both sides with one of them pulling his hair back so his face could be visible to the phone camera. I couldn't lie that I wasn't moved on seeing him in that condition - infact, I was weak with my knees knocking eachother in trembling fright. Did he get himself into a bad debt with someone that they came after him? This was the question running through my mind because I couldn't see any reason for these guys to have held my best friend captive. Suddenly, my eyes widened in suspicion when I realised that none of the two guys were holding Andrew's phone to make the phone call - meaning there was a third person behind the camera. "What do you want!?" I yelled with a furious frown on my face when I noticed one of the guys place a knife on Andrew's throat with a mischievous smirk on his face.
I yelled in a loud voice, saying "Tell us, just anything and we will do it!"Then I noticed Kelvin motioning his right hand at the two thugs who stopped dragging us - loosing their grip on our shirts. So I crawled my way on the ground towards Andrew who was coughing and wincing in pain. "Now let's come to a mutual agreement shall we?" Kevin's voice broke out as he came forward and squatted in front of us as we sat side by side on the ground with my left arm around Andrew's shoulder. "Just anything, name it and let us go please" I begged in a frightened voice, gulping hard as I kept my gaze fixed on Kelvin who laughed contemptuously and raised himself to stand erect. Then the smile on his face vanished into a wicked smirk as he parted his lips and said. "If I ever see you anywhere near Chloe, I'll come after your friend or that pretty girl I saw on the video call. Do we have a deal?" "Ye--es" I managed to say with a nervous shake of my head - looking at Kelvin who signalled his tw
"So um... How's your mom?" Andrew's low voice broke out after a few minute of silence, trying to change the main subject of our discussion."She's fine" I chuckled with an awkward shake of my head before standing up from the sofa. "Look man, I need to um -- get going to work, maybe I'll stop by later in the evening" "Yea sure... You do your thing -- I'll be here till I get discharged" He replied, giving me a vigorous nod of his head as he spoke. Then I scoffed and turned to leave when Andrew called back to me again. "Hey Liam""Uh huh" I hummed lowly and turned around to face him. "Look man, I never really thanked you for saving me last night...and it's selfish of me. So thank you -- for having my back" Andrew heaved in a much remorseful voice that broadened the smile on my face. "You would have done the same for me bro. Now -- if you'll excuse me, I have some gardening to attend to" I replied, concluding my response with an amused laugh that also got Andrew laughing -- and witho