Then I took out the phone from my pocket when I heard it beep. It was a message from Andrew and it read: '[Still waiting for the photo bro]'
I heaved out a deep sigh - biting my lower lip in confusion before switching off my phone when I came to a final resolve. I like what was going on between I and Chloe -- and I wasn't able or willing to jeopardise it for anything, not even for my best friend Andrew!So I placed the phone beside my pillow and closed my eyes, thinking of a possible reason to give to Andrew for not sending the photo when I fell into a deep sleep.*****I was woken the following day to the sounds of birds chirping outside the playhouse and the slow movement of someone's hands on my bare chest."Hmmm" I gave out a sleepy grunt as my eyes gradually opened - squinting and blinking hard to clear my vision which was a bit blurry."Good morning" Chloe whispered to my face and gave me a quick peck on the lips as she laid beside me with her face over mine which made me wonder just how long she'd been staring at me while I was asleep.Then I instantly felt the cold chill of nervousness run down my spine as I fully woke to consciousness with my eyes wide in panick.'Morning?!' -- This sounded like a joke in my ears. I mean, how could I have foolishly given myself to sleep that i lost track of time?'Oh God! Mom' I gasped in my mind as I snatched my phone beside the pillow and hurriedly stood up from the bed - putting on my shirt in sudden swiftness that startled Chloe who didn't budge but kept laying down on the bed."What's wrong Liam?... Why are you so much in a hurry?" Chloe asked with an inquisitive tone, fidgeting her fingers playfully while she kept her gaze fixed at me."This Chloe... This" I blurted, shaking my head nervously as I bent forward to wear my shoes."This how?" Chloe asked immediately with a confused frown on her face as she raised herself to sit. "Are you feeling guilty we made out?" She added, sounding a bit disappointed."No no... I didn't mean that" I answered quickly, standing upright to give her a purposeful stare that brightened her countenance. "It's just me sleepover Chloe, what if your dad sees us... It could affect my job working for him." I heaved as I concluded my response."Well, he hasn't seen us. And besides, you don't need to worry-- he hasn't been to my playhouse for about two years now" Chloe said convincingly with a shrug of her shoulders and a wide grin on her face.I barely said anything in response but stood - shaking my head as I switched on my phone.Then my whole body froze the moment I lowered my gaze on my phone screen to see 7 missed calls and 5 texts messages - most of which were from my mom, and Andrew."Urrrm..." I slurred and gulped hard while slowly retreating my steps towards the playhouse door."is anything the matter Liam?" Chloe asked before jumping out of the bed to meet me."Urrh... I just need to get home, my mom will be worried sick" I answered, raising my head quickly to look at Chloe who was already standing in front of me. "But... But I'll text you later in the day though" I stuttered with an awkward smile on my face before giving her a quick peck on the left cheek."See you later Liam" She said, smiling softly at me - just in time before I turned and left.***Back At Home***"Good morning Mom" I greeted, smiling sheepishly moments after entering the palour as I moved to sit beside my mom on the same couch."Liam!" My mom exclaimed in a relieved tone - turning her body halfway on the couch to face me. "What happened?... I came back home last night and met your absence -- I even tried your line but it was unreachable.""Am sorry Mom... I slept over at a friend's house and my phone was off that's why" I chuckled, leaning my back comfortably on the couch before looking at the television to see what she was watching before I came in.Then my mom's comical look seemed to draw my attention again. What amused me even more was the way she pulled away to give me a searching stare."Why the face mom?" I managed to ask in a low chuckle - trying as much as to suppress the urge to burst into laughter."Why shouldn't I stare when my son is unconsciously smiling to himself" She teased with the smile on her face becoming more broader."I seriously don't know what you're talking about mom" I laughed with my head rocking backwards."Hm-mm, I bet you do more than you can deny" My mom hummed and rolled her eyes playfully at me as I turned fully to face her - clearing my throat purposefully before parting my lips to speak."Ohkay... what's on your mind mom?" I heaved out a surrendering sigh with my arms spread out as I spoke."This friend's house you slept over at, it's a girl right?" My mom asked with a smirk on her face - fixing her eyes on me to see my reaction.I was completely thrown of guard by her inquisition as it rendered me speechless. What even puzzled me the most was that I found myself smiling sheepishly when infact i was supposed to be keeping a straight face -- but there was nothing I could do, except giving my mom the honest answer she deserved.So I squinted my eyes in shyness and nodded my head in acceptance."And am guessing you two are in love?" My mom asked teasingly in a low pampering voice - grinning widely as she waited for my response."Uh uh!... Not in love mom, we are just friends and nothing more" I blurted sharply, raising my right index finger halfway up my chest in a convincing manner.But truth be told, I felt even less convinced to believe in my own words and am sure my mom wasn't convinced too because she still wore that wide grin on her face."Oh Liam..." My mom heaved out in a soft tease and cupped my cheek with her right hand. "This mystery girl... Whoever she is has really gotten you falling. Don't lie to your mom, you like her don't you?""Okay now I see where this is going" I chuckled shyly and shook my head in amusement - slowly lowering her hand from my cheek.My mind was boggled with so many conflicting thoughts as I sat and turned to stare again at the television. In a way, I felt like letting it all out- exposing to my mom how I was beginning to feel for Chloe and to seek her advice while the other part of me just wanted to hold on to my 'Never fall in love' rule -- after all, I'll be a coward telling my mom I was in love when I've always kicked against the subject!"So what's her name?" My mom's voice snapped me out of my contemplating thought."Urmm... Chloe, her name is Chloe" I stuttered, clearing my throat halfway as I spoke before turning to face my mom who was smiling at me."Maybe you should invite her over one of these days to have dinner with us" My mom replied calmly."Maybe" I scoffed doubtfully and immediately debunked the idea in my head. Even if I did ask her to come over for dinner, I doubt she'd be able to come - atleast, not without getting approval from her parents and her dad most especially who might not like the idea of her spending time with his worker!It was when my tummy rumbled that I remembered how hungry I was. So I turned fully to face my mom - placing my left arm on top the neck of the couch and said "Gosh, mom am so famished, what are we having for breakfast?""What will you have me prepare?" My mom asked and sat poised."I think toast bread and..."I suddenly paused halfway in my response when the loud 'ding dong' sound of our doorbell filled the palour."I'll get the door" my mom said, tapping my left lap lightly before standing up to get the door."Shelly!.. how are you, please come inside"My heart skipped a beat when my mom's hearty voice reverberated in my ears - drawing my attention to face the palour door.'What in heaven's name is she doing here?' I groaned rhetorically in my head, leveling my gaze at my mom who sluggishly followed beside Shelly as she came Into the palour - approaching the couch where I sat tugging my butt from the feeling of discomfort. Nothing about her presence seemed to excite me - infact, I was very much annoyed seeing her and why on earth will she come back to me when we already parted ways?!"Hi Liam" Shelly greeted with a warm smile as she paused her steps beside my couch."Shelly" My voice broke out bluntly as I looked at the traveling bag she was holding before raising my head to look her straight in the eye."Why are you here?" I demanded with a frown on my face."Liam?" My mom immediately called out to me, sounding rather disappointed by my response to Shelly. But what did I care? I was slowly beginning to feel angered by her coming already - let alone speak friendly to her!So I didn't answer my mom but kept my gaze fixed on Shelly who turned to face my mom and said to her in a low courteous voice "It's fine Ma, I don't expect him to treat me nicely - not with what happened between us"'Well, atleast she got that part right' I scoffed inaudibly under my breath and leveled my gaze at my mom who slowly nodded at Shelly before turning to give me a silent cautioning stare with the smile on her face instantly fading away.Then my head buried on my shoulders as I shrugged - spreading my arms wide in a questioning manner before saying in a low growl "Mom, I seriously don't get why you'll give me the look when she was...""Uh uh... Let the girl say what she has to say first" My mom demanded as she interrupted my lament - giving me a stern stare that humbled me."Fine... Say whatever it is you have to say" I heaved out a surrendering sigh as I spoke to Shelly - rubbing my chin continuously with my right hand as my elbow rested on the arm of the couch.Somehow I was panicking, all I tried to do now was guess Shelly's reason for coming before she even revealed it to us. The only two things that came into my mind was the possibility of her being pregnant or that she was coming to ask for my forgiveness. But how could she come to ask for my forgiveness was holding a travel bag?! This fact alone troubled me as I lifted my cowardly gaze up at Shelly who started speaking."Mrs, I'll like to ask for you and your son's permission to stay over at your place for some few days...""Is anything wrong my dear?" My mom asked sharply - pulling Shelly a bit closer to herself in a concerned manner.'Oh shit... Is she pregnant?' this worrisome thought echoed loudly in my head as my heart began to pound hard and fast with my throat becoming unusually dry in fear. What if it was what I was thinking -- that she was truly pregnant? Then I'll have to kiss my new fond feelings for Chloe goodbye?! No, I wasn't willing to let that happen - even if it meant me deny responsibility, after all, she must have had sex with another after she left me."Just tell me dear... We're here to help you" my mom urged, wrapping her left arm around Shelly who nodded and was about speaking when I sprang up from the couch and interrupted in a nervous stammer "Mom, even if -- if we did allow her stay with us, where will she sleep?"Yes, I know -- I know what I just said was stupid and I realised that, even more so when Shelly and my mom simultaneously raised their heads to gawk at me with a disappointing frown on their faces - making me wish like vanishing to somewhere where no one could find me. But that was mere wishful thinking and this was reality -- one way or another, I'll have to face it!"Is something wrong with you Liam?... She asked if we can accommodate her for some days and you're concerned with where she'll sleep -- what happened to your room, and is there any harm in you sleeping on the couch?" My mom scolded at me with a stern voice that had my under arm sweating profusely - dampening the shirt I was wearing; even the hunger I once felt seemed to have disappeared. And besides, how could I have appetite for food when I was in a slim chance of fathering a child from a girl who I barely love or have feelings for!"No mom" I shook my head and answered in a low submissive voice that even surprised me. I never knew I could be this humble, not until now!"Good" my mom heaved under her breath and returned her attention back to Shelly who opened her mouth to speak."My rent got expired and I had nowhere to go to before I'll find a new apartment to rent. That is why I decided to come ask for your permission -- just for this week at most" Shelly said in a low voice, facing my mom with her head slightly lowered. I drew in a deep breath from where I stood in front of them and squeezed my eyes shut in pleasant relief with the hard pounding of my heart gradually subsiding. For a split second I thought I was doomed, but hearing her reveal to my mom her purpose of coming really calmed my nerves - infact, I wasn't going to kick against her staying over; atleast, to show that I was remorseful for my previous outburst. "She can stay in my room mom" I voiced out suddenly, looking at my mom turned to give me a surprised stare which I ignored by glancing at Shelly whose pressed lips broke into a relieved smile."I'll help you get settled in" I sugg
Andrew's voice interrupted once more."Please sit... What will you two lovebirds like to have?... Drinks on me" Andrew chuckled in a drunken voice, glancing briefly at me before leveling his gaze at Chloe."Coke will be fine. Thank you" She answered courteously and lowered herself to sit on the sofa behind us. "I'll go with what she's having" I replied plainly with great displeasure - clenching my right fist in annoyance as Andrew turned his head to look at me, but he was too wasted to even notice my right fist or the body signal I was giving to him. "Pfff ... C'mon man, I know you want to impress the lady by having coke with her. Buh you and I know our usual -- plus, I doubt she would mind you taking a booze or two?" Andrew countered my request with an amused laugh and turned his attention to Chloe - giving her a teasing look as he waited for her response."No... I wouldn't mind with whatever he takes" Chloe giggled in response before turning her head to give me a gleeful stare whi
"I don't feel like talking about it" I sighed, lowering my gaze from Shelly who immediately placed her right hand underneath my chin and slowly lifted up my head."You know am here for you Liam... And you can always talk to me about anything" Shelly whispered softly to my face with her head leaning closer while she spoke. Then as if loosing control of myself, I found my right hand raising on its own accord to cup Shelly's left cheek before slowly moving behind her neck to pull her head closer as I leaned in and kissed her briefly - pulling away to watch her reaction as I remained uncertain about my intention, wether or not it was the right thing! But Shelly was surely yearning for more than just a kiss. So she gently cupped the back of my head with her left hand and kissed me very slowly my eyes flickered and went shut in ecstasy as our lips stroked rhythmically on eachother while her right hand traveled over thighs - reaching for my di*k when I snapped out of my lustful desire."Am
I swung my right fist and gave him a hard blow to his left cheek. "Ugh!" Kelvin grunted in pain, rocking to the side from the impact while covering his cheek with his left hand after my fist crashed on his face. Then he spat on the ground before turning to give me a furious look and was about rushing to hit me back when Chloe stepped in between us with both her hands on his chest and said in a loud voice "Kelvin Please!""You just saw him hit me!" Kelvin growled angrily to her face, edging himself forward towards me with Chloe constantly pushing him back."Am begging you, can we not do this please... Look at me..." She pleaded, raising her right hand up Kelvin's chest to reach for his cheek."Please Stop!" Kelvin fumed, grabbing Chloe's right hand on the wrist and pulled it down from his face. "I can't believe you'll want to hang around someone like this." "And what? That you're better off than me?" I scoffed angrily at him in a rhetorical tone, moving a step closer behind Chloe who
...one of them slowly removing what seemed to look like a gun but wasn't a gun until he pulled the object out completely underneath his hoodie sweatshirt. It was when he lifted the object up that I realised it was a short wooden stick, like a baseball bat -- well not as heavy as the actual baseball bat but was the length of my arm."Well yes... You can help us with something" The first guy in front of me retorted with a wicked smirk and was about hitting me with the stick when my reflexes sprang into action with my left hand raising instantly to hold it. Then the other guy to my right instantly grabbed my right wrist with his left hand just as I was about delivering a hard blow to the guy in front. I could feel the adrenaline rush with every groaning sound I made as I struggled to overpower them so I could somehow manage to escape. But what was I thinking? I was in every measure no match for them -- not with their number and strength!"Ugh!" I gave out a sharp groan the moment I felt
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
"Hey hey..." I exclaimed in panick, rushing forward to shield the Jamaican guy with my arms spread apart. "Step aside bro" Andrew instructed under clenched jaw, placing his left palm under his right hand to steady his aim at the Jamaican guy whose hand was now gripping the revolver gun in his waistline. "Chill.. can everyone just put their guns down!" I yelled, wincing slightly from the pain I felt on my jaw as I shouted. "And why the fu*k should we do that?" Ramirez countered with his eyes still glued on the guy behind me."Because he saved our lives -- both of us" I answered plainly and looked at Andrew. "Trust me man, we would have been dead if not for him -- please, lower your guns down." Andrew hesitated for a brief moment, inhaling deeply before lowering his gun down. Then he turned sideways to give Ramirez and Anthony a nod of his head which they obediently obliged and lowered their guns down. I heaved a deep breath and lowered my arms before stepping aside to stand with Ch
My only prayer now was for Chloe to be found and safe back home in the arms of her mom, with or without me being there to see it happen because at this point, I had zero hope in escaping the Jamaican or being rescued. *****"Pull up here --" he said to the taxi driver and compelled me to pay the transport fare the moment we reached the destination. Then we both came out of the car and the taxi driver sped off. I gulped hard as I stood motionless, facing the old cranky gate of the former swan high school. The site has been abandoned for some years now with claims of some politician making plans to buy the whole place for the purpose of turning it into a factory. This was a very quiet environment -- almost like the abandoned factory Kelvin had me and Andrew taken to be killed.So with every courage i could muster in me, I turned to face the Jamaican guy who stood behind, pointing his gun directly at my abdomen. "Look man -- I never shot at your brother, I wasn't even with a...""Too l
"I think... She's been shot by the hitman" I managed to say in a breathless whisper with my eyes flickering - struggling to fight back the tears that welled up. "Oh no..." Andrew gasped and pulled away. "We have to get to her... Quick, get in the car" he said in panick, moving to the side and opened the driver's door. "Goddam Liam... We don't have much time" he growled when he noticed me leaning instead of moving to enter the car. "Okay" I sniffed and pulled away, placing my right hand on the car to balance my staggering frame as I walked and entered the passenger seat with Andrew turning on the ignition switch before he sped us out of the garage for my house. *****WE NOTICED a police car parked on the road in front of my house entrance the minute we arrived."Who's he talking to?" Andrew asked with our gazes looking out through his driver window when we noticed a middle aged police man standing in front of our palour entrance, writing something on a small note as he conversed wi
She pulled it down and whispered to my face in a concerned voice. "Can I come by the house later this evening?" "Yea... Sure you can." I forced a smile and leaned in to give her a brief kiss on the lips. "Now, let's get you in a taxi."Few minutes later, the taxi drove off with her before I entered another one that took me straight to Andrew father's old garage where we had first regrouped. WHEN I entered the garage, I found Anthony leaning his butt on the car parked inside with his hands folded - wearing a frightened look that got me dispirited. "Listen man, this shit is getting way out of hand" Andrew lamented with his arms spread apart as he trotted towards me. "What did you say happened to Miguel... Is he still alive?" I stopped in front of Andrew who was rubbing his sweaty forehead in panick. "He's on a fu*king stretcher inside an ambulance headed to the hospital as we speak" Andrew licked his lower lip, turning from side to side in anger. "Your boy Kelvin -- he needs to be
I lowered myself very slowly to sit on the couch next to hers. "Aha, Liam... Why are you here and not at work?" Shelly inquired in a surprised tone the moment she noticed my presence on entering the palour from the corridor. Then she sat on the same couch as my mom."He just got fired" My mom blurted plainly, expressing her disappointment as she turned to face Shelly who casted a shocked look at me."Why were you fired Liam?" Shelly asked with my mom now returning her gaze back at me. "I got -- Chloe pregnant, and she's my boss's daughter" I confessed to my mom under clenched jaw with my head sagged in cowardice. "What!" My mom's loud exclaim rose my head up at an instant. She seemed very shocked and raged at the same time. Then, her expression turned to that of surprise curiousity when she noticed how reserved and quiet Shelly was; after all, it was no big news to her since I already told her this morning before leaving the house."So -- you knew about this too?" She turned her bo
"Um.." I hesitated for a moment"Dad.. Liam and I want to see you and mom" Chloe informed before I could even make out the right words. 'what?!' I screamed in my head, looking briefly at Chloe from the corner of my eye as she casted a quick glance at me. "Okay, then let's go inside so your mom and I can hear what it is you have to tell us" Her dad turned and motioned for us to follow as he walked into the house. "Are you sure about this Chloe?" I used my left hand to clamp Chloe's right wrist in protest, bringing her steps to a abrupt halt. Then she turned halfway to face me and pulled her hand away from my grasp. "Let's just do this Liam... It's best if we tell them.""Right --" I mumbled, clearing my throat as I followed behind Chloe who led me Into the house and down to their large, elegantly furnished sitting room where we both sat on the same couch, facing her parents who sat side by side on the opposite couch. I couldn't help but rove my eyes in admiration, staring at the lar
We dodged incoming passersby, running like our lives depended on it with our arms spread evenly apart, swaying front and back like a pendulum. We had no single clue as to where we were actually heading to; all we wanted was to be out of sight from the stranger who was gradually closing in on us. Then straight ahead, we saw a crowd of teenagers approaching our direction. They looked like high school students on excursion with an adult male, leading the way with his hands pointing occasionally at buildings. "Quick, there's a path on your left" Andrew notified me in short breaths and rocked me hard to the bending with his left shoulder as we entered and continued running. The path was a bit narrow with walls of tall storey buildings line up - making it rather impossible for me and Andrew to run side by side. So he took to my front and led the way."Andrew?... Hey, there's a -- wired fence in front of us. What -- will we do?" I called out in worry with my voice slightly breaking in shor
"Um..." I gave out a low groan and rubbed my forehead with my right hand, making my final decision on what to say. "A man got shot beside me at the bar tonight, so his blood got splattered on my sweater?" I lied, turning my cowardly gaze to the side as if I was depressed by what I'd just said. "Oh dear!" Shelly gasped in a saddened voice and moved closer, turning my head to face her with both hands pressed against my cheeks. "I'm sure that must have been so terrifying for you to have witnessed" Her soft consoling whisper only woke the frightening images of tonight's attack. "Hm-mm" I hummed softly. Then I raised both my hands and curled my fingers around Shelly's wrist as her hands remained on my face. "I just want to um... Get changed and possibly, get some sleep. It's been -- a long night""Yeah, sure... You don't look to bright yourself, maybe some sleep could do." she agreed in a hasty whisper, pulling her hands from my face before stepping aside to give me some space.I forc
So without warning, I moved forward with both hands clenched hard on the wooden stick and swung it hard, hitting him on the side of his face that got the guy wincing in pain. His other brother was quite furious at my sudden action and was about raising himself to come at me when Ramirez moved forward and slammed the butt of his gun hard on his forehead - sending the Jamaican guy crashing down on his knees.I turned my head to look at Andrew as I retreated two steps from the thugs. I could tell he was pleased by what I'd just done by the way he nodded at me with a brief smile. Then the smile on Andrew's face faded into a stern look as he moved forward with his right hand outstretched, pointing the gun at the two thugs who were groaning with an angry look on their faces. "Now where does your boy Kelvin normally frequent -- like a club or mall?" Andrew asked in a demanding voice.But all the Jamaican brothers did was laugh at Andrew's inquisition, as if was a joke. What even got me sta