"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 comes out."Okay" Chloe replied curtly, turning her head halfway to give me one last gleeful glance before sluggishly walking towards a large portrait when I turned and jogged for the kitchen.****"Seriously Shelly?... 'You never expected her to have anything to do with me' -- is that what you were about saying to Chloe?" I asked, sounding disappointed and annoyed as I entered the kitchen to see Shelly pouring a chilled apple fruit drink into an empty glass cup she'd set on a small sized tray."Well, isn't that the truth? I mean, somehow -- she'll get to know that you're just using her and nothing more" She answered with a shrug, barely raising her head to look at me.I turned from left to right in a frustrative manner and growled "For heaven sake I've changed Shelly, why can't you atleast see that and be happy for me?"Then Shelly stopped pouring the juice and slammed it on the kitchen table before turning to give me a sober look."Because it's not easy!" She choked out with her voice shaky in a somewhat depressed tone."How?" I gasped in confusion, taking slow steps towards Shelly who forcefully closed her eyes and licked her lips before opening them, and when she did -- her eyes were a bit moist from the tears that gradually welled up."It's not -- easy letting you go Liam" Shelly added breathlessly before lowering her gloomy gaze as I approached and stood in her front."Oh Shelly" I heaved a deep sigh with empathy in my voice as I clamped onto her shoulders with both hands. "I know it's not easy but -- tearing me down won't work out fine for you. All am asking is your permission to love your friend Chloe and If you love me and want the best for me, you'll let me to. Please?""Okay..." Shelly started to say and paused, sniffing while heaving out a deep breath from her mouth. "Well I guess you really love her don't you?" She chuckled in a somewhat sad voice, looking straight into my eyes as I stood motionless - laughing at what she'd just said."More than you can imagine Shelly" I managed to say as my laughing subsided."Well I'm -- sorry I was a jerk by trying to ruin what you both have." Shelly said, sounding remorseful while fidgeting her fingers as she spoke. Then she lowered her hands and narrowed her gaze on mine with a serious look on her face, saying "And yes... I want you to be happy so -- you have my permission dating Chloe but please, don't break her heart or I will never forgive you."Her last response was a sign of truce - that we were now even and no more grudge which I found very satisfying as it broke a broad smile on my lips."Thank you" I replied in a very low hearty voice and hugged Shelly - pulling away quickly when I heard footsteps approaching towards the kitchen."Um, can I come in?" Chloe's low voice sounded faintly inside the kitchen from where she stood in the centre of the doorway - giving two light taps on the door that immediately drew our attention."Chloe... My bad, so sorry I left you in the palour all by yourself" I chuckled with an amused shake for my head while moving forward to meet her."Here you go" Shelly said softly as she approached - holding the small sized tray on both hands with two filled glasses of fruit drink on it."Thank you" I said with a wide grin, handing Chloe a glass before carrying the other one. "So let's go to the palour?" I urged courteously, moving out of the kitchen entrance before turning to look at Chloe who was still standing to look at Shelly."Aren't you joining us?" Chloe asked politely to Shelly who only shook her head in refusal and laughed before folding her arms, saying. "To sit with you guys in the palour? Nope -- am not ready to let you guys bore me with your unending love talks... Just go on, I'll catch up later""Okay" Chloe laughed and turned to follow me back to the palour.*****"You have such a lovely house" Chloe complimented as we lowered ourselves to sit on a two sitters couch."Well, still can't compare it with yours" I chuckled in a friendly tease, taking a sip of my fruit drink before turning my head to look at Chloe who was now smiling as she sat mute.Then I snapped my right finger in recollection when Chloe's previous statement rang in my head."Aha, I almost forgot. You said -- you had something Important to tell me. I hope is not about your dad considering on firing me for not coming to work?" I asked, adjusting my body on the couch so I could fully face her."No... No, that's not reason.." Chloe started to say in between her muffled laugh and took one last sip of her drink before dropping the glass cup on the side stool beside the couch."Pheww...some relief. So what's the Important message because am really -- really itching to hear it." I chuckled, leaning by back comfortably on the couch while slowly raising my glass to take a sip with my gaze still leveled on Chloe who sat with her hands clamped together - facing me fully before clearing her throat to speak."I'm pregnant Liam" Her nervous voice broke out, filling my ears as soon I took a sip of my drink with the frightening weight of her words tightening my throat - making it hard for me to even swallow the drink which in turn began to choke me."What?" I gasped, coughing hard as I leveled my glass immediately on the stool beside me before giving Chloe a frozen stare.I was shaken by the unexpected reveal. We only made out once in her playhouse -- well, yes it was unprotected but even at that, I wasn't expecting her to stay without taking a preventative pill or something!"Are you okay Liam?" Chloe asked immediately as she drew closer on the couch - placing both hands on my right arm while I struggled to abate the cough which had my face red like I was choking to death."Am... Am fine." I stuttered in a strained voice - clearing my throat hard as I leveled my gaze on Chloe who gave me a faint smile. "So you're pregnant?" I repeated as though I didn't hear her clearly the first time."Hm-mm" she hummed softly with a convincing nod of her head. But I wasn't too convinced; what if she was just pulling a prank on me? No! I doubt she was -- her facial expression was too serious to be telling a lie!"But how -- I mean we only had sex once, and that was two week ago" I muttered almost inaudibly, crashing my back on the couch while slowly rubbing my forehead with my right palm in a pondering manner. I was beginning to feel weak with my temperature slowly rising like I was becoming sick.How will my mom react if she found out that I slept with my employer's daughter and got her pregnant?! Even the mere thought of it sent chilly shivers down my spine."Well, I um... I felt curious day before yesterday and bought a pregnancy test kit at a pharmacy -- you know, that toothbrush looking kind of stuff" Chloe informed calmly with a shrug of her shoulders and paused to give me a searching stare.I only nodded my head at her, urging her to keep going as if I understood what she was saying when infact -- i was totally clueless and confused. This was my first time hearing of 'pregnancy kit', not to talk of knowing how it looked like!"...so I urinated on it and I got two red lines --which meant that I was pregnant" She concluded and forced a nervous smile on her face.The word 'pregnant' made my heart sink each time it came out of Chloe's lips - clouding my head with so many worrisome thoughts."Um... What do we do now?" I asked, sounding a bit jittery and desperate as I sat upright to face Chloe who immediately adjusted herself to give me a suspecting look."Are you suggesting I get rid of it?" She asked with curiousity in her tone of voice.So I shrugged my shoulders and said in a cowardly voice "ermm... If it's okay by you. And besides, I don't think it's best keeping it since you'll be taking your exa...""Stop Liam!" She blurted in interruption, sounding very annoyed before springing up from the couch."So what do you want to do, Keep it?" I choked out in frustration - standing up after Chloe who turned to face me."Yess" she answered bluntly to my face, making me feel faint in petrifying shock -- not quite the response I was expecting to hear!"What about your parents? Aren't you bothered because I am... Mine too, my mom -- we barely have enough to even consider taking care of a child" I lamented almost breathlessly in a low voice - lowering my gaze in worry.Then Chloe moved closer with a consoling smile on her face and cupped my cheeks with both hands - slowly lifting my head so our eyes could meet.I was startled to see that she was more reserved than I was - like she wasn't bothered about the pregnancy. Well, why should she when she was from a rich family who could cater for her needs."Look, I know this might be hard on the both of us -- but in a way, I'm glad it kind of happened" she whispered to my face in a soft calm voice."Why will you say that?" I asked immediately, pulling my head back from her touch with a confused look."Well..." Chloe started to say with a shrug as she retreated a step back from me. "Atleast now that I'm pregnant -- maybe I won't have to marry Kelvin, because I don't want to""But -- that will mean your parent knowing about the pregnancy" I groaned in regrets."Yes.." Chloe's breathless voice broke out as she moved a step closer. "Which is why I want us to tell them together" She added with a soft smile that only heightened my nervousness - causing my eyelids to blink rapidly in panicking shock."What!... Are you thinking straight Chloe? Meeting your parent about the preg..." I growled to Chloe's face in a terrified voice and paused instantly when the palour door squeaked open with my mom entering - gently closing the door behind her with a broadened smile on her face the moment she saw us standing closely together. She was back from shopping, holding to large stuffy polythene bags on both hands and sluggishly moved towards our direction when I...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
"Someone thinks he can make a fool of me""What do you mean?" I asked, gently dropping the mower on the floor with a nervous look on my face."Don't fu*king ask me to explain myself" Kelvin growled under his clenched teeth - pointing his right index finger at me as he took a step closer. "I thought I warned you to stay clear of Chloe? -- but it looks to me...""She only wanted to ask me if I was going to be working tomorrow which I told her no" I lied in interruption, trying to sound as convincing as possible while fixing my eyes on Kelvin who slowly lowered his right hand and scoffed."Don't forget, I'll be watching" Kelvin threatened in a low concluding voice, wearing a mischievous smirk on his face and patted me twice on my left shoulder before turning to leave.I heaved out a deep breath after he left. For a split second I thought he was going to confront me about my phone call with Andrew. But clearly, he had zero knowledge of that!'Make all the threat you want, soon -- this wil
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
"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
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
"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