13. CAFE ROYALE

I gulped heavily. 

I wasn't expecting her answer to be so sharp. It cut through me like a hot knife through the rubber.

"So, he kills and stuff like that, huh?"

"Of course, a guy like him would kill. Ever seen a thief that has high moral holdings?"

My dad used to say that just like good things are related, bad things are found closely stuck together. On the general moral bar with which bad acts were judged, I suppose stealing and killing were sitting pretty much close to each other.

That means that there is a possibility that Leo is also a murderer. I gulp down heavy saliva. 

He could kill me.

I could as well be the most unlucky lass in the whole of Gayville.

"Why are you asking though?" Sophia's voice cut through my thoughts. "Are you scared he'd come back for you?"

"What? No... No." I stutter." No, I was just curious."

"Don't fret, darling. As you said, he only came to your place to retrieve his jacket. The policemen could have gotten hold of it and perhaps, gotten something if they checked his body fluids or something. That way they would have a lead on the case or better still, know who he is and go after him. He's smart if I say so myself"

If he's that smart, that meant that in the first place, he knew that he could be in trouble if the authorities got hold of his clothing. Why then did he leave it with me still? 

My mind debated between him being not as smart as Sophia said and him intentionally leaving the jacket with me so that he'd have a reason to visit my home later. But if he returned, only because he was scared of his stuff getting into the hands of the police, then why didn't he come to get it from Sophia's house? Surely, he must have known that it was at Sophia's that day. Or was he unsure about being able to break the security at the mayor's house?

That was most unlikely. Tales about him suggest that he could break into the core of the English empire and go uncaught.

Why did he risk getting caught?

I fake a smile. "Of course not, I'm not scared at all. I have you? Remember?" 

But he told me not to leave. He said that it wasn't him that mugged my house. 

To believe him or not?

The image of him punching the pervert guy from The wreakin' surfaced again. 

I believe him.

It's crazy and you think I'm stupid, but I believe him.

Why would a thief care about what I thought about him? Why would he want to clarify the fact that he wasn't the one who broke into my house and upturned it?

It was not enough still. That night, a theft occurred at The wreakin'. Leo must have been the preparator of the theft.

"By the way, what's up with the guy from the club?" I change the topic.

"Bale? His father is the owner of JK chemicals. The fucktards pulled strings and flashed money. They are asking to settle. I wasn't going to tell you yet because I'm still opposing."

"Sounds like I wasn't the only one with secrets."

"Common, it's not a secret."

"Tell them I want ten thousand dollars in compensation," I say. Sophia turned to me with a face. "Yeah, ten thousand." I reiterate.

"You're crazy. Since when? What about making him pay?"

I sigh. "I need money. It's the reason I'm going to Hamburg and going on this blind date for you even though I said I was over that life."

"Whatchu need money for? What are you going to do in Hamburg?"

"I got transferred." It was the easiest and most uncomplicated way I could deliver the news. "To Hallow-hospital," I added, for emphasis. I didn't know how I was to begin to explain that I didn't want the transfer but somehow, I had to accept it. I'll just leave her to believe the hospital was in charge of it.

"Da actual? That's crazy babes. Of all places. Are you okay?"

"What? I'm fine, common. I'm not a teenage girl anymore."

"Says the girl that can't live in the town where her father lived and worked." She scoffed.

"That's why I need money. Because I do not have a choice now. I'm thinking of moving."

"Because of this issue?"

"Partly. And also because I need to be close to work." I reach for my phone and peered at the screen. "Don't we have somewhere to be?"

"You broke your phone? How?" Heat instantly crept up my cheeks at her question. I struggled to give her an answer. "Huh, you're flushed. Why? She said again, looking at my face from side to side.

What was I to say? That the phone unknowingly slipped from my hand during an intense make-out session with the Leo guy she and her work colleagues are eager to find? 

I'll rather not take my ulcer medications.

"Ugh, somehow. It slipped and fell. Another thing on the list I need money for. As well as Jake's broken computer." It wasn't a lie. I was just being economical with the truth. "So, who is this guy we're going to deceive this time around?"

"Just some guy. I heard he's a loser and his family is just looking for a wife for him simply because they're wealthy. Y'know, to cover up for him and mummy him."

"By rich, how rich? And how much of a loser?

"Very rich. On a scale of one to ten, thirteen."

I laugh. "Can I have his file"

"I didn't bring anything. You don't need it, girl. I didn't even go through it myself. Just go in there and fuck things up."

I took another look at the phone. 4:30, the time said. "We have barely thirty minutes. Where's the place?"

"Cafe Royale. He picked it out."

Wants it to be on his turf, I see.

"Alright, let's go."

I was in a cheap off-the-rack blue floral dress that reached a little below my knee and brought out my not-so-pale complexion. That is as much effort as I put in. 

My hair was in a proper bun atop my hair and I had no earrings on or any jewelry for that matter. With my round glasses, accentuating the weirdo and nerdish look I was targeting, the exact types spoilt brats like him disliked, I'm sure I won't be spending up to ten minutes with the man.

Nothing irks a man like showing him you didn't even make efforts to please him, says Sophia. 

I've confirmed her words in a few good times.

"Let go, Sophia. I plan to resume work tomorrow. Let's clear this up." 

For the next twenty minutes, we drive to the venue.

Cafe Royale stood beautiful when I finally saw it.

Again, it was not the type of place I would be at on a regular day. I don't think I could afford even the least expensive snack they serve there.

Before I alight, "What's the essentials? I almost forgot." I ask.

"Sebastian Lee, that's his name. Table number seven in the VIP section."

"Lee? Sounds weird."

"Yeah, I agree. Like the name of an Asian fugitive." She shrugged.

I shook my head and opened the car door. "I'll see you in a jiffy."

The doorman gave me a look over once I stood before him. He seemed to not believe that a woman of my appearance will be at the cafe.

"Hello," I say, causally.

Catching himself, he stuttered as he responded to my greetings while at the same time, opening the door wide for me to pass through.

With a smile, I walk into the enormous place. A lady approached me immediately. She was prim in her uniform and her bright red lipstick made her soft on the eyes.

"Good evening ma'am." She began. "Welcome to Cafe Royale. We're pleased to have you." She didn't seem fazed by the clothes I was wearing and just kept her eyes trained on my face. In fact, even if she was surprised, she did a good job hiding it.

I nod again before saying, "I have a reservation."

"Table number?"

"Seven."

"VIP, I presume?"

"Of course."

"This way, please." She said, directing me to a corner where I took the stairs to the upper part of the Cafe. There, I met another lady who showed me to table number seven and asked if I wanted anything. I told her I hadn't decided but she could bring me a glass of water.

I waited for a few minutes, smiling at the fact that this guy decided to keep Sophia waiting. I couldn't wait to see what Sophia's reaction would be when I filled her in.

On the first sip of my water, I heard the deep masculine voice.

"Hello."

I turn around.

Holy Moses!