"Eddie, I forgot to lock my door. I have to go now…" Knowing that no excuse could work, Loreen said but was interrupted by Jack, "When I called you, I was at your door. When you told me you were not around, I decided to help you lock it, here is the key."
Loreen took the key in a small embarrassment. She took her glass of wine before looking at Eddie whose expectant gaze had never left her. She heaved a heavy sigh and smiled, "Eddie, I come from Ale, the district in the north of Thism District. There, love is one thing hard to find. Hatred is brewed there and people drink it with passion. A little jealousy can warrant one's death." At this time, her smile had long faded and sadness had taken over her face. She lowered her head, trying to control the tears that were on the verge of flowing.
"Apart from my dear mother and siblings, no one has ever showed me love in this world. When I came to Noya, I believed things would change and finally, I would find love. I have found but many have not been without benefit. I just found out that one was never even real and I had laid my feelings upon love that would eventually kill me. You are the only one who has been genuine with me. If you were never there, I wouldn't have believed in love. When I heard something terrible a few hours ago, all I wanted to know was whether you were alive or not."
She paused for them to process what she had just said. The three seconds that passed seemed to be too long for the two of them since Jack stood with a scowl and asked, "What did you hear?"
"Jack, someone wants Eddie dead. The person confessed to me."
"Who is that someone." Jack asked. This time, he was oozing an intimidating aura making him look more like a savage beast than a human.
"It is…" Loreen tried opening her mouth to mention the person's name but she could not bring herself to say it. It was not that she did not want to say the name, it was because she could not.
"It is?" Jack urged impatiently. "I can't." Loreen broke into tears. She stood and tried calling the name but failed.
"She is under a spell. She won't be able to tell us the name of the person." Eddie revealed a knowing smile. When Loreen heard her, she fell on Jack's chest. The latter hugged her and gave her back consoling pats.
"Eddie, I am so sorry I cannot tell you. I can only ask you to be very careful. Not everyone is a friend. I was warned against telling you but I have done it anyway. I just hate it that I cannot say the name of the person. I do not know what is going to happen to me after this. Just know that I will always be there whenever you need help…" When she left Jack's embrace, she tearfully told Eddie.
The day had decided to give him torture. He just wanted someone to make him laugh to feel any better. Jack had been doing that just before Loreen came in. Her message justified the presence of the lady he had found in his house earlier that day. He could not help but wonder who wanted him dead.
"It is alright, Loreen," He walked towards her before giving her a tight hug, "When we came from class today, I met the lady who was supposed to kill me. She spared me for reasons best known to her. I will be a lot careful from today onwards."
"You better be. I do not want to lose you; you are too important to me."
"You will not, Loreen. You are a good friend."
"Now, allow me go back to my room. We will talk more tomorrow." After staying in Eddie's embrace for a few minutes, she wiped out her tears and bid the two goodbyes.
As soon as she left, Jack gave Eddie an indignant look, "Brother, why didn't you tell me someone was here and she wanted to kill you?"
"Brother, I did not want to worry you."
"What do you mean by not wanting to worry me? I am your brother and your problem is mine. What if she killed you, what do you think would have happened with me?"
"Brother, today has been overwhelming and I am sorry I did not tell you. There is something else I need to tell you." Eddie's eye started wetting.
"What is it?" Jack took Eddie's hand and pulled him to one of the sofas where he sat beside him and paid attention.
"It is like this…"