"You have certainly replaced your heart with a stone now haven't you Tony Martin?", I asked in anger as soon as I just budged into his house and found him peacefully having tea with his extended family full of different generations. No wonder his thinking was outdated. How on earth would civilization ever make way to this eighteen fifty's own grand palace?
"What? What are you talking about?",he asked getting up from where he sat and walked toward me to the door. I really got sick of this man. Here he is playing ignorant as though I was just some mad girl leveling accusations against him which he had no idea of.
"Don't play ignorant with me. Let your previous generations know that they gave birth to hooligans one of which is you!",I pointed a finger at him. He widened his eyes at my warning and lifted up his hands.
"Why don't you come in and we can talk it over...",one of the elderly suggested. I don't have time to sit down and talk. If their son wanted to sit down and talk, he wouldn't just burst out of nowhere and send goons after me. If he was as descent as the family he had, he would think of talking about whatever issues he had with me rather than taking such a life risking step.
"No...I don't have time to sit down. Tony didn't have time to sit down and discuss.....all he did was to send goons after me and my happily, loving boyfriend when we went for a walk at Sander's Peak!!",
"Oh My Word Prim....how can you accuse me of that?", he asked wearing this surprised expression on his face as if he knew nothing about it. The more he did that, the more I got colder. Anguish and vengeance running in my blood feeding my mind with all manner of words. I didn't want anymore of this drama plus this ancient part of life was beginning to chock me. I just had to do what I came here for and leave before I end up doing something I'd regret.
"Tony... Is what this fine lady is saying true? Did you really send goons after her?",
"No nanny Vanel...it's not true... I didn't do that. I'd never do that!", he rejected making me clasp my fingers together in a fist. I walked to where he was and punched his face. I wasn't helpless as he thought I was.
"First you take my best friend away from me and now you want to take my boyfriend away and then you say you like me....are you mad!! You certainly must be mad. But get one thing straight...am not as helpless as you think I am. I am not a damsel in distress okay....and even if I were....you'd never be the one that comes to my rescue...never! Don't make the mistake of thinking you can just get through to me anytime you want...let this serve as a warning",I stood back and turned around to leave when someone grabbed my hand. I turned around and was about to land in a surprise slap but my battle instincts sensed it quicker and I grabbed her hand squeezing her bangles making them break, leaving a tear on both her wrist and my hand. I guess we both got something to remember this day by.
"How dare you just come with accusations against my son? From the first time you came in this house I knew there was something odd about you. I didn't want my son to ever confine in you...you're one of those treacherous snakes that.....",
"Hey....",I quickly cut her. "I don't blame your son for being a lunatic you know why....he takes it from you...like mother like son....disgusting....", I shut her up and headed for the door. I quickly went out and walked my way through the dark lane out of the gate of the Virginia Colony. I came as a guest and now I came as the accuser. The last time I came, it was lovely. Admiring the kitchen, the place and having a good time with family. I admit I really enjoyed my first visit here but now...I didn't. Last time I was the visitor but this time I came like an FBI detective with jurisdiction. Of course I didn't get most of what I wanted but it made me happy that I let my anger out. I didn't want to die of trauma just because I kept it all in and it tensed me up. I didn't want that.
I walked all the way to outside the gate quickly looked at the flowers because I was never going to come back to this horrid place. I walked outside the gate and into the dark. I had to sneak out of my house in the night so that I come all the way to tell this man off. I'd been waiting so hard for this moment. A day ago Omar was attacked and it got me by surprise how he was the only one hit. Worst of all, one of the men reminded the friend that the girl needed to be safe meaning it was all a conspiracy and I didn't like the sound of it. Only Tony would think of something as evil as that. I knew he was hatching something with Natasha and this is what it cost him. I looked at the road and no glimpse of fear existed in my heart. I felt like I'd take anything that came my way so I had to. I just had to and was going to. I walked all the way to the shade beside the road and sat down for a while.
Anger, pain ,sorrow, all flushed into my mind at once. I wasn't sure if I wanted to be angry or sad. I was so indecisive about this thing. I ran my hands in my hair completely lost. I screamed out loud to let the havoc in my heart escape through my yells. I started crying as I couldn't understand how it all happened. First we went to Disneyland and secondly we get attacked. Our going to Disneyland must have affected Tony so much that he plotted to kill Omar... I felt bad for Lizzie. She didn't know how carnivorous her so called boo was. If only she knew.
I just don't understand one thing though, how did Tony know that I went to Disneyland and to Paris? How did he even know that I would be at Sander's Peak that night and set us up? How did he retrieve all this information and from whom? Liam would never do that. I trust him a lot. Besides, why would he attack Omar? I had to start thinking like a detective. I got up from my seat and started walking while cracking my brain.
Liam was Omar's best friend and almost brother. He loved him so much and would do anything for him. He's surely the only person Omar would trust with all his money and his life and his possessions. But, as much as he is good,he could be another wolf in sheep's skin. Maybe when Omar took me to such charming places, he thought Omar might change his mind and make me his overseer. Liam didn't get around with that and might have plotted to kill his friend before he even changed the documents. Possible!
Or it could be Cass. I know for a fact that this girl-friend of mine likes Omar although I don't have any solid proof. She must have grown jealous of our association which was of course growing at a vast state. I don't think Omar ever took her to Disneyland or Paris and she grew jealous because he took me and hence might have hired some goons to harm him to get even for the pain she was feeling. So....She told the goons not to harm me so that she sees the pain across my face when I see Omar in that condition. And then she'd have had her revenge. Wow....Possible too!
Unless....it was my aunt! She was at my house when I was leaving for Sander's Peak. Now this makes sense. She must have found it as an opportunity to once and fall all eliminate this man that hooked her niece and free her from his grip. She must have sent the goons right after I went outside the door. She initially didn't like Omar so would do anything to get him out of the picture. In fact, it makes sense that she wouldn't want me to get hurt that's why she decided to order the goons not to hurt me.
Wow! I have three suspects! I just have to find the real culprit.
One of these is the one who leaked the information to Tony and he completed the whole scheme. And in the end..I'd be broken leaving me at Tony's disposal. My goodness.
I breathed in and out relaxing my heart. I had a very big case and I needed to get to the bottom of it. No one just gets robbed in these days. It always is a conspiracy and worst of a place like Sander's peak wasn't a place someone would get robbed or killed. Someone really had this planned. But who??? Who is this man that's wearing a mask?
"What are you doing here?", a shiver ran down my legs after I heard a male familiar voice from behind me. I turned around and saw Liam. He was in his car. After he saw me, he stopped and took steps toward me. He looked so dashingly sizzling in his tux. It suited him as though he was born with it. I wanted to ask what was the occasion but I realised I was already in the middle of another question and I had to answer it first.
"I was....",I began and was about to tell him the truth when I stopped myself. Since I didn't trust anyone,I did have to disclose my thoughts to anyone. What if I tell it to the wrong person and they become alert and find alternative ways of hiding? No,I can't tell him now...not now.
"Prim! What are you doing here?", he asked again a bit curious this time.
"I ...er.... I was...well....",I played with my fingers while looking for a good convincing lie which I couldn't find.
"Well?",
"Can you give me a lift home? Please...",I changed the topic and walked toward the car. I quickly got in and minutes later he also got in. He drove off and I was so scared to even start a conversation.
"So.. Where are you going?",I asked while looking outside. I wasn't ready for any weird expressions.
"It's mine and Cass's third anniversary today. So she invited me for dinner at her place....", he explained. He seemed happy about it. I didn't. Isn't it supposed to be just a two people thingy?
"Wow...congrats...but isn't it supposed to be just you and her...you know....why would you want company?",I asked.
"Well....whatever makes her happy...it's okay. I don't really earn as much money as your boyfriend does so I didn't really plan such a grand thing", he explained making me giggle. I loved the fact that Liam was sincere and honest. He understood that he couldn't afford anything huge and grand and so he chose to do it the way she wanted. He didn't even push himself to get a lot of money just to spoil Cass. That's thoughtful of him. And I also got an answer. Liam was out. He'd never want to kill Omar. He's not after money. All he wants is friendship. Oh Liam.!
"Thanks....",I smiled. He really made my job easier. I was down to two suspects. Cass and Vanessa.
"For what?", he asked and I went speechless again as I didn't know what to say.
"Um....nevermind. So what's the gift you got for Cass?",I asked driving his attention away from my weirdness tonight. "Well.. I've always wanted to take her to Pierre's Moonlight. That's her favorite hotel. She loves all the French accent and theme around the place. We've only seen it on TV and magazines but it's as if she had already lived there...", he laughed forcing me to fake a laugh too. So even Cass had a secret side. I didn't know. This jovial girly side of hers that wasn't as horrible as her other side which she shows us everyday.
"I think I'd help with that....my aunt is the manager there. It belongs to her half brother actually,my uncle Pierre... ",I explained it to him. He looked at me mouth agape and brought us to a sudden stop. He stepped on the break to stop the car making sure he sees if he got me clearly.
"Are you sure?", he asked.
"Yeah and next time please be careful. I don't wanna die yet", I gave him an angry bird look and he grinned. He started the car again.
"Can you really help?"
"Sure.....I can just ask my aunt to book a reservation for you guys and you can go...free of charge...", I explained, rubbing my chin as I explained the last part. He smiled and agreed with what I just said. I felt sorry that he couldn't do what he wanted to do for her. He didn't even want to ask for money from Omar because he want to spoil her with his very own money. But now that am here....I can be a fairygod mother and a friend as well. I wanted him to be happy. I really wanted to. He took care of Omar a lot and this is what I could do to repay him. I looked at him and I could really see the face like that of Gabriel. I wish I was related to him. I really wish I were. Cass was really lucky to have him. Really really lucky. I couldn't have him as a relative or a boyfriend. But I was graced with him as a friend and I'll always be thankful for that. Tears gathered in my eyes but I quickly pushed them away. I felt sad and ashamed for ever doubting him. How could I?
"Are you okay?",he asked after he noticed my odd silence and sniffs to avoid my tears from coming out.
"Yeah...I am...", I replied hiding behind my hair that covered my face from the side which he was looking at me. I noticed he brought us to a stop and I went out of the car to quickly fix my face before he comes out and notices everything. I heard the door from his side bang and I knew he was out.
"I brought us to Cass's place in case you wanted to say hie. I can quickly take you back if you dont think-",
"No no...it's okay", I cut him. I lead us to the house and rang the door bell. I fixed his bowtie like a mom on her son's wedding. I smiled at him and he smiled back. I stood beside him and waited for the door. It opened eventually and we went in. It was dim with red candles lit. It was...wow! I don't even know where to start from describing the whole room;just know that it looked amazing. The whole sitting room was changed and had a table set in the centre for two.
"Wow....you did this Cass?",I asked. She was looking beautiful in her long dinner dress and her short hair in curls at the back. She combed and straightened the front strands into a fringe. She looked magnificent. However she didn't seem pleased with my presence. She didn't smile at me or show any signs that she had welcomed me to her home. It was my first time being here officially,unlike last time when I only invited her to Natasha's party from the doorstep. I really expected her to be all jovial about it but anyway.... Maybe because of the anniversary that's why she can't. She must be all scared and anticipating for the gift Liam got for her. I wanted to stay to when he tells her he's taking her to Pierre's Moonlight but I knew I had to leave.
"Why....you don't like it? It's okay....we can't afford trips around the world but when with each other, it's just like a trip across the universe in itself. No rocket required...",she replied. I knew what she meant by that but I chose to understand it in a different way. What she just said was romantic. They didn't need money to go through each and every so called fancy place on earth. They just needed each other and that was good enough than a trip across the universe. I really felt good that she thought that way although she wasn't exactly implying that. I waved at Liam and saw myself out. I walked all the way home and tried not to make any noise that would awaken the cat. It was almost midnight and so I just sat on my window....and looked at the stars because somewhere...I knew someone was doing the same thing.
*****
"Prim....I swear it wasn't me!",Tony kept shouting and following me around the coffee shop. I found him waiting for me on the door as if I was some one who carried his heart around with me and he needed it back. I couldn't understand this man. Why can't he just admit to his crime? I was angry with him for running around me like some chipmunk and making those noises in my ear. Everyone came out from wherever they were to watch the drama this mad man was causing.
"I swear upon your life Prim...I didn't do it. I swore on your life because I know you'd believe me then. I can't lie and swear upon your life. I love you that much!", he said not noticing what he just said. I saw Natasha gasp and Lizzie too. She sat on the nearby chair for support as she couldn't believe what her boyfriend was saying.
"Prim...I admit...I lied to Lizzie that you came to Krazy Kangaroo with me. I lied about that. I even lied that you came to my place for them to like you and win them over...I lied about that too. In fact, I even dated your friend just to get you jealous. Maybe when you see me with her you'd like me. But it didn't work. You'll never like me!",he began confessing his sins of which some of them got me surprised. He was leading my friend on?! How dare he!? She loved him and this is what he does to her? Oh God. At least I knew this man wasn't to be trusted but I was worried about Lizzie. What must she have been going through?
"I'd never want to take away your happiness Prim. I know you love Omar and am okay with that....I'd never take him away from you.....", he said. I carefully listened to him in case he gives me a hint that he didn't do it. And he did! His speech was so accurate. I couldn't sense any contradiction or.....lies. No fear or anxiousness. No depression or vibrations from the nervousness within. My mother told me than an absence of all this meant someone was telling the truth. Instantly, I just felt he was telling the truth. That means Tony didn't attack Omar. If it wasn't him then who? This is a huge mess. I went to his house and caused drama when he was actually innocent! Oh No. I sat down and reflected on it. Cass said something that made me believe it wasn't even her. She didn't mind going around the universe but being in a place with Liam. That's all she wanted. She didn't care about money....which means she wouldn't really attack Omar. Besides, if she liked him as I suspected why would she want him dead then? Doesn't make sense. For now,I'll cancel her out...although am not fully satisfied. That leaves me down to my aunt Vanessa...
"Prim believe me...I didn't do it...", he knelt down and touched my feet. I felt really bad. I wanted to help him get up and say I'd forgiven him but I felt someone telling me not to. No! I can't be weak now. I fought hard for this day to come and now that it was here,I wasn't going to do anything stupid. I took my legs from him and stood aside.
"It...was all a plan.. By-",
"Hey! Shut up okay!",guess who? Natasha fired at him. So...it was Natasha's plan! She gave herself away. She took Tony and dragged him to the kitchen. I followed and eavesdropped on their conversation.
"What are you doing? Do you want to expose our plan? We are almost tiny bit close to achieving our goal...and you went ahead and revealed everything...",she shouted at him.
"Prim thinks I attacked her and her boyfriend and all am doing is making her understand I didn't do it...", Tony cried.
"I know you didn't do it. If not us...Who else would be Prim's enemy?",she asked him. The exact question that I also had. Who?
"You believe me but Prim doesn't...I'll go right now and make her understand even if it means I have to beg...", Tony said and I turned around to run so that he doesn't catch me. I bumped into someone who was also eavesdropping on their conversation like I was. We both fell down and she got up and helped me get up too.
"Am so sor-",I began but stopped after I saw who it was. She had tears in her eyes and all she did was to quickly jump on me and brought me into the most romantic hug I've ever had. I understood what she was going through.
"Don't say it. I need to say it. Am so sorry....", she began while crying. I patted her on the shoulder and she broke the hug. She was about to start speaking when Tony came in our midst.
"Prim I really didn't do it. It wasn't me. I lied before but am not lying now....",he began but was answered by a slap from his very own girlfriend. More of ex girlfriend I guess...
"How dare you?", she asked giving another surprise slap. This time she used the back of her hand and I heard slaps from the back of the hand are the most painful. I felt like this was supposed to be between them so I went into the restaurant and found the big man,boss of the place in. Customers were leaving because of the fuss that was created and to him that was a loss.
"What's going on?",he asked.
"Goons were sent to attack Prim and her boyfriend and it has been discovered that they were sent by Tony and Natasha who had an alliance all this time to bring Prim down....", Agatha explained. Oh No. She was wrong. Tony didn't do it. Maybe Natasha but Tony was innocent.
"....Tony confessed that the alliance with Natasha was really there and that all this time he was bad mouthing Prim to Lizzie....",she explained further. She should have been a journalist. The way she explained as though she really knew what she was talking about and yet she just even heard.
After hearing that, he wasted no minute and immediately summoned Natasha and Tony. I eagerly waited to hear his final say. I had a feeling things would turn out in my favour but in an unfair manner.
"I already told you I do not want anyone bothering Prim but clearly you two seem like you don't really care about my word. Again and again I have repeated myself on this matter but to you it was just old man gibberish right? Well you must know one thing. When a cup gets full,it begins to overflow and that's what's happening now. Besides, I do not want criminals working in my place. How could you think of doing that? Who knows, one day you might just attack me on my way home and rob me of all my money since you are in charge ", he told us his mind while looking at Tony as he spoke the former and Natasha the latter as it suited the positions they held.
".... and so...I declare both of you Fired!", the statement echoed in my mind. Did he just do that? Did he just fire them? I breathed heavily and I could feel my self sweating. I didn't find them worth of that when I judged them but surprisingly he did. We really were different judges and we judged them differently.
"I'll call the police and if any of you has anything to say, say it at the police station...", he said leaving our midst. He went to the door and changed the cardboard from OPEN to CLOSED. I felt tension spreading across the room. One by one,they began to leave both customers and some of my workmates. I was afraid at the thought of jail. I've heard a lot of unpleasant stories about that place and I just couldn't imagine it turning this way. Natasha fully deserved to go to jail. She was a cunning, trickster who had a conniving mind. I trusted her no bit. Not at all. I bet she's even the one who influenced Tony to get involved in this killing me scandal.
"Primrose!",she called my name as she walked toward me. I made myself ready for whatever tantrum was was going to get thrown at me. I prepared myself to answer each and every question of hers with boldness and courage; so help me God.
"I have lost my dignity because of you....",she started immediately grabbing my hair and loosening it. Anger raced than my heartbeat and I immediately broke out and gave her a tight slap. Feels good to finally do that!
"Don't you dare point fingers at me. I lost my best friend because of you...now we are even!", I smiled and with my nose held up high, I looked at her. "What happened? Where's the blabber you always had escaping through your mouth that this was something.... A bomb I'd never dissolve. I admit I figured it out too late but guess what.....I didn't sweat for it...your very own partner gave you away. I can't wait to see you pay for your sins and rot in jail", I glared at her in this high pitched tone and turned around slapping her face with my hair.
"You won't get away with this. I swear on my mother's tomb. I won't hesitate to go as far as killing you...and trust me.....I won't send someone, I promise to kill you myself...",threat after threat she addressed them to me and I got really nervous. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. I didn't feel comfortable with this whole thing. Natasha and Tony were going to jail. Finally my life was free but I wasn't happy. I was supposed to be but I wasn't. Tony was telling the truth. He didn't do it. But until I found the one who really did it, I won't ever trust a word he says. He's taken me through a lot and I just can't handle that.
I went out and peeped through the door. The police were already here. That didn't take time as much as it does in movies. I could see his fingers getting handcuffed as well as hers. She looked back just one more time and straight at me. Her eyes met mine and I paused for a moment. It all became still and I got so scared. I was so afraid and I failed to turn away. It's as if her eyes were locked to mine and in the evil way not the romantic way. I trembled in fear and by the moment she still kept her eyes on me. I could feel them slice every flesh of my body. Separating them muscle by muscle. Fortunate enough, the police officer that had handcuffed her dragged her outside the van freeing me. I went back in and washed my eyes. I looked in the mirror and saw that they had redden. I was scared but I knew everything would be alright. I went to take my bag and headed for Omar's place.
*****
"How are you this morning?", he asked as soon as I got in. He smiled and I faked one. I didn't want him to know about the ultimate showdown that happened at my work place. If he knew that he'd hint that am not okay.
"Am alright....how are you?", I asked. "You know, am the one who's supposed to be asking how you are....". I really was the one.
"Oh it's okay...what difference does it make anyway. When am sick, we're both sick right?",he asked with this moonlight, sunshine attitude. Someone was happy and jovial. I raised my eyebrows and wore this expression that asked him why he was this happy. He didn't say anything but just smiled. He took me to the kitchen and aloha Scooby doo what an amazing breakfast was waiting for me. More of brunch though as it was in between. Late breakfast, early lunch. I dropped my bag on the floor and walked to the counter where the foods were. A bowl full of chocolate oats. On a side plate, grilled boerewors and on another right next to it two smoked chorizos. At the far end, was a number of bowls. One had diced apples and pineapples,another had sliced strawberries and grapes and the other had bananas and freshly looking papaya. In a glass, he poured a beautifully looking red thick juice. In another, a maroon thin drink and I knew it was wine. In another,a colourless liquid but I knew it wasn't water because the drink had bubbles all over it and definitely had it's fizz sticking around. I wondered what wine that was after I looked at it again... I looked again and I noticed my favorite chicken piece, the breast, well smoked and smelling in a manner that was luring me to it. And right in front of the table....were four cups with beverages. I looked at them and wow...I became speechless.
"That's plain milk...", he pointed at the first cup. "Then espresso, cattelatte, macchiato..", he pointed at each describing what he had made.
"Wow...you made this?",I asked picking the fork and stabbing a papaya cube which I quickly put in my mouth without waiting for a reply from him.
"...with my two hands...", he replied wiggling his fingers.
"Well thank you.... Are you trying to get me fat?",I asked completely lost in the full table. I couldn't eat all this.
"No...today's day number six...right? Surprise!!!", he shouted and grinned. I smiled shyly. I completely forgot. The sight of the food drove my attention away from the challenge and unto the food. I pulled the chair from under the table. I sat down with my hand leaning in the table only to push a plate which I forgot to look at and found two biscuits in them. I gasped. It was like each time I looked at the table I kept finding a new plate all together. I sat down, wore my bibi and started eating the food. Once I finish this I won't be able to eat for the next three days. I started slowly eating plate after plate.
Little by little sure does the trick and who knew I'd only remain with the three bowls of fruits after I had eaten almost everything on the table. I looked at the papaya and it was calling me to eat it. It looked so delicious and was constantly giving me an attractive look. Reluctantly, I brought the bowl near myself. I came to finish only the papaya and left the bananas there. I couldn't anymore. This was torture. The worst episode of man vs food.
I leaned on the table to rest. I heard Omar carrying the plates to the sink so that they get washed. I closed my eyes to sleep and trying not be modest but free.
Couple of seconds later, I heard someone waking me up and telling me someone was here to see me. Surprised, traumatized and tensed from sleep and the confusion to who this might be, I woke up and staggered to the living room only to find the treasure I never went to look for. I guess it noticed my reluctance and decided to follow me all the way. The joy when treasure follows you instead of you following it. I opened my eyes wide and sought to talk to this man. Gavin Adams.
"I heard you'd been attacked so I came to check on you...",he explained. "And your boyfriend of course..."
"Sure....", I added putting my hands in my pockets.
"Am so sorry bruh. Today's generation is evil and mischievous. The heart wants what it wants and you don't really know who it wants. Just forgive and let it go....",Gavin Adams said to Omar and that really got my attention. As far as it was concerned, it brought up a fight in me. It so much rang a bell and I cracked my brain hard remembering where I had heard it.
Oh Yes! One of those goons said that. He was like 'the heart wants what it want...that's what boss always says!' . I looked at Gavin with fright and fear as though he was performing an act of conjuring on me. I swallowed hard as I couldn't believe what my thoughts where driving at. I hoped I didn't calculate my math well because if I did,I certainly wasn't pleased with the answer.
"What.....what did you just say?", I asked walking toward him to make sure I completely understood his point and also tried no to blow up my cover. He looked at me and repeated what he said.
"This is an evil generation ",he pointed it out. Yeah it is...the evil that is lurking around and hovering over us is also eating with us in the same plate. Something was definitely not right here. I gave Gavin a look. I felt hot like I was in the same room with the devil. I so hoped I was wrong. So hoped I was wrong. I was afraid of what I would do when I'll end up being right.
"No after that... ",I asked trying to confirm my hypothesis. Liam looked at me and lowered his eyebrows. He was saying something but I couldn't understand what he was saying. My focus was on Gavin and finding a way out of this horrid deep hole resembling the eye of Horus. I blinked faster and swallowed hard each time. "The heart wants what it wants.....", Omar repeated the statement and I saw fright spread across his face. He also felt what I felt. He figured what I also figured. He completely understood me.
"Yeah man....the heart wants what it wants.....you never know what some people would do to get it...",Gavin explained himself and sat right next to Omar. I feared for Omar. I didn't want him anywhere near Gavin. I wanted him far away as far as Mars is from Pluto. Gavin was evil....for now! How does he know the same phrase that that goon said? Coincidence?? Maybe he knows the man who hired the goons or he was among the goons themselves. I rubbed my hands together trying to understand the whole story. I was about to walk right to him to confront him when Liam suddenly grabbed my hand and asked if he would talk to me. I was angry and displeased but he insisted and I followed him outside the room.
"What??", I asked.
"Why did you look at Gavin like that?",he asked looking firmly at me. "Are you trying to figure out who tried to murder you and your boyfriend?"
I looked at him speechlessly. How did he know that?
"....and what if I was?", I asked defensively. I didn't want to fully make him believe I was really trying to figure out who attacked me but at the same time trying to show my interest in doing the same.
"I know one thing is for sure....Tony didn't do it",he crossed his arms on his chest and leaned on the wall. I bit my lower lip trying to perceive his point of view. If Tony didn't do it then who?
"Who was the last person you talked to before leaving for Sander's Peak? Note this....I didn't know you were going to Sanders Peak. Omar didn't know. Cass didn't know too....and when I saw you loitering alone at night I knew something fishy was going on....", he took out his hands and rubbed his chin as though he was thinking of anything of greater importance. What he said really made sense.... All of my friends didn't know I was going to Sander's Peak and not even Omar because I just suggested that when I got in the car. He had no idea about it. Only Gavin and my aunt knew. They are the people I talked to before leaving.
"Well.....",he started it for me.
"I talked to my aunt and Gavin Adams", I recalled the whole incident and how it began. Gavin let me go ,just like that. He didn't insist that I stay. He led me right to the death trap.
"... And.....have you noticed anything Snoopy or snooty that is also connecting the dots here?", he asked. I really was surprised to how he knew all this but anyway. I wasn't interested in that right now. All I wanted was to get to the bottom of this matter.
"Yeah.... one of the men was like...'the heart wants what it wants' and he even said that's what boss always say",I replied.
"Oh did he?", he faked a surprise gesture and I raised an eyebrow. He shrugged and waved his hands in the air.
"So what do you draw from that?",he asked.
"Well....if this man said that's what his boss always and here we are with a friend that also uses the same phrase....", I stopped afraid of making a conclusion.
"It simply means this friend of ours is the boss",Liam made the conclusion for me. My legs became numb and I lost my balance. I fell against the wall and slid all the way down. I started feeling so hot;unbearably hot. It was followed by an intense thirst sensation which became worst. The air in the room became congested by betrayal reducing the oxygen concentration making me breathless. I started panting and waved my hand on my face trying to make my own breeze. It took me a while to fully understand that no one can be trusted. No one!!! I was shocked to hear that my best friend was actually my worst enemy. He is the real culprit here.
"Oh my Goodness I can't believe it.....that means.....the real culprit is.... Gavin Adams!!!", I cried.