The next morning the news of the theft at the punt-taking event was taking over the headlines. Just then I got the notification of $100,000,000 deposited in my bank account. I didn't want mom to know how much I had earned so I made sure to warn Hellen to tell her a smaller amount than I actually had. The next week we were planning to meet up again to celebrate our win. Last night seemed like a dream. I imagined myself running hand in hand with Leo, laughing and cheering in the car with others, and then Oliver. My blood froze when I remembered that. I should have completely killed him. What if he remembers my face? Was he even alive? I prayed not.
* * * *
Jay: We are here. Waiting for you. Hurry up! We are at the rooftop.
Jay messaged me so I fastened my pace and drove to the place faster. I was alone in my car, which was a big risk since I had been recently involved in a big theft, but I made sure some of my guards kept close in other cars. I arrived at the place and quickly headed towards the rooftop. Everybody turned to look at me as I stepped in and welcomed me with smiles. The brightest one was obviously Leo's. I grinned back and seated myself on one of the spare seats which was between Leo and Jacob. Just then Eden hissed a defeated sigh and Leo smiled broadly. "I win. Now give me my money."
"What money?" I asked. "Nothing," Jay said and continued to move to lighter topics for conversation. We ordered loads of food and dug right in. We were guffawing and taunting and teasing one another. "Hey you dropped this," Leo suddenly stated holding my earing.
"Oh g-" ignoring me he moved closer and slipped the earing into my pierced ear, his cold fingertips sending tingles down my spine. Everybody else on the table including me was stunned. I didn't say anything. Heat crept into my cheeks and I had to look down, embarrassed. "T-thank you, " I muttered. Jacob had a nasty smile on his small face. Leo just acted like nothing happened so I decided to move on too. For some reason Eden and Jay didn't seem to. They stared for some more time before finally moving and concluding it was time for us to leave as it was getting late.
I left first and on my way stopped to use the bathroom. Once I was out, my heart almost exploded seeing Jay standing there. "Phew, you scared me. What's up with the strict look?" I said.
"Just wanted to umm.. make some things clear," He started. "I see you getting really close to Leo, which I have no problem with personally." I could tell he didn't mean what he said.
"But there is a small problem. In the rival world you know our history with Leo's mob hasn't been great. Of course it can change now but remember, my mob should be your mob's first priority. We have had perpetual friendship since day 1 and you know our Dads wouldn't like this to end. Stay alert, you never know what goes inside a mafia's head and Leo is no exception"
His words now truly and for the first time sounded like they were coming from a mafia leader. He looked... scary. "Hey, you know I care about my dad's will. Don't worry, I won't leave your side. Plus I don't think Leo could do any harm," Jay raised his eyebrow on my last sentence. "But of course I'll keep my guards up," I quickly added and left.
At home I got a text message from Leo. He apologized for making me feel uncomfortable during the lunch. I quickly denied it and thanked him for finding my expensive earing. "Why are you smiling?" Mom asked coming from the kitchen. She was in an exceptionally good mood today.
"Oh, it's nothing," Just then Jay's previous words replayed in my head. What would be mom's reaction if she knew Leo was closer to me than Jay. What were Leo's real motives? I shook away the thoughts. Him helping me wear my earing shouldn't conclude so many bad scenarios. He was just funnier and better than the others and whatever his motives were shouldn't harm me or involve me in harming anybody. I knew what I was doing.
* * * *
Leo and I stood in a wide open field under the pearl-like moon. We were not alone, behind us stood a large army for fighting someone. I squinted my eyes to see through the mist and saw Jay standing there with his army. Before the fight could start the scene changed in front of my eyes. I was in an old and dusty warehouse with debris scattered all over the floor. I was injured and my hand was bleeding. Instantly Leo appeared from behind me, holding my hand. He tore his shirt from the bottom and wrapped it around my wound. "Keep your head low, ok? Stay in the hiding," He reminded me and before leaving turned back to kiss me.
After he left, I soon heard a loud bang on the warehouse and multiple crashes outside. "Leo!" I screamed. Everything was silent again. I ran out to look for Leo and what I saw knocked the oxygen out of my lungs. No man was there. I ran around looking for Leo but no one heard me. I also called Jay multiple times before my foot got stuck in something and I fell down hard. This caused my wake up, sweating. What was up with my brain?
I ran out to get some fresh air. I was thinking too much about this. It was nothing. Jay's words were useless, creating nothing but difficulties and unease for me. Without thinking, I went back to my room and grabbed my phone. I opened Leo's chat and before I had time to think straight, I texted him: Hey, this might sound ludicrous but help me clear my mind. What are your real motives? Why are you being so nice, is there a sinister reason behind all this?
I regretted this as soon as I hit send. And before I had time to delete the message, he replied back...