It had been three days since I came here. They were feeding me twice and keeping me in the same room. I hadn't seen Eden or Jake again. If I did, I'd sure break one of their noses. One evening, Eden stepped in, I avoided looking at him. "You must be wondering why I am keeping you here. I have a wife and a baby boy" I was shook. Since when? "And that is the main problem. Since Jay found out, he won't stop trying to snatch my happiness away from me. That piece of crap! He deserves to rot in hell."
Then Eden grinned. "You hate him too, right?"
I stayed rigid, not saying nor doing anything.
"I'll take that as a yes. I need your help. He made you miserable, and now doing the same to me. Don't you think we need to teach him a lesson? How coward of you to run away like that. I didn't know you would do this. Poor man isn't that mighty without much of your support. Your assistant well, what was her name... Hellen? Yeah that, she's been trying to support him, emptying your treasury, they even put your mom in jail."
"They what?"
Eden shrugged, "The choice is yours, but you'll have to work with me for the rest of your life. Let's make it easier, you can make your own mob, but associate with me; just like you did with Jay."
"What happened to Leo's mob and his boss?" This question was lingering in my mind for a long time.
"His boss passed away with no heirs. The party is scattered, killing for the money. I think Jay is trying to gain control over them, maybe he already had. You never know what goes inside that fox's head." He stood up and carried on, "I'll give you some time to think about it. Tell me all you know about Jay-"
"How can I trust you?" I chipped in between.
"I don't know how to proof. Go with your gut, it's for your mom; and avenging your lover's blood. Your choice." Saying this, he retreated out the door.
I wanted to help him, and something told me we could succeed, but my trust issues made me take some time. Eden was chill about it though, in no hasten. The place/house I was in seemed like one of Eden's bungalows. Some most trusted men only visited, including Jake. So he was working under him now. I was curious as to how this happened, but I circumvented any interactions with him.
One evening however, I knocked Eden's library door. As I entered, I saw Jake standing there next to Eden. I coughed, "I need to talk to you."
"Go ahead," Eden replied.
"I don't trust some people. I wouldn't trust them even if I were you, they already are on no sides."
Hearing this Eden smirked and sent Jake out. "You really hate him now, don't you? Tell me, what is it?"
"How and when did Jake enter your mob?"
He slowly shook his head, "I don't think I'd tell you that. What else?"
"I don't think I'd help you," Eden's smile dropped.
He sighed, "Why?" I shrugged.
He exhaled again, "Why don't you take a seat?"
I sat down next to him. "Jake was trying to build his own mob, for years. Against Jay of course. They are actually step-brothers. Jay's grandfather had adopted Jake's dad. Rivalry increased between the two brothers as one of them looked down on the other. As Jake's dad died, Jay did the same to Jake. He would treat him not more than a mere slave. Any one would be pissed, so was Jake. In the midst of all this, I found out about Jake and his secret mob. It wasn't that strong at all, a man with zero experience, tsk what could you expect. So I blackmailed him into working with me. He didn't mean any harm to you. We all have an enemy for life and that is Jay, why not unite and wreck his gang. You are the key to all chamber of secrets. Lia, please say yes."
There was a small pose, Eden eyeing me waiting for a response. "Ok, I will help you. Only because of mom and... Leo." It had been a long time since I had said his name, it made my tongue quiver.
As I took my leave, stepping out of the room, I saw Jake standing there. He quickly turned away to leave. I didn't stop him.
I stood by the fountain in the garden as someone approached. "I am sorry," Jake stood there, his head low. "Look me in the eyes." I said, nonchalant.
"I can't," I could tell he was trying to hold back his emotions. I just turned back to face the water.
"I couldn't resist so I came to talk to you here , and apologize to you."
"Not accepted, now go back. You're mean. I keep grudges and I will"
"I live by the fact that there is always someone meaner than you."
"For me it's you," I said scornfully. "For me it's Jay."
We then looked at each other for a long time before he looked away. "Have you heard the saying 'In the middle of life's goodness, there's a bit of bad and we give it all our attention, like all we've ever had' Did you once think about your normal life-"
"It was not normal. I was suffering more everyday."
"Because you always thought revenge is the key to peace. Think about it, does it bring you peace? Even if it does, is it worth losing happiness, a stable life and friends? I think the same for Leo, he shouldn't have; it might have... saved him." I stayed silent for some time after that.
I turned back to glare at him, "I would have kept our friendship safe, not repeat what the other is suffering from. I hate you." I returned back to my room without another word.
One morning, a few days later someone knocked. I was still hungover from last night. I opened the door to find Jake standing there. He looked irritated. "Where were you last night?"
"Grabbing a few drinks in the club, why do you care?" My voice was raspy.
Jake held open his phone before my eyes. My eyes nearly popped out of the sockets. I scratched the back of my neck. It was picture of Eden and I kissing. "Who gave you that photo? And who told you have the right to get angry? Get lost now." I shut the door on his face, flustered. Cringing hard and red faced, I entered Eden's room. Today we would be discussing all necessary stuff about our attack. Luckily he didn't mention anything about last night.
Everything was settled now and we'd be attacking them first at midnight on Saturday. "Two days to go." Eden reminded as my blood went crazy. My stomach was lurching just thinking about it but I was confident. Jay wasn't that potent anymore. At night, I kept thinking about Jake, and what Eden had said about him or the time we were best friends. I settled on forgiving him at the least. So the next morning I tried looking for him everywhere. I entered the library, and was shocked to see Eden already sitting there. "What is it?"
"Umm.. Have you seen Jake? Did he come this morning?"
"He left."
"Where?"
"I don't know. He has been regretting for the past week. A great friend, he is. He wanted to leave all this behind and start a different life," There was no shock or any expressions on Eden's face.
I derided. "Tsk.. what a chicken."
Although I was a little hurt, I understood he left for good. Some people are are never in your life to stay, they just give you bitter-sweet memories and leave. Most people in my life are like this. Maybe what happiness there is in my life, is just temporary.