Chapter 7: The Safe House
At the Break Club.
"Oh come on Evelyn.. give me a break" Henry Miller was disappointed after losing three rounds of pool game with a woman. "Pay up Mister.." Evelyn said playfully to Henry with her hand stretched out for money. Henry chuckled and took out his wallet. Fifty dollar note placed on Evelyn's palm. "Better luck next time buddy" Evelyn said and patted Henry's shoulder.
The two walked to the booth where the twins are seated. Henry Miller is the co-captain of the football team. He is a serious no nonsense guy, never dated any woman in public. Rumours out there saying he is not interested in the opposite sex. That's what he wants everyone to think about him.
The truth is, he has been secretly dating Emily Johnson, the daughter of the school's principal. Emily begged to keep their relationship a secret for fear it will anger her conservative father. A secret at least till they graduate from school this year. They plan to apply to the same university far away from City A. Far away from the control of Principal Johnson.
Henry Miller got to know Emily better during the school trip to Greece last summer. She is a simple looking girl. Top of the class in terms of her grades. She is the leader of the school's debate team. Henry loves watching her practice her debate topics with him. She is smart and cute.
He did not realise her existence before, till last year. He did not even noticed her being his classmate for the past 3 years until she joined the debate team last year and elected as captain replacing him. He lost by a vote. The relationship started when they argued about the current political situation happening in City A. He lost the argument. He lost his heart to her that day. No one had defeated him before in a debate. To him, she is an amazing girl. Henry prefers brain than beauty. He likes intelligent conversation with a woman.
During the trip to Greece last summer, he courted her and made her his woman. She is his. Secretly. He was her first time.
Henry is not as tall as the twins but he is stronger physically. He spent most of his free time in the gym. The son of an ambassador, the Trio felt protected when they are around Henry. He has a bodyguard with him watching his whereabouts. They felt safe. Only the Trio knows about his secret affair with Emily. He owes it to Evelyn, the matchmaker.
Seated next to Jake and Tessa who seems not to be able to take their hands off each other, Henry took out his phone and texted his sweetheart.
-Last night was amazing. Can't stop thinking of you sweetie- Henry texted Emily, smiling to himself. Emily is voluptuous behind the boring clothes she put on to school. He can't wait to make love to her tonight. Tasting her. She drives him insane.
-Pervert- Emily responded. Henry chuckled.
-Pick you up for dinner? I'm hungry and I want to eat you- Henry loves teasing Emily. He is sure she is blushing right now.
-I'm hungry too- she teased Henry. Damn, Henry thought. Suddenly, he is sweating thinking of what will happen tonight.
"You OK Henry?" Evelyn snapped his attention back to them. "I.. err.. I'm.. f-fine" he stuttered. John threw some fries to Henry's face and stretched his arm around Evelyn casually and whispered to her ears "Must be Miss Johnson effect" he chuckled. John placed a strand of Evelyn's hair behind her ears. How he wished he can kiss her right now. She looks so attractive today.
Evelyn ignored John's seducing moves. She understood why Henry looks restless and smiled at him. She lifted her glass to drink.
John is seated opposite Henry with Evelyn on his right and little Miss Mandy on his left. Mandy, of course, was not happy to see John's arm placed across Evelyn's shoulders. She tried to get his attention for the past half an hour but all she saw is John's gaze on her sister with loving eyes. Mandy is fuming with jealousy. She stood up and excused herself to the bathroom.
'Beep.. Beep..' a text came to Evelyn's phone from Mom.
-Eve, there is a gas leak in the house. It needs few days to be repaired. Your Dad has packed your things and Mandy's. Drive to Aurora later. See you there. Love Mom- Evelyn puzzled. Gas leak? Whatever, she thought.
Aurora is the name of their vacation house near the lake. It is a private property about an hour drive from the city. Mark calls it 'The Safe House'. Whatever that is really happening today, Evelyn did not bother to ask. Not yet. She felt her parents is hiding something from her.
It is 6pm. The private airplane is set to leave City A tonight to the States. Everything is in order. One last thing left. His woman.
Zander Cage stood infront of the Villa Medina. He took a deep breath and ring the bell. It was not easy to pass through the security of Medina Properties. It was fortunate he knew the owner of this township. He made a few calls and finally the security team gave him and his men access to the property. 3 black tinted bullet proof Land Rover passed through the security gate.
'Just need to take what is mine' he told himself. 'Calm Zander, calm' Taking a deep breath, he waited for few minutes at the door of Marianna's house. His Marianna.
2 men in suit were standing behind him. Another 2 stood guarding the entrance of the villa. There was no sound from behind the door. He closed his eyes. Rubbed his eyebrows, and slowly losing control of his anger. After like 10 minutes waiting, he signalled his 2 men behind him to break the door down.
'BANGGG!' After a few kicks and gunshots, the door was opened setting the alarm on. Zander took out his gun and shot at the alarm control panel.
At The Safe House, the home security alert sent a text to Mark's phone signaling a break-in. 'Zander, you son of a b****h' he thought silently. Fortunately, he got his girls at The Safe House on time. Aurora is guarded by his own men to ensure no one comes in within 3km radius. There were traps set around the radius with ready snipers hidden in the woods. His speedboat is ready for final escape if things got worse. This time he is ready for Zander.
"Dad, dinner is ready". Evelyn pulled his arm and walked with him to the dining table. He looked at Evelyn lovingly with sad eyes and thought 'You may not be mine dearest but I love you so much. I will not let anything happens to our family. I will protect our family' he promised to himself.
Evelyn sat next to Mandy. Mary seated opposite Evelyn. Mark at the head of the table.The girls were giggling on something they saw on the phone. Some school gossip. "Girls, it is dinner time. No phones allowed OK" Mary said with stern voice. "OK Mom" they both obeyed.
'Beep.. Beep' a text came in Evelyn's phone. She looked at it with a frown. She deleted the message and put her phone down on the table slamming it.
"What's the matter honey? Quarrel with the twins, again?" Mary teased Evelyn. Mary is very fond of the twins. They make her Evelyn happy and always protecting each other. She treats the twins like her sons too.
"No. Not that. Twins are fine. I have been receiving weird messages from unknown numbers. So creepy. Totally ignoring it. Like what Dad always say, don't talk to strangers" she winked at Mark hoping that her Dad gets her joke. She even imitated Mark's voice and gestures. Mandy was giggling. It was funny.
Mark startled. He put his fork down and said to Evelyn "Give me your phone. Now!". His tone was serious.
"Dad. It is just some stupid messages. Could be from some idiot in school trying to scare me. I totally ignored it. I.." before Evelyn finished her sentence.
"GIVE ME YOUR PHONE NOW!" Evelyn startled. Mark never raised his voice in such a way. With trembling hands, Evelyn passed her phone to Mark. Mark took the phone and stood up to leave the dining room.
'What is going on?' Evelyn thought.