The First Step

It was around 7pm when the cab got to the Restaurant. Kate looked through the window in anxiety as the driver pulled up.

"Thank you." mumbled Kate as she stepped out of the car.

"Welcome." replied the driver and sped off.

Kate glanced around for a while and trod to the entrance of the restaurant. She slowly pushed the door opened and sent her eyes searching around when she noticed Lionel sitting at the far corner with his hand on the table and head slightly bowed.

"Oh God." uttered Kate hastily and she dashed towards him.

"Lionel..?" she called hastily as she neared him and he slowly lifted his face.

" Are you okay? What's going on? You sounded kind of urgent." she added as she took her seat in front of him.

He slowly sat upright, faking a smile on his face.

"You don't look too good Lionel, what's going on?"

"Hmm..., it's about Riley. I guess you guys have found out the truth already but trust me, it wasn't like I was trying to hide it from you girls or anything like that. I...I..." he mumbled but suddenly paused, hiving a deep sigh as he looked down.

Kate glanced worriedly at him and reached for his hand. She slowly brushed her hand on his and Lionel lifted his eyes to hers.

"I understand how you feel Lionel, just put yourself together. I will help you talk with Riley."

"Okay, thank you Kate."

"Welcome Lionel. Well, I need to go now. Nancy and Loretta needs my help."

"Okay, thanks for coming."

"Okay, okay." she mumbled, slightly rising up from her seat when she noticed still seated, tensed.

"Lionel?, Are you okay?" she questioned, slowly sitting back.

"Is there something you still wants to talk about? You can tell me you know. I......."

"Nichole is not my mother." he uttered hastily, chipping in.

Kate stared at him with wide eyes, stunned.

"What....?" she exclaimed.

"Yes Kate, I just found out the truth. Nichole killed my mother too."

"Oh God, Lioniel? Are you okay?."

"Yes Kate, I just want Riley to hear me out. I need her and she also needs me. She is the only one I have now."

"Come with me, Riley needs to hear this." she mumbled, dragging him from his seat as they rushed out of the restaurant.

***********

Nancy and Loretta were starring at the screen of the laptop when the door slammed opened.

"What's going on Nancy?" questioned Riley as he trod into the room over to them.

"Well...,take a look for yourself." uttered Nancy as she turned the screen of the laptop to Riley.

"It's a picture of when Nichole first got apprehended for kidding and murder attempt on your mother's life." added Loretta as they glanced at Riley starring attentively at the screen.

She swiftly turned to glance at them and back to the laptop.

"I think I know this guy." she mumbled, pointing to one of the culprits in the picture. Loretta and Nancy swiftly glanced at each other surprised and drew closer to have a look.

"I don't quiet remember where I know him from but I know he looks familiar." she added thoughtfully.

"Are you sure..?"

"I'm sure Loretta, I just need to find him. I trust he will be of help."

"Okay, then we....." mumbled Loretta but suddenly stopped when the door flew opened.

"I'm back girls..." uttered Kate as she strolled in with Lionel following after.

"What's he doing here?." shouted Riley on seeing him.

"Hey....Riley, calm down. He has something to tell you. Hear him out first." muttered Kate as she went over and stood beside her.

Riley glared furiously at her, snatched her bag from the bed and dashed out.

"What are about the..... picture?" shouted Loretta, her voice fading away as Riley's back disappeared away.

"I'm so sorry girls, I shouldn't have been here." he uttered, feeling sorry.

"No Lionel, don't worry. It's not your fault. Just give her some time. I will try and talk to her."

"Okay Kate, thank you. Then..., I will take my leave."

"Sure, don't think too much. See you st school tomorrow."

"Okay." he mumbled and trod out of the room.

Just as he got out of the house, he noticed Riley getting into a cab. He quickly moved into his car and waited patiently for Riley's cab to sped off then he also followed after them.

After some few minutes of following from quiet a distance, a car crossed in between, following after Riley's cab.

"Riley...?" he mumbled, startled.