A Close One

It's been a month now since Riley's encounter with the goons and Lionel's attack. Lionel is fully healed now and he, together with Riley, her mother and Uncle has found a new hideout away from Nichole to be able to plan their attack on her. Kate was the one who secured this new home for them. It wasn't that big like their old apartment but was still helpful.

"Hope you guys can manage this." uttered Kate as she glided into the house, followed by Riley, Lionel, Lian and Rosita.

Their eyes went scanning around.

"This place is beautiful Kate, thanks so much." said Riley, hugging her.

"This is nothing Riley, what are friends for? Hope you find yourselves comfortable. It's the least I can do for you." she replied as she drew back from the hug, holding Riley's hands.

" I don't know how much to thank you Kate" said Rosita, drawing both Kate and Riley's attention to her.

"It's nothing Aunt, I'm glad I could help you guys. You're like a family to me."

Rosita smiled at her words and gently patted her shoulders. Lionel and Lian looked on with a smile.

"I have to go now Riley. I'll come back later. Nancy and Loretta are waiting for me to complete our project work."

"Oh.., about that..."

"Don't worry Riley, we've got your back. Just be safe." she muttered hastily.

Riley looked on with a smile and nodded.

"Let me see you to the door." replied Riley, guiding Kate to the door.

"See you later Aunt.." uttered Kate before gliding out of the door with Riley. Some few minutes later, Riley returned to the room to meet her mother, Lionel and Lian seated in the living room, focused.

"Pertaining to our plan, I have decided on what to do." she said.

They instantaneously turned their gaze to her, scanning her face intensively for any glue on what she was about to say but it was totally pointless.

"What do you mean Riley?" queried Lionel, puzzled.

"Don't let it be what I'm thinking Riley." uttered Lian as it suddenly dawned on him. Lionel and Rosita's gaze travelling to him, totally confused on what was going on at the moment.

"Wait, wait, what do you mean by what you're thinking?" she stared quizzically.

"What's on your mind?"

Lionel glanced at her then back to Riley, "You should tell her."

"What do you plan on doing Riley?" questioned Rosita, starring keenly at her daughter's face.

"Spill it out Riley." added Lionel.

"I will be the bait to trap Nichole." she said, determined.

Rosita instantly rose from her seat on hearing her words, stunned.

"You're not going to do that." she objected.

"WHY NOT? This can't go on forever mum..., we can't go on hiding like criminals. If there is any hiding to do then it got to be Nichole in this position now. I've already had enough of her shitty tricks."

"I know Riley but this is just not the right way. We can...." said her mother reaching for her hand but Riley drew back.

"Huh, right way you said? I can't just believe you mum..."

Lionel looked on thoughtfully for a while and couldn't stand the arguments going on between Riley and her mother.

"I will do it." he said, raising from his seat.

Lian, Rosita and Riley simultaneously turned their gaze to his direction.

"I will be the bait Aunt....."

"What?" exclaimed Riley.

"Yes Riley, I won't have you risking your life again. Nichole is just as evil as you can imagine. We all don't want to lose you in the process of apprehending her."

"But..."

"No buts..." he mumbled to her, placing a hand on her right shoulder. Turning his gaze back to Rosita, "What do I have to do Aunt...?" he queried.

"Well..." he mumbled.

"Then you have to return home." said Lian, chipping in.

Lionel stared at him, surprised.

"Is that safe?"

"Yes Lio, that's the only way we can monitor her every step."

Satisfied with the reply, he gave in.

"What about you guys?" he queried, taking quick glances at each of them.

"Don't worry about us. We're totally safe here. We just have to be cautious of our surroundings and I think everything will be okay."

"Are you going to be okay?" asked Riley in whispers as she put her head on his shoulder.

"Yes." he replied, brushing a hand through her hair.

The moment seems peaceful for once in a long while.

"I'm going up to my room." uttered Rosita as she sauntered away.

"Sure..." they answered.

***********

Mr. Dickson sat on the bed, pulling the drawers beside it in search of some files he brought home from work but seem not to remember where he placed them.

"Where did I placed these documents? Thought I kept them here. This is really exhausting." he muttered still searching when he suddenly saw a strange envelop.

"What is this?" he queried as he picked it up.

At that moment, Nichole was returning to the room from the kitchen. She pushed the door opened to see Dickson with her deepest secrets in hand.

"Oh no..." she mumbled.

Dickson was about to open the envelop when he saw a hand quickly snatched it away from him. He lifted his head to see Nichole with a sheepish grin.

"Hmm...It's for a client. The details are quiet confidential. You know my responsibility as a psychologist." she replied.

Dickson stared skeptically at her and nodded.

"Anyway, what are you looking for?"

"Well, I brought some files home but I can't find them. Have you seen them anyway?"

"Oh that, I kept them in your study room."

"That's a relief. I'm leaving to work now." he muttered, peeking her cheeks before he strolling out of the door.

"Phew..." she sighed, collapsing on the bed. "That was a close one." she spat as she sat thoughtfully for a while. "I can't be caught. No, not now."

She picked up the envelop and pulled out it's content.

"I will soon be the sole owner of all this properties." she smirked, smugly.