CHAPTER 36

"What do you want?" Raymond hissed as soon as they got out

"You are not taking my calls. Julia was complaining about the same you guys should talk."

"Talk about what? She kissed my best friend and that best friend kissed her back! You know i feel like rushing back in there because i don't have anything to say to you i thought we were brothers!"

"Nothing is going on between Julia and i trust me please. It was one silly mistake it never happened ever again i swear!"

"Did you sleep with her?"

"What?! No! Raymond we have come a long way i am what i am partly because of you and i will never sleep with your woman." he said looking straight at him yet he avoided his gaze. He had meant to tell him that Julia was Melissa but at that point it was likely to ruin their friendship. He knew Raymond loved Julia and he too was trying so hard not to catch feelings, Raymond was more than a friend he had become his only family.

"You should call her and talk. Take care." he patted his shoulder and walked off.

"Take care." his voice kept ringing in Raymond's head. It sounded strange, and weird.

*****

Christopher walked in on Dylan sitting by his desk his eyes glued on the card he kept on flipping while he smiled like an idiot. Without warning he whipped it off Dylan's hands his gaze falling onto a set of white teeth before landing on the pretty face

"Give that back!" said Dylan taking it back

"I know her. Richard's lawyer right?"

"She is now Helen's. Cost me my chance at finding out what happened Helen was about to confess yesterday."

"Yet you are smiling like a love struck teenager while staring at her business card."

"Shut up!"

"Anyway i was just checking up on you its almost lunch time do come around." he said before heading out, allowing Dylan to continue with his staring contest.

******

After spending some time with his workers at the club, Joshua drove back home hoping they never read between the lines. He felt tipsy but overall he was okay. He knew his days might just be numbered, but on the other hand he was determined to make it out alive, he always had. Slowly driving into his house he parked the car by the driveway and walked in but found Julia nowhere in sight. He then headed to the guest room which had become his new bedroom and changed into his nightwear before heading out to look for her

"Julia!" he called but got no response. He found his way to her room where he slightly knocked before opening the door

"Mel?" he peeped in only for his eyes to land on her bare back. She only had a bra of the color black on, a pair of white shorts, and she stood by the window looking at the stars, a set of white earphones plugged onto her ears. Her head moved to the rythm of whatever song she was listening to and clearly the volume too high to know she had company. Joshua found himself staring at her scarred back, but what caught his attention the most were three similar scars on different parts of her back. They were bullet wounds. The harsh sound of the door banging shut startled her as she turned to meet his cold stare, she had been busted

"Joshua! I didn't see you come in." she said grabbing the white top lying on the bed and quickly wearing it, but his eyes held hers and she knew he had seen it

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she stuttered hoping it wasn't what she was thinking

"Why do you have bullet wounds on your back?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me." he said walking over to stand behind her. He then lifted her top and a closer view confirmed it

"You have three bullet wounds Mel. Is there something you are not telling me?" her mind raced trying to contemplate the next lie. She had been telling lies after lies ever since Joshua had found out she was his childhood friend but she was determined to tell more. She wasn't going to let him find out about all the killings she had done and even worse, her profession. With the way he was too close she feared he would sense her fear hence moved away before asking him to sit

"Well i did get shot. Thrice."

"By who?" she cleared her throat while contemplating a safer lie. How was she to tell him she had been shot on three different murder missions back when she was still a freelance assassin? There was no way.

"Well actually, that is what made me pretend to be blind. They were after me and still are." she said trying her best to craft a pitiful story. She felt bad but it was necessary

"Its a gang i was part of some years ago. I pulled out but they didn't like it so they want me dead." she whispered landing her head on his shoulders to avoid eye contact

"I have avoided them for nearly five years now so don't worry they wont find me."

"Its okay. You don't have to be scared anymore I'm here now." he said making her smile from within. She had not only grown up to be a professional assassin but a professional liar too. She wasn't really proud of it, but in due time, she was going to tell it all in truth.

******

"Tell me Leo."

"Sir, my findings say that he is scheduled to have dinner with the president day after tomorrow." said a muffed voice

"How sure are you?"

"Its from a reliable source its never wrong. He was too excited about the payment he wouldn't lie."

"If its a lie you do know that i will come for your head right?" asked Joshua tone low but daring

"Its not boss i promise. But boss why are you looking for k53 is something going on?"

"It was nice doing business with you Leo, I will have your money transferred first thing tomorrow morning and if i need you again i will contact you so don't contact me."

"Another thing boss. Well if you should know, rumor has it that k53 is a girl. I thought you should know."

"That has been circulating for years. Even if its true it won't change that we are still talking about k53. Leo i have to go..."

"Boss. Although it was part time it won't change the fact that i have been scouring for information for you for ages now, even before i started working for the president. We only talk on the phone and have never met but sir, i know you don't seek for such information for the sake of it because whenever you do someone dies."

"Your point?"

"You have been paying me generously way beyond what my fellows get from their bosses and for that i am grateful you have no idea how that money helped me so what i am trying to say is that if possible abort this mission this time. K53 is said to be one of the best you might die instead."

"I know. So in-case you don't hear from me ever again, live good."

******

We are fast approaching the end of this story and i'm excited to finally let go. Its always exciting to finish a story for a writer but unfortunately its not the same for the reader so forgive me for being selfish hahaha...anyways thanks for reading! x❤x❤