Chapter Twenty Five

I am seated at the mountain view hotel taking a hot chocolate in the mid morning. Its weird and even the hotel attendant had to confirm my order twice. I was just craving for it just that the timing was unexpected. Am here patiently waiting for Barak to show up any minute now. He must have been stuck in traffic coz for the first time I feel he is late.

A minute later I sport him at the entrance eyes sweeping over in search of me and I wave at him to get his attention. He smiles and walks over towards where am seated. He is in a casual wear, a white T-shirt, black ripped jeans, and white sport shoes. His apple phone clutched in his hand recklessly.

He gives me his killer smile as he closes in and I swallow dryly.

"I can tell you like what you see," he says as he bends to give me a peck in greeting.

"What do you mean by that?" I gasp

"Well, don't blame me when you were sitting here swooning," he chuckles and my insides almost danced to the tune of the chuckle.

"Oh, don't flatter yourself big man," I try to shut him down but his Cologne hits me and I inhale so deeply closing my eyes involuntarily.

"See who is talking yet closes her eyes enjoying the feeling. Just admit you like what you see. Is that so hard for you?" He torments me.

"Okay fine, I definately like what I see and you smell so good. There, I said it. Are you happy now?" I said gritting my teeth.

"It feels good to be appreciated by you, I don't know why, but I feel like am walking on clouds right now. Thank you beautiful," he winks at me and I almost turn blue with the blush.

Oh, God I think I like him and I feel like running away from this feeling.

"By the way are you okay?" He looks at me suspiciously.

"Why do you ask?" I am surprised

"Well, I have never come across someone taking hot chocolate at this time of the day. Unless under strict orders from a doctor. So tell me, are you okay?" He asks.

I picked my cup and gulped down the contents emptying it before I put it back at the table.

"I am now," I wink at him and he shakes his head.

"Okay madam Alexa, so can we order something to eat now that its a few minutes to noon?" He gestures at the attendant passing by for a menu.

"How about I take a little break from eating. I will order once we are done talking," I respond and he shrugs.

"Wet fry via pilau is worth a try today,"he tells the waiter. Then he turns to me.

"Am sure you are curious to know what happened after the last time we met." I nod giving him a go ahead.

"Well I had a rough time talking with the Ladies coz they refused to give me audience after they found out they were to be on tape. Am sure they are hiding something especially one Miriam. The rest didn't need much persuasion because aparrently someone has been after them out there. They said they have seen Mercy and they feel haunted already coz they started the cat and mouse chasing."he paused

"So did they confess?" I ask curiously.

"Yes they did, apart from Miriam of course who aparrently coerced them in to terrorising Mercy. She has been using the fact that she gave everyone a cut in the sixty thousand they were given in exchange for Mercy. That's why they have been doing things by her book."

"Anything more? Like if taken to a court of law will they plead guilty or perhaps testify against Miriam?" I was dying to know since Damon will be opening the case against them especially Miriam.

"Yes they are. They claim they are tired of being used by Miriam and are ready to cut ties with her through confession," he adds

"Interesting!" I exclaim as I sit back resting my head on the seat, a smile edging from my lips as I tried to imagine everything happening.

"One more thing," Barak brings me back before I zoned out, "they all claimed that Mercy is one and the same person with Alexa," I gasp

Seems like my shadow has finally caught up with me.

"What are you not telling me Alexa?" He asks and I fidget in my seat. There is no way out except to come out clean.

"I need to use the bathroom," I said rising up from my seat.

"You forgot this," a familiar voice startles me as I hurry down the stairs from the hotel, I almost stumble.

I looked up in embarrassment to meet his sad eyes.

"I knew you would try to sneak out the moment you said you are going to the bathroom. You should have just told me you were not comfortable to talk about yourself you know. I would have found other ways or we could have looked for a better day," his voice is full of hurt and I feel guilty.

I feel I used him to unravel the mystery behind everything and the best I could give is my confidence since he is good at what he does.

"Here, I asked them to pack a takeaway of chips and chicken for you since you didn't stay long enough to order," he stretched his hands to hand them to me.

So he actually cares? And how did he know my moves before I even made it? Am I that predictable?

I take the package from him with uncertainty and he begins to walk away.

"Wait!" I called him back. I can't let him walk away without explanation. At least I owe him that much. He turns to look at me with a bored expression. I walked to him but avoided his piercing eyes.

"Can we at least talk in your car?" I asked politely.

He just nods and proceeds to where he parked his car. Despite everything he is gentleman enough to open the door for me. I hesitate for a moment suppressing my shock. I however get in and he closes the door for me before rounding the car to his side.

"Are you always this good?" I ask

He smiles despite everything, "I have no idea why am extra good to you," he says turning to look at me. His eyes boring into mine and I don't want to stop looking.

Before we know it, we are caught up in a passionate kiss that leaves me yearning for more once we break it. Our foreheads are touching and my eyes are closed savouring the moment we just had.

"I think I am falling in love with you Alexa," he whispers.

I open my eyes and I look at him for a moment. His eyes so intense you could catch it.

Am I falling for him too? I brush that feeling off as soon as it came. I compose myself before I sit upright.

"Its Mercy," I blurt out.

"What?"he asks

"My real and birth name is Mercy. And am the victim in your story. I guess you know the rest or rather most of it as told by the villains themselves." I said while I kept my eyes at the windshield of the car.

"Am so sorry Alexa, sorry Mercy I thought those ladies were lying about you being Mercy,'' he says and reached for my hand.

"All I want is justice to be served to those criminal medics who once I called friends," I didn't realize I was crying until Barak handed me a clean hankie to wipe my tears

"Am sorry have made you cry. It wasn't my intention to dig so much into your life," Barak says.

"Its not really your fault, you are just doing your job," I wipe my tears.

Half an hour later am home delusional on the stolen kisses that melted my heart. My phone buzzes cutting my thoughts short. Its Damon.

"Hello Alexa, am calling to tell you we have the case. As we are speaking now we have a warrant of arrest for Miriam," he says just before a knock comes to my door. We don't usually have visitors at the house and I haven't ordered anything for delivery yet.

"Just a minute Damon someone's at the door let me check then get back to you," I tell him

"You sound scared is everything okay" he asks

Its just that we don't usually have visitors at the house so am wondering who is at the door," I explain

"Give me the address and go open the door but don't hang up," I read the address for him as the knock comes louder and scarier.

I open the door with one hand, the other clutching the phone tightly.

There she was grinning like a gecko, hands tightly holding a gun.

"I finally caught up with you bitch!" She yells at me.

"Miriam! What the hell are you doing here?" I gasp praying she doesn't pull the trigger.

"You look surprised to see me this way dear Mercy. I am a professional gangster you know. I have way more experience as a gangster more than a mere nurse. I was thinking of adding that to my CV you know," Miriam says proudly while still pointing the gun at me.

"So what do you want with me? Where did I go wrong?" I wanted to know.

"Well, the others think it's just a mere case of killing to hide the fact that we drugged you. They are just a group of naive stupid bitches," she pauses to look around the room.

"I didn't imagine you have such a beautiful house over here. You must be getting a good pay, or did you finally get yourself a boyfriend?" She smiles in mockery.

All this while I am just buying time so that I can know how best to knock the gun out of her hand. Am sure am fast and I plan to take her by surprise. The gym training wasn't for nothing.

"Hey"she snaps me out of my thoughts, "what are you thinking. Planning on how to escape your death? We both know that its impossible. But then I think you and a cat have same things in common. You have nine lives," she laughs loudly.

"You know you haven't told me why you are after my life so badly," I dare ask and she suddenly becomes angry.

"I thought I will take that secret to my grave, but now that you will go first and I join you later we will discuss in hell about it. I will however tell you. After all, the dead never talks." This sends fear all over me and I shake like a frail twig.

"Well, its not your fault nor mine either but that of my parents. You know the Halili's?" She asks

"The pastor and teacher are your parents?" I ask shocked at the revelation

"Yes, those two are my parents. I am their stubborn daughter and the black ship of the family." She pauses

"So what do your parents have to do with me?" I was confused.

"Every single day of my life I have had to live in the shadows. Always getting compared to you. Everything I did was in reference to you."

"So all this while you are after my life just so as not to be compared to me? Seriously Miriam? Is my life that worthless to you?" I ask getting angry.

This bitch is definitely insane. How can one decide to end another persons life just so as not to be compared?

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" She orders angrily too.

Now that we are both angry I can bet its only the gun difference because we could be hitting and strangling each other now.

Mrs halili, Miriam's mother was my best teacher. She taught us sciences and I always led in class. I enjoyed the subjects and that's the reason I wanted to pursue medicine in college. However I didn't know that the praises she poured on me reached her house and even caused her child to be jealous and envious of me. I never met her family so Miriam and I met at school. I knew nothing about her family and now that she is standing closer I can pick a little bit of resemblance that I had failed to see.

"You were the best at what you did. You being humble, contented, polite and hardworking was my mothers talk every single moment she saw me. We both know am absolutely the opposite of all that. Am a party girl while you are reserved and trust me I love myself the way I am. I can't be compared to a boring bitch like you," she remarks and I feel pricked.

This is going way too far and I should act now before its too late.

Before she could counter what was happening the gun went flying across the room and hit the wall so hard.

Miriam on the other hand was wincing in pain. I had kicked the gun out of her hand as hard as possible and I can bet I broke her wrist.

"Bitch!" She screamed.

"You are the bitch. You have no idea who you are dealing with. Am not the naive mercy that you were used to. Am Alexa now and Alexa doesn't let people get away with a crime," I barked at her. I could tell she was really in pain and I felt bad for her. I mean the events didn't turn out the way she had planned.

The door is kicked all of a sudden and Miriam takes the advantage to rush for the gun. However am faster too and we end up reaching the gun at the same time. I have no plans of shooting her so my aim is to get it far away from her as possible so that I won't end up dead coz trust me I know she won't think twice this time. At the corner of my eye I can see Damon and two officers are already in the room and in as much as it is a relief to me, I can't risk my life right now by relaxing.

"Miriam halili, you are under arrest for the attempted murder of Alexa..."that's Damon talking but Miriam is not paying any attention. She is so determined to get rid of me.

Suddenly the gun goes off. Everything goes to a standstill. In my confusion I tend to think the officer must have shot at the air. I turn to look at Miriam who by this time her grip to the gun is loosening.

Blood start to drip to the floor and I scream in horror when it finally hits me.

I just shot Miriam!

That's terrifying enough and before I could think of anything, Miriam slowly slips to the floor hitting the sofa in the process before she sprawls on the floor clutching her stomach.

Everything suddenly floats for me as Damon and his colleagues swing to action trying to save Miriam's life. I patch myself at the nearest wall with the gun at hand.

Am officially a criminal!

Am going to jail!

That's what runs through my mind. I have the murder weapon as evidence and my fingerprints are definitely all over it. I drop it in the ground like its on fire.

"Madam,kindly follow us to the station. You need to record a statement,"one of the guys who came with Damon earlier says to me as he cuffs me. Looks like the hunted just became the hunter.

"You have the right to remain silent for anything you say will be used against you in the court of law," he adds as am taken away still in shock since I couldn't put up any resistance.

Am whisked into a waiting police patrol car as onlookers watch.

As soon as we alight at the police station my mind finally got to work. Damon came to my rescue before we entered the station.

"Alexa, are you alright?" He asked

I looked at him confused before I looked around and realized I was in a big mess.

"Damon, what am I doing here? Why am I cuffed yet I didn't commit any crime?" I asked him.

"Well,for staters you shot someone though that doesn't make you a criminal since it was under self defense. So it's protocol to arrest you for questioning since they have to file a case on possession of a weapon," Damon explains

"But you know I don't own one Damon why don't you just tell them and let me be?" I freaked out.

"Don't you worry I will do anything to clear your name here. Just trust me on this," he says then he nods at the other officer's to take me away.

Am led to a small room full of other people who committed crimes and I panicked more.

My hands were painful after being cuffed all the way there.

"I am finished," I thought as I paced left and right in the small space unoccupied. My hands holding my head like its gonna break. Never in my entire life have I imagined myself in jail for anything, let alone murder.

"Alexa!" One of the guards called out.

"That's me," I replied hopefully.

"Come with me," he opens the door for me and I appreciate the sudden breeze that hit me. The room had been too hot since it was full of people. I followed him to another room where a gentleman is seated and a recorder is on the table beside a notebook and pen.

"Have a seat, I am Oliver from the middle court and am here to question you since your case has come to us tagged as emergency. I will not only write facts that you say but also as you can see, I have a recorder with me to verify whatever I will present in that case whatever I ask, you don't answer with nods but verbally. So I kindly ask for your honesty so that my work is easier here. Are you ready?" He asks

I want to nod but then remember am supposed to be verbal.

"So here we go,"he says and then clicks the recorder.

"Kindly introduce yourself using your full names,"he looks at me, pen ready at hand.

That catches me unaware. Should I be Alexa or Mercy?

"'My name is mercy Johnson. I recently recovered from a drug that took away my memory and thus all this while the name I knew was Alexa," I paused to see the reaction now that I chose to tell him the truth. He however doesn't show any shock or surprise but keeps on writing.

"How do you know the victim," he asks and am taken aback.

Am supposed to be the victim here. But I swallow that and decided to answer in the best way I can.

"Miriam and I have been roommates since college so its been like four years of knowing her,"I explain.

"According to her, why was she after your life?" Oliver asks

"Well, for starters, she wanted me dead so that no one would know that she was behind my memory loss, secondly when she came to finish me off today she said that she had planned it all since her family has been constantly comparing her to me which made her hate me and wanted me dead in order not to get compared again," with this Oliver looks up I guess to gauge my sincerity coz the story sounded vague.

"So all that just for self relief?" He asks

"Yes sir," I said as a tear fell from my eyes.

"You shouldn't be here if that's the case. Do you have anyone to verify your story or rather any backup?" He asks.

"She wasn't participating alone. She has friends who made my life hard the moment they discovered me and I got many people who can attest to that," I confidently said.

"Who between you owned the gun?" He suddenly asked.

"She did. She came to shoot me but due to self defense I ended up pulling the trigger accidentally on her," I freaked out.

"Was there any witnesses around to verify that you did not plan this?" He asked and I give him a shocked expression.

"I was at my house sir. Nobody calls the enemy to finish them at their own premises. Besides I was on call with Damon that time she came and he was telling me that they had just acquired a warrant of arrest for Miriam meaning she was already a person of interest. Besides they were there before the shot was fired. I swear it was self defense on my side. I have never used a gun before so everything was accidental and happened too fast,"I explained.

"Well, am presenting your case directly to the judge and I hope they will release you immediately. You are still innocent until proven guilty, thanks for your corporation." Oliver said as he rose up and packed his things and leaves.

Am left there cracking my knuckles nervously before someone clears his throat behind me.

"Damon, you are here," I looked at him excitedly.

But the expression he gave me was different. He was accusing me of something. He then sat at the same seat that Oliver vacated and looked at me blankly for a moment.

"When were you planning to tell me your real name?" He asks and my face drops.

"Am sorry I just found out recently too after joining the club. My case is complicated coz my life has been in danger for sometime now. So hiding my identity has helped me save my life in different occasions. But trust me I would have told you when all this was over," he loosens up a little.

"Its okay Alexa or should I call you mercy now?" He asks amused

"Am both but I prefer Alexa now more than Mercy. Am used to it anyway,"I smiled at him. I feel at ease.

Before I could ask how Miriam is,the door is pushed open and in came oliver smiling at me. "Your release papers are ready miss Mercy you are free to go home now," he says and the next minute am jumping at Damon excitedly.

"You should actually buy him a huge cup of coffee he is the one who made this magic happen," Oliver explains referring to Damon who was smiling at me.

"I told you to trust me and I would take care of it see?" Damon says.

"I am very grateful Damon I don't know what I could have done without you people. I owe you my freedom," I gave him a hug and turned to oliver.

"I don't really know you in person but I appreciate everything you have done for me," I shook his hand firmly.

"Keep safe and see you around," he says and gives Damon a pat in the back before exiting the room.

"Come on I don't want to stay a minute longer here let's go," I urged Damon who immediately opened the door for me. I guess am surrounded by gentlemen.

AM now back home and grateful that I didn't spend the night in the cell. All thanks to Damon and his magical prowess. The house had been taped as crime scene but now that I have been cleared and all evidence is with the police I can heave a sigh of relief. Its been the longest days and I feel like am a hundred years already. The house is kinda in a mess so I tidy it up before I finally slump into a couch. I haven't had time to see my phone and when I do I find missed calls almost from the entire contact list. My phone is still hot from blaring all this calls and its battery is at 2%. Now I won't know who to call first. I decide to put it to charge first and brew myself a cup of coffee.

I don't think I will make it to go to work today that gives me the first person to call after coffee.

I didn't realize how exhausted I was until Hazel woke me up.

"What? You mean I slept here?" I asked Hazel

"What's going on Alexa, you ain't okay. You have never been this way before,''she laments

Then my phone suddenly rings before I compose myself to tell her the story.

"And by the way your phone has been ringing since I got here. You might want to answer that," she says as she moves to her bedroom.

Its Trini calling am thinking of ignoring but then maybe I should just tell her am not coming tonight.

"Girlllll! You got us so worried finally you are available. We were almost coming over to check on you. What's going on Alexa?" She asks immediately I pick her call.

"Calm down Trini. Am fine am not dead yet you know,"I teased.

"Are you sure you are not picking the call from heaven? It certainly took you long enough I thought the road to heaven was smooth, looks like yours was bumpy," she teases back and I could hear the rest chuckle. I knew she put me on speaker.

"Well, tonight am taking a break I have an emergency over here that needs my attention,"I try my luck.

"Girl we saw some news on TV and Christie and Amanda confirmed that something happened in your house,"that catches me by surprise.

"What did the TV say?" I ask panicking.

This wasn't the way I wanted to be revealed to my family.

"Well,they said there was an attempted murder at your house and then one person was shot while the other was arrested" she describes the scene.

"Okay Trini let me get back to you in a minute," that was my way of avoiding explanation. Immediately I ended the call, Ryan's call comes through.

"Hello Ryan," I answered

"Thank God you are okay Alexa. I was worried about you. I had what happened and am so sorry I wasn't there to assist," he says with a relieved tone.

"Am okay sir I was requesting an off for sometime to settle some issues," I asked.

"I understand Alexa. Take your time when everything is okey you come back to us in one piece okay?" He says to me and I get relieved too. The call ends and I feel at peace somehow. I need to explain things to Hazel though. She is still in the dark yet she is supposed to be the one who gets information first hand.

I make my way to the kitchen to prepare supper now that am not going anywhere.

"Where should I assist?" Hazel comes in as soon as I get settled to cook rice and stew.

I look at her to gauge if she is mad at me but she is void of emotions.

You can chop onions and tomatoes for me while I set the rice on the cooker. She does that then there is silence between us.

"I have been seeing a therapist," I begin and she stops chopping the onions.

"Since when?" She asks as she got back to the onions.

"Been some months now," I answer her.

"And when were you planning to tell me?" She attacks means I swallow loudly. Am just guilty.

"There are things you don't know yet so I will tell you after supper is that okay with you?" I ask and she just nods.

After supper I narrate to her every single detail of what I have been up to. She is surprised that she has been living in the same house with someone with so much secrets.

"Am planning a comeback so that my family can get justice and I can return back home to my mum. That way she can get healed. Am sure she will be okay once she sees me once again.

Am surprised she hugs me at the end of it all.

"Count me in. Am with you all the way. Just promise to keep me updated. Am so glad that you turned out to be Mercy." She gets excited and I just chuckle.

"Am maintaining Alexa though. She is braver than mercy in fact she is many things that mercy is not," I told her.

We finished up and cleared the table cleaned them and went to sleep.

I woke up late and found Hazel already gone to work. She had left a note wishing me a nice day on the breakfast table. She had prepared chocolate tea and pancakes that was so yummy. After breakfast I went straight to bath and changed to something outdoor. I have no plans of going to the gym today. Am thinking of calling back those who called me previously one by one.

I took my phone and went to switch on the TV. I rarely sit to watch anything if not a movie. Am not about to really watch but I just need a bit of distraction.

As I scroll through the missed calls I saw Barak's five missed calls and decided to call back. He picks on the first ring.

"Hello Alexa, I have been looking for you," he says as soon as he picked the call.

That voice that makes my heart dance azonto.

"Hello Barak. Am sorry I was preoccupied I couldn't take your call,"I explained.

"Can I see you now or you are busy?" He asks and I almost jump.

"What do you have for me Barak?" I ask as a pass time coz, hey,who can say no to this handsome guy who seems to have stolen my heart.

"I have a lot to tell you. Please don't say no," he pleads and I smile wider.

"Okay Barak so where do I find you?" I ask

"How about a get away drive out of town this time? Give me your home address am picking you up,"he replies excitedly.

I have not been out of town for a long time so what a perfect timing this is.

"Great idea. Am texting you the address right away," I told him. He hang up after saying a big yes.

I don't have to change my outfit. One thing about me is that I don't care too much about how I look am just a natural beauty. I don't need to brag but I believe in myself. So far none has complained about my no make up face.

As I wait for him I decided to call Lee. He was among the missed calls.

"Alexa!" He calls out cheerfully.

"Why do I get the notion that you missed me?"I teased catching him by surprise and he tries to say something but stammers. Poor Lee, he is a shy type.

"Well, you know I did," he finally says

"Jeez, you are sweating already just saying you missed me?" I laughed so hard.

"How did you know I was sweating are you watching me or something?"he asks nervously.

"Well, am a psychologist by talent,"I chuckle

"You really caught me. How have you been I tried calling yesterday you weren't picking up."he says.

"Its a long story how about you look for me I have some important news."I cut the explanation.

"Evening coffee today at our usual place,"he declares.

"Its a deal. How is Carlton doing now? I asked.

"He is feeling much better he will soon resume work," he says excitedly. "He was asking about you too," he adds.

"Thanks tell him am fine or better still come with him to that coffee I might have interesting news for him too." I said to him.

"Okay I will see you soon, bye," he hangs up just as Barak's call comes through meaning he is already here.

I rushed to my room to pick up my sling bag and made sure I got all the contents. One look at myself in the mirror and am good to go.

As soon he sees me approaching the car he alights and waits for me. He looks so handsome in casual clothes. He is in a blue stripped polo neck shirt, faded blue jeans and black open shoes/men sandals.

As I reach him he is already stretching his arms for a hug and I gladly walk into them all smiles. His cologne hits my nostrils and I take in a deep breath just to inhale its scent. This guy will be the death of me. We hug tightly for the longest moment without any care who was watching.

After we pulled away I realized I might have actually needed such a hug.

"Alexa, I missed you," Barak finally breaks the silence.

I smile at him shyly.

"Thanks for the hug, it felt good," I winked at him. He smiles back.

"Shall we?" He opens shotgun for me. Then rounds the car to the drivers seat as I buckled up.

"So where to?" I ask as soon as he settles.

"Let's find out," he replies as he started the engine.

An hour later we are at an awesome mountain view lodge. A breath taking serene place overlooking a caped mountain with flowery gardens and artificial water catchment.

"Wow! I had no idea such a place exists," I said .

"Am glad to have introduced this place to you," Barak says excitedly.

I plucked one rose flower and inhaled its scent, its been so long since I did this. I Love flowers.

I am so occupied that I don't notice Barack taking pictures of my every move.

"Wow! Such a lovely couple," someone commented and I turned to took at the said couple only to find them looking at us. I turned to look at Barack who winked at me and took a picture at that moment like he was waiting to capture the moment.

"Wow! This is my favourite picture already," he exclaimed.

"Hey you stole my moment," I said rushing to see what he got.

On looking at the picture its actually awesome well I got to give credit where its due.

"It is beautiful," I echoed out.

We got to the lodge ate lots of fish, went to get grilled chicken take away had lots of fresh fruit juice grape fruits and it felt so nice being here.

Later as we finally settled for the business of the day I filled barak in with what happened the previous day and how am taking a break just to get my life together and his speedy investigation is of great importance.

We returned home after so much fun around the place.

"Someone looks happy today" says Lee just as I reach his table.

"Am usually happy you know,"I defend myself

"Well, today you are extra happy. Whatever happened should happen often. You are even glowing," he says

"Well its not a crime to be happy. And about happening often I definitely agree with you," I wink at him and he frowns.

"I can see you have been busy having a lot of fun," he says that and I frown.

"You are in the dark aren't you?" I creased my brows

"What do you mean?" He asks alarmed

"You have no idea what's been happening to me. And you call yourself my friend," I fake hurt

"What's been happening Alexa? Did someone hurt you?" He asks all concerned.

"You have no idea,"I simply reply

"Hey guys, sorry am late" Carl shows up

"What took you so long dude?" Lee asks him

"Traffic this evening is crazy, so tell me what did I miss?" He asks as he pulls a seat after greeting us.

"You haven't missed so much. I was just complimenting Alexa on how she is glowing today," Lee states as he looks at me.

"That should definitely be a good thing right? Maybe she is happier today," Carl smiles at me.

"Apparently she says shit has been happening and we have no idea, so pardon me if I don't get a clear picture about all this," Lee says and they both look at me I guess waiting for explanation.

"Well it's surprising that people who are supposed to be getting more updated are far behind the news," I said before I took a sip of my chocolate tea.

"What are you talking about?"Carl looks confused

"I have no idea too," says Lee.

"Well guys, yesterday I almost lost my life through a bullet," I narrate

"What!" They both exclaimed

"You really have no idea. Right now you would have been saying rest in peace to me claiming you were my friends. Unbelievable!" I watched as their faces fell.

"What happened, who wanted to shoot you?" Carl was the first to recover.

I took time to reply and looked at them in turns before I could break the shocking news to them.

"It was your ex girlfriend," I said calmly and the look on his face was priceless.

"What!" Lee exclaims

I let the words sink in to them first as I took several sips of my chocolate. By this time Carl's expression was that of a disturbed man. I guess this was his last blow he didn't expect Miriam to go to that extent. Lee on the other hand went mute too.

"Tell us everything," Carl finally manages but kept his eyes at the table.

I narrated every detail to them, watching their reactions in turns. Two worried guys.

"Funny enough I haven't asked about Miriam like I don't feel guilty. That's bad enough I got a distraction and forgot about it." I nervously said as I fish my phone to make a call.

"Hello, Damon how are you?"I asked once he picked the call.

"I wanted to ask what happened to Miriam. Do you have any news?" I went straight to the point

"What? Okay thank you, bye."

After hanging up I turned to find the guys looking at me expectantly.

"Well, both good news and bad news guys. The good news is they performed a surgery in her and they successfully removed the bullet. Bad news is she is comatose," I said this and a tear fell from my eye.

"I did this to her. I almost took someone's life," I broke down.

"Hey, calm down," Carl soothed me as Lee wrapped his arm around me giving mean shoulder to cry on.

"Am so sorry Alexa. Its gonna be fine," that's Lee sounding convincing.

I dried my tears and went to the washrooms to was my teary face.

"So Carl how do you feel about all this?" I ask as soon as I sat down.

"Its like reading the book of revelation and each chapter is worse than the previous one." He states.

"Just don't let it go to your head,"I try to advice. He can't Help it .

"How about we visit her tomorrow? The three of us?" Lee says out of the blue.

We exchange glances with Carl not knowing if its a good idea or bad one.

"Sure," Carl shrugs

"Do you think its a good idea or I might end up getting the bullet for real this time," I air out my thoughts and they both look at me like I just spoke Chinese.

"I love my life guys and I still want to live so don't get me wrong when I grow cold feet here," I explained.

"We won't let any harm come to you," Lee reassures me.

"Okay then we will go," I said and watched as Lee smiles triumphantly

"Well it was nice seeing you guys I have to go now. Am kinda exhausted and I need some rest," I rose from the seat and they did the same. Lee paid for our drinks and we all walked out biding each other goodbye.