EVERYONE IS A SUSPECT

"Where is Asma?" Ella asks as she walks slowly to Darifa who is sitting on the couch.

"She should be inside." She replies with a smile. "How are you feeling now?"

"Much better." Ella sits on the couch and places her legs on her friend's thighs. "Hope the house wasn't too boring today?"

"At all, I enjoyed myself to the fullest. Been busy watching movies and helping myself with some snacks."

"I trust you to always have fun wherever you are." She looks at Abdullah who is sitting opposite them. "Where is mom and the girls?"

"They are upstairs." He replies not paying full attention to them but to the movie, he is watching.

"When dad comes back I think I we need to tell him to allow us resume back to our normal life routine." Ella whispers to Darifa.

"Why is that? We haven't caught Jessica yet, don't you think Irvin's risky to do so?"

"I know it is but how are we going to catch her if we all keep staying here and do nothing? For how long are we gonna stay here and wait for something to just happen?"

Darifa sighs already reading a lot of meanings to what Ella just said. "Do you think he would allow us?"

"We have to persuade him, all we have to do is to be extra careful once we start going to work again."

"I won't lie to you, I am super scared." She adjusts herself and moves very close to Ella to make sure only her can hear whatever she is about to say. "I am not free anymore, it's as if someone is watching us and reporting to Jessica. If not, how will she have our contacts and even know where Asma lives and works and even where she has her lunch."

"Is there anyone you suspect?" Miss Smith asks.

"At this moment, everyone is a suspect, I do not even know who to trust anymore."

"Do not worry, I will sort it out." She stands and adjusts her trousers. "I will be back soon." She heads straight to the visitor's room and the moment she opens the door Asma quickly hides her phone behind her. "What are you doing?" She walks in and shuts the door.

"I am not doing anything at the moment." Asma replies with fear written all over her face as Ella could read.

"I see you were on a call before."

"Yes, I was on a call with my mom."

"So why did you hang up immediately I walked in? Why are you hiding your phone behind you?" Ella asks.

"I am not hiding it from you." Asma tries to defend herself and brings her phone from her back placing it on a small stool close to her.

"Why don't you just come out to the sitting room and let's have a very nice time with Abdullah and Darifa."

"Alright, just give me some minutes, I will join you all in a bit."

"Alright, I will be expecting you." Ella says and walks out.

As soon as the door is shut, Asma sighs of relief. "What's wrong with me? Why do I feel this restless?" She asks herself.

"She didn't come with you?" Darifa asks immediately she sees Ella.

"Let's give her some minutes." Ella replies and sits on the couch.

"This movie is very interesting, I really love it." Abdullah says calling their attention.

"Really? What's the title of the movie and what's it all about?" Asks Ella.

"The title is empress ki and it's about power struggles."

"So we couldn't go to the store today, can we go tomorrow?" Darifa asks.

"Can't you manage my clothes fir the main time?"

"No, your clothes are too girly for my liking." She rejects immediately.

"But you are a lady, you should dress like one." Ella insists.

"I don't want to." Darifa retorts. "I like it when I dress myself in joggers and polo. Why do you think I am working at the gym by the way?"

"Don't tell me it's because you are allowed to wear want you want."

"Of course! And as a matter of fact they pay well." She says boastfully.

Asma walks in the sitting room and sits opposite Ella and Darifa. "When are we going to the store to get those things we discussed earlier?"

"We are no longer going." Replies Darifa with a blunt reply.

"Why not? We planned this outing already, so why change all of a sudden?"

"It's nothing serious, just for safety purpose." Abdullah replies not taking his eyes off the movie.

"I still don't seem to get it, when you all knew you weren't going to go to the store you shouldn't have mentioned it at all." Asma persists.

A phone rings and everyone in the sitting room look round for it and deep down in their minds, they wished it isn't Jessica.

"I think that is my phone." Darifa whispers and picks it up. "It's a private number!"

"I am sure it is Jessica." Says Abdullah.

"Answer the call and let's hear whatever she has to say." Ella whispers with her heart racing fast.

Darifa exhales deeply and answers the call then put the phone on loud speaker and also clicks on the record button "Hello."

"I heard you all are now at Ella's house," says and giggles. "So you all are scared of me, isn't it? Even the police officer man hasn't been able to do anything about me so far. Stop running and just embrace your grave."

"What do you want?" Darifa asks sternly.

"I want you all." Jessica laughs. "Just know that no matter how long you run and try to hide I will still get my hands on you."

"You can't threaten me Jessica, I won't allow you achieve your aim either." Jessica hangs up. "Hello! Hello!"

"She hanged up already." Abdullah whispers.

"How did she know you all are staying in my house at the moment?" Ella asks, and everyone else in the room including her looks at Asma as their suspect.