Chapter three

Chapter 3

After having her time wasted by three of Andrew's admirers, she marched quickly along the road, glancing at her watch. Angus was so going to be angry with her. Then, just because she hadn't used that route before at such a time, she was not aware of the people who stayed there at night.

Smelling tobacco from afar, she looked up to sight the people polluting the atmosphere. A group of the estate's residents and certainly the most threatening set of males she had ever seen, gathered, talking, smoking and eyeing her with tiny smiles.

A part of her made her stop, while another made her keep going. She was just being paranoid, she thought. It was not as if she had anything to do with them.

Just as she feared, they obstructed her path. She looked them fearfully in the eye and received waves of tobacco smoke on her face. Coughing, she turned away, just to find more behind her. They just watched her with looks that read, "No escape for you sweetheart."

Rollins Leonard, biggest casanova in Texas, admired her hair, "You got such beautiful hair."

He was supported by one of his mates, "You are talking of the hair. Come this way." Daniella moved randomly in their circle, eyes on their faces. She was alone, the only way to escape them that night was touching their hearts with plea or having a strong male beat them up, which there wasn't. She could only plea, which probably would not take her anywhere.

Then a saviour's voice came from the shadows, "Let her go." She recognised the deep, calculated and charming voice anywhere; Andrew's voice. He exhaled smoke from his nostrils as he walked out of the shade so he was seen. Daniella stared at his smooth, black hair neatly under a beanie. What other surprises hadn't he revealed? Somehow, Andrew was obeyed by people clearly about a year older than he was.

They stepped back and let Andrew in the circle, "What are you doing here?"

Daniella swallowed hard at that demanding tone he used, "I got delayed at the store and I got to the bank late and all..."

Andrew did not let her finish, "I don't want to see you here again. Use some other route next time."

Daniella passed him with an intentional bump on his shoulder without saying her apologies.

Andrew smiled at her guts, then turned around and watched her leave, "Paralyse anyone who messes with her." His friends nodded as Andrew made a smoke ring into the air and laughed back to his shade.

***

He bumped his feet hard that they hurt, but not more than his defeat. He was never going to do it. Try all he could, he could not kill Andrew Stephen. Once, the target had screamed for help, another, his dog barked, then this time, a girl was in his room. Maybe he could just forget about killing Andrew. But no! Andrew knew a secret that could make him get arrested and hanged. How was he going to do it?

Then he remembered something, or someone that may prove to be Andrew's greatest weakness; the girl he had seen in his room, Daniella. Why hadn't he thought of that before? He could get Daniella, force Andrew to come to her rescue and kill him there. He smirked.

***

Angus watched his sister in utmost surprise and curiousity as she escorted the richest and proudest being through their home, "Andrew, how good to see you!"

But it wasn't good. Oh not even in the slightest way did Angus want his little sister around that addict. But he hid it up in a fake smile. Angus smiled as he held Daniella's hand and took her feet away from Andrew, "Yes, I bought more veggies from our uncle. The orders you placed... What in the world is he doing here?" Angus said this last part when he was sure Andrew was completely distracted from hearing them, a fake smile on his face to avoid suspicion.

Daniella played along, a smile plastered on her face as well, "He is not that bad a human being Angus."

"Oh you bet he is, " Angus replied, "for Christ's sake, messing with this guy is something close to death."

Daniella placed a hand on her brother's shoulder, "Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. He is on our side now." She turned away even before Angus could reply.

Angus saw Andrew study the discomfort in his look and quickly smiled brightly, too bright for anyone to think it was real.

Daniella took her guest to the attic where she kept all her paintings. Andrew looked around at the pictures on the wall, a smile creeping its way up his lips at the sight of every single painting, "Wow." He just kept looking until he saw the last picture, which actually made him stop. It was a male, in black sweatpants and a jacket, with black rings round his eyes, very dark hair, dark, curvy lips and a diamond earring on his left ear.

The painting was familiar to him, looked like someone he knew, looked like him.

Daniella noticed his amazement, "Oh that, I made it yesterday, just wanted to give you a gift."

Andrew studied her indefinitely, "Why?"

"Oh nothing, " she replied, "thought you needed something more positive in the midst of your paintings."

Andrew raised a brow, "Painting a picture of me is positive?" He did not seem to believe that.

Daniella smiled and nodded. That was the plan right; make him feel special, loved and cared for, "I very well believe that."

Thoughts went through Andrew's mind; what was Daniella's plan? Whatever it was, should he give in and warm up to her? What if he did, they might also come for her and kill her just like they did to Eleanor, "Thank you."

Daniella took off the painting and handed it to him, "Here."

Andrew was still admiring a gift that no one had ever given him when Daniella's phone rang; Inspector Davis.

Such bad timing, "Hello, " Dani said.

"He is at your house, isn't he?" He did not even reply hello.

Dani looked at Andrew, then turned around, "How are you watching me?"

"That's not important. Just stick to the plan."

Dani sighed her decision, "You know what inspector, I've made up my mind, do your worst, I'm not doing that to my friend."

She hung up before he replied his threat. She then forced a smile and faced Andrew again.

He was.....smoking!!

She coughed quietly. Should she ask him to stop and lose her only friend in Texas or just endure the smoke? He was seated on the sofa at the corner, so Dani joined him, feet away.

The silence was unbearable and evidently awkward. She hid the tears that formed in her eyes due to so much smoke.

Andrew suddenly felt so uncomfortable saying nothing that he had to look at her, it was then he saw her discomfort, her tears, and somehow, he did not like it.

He asked, "What's wrong?"

Dani faced him in fear, "Uhmm, nothing, the smoke is a little bit suffocating, " she smiled and hurriedly added, "but never mind. It's something I have to get used to."

Then quietly and most unexpectedly, Andrew put off the cigarette, squeezed it and tossed it to a corner, something even his family could not get him to do. Daniella smiled, a smile of...She did not know, maybe of importance?

He started talking this time, "I heard your name is, " he pronounced it with a big Spanish accent, "Danielle." Daniella hid a laugh. Oh how she really wished it was -Danielle-right now, "It's Daniella, but I'd love it if you called me Danielle."

Andrew shrugged, "Okay Danielle. Tell me more." Daniella laughed and began. Andrew was human!

***

Alex made it through the casino, to where he knew his father would be drinking and playing cards, at his age? He excused his father from the midst of the players and hinted them to go on playing without him. Alex smiled, he did not think his father was going to return after what he was about to say.

The inspector, drunk and angry at his turndown earlier in the day, poured all the feelings on his son, "Why don't you go home to that bitch of a mother of yours?"

Alexander smiled, "She's doing fine. Again, I would not have come if it wasn't important, how about we strike a deal?"