Chapter 7: Who's West?...

   "I'd ask for the last time. What was that shit about?"

Jamal yelled at me for the first time over a man. I could see the veins sprouting and popping up, he looked exactly like an angry lion ...gosh! What have I done exactly? None of that was my fault, wait! I did nothing either, everything happened so fast, real fast. 

I ignored his question, I started to walk away when he held my left arm. I was shocked

  "Nah! Danni! Don't walk out on me.....

  "What's your problem?" I took his hands off me

  "Just answer me. Who's he to you? Why was he here? Why did he have your to kiss you? I was right there, don't even think about it...."

  "Are you nuts? Don't ever question me about who I'm with, don't ever do that..."

  "Not until you tell me what's going on? Did I really have to hide behind your closet all in the name of We--st?" He kept on yelling at me

  "You know what? I ain't having this conversation if you're not calm, at all. I'm not a child, so don't treat me like one......"

I guess Jamal's eyes had scanned my body without me even noticing.

  "And that? The bracelet?" Jamal asked

  "Its a gift, he gave it to me....."

  "Take it off...."

  "What?" I was surprised

  "You heard me." He firmly said

  "Nah! You lost. I won't. Jamal, what is wrong with you? I was trying to protect you from him.... He wouldn't waste a minute killing you."

I sounded too emotional, like what is Jamal doing to me all of a sudden?

  "I know you are... He didn't have to kiss you Danielle, he didn't, and he shouldn't. He's only trying to use you and....." He was way too defensive over me and him as well

  "And what? Tell me, and what? I wouldn't be a bait if you hadn't killed his brother, would I?" 

This time, I wasn't having it. I had to tell him my mind. Everything that has happened so far was jamal's fault, he caused everything from start to finish. We promised ourselves not to get involved in anything dubious ever again but he broke it. And I just realized that I didn't ask him why he got involved with Zafar after two years of coming clean---now that's a POINT.

I still walked out. I headed to my room and locked myself up. Jamal might have realized he was a bit over the board, he came knocking on my door, I ignored so he said out loud

  "Danielle, I'm so sorry I overreacted" He left

I still ignored, besides it was late already so I guessed he might have gone to bed as well but I was wrong.

Jamal took his belongings and headed to his car and drove off.

The next morning, I woke up sound, did my morning routine which includes my jog. Before then, I noticed Jamal was out, then a message popped up on my phone screen, it reads

             Hey Danni! I didn't mean the 

             things I said to you. I was 

             greedy and I overheated.

                          XOXO

It was Jamal. Where was he at, o wondered. I dialed his line but I wasn't lucky enough, wasn't connecting. I knew last night took a different drive and a different lane but I didn't do nothing wrong after all, if you analyze well I absolutely was the most affected one.

 Today I jogged an additional 2 miles, I stopped at the burger stall  to prove me right, West was absent

  "Excuse me. Mornin!" I politely said

  "Hi ma'am! West is off today, he didn't tell you?" The attendant asked

  "Oh no. But I didn't come for him, I came for burger...just one" I requested killing the uncalled discussion

  "Your wish. You should be more careful though....." He packaged the burger and handed it over to me 

  "Why did you say that?" I was curious

  "Just be careful. Here's my number, let's meet at 12. Any place of your choice not around the vicinity..." He wrote down his number in a small piece of paper.

Another attendant interrupted

  "Any problem miss?" The other asked

  "Not at all. Thanks." I took my package and the paper then headed home.

Finally i was that lonely girl I had been over the years. Lola and I made history, lots of history. We were birds of same feathers flocking together all of a sudden it faded away, I wasn't living between life & death, I was now in the dark, just alone. 

I dialed Jamal for the last time, it was waste of time. I went into bath room, in the bath tub. I laid silently like I was in a trance, reminiscing about so many events that had happened earlier, like how did I get here? My phone vibrated, I peeped at it. Eric texted, saying he would be here in an hour. I screamed 'dang', I hurried out the tub and wiped off the drops on me. I looked into the mirror wondering what I looked like, I wore a white long sleeve body hug silky crop top and a deep sea blue crazy jean and a pair of black socks and white slides, Lola got for me one time. I had a mild make up and had my hair in two buns. I can't forget the cuban links chain i got last week, its lit.

I got a knock on the door at 10:00am, Eric doesn't keep to African times, what else can I expect from a renowned company holder?

  "Hey Eric!" We hugged, then he walked in and went over to the fridge 

  "You know me well, I need tequila...just a shot!" He smiled and served himself. Then he sat sighing in relief, leaning comfortably on the sofa.

  "Why not" I giggled "how about Addy?" I asked in concern

  "Oh her. She's at her mom's. Remember, her younger sister would be tying the knot soon." He gulped the beer

  "Oh ok, that's fair....."

  "Don't pretend, what's really going on? Where's Lola?" He came serious

  "Uhm, she left, like left!" I had this long face on

  "That's not fair, with all you did for her?....."

  "You didn't ask if it were my fault or not...."

  "Coz, its not. The impression on you, doesn't say otherwise. And Jamal?" He asked

  "He's.... He ahh... He left this morning..... 

  "To where?" He got angry

  "I don't know, and I don't want to know. These guys you are asking after are grown ass people they're not kids, so chill. What's up?" I digressed

  "I came for you. Even if we ain't in a relationship doesn't mean we can t care for each other, no laws says that" he added

  "Thanks honey." I smiled

  "And that guy? You were with last night, who's he to you" 

  "A friend!" I snapped

  "How?" He asked again

  "Just a friend. He's a burger attendant down the street...."

  "And you fell for it?"

  "Do I have a reason to doubt?

  "Maybe you should." He turned away

  "Why?" I was curious

  "He's dangerous, I heard that his brother was murdered and he's yet to find the culprit" he added

  "So? How come the cops are yet to arrest him?" I asked

  "That's why he's a hitman. He's influential. That's why I'm asking what exactly you got to do with him?"

  "Nothing at all. Just a friend. And you mentioned Zafar to him last night, how come you know about Zafar?" I didn't mind exposing everything to Eric at all, he knows more than usual

  "Its a long story besides Ada once came across his case. He's into drugs and stuff..... In fact, the verdict she was supposed to defend could not get his brother's name, Zafar had to be freed. There's nothing to press charges about...." He narrated

Woah, Eric really knows more than usual. Can I really confide in him?

  "Wow. Like that was a hell of a story you got..." I said

  "It's not just a story, its reality. Ada Is currently working on Dr Theo's murder case, his wife pressed charges. I bet you heard that!" He sighed

  "I did, I did." I said nodding positively. "Thanks for your concern though.....

  "Something is up, and you won't say it out! Don't I have the right know your problems again? Even if I can't have you back, should I not know what's going on in your life? Danielle its really not fair."

  "Nothing is up. Just like you said, I have to watch out for West. I don't trust him at all, there's  a million things he's not telling me and I would get it!" I concluded

  "I know you would, call me if you need my help or you're trouble, promise me." He cupped my cheeks  and rubbed them softly

  "I will, I promise you that." I hugged him so tight.

  "Thanks. I have to go now, i should meet Ada at her mom's. You know how parents be like" he smiled

  "yeah I know" I replied

He kissed my forehead and knuckles and tried to kiss me then I refrained

  "You have Addy, guy!" I teased

  "I almost forgot. Besides I wouldn't dare, when I'm fully aware that Jamal is behind doors" he teased we laughed

  "Crazy guy! There's no Jamal at all" I added

I saw him off and he drove away.

One thing I felt was confidence and this up-tight spirit. I didn't care if my friends left because I was actually being myself and being my own woman, I was ready to bring that hitman to book, with or without the cops. Its not my call, if I was used as bait, then I would have to switch sides.

One more thing to worry about was that burger attendant, insisting I be careful. How comes he knows a lot about West and why hasn't he ran for his life already, that I would have to find out too.

  "Hi, its Danni!"

  "Oh yeah! Are you ready? Coz I am"

  "Sure I am. I'll text you or can I come pick you up...

  "Its fine...just text me, thanks" he declined

  "See you there!" I hung up immediately

I took my keys and locked my house and left hanging my bag around, then I drove off.

I was waiting at a popular restaurant, when he walked in briskly and sat

  "Sorry I took forever!" He apologized

  "Nah! Its ok. Want anything?

  "No its fine...."

  "I'm not taking countless NOs from you..." We laughed so I ordered two cans of chilled coke and four meat pies.

We started eating and conversing

  "I know I caught you by surprise but I couldn't help it either. West you see is just so different and really reserved..." Tedd said

  "Yeah anyone could be!" I defended, seriously anyone could be

  "I'm aware of that. That's the problem. The first time you and him spoke, it was actually planned out"

  "Err?" I asked for his name

  "Tedd." He snapped

  "Tedd, are you sure you know what you're saying?" I scoffed

  "Yes I do. There was a lady he actually spoke with in person just beside the stall and I think, just think you know her."

  "Who?" Are you trying to say there was a conspiracy before West and I met?" I was already heating up

  "I think so! Have you ever wondered why he has to go through you? Why you in particular?" He emphasized

  "This is not making any sense at all, you know that?" I scored

  "You wouldn't turn up if you didn't have doubts about West, would you? He is using you to get something, and as soon as he's done, you'd be the next."

  "Tedd, how did you know all these?" I asked curiously

  "Where's your friend? Ever thought about that?" He asked again

This time, he nailed it where it hurts the most, Lola can't be involved in this either. Is this hypnotism?

  "She's on vacation?" I tried to lie

  "Is she really on vacation? Or you are keeping it a secret?" He stood up to leave

  "Who are you really?" I asked

  "Just someone that might help you if you we come to agree" He's added

  "A truce?"

  "No, we both have something to gain. I'll tell you if you are willing to work with me as partners....thanks for the treat." He took his pie and coke, went ahead

I was left dumbfounded and uneasy. I really let myself to be so easy to toy with, I won't wait and watch while I get dragged to shit.