KNOWN ENEMY

John seemed somehow excited after seeing Julie, he liked the fact that she had work on her skin and is trying to be a better person. He hoped dearly, that she tried to understand him and give him a chance of building a very strong bond. He gently knocked on the door to his mother's room but got no response. "Mom." He knocked again. "Are you asleep?"

"I'm fine, go to bed." Mirabella's voice was firm, it was clear that she hasn't slept.

"You haven't slept?"

"I'm finding it difficult to sleep after what happened today, but I'll be fine."

"Have you taken your medications?" He asked again.

"No, I haven't." Mirabella sat and managed to cover herself with the duvet while Neo was staring at her. She hoped her son wouldn't want to come in.

"You need to take your medications, that's the only way you can find sleep." He sighed. "Or do you want a massage?"

"No, I'm fine. Tomorrow morning, I need to go somewhere with Neo, can you release him to me?" She looked at Neo as she asked.

"Well, if its not something too dangerous for him, there no problem." John was reluctant.

Mirabella giggled. "I'm not killing anyone, it's not dangerous."

"What are you doing with Anne? You plan on turning a blind eye?"

"Blind eye! That's impossible, I am going to put everything in place tomorrow."

"Mom, do not do anything that would put your health or safety at risk."

"You are not worried about your dear friend?" Mirabella stood and reached out for her robe.

"I definitely am, but you come first."

"I see! You are beginning to care a lot about me now these days." She wore the robe.

"I have always cared about you mom, sometimes, I just chose not to show it."

"The last time you cared about me was when you bought me that ring." She headed to the door.

"I have always cared about you Mrs Mirabella Williams."

"Are you sure?" She was about to open the door.

"Good night mom." John said and walked out.

It happens every time, whenever she tires to have a deep conversation with her son, he just clocks out and left her hanging. She exhaled sharply and returned to the bed. "Did you see how he just left?"

"You are not happy about it, I know, you wanted to have a conversation with him." Neo patted her head.

"Stay with me this night, I am too scared to sleep alone."

"Why?" Neo chuckled. "You are scared Richard will come and stab you while sleeping?"

"I have a feeling he is coming to strangle me." The both them laughed.

************

Diva was on a call when John walked in. "I will talk to you tomorrow." She said over the phone ended the call.

"Hi." John took off his tuxedoes jacket. "I thought you were already asleep."

"Where have you been?" Her voice was sad.

"Why do you sound so unhappy?" He asked again and took off his shoes, and arranging every piece of what he was wearing in its place.

"I couldn't sleep, after what happened today?." She shook her head. "It's just weird and disturbing."

"Don't let that disturb you, we are going to fix it first thing tomorrow morning."

"That girl doesn't know what she is about to lose."

John stooped undressing and looked at her. "Pardon?"

"I overheard your mom once or twice saying she wants to build a hospital and put her in charge. That's like giving her an empire, a young girl like her, heading a hospital?" Diva smiled. "It would have been so interesting."

"Unfortunately, Anne was too blind to see that, She is a kid anyways, I didn't expect much." He started unbuttoning his shirt.

"You call who a kid?" Diva's voice was a bit loud. "A girl who is ready to sell all of you out to a known enemy? After taking her in, providing her with shelter, food, education, and other necessary amenities?"

"Maybe her fate was to betray us, 'cause I don't know what else to say, I am as shocked as you are too at the moment."

"Rich people have more problems than the less privileged." Diva stood and yawned loudly. "Good night." she said to him before walking out.

Earlier that night, he had told Monica that rich people have their own problems too, and Diva repeated the same. It made him think for a while...

The next morning came and the Williams's house seemed so tense, despite the fact that everywhere was as quiet as a graveyard as they ate.

"Why is no one talking about what happened yesterday?" Mirabella asked as she ate.

"Because what happened last night wasn't something good to even talk about." Replied Neo.

"Oh!" Mirabella laughed gently. "I will fix every fault this morning, you all should be rest assured."

Neo smiled and said again. "I know we can always trust you on that ma'am."

John looked at his friend and mom, he could feel the spark between them that morning, but it didn't seem true or real. "Never! My mom will never have anything to do with him, she doesn't even like him." He said in his mind.

"You seem comfortable with him sitting in the dining with us." Diva was looking at Neo with a killer look. "You always hated his presence."

"What's the point hating anyways?" Mirabella's question hit her son hard.

"So, you mean you now have a change of mind? You now like Neo?" John questioned.

She looked at Neo and shrugged her shoulders. "He has been good to you anyways, he is a loyal one."

"There is something between these two." John said in his mind.

"It's funny how you are realizing the fact that he is loyal. I mean, he has always been loyal." Diva was driving somewhere only she could understand.

"Let's eat peacefully this morning please, I had a long day yesterday." John helped himself with some tea.