Chapter 30 - The hitman strikes

I lowered myself very slowly to sit on the couch next to hers.

"Aha, Liam... Why are you here and not at work?" Shelly inquired in a surprised tone the moment she noticed my presence on entering the palour from the corridor. Then she sat on the same couch as my mom.

"He just got fired" My mom blurted plainly, expressing her disappointment as she turned to face Shelly who casted a shocked look at me.

"Why were you fired Liam?" Shelly asked with my mom now returning her gaze back at me.

"I got -- Chloe pregnant, and she's my boss's daughter" I confessed to my mom under clenched jaw with my head sagged in cowardice.

"What!"

My mom's loud exclaim rose my head up at an instant. She seemed very shocked and raged at the same time. Then, her expression turned to that of surprise curiousity when she noticed how reserved and quiet Shelly was; after all, it was no big news to her since I already told her this morning before leaving the house.

"So -- you knew about this too?" She turned her body on the couch to question Shelly who only nodded without saying a word.

My mom shook her head in disappointment and stood up from the couch.

"Mom" I called to her sharply the moment she turned and was about leaving.

"So none of you saw it fit to tell me eh --" My mom turned to face me, also glancing at Shelly as she spoke.

"I didn't know how to tell you... I just -- didn't want to get you upset" I replied immediately in a low apologetic voice.

"And I only knew about it this morning Miss" Shelly's voice broke out in a remorseful plea.

"Oh Liam" My mom heaved out a sigh and sat back on the couch. "But I've always warned you about this lifestyle of yours --"

"I actually love Chloe" I blurted in interruption without waiting for her to complete her motherly 'i told you so' talk. My mom seemed pretty relieved by what I'd just said, infact, a faint smile broke on her lips. "I really love her mom... And she's not like any other girl I've been with" I added so boldly.

It was when I finished talking that I realised how uncomfortable my response made Shelly feel as she sat stiffened, unconsciously rubbing her left hand behind her neck in embarrassment with her eyes lowered before casting me a cold stare that made my throat go dry. But there was no time to apologize, so I quickly removed my eyes from hers and leveled it on my mom who'd parted her lips to speak.

"And it's because of this you got fired today?" My mom asked, her voice sounding much calmer than before.

"Yes" I sighed regrettably. "But her mom seemed to approve of our relationship except her dad -- he was so mean" I added in an exasperated voice and leaned my back to rest on the couch.

"Well..." My mom gave out a warm smile and graciously raised herself up from the couch. "You shouldn't beat yourself up about it. Just give her dad sometime and he'll come around soon. He's just mad that his only daughter got pregnant -- every parent would have, I for one would have gotten angry if you were a girl and got pregnant"

Shelly burst into laughter at my mom's consoling but humourous response. Even I couldn't help but chuckle on hearing it.

'Me a girl, and getting pregnant' I shook my head in amusement at that statement and raised my eyes to look at my mom who stood beside my couch, grinning widely at me before saying "Let me go prepare something for you to eat... I learnt you didn't eat anything before leaving the house."

"Okay... Thanks mom" I smiled, looking at my mom who left the palour for the kitchen.

"I'm coming to assist you miss" Shelly announced in a loud voice as she stood up and was about walking past me when I reached out to hold her left wrist, bringing her steps to an abrupt halt beside my couch.

"Hope you're not mad at what I said earlier" I inquired with my lips pressed in an apologetic smile.

"That Chloe is not like any other girl you've been with?" She retorted sharply in a rhetorical tone that didn't need my response. "No Liam... as you can see, am not mad" Shelly forcefully pulled her left hand from my grasp and trotted towards the kitchen.

'She's definitely mad at me' I sighed under my breath and sunk my body weight on the couch with my tummy beginning to rumble in hunger from the sweet aroma of fried egg coming from the kitchen.

THE NEXT Day, I followed Shelly around the house -- from my room to the palour and into the kitchen, trying to apologize for downgrading her yesterday in my response to my mom.

"Ugh, c'mon Shelly... I've told you, I didn't mean it" I stopped in the centre of the kitchen behind Shelly with both arms spread out in reasoning, looking at her while she stood -- making herself some tea.

It was 9am in the morning and my mom was in her room, getting dressed for an appointment with someone.

"That's why it's best to always think before you speak Liam" Shelly turned to face me, holding the mug cup in her left hand while stirring the tea with a spoon in her right hand.

"Got it..." I heaved a relieved sigh before lowering my arms on both sides. "And just so you know, you and Chloe -- plus my mom, are the three most important ladies in my life" I teased with a shrug of my shoulders, smiling softly when I noticed the smile break through Shelly's lips even after her failed attempts to hide it.

"Well... Thank you" she chuckled and took a sip of her tea before we heard the sudden ringing of the palour doorbell.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Shelly asked, lowering her mug cup on the table beside her.

"Um... No" I replied with a doubtful shake of my head and added. "Are you?"

"Nope..." Shelly gave a plain response. "But I'll go check it out" she said as soon as the door bell rang out the second time.

"No no... Let me." I Insisted, motioning my hands for her to remain put where she stood.

"Okay" Shelly nodded and carried her tea cup again, retreating her steps back to lean her butt on the cabinet behind while fixing her eyes on me as I turned and left the kitchen for the palour.

"I was beginning to wonder if no one was going to get the door." My mom sighed in relief, bringing her steps to a stop behind the three sitters couch adjacent the door when she noticed me approaching.

I didn't give her a response but smiled and walked past her, hastening my steps for the door.

Then i held the door knob and was about twisting it open when I froze immediately with terrifying thoughts racing through my mind. What if, just what if it wasn't someone friendly but Kelvin's hitman at the door?

"Liam, will you open the door for chrisake!" My mom instructed in an authoritative voice from where she stood few metres behind me.

I drew in deep breaths through my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut as I slowly pulled the door open, waiting to feel a bullet pierce through my forehead for felt it was the hitman and no one else!

"Hi" Chloe's soft voice filled my ears, sending waves of relief as I opened my eyes to see her standing in front of the entrance - wearing a pleated gown with her hair neatly done into a French braid.

"Chloe, Hi... Good morning" I gasped, sounding almost breathless as I spoke. "Do you mind coming inside?" I said in a low courteous voice.

"Um..."

"Chloe dear, how are you?" My mom's sudden tender voice interrupted Chloe who was about to speak.

"Good morning miss" Chloe smiled, raising her gaze to look at my mom who stood beside me. "You're looking good on that outfit" she teased my mom, casting a quick glance at me.

"Hm-mm, you can say that again" My mom chuckled in acknowledgment, unconsciously adjusting the nicely fitted black pencil skirt on her waist. She was wearing it with a creamed coloured top and a matching pearl necklace and earrings. Then my mom's voice broke out again in questioning "And you Chloe? How are you feeling... I know with the pregnancy you migh..."

"Um Mom..." I cleared my throat in awkwardness, staring shyly at Chloe who was forcing a smile to hide her embarrassment. "Can we go for a walk?" I asked immediately, coming out of the house to pull Chloe along so we could leave my mom's presence.

"See you later miss" she waved at my mom who smiled with a nod of her head before entering inside.

"So um... You told your mom about the baby" Chloe asked in a low voice as we strolled down the road - heading to only God knows where.

"Pfff... I had to, I couldn't keep it any longer" I sighed, roving my eyes about to see if we were being followed by the hitman or not.

"So, how did she react?" Chloe asked and glanced sideways, her eyes glittering with curiousity.

"Well..." I started to say with a brief shrug. "She was angry at first, not about the pregnancy though... But because I hid it from her. She even made a joke of me being a girl which I found to be amusing" I concluded my response with a light chuckle.

Chloe giggled softly and stared at the distance as we kept walking towards the main road in a slow steady pace.

"So, she approves of us -- being together?" She asked again as if having some doubts.

"Yeah sure... She totally does" I blurted immediately in a convincing tone, turning my head sideways to look at Chloe who blushed and slowly reached for my right hand - holding it firmly with her left hand as we strolled down.

"So, how are things with your parents?" I asked, casting my gaze ahead. We were almost reaching the road.

Chloe heaved out in a sober voice, saying "Pfff... My dad has barely spoken to my mom this morning. And um..."

"And what?" I halted my steps and turned to face Chloe whose gaze was lowered in sadness. "Just tell me please" I urged in a desperate tone, placing my hands on her shoulders as she slowly raised her head to stare into my eyes.

"My dad um -- He got fired by Kelvin's dad today. I just feel so..." She started to say and paused, looking away to hide her watery eyes and feelings of guilt.

"Hey, Chloe... Look at me, you don't have to blame yourself for your dad being fired -- Kelvin is to be blamed" I consoled in a soft whisper, fixing my eyes on Chloe who returned her saddened gaze on mine.

"I know Kelvin was angry yesterday but -- I don't think he persuaded his dad to fire my dad. He knows how much this job was important to us" She countered in a low voice, shaking her head in a doubtful manner as she spoke.

"Then there's a lot you don't know about Kelvin" I said in a exasperated voice as I pulled my hands from her shoulders.

"How... What do you mean?" Chloe asked immediately with a curious look.

"He almost had me and my friend Andrew killed some nights ago!" I choked out, raising my right hand to curl my right fingers into a fist in suppressed anger.

"And why didn't tell me about this, Liam" Chloe muttered almost inaudibly with disappointment in her stare.

"Because I didn't want to get you involved... God knows I wouldn't forgive myself if any harm came to you" I replied, moving closer to place my hands on her shoulders. "He was the reason I..."

My words came to a sudden pause when my phone rang out.

"Hey man, wassup" I said over the phone the moment I answered the call and placed the phone on my ear.

"Bro lissen up, come to my dad's garage now!" Andrew urged in a hasty voice, sounding rather tensed than calm.

"Like right now?" I asked in a protesting tone while looking at Chloe who stood mute, trying to make out our conversation.

"Like fu*king now bro!... Miguel just got hit!" He growled over the phone in an angry voice and ended the call before I could even say a word. Even in the background, I could hear the furious rants of Ramirez.

My heart began to pound hard now with the news of Miguel, making me a bit uneasy.

"Is anything wrong Liam?" Chloe asked in a soft whisper when she noticed the worried look on my face.

"Look um... I need to rush off to somewhere, but... Let's get you in a taxi first" I stuttered nervously, pulling Chloe along as I hastened my pace for the road ahead with fears of the hitman spotting us or something!

"Can you atleast tell me what's wrong and why you're so tensed?" Chloe groaned in frustration as she followed helplessly beside me from my strong grasp.

"Not now, maybe later..." I turned to look at her and halted my steps as we reached the main road. Then just as I was about raising my right hand to signal an approaching taxi.