In the Shadow of a Secret

       Chapter One

The three girls were chatting away excitedly, glad that their final paper was a walk in the park. Before they knew it the taxi driver they were riding in had pulled over at the entrance of the night club written in bold letters FICA NIGHT CLUB. It was going to be their first outing in weeks. Dressed in their sexy short dresses they made their way to the long queue that waited to enter the club like them.

‘Who remembers the time when we had to fake i.ds to enter in such places?’ giggling Emma asked. She was the mastermind behind this date today.

‘Unlike you, I never got a chance to experience that. My dad was one of the most loving but strictest man to ever walk the earth, even if I wanted to I wouldn’t dare.’ Connie replied.

‘Hahaha…I swear to you guys, I didn’t experience that because I never really tried. If I had not met you Emma I wouldn’t be here right now, I would probably be sitting in front of my computer with a book in my hands. I am what you call a late bloomer Emma.’ Trish said as she blinked her eyes in a naughty way.  

As there were chatting, Connie noticed a guy standing across from them who periodically stared at them and each time Connie looked at him, he looked sideways. She sensed a restlessness about him that made her a bit nervous. Deciding to concentrate on the conversation at hand she looked away and after a while she noticed that he was gone.

‘Come on Trish, when you talk like that one would swear you have never kissed a guy your whole life. Were you not the one who was caught making out with a guy in an abandoned warehouse when you were just hmmm…how old by the way?’ Emma teased and she and Connie began to laugh.

‘Damn you Emma, I wish I had not told you that story. I told you I was just fourteen and why don’t you just print it in the newspaper for the whole world to know.’ Trish sobbed

‘Wow! fourteen and your blood was already boiling for some fun between the sheets? Damn girl, you are a rebel. How come I am hearing about this now?’ Connie smirked.

‘It’s not like we had sex, we were just practicing on kissing that’s all. You had not heard about it because it was spoken in secrecy at a vulnerable moment and was not meant to be public news. I am sure we all have some naughty activity we did growing up’ Trish frowned at Emma as she spoke.

Ouch...So I am part of the public? That hurts I thought we were friends. Connie thought quietly. Her eyes searching for that guy again but he was nowhere to be found and she felt a huge relief.

‘Oops I am sorry for running with my mouth Trish, Connie is our friend anyway and I am sure she will keep it to herself. It comes naturally that there are some things are just meant to be experienced when you are still young you know. When you are old and married and have kids running around you will regret why your years passed you by and you never had fun. Hang with me ladies and I will show you what else is out there.’ Emma said with a huge grin.

‘I am sure we will learn so much from you Emma since you have presented yourself to have a know-all persona.’ Trish grimaced.

Ignoring her nasty remark Emma continued saying ‘While you were still sleeping, I started clubbing when I was 15 years old and my height was my advantage and with an older guy holding my arm I easily deceived the bouncers. I would steal my mum’s padded bra, put on a wig, and some glasses and easily I would pass for an 18+’ Emma chuckled pushing her long hair from her shoulder. 

‘Being an only child how did you come up with all that Emma were you never caught?’ Connie asked in wonder.

Before Emma could answer Trish interjected ‘I knew from the first day I met you in college that you were a naughty girl. What would your parents say whenever you came back home late and smelling of alcohol?’ Trish asked curiously.

‘Come on, I wasn’t stupid enough to do the things that would give me away. At that age I wasn’t drinking yet anyway, I would just go to dance and hangout that’s all. My parents knew nothing about my mischief. I would make sure I sneak back into my room by 11:00pm. To answer your question Connie, being an only child in a rich household full of adults  from your parents to the servants is no fun and maybe the need to be around my age group  is what made me sneak out more often’ Emma sniggered.

‘Excuse me, can I talk to you for a minute.’ The guy from across the street said as he approached the three girls who looked at each other wondering who the guy was referring to.

The three girls looked at each other, none registering any recognition. Trish was awe struck by this guy’s handsome features and she acted in a way that none of her friends had anticipated.

‘No problem, excuse me girls I will be back just now’ Trish with a huge smile said before any of the girls could say anything.

Connie had a natural assumption that it had to be Emma because she was the one who frequented the club was shocked by Trish’s response and she quickly looked away hoping they walked away from them because she felt uneasy with the guy’s presence.

Clearing his throat the guy said ‘I am sorry I didn’t make myself clear, the person I want to talk to is that one in a blue dress.’ 

The shock of his description made Connie to stare at him speechless, she was the one in the blue dress. But what would this guy want with her, she thought. 

‘Do you mean me?’Puzzled Connie asked 

Emma who had been watching everything in silence started giggling and leaning across to Connie she whispered ‘Come on don’t act dump of course the guy is referring to you. Poor Trish she is crushing.’

Indeed Trish who was evidently embarrassed gave a wan smile. The guy simply nodded.

Reluctantly Connie moved away from her friends and the guy held her by the elbow. They walked closed to where she had seen him earlier.

‘May I help you with something?’ Connie asked in a soft voice.

‘I am sure you know why I am here, where is Bruce?’ His tone carried an arrogance to it that chilled her spine.

‘Sorry, who is Bruce?’ Connie asked

His expression did nothing to hide the annoyance he felt ‘Stop pretending like you don’t know who I am referring to when you were with him just a week ago. My brother kept nothing from me, I have the photos of you together.’ 

In bewilderment Connie felt blood drain from her face. Shaking her head she said ‘ I am afraid you have made a mistake, I don’t know anyone named Bruce.’

Through gritted teeth he said ‘Don’t play games with me young lady, I know all about your relationship,’ impatiently he pulled her with him to a car that was a few meters from where they were standing.

Connie looked back to signal for help but the queue had moved and her friends were far ahead. She felt her anger rising when the guy pushed her against the car. Pushing him away she stared at him with blazing eyes as she said,

‘Mr whoever your name is I told you I do not know who the hell this Bruce you are referring to is. So stop making an idiot of yourself by making false accusations’

Glaring at her he said ‘The name is Nick and Bruce is my brother. While you are trying to be cagey about your relationship with him, Bruce confided in me all about your association. I will ask you one last time, where is Bruce?’

Connie could not believe her ears, her body began to tremble in anger and she could feel the tears stinging her eyelids and she knew if one tear drops Nick was going to walk all over her. She almost choked as she retorted ‘Fine, I don’t know where your brother is.’

‘I am telling you now what somebody should have a long time ago, stay away from my brother you gold digger and wherever you two are hiding him, I will find him and that is a promise.’ he stated coldly.

Unable to control her irritation Connie demanded ‘What makes you so sure that your brother is anywhere near here?’

He regarded her up and down and staring deep in her eyes he retorted ‘What do you think? I might be younger than him but I am not stupid’.

‘I am becoming thoroughly bored with________’ Connie didn’t get a chance to finish, he cut in 

Snarling he said ‘Now that I have finally met you I will pick your scent miles away. Trust me this is far from over’ Pushing her aside he got into his car and he drove away leaving Connie stunned with disbelief.