TST, 2020
Leo raised his hands.
“Turn slowly.” The man said.
Leo turned at a snail's pace. He saw an average-height man wearing a long black pullover which hid his face.
“Did you get the document?” The man said.
Leo remained silent.
The man grunted. “Answer the question!”
Leo gaped at the Walther PPQ pistol pointed towards him.
“The document… did you find it?”
“Yes…” Leo said.
“Go…”
“What…?”
“Run. You didn’t see anyone today, this meeting never occurred.”
Leo ran without looking back, a lot of questions circulating in his head. He rushed into his room. The room wasn’t locked and Rachel wasn’t there. Her basket and utensils were on the table.
He looked at his phone. There were neither goodnight wishes nor missed calls. A powerful man is someone who can laugh alone, stand alone, and smile alone. That’s life.
He jumped into his bed and after minutes, he fell asleep.
What jolted him from sleep was a weighty knock from the door. Dazzling sun rays pierced through the windows, hitting his eyes.
Why is it Monday again? He squinted, stretching.
A heavy knock proceeded.
“Hey, can’t you knock judiciously?” Leo snapped, walking towards the door.
He opened the door. Macy stood still, her arms crossed. She was in a light blouse and a short tracksuit. Her face was red and her eyes were flashing.
“Come in?” Leo muttered.
Macy entered the room.
“You okay?”
Macy stared at Leo, tears ran down her cheeks.
“Hey, what’s wrong?”
She gawked at him, fighting back her tears.
Leo touched Macy’s shoulder. Macy pulled him away.
“Hey, what did I do?”
Macy looked over the wall.
“Say something please…”
“Leo, do you know for how long I’ve been waiting for you?”
“Hey—”
“For four years. Every night before going to bed, I used to pray to meet you again.”
“What—”
“I said no to every man who approached me, because of you.”
“Macy—”
“Leo, I loved you so much.”
Leo breathed deeply.
“You could’ve just told me that you had another girlfriend.”
Leo scratched his hair. “I can explain.”
“Said by every playboy...”
“Macy please—”
“I don’t know what’s worse. People who lie or people who think I am stupid enough to believe the lies!”
“Please listen—”
“I loved you.”
“I still love you—”
The door opened, Isla dashed in. “What?”
Leo’s eyes widened. His lower lip quivered.
“Can you recur what you just said?” Isla said. A vein popped out in her neck.
Leo laid his head low.
Isla shook her head. “Leo… with all toys in this world, you choose someone’s heart to play with?”
**********
SJ was in her office. Her mouth curved into a smile. The voice of the birds pierced her ears and kindled her blissful humor. The door opened and Patrice rushed in.
SJ simpered. “I have—”
“I have—”
The two grinned.
“You go first.” Patrice said.
“Alright...” SJ opened the drawer. “The two cards are in our hands now.”
Patrice took the cards. “We’re lucky.”
“Luck is great, but most of life is hard work.”
Patrice smirked, raising his hands.
“Your turn..!”
“I have located Felix’s wife.”
SJ’s face bloomed with a smile.
“She’s in Mbalizi, Mbeya.”
“When are we leaving?”
“Today…”
“Get the plane tickets.” SJ said, “It’s time to pay a visit to our old friend’s wife”