KIBAHA, 2020
Patrice aided Leo in standing. Leo’s right hand was holding his left arm. He moaned as he limped, clenching his teeth strongly.
“The police are here. We need to leave.” Patrice said.
“They are not police.” SJ said.
“How do you know?”
“They are my men.”
Patrice took a deep breath.
“Madam, are you alright?” A tall, strapping man of about 30 years old said after entering the warehouse. He was in black clothes and a bulletproof vest covered his chest.
“Yes, secure the warehouse for now.” SJ said.
The man nodded and walked away, giving instructions to other men.
Patrice lied down. “What now?”
SJ’s hands were on her head. “As Christos said, it’s all over.”
Patrice turned to Leo. “You’ve ruined everything, including your own life.”
Leo sniffed. “Was just saving my mother.”
SJ turned to Leo with a red face. “You should’ve told us. We would’ve helped.”
“The old man knew everything about my mother. He intimidated to kill her if I didn’t do as he instructed.”
“Well, now you will lose everything. Your mother, your father’s reputation, and your own life.” Patrice said.
“What is in those cards? Why are they that important?”
“Those cards are the keys to the safe box. Inside that safe box, there is a document that will prove that we didn’t assassinate the president and it will reveal the real enemy. Thanks to you, the keys to the safe box and so the documents are on the enemy’s hands.” SJ said.
“You didn’t tell me about the document. You didn’t tell me about this all. You told me there was money.”
“We were trying to save your ass.” Patrice said.
“How..?”
“Christos will kill anyone who knows the truth or anyone who walks near it.” SJ said.
“If I knew about this, I swear I wouldn’t have handed over the cards to him.”
Patrice and SJ sighed. Their hands were scratching their hair. SJ moved around the room, Patrice sat on the floor.
“How was my father involved in this?”
“Your father was a good special agent and a good partner.” Patrice said.
“Why did he abandon me and my mother?”
“Because he loved you two.” SJ said.
“Loved us?”
“Sometimes love is not a feeling, it is a choice.” SJ said, “He made a tough choice to save you and your mother.”
“By abandoning us..? At that young age..?”
“That’s the only reason you and your mother are still alive. He sacrificed his life so that you two could live.” SJ said.
“Are you calling this whatever shit am living, a life?”
“We are about to make tough choices to our beloved ones too. I’ll have to leave Daniel and my family, and Sonia has to leave Isla and her family too. It’s not because we hate them, it’s not because we don’t love them. It’s because we know if we stay close to them, they will get hurt.” Patrice said, tears off his face.
“It’s called tough love. We learnt it from your father.” SJ said, “Before he died, he asked us to take care of you and your mother. He really insisted.”
Leo sighed, his whole face was wet. “What if we get the documents before him?”
“Without the cards, that’s impossible, kid.” Patrice said.
“I have a very bad idea.” Leo said.
SJ and Patrice turned to him.
“We break in and steal the document.”