Risky Layers

CHASING AMOUR

I have not seen Amour since Monday, I volunteered to drop the girls in school so I can drop by at Annie’s Ace all in the pretence of checking up on the team. After snooping around town with utmost discretion, I got her parents name; Annie Chase and Samuel Cole, then the foundation for digging became easy. I got her home address from the province directory, I got the name of her late brother as Ace Cole and not Chase, I wondered why she was not using her father’s name. Monday to Wednesday was a long time not to pay tennis, she usually plays from Monday to Saturday and Frank said she was fine so I drove my truck to my brother’s house at 6am, borrowed his power bike and ride out to Amour’s house then hid by a shade not too far from her house. Ace death records were sealed and I learnt it was sealed 3 years after his death so I don’t have details but people say he was killed by a drunk driver.

She drives out and I give her a head start which was almost a mistake, that girl is a beast behind the wheels just like she is on the court, I catch up and keep a steady distance, she stops by a flower shop and I follow her and she ends up at a private cemetery. Looks like I just found Ace’s resting place and probably today is his is remembrance, I stand at a distance and watch her walk to Ace’s head stone at the other side of the cemetery. She was there for a while, I hide around the corner as she steps into her car, reverses and drives past me and I start walking towards the direction I saw her head to and finally found Ace’s resting place after wondering around for 15 minutes;

                                Ace Ayo Cole

                                1987 – 2002

Beloved Son, Awesome brother, Cool Friend

There was a diagram of a butterfly beside his name and it looks quite new, not as old as the other letterings; sad to die at such a young vibrant age, he was 15 and she was 12 must have been hard losing your only sibling at a formative age. I can’t remember how long I stood there but I thought about all the possibilities of losing someone at that age, Josh was 2 years older than me, what if he left me when we were young? What if Cara or Aria dies at the age? They are practically sisters. Cara was around the same age Amour was-it’s so sad and I would not wish it on anyone. Then she lost her mum 2 years later, no wonder she shuts people out, probably scared of losing them and going through the pain. I know how I felt when Camilla passed, it was the worse feeling ever. I left the cemetery and headed towards Annie’s Ace at a high speed, a tour bus drives past me just as I approached the gate. I ride in and as I was driving to park beside Amelia’s car, I saw Amour’s car at her parking spot.

When I started walking back to a particular tree that was 20 feet from Amour’s car for a good view of who goes in and out, I saw Doug and asked him about Amour and he said she was not in the facility. He answers and walks away, he is the most professional and loyal security I have ever met. I know I will not get anything else from him, I continued towards the tree and sat on the concrete picnic chair under it, ‘what if she does not get back today?’, ‘that would hurt’, I already asked Aria’s mum to pick the girls. I start reading and making notes on the ideas my Manager sent for my show, the live shows will resume in January so we need to prep extensively for the next 2 months. The aim was for the Physio-Sportainment show to get better every year and Brit has done a great job with the creative manager for the past 6 years-they make sure they put a different twist every year. I was very involved for the first 4 years but my patients grew as I was really sort after by celebrity athletes and a few non-athletes and the construction company and Cara also come with their demands. Last week and this week were the only ‘break’ I could squeeze out in the last 7 months and I really know I have not had so much rest, its more of a work from home/flex work.

I made notes for the next 2 hours and start to go through emails from my patients, I check my time and its 3 pm already. I’m starving and my water bottle is empty, I sent my location and a text to Amelia’s assistant to get me a cold bottle of water and some fruit from the workers snack stand. I have a virtual follow up check with an NBA star in 30 minutes and might likely last more than 30 minutes, my fruits and water were delivered in 15 minutes and I tried to eat as much as I could in 10 minutes before my meeting starts. This particular patient was a pain in my ass but we have made good progress, I have to fly to L.A next week for his final check and clearance, I managed to end the call few minutes before 4:30 pm. Now that I am done with my tasks, it’s obvious I am extremely restless staying in a spot, I put my iPad and bottle in my backpack and I stand to stretch my legs when I hear my phone buzz. I picked the call while walking towards the cliff-its such a beautiful view with fresh air.

‘Hey Ryan, I RSVPed for Frank’s wedding but I have to be in Cuba, its next week Saturday’

‘I would have said No but that’s the best gift I’ve gotten in a while’

‘Ryan, its not a gift, it’s a platform for networking and it would be disrespectful not to attend’ I chuckle, if only he knew ‘or is there something I’m missing?’ I turn back to face Amour’s spot which is the reason I am here in the first place and I see her alight from a bus, Doug was walking towards her, he gives her something I guess is her key, she picks up a backpack from her car and heads for the admin building.

‘Ryan are you there?’

‘Yea bro’ Its almost 5pm, she does not play tennis at this time

‘You picking the girls from school tomorrow, right?’

‘Yes Sir’

‘Their shopping is on you on Saturday’ Josh stated

‘Definitely, its been a while we had a fun day’

‘Bring my power bike home asshole’ He hung up while doing his evil laugh.

What is Miss Independent up to? My heart is suddenly elated knowing she is back and I don’t have to wait for long, I walk back to my seat and wait-It was a long wait because she did not come back to her car till past 6pm, she was dressed for the night and looking all shades of hot. I hope she is not going out with Luca, after spending the whole day on her tail I can’t afford to end it empty handed, I need at least 30 minutes with her. I resolved to let her go without tailing her, I am going to drop Josh’s power bike, eat at his place, drive my truck home, have my bath, change into something cool and go hunt for her; I’m going to follow my guts and street OT on locating her tonight. I send Josh a text as she drives off.

‘I’m hungry bro, omw to you now’

Josh replies ‘Will put some spaghetti in the microwave’

‘Do that in 10 minutes, Merci’

I put my phone away and ensure all my stuffs are secured before mounting the bike, I put on my helmet and start the bike on a race mode to Josh’s house.

‘Are the police of your tail, that entrance was wild bro’ Josh teased as Cara and Aria run to give me a hip hug, I bend down to hug and kiss them on their forehead.

‘Daddy is hungry baby’ I tell Cara as she tugged on my hand gesturing me to the kitchen island

‘That’s why I served your food’ Cara smiled as she gestured for me to sit down          

‘Thanks Angel, you are such a wonderful human’ I flash my sweet smile

She did a great job arranging the greens and I dig in, Cara smiles and runs off to look for Aria. Josh walks up to me and leans in front of me, I ignore him and chew my grilled chicken-after mum’s cooking, this is the best place to eat.

‘You guys always save my life’ I drink half of my glass of juice ‘That was awesome, thanks’ I took my plate to the sink as I finished the other half of my juice, I relax by the sink for like 2 minutes and start washing the plate; I am the one of few weird ones that find hand washing of plates therapeutic.

‘It’s obvious you’ve not had anything to eat all day and you seems to be in a hurry’ I smile ‘Going to scene?’

‘Not today but I have plans for tonight’ I clean my hand and start walking towards the kitchen door

‘That’s interesting, the last time I heard ‘plans’ for tonight was when you were dating Amelia’ I feel Josh staring

I turn back and smiled ‘Not yet Josh, just wish me luck because I need trillions of it’ Josh smiles at me and gestures for me to wait as I called out the girls.

‘See you tomorrow bellas’ we did our high fives and hugs as Josh hands me Franks invite

‘Love you guys’

I walk out the door to my truck and drove home under 5 minutes, I did my full ‘beauty’ routine while debating if I should go to with my car or a cab. I ended up going with my other car; a Benz S-class, the truck did not fit into my seduction tonight. I had the eligible bachelor c*m playboy look, a navy blue fitted pant, sky blue shirt, a navy-blue bomber jacket and a brown brogue-the only time I have paid extra attention to my look was for my weekly show and my stylist was worth every dime. If only Josh cold see me now, I get into my car and dialled Chad’s number, I wait for a while before he picks, I guess he is looking for a quiet spot.

‘Hey dude, quick one is Luca at the club?’

‘Yes bro and he’s been driving us crazy all day’

‘Is the gorgeous chic there?’

‘hmmm, not seen her all week’ ‘What’s the deal Ryan?’

‘Forget I asked, for now’ ‘Later bro’ I hung up before he could start his interrogation.

Amour’s outfit was well thought out and with her driving an Aston Martin, she definitely was not going to a cheap place and with her love for privacy my first bet will be Chloe’s and the second option would be Snap and they are on the same route- Chloe’s is 20 minutes’ drive from Snap while Snap is just about 8 minutes from my house. I steer the car towards Snap, i slowed down by the valet;

‘Hi pal, did you park my girlfriend’s black Aston Martin tonight?’

‘Sir?’ He smiles at me because I m sure he recognises me from my TV show, I tip him.

‘She stayed for about 30 minutes and left 10 minutes ago’

‘Thanks pal, her phone is dead’

‘Oh’ he muttered as I smile at him and start driving towards Chloe’s, I’m sure she came to eat here first, they have the best finger and grilled food.

I start driving to Chloe’s and I pray it’s worth it!