Too busy for hook ups

The past.

Episode 5

There came power outage at 12am while Lea tried putting on her brand new laptop. She had angrily taken lantern and searching for the device's power button when she got a missed call, she smiled, seeing it was Semia's contact saved as crazy buddy.

"Do you know what time is it, flashing at this hour you silly..." she was cut off by the door's rattling which kept repeating for seconds. Without safety precautions, she headed towards the door with a biro in between the strands of her hair, and turned the knot. Just as Davy walked in, she was stunned. Especially on remembering the kiss earlier. Lea felt insecure and crossed both palms at her chest. She attempted to query but paused, studying Mr. Smith's actions. He gently moved towards the bed and, without speaking, collapsed into a deep sleep.

"sleepwalking!" she screamed. Night faded.

It was already dawn, couldn't get the memory of last night off her mind and kept making a senero of why she stayed up till morning, unaware of Davy who already opened his eyes to the to mutterings coming from the couch repeatedly.

"wake up Lea, his hot for nothing. Yeah i know he's got a cool physic but i can never be tempted to have anything to do with him. Yeah you're right"

"babbling huh? What are you doing in my room?" he asked, still sleepy

"Oh finally awake. Why don't you look around. I thought you would sleep throughout the day. "

"What? Wait, did i?" he was stunned the moment he realised he sleep walked. He quickly grabbed the mirror to confirm himself in Lea's room

"You really don't know how scared to hell i was that i thought you might....... in short forget it. When you're done reflecting, you should give your sis an explanation."

"nm... you mean... i sleepwalked. Sorry if i.... star..tled you" he stammered, "but then, Lora is aware

"what?"

For a moment, it was calm, no one spoke, till Davy raised an arm and demonstrated 'come sit' but moved closer as Leah sat, that she became conscious of her breathe.

He reflected back to thirteen years ago.

It was marked correctly on the hospital's calendar. Twenty fourth December, 2013, Christmas eve. Mr and Mrs Smith were prepared to take Davy home, after the doctor's prescription.

"take them twice daily, and you would be free from cold " he said. They were grateful and paid extra but doctor Noah was absent minded when Mr Smith made his last statement before heading out to the car. It hasn't been too long they drove off, it began to rain heavily. There's hardly rain during winter but it's might have been too windy and cold that it resulted to the rain. All vehicles were given a safety precautions to park till the rain was over but Mr Smith couldn't, he already failed brake on the highway. He never could imagine even with been a real good driver, he can also fall a day to come. It was so scary that Davy kept screaming as they couldn't control the brakes. Few minutes later they were lucky to survive but then, there came this huge looking headlights, coming speedily, although it wasn't that clear but it's plate number was so bold. It struck against theirs.

Few minutes later, paparazzi filled the highway. President of Country style chocolate shop, just died in an accident with his wife who's the founder of Hawridge Tv station. Davy was the only survival, half dead in injuries that Lora barely recognised him when she arrived at the hospital. Mr Ben stood in pity, watching as she slowly sat beside patient's bes, gently taking his palm. For the first time it was difficult to cry or laugh.

The funeral was held too sudden, at one of the expensive funeral home. Lora had spent hours, staring at the coffin when Davy returned.

"Where have you been? Do you know how worried to hell i was?"

"Don't....worry, i..i went out for a while to relieve myself. I was so....so... I was so pressed" he stammered while the guests stared at him, and the faces of some looked as though they pitied.

"So it's true" whispered one of them.

"So tragic. He's not been normal since they died. But then... wasn't Mrs Smith sick already? We were pretty close you know. It looked like cancer"

"Mrs Oliver should be bothered about her family personal problems before gossiping about another's" Mr Ben said, heading towards the children. He patted Lora on her shoulder and waved at the other man who was coming after him

"That's your late mother's lawyer"

"You must be Lora. You look a lot like her" he said, shaking his head in pity while expecting a reply from her but she remained silent "sorry for your loss. By the way am Mr John, her lawyer, we made an agreement which you're needed to sign". He opened his briefcase and took out a file, handing it over to Lora.

"What's this?" She asked, flipping it over "looks like a will"

"Exactly, since you've just entered high school, I would be running the company till you're done with schooling. Don't worry too much, am also good the field. Before studying law, i first went for mass com. But you're the official new president". It was then, tears rolled down Lora's cheeks. Uncontrollably, she began sobbing.

"Mr Ben also knew, right? Your boss's wife was sick"

"How...how...how could... she do this, she!...she did this to..to us ah!" Davy got on his knees and screamed painfully "she suffered she suffered alone! been...been lonely and couldn't tell us!" He banged his head, chew his nails non stop and began reciting this weird plate number. Everyone saw him as though he was going crazy while Lora tried to control him. As days passed, his situation worsened. Mr Ben had no other choice than sending him to a psychiatrist. He spent two years, then returned after much improvement, to be home schooled. After high school, Davy developed phobia and began sleepwalking.

"My journey of seeing a therapist, never changed i guess. There came i time, i pretended to be crazy during the days i seemed okay"

"Why did you do it?" Leah asked.

"There were these two cops talking to my hearing. To them, the information would only be useless to me since am crazy. As expected, i heard what i shouldn't hear, it wasn't just an accident, but instead, they were murdered. They said the brakes were too new and recently fixed, and tyres too, their screw were loosened. When i returned, i told Lora and that week, she made a scene at the police station because we finally understood why the case was closed, but it was so unfair. One day i got too scared to tell Lora about the plate number, because the reporter who had interest on releasing an article, died in his bedroom but it was ruled, suicide".

"What?"

"Shocked right? Then, i was as shocked as you are. Then Ruby abandoned us. She and i were engaged from childhood to get her father work with country style, he had shares too. During that same period, Mr Ben was getting married, hm" he smiled. Lea was speechless, and for a while reflected back to how sad she was. After her dad went crazy, her mom died in an accident. She took a deep breath, climbed up the bed and stretched out her arms.

"Am not... usually this way, but right now, you need this hug, and i wish to be your comfort. Davy stood, surprised as Leah placed his head below her chest, "isn't it... warm? Not like i was going to ask your permission" She spoke softly and let go within five seconds. As soon as she reached for the door, Davy pulled her back, and pressed her arms against the wall and drew closer

"What... what are you doing?" She asked in a tensed tone

"Am tempted, and can't control it" He kissed her.

It was going to rain, still Steve chose not to leave the field, and Davy had no choice than join him.They decided to have a lot of fun on the basketball field. Not long Davy had thrown the ball, instantly, it began to bounce back at him in full force that Steve who tried to play the hero, missed his steps and fall on Davy, it dropped on the both. They began to laugh, but after Steve shut his mouth, he kept laughing. It turned annoying that Mr Smith got abandoned on the field and even after few minutes, Steve returned to find him on same spot. It was so loud.

"Why on earth are you still laughing? This isn't funny anymore. I hate it when a person laugh more than he should, it turns annoying for the rest".

"Never mind, it's not your type of thing" Davy said

"What's that uh? uh?, everything's my type", he sat, ready to be a good listener

"Something about couple of days ago"

"tell me, your house?"

"Yeah" He giggled

"Don't tell me..... about Leah, right?"

"Something like that. Hey, why am i talking to you? You don't like gossip, do you?"

"I really wanna gossip today" He said, staring at Davy who faced down, he's face turned red and he smiled like a fool

"i...i...i k...ki..ssed her"

"What!"

"Why are you screaming?"

"Did i scream? did you see me scream?"

"Why do you like screaming?"

"I don't scream, i only screamed just now"

"Why?"

"Dude you said you... never mind, hey even your face can't lie. It turned red"

"But then, she did that first at Ruby's visit the last time and it's driving me crazy and thinking, do i like this girl! Yeah, good question, and you know what? i think i do"

"You... ha, this is crazy. So, you're not gonna tell her how you feel?"

"The thing is... i don't think i can. Am not sure how i feel, it was my Ai who said, you like her. All am sure of, my heart was.... beating double"

"Dude, that's love. Am experienced so believe me when i say you do like her"

"But you know my job, i.....

"oh there comes the stupid reason. Remain single for the rest of your life then. Oh my phone's ringing, i just got a call from my dad. Byeee and less i forget, i helped Lora find the footage from thirteen years ago"

"what?" Davy sounded surprised.

"Don't ask, she's doing the majority. Am going to my dad, have a good day" He said, taking his jacket. It began to rain and Davy had to leave the field.

He had gotten to the bus stop when it began to rain heavily. He couldn't get an umbrella because all stores were locked. He sat, hoping for a bus there was none. The street lights weren't so bright that still, it looked dark and scary. Instantly, he got memory flashes from thirteen years ago incident, fears gripped him but he mustard courage to put both vibrating palms into his pocket, and took out Lea's music record, he fixed the earphones. Not long after Davy finally felt at ease, a car got ran over by a truck, just before his eyes, at exactly 11pm. With the tension which made his heart skipped, his fears returned and worsened, he was reminded of his trauma, that even the music record couldn't help. He lost balance and fell off, banging his head like crazy. He screamed and cried out loudly that even someone from afar could hear him. But then,

"Mr Smith!" Leah screamed, and hurried over to him, seeing he was all soaked, seeing clothed him with a jacket, and hurried the taxi driver to get over. She picked up her phone and dialed 911, regarding the accident. Night faded.

Lora got down from the train in Carmona city. She stood, took a glance around and smirked, it seemed bigger compared to where she had come from. The weather condition also seemed different, it was a bit sunny. She put on sun glasses, looking forward to the large flower store, written 'Montenegro',

"Found you" She thought and walked in. Before the owner spoke, Lora revealed her ID,

"A reporter" She said

"Reporter?"

"Yes. Please granny, would you spare me little of your time? i got few questions to ask"

The middle aged woman walked back in, leaving Lora who sat, keeping hopes high but returned with a kitchen knife, screaming like she's gone mad

"What...what are you gonna do it" Lora asked, already vibrating.

"I will cut you if you don't leave right now!" She screamed to the top of her voice but Lora already disappeared. She locked the door. After a long while, there came a knock, and multiple times without a break

"Mrs! Granny can you explain why am being locked out!"

"Damn all you reporters!" She screamed again from inside

"Granny!"

The middle aged woman only drew towards the door and stood.

"Young lady, i suggest that you leave cause i won't be answering any of your questions. A reporter had been here two years ago but what happened to him? He died that night, and i was forced to take the blame and arrested, because he was here last before he died. Only if i didn't have a good lawyer, i would've still been in jail. You should leave! or i call everybody, saying you're a thief and came to steal uh?"

"Granny wait. The thing is.....

"Granny!" Steve called just as he arrived, and Lora glared at him, surprised he came

"Oh my how did you.... how did you find out my location?"

"A genius right? I know, but this isn't the time to be crushing on me, i will talk to her"

"who's crushing on... you love spilling rubbish. You would only be a loser. She never wants to talk to me so why on earth would she talk to you? ptptptpt"

"Hey try not to be rude here, am helping because of Davy not....

"Or you're helping to impress me" she interrupted, "maybe because you... like me"

"Hey! don't say something so absurd"

"What, you don't like me anymore? hm" she smiled, revealing both dimples which made his face turn red

"Oh my, why is the atmosphere so hot!" He screamed. Just as then, the flower store opened, it's owner peeped.

"Steve! is that you?"

"I told you" He whispered into Lora's ear

"Buy how did you...." Without letting her speak, he hurried over to the middle aged woman, and they exchanged pleasantries. While Lora froze, still watching as the both talked of how they haven't seen each other for weeks.

"So Granny, would you mind letting my girlfriend and i, in for few minutes?"

"Girlfriend? oh my!" She exclaimed, "Steve never told me he had a girlfriend. Oh my please forgive me for earlier. Before Lora spoke, she already pushed them in and slammed the door. Mrs Williams made three glass cups of coffee, and sat after serving them the other two. She reflected back to thirteen years ago. Standing before this large flower store, when the lady on red heels approached. She introduced herself as Mrs Gabriel, asking if she was interested in buying the store.

"uhh, so it's really for sale, then that's good to hear. Am Mrs Williams, and interested in buying but... i guess it's too expensive, i don't really have much on me."

"Don't bother worrying. It's original price is eight hundred thousand pason but am splitting it equally, pay just half." The lady said. Mrs Williams continued, still sipping her coffee

"I was overjoyed on how she sold it at a cheap rate"

"She introduced herself as Mrs Gabriel?" Lora asked. Mrs Williams took a deep breath

"Yes. I always remembered her name every year, each time i looked at the receipt, because i was always grateful. But then, why asking the questions? Is there something going on?" She asked, turning at Lora who took out her cell phone, she opened a picture, and placed it before Mrs Williams. Just as taking a glance, she spilled her coffee.

"That's a footage from thirteen years ago. I had professional editor brighten the background. It was the main reason i came. It was written Carmona Montenegro and that's how i knew here, but i never knew, my boyfri... would be familiar with you

"Boyfriend" Steve corrected, smiling.

"I...i know this flower truck" Mrs Williams said.

"You do?"

" Of course, but i overhead her speaking with someone on the phone, to shift the flower truck to north Korea"

"North Korea?" The both glared at each other in surprise

"But you've seen the flower truck?" Steve asked

"Yes"

"Mrs Williams, do you still have the receipt or picture of the lady who sold you the store?

"Not right now, but whenever i find the receipt, i will give you a call. But, does..... this have something, to do with the reporter who died two years ago? He asked questions regarding Mrs Gabriel."

Lora exhaled heavily, still surprised that she turned speechless. She slowly grabbed her purse and reached for the door, staggering.

Alex, a tall lady who's been an employee in country style for twelve years, supervisor of the baking department, walked gently into Davy's office. Without minding the other employees who are good at gossip, she smiled, staring at the ceo's picture frame on the table. Just as then, a little looking girl interrupted the gossip, pushing them aside, holding a food box. It was Leah.

"How long would you keep staring, why not give it a kiss" She said, smiling one sided, at the lady who turned, feeling annoyed. Leah walked in and placed the box on the ceo's table when the whispers continued, 'Who's she? Ceo's girlfriend? That can't be'

"And... who are you?" Alex asked

"I should be asking same question, that... if you're really an employee, or Mr Smith's secret stalker"

"What? woah, i guess you must be the brat working as his maid. I thought you would look better than this"

"Oh i guess am a celebrity then. How long has he been talking about me? Let me guess, almost every hours of his stay at work. How cute" She giggled, focusing on the eyes of the lady who felt completely annoyed. She walked straight to Lea and grabbed her right arm

"Saying this won't get me jealous okay?

You're just a maid and holds no place in his heart"

"Heart? chh. Where does that come from? Am not even interested. Besides, i only said what i said to get your reaction. So you like him, or... you just want to get yourself on his bed"

"You..

"No need to be upset, or i will be sad. Just leave the miserable files and use the door if am wrong".

She angrily moved her right hand to hit the maid but paused, instead, Leah forced hair into the supervisor's palms on seeing Davy.

"What...what do you think you're doing right now?"

"How does it feel... if an employee gets punished for bullying his maid. Am curious..." She whispered.

"What?"

"Let's find out... who's more dear to Mr Smith"

"Let go lunatic!" She furiously pushed Lea to the ground at the arrival of Davy. To their surprise, the ceo first reached out to Alex, she smirked at Leah like she's achieved, but Mr Smith angrily grabbed her arm

"What do you think you're doing!"

"What... do you mean?" She looked surprised as he stretched out his palm to Leah who groaned pretentiously.

"Are you okay?" He asked while taking her palm and gently pulled her upwards. He checked every corner to make sure there wasn't a scratch.

"Alex how dare you!"

"Mr smith, check the cctv footage. It's your maid who first hurt me"

"You have no right to make trouble in my office. Do you have any idea, you can get sued?"

"Are you seriously taking this scheming woman's side? What more is she to you?"

"My girlfriend" He said out of the blue, Leah stared at him as Alex screamed 'What!'. He had no choice than keep up with the act, other employees began to gossip but instantly rushed back to their desk as the ceo glared at them. He turned back at Leah

"Yes yes you're my girlfriend, so?"

Leah who already taken it seriously began to smile non stop, making Alex feel more horrible.

"Then prove it. Mr Smith, sorry for being rude, but i don't believe you"

"Mr Smith...

"Alex who's the boss here?" He interrupted her, "Fine then. But if i get to prove it, you're leaving this company for good" Without letting Alex say another word, he turned at Leah who fixed her eyes on his, wondering what he was up to. He gently lowered his face to hers, raising her jaw and drew closer to her lips. Just as Alex tried to stop him, Davy kissed his nanny. Leah's face instantly turned red.