Crossed Paths

Episode3

"Loren isn't Lisa, Robert!" Mum's voice took me off balance. I gazed at her, meeting her stern look.

"Loren isn't Lisa's Mum?! Wow! I, I got shot at. That was a freaking near-death experience!" I stood, reminiscing about the events that took place on that cold evening. I was lost in thought as memories flooded my mind. The horrible sight of lifeless bodies and the feeling of helplessness washed over me.

But then, I instantly remembered Luke's steady hands and determination; he had saved my life from a near-death experience. His timely intervention was one of the best moments of my life. He pulled me from the brink of death and brought me back home, whole and alive. A true friend and brother, I owe him my life.

"Oh, thank goodness for Luke!" I fell back to my seat as the event kept rushing back in. "Bless your soul, brother; he appeared just when I needed a miracle."

As I sat there, the silence in the room brought back horrible events from a night I'd rather forget...

You all can remember, about a year ago, I was matched with Loren. The whole convincing of how it was good for business, keeping both families united, and the public eyes. After so much back and forth, I eventually gave in, and what happened next? It turned out to be the worst mistake of my life.

Mum and Loren's Mum were best friends back in college; currently, her dad is the Minister of Finance. However, when I was introduced to Loren, she seemed like a calm person, and then we decided to go on a date.

You know, get acquitted and see if we could work out a romantic relationship like you all wanted. Loren picked a date we were good with, and the rest was history. The chill of the atmosphere seeped into my soul as I watched Loren cling to her body. Indeed, it was a cold evening as we headed home after our date. Suddenly, it felt like we were being watched and followed. I could remember we earlier objected to the use of a convoy and securities, just to keep a low profile. I wanted us to have a quiet time away from the whole publicity drama.

After taking turns and changing routes multiple times, it was concluded that we were being followed by a black-tinted SUV jeep. Immediately, Loren started freaking out, panicking so much that I was losing my mind. We were crossed by another Hilux. On seeing who alighted from the Hilux, Loren became so frightened; it was evident she knew who he was. We were both asked to get down with guns pointing to our heads.

From what I was able to gather in the conversation between Loren and the middle-aged man, who had a wispy face covered with mean stares that bore into my soul - a man she kept addressing as Don Malik - Loren was into drugs, like a chronic addict! How come she played me clean with her calmness? I still wondered till this day. It was said Loren didn't balance up for the large amount of drugs she had received. Instead, she went into hiding and moved with so much security to important places so she wouldn't get haunted by Don Malik and his gun-men.

The screaming got so intense, with Loren and Don Malik. Their voices echoing off in the empty street. I felt my heart making its way to jump out of my chest as Malik's anger skyrocketed. He instantly raised his golden pistol and fired into the air, reminding her who calls the shots. I flinched as he moved closer to me, aiming the gun's barrel at my chest. His eyes still fixed on Loren, demanding his money or his merchandise.

I couldn't help but mumble my last wishes, my voice trembling in fear. Loren's cry and Malik's demands blended into a clatter of terror. Then, something caught his attention, and his gaze shifted. His men started dropping to the ground, one by one, without a sound. Malik froze as his eyes widened in fear, for a moment, I had a glimmer of hope. Strange, but I was praying silently for a miracle.

Noticing he was outnumbered by whoever was helping us, he opened fire. Quickly, he got into his Hilux and zoomed off, but not without promising Loren he'd be back for his money! As soon as he left, Loren and I ran back to the car but noticed it was hit. Two tires were down; we were lost, trying to figure out a way to get out of the bloody scene.

Then a car instantly drove by, pulled over, and asked us to get in; we did without questions. How Luke was able to take down that number of armed men without getting noticed, or how he was able to get us to safety, how he helped remove my car from the crime scene without a trail, still leaves me in utmost shock. He saved me from the press or being interrogated for the wrong reasons. I owe Luke my life, and as for Loren, I stayed miles and miles away from her, and that was how it ended for both of us!

As I sat there, lost in thought, the memory still lingered. But then, I heard Mum's voice, pulling me back to reality. I can't believe my Mum would be so controlling, to have me relive the horrible experience or even worse. Her voice echoed in my head. "I do not see the point of you retelling a story we're all fully aware of."

"It is a fact, Loren didn't work out as planned, but this would! And for the 2nd time, Loren isn't Lisa." She fixed her gaze directly at me. "We're talking about the president's only daughter, for goodness' sake!"

"I'm not interested, Mum," I said, maintaining a stern look.

"Hello...? Jayden and I aren't invisible, though; we can both hear you loud and clear!"