NOT MY FAULT

REUNION

The sound of the mini alarm clock woke Ryan up. He stretched his right hand in order to reach the clock, turning it off. He yawned, rolling to the right side of the bed. He removed the white blanket covering his legs and threw it on the floor. He managed to sit up, placing both hands supporting his sitting position. “What a lovely day",he said standing up. He walked towards the bathroom, picking up his tooth brush and he did was has to be done. After that, he entered the bath tub, standing not laying down. He took his bath sponge and rubbed his soap on it, scrubbing his body. He turned the shower bath on, water soaked his hair and flowed down his body, giving him a cool feeling. After taking his bath, he quickly brushed his curly black hair, cleaning his body with his white towel. He wore his pants and his blue jeans, with his white T-shirt and a hood. He quickly wore his Snickers and ready to move out. “This city isn't bad after all",he mumbled. “But quite expensive",he continued. “ But at least better than the previous one I was",he added smiling. “I wish my brother was here. I don't even know if he's alive",he sobbed. “I need to get breakfast",he quickly opened the door. “s**t",he grumbled as he saw Rick standing in front of him. Rick is in his late forties, despite his stature, he seems to have a couple of houses around the neighborhood. His love for money is quite different from others, but though everyone loves money but he is quite different. He will have your ass kicked out of his house if you don't pay on time. “Good morning Rick, he greeted him trying to put up a smile. “Keep your greetings to yourself". “Come on pal, it's just a greeting and ....". “You Know why I am here", Rick cut him short. “No",he lied. “Really!" “Yup". “Well, I will tell you why I'm here. Your rent has been due in 5 days and you said this week you're gonna pay up",he reminded him. “Oh, that", Ryan responded. “Yes that". “This is quite expensive and you have to keep up with your bills if you don't wanna live on the streets", Rick advised. “You're damn right", Ryan agreed. “How much is it, I mean the rent". “Come Ryan, are we gonna go through this again?", he asked. “Well maybe". “It's two thousand dollars". “Two what!". “Thousand dollars",he replied. “Damn", Ryan reached his pocket and brought out some dollar bills. He handed it over to him. Rick counted it and nodded. “Why don't you send someone else to take your rent". “Well, I prepare to take it myself because of people like you who don't pay on time",he replied. “Oh, fine your choice". “So how's your day going?",Rick asked after seeing his money. “Going well", Ryan replied knowing he asked because of the rent has been paid. “I'll get going, take care of yourself". “Sure",Ryan waved at him as he left. “Damn old man",he mumbled. “I'm starving",he touched his rumbling stomach. He locked his door and headed straight to a nearby restaurant. He walked in and sat down on a wooden chair filled with foam on it to make people comfortable. A waitress quickly walked towards him. “What do you care for sir". “Can I get some scrambled eggs with tea please?". “Sure sir, I will be right back with your order". About two minutes later, she came back with his order and placed it on the table. “Thanks",he appreciated. “No worries",she replied. She left him to enjoy his meal. He took a sip from the tea and a little bite from the eggs. “Mmm..oh God this is so good",he nodded as he chewed it and swallowed it. Within few minutes he was through with the food. The waitress brought the bill and placed it on his table and left. He picked it up and looked at it. “Hmm...ten dollars, not bad". He dipped his right hand into his chest pocket and dropped a ten dollar bill in the table. He stood up and left.

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“We've got all the weapons we need for now boss",Duane said pointing towards the van where the weapons are. “Take them to the arsenal",Raul replied as he lit his cigarette. “Yes boss", he replied. Duane was about leaving when Raul called him back. “Just a second Duane",he called. “Sure boss",he replied walking towards him. “Well, I just wanted to tell you to keep up with the good works. You Know it's been few years you joined us and since then you've been showing me your loyalty. I'm really impressed I must confess", Raul said puffing out smoke from his mouth. “Thanks boss"he replied. “We must pull this job off.", Raul continued. “Don't disappoint me",he added. “I won't boss". “One more thing, just know that we are your family now, they are all your brothers",he pointed at his fellow gangsters. “Thanks boss",he replied and went to the arsenal.

“The boss loves you a lot you know, he treats you like his son",Ben one of the gangsters said to Duane. “Yes I can see that",he replied. “You guys should make sure that all the weapons are intact, test all cause we wouldn't want any issue when using them. “No probs", another replied.

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Though it was night,one could see cause of the bright street lights shone on the streets. The lights were normally on from six pm to six am in the morning, easing those who had bad headlights at night. Ryan looked at his golden colored Rolex watch. “Damn, it's eight already. He walked towards the road to board a cab. He saw one coming from a distance. He waved his right hand to signal him to stop. The cab stopped right in front of him. “Dine and Wine Club",he told the cab driver. “Hop in, ten dollars",the cab man replied. “Ten what!That's too expensive man." “If you can't pay then good luck finding another cab",he replied. Ryan knew finding cabs by this time if the day is quite difficult. He wouldn't want to risk finding another cab. “Alright then",he replied. “Hop in". Ryan entered the cab and the driver zoomed off. “Well, you know Dine and Wine Club is one the newest club in town",the driver said trying to strike up a conversation. “That's why I'm going there",Ryan replied. “Your first time to be there right",he asked. “Yes",he replied. “What about your .......". “I'm done with your questions, just drive",he cut him short angrily. “Oh... Ok.. man, just trying to be friendly",he replied. “Trying to be friendly huh..and you charged me ten dollars". “Business is always business man",he replied. Few more minutes, they arrived at the Club. Ryan got down and paid the cab man. “Have a nice night sir",he told him. Ryan didn't respond, he just waved at him and the driver zoomed off. Dine and Wine Club is really a place to be. It's about five storey building. Bright lights shining outside but one couldn't hear a damn noise emerging from inside. He walked towards the entrance and and found two huge men standing in front of the door. They seems to be bouncers. Their muscular stature didn't intimidate him cause he was very sure he could take them both. “Hands up",one of them ordered. He raised both hands in order for them to search him. They placed their scanner on him and also searched him with their hands. After all the search, they opened another door which seems to be the main entrance. He walked inside. Inside was more lively than the outside. Music of different kind playing here and there. Different colors of lights changing to make the place more lively. People dancing,some chatting while some drinking. He walked straight to the bar. He knew he didn't have much cash on him. He sat on a high stool and placed both hands on a high marble in front of him. He turned left and saw a tattooed guy talking to a girl who ought to be his girlfriend. He turned right and saw another girl sitting alone, drinking. She has a ponytail, wearing a red sleeveless shirt and a black mini skirt, thereby revealing her laps. Her beauty was charming, almost no man could resist. He was admiring her as someone tapped him on his left shoulder.He turned to see who had distracted him. A huge guy about five feet tall, tattoo covered his neck, seems to be a drawing of a dragon. He has a scar across his chin, more like he had a bloody fight in his teen and that was the result of it. He looked kind of intimidating but not for Ryan. “ What do you care for?", he asked ready to deal with anyone who doesn't want to patronize them. “I will just have what that lady is drinking and a champagne flute". “That's will cost you fifty dollars", he replied. “Wow, I'm not surprised at the price",he scoffed. “Come on dude, this is not even a vintage bottle that's sold for thousands of dollars",he explained. “This is the cheapest one here",he added. He dipped his right hand in his left pocket and brought out a hundred dollar bill and placed it on the table. “Get me a cigarette and a briquet, then keep the change",he added. “Alright then",he replied. He wasn't too impressed with tip though but he appreciated it. Within few seconds he placed the Champagne on the table with the champagne flute,the cigarette and the briquet. He opened it for him and poured some in the glass. “Thanks", Ryan appreciated him. He took the cigarette and placed it between his lips, took the briquet and lit it. He removed the cigarette and puffed some smoke in the air. He looked the girl for a while and picked the glass and gulped the drink.

The girl was still drinking as four tattooed guys approached her. “Wanna dance?", one of them asked. “No". Ryan watched the scene from his position. “Come on beautiful damsel", another said using his hand to touch her cheek. She quickly hit his hand. “Just leave me alone", she said they irritated her. “You're just sitting alone don't you need a partner?",the biggest of them said. She sighed and picked up her bag and was about leaving. One of them dragged her back, holding her hand. “Let me go you...",she struggled. Ryan became fed up by what he saw and dropped his cigarette on the table. He walked straight towards them. “Why don't you let her go, she doesn't wanna dance",he said calmly. She turned to see who the gentleman was. “Who the f**k are you?",one of them asked in a high tone. “f**k off man, this is none of your business", another added as they continued holding her. Ryan couldn't hold himself anymore. “I said let her go or else...".“Or else what". “Back off man,"another said poking his chest with his index finger. Ryan quickly held it and twisted it. “Ahh..." Ryan hit his head on a table beside him. He fell down groaning in pains. The remaining three saw what happened and we're angry. “Get him",the biggest ordered. They left the girl and one of them walked towards him. He moved his right hand in order to punch him but he moved back and held his hand. “Too slow", Ryan warned. He punched him in the face and he fell down with his colleague groaning in pains. Those around the scene watched the show as fighting was common in the club. The biggest of them all kept on watching his boys being beaten by a nobody. The other one rushed him, holding him around his waist. He hit him with his elbow, carried him up and smashed his back on a glass table beside him. The remaining one ran towards him thinking it was an easy task to accomplish. Ryan kicked his d**k and he fell in his knees. “Hmm...ahh...",he groaned. He quickly took a bottle from a table and smashed it on his head. The guy fainted immediately. Everyone began to move out. Everywhere became crowdy. Before the bouncers could figure out where he was,he was no where to be found.

“What a awful night",he said to himself, walking down the street. “Those guys are really something else, not tough as I expected",he said in disappointment. He kept on walking as he heard something. He stopped and looked back but saw no one. He kept on walking but the sound seems to be footsteps and it was coming closer. He turned back and saw ten masked guys, holding a club. “s**t".

“Come on guys,I thought it's all over",he asked moving back. “It will soon be over",one of them replied. “Get him",one ordered who seems to be their leader. Two attacked him immediately, wanting to strike him. He bent down, held one, kicked him and took the club from him. He hit the other one with the club.“Hmm, impressive, get him". Six rushed him at once. He moved back and struck one on his arm. Another struck him on his back. He tried to fight back but they were more than what he could handle at the moment. Before he could figure out what was happening, a felt something hit his head. He collapsed immediately. The raised him up and put a sack in his head and tied his hands. They carried him and took him to their cars that was packed few metres from them. They opened the boot, put him in and closed it. They entered their cars and zommed off.

Few minutes later,they arrived at a huge safe house. They parked their car at the garage and came down from the vehicle. One of them opened the boot. He looked at Ryan,he seems to awake. He dragged him out and made him stand at his feet. “Move it", he ordered. “How can I move when I can't see a damn thing". He removed the sack from his head. He pushed him, holding him on his neck and directing him where to go. They walked into a room not quite bright but one could hardly see a face clearly. “This is him boss". He pushed him and he landed on his knees. “He caused trouble in your Club". Their boss was sitting in a black office chair backing them. “Trouble?who dares to ruin my club". Ryan recognized that voice. “Williams?",he called. Their boss turned his chair. “Ryan!".