The Devil's Song Bird

That woman who dared

Ava was still feeding the street dogs some biscuits when suddenly , she heard a prolonged car horn down the street and she wondered who has gone mad. She looked towards the road and saw a sleek black car with tinted windows standing straight in front of her. She wondered why the driver wasn't moving because looking towards the traffic light signal, Ava could see that the signal was green. Which means that particular lane was supposed to be moving already. The horn rang again, and she noticed that it was coming from the cars behind the black sleek one. She looked at the black car once more and then shrugged and returned her attention back towards the dogs. Then she saw the black car moving after few seconds, due to the constant noise produced by the following cars.

After a minute or so, Liam came.

"Care to tell me why you called me...here, and decided to show up when you feel like it? " She asked.

Ava had her hand akimbo like a mother scolding her child

Liam had kept her waiting for over thirty minutes, way past her lunch break period, and he better have a good explanation for that.

"I know I have taken more time than I should, Ava. I am sorry for that. But, I need your help.". Liam said politely. He spoke in a gentle tone because he could sense how much of Ava's time he had wasted.

That was something Ava liked about Liam, he knows when to apologize.

Ava smiled.

"Okay! Apology accepted. But, Liam. Why ask that we meet here? This is like having a meeting in a football field.". Ava said, looking around at the many users of the street passing by, and cars too.

Some of which were already looking at them.

"I was near this place, and the traffic junction seemed quick enough to meet; giving that your school is around here.". Liam replied

"Fine! What kind of help do you need?" Ava asked, looking at Liam. She knows when Liam is in dire need, and Ava could swear her best friend is in need.

And it looked like the need is about money.

"I don't know how to put this!" Liam tried to speak, but couldn't come up with the right words

Ava waited for a while and watched Liam struggle within him to speak but couldn't. Then she asked.

"How much?".

"What?" Liam looked up sharply, and asked in confusion.

"How much do you need Liam?. You don't have to feel shy about it. If I can ask you for monetary assistance without hesitation, and shamelessly too. Why do you feel shy?". Ava tried persuading him.

"It's actually a pressing need of 150k.". Liam sighed and replied. "My sister's admission is ready and everything costs 150 thousand dollars. I have managed to raise 100 dollars and will appreciate a little support of about.....". Liam was still having difficulties asking Ava for the money.

"50K right.". Ava interjected. "That is not a problem , Liam. When do you want it?" Ava asked.

"I wouldn't mind it right away. Infact, that is why I called you here or else I would have waited till evening when you come to the hotel". Liam finally found his tongue, and could speak freely.

He was also overwhelmed that Ava could help him out even with her tight family expenses.

"Alright then, I will withdraw the money now and give to you..". Ava said.

She was already bringing out her credit card from her handbag, and moving towards the ATM gallery at the junction.

She entered the nearest ATM and withdrew the said amount.

"Okay, here it is. But make sure to give it back as soon as possible." She winked and gave him the cash.

"Of course Ava! I promise I will return the money to you as soon as we get our monthly pay". Liam promised, his eyes flashing with gratitude.

"Relax, dude! I was just kidding. Take your time with that, but don't take forever." Ava said with a smile.

Liam smiled too, and teased Ava in their usual way.

"I hope I didn't disturb you from your work, though.". He asked as he was seeing Ava off across to the other street.

"No, of course not! I had 2 free hours to spend, so ...."

She lied.

Liam looked at his wristwatch, it was already 2pm. Which means Ava's free hours were over.

"It's 2pm already, Ava. You have to go now. Thank you so much, I love you" Liam said.

Even though the latter part of his sentence was taken as a sarcastic comment by Ava, Liam was serious about it. He had always loved Ava so dearly but never had the courage to confess it to her. He knew Ava was not ready for any relationship now, due to her family responsibilities. And aware that she had already turned down many suitors who were even better off than him. So, he just had to wait for the right time.

*******"""

The thought of the woman at the traffic light junction occupied RoughCoin's mind all through the ride to the villa. He was quiet and restless after the left the traffic queue, and this didn't go unnoticed by Max.

"Anything bothering you boss?". Max asked, looking sideways at his boss.

"Yes, something is on my mind. When I am done with that old man, I have another job for you.". RoughCoin replied coldly without giving out any form of emotions.

This made Max a little uncomfortable, and he wanted to know what could be wrong.

"You can tell me about it now boss. I will start right away.". Max said.

"Not now. First, we will finish this work.". RoughCoin replied, and looked out the window.

Max hesitated for a moment, and then asked.

"Does that have something to do with that woman at the traffic light junction?". Max asked, looking straight ahead.

RoughCoin looked at Max and thought for a while. He knew Max could read his feelings, even when he tried to hide it. That was one good thing RoughCoin admired about Max. Actually, that is the reason why he had Max always with him. And, Max has the most sharp and smartest brains RoughCoin had ever seen.

It was definitely safe to tell him how he was feeling.

After a moment of silence, RoughCoin looked ahead and replied.

"Yes..".

"Okay, boss." Max said and smiled.

He could sense RoughCoin's tension and knew at that instant that his friend had finally found interest in a woman. He was so happy that he wanted to call and tell this information to RoughCoin's sister right away, but he managed and resisted it.

He thought it would only be wise if RoughCoin can tell this to his sister, himself.

"After we are done with this operation at hand, you can do that. I want to deal with her when I have no work pressure. Got it?"

"Yes, boss! " He said jokingly, and smiled. "By the way she did look quite hot!" Max added out of excitement.

But that compliment didn't go down well with RoughCoin.

He snapped his head to face Max, getting possessive instantly like anything.

"Stop fantasizing about her. It's my job to think about her like that. You must treat her like my woman!". He ordered.

"I.I.I. wasn't fantasizing about her boss! Trust me. Sorry to use that word." Max apologized.

If he had any doubt about his friend falling for that girl before, it was now crystal clear that it was true.

"How far are we?" Max heard RoughCoin asked the driver.

"About to reach the villa, sir."

RoughCoin nodded, and looked out the window again. This time, Max could see him through the corner of his eyes as his boss leaned his head on the window and allowed his thoughts about the girl wander. Max could tell what RoughCoin was thinking about, as a sly smile crept up on his lips. He knew immediately that his best friend has found love.