THE MYSTERIOUS PROTÉGE

ELEVEN

I hadn’t realized just how few dresses I had until now that I had to go on this date with Neil. My job and my family, my actual mafia family, didn’t really give the privilege of having friends. It was too late to go and try to find one considering Neil was to come and pick me up in about 30 minutes. I was going through my closet when I saw the turquoise flare dress that I had bought on a whim back in college as I was trying to fit in with the ladies in my campus but I crashed and burned. I examined it, it seems still up to date with the current fashion world and in good condition that I could manage to rock it to tonight’s date if it fit I thought as I tried it on. I looked at myself in the mirror, I looked great, maybe that’s why I looked stupid back then because I bought a bigger dress. Now that I have grown it looks much better, I did a little light make up, put on my necklace, the only thing I have that is from my past life, tied my hair up in a high ponytail and I was good to go. I was trying to decide the shoes and purse when there was a knock on the door, I walked to open it.

“Whoa!” He said as he slowly walked towards me.

“I know the dress probably looks out of date but it will do.” I said as I went to out on some shoes.

“There is nothing old about the way you look.” Neil said.

I walked back to the living room with my purse and shoes on, “I’m ready now.” I said as I stood there and he looked at me from my feet up.

“You look amazingly beautiful.” He said as he offered his hand to me.

I walked forward and placed mine in his, “thank you, you don’t look so bad yourself.” I said as I grabbed my keys on our way out.

As we were walking to the car, Neil suddenly asked, “I didn’t see Adelyn in there, I thought you were letting her stay with you?”

He opened the car door for me, “she decided to go back to where she lived. She said that she wasn’t going to let them scare her from not living her life.” I explained as Neil joined me in the car.

“I guess that makes sense but it’s not a realistic thing to do if what she says this time is true and someone is following her.” Neil said.

“The best I can do is advise her, I can’t force her to do things that she doesn’t want to.” I said.

Neil sighed, “I understand. Let’s just hope nothing bad happens to her. Now to our date, do you want to guess where we are going?” He asked with a smile.

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow, “what are we two teenagers who are trying to see if we’re going to prom together?” I asked.

“You such the fun out of everything.” Neil said pouting like a small child.

“I have been meaning to ask you about something. It’s about law.” I said.

“Sure, ask away.” Neil said as he kept his attention on both the road and me.

“What reason would there be for case files to be missing?” I asked. Neil looked at me shocked, “eyes on the road Neil.” I said calmly. He looked back on the road, “so?” I asked.

“Are you in trouble Blossom? Because I could help you.” He said.

“It’s just some case from back when I was young that I was interested in but I couldn’t seem to find the police reports for.” I explained.

“If it’s an old case it’s possible that the files have just been misplaced or disposed of if the case was closed.” Neil said.

“I guess that makes sense.” I said but I knew that wasn’t really what happened according to what Robin had told me. I would have to wait and hope I get more information from the transmitters I had placed in the DA’s office.

Neil took me to this fancy restaurant, like pinky in the air fancy, I guess I have my mother to thank for teaching me etiquette when I was younger. A lady should know the basic table etiquette Dahlia. I remember she would say, then tap my shoulder, no slouching, she would say. Then she would hit my hands that were on the table, no elbows on the table.

“What would you be having miss?” The waiter asked making me discard the memory I was immersed in. I quickly looked through the menu then placed my order as I closed the menu and handed it to him.

“Great choice ma’am. I’ll be back with your orders.” He said as he offered a small bow then he left.

“Are you some daughter of a king or lord somewhere?” Neil asked.

I chuckled, “why would you think that?” I asked.

“Your French was amazing. I was having trouble trying to say those names but you just said them like they were nothing.” Neil said.

“I had a very… umm… unique childhood. I was taught a lot, my mother made sure of that.” I said trying to make sure I didn’t say too much about my family.

“I guess you are glad about that now because if I’m being honest I was just trying to impress you but I’ve never been to this restaurant before.” Neil said whispering the last bit of his statement.

“Then consider me impressed. I like the restaurant a lot.” I said, “plus I like the company too.” I added making him smile.

“Well that’s good. Now I can ease up.” Neil said chuckling. “Tell me more about yourself Blossom Summers.” He asked.

I chuckled, “I don’t think there is much to say about me.” I said.

“I want to here the little you have to say.” Neil said.

“Umm… well I was raised with a single mother, it was my small sister and I. Unfortunately, she died at 10 years old, hit and run, she died on the spot and then it was just my mother and I. The death of my sister affected her so much that she drowned herself in booze, I tried to take care of her as much as I could but I could only do so much.” I said offering Neil a sad smile.

“I’m so sorry about your sister.” Neil said as he gently touched my hand. I was about to respond when my phone rang, it was Adelyn.

“Adelyn?” I picked up.

“Are you Miss Blossom Summers?” A stranger lady said on the other end of the line.

“Yes, is Adelyn okay?” I asked.

“She was in a deadly road accident and she’s just arrived to the hospital. She kept asking you to be called, could you come by the hospital?” She asked.

I cleared my throat, “yes, which hospital is she at?” I asked.

“St. Claire Marie Hospital.” The woman said then she hanged up.

“What’s wrong Blossom? You look so pale.” Neil asked.

“Adelyn is in hospital, tragic accident they said and she has been asking for me.” I explained as I tried to keep my voice steady, “she’s at the St. Claire Marie Hospital. We need to go, let me use the washroom first.” I asked as I excused myself and I heard Neil call the waiter, I assume to cancel our order.

I barely knew the girl but I couldn’t help but feel as though I was responsible for her and if she dies, I would feel like I failed her. I should have insisted for her to stay at my house until I was sure she was out of danger but I didn’t and now this has happened to her. I took a deep breath then left the bathroom to go see how I could help because the self-blame wasn’t helping anyone. Neil was waiting for me at the door and he drove me to the hospital, where we found Basil waiting.

“Did you call him here?” I asked Neil.

“Yes, I did.” He said.

“Why? This could be his fault for all we know.” I said harshly.

“We needed to know if anything was to happen to her and it would have helped to have someone here who was watching over her.” Neil explained.

Neil walked towards Basil and I walked to the reception desk to inquire from an actual nurse about Adelyn’s condition. She said she was just from surgery and wouldn’t be having visitors.

“But I have to see her, she kept asking for me and it would help if I was actually there for her.” I said trying to convince her to let me in, which she hesitantly agreed to. I didn’t know whether she had family in the city or not, Barry didn’t give that information but I think its time he found out.

I entered and I could see from how she looked she didn’t seem like she was going to make it. It seemed like she was thrown out of a moving car or hit by a speeding car. I sat beside her, I wanted to hold her hand but that seemed like she was going to feel so much pain if I did. “Oh Adelyn, I wish I did much more to help you.” I said as I watch her lay there. Then suddenly I saw her fingers move slowly I thought I imagined it, then I saw her eyes flatter open, she was trying to talk but couldn’t.

“You don’t have to worry I’ll help you. I won’t leave your side.” I said as I slowly brushed her hair. But she kept trying to say something so I moved closer to hear what she was trying to say.

“Br… Brighton did… this.” She stammered. “Bri…Brighton did this.” She said again before the machine showed she was flatlining. Nurses burst through the door as they tried to resuscitate her but couldn’t.

“I’m sorry ma’am but she’s dead.” One of the nurses said as they covered her up and left me seated there too shocked to move.