Running into love

Chapter 3 : A call at Nonnas

*Lyla*

I woke up this morning from Luke's loud footsteps down the stairs and him singing. I couldn't help but laugh, he loves singing but he just wasn't born with that talent. Still it was nice hearing it again. I got out of bed and dressed for my morning run. On my way down the stairs Luke was talking to Tyler "Just wait 2 minutes, Lyla will be down soon she is already awake." Tyler laughs at him "Is this the super twin thing you were talking about?" Tyler pointed to me and Luke turned around "Now do you believe me?" He asked Tyler looking back and forth between Tyler and me. "No Bud, but don't stop trying to prove it. I really want to believe you, but again seeing is believing." Luke just shook his head "Lyla l, please take Tyler on your morning run. I don't want him getting lost."

Why is Luke asking me that he knows I don't like running with someone. "Do I have to wait for him or will he keep up?" "The challenge accepted Missy." Tyler said, pointing his hand towards the door. I went outside and started with a few stretches. Looking at Tyler just standing there waiting for me "Please don't expect me to have a conversation with you. I ran to clear my head." Tyler knotted in agreement by "Noted you lead the way and I will try to keep up." Tyler just had to get in a tease. We ran my usual route and after thirty minutes we arrived at the house. I walked around to the back taking off my shoes to jump into the pool. I always jogged with tight fitted tights and Shirt so I did 20 laps in the pool afterwards. Tyler stood outside by the pool "Should I keep up with this as well?" Tyler asked Luke. "Nope, we agreed to you joining in the running, not swing laps. Besides, you will only get in her way." Tyler and Luke headed into the house laughing.

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*Tyler*

After Lyla's swim she informed us that we were to meet their friends at a place called Nonna's for breakfast. We all went our separate ways to get ready. I went to take a shower and went down to the living room where Lyla and Luke were already waiting for me. This is something new, I barely took 30 minutes to get ready. Luke,I can understand but Lyla? How did she manage to get ready in record time and still get it right to look so beautiful. She was wearing a floral knee length dress with her light brown hair let down. It was clear that she didn't need a lot of makeup. God blessed her with what I would call a perfect complexion and long eyelashes that complement her blue eyes. Even with the low heel shoes she was wearing she was still shorter than me. "Ready to go?" Lyla asked while heading to the door. "Yes, sorry to keep you guys waiting. I'm starving, I hope Nonna will give me a decent breakfast." Luke came up from behind putting his hand on my shoulder "Oh Bud, she makes the best french toast in the world."

The drive to Nonna's was short. We got there before the others. Lyla ordered a cappuccino with specific instructions on how much cream she wanted, Luke ordered a strawberry milkshake and I ordered orange juice while waiting. While we waited for our drinks their friends arrived. Diago, James and Lea arrived first, the poor girl didn't stand a chance of making an entrance even if she wanted to. The two guys took all the attention with their lively personalities. Liam and Mikayla arrived shortly after them. While waiting for Luke's uninformed future wife I got to know the others a bit. They were all friendly towards me and made me feel at home right away. Jenny walked in and the loop on Luke's face was priceless. He wouldn't be able to hide his excitement from seeing her even if his life depended on it. Jenny is a pretty girl and I get why Luke is heads over heels in love with her. While everyone was bubbling and fighting to get a word I noticed Lyla sprinkling brown sugar over her cream and eating half the sugar and cream of her cappuccino before stirring in what was left of the cream. This girl is just full of surprises. During breakfast Lyla received a call and excused herself. The conversation looked intense. She came back to the table grabbing her bag "Guys I've got to run, something at work." "Ly, I thought you were on leave?" Lyla gave Jenny a concerned look "Nope Jen, Lyla never takes off she only pretends she does." I was confused. "Did I miss something?" Everyone said in harmony "Twin power!" Jenny called after Lyla "Ly, are we seeing you at the B.W tonight?" Lyla was busy on her phone but signaled with a thumbs up.

"What is B.W.?" I asked. Diago and James informed me that weekly they get together on the beach around a bonfire and worship. "Mike used to play guitar, but then he left and we were left with a boombox." I could hear the disappointment in Lea's Voice. Clearly she misses more than just this guy's guitar. "Well, we are lucky that Ty can play guitar. What do you say Ty, are you going to entertain us tonight?" I didn't like playing in front of strangers. "I don't know Luke, I don't know a lot of worship songs. I’m used to playing country songs, would that do?” “No, that won’t do. That’s why it’s called B.W and not B.C.” James said, sitting across from me. “That makes sense.’ I agreed. The rest of the breakfast ran pretty quick.

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*Lyla*

I couldn’t believe the phone call I just got from Dr Johnson. I knew human trafficking was a real deal, but I never thought I would one day be called to help on a case like this. Mom and dad were worried about me getting emotionally involved in cases. I used it to my advantage which helped me solve most of my cases successfully. The road to Hibiscus hospital felt like an eternity. On my way to the emergency department I prayed the same prayer over and over. "Dear God, please don't let this be true." I can't help but wonder how I will be able to make a success out of this case. God answered me just before I walked through the emergency department's door. "Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand."

Isaiah 41:10.

Dr Johnson called me over to where he was standing. He pulled me into the staffroom, closing the door behind us. "Lyla, thank you for coming. I know you are on leave, but I wouldn't have called if I didn't think it was necessary. The whole situation with the young lady in bed 6 seems to be off" I could hear the concern in his voice. Dr Johnson has been at the ER unit for over 20 years. "Dr Johnson, please by now you should know I will always help where I can. Tell me more about this young lady and why you suspect human trafficking." "The man next to her brought her in due to a fever. When I examined her I asked him to wait in the waiting area, but he refused. He answered all the questions I asked regarding her symptoms." Dr Johnson took a deep breath while pulling his hand through his silver hair. "Lyla, I'm telling you there is something wrong. She even looked at him for approval to answer me when I asked what her name was. That young girl." He pointed to the door before finishing his sentence "she could be someone's daughter." "Alright, let me go to them and assess the situation." I said before leaving the room. As I walked to bed 6 I noticed the man passing up and down talking on the phone in the waiting area. This was my chance to talk to this young lady and I had to win her trust in seconds. "Hi, I'm Lyla. What's your name?" Before answering me I noticed her scanning the room for the man with the fear visible in her eyes. "I'm here to help. Dr Johnson called me and asked for my help. He was the doctor that examined you." A soft voice answered me and I could barely hear "My name is Re….Megan." This was my sign. She wanted to say her real name, but obviously changed her mind. When I turned around I saw the man walking towards us. He was a tall, big bald headed guy. Just looking at him gave me the chills. My eyes caught the wheel chair by the curtains. "Megan, Dr Johnson sent me to take you to x-trays ." She looked at the man with that fear in her eyes. "Why does she need an x-trail? She is here to be treated for a fever." The tone in his voice even got me scared. "I understand, but Dr Johnson couldn't find the source causing the fever and doing an x-tray will help us locate the source." I wasn't lying, he might be the source that led to whatever is causing the fever. "I will be coming with you."

"Sorry sir, but only patients and staff members are allowed in x-trays." He looked at the both of us before asking me to give them a minute. I agreed and stepped aside for a minute collecting the wheelchair. "Shall we go?" I asked her to get in the wheelchair. She got into the wheelchair, I tried my best to stay calm and keep a decent pace pushing the wheelchair without raising any suspicion. When we arrived at x-ray I took her into an x-ray room locking the door behind us. She burst into tears sobbing, unable to talk. I bend down to her level "I am here to help, please let me help you?" She knotted her head in agreement and started opening up. There were 5 girls living in an abandoned house downtown and the man that brought her in was her trafficker. I called hospital security and arranged for them to take him into custody until the police arrived. When the police came in to take him away he looked at me with anger in his eyes “This is not the end." I got a few threats during my career as a social worker, but never like this. The look in his eyes was telling me that this reality wasn't going to be the end. With the help of Rebecca we could get to the other four girls and give them the proper medical treatment they needed. Dr Johnson insisted on taking the lead with their treatment. I left the Hospital at nineteenth hundred hours and went straight to Southport beach.