Times Three

Chapter 20

I pick up the paper while KID is sprinting from this unknown and armed men who keeps chasing us. It's night time and the car's is heavily tinted so we cannot distinguish who are these people, and what do they want. Horns and lights coming from the cars in front of us blinded me, but KID didn't stop from driving. We maybe causing traffic but our life is more important that this.

"Celestine, look at the back and see if they are still chasing us."

I did what he said and, "Damn! They are numbers of car behind us." I uttered in a panicky voice.

"I know that and just to let you know, we are in the high way. Focus on that black van who keeps tailing us!"

For the record that's just humiliating! Why didn't I thought of that?

I set aside those feelings and spots a black van whose window is down. Suddenly, a man in black shirt paired with jacket appears from that window, holding a semi automatic pistol g*n in his right hands and aims at our car.

"Oh my god, KID! They are aiming at us!"

I heard him curse and using this high technology car, he dialed Aspire's number but the latter didn't pick up the phone making him more anxious, agitated and worried. However, KID is still trying to reach Aspire and still, he didn't pick up the call. 

This is the first time I saw him frustrated so I took his phone on the dashboard of the car, and immediately text Aspire as I press the word send.

My hearts keeps beating as if it will escape from my chest. Why is this happening? Is it me or KID that they want? I haven't had a time to look for my parent's body and now, we are being chased by a damn van and ready to shoot us anytime.

"Is it me that they want right?"

I manage to speak while looking at him, not hinting about how nervous I am. 

He didn't look back but he answered a simple but shattering, "Yes."

I smiled and bit my lips, preventing the tears from falling. But, I failed in disguising my voice. "What do they want?"

My voice c***k and my tears betrayed me, and his answer only make it worse. He just said he doesn't know but he suspects it will be about my parent's company. Shantel is getting big and our competitors wanted us down.

"Your mother came into agreement with a company in Italy, one of the condition is they will lend your mother's company a billion dollars for expansion of your business. If the company will perform well for three months, they will consider signing a long term contract. Unfortunately,"

I didn't let him finish and I completed his sentence. Because I do not want the conclusion forming in my head, that's just impossible.

"The mistress of my father."

This time I caught him off guard but he eyes are still on the road. Seems like my doubt is not just a doubt, or an assumption anymore.

"The mistress of my father, who happens to be the wife of our family lawyer."

I sigh and let my tears fall from my eyes. I need to let this out or it will be the dead of me.

This time, I don't know where will I go and I don't want to bother Anikka since these people are after my life. Being with them will just endanger there life.

"KID, did you know that I have a crush on you?" I suddenly say out of nowhere that made him look at me for a second, because he is driving he look in front again trying to focus and I just want to say my feelings for him before I die.

"I honestly, didn't know that you are always been my classmate until Anikka told me, and I am happy when you told me about our engagement." My voice c***k but I still laugh to hold my tears.

"Save it, Celestine. I don't wanna hear that half hearted confession of yours. I will bring you back to Nikka whole and safe."

"That isn't a half hearted confession, its true!"

This time, it is KID who suddenly smile sorrowfully. He manuever to the right and we found an exit so there are only small number of cars here. 

"Why can't you just accept that you already fall for Aspire?"

I, where did that come from?

"KID, I am not falling for Aspire. I never been this attracted to a man not until I met you. Why are you doing this? Is it because of Anikka?" I can't help but raise my voice at him.

"Admit it Celestine! I have been harboring romantic feelings for you before but, you only see Aspire in your world." I remain silent upon hearing his words. "Now that Anikka and I have mutual feelings together we cannot make it publicly because she knows that you are falling for me."

Damn! I was too focused on myself that I forgot Anikka. She did hide this for me and now I almost break her heart knowing that I was about to get engage to her man.

A sudden phone call interrupt my thoughts, a small screen flash Aspire's name and I immediately answer the call. 

"Wherr is she?" Anxiety and madness is evident in his voice, and I know that he is looking for me. I left him at school when KID suddenly pulls me.

"Lefevre, I'm here. Where are you?"

"Just tell me where you are and I'll go there myself!" He is really mad and I don't like when he is mad.

"Meet us at rest stop, I'll send you the address." KID said and ended the call. With a few tap on the screen, he send the location to Aspire and immediately drove to the rest stop. 

"Will we be okay?" My anxiety came back when I see the rest stop ahead of us. I will face my creditors. 

"Robles, please take care of Anikka and when I step out of your car, don't ever look back and drive straight away from here." I told him as if threatening him. I don't need people risking lives for me.

When I saw a familiar figurine on the other side of the parking lot where there are no cars and far from the light, my heart suddenly beats fast. Aspire is there, together with Sean. Sean, my brother.

I look at the side mirror in the passenger seat side and saw a black van still tailing us. Then I look at KID and he seems worried about my plan but I smiled at him, mouthing to take a good care of Anikka. As I open the door, and sprint toward the two man without looking back.

I run with one sided track, to his arms as I recall KID's words. I don't know what will be my future but I will always be with my person. 

Aspire's arms welcomes me with a hug and I don't exactly know what's happening, but I heard a loud and ear binding sound coming from a g*n. He release me from his hug and I immediately look for Sean who fire his g*n at the driver of the van.

I didn't know where he get that but another bullet from his g*n killed three more people inside the van, without hesitation seen in his eyes. 

Aspire lead me to the backseat of his car as Sean jump from the passenger seat. The car is freezing cold because they didn't turn the engine off. Aspire looks like he is fighting with time because he drives faster more than KID. 

"Can you slow down for a minute?" I ask Aspire but he seems preoccupied with something so Sean answer for him.

"We can't, damnit! Your house, your house is burned when we get there." I am stunned from what Sean said. They are really serious about taking everything from me. 

"Then, where will I go?" I whisper enough that they can hear.

"We already set things for you. Your plane ticket, phone, your house and other necessities are already in your new place. The money beside you is all yours. You will have another identity when we reach the airport. Your plane ticket is also there. Just look inside the bag when you reach your new place."

I open the bag that Sean is talking about and saw one plane ticket, numbers of Identification Card and lots of money that could support me for few years. Why is there only one?

"Sean, you aren't coming with me?" I ask him.

"I, I have other things to do." He simply said without looking at me.

"Get ready, Gomez. We have reach the airport." Aspire finally found his words.

Once again, I ask Sean if he is really not coming but Aspire uttered something.

"We won't babe. We have family here and we are hoping for your safety." Aspire said but his voice is dejected.

I look at them but Aspire just smile while Sean is looking outside, not wanting to see me. He is still mad at me but he saves me.

Aspire reach for my face so I gladly come closer to him. He caress my cheek, still wearing those gloomy face.

"I love you, and please stay alive for me." I am not shock anymore, instead I gladly reply. "I love you too."

He smiles and tears begin to show in his eyes. What's there to hide? Its been years and between life and death, I manage to confess my feelings when I am leaving him.

"Celestine, I want you to run as fast as you can and don't ever look back, okay?" I frown but choose to understand the situation. I smile at him and open the door on the backseat.

Just like he said, I run like a cheetah and a sudden explosion is heard throughout the airport.

My mind suddenly stop working, my feet are glue to the ground. My heart keeps beating and wanting to escape from my chest. Unexpectedly, my tears flow like a river and I swallow my cry. How could this even be possible?

People are crowding the scene, some are calling for ambulance and some are busy thinking on how to suppress the fire. 

When I finally got my senses back, I walk forward without looking back. Just like what he told me.

He manage to confess his feelings before. I couldn't even understand what the stewardess is asking me, but the things I heard from her is that, Aspire rented out the whole plane for me. 

What a thoughtful asshole!

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The noise from the bar suddenly wake me up from my thoughts. Its been years but it feels like it happened yesterday. 

"Would you like accompany for tonight, miss?"

I look at the man and I notice those deep black eyes of him, and his perfect cupid's bow luscious reddish lips.

I smile at him and said, "Are you free?"