Chapter 7

The taxi driver stepped hard on the pedal and zoomed down the street, swerving past other cars until we lost sight of the two men.

A brand new mini SUV shone it's powerful headlight and pursued us from behind.

I tensed, there was no way an old taxi like this could outrun a brand new SUV, the car got closer and closer and I felt my body tense even more.

The windows opened and two teenagers thrust their head out of the window screaming like banshees.

They turned to the taxi driver.

"You should star in a driving movie, you drive like an old man" the one in the passenger side shrieked and the others laughed.

"I will but you'll probably be dead before you see it" he scoffed at them.

"Old fart" they raised their middle finger at the driver before entering the SUV and closing the window.

The SUV picked up speed and disappeared round a bend.

I blew my held breath and slumped down the chair, holding a hand to my beating chest.

The driver looked at me warily from the mirror.

"Who did you offend? Who were you running from? I don't even know why I helped you, I could be in grave danger too"

"I don't know, I just got here a day ago. Who could I know to offend?"

"You should be careful, some things are too big for average people like us to handle, even the police would not be able to help. Be careful, Okay?"

I nodded.

"Where to?"

"Fifty-three Whisp Lane"

I still looked around tensely, waiting to see if any car was following us.

Any car that followed us for at least five minutes, I would jump if it got close thinking they had caught up with us.

I sighed when I saw familiar streets, I was close to home.

The taxi slowed down at the front of my house, I paid the fare and entered the gate, I plucked out my keys from my purse and tried to open the door, my hands were still shaking and it took several seconds before I managed to open the door, I glanced back one last time to make sure nobody was following me and closed the door when I was sure.

The warmth of the house comforted me and aided me to relax a little bit, crimson hues were already been cast by the sun from the sky.

I trudged to my bedroom and stripped before entering the shower, only under the prickling of cold water did my body fully relax.

I put on a plain almost faded black t-shirt and a mini short and jumped on my bed facing the white washed ceiling.

The white ceiling helped me think.

"What did those men want?" I sighed and closed my eyes, I snapped them back open when I saw the faces of the two men.

"Great another nightmare to add to my list of nightmares" I placed my arm over my eyes.

The clock on the wall ticked, I spied the time from under my arm.

"Time for dinner"

I sat up straight in my bed and clenched my fists.

"I refuse to remain like this, I didn't do anything so I have nothing to be scared of. I will not be scared of some bullshit. Predator not the prey"

I nodded and went to my wardrobe, I scanned the clothes in it and pulled out a black baggy trouser with and elastic band at it ends and a crimson coloured sweater.

"Perfect" I arranged them on the swing chair and went downstairs.

I pulled out a can of sweetened water, opened it and took a gulp.

It fizzled and sizzled gently as I swallowed.

I sighed peacefully.

"Heaven"

I pulled open the fridge door and looked inside.

"Fish, meat and a little little of everything"

Several minutes into cooking, the door opened and two cheerful voices entered.

"Pumpkin, I'm home and I bought groceries" Kelvin screamed from the living room.

"Pumpkin?" He called again.

"I'm here" I answered from the kitchen.

Kelvin sniffed the air.

"Wow-wee"

I poked my head through the kitchen's door.

"Hey?!"

"What's cooking? good-looking?" Kelvin asked as he winked.

I rolled my eyes as Alexia giggled.

"That's so cheesy, Kel and Alexia stop giggling at Kelvin's silliness, he will only be encouraged"

"Right, so what's really cooking?" Kelvin asked as he stocked the groceries into the fridge.

"Spaghetti, meatballs and tomato sauce, of course how could forget my parsley leaves. Spaghetti; developed far back from China..."

"China? Isn't spaghetti considered as part of Italian cuisine" Alexia interjected.

"Yes, came to Italy by the hands of MarcoPolo. Italian spaghetti is typically made from durum wheat semolina. Chinese consider spaghetti as noodles but Italians consider it as pasta. Originally, spaghetti was notably long, but shorter lengths gained in popularity during the latter half of the 20th century and now it is most commonly available in 25–30 cm that is if I'm correct 10–12 inches in lengths. A variety of pasta dishes are based on it and it is frequently served with tomato sauce or meat or vegetables"

"I love thin spaghetti..." Kelvin spoke as he drooled a little.

"Wrong!" I said entering my teaching mode.

"What?" He asked a little confused.

"Spaghettoni is a thicker form of spaghetti, while capellini is very thin spaghetti. So you'll say, you love capellini"

"Right, pardon me if I've offended culinary terms of spaghetti. But who cares, right?"

"Your definition of food doesn't agree with you"

Kelvin chuckled.

"Food that does not agree with you, eh?"

"What do you define food as then?" Alexia asked as she perched on the table.

"Me first" Kelvin raised a finger.

Alexia nodded.

"Food on tray is huite cuisine but in a sink or on the ground is garbage no matter how tasty or beautiful it looks"

"Is that what you think?" I asked giving Kelvin a quick glance.

"What do you think?" They looked at me and asked curiously.

"If it fits in your mouth, it's food"

"What if it kills you, something like poison. Fits in the mouth but is harmful" Alexia furrowed her brows.

"Looks like your definition of food doesn't agree with you"

"I'm not going to prove my point, think what you may" I harrumphed and served the food.

We sat at the dining, dishing hot spaghetti and slightly chilly tomato sauce.

"I just remembered, so how did it go?"

"Whmmffathh?" I asked through a mouthful.

"Swallow Selene. Chew and swallow" Kelvin shook his head.

I swallowed.

"At least you're conscious of that"

He glared at me.

"So?"

"I still don't know what you're talking about"

"The job?"

"Ohh...Well..."

"That punk, if it didn't go well..."

"Calm down Kelvin," Alexia massaged his biceps, "Selene if it didn't work out, you could come work for me. I know it's not the same as Dusty's but with your skills it would be a pleasure having you in board"

"Hmph, it would be better than that place"

"Would you let ..."

"That ungrateful old man, after everything I did for him"

"I thought you two settled it?!"

"Let me talk..."

"Settled. He still refuses to acknowledge his mistake"

"All this while?"

"Let me talk! "I banged my fork against the table.

Silence ruled the table with a mighty grip.

I sighed.

"I got the job"

"That ungrateful," Kelvin spat angrily before he paused, "Wait, what?"

"I got the job, Kel and yes we have things to discuss. You and me"

I pointed my finger and him then at me.

He swallowed and nodded.

"I guess we do really need that talk"

My phone rang, it displayed an unknown number.

I hesitated as the pursuit of today came back fresh into my head.

Kelvin stopped eating and looked at me.

"You okay?"

He stared deeply at me and wiped the sauce from beside his lips with his napkin.

"Yeah"

I grabbed the glass of water close to me and drowned in down in one go and spluttered as it went down the wrong way.

"Selene?!"

Kelvin pushed back his chair roughly and rushed to my side before patting my back gently.

"What's wrong?"

He grabbed my hands.

"Your hands are so cold"

The phone rang again and I stilled.

"Who is it?"

"I don't know and I don't want to find out"

"It's okay, no-one can hurt you while I'm here. Pick up the phone"

I took the phone slowly with shaky hands and hesitated on the floating answer button on the screen. I took a long deep breath and answered the call.

Before giving the caller a chance to speak, I said, "I'm not guilty of anything"

Kelvin furrowed his brows as he clutched my hand.

The line on the other side was silent before a hearty laugh was heard.

"You're so weird, I always end up laughing. How's the weather?"

The laugh was so familiar, it brought my thoughts back to the man who sat beside me in the airplane.

"Felix?"

I screamed into the phone.

"Hey, I'm glad you remembered me, I thought you'll be enjoying so much that you'll forget all about simple ol' me"

"How could I? And you know that you're not so simple" I beamed.

"I'm glad. Anyway, I called to fulfill my promise. I did say I was going to call today, sorry if it came late"

"It's fine, I'm glad to hear from you. I think I'll give you a treat for being nice, what do you think?"

"Treat!, a treat! Woof! I love treats!"

I grinned wider.

"So naughty. You'll come over to Dusty's and I'll make you a nice cup of good coffee"

"Nice...You got a job at Dusty's? How do you know Dusty?"

"I do have a job at Dusty's," I looked at Kelvin, "he's kinda related"

"Dusty?"

"Yes"

"That asshole" Kelvin growled.

"Who's that?"

"My asshole of a brother"

Kelvin shot me a very nasty glare to which I gave a very bright smile.

"Ohh, say hi to him for me, will you?"

"He's eavesdropping, I'm sure he can hear what you said"

Felix laughed his hearty laugh again.

"I see, so how's the weather?"

"Cold at night, too hot in the morning. It's almost like it's fluctuating or something"

"Tropical girls and something about our weather" he chuckled.

"Hey, you asked first" I grumbled.

"Felix, grandma's here" a feminine voice was heard beside Felix.

"Who are you calling, I hope you're not planning on sabotaging the dinner"

"Is that Rose?" I asked even though I knew right from her voice.

"Yes?" He spoke slowly.

"Put it on speaker"

"Done"

"Hey Rose"

"Selene?"

A loud slam and Felix yelped.

"Ouch!!"

"You should have told me that you were speaking to Selene"

"Is that why you hit me?"

"Yes..."

They argued unreasonably like two kids fighting for a sardine can to make a toy car.

"I'm still here in case you two forgot" I waved Kelvin away.

He went back to eating his food still giving me cautious glances.

"Of course, how could we forget. I've missed you and your funny speeches"

"Please, not that again. I could swear it was something about the weather or maybe moving forward or was it backwards in time"

They both chuckled.

"There is the Selene we know and love. How have you been?"

"Good Rose, I've been good"

"How about you visit us sometime? Say like a week time"

"Why a week's time?"

"This week is really busy. It's our grandparents anniversary and our cousins will be coming over and stuff and a certain someone will not to like to share his bag of goodies"

Felix tsked.

"Besides that, he will love to look posh to impress"

"Stop sprouting nonsense and fix a date"

"Can you see, he didn't even say dinner but date" Rose teased, smacking her lips.

"That is not what I meant by fix a date" Felix growled angrily.

"Liar, liar, man on fire. Why are you so red?"

"Something about the weather?" I asked and Rose burst out laughing.

"Saturday?" Felix asked sullenly.

"Perfect, I'll get a day off then" I nodded in agreement.

"Rose, Felix?" A woman's voice was heard.

"Mother?" Felix answered.

"Why are the two of you here? Your grandma is waiting, your cousins have started to arrive. Go and welcome them"

"They can welcome themselves, I don't care" Rose harrumphed.

"Rose! Felix? Are you in support?"

"Yes?! They are our cousins not some strangers or guest and they have the servants to welcome them and show them to their room, what else could they possibly want?"

"See? Mother, you should sit and take a break"

"Who are the two of you excitedly talking to?"

"A friend who loves our weather" Felix snickered.

"Meanie" I forked the last bit of spaghetti into my mouth and chewed slowly.

Felix chuckled.

"You're so funny"

"Let's get going, your Dad is coming"

"Bye Selene" Rose spoke into the phone.

"See you tomorrow for my treat" Felix said.

"I also want a treat" Rose cried clinging to Felix.

"No treat for you" Felix brushed her away but she clung tightly like a limpet to him.

"Ohh for the love of God, Rose, Let me go"

"I also want a treat" she cried.

"Stop pinching me"

It was hard to match the classy lady I saw at the airport to the one who was throwing a tantrum now.

"Bye Selene. Later!"

"Bye?!"

He hung up not before I heard him say, "Stop that" to Rose.

"Weird siblings"

"Who was that?" Kelvin narrowed his eyes at me.

"Was the conversation also suspish to you too?" Alexia winked at Kelvin.

"It's a friend that I met at the airport, nothing more" I answered blankly.

"I don't think so" Alexia wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"What are you suggesting Alexia? That I'm into someone I just met"

"I believe in love at first sight"

I stared silently at her, two minutes and I was still staring at her. She began to fidget slightly.

"Stop staring at me like that, it's unnerving"

"You're trying to act like me but you're failing horribly. I pair based on what I see or based on what I feel I see, you are pairing haphazardly trying to return my teasing back to me but it's not going to work"

I spooned another spaghetti serving and gently spooned sauce on it and began to eat.

Alexia was silent and pouting.

"It's not fair" she pouted.

"What's not?" I asked.

"That you get to tease me and I can't" she huffed dismissively.

"Jealous much?" I stuck out a tongue to her.

"Leave her alone" Kelvin spoke shielding Alexia.

"The overprotective alpha lion protecting his lioness" I smacked my lips at them.

They both turned red and looked away and I enjoyed the satisfaction of watching them ripen to tomato shade.

I spooned another fork of spaghetti into my mouth.

"So you got the job" Kelvin nodded as he remembered.

"Let's celebrate that" Alexia cheered.

"Coke for me" I raised a hand and Kelvin tossed me a can which I skillfully caught, I swear I caught it...with my laps.

"Sorry, I didn't know that you had a bad catch, probably can't catch to save your life" he grinned as he finally got something to attack me back.

"Kelvin; one and Selene; Fifteen. Come up with better ones later and I'll increase your score or else you might be stuck in one"

"We'll see" he grinned.

"Just see how Alexia is staring at you Kel. She probably loves your smile"

Kelvin whipped his head to Alexia, they turned red when their eyes met.

"Another one for Selene Orlando and Kelvin remains at one. So you see, teasing me with my bad catch will only make more naughty"

I winked as I spooned the last fork of spaghetti into my mouth.

Alexia hurriedly took the plates to the kitchen trying hard to avoid Kelvin's eyes.

I chuckled.

"So my celebration?"

"One bottle of beer for me" Alexia called as she came out from the kitchen.

"I wasn't going to let you take more than one" he passed her a Ginger Ale and they blushed when their fingers touched.

"Interesting" I sipped my Coke from the glass where I had turned it into.

They looked away.

We clinked glasses together.

Alexia and Kelvin were still avoiding eye contact.

"What's with all this sexual tension? Need space to figure it out? I can leave the two of you alone...if that's what you want"

"We are fine" Kelvin said hurriedly.

"We? Speak for yourself Kel. What do you say Alexia. Space wouldn't hurt right. I'll give you two space"

I finished my Coke before I headed for the door and winked at them before closing it.