52: C52 Chapter 52

C52 Chapter 52

Those two fishy men marched toward us hastily. It affirmed that they did not want to lose us. From their appearance, it was clear that they were not a part of those hoodlums. Something played in my head. Did they belong to another group of the mafia? Thinking about that made me fear.2

Dealing with those small criminals freaked me out, struggling hard to flee. What if those two were truly mafias? Could we run off this time? I did not regret my decision to interfere with the persecution Kevin was suffering. However, that incident might send me to get to know what mafias were like. I was convinced that it was not something I expected.

On the other hand, Kevin did not seem surprised with their coming as if he had met them before. Nevertheless, it was undeniable that he did not feel comfortable seeing them here.

"Run"

"What?” My hand had been twisted with his in no time. Yet, the time did not let us move even an inch as those two men had waylaid us.

"Wait!" He addressed it to Kevin, not to me. They ignored me like I was not around. Did have to say that it was better? "Your mother contacted us that you were in danger. Few unknown men attacked you and the driver on your way to school. The driver managed to escape and called your mom that they kidnapped you. Are you okay?"

"As you can see, I am fine. I am in a rush to go to school with my friend.”

"Your mother instructed me to take you home safely." Another man conveyed.

"Tell my mom that I don't want to skip school."

"You have to follow me as your mother's instruction."

"I am not going with you." those two men shared each other glance. Then, they did not have to work hard to drag Kevin to the jeep. Kevin's effort to discharge himself from them was all in vain. That boy helplessly sat in the passenger seat. He looked at me before that vehicle carried him.

Breathing out of relief, I move out of the place that had stuck me for a moment after Kevin's leaving. That boy would certainly be under those men's protection. His mother would not let those kidnappers touch her son anymore. It was his privilege to have a rich family that could hire bodyguards to always safeguard him wherever he was.

It had been away from the area where Kevin was mauled. The man's word undeniably fidgeted my nerve. I had no doubts that he was too serious with his threat. I had to be ready with the risk of dealing with those criminals. Yet, that man and his gang were one of the jeopardies I had to elude from almost every day. That should not have bothered me much.

I kept moving. Passing the bakery and smelling the flavor of the bread stirred my stomach and almost made me drool. The saliva might have flooded my mouth if I did not quicken my pace. That was not a place where I should be. It was because I could not afford to purchase any of that bread.

Suddenly I remembered the letter from Reno when I just took a rest at a bus stop. Sitting on the bench, I thrust my hand into my pocket. I got panic that the letter was not there. It might have fallen out of my pocket somewhere on my retreat from those goons. I checked the pendant in my bag and it was still there wrapped in paper. I lost the letter and I hope it did not matter.

The bus stopped, the conductor called the passengers in while I did not proceed toward it. I was not supposed to get on the bus indeed. Spending ten minutes reflecting on what I had been through and what I planned to do today, I went on with my decision to go home. I was too tired to work. Let alone, the sunburn on my skin indicated that morning had gone. I could give my mother an excuse that I returned home earlier due to the teachers' meeting. It was not a good idea to lie to her. However, telling her the truth about my school leave would be even worse for her. She once passed out because I was determined to drop out of school. Considering that it might cause any speculation on my early home, I decided to wander around. It would not be a good but not a bad idea, either.

The flea bookstore caught my attention. So, I used my much free time there reading few books. The owner provided a space for the visitors to read. He did not charge it. We could freely read any books he arranged on the bookshelves. He was such a kind and nice person. I had to get back here next time.

Reading always created an exciting experience that I did not realize the time had flown very quickly. The sun had been down upon my arrival at home. It was a surprise that Vera was in my house talking to my mother. I prayed that she never uncovered that I had a problem at school.

"Where have you been? Your friend has waited for you for almost one hour?" My mother would always mention his/her name whenever she referred to someone she knew. They might have talked a lot. Vera surely had informed her name. I was suspicious that the way my mother treated Vera confirmed that she might not like her. Why? "I was just home a few minutes ago. I don't even have time to ask her name." My mother's statement sent me a relief.

"Her name is Vera, mom."

"Nice to meet you, Vera. I am sorry not to treat you well. Have a drink. This is all we have. Just make yourself at home." My mother served a cup of tea.

"It's nice to meet you, aunt. Thank you. I love tea. Well, Ilana talked a lot about you. I am glad that I finally meet one of the few people I idolize."

"I am not the one you can admire. I am even illiterate. There must be something urgent that you have an urge to visit us at this hour. Why don't you make an appointment to discuss the issue at school tomorrow?" Vera could discern that the expression on their face changed. She initiated to switch the topic.

"No. There is no something serious. I am eager to see you in person. Yet I was too busy. I can only make it today. I hope my coming won't cause inconvenience."

"Sure no. By the way, Ilana, one of your teachers came this afternoon yet he couldn't find me at home. One of our neighbors gave me this. It seems a letter from the school or something. I don't understand what it is about because I can't read. I hope it is good news." My mother passed me the letter. From the cover and the sentences typed on it, it was bad news. I took a glimpse at Vera who at the same time turned to me with a wondering face.

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