I stare at the bomb attached to the wires, dumbtruck and voiceless. What the fuck is this!. Its not yet activated, but just the sight of the red wires sparked up fears in my stomach. I hold Becky’s hand and we took some steps back, recoiling in fear.
“Sandy…. is that… a bomb!?” Becky rasped.
I stare at Becky who looks frightened to the bones. She barely gets scared. Infact this is the first time she’s this scared. My own heartbeat reminds me I’m just as scared. Many bad thoughts crossed my mind.
“Hey are you guys alright, you look like you’ve seen a ghost” I whip my head sideways to see Nick walking towards us. Becky runs to him immediately
“Nick!… a bomb!, someone tried to kill us!… the bomb was planted in the engine” I breathe in and walk shakily to them.
“Huh!, what the fuck!” He holds us by the arm and we hastily move farther away from the car. Nick brings out his phone and punches it quickly. He press it against his ears.
“Hello… 911…. we’ve got an emergency” I zone out as Becky looks at me, her face teary. I wrap my arm around her as I felt her shaky body press to mine. I feel numb already. I suddenly imagined if i had ignited the engine, what would have happened? Maybe an explosion, our body scattered in tiny bloody pieces, or probably mangled among metals. I shiver at the thought as I felt my eyes wet.
I’m not a perfect girl but I’m sure I’ve done nothing for anyone to harm me, let alone kill me. The distant wailings of the siren brings me out of my scary thoughts. Nick strides to us.
“Come on guys let’s get you out of here”
I take off my hands off Becky’s shoulder as Nick holds us by the arms. We walk away from the car and towards a red one, Nick’s car. He open it and I get in. Becky stands at the door, afraid and hesitant, like there’s a bomb in here too, dammit.
“Hey… you’re safe I’ve got a buzzer alarm attached okay?”
She sniff back tears and slide in beside me. He slams the door shut just as the emergency van drives past the car.
“I’d just go see them okay?” Nick says through the open window and I nod as he leaves.
“Becky…. are you alright?” I stare at Becky as she hugs herself. She sniff back her tears. I bit my lips hard.
“Nothing is gonna happen to you Becky okay?” I coo as I draw her close. She rests her head against my shoulders as I feel her tears drop. I was trying to hold back mine too. This dosen’t make any sense. it was a close shave, a close shave to our miserable death . I can’t imagine dying so grossly. Now I know how Emilia had felt that night.
“Who did that sandy” Becky voice out hoarsely. I blink back my tears. Whoever did that is dangerous. And dangerous things seem to have been happening…. since liam came.
“Becky relax and don’t think about it okay” I rub her arm as she nods again. I watch Nick talk to some men while gesturing to us and the car. After what seems like ages, he walk back to us and got into the driving seat. He looks at us through the rearview mirror.
“They’ve got it under their control. I nod as a man in plain shirt and black pants walks to my side of the car. The window rolls down and he rests on the sill.
“Sandy O’Reilly?” He asks immediately. I glance at Nick who gives me a nod of approval.
“Yeah…” I say, turning to meet his face. He smile at us professionally. Becky cuss under her breath before turning her head to the other side.
“Be rest assured that everything is under control, we would tow your car to the station to check for damages alright?” I hung my head down and nod. That ain’t my business right now, I’m not sure I would get into that car ever again.
“It looks like whoever did that is after you….” He gives me a meaningful gaze.
“Do you know of anyone you might have offended, or probably…. any one who’s threatening you?”I shook my head negatively.
“No officer…. none” He nods.
“Have you noticed any recent happenings. And…. it seems rather unusual?” I stare at him. For a split moment I decided on telling the cops everything. Maybe I should tell him about liam paige. Maybe if I do, everything would finally be back to normal, and our lives wouldn’t be endangered. I open my mouth and clamp it shut immediately.
I couldn’t do it this way, it would hurt Emilia, since she was in love with him. Instead I sniff and shook my head.
“No officer, maybe they mistook our car for another” A smile tug at his lips.
“No… those sort of… mistakes, never happen” He drawled on the ‘mistake’ like he knew I was lying. Becky moves beside me and she was poking her face right at the cop.
“If you don’t mind officer…. we’re dog tired and would like to get going!” She say through clenched teeth. He smiles.
“Okay girls, but don’t hesitate to give us a call if you’re in danger okay” It was Nick who replied before the window rolls up again.
“Sorry about that Sandy, I felt you might want to talk…. should I drop you guys home?” Becky shook her head vehemently.
“No!….. I don’t want to go to that apartment!, who knows they might have planted another bomb in there!” I hold her hand to calm her down.
“Nick…. is it okay if we squat at your place tonight?” we would have readily gone over to Dylan but he would ask questions, questions I don’t have an answer to.
“Okay Sandy, I’ve got an extra room” He ignites the engine and reverse the car, before driving out. I watch from the side mirror, as I watch the emergency workers do their thing. I shudder again, still finding it difficult to believe that we would have been blown up in that car. I lean my head against the head rest as Nick drives to his house.
I and becky walk into his cozy apartment minutes later and almost gape at it. It looks so expensive!. How did he manage to afford this!. I turn my head to look at Becky and her features says the same thing.
“Umm… have your seat okay, while I get you something to drink” Nick brings me out of my thoughts and we sit on a soft couch. He walks towards a door, probably the kitchen.
“Sandy…. take a look at his apartment!, this dosen’t seem like something he could get from working at the pizzeria” Becky whisper lowly. I nod in reply. He doesn’t look like he’s got so much cash. He returns with two glass of juice and hands it over to us.
“Thanks Nick…. you’re a lifesaver” I mutter in gratitude.
“It’s nothing.. I’d go go set your room now” He gives us a smile and leaves.
We exchange glances before leaning comfortably into the couch. I and Becky feast my eyes on the posh living room as we wait for Nick. Jeez this looks so nice. I stare at the beautiful wallpapers and golden lightings on the chandelier.
He came out minutes later. “Its ready now girls… I already put extra blankets for you too alright?” I nod.
“Thanks so much Nick, you don’t know how grateful we are” Becky smiles, sincerity in her voice. He chuckles.
“Its nothing okay… this is the little I could do to help” I smile at him.
“Goodnight Nick” We chorus before heeding to the open door. We step into the room and I couldn’t stop my self from gawking openly. A low “Wow” escapes Becky lips as we look around the ineffable room. Dammit!, this is so good to be real!, glass large windows and a huge soft looking bed with lots of pillows and fluffy blankets.
“This is heaven” Becky whispers as she moves to the window.
“Yeah…. a little bit of it” I say and we chuckle, the tension reducing a bit. Damn!, who ever knew the Nick in faded jeans and top would ever have such kind of apartment!. I shrug. Never judge a book by it’s cover. When we were done staring and gawking at the room, we lie on the bed as we face the ceilings. I sigh as I remember Emilia. She must have gone through a lot!. I kinda see her as the strongest of the three of us now.
“Sandy…. do you think the person after Emilia is also after us?” Becky voice cut into my thoughts. I blew out a breath.
“Becky…. honestly I choose not to think its true. There are some questions that are left unanswered” I sigh and place a pillow on my chest, a deep feeling of angst settling deep in my stomach.
“How about liam…. do you think he’s capable of hurting Emilia?” Her tone drops, like she was scared whoever is after us would barge into the room.
“No Becky, you and I know he would never hurt her, I’ve seen the looks he gives her so many times…. gratitude, deep feelings for her he couldn’t voice out, and the strong feeling to always protect her…. that alone is enough evidence that he wouldn’t hurt her okay?” Becky sighs deeply.
“I know sandy…. but I can’t just help but worry. Everything around us is happening so fast, and I’m unable to think properly. I just hope all this would be over…. some day” I blink my eyes and nod.
“Yeah Becky, me too….”
…
As they continue their chatter, their voice etched with concern and worry over their endangered lives, a recorder clicked above them, transmitting the signals through wires connected to Nick’s room. He sat on a chair, earphones clogged deep in his ears as he listened to their conversation. A dark look on his face as he grabs his phone, punching some numbers on it.
Emilia’s pov
I fold my arms as I sit on the couch, watching Josh and the other guys gather around the center table and playing cards. I tuck back my hair as I watch them play. They look so happy, even in this worse situation. They act like everything is fine, even if its not, same as liam too. Maybe that’s what’s keeping me going these past few days in the mansion. I’ve been able to get past these days without any confrontation from Rose. But I wasn’t settled too. The looks she gave me at every chance she could spare makes me think that she isn’t done with me yet.
They erupt in laughter as one of the guys cuss under his breath. I smile warmly at them. They seem really nice. I’ve always thought street guys are bad eggs, seeing them now makes me take back my words, maybe part of it. Everyone’s got a good side and bad side, it depends on which side you find yourself.
The space beside me dips and I turn slightly to see liam smiling face. He pecks me on the cheeks and I smile.
“Morning liam” I greet cheerfully.
“You look happy today, what’s the secret?” He arch his brows at me and I chuckle and return my gaze to the guys.
“Are they anytime these guys look dangerous?” I lean back into my seat. Liam places a palm on my thigh as he leans in too.
“Yeah, I’ve seen that a lot, they are times you wouldn’t be able to recognise them, they could be ruthless too, and they wouldn’t be the guys you see now… you just have to hope it doesn’t happen” He gives me a look that says a lot and I nod.
“Sandy called, they said they were coming over today”
“Huh!…. really!?” I squeal as i sit up, a big grin on my face. He laughs.
“Yeah they are, they sound eager too…. you’re so lucky you know, those sort of friends are hard to come by these days” I chuckle and nod.
“Yeah liam… I sure am… just like I’m lucky…. to have you” I wink at him and he smirks.
“One more of that and I wouldn’t hesitate to leave you breathless with my mouth” I bit my lip and blush hard.
“I have a little surprise for you… care to know what it is?” He stands up and held out his hand. I giggle and place my hand in his as he pulls me up.
“I’ve always loved surprises” I smirk as he wraps his arm around me, and we walk out. I could hear the other guys howling in laughter at our open display. Liam turns and gives them the middle finger and I laugh. we walk up the stairs and into the large room. He closes the door after us and release his hold on me.
“Here you go” He smiles and point to the bed. I walk towards it and stop in my tracks as i gawk at the sleek looking laptop on the bed. A brand new phone was beside it alongside an headphone. I gasp and whip my head to his figure. Don’t tell me…. these are all for me!.
“I know it’s little, but I just figured out you needed these so you won’t get bored in here” I stare at him in, tongue tied. This!.. a laptop and a brand new phone!. Oh my God, I think I’m gonna freak out.
I flew into his arms as my arms wrap around his neck, my feet leaving the floor, burrowing my face in the crook of his neck. He laughs as he hugs me back.
“Oh my God!, you don’t know how grateful I am for these!. I squeak out, happiness bubbling in my chest. A brand new laptop and a phone!, just… like that!.
“Come on small ass…. you’re choking me already” He laughs as he sets me on the floor with his hands on my waist. I giggle and rush back to the bed, as I pick the phone up. Holy molly!, this looks like what those rich kids uses!. I drop it back on the bed and open the lid of the laptop. A huge grin plaster on my face as the new looking screen stares back at me. Liam sits on the bed and I stare at him, my heart swelling with happiness.
“Thanks so much liam…” I mutter gratefully and he nods.
“Well… that’s not all….” He drawls and get off the bed.. He strides to the closet and threw it open. I watch him as he brings out something from the closet. He shuts it close and turns. My mouth hung open as I stare at the new looking guitar in his hands.