The Unexpected Ally: NYSSA
“Wh-what do you mean?”
I was standin’ in front of her, lookin’ at the woman from head to toe.
“How could you do something like this to me and my family? Do you even know how much trust I have for you?” Now, I was wavin’ the phone at her face.
“What are you and Theodore Crowley talkin’ ’bout on your phone? And why does it have to do with me and all the things I said to you?” I moved back a little when she walked further – scarin’ me to the point of thinkin’ she would harm me if care was not taken.
“He promised to pay handsomely and I’m sorry-” she was cryin’, clutchin’ her bag tightly. “I needed money for a lot of things. How he got to know we are pretty close is somethin’ I don’t know ’bout, yet. I am sorry, Nyssa. Stay with me so that we can fight this man.”
“Get out!”
She was runnin’ towards the door and out of the livin’ room the next moment.
The gate jammed and I fell onto one of the chairs in the livin’ room, heavin’ a sigh and not believin’ my eyes and ears. “How could she do a thing like this?” I asked no one in particular, standin’ on my feet and walkin’ to the window to see if she was still in it.
I walked back to the couch and looked at the phone in my hand, not still believin’ my eyes, even with the proof I had before me.
There was no need to go through the other parts, but this particular thing I came to look for.
Where was Kazmir?
True-
He had left to go on a walk with his sister who would leave the house in the mornin’ or the day after tomorrow.
I heaved a sigh and got on my feet, turnin’ to pick up my phone that was already beepin’ from the couch.
The call was from Ember.
What does she want from me this time? I stopped the phone from beepin’ by rejectin’ her calls and she called again, while I did the same thing only to see another call from her once more. “What do you want?!”
“I need you to listen to me, Nyssa,” from the other end of the phone, she pleaded. “I know you’re disappointed in me and no longer trust me which is fine, but I also need you to listen to me and what I have to say.”
“You should be fast ’bout it-” I walked through the stairs, changin’ my mind and walkin’ down to the livin’ room once more – but headed to the dinin’ area so that I could sip some water.
“I don’t have all day and should be done with you so that I can attend to the few things I need to attend to.”
“I am sorry, first of all-” her voice was beginnin’ to irritate me and anger was somethin’ I felt deep down inside of me.
“But I know a way you can fight back Theodore Crowley. And I’ll be willin’ to give out this lady your contact if you are willin’ to work with her in doin’ this. Aside from me, she is the only one who can help you with everythin’ you need.”
I burst out laughin’.
What was she tryin’ to do?
Get more information ’bout me so that it could be used against me. I wondered with a sigh runnin’ out of my mouth. “You should know that I don’t trust you anymore and wouldn’t want to have anythin’ to do with you or the person you know who may even not be harmless. Is it so hard for you to understand, Ember? Get off my phone at this moment!”
Without waitin’ to hear her next words, I ended the call and sipped water from the glass, watchin’ the door entrance also open and the man I am married to, walked into the space with his sister who winked at me.
“Is everythin’ alright?”
Maybe he could see the displeasin’ look on my face. I shook my head and he asked again.
“What’s wrong?” Lookin’ around, he asked.
“I thought Ember was here before I left the house with my sister. Where is she?”
He sipped water from the same glass I put down and asked. “Did somethin’ happen? Tell me already, as you can see there is no one in this place with us.”
“Let’s go to the room, Kazmir-” I snatched my phone from the table and started to walk, also hearin’ footsteps from behind. “I have a lot to tell you and there’s no way you won’t want to hear it.” I added, catchin’ up with the stairs and walkin’ into the space with a grimace that dented my face.
Sittin’ on the bed, I watched the man I am married to, do the same. He looked at me, unsure of what to say, in the same way I was unsure too.
“I don’t know how to go ’bout this-” I looked at the screen of my phone, lookin’ through the many chats and stumblin’ on that of Theodore.
“But if there’s one thing you must know, it’s the fact that the woman I considered my best friend is the biggest snitch I have seen in my entire life.”
“What are you-talkin’ ’bout?”
“What I am tryin’ to say is that the woman is the one behind all of these things,” I got on my feet after handin’ the phone to ‘im. “Startin’ from the spy givin’ information ’bout me to the man – your rival, down to the risin’ feud. She is the one!”
The man I was with didn’t say a word.
“What?” He got on his feet, pacin’ the room as I did. “What did we ever do to this bitch? How dare she?!” His tone was louder than usual and he was angry, makin’ me see his already red eyes. “How dare she?!” He thundered once more, droppin’ my phone on the bed and pacin’ the room once more.
My phone started to beep.
It wasn’t the right thing to talk to someone over the phone. But this person – whoever it was – was dialin’ my contact for the first time and no reason, I found myself interested in this person and what he or she may have to say. “Give me a moment, Kazmir. I need to take this call.” I relaxed on the bed and picked up the call.
“Nyssa Draven on the line. Who am I unto?”
“Hello, Nyssa,” it was a woman’s voice. “My name is Jane and I was sent by Ember who explained the issues you’re goin’ through. I’m here to help you. I’m sure you don’t recall me before the accident but I used to be an acquaintance before the accident happened. We didn’t talk too much but I knew you.”
“Wh-what are you sayin’?” I got on my feet, headin’ to the window side. “Does that mean Ember knew me before the accident?”
“No, not at all-” she said with a chuckle.
“I’ll explain these things to you when we get to meet. I learned of the issues you’re havin’ with Theodore Crowley and would love to help. At least, before your husband loses his investments to ‘im and I’m sure you don’t want that.” Her words made me turn around to see Kazmir right behind me, listenin’ to both our conversations.
“How do you intend to help me?”
“I plan for us to see so that I can give you all the details you should know,” she sounded again. “Text an address to this number so that we can see and I’ll tell you all that I know ’bout Theodore Crowley. And I mean, somethin’ that should land ‘im in a police cell at the end of the day. Have a good day, Mrs. Draven.”