Elvis’s lips stretched into a nervous smile, as he rushed and stood in front of Natalie. He rested his hands on her shoulder turning her to face him.
“Why stress yourself, Nat?” He asked softly, as his shoulder dropped in a heavy sigh, “You are living a good life now. Your mother has gotten her treatment done–”
Natalie quickly pushed his hands away from her shoulder, as she felt pissed off by his words, and didn’t hesitate to send him a murderous glare.
Elvis raised his hands in surrender, as he chuckled nervously, “That’s not why I mean, Nat.” He shook his head violently, “Don’t get me wrong.” He added.
Natalie crossed her arms over her chest, “What do you mean then?” She asked.
Elvis leaned closer as if he didn’t want the pass-by to hear what he wanted to say, “You are Javier’s wife, people shouldn’t be seeing you in a place like that.” He whispered.
“And so?” She flared up, anger surging through her veins. “I paid for that shop with my hard earned money, Elvis.” She yelled to his face with a shaken voice, as tears tickled at the corner of her eyes. “I never sold my body, nor did I use an illegal means to sort out myself. And you expect me to let it go?” Tears finally streamed down her face.
Elvis’s shoulder dropped in utter defect, as he rack on what way to convince Natalie, “But the best way is to inform the police.” He quickly suggested as he was already thinking of how to bribe the police in their favor.
“I’m not ready to wait forever before I get a result.” Natalie wiped her tears with the back of her hands and nonchalantly replied, and turned to Kate, who was listening to them all along. “Are you coming with me?” She asked, walking away.
“Yes, yes…count me in.” Kate ran after her, gesturing for Elvis to follow them.
“Let me drive you to the club then.” He offered. Natalie and Kate had no choice but to enter his car.
And without wasting any time, Elvis retrieved his phone from his pocket. He texted Javier the situation at hand, before entering the car and drove them to the club.
After one hour and thirteen minutes drive, it was already evening when Elvis drove them to the club and parked his car in the garage. Natalie hastily ran into the club without waiting for Kate and Elvis to tag along.
She was so desperate to find out the truth. What kept fueling her was how she managed to save up that money, depriving herself some certain things just to get herself her dream art shop, and just to have it burned down in one day by some hoodlums.
The moment she got inside, she bumped into Shakira who quickly gave her a side hug the moment he noticed her.
“What’s up, girl?” He greeted her in his twisted feminine voice, pulling her to sit down.
Natalia sat down, and soon Kate and Elvis walked in and joined her, facing Shakira.
Shakira seeing how serious their expression were, suddenly let out a nervous laugh, “It seems you guys aren’t here to party.” He said a mist of laughter, and leaned closer, his expression turning serious too, “Hope I’m safe?” He quickly added.
“Where’s Alfred?” Natalie quickly leaned closer to him too.
Shakira’s brows furrowed in confusion, he wondered why Natalie was asking after his boyfriend. “Hey, don’t tell me you are falling for my man?” Jealously lingered in his voice, as he pouted his lips.
Natalie disregarded what he said, because she was not here for any jokes, “Quit the joke. I’m only here to require some information.” She said clarifying her reason for coming to the club.
Shakira’s shoulder dropped in relief, as he sat upright in his seat and cleared his throat, “I and Alfred are one. Ask me anything.” He flashed then a smile.
Natalie slowly nodded his head, while her eyes darted around and she leaned closer again, “Do you know this guy, called Zino?” She asked, staring at Shakira so intensively as her gaze was filled with curiosity.
Shakira broke into laughter, “Who doesn’t know Zino, the bad guy? Of course, I know him.” He responded.
An icy chill washed over Natalie’s chest as she felt happy. She was one step closer to capture the criminal, who burned down her shop and almost attempted to rape her. After sending him to jail she can finally have peace of mind.
“Can you tell me all you know about Zino?” She asked in desperation.
“I don’t think you need to know about anyone.” A familiar voice said behind them, and they all turned in the direction of the voice.
Javier quickly drove to the club the moment He saw Elvis’s text. He couldn’t just explain the anxiety that burst within him the moment he saw that text.
He knew she wouldn’t do anything to him if she learned the truth, however, he didn’t want her to know yet. He wished Natalie would forget everything and move on.
“Javier?!” Natalia exclaimed, standing up from her seat, her brows furrowed in confusion as she wondered how he got to know she was there. “What are doing here?” She asked, facing him.
Javier scoffed, “I should be the one asking you that” He restored, stepping closer with his hands stuck in his black trouser. “You said, you were going to the hospital, what are you doing here.” He added.
Natalie rolled her eyes, turning away from him, “I came to investigate.” She snapped, crossing her hand on her chest.
Javier sighed, his shoulder dropping, “Let’s go home.” He leaned forward and pulled her by the hands.
“I’m not going anywhere.” She pulled away, taking a step back.
“Why are you so stubborn!” He flared up, as anger surged through him, he tried as much as possible to stay calm and not cause a scene in the club.
“You can go home if you want. I’m not going anywhere until I know the truth about what happened to my shop!” She yelled at his face firmly.
Javier paced around, as he digger his fingers into his hair in frustration. He suddenly halted and leaned closer an inch to her face, “How much is the shop… I will pay you in tenfolds.” He offered confidently.
Shakira moved away from Natalie and quickly went to sit with Kate and Elvis who were so drowned in the scene without sparing Shakira a glance.
He leaned closer to Kate and whispered, “What’s up with these two?” He asked.
Kate shook her head smiling, “They are Cats and Rats. Just watch and see.” She responded and focused on the scene before her.
Natalie smirked, shaking her head, “Bragging huh!” She scoffed, ” I don’t need your money!” She spat, rolling her eyes. “You should leave, now.” She made to walk away from him.
But Javier was quick to wrap his hands around her waist and pulled her closer to him. So close that her lips were an inch away from his face. “I won’t leave except you are coming with me.” He softly whispered. “What if those bad guys are hanging around? What will happen to you if they succeed this time?” He coaxed, staring into her eyes intensively.
Natalia’s jaws dropped, as those words came out of his mouth. Her mind drifted back to the last time she came to the club and was almost raped by the bad guys. All thanks to Javier who had come to her rescue.
Instantly her heart melted. She couldn’t believe he had come all the way here because he was worried about her well-being. She opened her mouth to speak and was shaken to the bone when Javier leaned closer and locked his lips with hers, kissing her.