27 Chapter 27

Carly was on her way downstairs when she saw Angel enter through the door and into the foyer. Angel was just about to make her way back to her room when she noticed her sister up the stairs.

"Did you really prepare Oliver in time for school?" Carly asked as she stopped going down the stairs.

"He was late and I wanted to help," said Angel. "I'm glad you also got out of bed and got yourself ready. I thought you weren't going to get out of bed when I came to wake you up."

"You always know how to get me out of bed, Angel," said Carly. "Thanks, by way."

"You're welcome. You better eat your breakfast. You don't want to make Mr. McDonell wait when he arrives to pick you up."

"Sure," said Carly as she made her way down the steps. "You look much better today."

Angel raised her eyebrow as her sister joined her at the bottom of the stairs. "Really?" she asked.

Carly smiled as she nodded. "Ya. You don't seem to be in pain everytime you walk. Looks like the meds are really doing wonders."

"I guess so. You've to go eat."

"Wait, umm, when will you start going to work for the McDonells?"

"As soon as I hand in my resignation letter at my old work place."

"Will it be tomorrow?"

Angel folded her arms and gave her sister a look. "Why do you seem so excited that I'll be working for them? It's not like you're the one working there."

"You're right. I just wanted to know, that's all."

"You don't have to worry. I'll be working soon. Don't stress with that kind of stuff when it's my business."

Carly mockingly raised her hands in the air as though in surrender. "Okay, I get it," she said. "I won't talk about it ever again. Hey, can you join me for breakfast? I don't want to eat all alone at that big table."

Angel looked at her sister and wondered if she wanted to join her. In the end, she nodded her head in agreement.

The two sisters went to the dining table in the dining room. It was just the two of them as they settled at the table and ate. When they were in the middle of their meal, Mrs. McDonell soon appeared in the dining room.

"Well, what do we have here?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she entered the room. "I didn't expect to see you two sisters here."

Carly rolled her eyes as she was irritated by Mrs. McDonell's statement. Angel on the other hand went on to look at the lady of the house with a smile as she was not shaken by her.

"Good morning to you too, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel as she raised her cup of coffee to her smiling lips.

Mrs. McDonell went over to the other end of the table where she usually sat. There was silence among the three with the cutlery they were using to eat their breakfast making little noises in the room.

"I need to take my medicine now," said Angel as she finished her coffee and placed the coffee mug on the table.

"Are you sure you really need them?" Mrs. McDonell asked as she looked at Angel. "You seem to be looking better than ever."

"I haven't finished my course yet," Angel answered. "I better listen to the doctor and take my meds, don't you think?"

Mrs. McDonell put up a smile on her face. "You're right. It's good to listen to the doctor. The sooner you get better, the faster you start going to work. You were working at some editing company, weren't you?"

Angel and Carly looked at each other as they sat on either side of the table, facing each other. They couldn't help but wonder how Mrs. McDonell knew about Angel's job.

"My husband told me about your work," Mrs. McDonell answered the two sisters. "But do they pay you enough? How are you going to raise enough to get your house back?"

Angel knew Mrs. McDonell was only saying this just to get on her nerves. It seems she had no knowledge of Angel's change in jobs and that she was going to work for them pretty soon. As for Carly, she had just enough of Mrs. McDonell and she was ready to give her a piece of her mind.

"How I'll handle that is my business, Mrs. McDonell," said Angel, beating her sister to it.

"I really hope it works out for you," said Mrs. McDonell as she backed her chair a bit and she stood up from her seat without finishing her breakfast. "If I were you, I be looking for a better job, don't you think?"

Carly was ready to answer her this time around. Angel turned to look at her sister giving her a signal with facial expressions not to say anything. Carly obeyed as she took in a deep breath and leaned back in her seat.

"I know," Angel answered as Mrs. McDonell made her way out of the dining room.

As soon as Mrs. McDonell had left the room, Carly leaned closer to the table so as to get a clear look at her older sister.

"What's your problem, Angel?" she asked. "How can you let that woman walk over you like that? You should have told her that you will soon be working at their company. That would have shut her up."

"I know, Carly," said Angel as she leaned back in her seat and folded her arms.

"Then why didn't you say anything? Gosh, Angel, the meds must really be messing with your head right now."

"I'm still the same old person, Carly. The only reason why I let her get away with it, is that it's best when she finds out from Mr. McDonell. In that way, she will drop dead in shock, you will see."

"Now that's a good plan," came Amanda as she made her way into the dining room. "I never thought you had such a diabolical mind, Angel."

"It's being reasonable, not diabolical," said Angel as she stood up to help Amanda settle herself by the table.

"Sounds diabolical to me," said Amanda as she settled right next to Angel's chair.

"I also agree," said Carly.

Angel sat back down on her seat. "Look, sometimes, it's best to let people think they have the upper hand when they actually don't," said Angel. "They will realise sooner that they didn't."

"Still diabolical if you ask me," said Amanda. "May you pour me a cup of tea, dear?"

"Sure," said Angel as she stood up from her seat again and poured some tea into a teacup for Amanda.

"So, Carly, happy about changing colleges?"

"Oh, yes, I am," said Carly as she smiled at Amanda. "It will take time settling in, but I know I'm going to be just fine."

"No doubt about that. Thank you for the tea, Angel."

"You're welcome," said Angel. "I have to go and take my medicine. I'll be back soon."

"Okay, take your time, dear." Amanda took a sip of her tea.

Angel soon left the dining room leaving Carly and Amanda alone.

"She seems better, doesn't she?" Carly asked.

"Who? Angel?" Amanda asked. "She does. She looks radiant too."

"She will be working in no time."

"There is something I've been willing to ask you, Carly."

Carly raised an eyebrow at Amanda, but smiled nonetheless. "Yes, of course. What is it you want to ask me?"

"I'm going to sound pretty delirious with what I'm about to ask, but I find it pretty serious." She paused before she could continue. "It's about Angel and Leo."

"What about them?"

"Haven't you noticed a kind of tension, between them? Like, they don't like each other."

Carly's heart almost skipped a beat. Not only was Amanda old and wise, she was also observant. Carly couldn't help but wonder how the old lady knew there was tension between Angel and Leo.

"They... don't like each other?"

"Yes, haven't you noticed? Whenever they are near each other, it's like they can't stand each other."

"Really?" Carly pretended to be surprised. "I had no idea that those two didn't like each other."

"Well, you should know better, right? Angel's your sister and you on the other hand, happen to be close to Leo."

"Leo and I just became good friends. That's all it is. He isn't very personal with me as of yet."

"Oh, I see. But has Angel ever talked to you about how she feels about Leo?"

Carly got caught there. How was she going to answer the question?

"Ah... not really," Carly answered as she scratched the back of her neck. "She did say at some point that she was a bit disappointed in him that he didn't apologise to her when she was in hospital. That's all I can tell you."

Amanda nodded her head as she went on to drink her tea. After she put the cup down, she said, "I just worry for them both. They will soon be working together and I don't want them causing a racket at the workplace despite their differences."

"That's if they really don't like each other. Maybe you've got this all wrong and you're worrying for nothing. Besides, Angel and Leo are both mature and I bet they will work together peacefully."

"I guess you're right. But on the part where they don't like each other, my theory still stands."

Carly didn't want to argue further on that with Amanda because she would end up getting a lecture when she wasn't even ready for one yet at her new college. And soon enough, Angel came back in the dining room, still in her sleeping gown.

"What did I miss?" Angel asked as she sat right back on her seat.

"Nothing," said Amanda. "Carly here was just talking about her old college life and how going to a new one would be exciting for her."

"I see. Things are really turning around for her and I couldn't be happier."

"Things are turning around for you too. You have a new job which is much better than the other one."

"I bet she's going to miss it," said Carly.

"I know I'll," Angel said with a sad smile.

Carly wanted so badly as to tell Angel what she had just talked about with Amanda. But that will have to wait. It was good Amanda thought that Angel and Leo might not like each other, which wasn't false. If she knew the whole story, Carly couldn't help but feel she would be blamed for it.

Carly looked on at her older sister sitting in front of her as she was engaged in a conversation with Amanda. The tension between her and Leo was great that it reminded Carly of how Angel reacted when she found her and Leo together at the club. What if they both lost control one day at the office? Carly gulped as she thought of it and she knew it wouldn't be pretty. All she hoped for was for the two of them to put their differences aside and be professional. Despite Angel telling her that she didn't mind about Carly and Leo's relationship, something in Carly told her that her sister's blazing fire inside her hadn't extinguished yet.

***

Thick clouds of smoke filled the air in one portion of the partially dark room, lit up dim fluorescent tubes. There were busy feet moving up and down, the people not minding about the smoke. The person smoking the cigar sat on a chair behind a wooden table. Papers lay in scruffy looking piles on the table and the person didn't seem to care with his feet on the table. He had his chair hanging back with two legs on the floor and the the other two in mid-air as he looked up at the dark ceiling with the smoke swirling all around. He couldn't help but be mesmerized by the lovely shapes the smoke was making that he couldn't help but smoke some more.

Fast approaching feet came closer towards the table and they stopped when they got closer.

"What do you want?" the man who sat on his chair asked as he settled his chair with all four legs touching the floor. He dropped his feet from the table and looked at the two men in front of him. He removed the cigar from his mouth.

"We have a problem," said one of the men who wore a black leather coat.

"What?"

"The Spanish cartel have moved up the meeting date," answered the other who wore a black muscular shirt and had blonde hair.

"What do you mean they moved up the meeting date?" the man seated in his chair asked.

"You know what that means, boss," the man in the leather jacket said.

"Tell them that our meeting on Friday still stands."

"They are serious about this, boss," said the blonde man.

"This is just great!" the man fumed as he banged his fist against the table. Papers fell to the floor. "When do they want to meet?"

"Wednesday."

"Great." The boss leaned back in his seat and put his cigar back in his mouth. Then he made his fingers touch each other by their tips. "I met with Walters today about bringing Carly back to the club. I have to inform him that he has to speed things up."

"Not to be rude, boss, but, what's so special about this girl anyway?" the blonde man asked. "As far as I know, she's nothing but a prostitute."

The boss continued to look at his comrade. He blew his cigar and he slowly opened his mouth, letting the smoke run out of his mouth. He removed the cigar in his mouth again. His face was hidden behind the thick cloud of smoke for a moment until he suddenly leaned forward and with his arm outstretched, he took the blonde man's neck and pulled him towards his face so as to give him a good look.

The blonde was struggling to breath with the boss' hand around his neck. He was nose to nose with his boss that he could feel his hot smoky breath on his face.

"Don't you ever call her that," the boss said, his spit hitting the blonde man's face. "If I hear you call her that again, you will be eating your guts, do you here me?"

The blonde man's face was running out of colour and he so much as wanted as to breath so he quickly nodded his head, agreeing to his boss's demand.

The boss unclenched his hand around the man's neck and the blonde almost dropped to the floor but he held on to the table with one hand rubbing his aching neck. He coughed as he tried to take in deep breaths.

"What do we do now?" the man in the leather jacket asked as his counterpart came to stand next to him still holding his neck.

The man who claimed to be the boss, stood up from his chair and went to sit at the front of his table still with his cigar in hand.

"Call Walters and tell him he won't be getting Carly," said the boss as he breathed out a puff of smoke. "I want you two to handle it and I want it done tomorrow."

"You've got it, boss," said the blonde man, his face red and puffy with all the blood rushing to his face. "We won't let you down."

"I know Carlos," said the boss as he grinned at his blonde comrade. "We have a business to run and all this cocaine isn't going to sell itself, is it?"

His two men shook their heads and with the wave of the boss' hand, the two men in front of him went on their way to do as they were told. The man in charge looked all around the partially dark room as there were crates loaded with the illegal merchandise. A few people were up and down, stacking the packets in huge crates.

For some, selling this was all they could do to make a living just like the people stacking the cocaine. But for the man in charge, this was more of his empire. He came from nothing. From a poor man begging in the streets to become one of the most dangerous men in New York. He wasn't going to let anyone get in the way of what he had done so far. Right now, his business wasn't doing so well as usual and he needed the one thing to make it alright again.

No one was going to stop him from what he was going to do. For those who try, he would simply rip their hearts out and feed it to them. He was a bloodthirsty man and he was feared among a lot of those who knew him and what he does. They don't call him the Red Lion for nothing.

***

It was close to eleven in the morning and Miranda had just gotten out of her lecture looking just as frustrated as her other colleagues around her. They had just been given a 25 paged assignment that was due this Friday. Everyone was frustrated about it because they had other assessments to be worried about and now they had an assignment that was going to take much of their time.

She had another lecture coming up and she had to rush for it. Her lecturer didn't like her students arriving late.

She was rushing down the busy hall, careful enough not to bump into anyone. She was just about to reach the lecture room when finally, she accidentally bumped into someone. Books, papers, pens and highlighters all fell to the floor. The person she had bumped into had been carrying them, now, they were all on the floor.

"I'm so sorry," said Miranda as she quickly knelt and started to pick up all that had fallen.

The blonde lady she had bumped into also knelt and started to pick up what she could.

"I am so sorry," said Miranda as she gave the owner her books. "I was rushing for a lecture."

The blonde lady politely smiled at Miranda. "Aren't we all?" she joked as she took her books. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," said Miranda as she stood up from the floor. "I've to rush."

"No problem," said the lady as she also stood up from the floor and the two went on their own way.

Just as Miranda entered the lecture theatre, she was making her way to the seats when she heard her lecturer's voice.

"You know I always hate it when people come in before me, Miss Whittle."

Miranda groaned in frustration as she slumped her shoulders and closed eyes. This was just great. She was always late for Mrs Grey's lectures. Lately, she had been trying not to, but things always had to happen to her whenever she made her way down the hall. That's how come it was easy for Miranda to be known by her lecturer.

"Sorry, Mrs Grey," said Miranda as she turned to look at her lecturer who was already standing at the podium with a black board behind her. Her eyes behind her glasses pierced through Miranda like needles.

"You can take your seat. I would be advising you not to come late again, but it's pretty obvious that you still will."

There were a few snickers coming from the other students. Miranda made a face when she realised that one of them happened to be her friend, Brad.

Miranda made her way to sit next to him almost at the back. He was trying his best not to laugh. Francine a pretty brunette sat on his other side and she coolly smiled at her. Miranda dropped her bag to the floor and made herself comfortable next to Brad who she felt she should punch in the face.

"Sorry, you had to bump into that girl in the hall," Brad whispered as Miranda took her notebook and placed it on the board desk in front of her.

"Oh, so you saw me and you didn't even try to help?" Miranda asked as she also whispered. "That's so Brad of you."

Brad just smiled at Miranda who opened her book and got her pen. She went on to look at Mrs. Grey at the front as the History lecture commenced.

Ten minutes into the lecture, Miranda felt Brad bump his foot against her leg. Miranda just ignored him as she took down a few notes. Brad hit her again and this time, it hurt a lot that Miranda's leg jumped due to the painful reaction. In the end, she ended up hitting the top surface where she laid her book with her knee. The impact rang throughout the lecture theatre, that those closet drew their eyes on them. Luckily, it didn't attract the attention of Mrs. Grey as she continued to lecture.

Miranda turned to look at Brad with an annoyed look on her face. Brad just raised his eyebrow at her as though he didn't know what was going on.

"May I ask what your problem is?" Miranda whispered to him.

"Nothing," said Brad as he went back to looking at the front. "You know I just like troubling you."

"Can you two get a room, please?" Francine asked quietly as she looked at the two.

"Your boyfriend can't stop jerking me off," Miranda said.

"I thought he was your boyfriend."

"I can be a boyfriend to both of you, if you like," said Brad as he raised his eyebrows at them.

"That would be gross," Miranda whispered.

"And you don't think going out with other men isn't gross?"

Miranda gave Brad a deadly look and he just quietly smiled at her. Brad and Francine knew about her other life and she didn't like talking about it especially in public places like college.

Miranda turned back to the podium, still very upset. Brad knew he had struck a nerve. He bit his lip and Francine just laughed quietly.

"I didn't mean to upset you," said Brad as he leaned in closer towards Miranda.

Miranda didn't answer him as her eyes were still fixed on Mrs. Grey. She was finding it hard to get back into the lecture. Brad was always so annoying. She wondered why she always found herself sitting next to him during lectures.

"I was wondering if you had heard from Carly," he continued.

"What? You want to find her and finally make her your girlfriend?"

"No. Someone I know said he had seen her today."

Miranda almost dropped her pen as she looked at Brad.

"What? She's back?"

Miranda got a few angry stares because her voice was a bit louder than usual. She gave out apologetic looks and went back to looking at Brad.

"She's back? Where is she? Why isn't she here?"

Brad didn't answer as he looked at his lecturer. He went back to looking at Miranda. Though Francine looked like she was concentrating on the lecture, her ears were alert as she also wanted to hear the news of Carly's whereabouts.

"Okay, well, as I was coming here, I know this guy, Indian," said Brad. "He told me he had seen Carly coming out of the administration's office."

"What could she be doing there?" Miranda asked.

"He couldn't find out because at the time, he was heading for his Chemistry lecture. But Carly wasn't alone. She was with some older man. My friend described him as one of the rich kind." Miranda couldn't believe it as she knew the man he was talking about. "They both left the offices and went out of the premises."

"Wait, they left? That's not right. Carly isn't supposed to leave."

"Well, judging by the way my friend saw it, it looks like Carly just got transferred to another college."

"Oh, that's a bummer," whispered Francine.

Miranda felt the world under her feet spin out of control. She had never imagined Carly leaving this college to go somewhere else. And she got all the help from the same man who had helped her and her sister move out of the house. It couldn't be Leo, that she knew for sure. That's if the two of them were still together.

"Hey, Miranda, are you okay?" Brad asked bringing her back from her thoughts.

"Ya, I'm fine," she said as she went back to looking at Mrs. Grey. Her thoughts still spinning.

Should she tell Mr. Walters about Carly? As much as she wanted to, she knew Mr. Walters will get to her first when Miranda wanted to deal with Carly alone. She had to do something and fast.