FAMILY TIES.

CHAPTER 26: FAMILY TIES.

Joey glared at Justin as they proceeded towards the main entrance of the office complex. Justin had no idea Joey was even there, as he was surrounded by Mr Bishop's guards, who were armed.

Joey was about to make his, attempting to reach Justin, when he was interrupted, startling him.

"Hey Joe. Hope you haven't forgotten about our game night tonight huh?" a colleague of his said, stepping in front of him. 

"Yeah, game night. How can I forget?" Joey laughed nervously, as he stretched to see where Justin was. 

"So, I was thinking, shouldn't we get the girls over? The more the merrier. You know what I mean?" the colleague said, smiling. 

"Yeah yeah, that'll be awesome," Joey seemed impatient. 

"Okay, one more thing. I think we-"

"Could you please get the hell outta my face man! You just interrupted me," Joey yelled, pushing him aside, moving forward. 

"Jeez dude. Why are all worked up?" Joey's colleague furrowed his brow, wondering what was wrong with Joey. He looked to see what Joey was looking at, and saw that he was looking at Mr Bishop's entourage. 

They exited the complex and were no longer in sight, as they turned the corner, heading to the parking lot, ad drove off.

"What were you trying to do Joe?" he asked.

"You saw that dude walking around with the boss like he owns the place?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, he was at our department earlier. What about him?" his colleague asked. 

"What if I tell you I know him? Infact, what if I tell you his my cousin?" Joey bragged. 

His colleague laughed him to scorn. Joey looked at him wondering why he laughed in such a manner. 

"You don't believe me, do you?" Joey asked. 

"Dude, if he's actually your cousin, why didn't he spare you any attention? He walked past you like he doesn't know you."

"Okay, I'll prove it to you," Joey replied, nodding his head as he got his phone and flipped through it trying to find a picture of Justin. Or better still, a picture of the both of them. But he found nothing. 

"So, where's the proof?" his colleague asked, as he waited.

Joey felt ashamed. "It must have been deleted or something, when I did a factory reset, with my phone."

"Yeah right," his colleague snorted. "Anyway, see you later tonight. And don't be late."

He headed back to his desk, leaving Justin there. He turned and saw the receptionist who he was flirting with looking at him with scorn. He knew any chance of wooing her had been blown. 

He also headed back to his desk, still unable to get out of his head the picture of Justin with Mr Bishop. The possibility of Justin actually being at a place of advantage over him drove him mad. 

__________

Mr Bishop and Justin arrived his Estate later that day. The guards opened the doors for the duo and they alighted from the vehicles. 

Justin looked towards the garage and saw his Bugatti.

"They brought it back," he remarked. 

"Have they?" Mr Bishop asked, looking round to see it. Finally seeing it, he smiled softly, as they both walked in together.

"Welcome home, sir," Frank bowed, greeting Mr Bishop.

"And you as well, master Justin." 

Justin felt uneasy at the title he was called by, but said nothing. Rather, he smiled at Frank and walked in.

"Hello Frank," Mr Bishop responded to his salutation, as he walked into the house. 

Just then, Justin's phone rang. He looked at the screen and saw that the caller was Duke. His heart skipped a bit, seeing that he was in the midst of Mr Bishop. So, he ignored the call, pressing the power button.

The phone rang a second time, startling him. Mr Bishop looked at Justin, and saw how agitated and uneasy he got. 

"Aren't you gonna answer that call?" Mr Bishop asked. 

"It's not important," he replied. Mr Bishop could tell who the caller was, just by Justin's reaction. 

"Go on, answer the call. I'm sure they are worried sick about you. But remember what I told you," Mr Bishop advised.

"Alright," Justin nodded, as he excused himself, walking to his room.

"Hello," he answered.

"Dude, why were you ignoring my calls?"

"Sorry, I couldn't answer the call where I was."

"Speaking of where you are, where are you?" 

"I'm in New York," he replied.

"Yeah, but where exactly? Alex and I want to come see you in four days time."

"No! No, you can't- I mean, there's no need for that. Am fine," Justin replied. 

"Justin, you just freaked out now as I said what we were coming over. What is actually going on?" 

"Nothing. I'm telling you man, I'm okay."

"Oh my god! You've got yourself mixed up in some crazy shit, haven't you?" 

"No. Hell no," Justin replied. "Duke, I am fine. I promise. I can't say more than this, for now. But I promise, both you and Alex will be brought into the loop." 

"Whatever it is, just know that we got you. Okay?" Duke said softly, but assuredly. 

"I can never forget," he replied, as Duke ended the call.

"I can't believe that he's thinking I got mixed up with something bad. But, I don't blame him. I'd do the same if it were me," he sighed shaking his head, smiling.

He got undressed and decided to hit the shower, freshening up.

____________

Detective Savannah closed from the station and headed home to her house. She parked her car outside her house and walked in. 

Turning on the lights, she was greeted with sight of a portrait of her and parents, when she was little. The very house she lived in was where she grew up in with her parents, before their untimely demise, when she was fourteen. 

She had bought the house a year ago and had it refurbished. 

She flung her keys on to the center table and headed upstairs to her room. She went straight into the bathroom and filled the tub with warm water, while she got undressed in her room.

She returned to the bathroom and dipped herself into the tub. The warmth of the water was soothing to her skin. She laid in the tub, resting her head on the built in head rest, closing her eyes. 

Tears began running down her eyes, as she was dipped in the tub. Memories of what had happened the night she lost both her parents suddenly flooded her head, tormenting her, fueling her rage.