22 The Ugly Past 2

After the man went,Nei decided to enjoy a his dessert..He was curious to know what kind of dessert Alice had made...

"mnmm mmmnnn mmmmmm nommm"

He couldn't believe such a dessert existed..it was perfectly sweet with a hint of salt from the peanuts and a bit of tartness from the fruity jam...This was the work of a culinary genius..He had tasted desserts of so many world famous chefs...but this was out of the world..Now the question was whether the genius was the chef who had created perfectly or the person who had crafted the recipe with perfection....

After enjoying his dessert, he was satisfied and decided on his next course of action..He wouldn't come here again..but he would leave aomethig behind...and so he took out his handy pocket notebook and pen and decided to write a note to the old man.

"Dear Mr owner,

A listening ear is as important as a helping hand.From what you have told me and what I have observed,you seem like a person who cares for her..so please take my advice and make her talk..I am leaving my personal no. with you..if she ever needs a safe haven..All you have to do is call and say Alice.

Regards,

Neil Long

Neil took out his visiting card and after writing his personal no. on it,he placed it with the note and passed it to the waitress to hand it to the owner.

He knew that his curiosity would soon be satisfied because in those unfeeling eyes he had seen 2 emotions..loathing and determination...determination to be happy..

If her so called husband was really true to her,then she would soon be happy but if his assessment was right then very soon he would receive a call..

Satisfied with his approach,he went on his way whistling a tune,looking forward to the rest of his holidays...

He did not wish for himself to wrong about her because wishing was futile..He was never wrong..And he was proven to be right when 5 months later,he heard a harsh voice say "Alice needs help" when he answered his cell..

Back to the present

After saying his piece,Neil sat there quietly,letting his brother absorb this information.

"When did you get the call?"

"Almost 3 years ago."

"Is she your way of penance..doing what you were unable to do in the past??"

"At first she was...but not for the last 2 years..I have seen her strength and iron will,she would have been fine without anybody's help..it would have taken a longer time..but nobody can break her..."

After saying this Neil glanced at the clock..

and seeing it was over mid night decided to go home.As he got up from his chair,his eyes fell on the 2 boxes that Al had passed him.

"These are brownies that Al baked this morning,she sent over a box for Ru..give it to him in the morning.."Picking up his box he left the room grinning wildly..He had exchanged his box of brownies with Ru..and now whatever nefarious plans she had would be ruined.

Ru had the nose of a blood hound,he would be not eat the brownies if there was something fishy in them...

"Haaa,I am smarter than you think Al.." he boasted to himself as he entered his house..

Placing the box on the kitchen counter he moved towards the bathroom.But the lure of the brownies was too much so he decided to have only 1 for tonight...He hurried to the counter and opening the box took a big bite of the tempting brownie expecting it to melt in his mouth....

"Phoooooooo yuck"

That woman was sinister..she had wrongly labelled the boxes...His brownies that were supposed to be for Ru..looked amazing..had a great texture..but they did not have sugar....ewwww they were too bitter..

He had to rinse his mouth 10 times to get that horrible taste out of his mouth..Ruined..now he was ruined..He would never be able to eat another brownie...He picked up the box and as he was about to throw it,saw a note peaking out...it said

"Stealing is bad.You should not take what belongs to others.These brownies are a thank you for the dossier."

P.S. I gave you fair warning