Chapter One Hundred and Eighty Nine - Conspiracy?

"You're going in the wrong direction," Ellis sings mockingly following slowly behind me.

My objective, is reaching the security and I'll be safe.

As the security keeps turning, eyes darting to the right and left, observing the happenings at the mall, I increased my pace, hoping he'll turn and face me.

My eyes steadfast on the security, he turns, our eyes met and he immediately looks away.

My lips tremble as the fear builds, but still I kept walking towards the security.

"You're all alone here, do you honestly think you're getting away from me today?" Ellis chuckles, but I persisted.

If I faint, he could move my unconscious body away and people will think he's trying to help me, I thought instantly.

The security was on his phone and his pace was slowing.

Hasn't Ellis seen him?

Doesn't he realize, I'm heading towards the security?

God, please don't let him figure that out, I prayed.

The security, turns and met my frightened eyes once again, giving me a small smile.

Can I trust him?

"Are you lost ma'am?" The security approaches me, his eyes, flickering behind me before returning to my face.

Smiling, I nod! Is he a friend of Ellis?

Am I being paranoid?

Noticing a pharmacy ahead of me, I turned to him, "found it" I point ahead of me and waved him off, walking towards the pharmacy.

As I walked away I saw him staring after me through the reflection of a showcase.

I also saw Ellis approach him and they were conversing, staring after me.

They knew each other!

Making my way nervously into the pharmacy, I searched through the crowds of people until I saw a man in all black standing in a corner looking around.

He smiled as I approached him.

"Good afternoon, are you a security guard?" I asked softly and he nods.

"Yes, I am." He admits. "Are you okay?" He enquires? I shook my head, tears welling up, as relief seeps over me.

I am safe!

"Are you sick" He asked, since I didn't explain what was wrong with me.

Shaking my head again, "no" I finally answered, "I need your help" I continued, searching for a mirror or a reflection that gives a view of the doorway.

"I'm being followed by a man who attacked me three years ago." I explained and his eyes immediately darted behind me.

"Come with me" he suggested and even though I felt afraid, I obeyed, because Ellis couldn't own all the security on the compound. He couldn't have all that money.

Ushering me into an office, I paused for a moment.

" Don't be afraid, I'll get a female officer to remain with you while I call the cops." the security responded kindly.

Call!

Why didn't I remember to call Adian?

" I'm so stupid" I said turning to the security.

Confused he looked at me, "what do you mean?" He asks and I laugh self consciously.

"I heard him behind me, threatening me and in my panic, I forgot to call my husband, whose in the mall, somewhere." I paused, hoping the security don't think I'm crazy. "I was gazing around and lost them." I continued babbling.

"Come, let's check the footage of the man following you, while you call your husband." The security smiles, indicating the female security he alerted, for me to follow.

"Thank you" I smiled, following him into the room, marked security staff only.

A female officer approached us and the security I just spoke to, relayed what happened to me.

Smiling kindly, the female officer also dressed in black. her jet black hair pulled back and tied in a tight bun. Her dark skin flawless and make up free.

"Have a seat" she says checking the time and showing me where to sit.

"I'm sorry, am I keeping you back?" I asked when I saw her checking her watch.

Chuckling, "no, I'm checking the time you came in so we can check surveillance outside, to make sure, you saw who was following you." The office took the chair beside me and started fiddling with the mouse attached to the security monitor.

I quickly open my handbag and pulled out my phone.

My eyes on the phone I dialed Adian's number as the security searches for the first sign of me in the corridor.

Adian's number went to voicemail!

I tried a second time and my fake smile dropped.

Unaware that the officer was looking at me, until she slid the office phone towards me.

"Here, use this one. Sometimes cell phones keep dropping signals in this mall." She says softly, then with her eyes still on the camera, she continues, "ah, here you are!" She exclaims and I turned to follow me on the monitor.

Ellis!

"There, that's him" I point to his figure following me. The odd thing though, is that he's wearing a the uniform of the mall security.

"He's working here?"I asked the officer as I walk away from the security I was trying to reach, to see him open his hands and Ellis placed something into the palm of his hand.

Pausing the video, the security points to the officer with Ellis, "this is one of the regular security, but this one, I don't recognize." She says, giving me a pitiful smile.

I wasn't being paranoid!

I quickly tried Adain's number again but it went to voicemail, since he's still in the mall somewhere.

I dialed Basil instead and explained where I am and why and that Emmy was in the mall along with Adian and Adana.

Without explaining his reasons, he started cussing profoundly and instructed me to stay put until he gets there. He indicated that he would keep trying to contact Adian.

After hanging up with Basil, I remained confused.

Why was he angry?

The first security came back in the office with two cops and I stood up and allowed the cops to recheck the footage.

Finally, one cop spoke to me.