Almost close yet far away 3

Looking at the picture of Lizzy, Leo suddenly made a solemn vow in his heart. That he was going to protect Nicole no matter what happened and he was going to make sure he found those who killed her.

He took his phone ready to call Nicole but looked at the time and decided against it. she had left rather abruptly earlier on and didn't call back.

Lizzy smiled watching Leo getting worried about Nicole, ''Leo, you have to protect Nicole and make sure you wipe every tear from her face''

###

Lizzy walked alongside Nicole in the mall as she picked some groceries. These days she has been practising a lot and has gained a little control over things with her gaze so as they walked about, she constantly lifted things from the shelves with her gaze and Nicole kept putting them back.

After doing that for a while, she turned to face Lizzy with a maddened expression, ''oops, sorry'' Lizzy said and Nicole sighed.

''You…'' Nicole was about to say something when she saw some people coming towards them and she paused, when they passed by her, she looked at Lizzy, ''you are really out to make me mad today, right?''

''What?'' Lizzy gave her an innocent expression, ''you know the feeling you have when you get your first toy…?

''No, I don't''

''I was going to say that's exactly how I feel''

''Lizzy, you can do that at home, but here, in public'' Nicole stopped at dry grocery section and picked three packs of oats.

''Why do you like oats so much?''

''Isn't it obvious? They are quicker to prepare and fill me up''

''Looks like I have to do something about this''

''Don't do anything. I love eating oats because it doesn't take long and also keeps my weight on check''

Two young ladies turned to look at Nicole and she smiled at them and walked to the counter.

She placed the basket of items on the table and looked at the salesgirl, ''can you ring it up for me?''

''Yes, Miss'' the salesgirl smiled politely and started calculating the items.

Outside the mall, Leo, Ray and Priscy arrived in Leo's car and got inside.

''Your groceries amount to $150 dollars, please''

''En'' Nicole turned to take her purse from her bag and didn't see anything. She suddenly had a bad feeling and looked up. Indeed, Lizzy was holding the purse up with a sly smirk as she dances about. Nicole turned to see the bewildered look on the salesgirl's face and immediately snatched the purse and gave an awkward laugh.

''What was that?''

''You saw that too, right?'' the salesgirl asked and Nicole looked at her nonchalantly and asked.

''Does this place have ghosts?''

''No'' the salesgirl shook her head.

''Sure, which means you didn't see anything. I heard that if you say anything about seeing something like this, you will be haunted in your sleep. You better forget about what happened''

''Sure, I will do that''

''Good'' Nicole gave her the money and picked the bags. She turned to go and heard Lizzy.

''Oh, that's Leo, he is with Ray and Priscy''

Nicole followed her gaze and also saw them. just then, Leo also looked at their direction and saw her.

''Nicole, you are here?'' he turned to Ray and Priscy, ''I will be back''

''Is she someone you know?'' Ray asked.

''Yes'' Leo walked over to Nicole.

''She is the one'' Priscy said to Ray and he furrowed his brows while looking at Nicole.

''Why does she look so familiar?'' he murmured to himself.

''What are you doing here?'' Nicole asked Leo as she also got closer to him.

''I came to shop with my friends'' Leo pointed at the Ray and Priscy. Nicole bowed her head slightly at them and they did same as a sign of greetings.

''Then, do your shopping. I am done here. let's talk later'' Nicole didn't know why but she was frightened by the gaze of those two behind Leo. She also remembered what Detective Gail said to her the other day. He had told her that the two people closest to Leo; one of them was the killer of Lizzy.

''Let me see you off'' Leo snatched the bags from her and started walking outside. Nicole felt awkward as Priscy's penetrating gaze never left her side.

''Wait!!'' Nicole ran after Leo and Lizzy followed.

Looking at them leave, Priscy turned to Ray, ''that is the bitch. Did you see how his attitude changed when he was dealing with her?''

''But, she doesn't seem like Sun's type, even though I can't deny the fact that something is really going on between those two'' Ray said.

''Exactly, Ray. She is not even his type. But, the more I look at her, the more I feel I have seen her somewhere before'' Priscy couldn't shake off that feeling.

''Didn't you say she came to the funeral of Lizzy?''

''No, before that. I feel I've seen her somewhere before the funeral of Lizzy. Where exactly have I seen her before?'' Priscy sighed.

They looked outside and saw them chatting and laughing. Leo looked like he was enjoying her company. This infuriated Priscy the more but Ray seemed to be intrigued more than angry. his gaze was on Nicole and he had a sly smirk. He was extremely curious about her.

''This is getting on my nerves'' Priscy said.

''Leo is coming'' Ray said as he saw Nicole getting into a taxi and Leo returning inside the mall. Priscy's face turned into a pretty smile as she looked at Leo.

''Sorry about that guys'' Leo said, walking up to them.

''Who is that lady, Sun?'' Ray asked.

''She is just someone I know. She is my friend'' Leo said casually and walked away.

''Just someone you know? Just a friend? She didn't look like 'just a friend' to me? She is not even your type Leo'' Priscy couldn't control herself.

''Is that so?'' Leo chuckled and walked away. His perfunctory answer gave Ray and Priscy a shock.

Ray held Priscy back and started scolding her, ''if you continue to behave like that, you will only be pushing him towards that woman''

''Did you hear what he said?''

''I heard him. That is why you need to calm down and not get worked up over everything he does with that woman. We don't even know who she is. First, let's find how who she is''

''She is just making be angry''

''Let's go'' Ray pulled her along as he walked away.