A wounded bird?

Leo's pov.

I sat on a high stool, in front of a bar counter gulping alcoholic shots.

I  waved to get the attendant's attention and the grumpy busy part timer brought him another shot.

I wasn't drunk, just tipsy. I just wanted to get my less busy since Ria occupied my entire being.

"what does she take me for?" I murmured pouring myself a glass. I glanced at the clock above the cabinet. Scout wasn't here yet.

"She seems like a wounded bird... can't she just let me take care of her? is that too much to ask?" I grunted and shook my head angrily.

Maybe she doesn't like guys like me. But I'm damn into her! Fuck!

I've never really thought of any girl to this extent. I've had so many girlfriends in the past but something just feels different, different from what I'm used to feeling.

This Little Missy was causing Chaos inside of me and it felt strange that I longed for her.

For some stupid reasons, I couldn't resent Ria. I just wanted to be with her and I hoped she called soon.

Obviously, I was the perfect imagine of a play boy to her....I hope me being a cop might make her see a tint of responsibility in me.

Just then I sensed someone pull a stool close to mine. It was Scout.

I returned his smiles and he drank from my glass uninvited.

The bar girl produced another bottle and glass for us.

"You look withdrawn...is something wrong?" He asked while popping the champagne.

I feigned a chuckle and gulped the entire content of my glass in one go.

He always guesses my situations right!

"The last time you were like this it was because you broke someone's heart..." He nailed his point with weird eyes gestures.

I turned away ignoring him. A sad smile on my face.

"what the fu... don't tell me you got rejected?" he asked almost laughing in surprise. Seems like he noticed the sad smile that crept on my face.

"hey! I haven't even asked her out yet" I rolled my eyes at him.

"hmmm...so there is someone? I can't believe it" he now laughed. "someone is in love..."

I couldn't refrain myself from laughing too. I too couldn't believe it. Me in love?

"what's she like?" he asked, his eyes clouded in curiosity.

I looked at him and patted my glass cup gently while looking for the right word to describe her. "hmmm...a wounded bird. I guess?"

He turned pale and I swear right now, I looked lame to him.

"what bird? is that how you....is she beautiful?" he asked what he had expected me to answer.

I smiled mischievously. "definitely the prettiest girl I've ever met" I answered confidently.

He stopped drinking and fired murderous glances.

I immediately knew I had said something wrong. "off course not! not as beautiful as your Claire..." I smirked punching him softly.

His lips parted exposing his teeth and he nodded moving his ring finger in the air.

"Don't give up on her okay? just do what makes you happy" he advised pouring me a glass.

I grinned. "says the one who has no courage to ask a girl out..." I chuckled.

"Hey!"

"just kidding..but you should really ask her out." I tapped his shoulder gently.

His expression wasn't clear but I'm sure he nodded. "you think Claire would accept me?"

"off course! I'm sure she likes you back" I assured him.

I knew his fear. He was afraid he did get rejected.

"really? she likes me?" his face glittered with joy and a glimpse of satisfaction was on his eyes.

"are you blind? arghhhh... you're so bad with girls!" I laughed in disbelief.

~~~~~

Early in the morning, Nath and Scout stood at the door, waiting impatiently for Dane to respond.

"what's taking him so long?" Scout frowned pressing the door bell again, the sixth time.

Nath just leaned his back on the wall, hands in his pocket.

Soon the door knob twisted and Dane pulled open the door. His expression was full of apologies and surprise.

Surprise because he wasn't expecting the cops again that morning and Apologetic because it took him time to attend to them.

"sorry I've been busy with packing. Ain't the interrogations over?"

"packing?" Nath asked facing forward, his hands now crossed over his chest.

Scout seemed interested in his whereabouts too because he raised his brows at his statement.

"yeah. I'm moving in with grandma. She stays in China." He replied spacing out for them to enter.

Nathan and Scout nodded. "okay"

"I thought the interrogations were over? why are you here again? did you find a clue?" Dane dropped questions staring at them.

He didn't care to offer a seat.

"Hey slow down. Let's say we hope to find a clue." scout replied.

Nath sat down crossing his legs as he stared at the magnificent painting that captured his gaze the last time.

"here?" Dane asked surprised.

Nath and Scout nodded again.

"we have to search your mom's room." Nath finally spoke up getting up from the couch.

"you can't possibly ransack her belongings, can you?" Dane didn't like the idea. It was his mom's property and he wouldn't let the cops get hold of her remains. Treating it like it was nothing!

"Not without a warrant" Scout scoffed raising the paper for him to see.

Dane frowned and sighed.

Nath patted him gently. "be strong. it's for your mom"

Dane shrugged and tried to hide his tears.

"where's her room?" Scout's voice interrupted them.

Dane led them to the door.

"This girl is late again..." Scout whispered staring at his watch, a worried  look on his face.

"Chill man. Claire would definitely be here any time soon." Nath whispered back with a chuckle.

The inside of the room was odd. It sure didn't look like a woman's room.

Dark backgrounds, dull ceilings and almost empty room...

"you sure this is-" Scout doubted.

"Let's get to work" Nathan replied cutting him off.

They searched and almost ransacked the whole place but found nothing. No photos, no videos, no letters, no diary. Just nothing!

Scout once again doubted if they were in the right room.

"we should get going" He told Nath. His hand was on his waist and he was pissed off.

They've just wasted time for nothing!

They turned to leave but then Nath noticed a blur picture under the wardrobe.

Why didn't I see this earlier?he thought.

"what's this?" he asked dusting the photo.

Dane collected it. "it's mom and Dad."

"So where is he?" Scout asked nonchalantly.

"it's personal." Dane eyed him.

"it's fine. You don't need to tell us if you don't want to. Scout? we move." He patted Scout who nodded taking a step.

"They got divorced" Dane said out of the blue. He looked traumatized by the past incident since tears clouded his eyes.

I must be a man. He sniffed. I can't cry in front of the cops...

"Divorced?" They chorused turning away from the door. A sad and shocked look on their faces.

"I don't know what happened but they used to be a happy couple until Mom got obsessed with her studio. Dad couldn't keep up with it and...he just left"

"sorry about that." Scout really was sorry. He knew what pain he felt. The pain of being alone.

The young man was just pathetic as he is. Losing one's family wasn't something you could deal with alone but they had to.

"Nah... it's been years already. I'm fine with it. it just feels weird that I'm alone now. Mom gone, Dad gone." He tried joking about the issue.

But Scout and Nath knew it was just a cover up. He wasn't going to show his weakness in front of them.

Silence fell. Everything seemed awkward as everyone dwelled in his personal space.

"You mentioned a studio earlier. where is it?" Nath asked suddenly as an idea sprang up in him.

________

Thanks for reading ❤️.