Silence is Nameless

Chapter eight

Amelia entered the house later that evening, surprised to see me sitting in the living room, watching TV. She grimaced.

"Shouldn't you be screwing my boyfriend?" She asked.

"Nah. I would make him get tested for STDs before that was on the table."

She scoffed. "I'll have you know, my doctor said I tested negative for AIDs."

I looked at her quizzically. "What about crabs?"

Her face turned a bright red. "Shut up!" She stormed up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door. Rolling my eyes, I turned my attention back towards the television. I wonder if that's why Gene postponed the date. Add that to the reasons why.

Was he uncomfortable dating his ex's cousin? I mean, I'm nothing like her. It might be the awkwardness following the date. Would he come inside afterwards, risking confrontation?

Not that I cared. It was just a date.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing. Hoping it was Gene, I looked down at the Caller ID. To my dismay, it was an unknown caller.

"Hello?" I answered. "Who is this?"

"Is this Aviana?" An unfamiliar voice croaked.

"Depends. Who's calling?"

"You work for George Allegro, correct?"

"As his secretary, yes. Who is this?"

"Actually more ways then one. I know your secret, Aviana. And if you want to protect your family and yourself, you'll meet with me."

"Look, I don't know you who think you are but-"

"Meet me at the location I'm about to send you. And if you fail to do so, well may I just say what a beautiful little sister you have." He snickered. "See you soon."

"Wait!" But I was too late, he had already hung up. Just as I was about to fling my phone across the room, it beeped, signalling I had received a message. It was an address, with a caption saying "meet at 4 o'clock sharp... or else." Under the caption was a picture of Layla, sitting under a tree, reading a book. My phone buzzed again. It read, "tell no one."

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I parked my car in the parking lot outside an abandoned warehouse.  Wow, I thought. Way to be original. I bet he'll have a handlebar mustache and a monocle.

I stepped out of the car and walked hesitantly towards the rundown building. What did this mysterious man want? It must be pretty important to threaten me and my family.

As soon as a stepped into the building, the voice from the phone called greeted me. "Welcome, Aviana." I looked around to see where the voice was coming from and who it belonged to, but there was no one in sight.

"Have a seat," he commanded. I found a chair in the middle of the room and took my seat, not letting my guard down.

"Who are you?" I called out. "Show yourself, you coward!"

"Calm yourself, girl," he said, his voice getting dark. "You don't want to say anything you might regret."

"Whatever. Just tell me what you want."

"I've called you here today to discus that little boy toy of yours."

"Eugene?" What has he have to do with anything?

"Ah, yes. Eugene. Such a fine man."

"Okay, did you call me over here to have a total wet moment with you or are we going to get to the point."

I spotted a shadowy figure in front of me. "I can see you, dude. You're not stealthy."

The figure moved forward. "You're such a feisty girl," he said, moving closer.  I could finally see the man's appearance. The man was bald and a scrawny character, yet really tall. His voice did not fit with his appearance at all. He wore an eye patch over his right eye, with a very visible scar right below it.

"Let me get to the point."

"Finally." I'm tired of his verbose manner.

"Eugene is not who you think he is."

"Oh, please, man. You brought me all the way over here to tell me that? I barely know the guy. Why would I care?"

"Yet, I hear you were going on a date with him?"

How did he know about that? "And? I was going to get to know him better."

"Just keep my words in mind. I'm trying to help. And from your working experiences," he smirked. "I see you won't have a problem with taking care of him?"

"Why do you care?"

"You shall stop asking questions, Aviana."

"I shall not," I replied, in a mocking tone. "May I leave now?" I stood up.

"No!" He bellowed. "Sit down now!"

I walked over to the tall man. "Oh, yeah? Considering you know my 'work experiences', you would know what I'm capable of."

"I'm not scared of you, little girl," he spat.

"Oh, really? Well you should be."

"Listen to me, you little brat! Eugene Wellington is not who he says he is?"

"What do you mean to tell me that his real name is actually South? Oh, no!" I screeched, sarcastically. I was greeted with a burning pain on my right cheek. He had slapped me.

"Didn't your parents teach you manners?" He asked, smugly.

"Don't you dare speak of them."

"Listen to me." He grabbed my chin. "Be aware of Eugene's whereabouts at all times. He is dangerous."

I glared. "How so?"

"He's one of you." And at his words, my phone rang.

"What do you mean, 'one of you'?"

"You'd better answer that. Wouldn't want to keep them waiting." I pulled my phone out of my pocket. It was Gene.

"Answer it, I won't mind," the man said. I glared at him and pressed accept.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Avi!" He greeted me. "Are you ready for our date tonight?"

"Oh, right! Yeah, what time are you picking me up?"

"Is 5 okay?"

"Yeah, sure. 5 is fine. See you then?"

"Okay. See you then. Bye."

I hung up the phone and faced the tall man. "You were saying."

"You should get going. You wouldn't want to miss that date of yours."

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. This was a complete waste of time." I walked towards the doors before stopping. "You won't tell anyone about this," I asked. "Will you?"

He smirked. "Just watch out for that Gene boy, okay?"

"Yeah, sure." And with that, I was gone. I hope I'll make it.