Contagious lies

17 | The benefit of the doubt

Ezhil Sirju

Maybe Cupid made it his personal mission to make me miserable. Perhaps I complained on too many occasions causing the universe to stab me in the back. Taking all the bad luck that lingers in my family and store it all into me.

"I can't believe this." Brenda whispers softly.

I take a deep breath as I take in my surroundings. Bodyguards standing in every single corner. Watching us with such an intensity it makes me uncomfortable. The gun hiding underneath their shirt didn't make me feel any better. In fact I felt more threatened.

The article I wrote made it clear to me that the Revello wasn't an ordinary family. If they were close with Mr Reed it only meant trouble. Yet after the shooting at the company anniversary I'm convinced that whoever they are it doesn't mean anything good.

"We need to get out of here." I whispered barely above a whisper, making sure only Brenda could hear me. Attempting to come up with different solutions but it leads me to a dead end.

Brenda lets out a shaky breath. "I don't think we can Ezhil." She whispered softly.

I pretend as if I never heard her. I can't give up before even trying. My hand finds its way around her arm. Gently pull her up and drag her towards the front door. This is my fifth attempt in the last hour but my motive wasn't to escape. Maybe after whining they will tell me what's going on.

"Sit back down Ezhil." His deep voice was engraved inside of my brain. Even if I wanted to ignore it, I couldn't.

I turn around to face him. My eyes glued on him ready to disobey him but my fear was stronger than my hatred. Afraid, I sat back down.

"Brenda, was it?" He questions. She simply nodded her head, probably unable to speak. "I'll send you home with Leon. He is one of my most loyal bodyguards. Leon will keep a close watch and protect you as if his life depended on it."

Brenda glanced over at the tall man named Leon. The same person that helped Ginevra and me. I shake my head in disbelief. He must have been ordered to keep a close eye on me. Meaning he has been watching me for quite some time. Every time I crossed paths with Marco, it wasn't by coincidence.

"Why can't we go to the police? We just witnessed a shooting for fuck sake." Brenda exclaimed frustrated.

Marco chuckled lightly, buried his hands deep inside his pockets. "Trust me, they won't be of any help."

"Why the bodyguard?" She questioned him.

"You two were seen leaving with one of my men. Mr Reed is unpredictable. I'd rather take the measures necessary to avoid you losing your life." Marco replied calmly.

"W-What about Ezhil?" Brenda wondered curiously. "What will you do to her?"

His intense gaze met mine. "She will be staying with me."

My eyes widened. "What?"

"Get going." He said loudly, causing Leon to grab Brenda. I tried to stop him from taking her away but failed miserably. Tears now streaming down my face as I watch him forcing her into a car.

Frustrated, I follow right behind him. "Why are you doing this? Why can't you just assign me a bodyguard? You have been watching me either way." I rambled on hoping he would explain himself to me. Marco stops causing me to crash right into his back. Nervously I put some distance between us. He slowly turns around to face me. His dark eyes made me bite my bottom lip. The man I have grown fond of wasn't here with me. Whoever stood in front of me clearly wasn't my friend.

"We wouldn't be here if you hadn't written that damn article Ezhil." He said lowly, his tone was so different from what I was used to.

Yes, he was calm. There isn't a single trace of anger that laced his voice. However there was something else there. Judgment, and I admit I knew writing about Mr Reed would bring me trouble. I knew there was a possibility of danger lingering around yet I was simply doing my job.