Contagious lies

29 | The Chase

Ezhil Sirju

There was this feeling, this sensation inside of my stomach telling me there was something wrong. I have been getting those a lot lately and ignoring it would be unwise of me. Brenda and Ginevra were watching tv and eating away their sadness. While I was alert without Leon here to keep us safe.

"I miss him." I hear from behind me. It's as if she took the words right out of my mouth. Only if I were to say it, it was quite obvious how I was referring to, however it was Brenda who had said it.

"Miss who?" I wondered confused as I sat down beside her causing her to glance over at me and cover her hands with her face. "Brenda?" I called out to her as my eyes briefly met Ginevra hoping she knew what was going on, only for her to raise her arms in defense.

"I think she might have a little crush on mister bodyguard." Ginevra whispered in my ear. Surprised, I glanced over at an overly drunk woman.

"Leon?" I asked out loud in disbelief.

He wasn't bad looking however his personality on the other hand was definitely something anyone has to get used to. I must admit, Leon is loyal. A man of his words and if there is one thing I realized from spending time with him, is that not fulfilling his duty might trouble him more than anything.

Brenda giggles loudly as she leans back into the couch. Her eyes staring at the ceiling, perhaps recalling old memories. As my eyes were glued on her this unbearable feeling in the pit of my stomach took hold of me. Guilt wraps around my throat rather tightly, making it hard for me to speak. She was just a journalist working at a good publishing company. Yet now we were stuck inside the house for one step outside might mean death. I can't help but feel I'm to blame for our situation and that she somewhere grew resentful.

"Mm." She sat up straight as she glanced around the room. "You think we will finally catch a break?" Her voice wavered as she directly looked into my eyes. Brenda's eyes watered and I could tell she was holding back a storm. My lips remained in a thin line, unsure of what to answer. If I said yes, I'm sure she would call me a liar.

"Eventually." Ginevra answers in my place.

"I really want to go back t-" Brenda stops mid sentence. Our eyes all focused on the door. We briefly glanced between one another as the doorbell rang again.

A shiver went down my spine as I was glued on the couch. I could hear Ginevra's heavy breathing and Brenda seemed to immediately sober up. Whoever it was on the other side of the door couldn't have been Leon. I remember Ginevra gave him a spare key.

Brenda jumps up in surprise by the sudden loud banging on the door. I took a deep breath as I stood up from the couch. "Who is there?" I questioned loudly. Pretending no one was home would be stupid, the lights were on inside the house.

"We were sent here to keep you safe." A deep voice spoke from the other side yet I wasn't convinced.

"You don't sound convincing." I told him.

"We were sent because Leon can't be here at the moment. The situation is very bad and we need to get you out of here."

My heart sank, as I grew concerned but anyone could pretend to mean well. Trusting someone might cost us life if I wasn't careful. "We?" I questioned him further.

"Yes, me and another bodyguard."

I take a deep breath. "How can I be sure you don't mean any harm?"

"We are Massimo's bodyguards yet we were sent here by Marco's orders. Our names are Corbin and Aldus..." he fell quiet. The sound of the letterbox clicking open made me alert. "Here, take this if you don't trust us but just let us in." He said and I grabbed the gun. Opened the door and pointed the gun directly at them.