Ex Vivo (#2 EX TRILOGY)

Chapter 16

Amuzu gripped the pistol firmly and did his very best to avoid questioning his actions in his mind, since his conscience was the last thing he expected to speak to him in that moment. He did not care what scene he was going to cause in that washroom. He felt totally insulted for what he was seeing with his eyes and hearing with his ears. His advantage, as far as he could think, was the fact that Suzy's Boo was in a compromised position with her in the toilet, and killing him would hurt even more. He clenched his jaw and turned the knob slowly.

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Akoma took a break and walked to the bar to get a drink. She was sweating all over, and the last dance had left her almost dehydrated. To her utmost surprise, Poku seemed to be pumped-up for a lot of action that night and was not tired in the least. He laughed and beckoned to her to return, but Akoma waved at him and gulped down a glass of beer instead. Just then, someone pressed a phone to Akoma's ear and held it in place. Akoma turned to check who it was and saw Faisal. When she recognized him for who he was, she panicked, but too late – the call party spoke, and suddenly the world around her felt like someone had turned everyone on slow motion on a remote control. Akoma's heart fluttered, and she felt something like a brief wave of drowsiness sweep over her eyes and disappear instantly.

"Where have you been?" came Ender's cold voice. "Trying to run away, aren't you? Over my dead body. Now get into that washroom and handle the situation!"

Akoma's eyes went blank for a moment and she felt like she was being dragged towards the door to the washroom.

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Meanwhile, in the washroom, Stallion planted a final kiss on Suzy's neck, straightened up and cocked his ear to listen carefully. Suzy straightened up and pulled up her trousers. She observed the alertness on Stallion's face and wondered what could have drawn his attention. When she reached for his arm, he moved it out of reach, hushed her and gestured to her to stay put. Suzy watched Stallion open the door of the toilet quickly, slip out and shut it behind him, and Suzy was sure she glimpsed someone standing at the door. She looked down at the space under the door and saw another shadow apart from Stallion's, but before she could blink, the shadow slipped out of sight and the lights started to flicker.

"Stallion? Babe, is everything all right?" Suzy called, and suddenly the lights went out and they were plunged into darkness. Suzy pulled out her phone and turned on the flashlight before holding her hair backwards with a band. She listened in silence before attempting to open the door, but something heavy pushed against the door and kept it shut. She attempted to force her way out but to no avail. It seemed someone was holding the door shut from behind. "Stallion? Hello?" Suzy heard one of the toilet doors close shut with a loud bang and held her breath.

There was some silence for a few seconds, and then finally, "Angel, it's all right. I think there's a power problem or something," Stallion said.

Suzy frowned. "But I can still hear music playing," she said in a worried voice. "What kind of power problem is that?"

"That's what I am trying to figure out. It's odd. Let me see. Stay there for a moment, OK? I've got it figured out. Just a moment. Please."

Suzy listened as Stallion's footsteps moved farther from her to the end of the washroom to stop somewhere near the wall, and he heard the sound of a small plastic cabinet opening and closing. She sighed and wiped sweat off her brow. She felt tired and thirsty after that intimate moment with Stallion in the toilet but wished it had not ended. She licked her lips and grinned to herself, silently commending herself for making that perfect choice of keeping Stallion and ditching Amuzu. She did not care what was going on with her ex-boyfriend at the moment. All her mind was preoccupied with was romance, romance and romance with Stallion. Despite having no idea how long it was going to last or what better offers the complete version of the Ex Vivo app would grant 'Users', she found herself hoping it would not stop. She opened the app and activated the Boo Holler feature. Instantly, the door flew open and Stallion leaned closer. The light from Suzy's phone flashed over his eyes and they gleamed briefly in the dark. Suzy gasped and tried flashing it into his face the second time, but Stallion shut his eyes.