Secret Haven (HIATUS)

Chapter 4~Old Friends

"Ouch!" I yell, holding my hip. I look at the dining room table in distaste, wondering if it's always been there.

Grabbing my keys off the counter, I walk out to my car, smoothing out my outfit. I decide to head to the warehouse today, wanting to get some sort of work done considering it's Saturday and I don't have any classes scheduled today.

I start my car, making a mental note of the sounds the car is making, wanting to take it into the shop later. I arrive at the old looking warehouse, chuckling at its ability to remain hidden to the untrained eye. I walk in, keeping my face void of all emotion and my posture straight and professional.

The only reason I have to act so tough here is that if I don't, I'll get myself killed. That's how it's always been, ever since I ran away, it's been putting on a face and acting exactly how everyone wants you to act.

Well, correction, ever since I ran away and was taken in by one of the most feared Mafia leaders in America, Vito Mendoza, it's been that way. The only reason he took me in was because technically, I don't exist. My mother and father made sure to keep my brothers and I a secret from everyone, meaning none of us had any birth records.

I knock on Mendoza's open door (AKA technically my adoptive father), preparing myself for lots of demeaning remarks, and threats.

"Yes, Layla, what do you want now?" he says, looking at some blueprints for a new office building in the UK.

"I'm here to let you know that I was successful in placing the tracker on the suspect," I say, making sure to keep my voice strong and steady.

"Yes, of course, you were. You forget that I trained you, to fail at something so simple as to put a tracker in a suspect's sleeve would be an embarrassment," he raises his eyebrows at me and goes back to reading the blueprints.

"Uh yes, of course sir."

"Good, now get out, unless you would prefer me to shoot you, because I can do that too."

"No sir, that won't be necessary, I was just leaving," I say, leaving him alone in his office.

I get in my car and drive to the nearest mechanic shop, finally having time to take the old car in. I arrive and walk into the small shop.

"Hi, do you guys accept walk-ins? I need to get some work done on my car."

"Well I never, is that really you Layla? It's been way too long," a voice with a heavy western accent says from behind me.

I turn around and come face to face with someone that my parents considered family, Jacob. Jacob seems around his mid-forties, but when I met him he was only in his thirties. He was one of the only people that my parents were friends with that they didn't also work with.

"Oh my gosh! Jacob! It's been forever! How have you been?"

"I've been making it by. I finally started my own business," he says, gesturing to the shop.

Realization hits me as I realize this is his auto shop. "Oh my gosh! Really? You always talked about building your own auto shop. I'm so proud of you!"

"Aw, shucks Layla. Thank you so much," he says, grinning like the Cheshire cat. "So where in the world have you been? I tried to get back in touch with you after everything that happened, but I couldn't seem to find you.

"Ah yeah, sorry about that," I say, giving him an apologetic smile. "I decided that I wanted a new start so I was in and out of the foster care system for a few years until I aged out and moved here."

I feel bad for lying to him but, it's better if he doesn't know the truth.

"Aw man, I'm sorry to hear that."

"It's not your fault. Not to mention I'm happy with where I'm at right now. I've got a nice job, I'm going to college, and I even have my own place."

"Well, I'm happy to hear that. We should really catch up sometime."

"Yeah for sure!"

"So, you said you needed some work done?" he asks sweetly.

"Ah, yeah. My cars' been making some weird noises and my brakes are getting a bit spongy."

"I see, well, I can fix 'er up for free since you're an old friend."

"Oh, thank you so much, Jacob! You're really too kind."

"Oh, it's my pleasure. It's always nice to see a familiar face 'round these parts. You can just leave 'er here and pick 'er up in the morning."

"That sounds wonderful, thank you so much again."

"It's really no problem, do you need a ride home?"

"Ah no, I'll just take a cab, but thanks."

"No problem, just come back the day after tomorrow at around 3 to pick 'er up."

"Alright, thanks again! I'll see you tomorrow Jacob," I say, giving him a curt wave.

I walk out of the shop and sigh, hailing a cab. Getting in the car, I give her the directions to my apartment.

During the drive, I wonder how I'm going to get close to David, especially considering how closed off he seems to be.

I'll try to post the next chapter quickly so you guys don't have to wait too long (not that there is many people waiting for a new chapter😂). Comment what you think and don't forget to vote! 

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Xoxo Allie

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