Like Nobody's Business

Trials Of Fire

Alexander Nixon

"I should be expecting you soon then Doctor," I ended the call and placed the phone on the counter before running my hands down my face. A drink. Yes that's exactly what I need right now, my muscles are beginning to feel tense. The first glass did nothing at all but quench my thirst forcing me to consume another, I needed this before I can face Nayeli again. Remorse fills in me every time I lay eyes on her.

I can't erase the picture of my brother on top of her from my head and it's torture that I'm unable to. I would trade everything I have to go back to the moment when I had the choice of staying or leaving. I am trying to maintain as much control as I can over this situation and it's the only thing keeping me from having an angry outburst.

Anthony always has been causing trouble ever since we were children, he just never knew when to stop, he does not have a limit. Every time he gets himself in trouble he never comes to me first, always running to our parents who then convince me to help him. He uses my name to his advantage and I was never and will never be okay with it. Adivia always reminded me not every damage can be repaired nor can they be easily forgotten, now here we are.

"I have to make a quick run to my office to sign off some documents." I watched as she took each pair of shoes off her feet.

"That's alright, I'll be okay."

"Are you sure, if I had known I would've asked Stormi to come back here with you"

"Alexander I said I'll be okay." She caught me off guard with her change in demeanor but I ignore it understanding that she's had a hectic day.

"That's alright, is there anything you want me to get you?"

"Just get back here as quick as possible," as soon as the words left her mouth I reward her with a smile and kiss before I'm on my way.

I drove faster than usual feeling uneasy with leaving Nayeli alone, for a second I contemplated on turning around and let the documents wait but I was already halfway there. I hurried inside not wasting any time to stop to talk to anyone and just as requested Adivia was in my office, documents in hand, ready for me to sign.

"Did you revise them? I can't stay a second longer," I sat around my desk quickly reading over them despite me demanding Adivia to double check them.

"Yes Sir, did you pass my message to Nayeli about me not making it?" She stares at me waiting for an answer, I wait until I finish reading the sentence before answering.

"Yes I did, she send her thanks for the support." My eyes still focused on the papers in my hand.

Adivia wasn't able to make it because I needed her at work to ensure things remain in order.

"All done, you know what to do with it however, call me if you need anything, as a matter a fact don't call me. Do not interrupt me for the rest of the day." I can hear her laughing even though she's very aware I'm serious. In no time I was off the elevator and back in my car making my way to Nayeli, I was careful not to drive too fast considering it was still pouring down heavy.

When I entered her building I walked pass the lazy security guard who is asleep just as I left him earlier. The second I entered into Nayeli's house I could sense something was wrong. Mainly because I heard crying but I couldn't hear the conversation clearly, I quietly walked closer to the bedroom trying to think of who she might be talking to.

"I'm sorry, it's going to be okay," I was confused as to whom the male voice belonged to, at first I thought I recognized it and my brother came to my mind but I quickly dismissed the thought. He has no clue where she lives.

"Please stop," A deep frown covered my face before I opened the door quietly and nothing could prepare me for the horrendous sight before my eyes. For a split second fear paralyzed me but then I blinked and somehow my hand is now wrapped around Anthony's gripping the knife tightly.

Then I blinked again.

I saw blood gushing from his neck onto the bed and on Nayeli. The next time I blinked his body was laying on the floor, blood gushing from his neck as he fought to breathe.

The faint sound off a flushing toilet snaps me out of my memory and I quickly make my way back to the bedroom, as I did Nayeli was just taking a seat on the bed. Her eyes were tired and you could see the pain in the them, this is all my fault.

"The doctor is on his way, he's coming here to check you out just to ensure you're alright," she nodded and there was a silence between us before she spoke again.

"What are you guys gonna do with the body?" Her voice is now wah softer than before and knowing the cause of that is heartbreaking. I sighed looking away before answering.

"I can't tell you that because that's would be too risky. Let's say the worst thing that could happen did happen, you could end up in prison. The less you know the better." I was now sitting beside her on the—our bed.

"You don't have to come back to work right away it's your decision to return whenever you choose to, take as much time as you want to recover." She doesn't respond instead she sat still playing with her fingers, just as I was about to say something else I hear the elevator. "That must be the Doctor, stay here and I'll take him to you"

It didn't take long before the doctor was finished checking on her, all he recommended was for her to get some rest since she admitted to not sleeping at all in the past three days. As soon as he left she was fast asleep in bed. I stood by the side watching her shamelessly while sipping on another glass of the dark brown liquor. I desparately wanted to go lay with her but I can't sleep, every time I closed my eyes I can see it all over again.

Taking a shower helped alot, the cold water definitely made me feel more awake and the water washed away the smell of liquor. Liquor.

"You need to have some respect!" I shouted at Anthony before snatching the bottle of Vodka from his hand and closing the door of my car.

"Give it back you narcissistic piece of shit" He slurred barely able to hold himself up.

"How fucking funny it is that the pot calling the kettle black"

"You don't have to help me! I can ask mother" he tried opening the door but I tried to stop him which only resulted in him trying to fight me. After some time he finally gave in and allowed me to buckle him in properly and in no time I was finally on my way back to my home. It's almost 4 in the morning I had to drag myself out of bed to collect him for some club where the bartender called. He was sprawled out on the floor unable to move due to the cocaine in his system.

"No wonder you're like this. As soon as something goes wrong you run to her for help and she" my speech was cut awfully short when Anthony leaned over and vomited in my car.

"I swear to fucking God!"

"Fuck you and your leather seat," he laughed still slumped over.

My phone rung pulling me back to reality and I quickly answered it so it wouldn't have woken up Nayeli, she needed as much sleep as she can get.

"Adivia."

"Turn on the tv and watch the news," her voice was filled with panic. "Channel 7 right now, hurry."

I did just as she said and sure enough there was live video covarage of a house on fire, a familiar house.

Anthony's house.

My mind was racing and the liquor inside me wasn't helping. I was now starting to regret drinking so much earlier. All the different possible endings of this situation played out in my head as I tried to figure out where the fire came from. That was never in the plan and I'm positive this wasn't the cleaners work. It's clear to me now that this may be bigger than I believed before and my first priority is protecting Nayeli. Whoever set his house on fire can be the same reason the plan falls apart and we all end up behind bars. We need to get to that person before the police does and before the police gets to us.

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