Twisted Tangles

Chapter 7, He Knows

Tuesday, 4th of June 2019

The setting between Ivy and I became tense after mentioning Blake's death. I put my glass down and looked at Ivy straight into her eyes with a straight face, "What do you know about it?". Ivy maintained our eye contact before letting out a soft sigh, " Look, I know what went down but we cannot discuss this now, especially not here. The walls have ears and as soon as you know it you're out like a light. You better watch your mouth Julien.".  That hit a nerve at the back of my neck which sent shivers down my spine. I didn't know what the hell was going because she seemed calm sipping onto her drink so I had to keep my cool too.

"Now why don't you have some food into your system and have a few drinks? Clearly that's what you need right now because you look quite exhausted and dehydrated." Ivy suggested while she reached out to the platter serving herself some food. She was right, I was becoming a bit too much and I just had to let loose and enjoy my night knowing that I was still eager to find out about Blake.

We continued having a conversation as we ate, the conversation was smooth having a couple of laughs here and there. Good food with a dash of alcohol into your system was what the doctor ordered, I felt replenished the moment I laid back about to finish my cocktail as I listened to Ivy speak. "Wait wait wait, so you're telling me that you're parents basically give you money to live off by yourself while they live in South Africa?" I questioned looking back to her. "Well... I decided to stay in Windhoek because I felt homesick in South Africa. I was visiting Rosalià at the time around your birthday whereby she convinced me to move to Windhoek because she was sick and tired of how much I complained about not being in Johannesburg wanting to return home." Ivy said looking down into her drink.

I studied her face, she didn't seem too keen on revealing the truth behind the reason she really moved here. I didn't want to push it, I mean it was our first conversation, she would let me know whenever she wanted to. The waitress arrived at our table with the bill, I looked at the bill and pulled out my wallet calculating the amount of money I had to pay. "No no no, I insist, my treat. I mean I did invite you to this." Ivy said with a smile as she reached out to her purse besides her. The bill was paid and it was time to leave, Ivy looked at me trying to analyse something, I wasn't too sure if she was looking at me  or what. "Don't move your head, keep still." she said overlooking the side of my ear at what was behind me, "We're being spied on. Don't look back and act normal." she said putting her focus on me.

"Oh no, they're coming right this way towards us. Come here quickly.", I was puzzled at what was going on, Ivy moved closer to me and grabbed my face pulling me into a kiss turning her head away from the crowd behind me. It was like she was trying to hide from somebody who was there. The kiss was confusing at first but after a few seconds passed, it was going down, she wrapped her arms around my neck while I placed my arm around her lower back as we took it steadily. While we were at it, I heard footsteps pass by my back, after a few seconds I opened my eyes to peep having a look if the coast was clear. I looked back at her with my hand cupped by the side of her face as I paused "I think they're gone, why don't you have a look?"

She smooched my lips one more time before pulling away from my face looking at me and then looked around the restaurant. "Which side did they go?" She asked, they headed that way towards the bathroom. "Let's get moving right now." Ivy said as we stood up walking towards the exit, "Do you have a car?" she asked on our way out, "Yeah why?" I asked, "We need to leave quickly because those people are one of Big Ben's men. They're Rosalià's body guards whenever she goes out and they were with us the time I visited. We shouldn't be caught." Ivy responded as she looked over her shoulder to see if anyone was following us. I paid my parking ticket and we went straight to my car eventually exiting Grove Mall.

"Where do you stay?" I asked glancing over to her in the passenger seat, "I live at the apartments on Independence Avenue opposite the municipality.". I paused for a second "Are you talking about Independence Avenue 77?" I asked, "Yes those are the ones." she replied. A little smile came onto my face for some reason "Ahh alright I see." I responded back, "Why though?" she asked, "Let's enjoy our ride and find out at the end.". The ride was smooth as the music playing over the radio took charge of our mood it was groovy listening to please me by Bruno Mars, I kinda liked the fact that us not speaking didn't feel awkward rather peaceful. It was a bit late that night, driving through the empty streets felt like I was walking, no stoppages or anything, it was like the traffic lights knew I was on my way and were constantly green throughout the short trip.