The hands around his waist made me turn to look at the guy standing behind me.
"Move aside, I'm making us breakfast."
"I want to eat something else."
"Not happening... I'll hit you if you don't stop it."
"Sorry!"
He'd slapped me before. Before that I'd thought that clip from Quint was just a ruse but that day he'd beat him up a little. Added with the wounds he'd gotten from a previous fight, he'd known the reason no one goes against the silent types.
We'd gone to that island, for business though I'd thought it'd be just something to look at and leave...continue with the holiday I'd promised him.
That hadn't been what I got. We had less time as it was so after landing, I went to meet the guy we had a contract with. To me it would have been simple, the guys Riley had follow me we're just accessories. Should have really made a plan.
I went back to the hotel room where I'd left Taffy to rest lapels and sleeves covered in blood. It had been a tough fight. The guy going back on everything wanting to exploit us more.
Riley had told me that would happen, I just didn't want to believe him because from the beginning I was the one behind it. I wanted to believe I was good enough to get it signed and the goods flowing the same day.
I think this is the reason Riley wants to do business himself. Outside, he's more brutal, he'd do anything to get his message across and get things done unlike when we're back home and he's all soft.
Seeing the blood, Taffy had been worried. Asking me whether I was hurt, when he found I just had superficial wounds, he hit me, inflicting enough pain the treating my wounds after a long soak.
He'd been angry at ne for putting myself in harm's way and for lying about the reason for the visit. I had to ask Riley whether to tell him the truth then did, after Riley got me through the wringer himself.
The next day, I took him out for a meal not expecting to be in that guys turf. We fought again, this time Taffy also taking charge giving a few hits and stabs of his own. He was the one who led the charge of confrontation with the guy and helped secure that deal.
"Your course should involve communication skills, what do you really learn in class if you can't put it ro action?"
Do you know how painful it is to be told that by someone who's never been involved in such activities? I still recall that jab to this day.
"Are you going home this weekend?"
"No! Tomorrow there's a talent showcase we bought tickets for then Sunday I'll just lazy around before we begin preparations for exams."
"You recall we have to go for the kids celebration right?"
"Doesn't mean I have to go home. I'll go later, mom and dad understand."
Problem was, the two parents who understand called me and asked when I was taking there son to visit...how understanding.
He plates the eggs, toast and bacon before beginning to wash and cut up fruits then laying them down. When he wanted to make us food, he wanted to do it on his own, didn't want me helping. At first, it was a torment, things getting burnt that I had to leave so as not to see the process. But overtime, he's learnt to make the meals as great as possible for us.
"Breakfast!"
"Thank you darling!"
"Don't call me that!"
He was blushing.
I'd told him we should try dating. You know from the bare minimum like simple dates, movies, things we didn't do before and it was fun. I now know his favorites and things he really abhors. Plus those things in the gray area for him, ones he could like on certain days or hate on others.
"You blended this."
"Yes, might have seeds so it could be a little bitter but I put in a good amount of honey."
The bitterness was what made me know he'd blended the juice. But it was okay, just don't think you'll drink much at a time. Since he officially moved in, I've been eating healthier...if you don't count the strange smells and the burnt food or the very innovative tastes.
The phonecall got me from the screen Infront of me to the phone charging at the side. I really thought it was Taffy's mom asking again about her son who for some reason found little excuses not to go.
I stood placing him on the sofa before walking out once I saw the caller ID.
-This better be good.
-She's dead! Zael is dead.
Zael...Zael was Jennifer's not so subtle love. The person she ran off to help her with her writing. A long story that one but if she was calling me, that meant she didn't want Riley involved. I still had to tell him though.
-Riley already knows.
-I am sorry, where are you? Should we come over? Do they know?
-Where parents are fighting for her body, do you know how bad that sounds?
The men there should be on top of everything, why hadn't I known...or had Riley known and just gone on to deal with it.
-When did...
-This morning. And they're already at each other's throats. They don't even care about her daughter. It's a power struggle even at her death.
**********
She hadn't wanted anyone to know about her little adventures to seek inspiration and write, the main reason no one's talked about it before. But the one time she got tangled with someone and she never looked back.
Back then, I'd asked her and she'd seemed shocked at my knowledge of her place outside, the works she's released with a psodynym.
She was shocked that someone knew about her private life but what shook her most was learning that Zeal, the woman she'd been seeing had a kid and her family was involved with the triad.
I seriously had to tell her so she'd plan her next moves if she wanted to go further with the relationship.
Obviously she'd pushed forward, leaving home at some point pretending to others that she was tired and was running away. Them believing but some of us being worried for her safety behind closed doors.
Zael was dead...it was obviously going to be a huge problem. She had a kid, she had enemies because of her family. And she had a not so secret lover.
Before, he wouldn't have let Blane come with but then Jenny had requested for him to tag along if he was coming.
In the family, not telling our parents about whatever was happening was looking more and more like dragging the inevitable.