Chapter 24: Beach Attack
She closes the uber door after paying the driver. 21 street, if she follows what her mother told her just now, this is the street. Her mother said it was not far from her orphanage. Liana walked, looking around to find the alley. She realizes she is being followed so she looks behind her but nothing.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
The street walking busy today so she thought it was just some people walking to their destination. “I must be imagined.” She mumbles.
Liana decides to bough some bread for herself first and then continue walking. After a while like that, she found it. The alley seems dark and empty but not that creepy. There’s yellow tape telling people not to go in there. Does something happen here?
“Why does Ivan use this way? But I should feel glad though. If not, he wouldn’t find me.” She talked to herself while walking in the alley.
She looked around and just saw an empty box, rubbish, and a dumpster. How can her parent leave her here in a place like this? That is what she thought. Then, she accidentally kicks the tin. Her eyes follow the movement of that tin until it hit one empty box. It has dirty fabric on top of it. Liana walks towards it and kneels, picking the fabric away.
“Is this where Ivan found me?” She said. Not sure because there are a lot of boxes here. But what makes her sure is there’s a beautiful necklace in it.
CRACK
Liana flinches and looks behind. She swear she heard something but there was no one. Her attention back to the beautiful necklace. It was a shining golden locket. It has a butterfly pattern in the middle of it. “This locket looks new. There’s no way this thing keep here for years. It must be someone put it here before I come.” She looks at it closer and shakes it. “Something in there. But…” She tries to open it but it locks. “I can’t open it…” Her lips turn into pouts.
“Excuse me, miss? What are you doing there?” The sound of the police officer asks.
“U–Uh… I just… t–taking m–my thing.” Liana lied.
The two officer looks at the girl with suspense. “This is a restricted area, girl. You can’t go in here.” The women spokes.
“O–Oh. Is… I–is something h–happened h–here?” She asks.
“There’s a murderer happened here. It is still under investigation.” The man said. They slowly step forward. “Who are you? And what are you doing here?” He asks again.
Liana never felt this busted. She’s a good girl. Never been involved with the police. Now, she just wants to see where Ivan found her. The policewoman saw what was in Liana’s hand.
“What is that?” She points it out. “Where did you get that?”
“T–This is m–mine.”
“Anything you found here, it belongs to us. We told you this place is still under investigation.” The woman said, narrowing her eyes on her.
Liana knows there’s no way those two would believe her. Only one thing she can do right now. She gives one last smile before running away.
“WAIT!!! STOP!!”
She ran and keep bumping into people since the street walking is busy. She looks behind and the officer is still running after her. This is bad and embarrassing. Liana crosses the street and one black car almost hit her. She let out a scream but nothing came.
“Peanut?” With the voice and nickname, she realizes who is it. Her eyes open seeing Adam with his worried expression. “Woah, are you okay? You sweating and it seems like running from—”
“IT’S THE POLICE!! PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE AIR NOW!!” The two officers aimed their guns toward the girl. Liana couldn’t help but whimper. She hides the locket in her hair by sticking it in since her hair is in a bun.
Adam was shocked to see the pure girl involved with the police. “We have to investigate you, little girl. You seem suspicious.” The woman said but before she could hold her, a rough grip on her wrist make her yelp. “What the–oh shit. M–Mr. Corlano.”
“What did you want?” Adam asks. His cheerful tone which Liana always heard gone.
“S–Sir, she is in a restricted area at 21 street alley. She also took something and look suspicious.” The man answers.
“Her?” Adam looks at the girl. “Peanut, is it true you are in a restricted area? And took something there?” His soft-spoken makes the police officer stiff.
“G–Going there, y–yes. B–But… t–taking thins… n–no.” She shakes her head. Lying a bit wouldn’t hurt right? Adam seems to believe her so he just nods.
“You heard her. She didn’t take anything.” He said.
“B–But, sir. Just for confirmation. Can we check her?” The woman asks, without looking at Adam’s scary expression. Adam let out a heavy sigh before nodding slightly. The women start to touch her body to find it but she found nothing. Her eyebrows furrow in confusion. She swear she saw her holding something.
“Done? I don’t think there’s something with her. And I also don’t think Leo and Enzo would be please with this.” Adam pulls the girl back. “Now, I think we’re done here, OFFICER.” He spits out the word before leaving.
_______________
They arrive at the black house. Adam told her only Enzo since Leo still working at his company. She unbuckles her seatbelt but stops when Adam holds her wrist. She looks at her in confusion.
“It’s a secret between us, okay? I don’t think Enzo and Leo would be please to hear this good news.” He said with a firm tone.
“But… w–why would t–they care—” She got cut off by him.
“Oh, little girl. You don’t understand. They saw you in different ways.” He smirks and gets out of the car.
When he said that, she remember what Leo told her. They want to be more than friends with her. She hasn’t talked about that with them yet or maybe soon. She tapped her face to stop the heat on her cheeks.
Soon the door opens, and all guards have happy expressions on their faces. Liana giggles and run towards them but abruptly stop when saw Cara and Kelvin also there.
“H–Hey, Cara! Kelvin!” She waved at them.
“Hey, girl. Look like everyone lose their stress when you came.” Cara nudges her with smirks. “Good to know though.”
“W–Why? Is everyone o–okay?” She frowns.
“Well, they were being scolded by Enzo a few minutes ago due to work. You know we working on finding Rosie Thaver. So, some of the men fail to contact the Thaver clan.” Cara sighs.
“Their men disappeared or… I don’t know. Vanish? Even Matthias can’t contact any of them. Even Thaver’s right hand.” Kelvin said while keeping his eyes on his tablet.
Liana didn’t say anything. She knows they keep working on this but she hasn’t asked who Thaver to Enzo and Leo. The twins wouldn’t help if that person are not important to them unless they paid.
“Adam, where is Enzo?” Liana turns to him.
“He’s in his office.” He answers. “Do you want me to guide you?” He offers, walking towards her. Liana gives him a nod. “Come on. I’m sure he needs you to calm his nerve right now. Pacify him.” Adam jokes.
When saw Liana walks away, the guards let out a disappointed sound. She looks at them and giggles. “I–I will c–come back. I promise!” Whenever she comes here, she feels so comfortable. Everyone treats her like a princess.
Adam stops walking, “This is it. I will see you later, peanut.” He ruffles her hair and walks away. Leaving Liana in front of his office.
She took a deep breath before turning the doorknob. When the door opened, she heard a harsh voice speak. “Who gives you permission to get in without knocking!?” He yells. Not gonna lie but it makes Liana flinches.
“S–Sorry, Ennie.” The soft voice makes Enzo change his expression.
“Baby? Oh, my—I’m sorry, little baby.” He immediately apologized. “Come here, baby.” Enzo made a gesture with his index finger. Liana shuffles towards me while looking down. When she got near, Enzo grabs her waist to make her stand between his spread legs. “I thought you were at home, baby. Today is your off day, right?” He asks, running his finger through the girl’s hair. He didn’t miss to heck her smartwatch to see her heart rate.
“Y–Yes. I got… b–bored.” Liana lied.
“Adam sent you here?” He asks.
“I–I bump into A–Adam when I w–walkout.” She said.
“Hm. Thank you for coming, baby. I appreciate it. Such a good little baby, aren’t you?” Enzo praise her so that she felt she did something good. She only leans to his touch. “I really need you, right now.” He nuzzles against her stomach seeking comfort.
“A-Are you o–okay?” Her soft voice calmed him.
“I’m fine. Just need some comfort right now.” He said.
“W–What are you d–doing right now?” Liana asks, looking at his desk. A lot of paperwork and his computer showing emails. “Y–You look busy.” She mumbles.
“I am, baby. And you charge my battery.” Enzo brings her to his lap. “Accompany me?” He tickles her side causing her to giggle.
“But I–I promise t–to play w–with the g–guards.” She pouts.
“They can wait.” Enzo caressed her cheeks. The girl thinks for a while before nodding. He continues doing his work while Liana watches it. His chin on top of her head.
Sometimes, she messed with his paper and pen. Or even mouse whenever he didn’t use it. Her eyes look at one piece of paper which is all about Thaver’s clan. She reaches for it and reads it. But Enzo grabs it from her causing her to pout.
“I need it, baby.” Enzo chuckles.
“C–Can you t–tell me.. who is T–Thaver in real?” Liana asks timidly.
“Of course.” He rubbed her thighs to calm her down. “Thaver is one of our good friends. In business mode or friend mode, he is just like our second family. Our parents are really close to them. He always help us and stays behind us whenever we need him.”
“So… h–he just like… a–a partner?”
“More. Like a family.” Enzo chuckles. “When we got the news that he and his wife died, I don’t know what to describe. We felt, our second world crush. But Matthias said he told him to take care of his clan and give it to someone he thinks, deserves it. When we got to know he has a daughter, we want to find her and help her.”
“N–No one… ever saw h–his daughter?” Liana asks.
“Nope. Not even Matthias. Thaver hides everything about his child. Even hospitals did. Until now, we try to find her. We know she is still alive and being adopted by someone.” He explains. “We can’t let Thaver’s clan fall to the wrong hand. The power Thaver’s clan holds really big. He’s the member of the round table.”
“Round t–table?”
“Mafia has one big round table. I and Enzo am of their members. If you are one of the chosen ones, you are the most dangerous and powerful. Kind of like that.” He said.
Sound scary to Liana. She just gives a nod in response. The man also stop talking when Liana didn’t ask anything. She knows this work stresses him over and she wants to help. But not with this. By giving them stress relief.
“E–Ennie.” She softly called.
“Hm?”
“L–Let’s go to t–the beach!!”
___________________
Leonardo closes the car door and locks it. He puts his hand inside his pocket and walks towards the beach. He can’t believe he cancel all the meetings and just wanted to hang out with Liana at the beach. Enzo called him, telling him about their girl’s invitation to the beach. Which he agreed with right away.
“There you are!!” Adam waving at him. They already look like a picnic. “I thought you wouldn’t come.” He smirks, eating the croissant. Obviously, Liana made it.
“Where is Felix?” He asks since he is always with Adam. They are just like crime partners. So, without him, it makes the group hang out empty.
“Enzo said he doing his task. I’m so bored without him.” He whines, laying on the fabric.
The man ignores his whining. His eyes wander around to find two people. Soon he found it, a smile appeared on his face. Enzo holding her both hands while they are in the water. Liana keeps giggling due to the waves tickling her ankle.
Leo walks towards them but not before taking off his shoes and folding his pants. The doe-eyes met him. “Lili!!! You came!!” She tries to run but Leo picks her up, afraid she might fall and soaking wet.
“Of course, I will, little one.” He makes his nose touched hers. “I will do anything for you.” She giggles with her small hands on his cheeks.
“Look like your meeting and work will slow down,” Enzo smirks.
“Same goes with you.” He smirks back. “I can tell Adam to do it for me.” He shrugs his shoulder.
“I HEARD IT!!!” Adam yells.
Liana laughs at it. They continue playing while Adam watches from afar. Is this the pain of being single? He sighs and rolls his eyes, feeling bored without his friend, Felix.
“Why did I decide to join them? Oh yeah because Darry is still on his day off. Which makes me the driver!!” He grunts.
“ADAM!!!” Hearing a familiar yelling, he sits up. There’s Felix running to them with a panic face.
“Hey, Felix!!” He waved excitedly. “Thank goodness you are here. I felt so lone—”
“Where is Liana!!??” Felix grabs his shoulder.
“Why? What happened?” He frowns.
“We have to tell Leo and Enzo, never to let Liana out!!” Felix said.
Adam stood up. “But…” He moves his head to the twins and Liana.
“Shit!!” Felix runs towards them. “LEO!! ENZO!! WE HAVE TO GET BACK!!!”
They looks at him but before they could say something, Enzo saw someone aiming their sniper toward them. “HEAD DOWN!!!”
BAAM!!
Sadly, one person got hit.