"So you said, you visited the hospital. What did they say , any recovery ?" Jimmy asked, since there are not many customers here .
Julian gazes at the drink for a moment before replying "same as always, nothing much. The problem is just getting bigger and her life is shortening day by day."
"Ohh.. God of Light and Darkness please bless her. I hope she'll wake up soon."
"I too.."
Next Julian didn't say anything and minutes passed. The calm music playing in the background started to get inside his mind. Then he thought about getting back to business before asking, "By the way. While I am here, I need to ask something, which keeps bugging me ."
"Go on" Jimmy responded , his eyes looking at the hall covered in dark.
"You guys weren't able to find the suppliers of tablets, right ?"
"Yeah… I already mentioned that before , didn't I ?" Jimmy responded , turning his head towards Julian wondering, and caught the slight grin on Julian's face "You son of a…. and i really thought you're here just to pass the time. High table's bitches are shit as always, ha.."
"C'mon pal , it's the least you can do" Julian begged as he saw Jimmy taking his leave, "for our friendship."
"You not fooling me this time" Jimmy replied and started to walk off, towards the left side of the counter.
"It's personal work this time. There's no High table dick involved in this." Julian persisted, trying to convince Jimmy.
Jimmy stopped, and thought. At least he can hear this one out. After he completed listening, then it's up-to him if he wants to help out Julian or not. Jimmy turned around and asked, lowering his voice "it's better be something important, also… if my name is spilled. You know what'll happen , right?"
"Yeah, yeah… you do'n need to worry about small stuff." Julian replied with a confident tone.
Jimmy, still suspicious, examined Julian's confidential expression because he knows. He knows that getting your nose in High-table business means trouble. Although yes, Julian said this time is different, but is it ??
High-table members are born liars.
"Speak up, I'll decide after that. If I really need to help out." Jimmy's gaze is still overseeing Julian.
Julian exhaled internally, aware of Jimmy's gaze, he spoke up, "well— you know Paul, right? He mostly hangs out with Alex ?"
"Yeah, the little one, right? I've seen him with Alex a few times." Jimmy answered, nodding slightly.
"Little one?" Julian thought before pushing the story "yeah— You see, Alex isn't here currently, right ? Of course you know that. Fuck lemme get straight to the point. A few days ago me and Paul went to handle some work. High-table work would be more specific."
Julian stopped as he heard the sound of Jimmy tapping the table, and looked around slightly. Still no one was around them. "It's only the start."
Julian then recounted the story Simon had told him in his own way. Switching his place with Simon, not getting into details, and focusing on the last part of the story and Paul.
"That's all I can say."
"Hmm.." The First thing that came to Jimmy's mind was that this story was too good to be true. Who would've believed such a half baked story? Family murdered when he was just a kid ? And he recalls everything after hearing someone's voice in the phone call ? Jimmy had no reason to believe such a story, but that's what makes it believable.
All are same anyway.
"Alright. What you need ?" Jimmy said, setting aside the thoughts.
"Thanks man. Although I knew you would help out." Julian finally felt relaxed. "Now I don't have to ask around."
"The dude you guys caught using tablets a few days ago? You still recall, right ? I happened to see him with the guy I've been watching. Maybe he can spill some beans for us ? If you just slipped his whereabouts nothing more. It'll help me out great time."
Julian tried his best to sound clean, and simply it's up to Jimmy now. And he can only wait for a positive response.
"Alright. I'll go look." And Jimmy walked away. Julian finished the last of his drink as he waited patiently.
Minutes later Jimmy arrived again and slipped the folded paper to Julian, and asked the last question, "how many guys are involved in this ?"
Julian smiled and answered "three of us."
"Three of us ?" Jimmy's voice felt suspicious.
"Not including you of course" Jimmy let go of the paper slip, and Julian took the slip, ready to leave, "me , Paul and Simon."
"Simon ?"Jimmy felt little trouble "wait" but the words didn't leave his mouth. He internally cursed Julian. Pulling him into their mess. But what's done, Done.
As Jimmy saw the back of Julian merged into darkness, he heard the faint voice.
"Hope we'll meet again, my friend."
Julian exited the Black palace and walked towards where the car was parked. Soon he reached the place and saw Simon sitting on the driver seat.
Simon also noticed him , raising the paper slip.
Their work here is done.
Paul arrived at the usual place to eat his lunch. Away from the playground. Away from the crowd. Away from everyone's sight. Where no one would notice him.
He sat down on the bench, taking out his lunch. The usual same veg sandwich. Then the figure sitting beside him took notice and said "well you took your time. I started thinking you weren't gonna come."
"Why's that ?" Paul responded, clearly aware of the situation.
"Why ?" Mia turned her head towards Paul "I mean like— you got busted and stuff, you know? Didn't you think I was gonna spill everything when you got to school again ?"
"Not really." Paul replied calmly, eating his sandwich.
"You didn't?" She mumbled to herself "don't tell me you already trust me this much ?" She asked in teasing tone .
"I know, you weren't dumb enough to tell anyone about last night. When I clearly told you to keep that as a secret, and more than anything you were scared. Scared of thinking about the consequences ."
"I was ?" She mumbled, "I was." She forced a smile, trying clear the thoughts of last night.
"Anyway who are those guys? They looked like street thugs to me, but you beat them very easily. I saw everything from the start by the way. You were very strong I can tell. Wait— are you from something like gang members? Like from movies? How did you get this strong? Hey!!"
She didn't realize when her curiosity took over her. Like a little kid, who's just seen a magic trick and asking her big brother every question crossing her mind. When Paul didn't answered her quickly, she pushed him lightly "Helloo??? You even listening, mister??"
Paul turned his cold gaze towards her and she quickly, like a scared cat, retrieved her hand from him .
"It's better if you don't know anything. For your own safety ."
Those calm words cut the magic strings like cold steel,"there there, don't need to be scared" she told to herself, trying her best to not break her character "but why do I feel like….., he is going to kill me ."
"AA haa" she forced a light laugh "well, i expected something like this from you anyway ." while saying this she turned her sights towards the playground, to find a different topic to continue.
Then something clicked with her, "what you gonna do about my cell phone. You remember right?"
"Yeah, I'll give you the new one ." Paul replied, trying to recall which type of cell phone was that, "give me some time if you aren't in a hurry, or you just want the money ?"
"No no no. The new phone sounds better ." She quickly replied , and then a light bulb appeared, "maybe this is my chance."
She cleared her throat and asked, trying not to sound obvious, "did you know the company name my cell phone was ?"
Paul answered with a simple "NO" , i mean how could he remember the cell phone's company name, which he barely saw ? He knew she was asking deliberately, but why ? Is she a gold digger ?
"Did you know how much was the price?"
She is . Also money is the last issue Paul have currently. But Why didn't she said money ? when I asked her ? Where's she going with all of this, is she trying to feel me guilty ? Do you know what she thinking? Is she plotting something ? Yeah I get it.
"Yeah, i don't know" Paul replied, his back lightly pressed against bench "but you know—"
"Yeah i sure do" she turned her gaze to Paul, her eyes bright like a kid.
"See ? I knew it"
"That's why we should go together ."
"Alright. We'll play along with you, right ?"
Paul, already anticipating this outcome, said "you just have to spill the name and I'll buy it for you. You don't have to get so worked up."
"No no no— it was my phone. So I'll buy it myself. I'm not taking your money, alright? I don't wanna end up being called some kind of luxury leech or cash magnet."
"Yes, this is perfect." she puffed her cheeks internally.
Paul didn't reply quickly, and just stared at the sky. Wondering if he had any plans of his own but nothing crossed his mind. Am i really this useless? But oh well…
"Alright, whenever you're free."
"Y-yes.." she coughed slightly, covering her happiness "Then, this Sunday ??"
Paul nodded slightly, agreeing.
"This Sunday? Can't wait."