Protected

Maya's pov:

It was a normal day in the library where I worked. The sun was shining and the birds were chirping. The sound of the car's honks were loud. Thankfully, I was in my library with headphones in my ears listening to music, so I didn't hear the noise so much.

I was putting some books on the new shelfs when I felt someone tap my shoulder. I looked behind me and saw Julia, my best friend and work colleague. I removed the headphones from my ears and welcomed her.

"Hey Julia. When did you come? I didn't hear you."

She laughed.

"I came like an hour ago and called your name, but you didn't hear me. I looked around and saw you working here. Just wanted to tell you it's lunch time and you can go take your lunch."

"Oh thanks Julia. I didn't hear you sorry."

"It's fine. Go have your lunch and I'll be waiting here for you. We have a lot of things to discuss."

She said with excitement in her voice. I laughed at her excitement and left to have my lunch at my favorite café across the street. Before I went, I warned her.

"I'll go now. Don't touch anything from the shelf or near the shelf till I'm done with it."

She nodded her head and I left her in the library to go to my favorite café.

—-----------------------------

The day passed quickly. I finished my lunch and went back to the library to finish my work and talk with Julia. Few customers came and bought books. Julia and I kept talking till the night came and she left before me. I told her I'll close the library today. I finalized everything and closed the shop.

On my way home, I saw a group of masked men with black bags and guns. I stood still as I watched them trying to enter the bank and rob it. One of them accidentally looked and stared at me. I feared my life was going to be taken by them. The man told another man that he saw me and his eyes widened as he saw me.

I was confused as to why they didn't come to kill me as I am a witness of their robbing. The man who had his eyes widened told the other men to go to the vehicle and drive. No robbery happened tonight and I wondered why they stopped robbing the bank when they saw me. Do they know me? Have we met before? Do I know them?

Questions started to fill my brains as I reached my house. I got the keys out and opened the door. I got inside, left my shoes at the door, and went to bed. I changed my clothes before I went to bed and then I slept with questions running through my mind.

I woke up the next day with a new thought and question. Why don't I hire an investigator to investigate everyone I ever knew and maybe get to something and why those people from yesterday looked at me fearfully and escaped?

I took a quick shower and put clothes on. I went to the kitchen to eat breakfast. After breakfast, I called Paul, my best friend and FBI agent. I told him about what happened yesterday and he agreed to my idea. He told me the investigator's phone number and I called him.

"Hello, this is Jack speaking."

"Hello, Jack. I'm Maya, Paul's friend. I wanted you to investigate everyone I ever knew, even Paul. Tell me if anything looks suspicious."

"Will do. I'm going to work on it right now. I'll tell you in a couple of days."

"Alright, bye Jack"

"Bye Maya"

I ended the call and went to work like it's a normal day. Days passed and I hadn't heard from Jack till he phoned me at work.

"Hey Julia, I gotta take this phone call. It's an emergency."

She nodded at me and shooed me out of the library. I called Jack.

"Hey Maya. I got news"

"Hey Jack. Tell me."

"Everyone looks normal except for a person called Andre. You haven't seen him any time near, have you?"

"No. Andre left the country when we were young. He was my first ever friend and crush."

"Well, I recommend you to catch up with him and see what's going on. He seems suspicious. I believe he has something to do with that night."

"Alright, thanks Jack."

"Anytime."

I ended the call and went back to my shift. I decided to call Andre at night when I return home.

—--------------------------------

When I came back home after my shift, I changed my clothes and sat in the living room. I opened my phone and searched through the contacts to try and find Andre's number. Successfully, I found it. I stopped myself when I tried to press the call button.

It's been a while since we talked. Last time we were kids, so like 20 years ago. I wonder where he is now. Is his phone number the same? Is he still the same Andre I knew? Did he get married? Does he have kids? Questions began to run in my thoughts as I pressed the call button.

I waited as it rang. And waited. And waited. Till finally a deep voice spoke through the phone.

"Hello?"

My breath stopped as I listened to his voice.