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Andrew's perspective.
I had left her speechless that's for sure. Her pretty little face was left completely confused. It was best that I didn't let her find out that I and her brother were stalking and investigating on her 'perfect boyfriend'. I needed her safe and sound, away from all these dramatic problems.
Peeking from the bottom of the steps into her room she sighed and laid back down in her bed with a small mutter. Seeing all of this now I wondered how Tiana did not see or piece together to how very suspicious all this has become I mean she must be completely blind and naive to see the real truth. Thinking back now, Tiana was never like this with me.
As soon as Nikola reached the bottom of the steps he called to the family grasping mainly Mrs Cross's attention. She smiled handing him a cup of tea as he rushed outside as he was on the phone no one seemed to notice his sudden disappearance when he walked out the door though. Andre had appeared through the archway and stood by it as he gave me a nod in greeting. "He's on the move," I stated softly.
Andre had nodded simply and gone over to his room and shut the door as Mrs Cross also gave me a cup; smiling I thanked her and went over to the living room sitting outside on the balcony, putting in some headphones and listening into Nickola's conversation as I had a small preview of his behaviour.
"You have no choice but to do what he says. You made a deal and you need to live by it now." The man said from the other side of the phone. It was with a guy, he didn't sound familiar, his voice was soft and hushed as if he knew someone was listening. "-I won't have this discussion any further. Two million dollars and your freedom."
The plot had only thickened.
My eyes had widened and Nikola let out a frustrated groan I could hear him mutter from the outside. He was standing just outside the driveway walking up and down the footpath. Agitated and reckless he hissed into the phone. "There is no hesitation and distractions within this mission. I just need the word from him."
Who was 'him'? Alexander?
For a quick moment, the man fell silent but when he spoke he said in a rasped tone.
"You have my word. Get it done."
Then ever so quickly he had hung up. Nickola stared down at his phone and knelt to the ground and placed his hands to his face. I pulled out my headphones and crossed my arms over my chest as I got up from the chair.
"Everything okay down there?" I called to Nickola. I was provoking him, making things harder than it already was. He had quickly got up looking up towards me. "Yeah- Yeah everything is fine. My grandma is in the hospital"
I hummed to myself. Seeing as the plan has already begun to piece together for a split second I thought danm, he was good. But then I remembered that I was already three steps ahead of him.
"I hope everything is alright," I called, he nodded saying nothing I diced it was time to head inside before he had stopped me, "Andrew." Coming back to the balcony leaning against the rail I raised my eyes brows in question.
"I'm just going to clear my head, can you tell Tiana I'll be an hour?"
Way too good. "Yeah, for sure man, take all the time you need. I'm sure she'll understand."
Nickola nodded pulling out his keys from his pocket giving me a tight smile as he did. He jumped into his car, speeding away ever so quickly. I on the hand quickly ran up to Andre's room where he was already bringing up Nickola's location.
"He's on the move," I said as I sat next to Andre, he only shrugged pointing at the screen showing Nickola's dot is moving a few blocks away from the house. I hummed. Andre leaned back into his chair placing his hands behind his neck, we both watched the navigation dots began to beep and quickly move fast towards the high way.
"Where are you going, you snake?" I muttered to myself zooming in to see the street names. Then I had remembered to tell Andre, "He was on the phone with a man, he is offered two million cash and his freedom to keep his end of the deal."
Andre snapped his head towards me with his eyebrows wide. I nodded, "his been sent here by someone. We need to find out who it is."
Suddenly there was a small knock at the door, Andre and I both snapped our heads over, ever so quickly I had slammed the laptop shut. Tiana leans by the door with her arms crossed over her chest and flashed a pretty smile. Already I could tell that something wasn't right.
"It would help to lock the door when watching inappropriate videos, especially when you and your best friend are alone together." I couldn't help but smirk at her smart ass suggestion.
Andre had tsked and rolled his eyes ordering her to get out while she had laughed and cleared her throat, "I'm doing a tea run, would you guys like some?" her voice was soft as if she had been crying.
"No thank you" Andre chirped. Tiana nodded rolling her eyes then she smiled softly at me ever so slowly she began to walk towards us relaxing with a small puff as if she was holding her breath for so long. She was always the cutest when she was nervous; I loved the way she bit onto her lip and fidget with her fingernails.
I smiled ever so warmly when she reached closer supporting herself onto my chair. It was as she wanted my attention, her eyes twinkled with sadness but her smile held such happiness. "How about you?" Tiana suggested politely.
I nodded smiling, I had gripped onto her arm ever so gently. Letting her know that I was here and waiting to listen."Peppermint." With another flashed smile she grasped my shoulder and wandered out of the room.
"I bet she hasn't stopped thinking about you since she got back." Andre chimed. I chuckled. If only he knew half the truth. "Isn't it obvious," I smirked, opening up the laptop.
As the computer refreshed so had the navigator on the screen changing locations ever so quickly, it had marked to an unknown location just on the other side of the city and it looked liked Nickola had been there for a while now. Zooming in I marked the location down, saving it for later for an investigation. Andre, on the other hand, was still tracing the call Nickola had made earlier, but with our luck and lack of skills, it was Ray that had to do it.
"We need to call Ray," I said so deep in thought as I looked down at the computer. Andre nodded "his already on his way."
"Andrew," Andre said I hummed bringing up a picture of the location printing it out. Andre gripped onto my shoulder bringing back my conscious. I guess I didn't realise I was so focused on this. "What?"
"Thank you for protecting my sister."
I smiled softly gripping onto his shoulder, "I said that I always will"
"Here we are." Tiana chimed. We both had turned with surprise. "Oh." She froze then smiled ever so happily, "I knew that there was something between you two."
I let out a scoff standing to my feet, Andre on the other hand swang over his chair and said: "The only thing between me and him is pure hatred." I gasped at him slapped Andre in the face. He pushed me away almost kicking me in the balls but lucky for me I got away.
Whilst Tiana was distracted by the concentration of the tray and the small laughs she was giving as she walked to towards us, I slapped the laptop closed ones again.
"Can I hang out with you guys? Nickola called and said he is going to be out for a while."
Confused I almost gasped, so did Andre. "He called you?"
"Yes."
If that's so, how did we not get quick notification of an outgoing call?
Unless. He had another phone.
"When?" Andre asked. I followed Tiana's movement as she had made herself comfortable onto the bed. "A few minutes ago."
I needed to find this number.
Ever so casually I asked the simplest question, "did he say where he was going?"
Tiana looked up at me placing her cup in her lap as she shook her head. "Nope, he was very quick about it, said he had to sort out a few things"
I gave Andre a look hoping to God that he would understand what I'm saying, he nodded taking a sip."Tiana, don't you think that your perfect boyfriend can not be trusted at all." Andre had said.
True.
Tiana had rolled her glaring at her brother and I. "Isn't that what you said about your precious boyfriend over there?" she motioned to me. I chuckled regardless I smiled teasingly at Tiana. Watching her pull a confused smile, "what?"
I shrugged. "So instead of going with your boyfriend. You want to hang out with me?"
Her eyes peered from the cup as she took another sip. "No with you and Andre" she stretched. I too sipped on to my tea shrugging my shoulders as I did.
"I don't see Andre hanging around though."
"Excuse me?" Andre sassed. Tiana and I both laughed.
Once again I gave Andre a hint to move quickly and so he did. He stood to his feet and like a little bitch that I planned for him to be. I laughed at him while he stormed off his chair and slapped my head. "Fine. I'll leave then!" Tiana called out to her twin but he had already gone out the door. I laughed as she did. But soon we had fall silent surrounded by pure awareness.
I couldn't help but chuckle, so I turned away back to the computer desk placing the laptop onto my lap so that Tiana wouldn't see. "So what are you doing on that?" Tiana asked peering over. I shook my head with a smile. "Nothing that concerns you" I sang.
Tiana tsk, "well that's a bit rude."
I chuckled lowly peering up at her, "you're rude" I teased. She stared at me and stood to her feet, I was lying if I said my stomach didn't twist a little. "Where are you going?" I had asked.
"Nothing. I just want your attention," a small smile appeared than she sighed running her fingers through her hair. "or maybe I just want you to tease me again."
At this, my expression had fallen my fingers loosened away from the laptop as I watched her sway her hips towards me drawing closer with a seductive smile. "So." she murmured, I haven't realised she was right above looking down at me with her fingers skimming in my hair. "What's it going to be?" she demanded softly, tugging my hair so that I'd look up at her.
oh. I see.
I smirked. Quickly shutting the laptop and chuckling it to the side pulling Tiana by the arms and stranding her on my lap. She gasped breathlessly, expression falling to absolute shock I could hear her heart beating ever so loud.
My fingers gripped onto her wrists and I pulled her closer into my body as I wrapped my arm around her waist. "You think you're so smart?" I murmured, her breath had quickened, "What are you talking about?"
Fuck. I love that innocent act.
"I know you're every move princess, and there is no way am I going to let you get into the middle of this. Not this time."
"So you are stalking me?!" Tiana exclaimed. I froze. In a way, yes but I was never going to admit it.
"Don't even think about flattering yourself. You need to stay out of this."I didn't I was hurting her until she winced, tugging away from my grip. When I didn't let go she glared at me, "Andrew."
I did loosen my grip but I didn't let her pull away so quickly. "I need you to promise you will stay out of this Tiana."
Her brown eyes glistened with pure distress and ever so quickly did I feel her body shake with fear. But nothing had stopped her from being as stubborn as she always was.
She blew out an agitated breath "and you need to tell me what the hell it is your doing."
I shook my head. "No."
"Tell me."
"No."
"Andrew."
She snatched my hands away from her body and stood to her feet eyeing me down as if it was satan herself. "What's going on?!" she yelled in pure anger. I sighed looking up at her.
Her determination to know and the stubbornness she had was something I always feared and admired. Sometimes I was powerless but most times I knew how to make her understand.
"Tiana, your just going to have to learn to trust me."Tiana blew out a breath bowing her head showing that she had given up. "Well, that should be easy considering the amount of trust I have already put into you."
A tear fell slipped down her cheek where I pained inside knowing exactly what she was thinking. "Tiana."
"No." She sniffed and began counting with her fingers as she spoke. "I've played the victim, I've played the innocent and I'am mostly minding my business."
I watched her anger and fist her palms together, she took a step towards me, I flinched.
"How about we play a game?" she suggested as if it was the greatest idea ever. I let out a laugh, more out relief than humour.
I put my hands to my chest."Crazy, crazy as the old lady that lived next door."
"How about you give me a few clues to what's going on and I'll try to piece it together. Sound good?"
Quite to think of it, kindly did sound interesting. Maybe I can set clues to lewer her away.
"Okay fine," I said standing from the chair, she smiled challengingly and crossed her arms over her chest. "-But what do I get out of it?" I asked mirroring her action.
"What you always get." she sighed. "Me and my attention"
I smiled within an instant. "Sounds good to me Darlin"
Tiana never removed the from upon her face, she stood straight with her arms crossed, "So give me the first clue." she demanded.
I pursed my lips, this was going to be very difficult to plan out. "For the first clue, you need to earn it to receive it the next day."
"That's Bullshit." Tiana groaned.
I blinked smirking. "Do you want to find out what's going on or not?"
"Fine."
"Go get me your phone."
Her eyebrows frowned and her mouth dropped in disgust. "Are you serious?"
"Yes." I bobbled.
In absolute disgust, she made claws with her fingers and reached behind her back pocket pulling out her phone. I guess that her phone wasn't in her room after all. I smiled taking it from her hands and gestured to unlock it.
"Okay so tell me the clue." Looking through the recent calls on her log I quickly sent the very first number to my number then cleared it so she had no idea.
"While you are up walking around go to the place where you can lie down," I smirked at my own words. She scrunched her eyebrows in absolute confusion "what does that suppose to mean?"
To be honest I didn't know myself.
"Work it out, baby."
"Tiana, Andrew! I made brownies!" Mrs Cross yelled.
I awed at Tiana and clapped my hands like a little girl, "Let's go!" I cheered pulling her out the door.
This should be fun.