THE SAME EVENING AT STE'S STREET…
Ste POV
I was standing in the darkness of the trees so he wouldn't see me. He parked his car and went to his flat. His steps were…don't know…unsteady…I think he was drunk or something. Even better. I waited until he came inside and locked the door…Then I looked around… I put on my leather gloves…I felt uneasy…I didn't do something like that for a long time ago. I needed just about two minutes to break into his car…I quess some things you just can't forget. I made myself comfortable in the seat and started to search a black PenDrive…it wasn't in a case…I tried under my seat….nothing…maybe it wasn't even in the car…maybe he took it with himself….I started to panic…I closed my eyes leaning my head on the back of the seat and I tried to think straight: Where would I hide it if I were him?…I opened my eyes…in front of them I saw a mirror and in the mirror I saw a box…there was a small box on the back of the car…I took it and opened it, fortunately it wasn't locked…some papers, his ID, drive licence, a pocket of condoms and a black PenDrive
- ...Gotta you! – I couldn't remain being quiet
I put everything in perfect order and I left the car…I had a PenDrive in my pocket…I fastened the pace heading to my home when I heard a footsteps…I was dead scared…Joel?..police? I started to walk even faster, but then…
-Nathan! – I screamed when he held my arm suddenly to make me face him
- Ste, it's me! Alright? – he calmed me down
- Yeah…You just scared me. – I tried to control my breathe – Don't do it in the future, ok? – I was still shivering
- Ok..ok…you're right. I was near and I thought that maybe you'd like to hang out?
- Now? Actually I'm knackered, Nathan. Maybe some other time, okay? …If you want I can invite you inside for a cup of tea? – I answered seeing his disappointment
- Oh…I don't want to disturb you.
- You won't. When I'll get back I'm going to have at least two persons to deal with..- I said amused -..one more won't make any difference
- What do you mean?
- You'll see…- I put a key in my door and opened them
And when we walked inside…
- Daddy! – I heard Lucas…
- Daddy!- ..and then his sister
- Now I…understand…- Nathan's face grew pale
- Kids, this is Nathan. Say hello.
- Hello! – they said together
- Leah, Lucas! What are these noises? …Oh, it's you. – Amy noticed me - Oh my God…- and then she noticed Nathan…
- Amy, this is Nathan.
- Hello! I'm Amy – she waved at him
- Amy! Where are you my sweet bear? – we heard Lee's voice and then we saw his naked chest as he stood only in trousers in kitchen doorway
- And this is Lee. – I introduced him to Nathan who stood with his mouth opened when Lee waved at him and ran away to his room, Amy's room..err.. their room
- Lee is my boyfriend. – Amy explained to Nathan and his mouth seemed to open even more
It was a nice evening after all. I mean ater Lee came back to sit with us in the kitchen with his t-shirt on…Yeah…we laughed a lot…Lee was a specialist of unfunny jokes which resulted to be the funniest part.
THE NEXT DAY IN THE EVENING AT CHEZ CHEZ CHEZ…
Bren POV
I took my favourite glass of whiskey and I wandered around the club watching people. Some lad was quarrelling with his girlfriend in the corner of the room…I took a gulp of whiskey…a girl ran towards toiltets covering her mouth with her hand…I went downstairs…the crowd was dancing…the music was so loud…a couple on the dancefloor, they were hugging and kissing…I sighed and took another gulp…I'll better get back to the office.
Ste POV
Me and Nathan were standing behind the bar this evening. There was a lot of work so didn't speak much but I noticed him different.
- Nathan! – Gilly shouted in his direction – The lady's room needs cleaning!
- Okay! – he responded
- I'll help Ste! – Gilly was really okay
Meanwhile I saw Brendan coming back to his office. He didn't look good. Surely he was dead worried. Alcohol didn't help him either…I had a PenDrive in my pocket.
My shift was almost over. I was sweeping the floor and Gilly cleaned the bar. Nathan came back from toilets. That was his third time this evening. He had enough.
- Why it seems that people forget how to use a bathroom when they're not at their houses? – he asked retorically rolling his eyes
Me and Gilly smiled to each other.
- I'm knackered.. – Nathan looked really tired
- Then go, the shift is over, we'll take care of the rest. Right Ste? – Gilly offered
- Sure. – I said
- You don't have to tell me twice. – Nathan ran out of the club in instant
- Okay…I'm done, too. – after a while I heard Gilly
- You don't have to wait for me…Go. – I encouraged him – Cheryl will be thrilled. – I added
- Shut up…and thanks. See you tomorrow
- See you! – I answered
When he left I stopped sweeping. The floor was clean long time ago…
Bren POV
KNOCK!KNOCK!
- Come in! - I shouted angry that someone is interrupting me
I opened my eyes as I was sitting on my chair with legs lifted on the desk with my friend-glass in left hand. I licked my lips, I sighed seeing his disapproval look…Stephen…I thought that maybe I had a vision or something…I put the glass on the desk but he still was there watching me. I stretched my arms and put them under my head. I was staring at him afraid that if I start to talk he'll go sooner and I preferred him to go later than sooner…Unfortunately he talked and ruined the perfect silence between us.
- Hiya. – he stood near the door
- ...And now what?
- What what?
- Don't tell me it'll be only nice…
- You tell me, you're an expert of spoiling nice moments, remember? – he sighed heavily - I didn't come to argue with you.
- Interesting. – I said determined to show him my total disinterest
He didn't say anything. He came closer and put a small… thing on my desk…a black PenDrive. I didn't understand so I looked up at him with question in my eyes.
- …Let's say it's a gift…from Joel. – he said simply
I took my legs off from the desk and sit properly. I looked again at the PenDrive…then again at Stephen…proof…proof…
This is the proof. This PenDrive. I scratched the back of my head.
- I don't understand. – I really didn't understand how Stephen would know about any of this but he just shrudded his arms and headed to the door
– Wait! – I rushed from my chair – Thank you for giving me it.
- I didn't give anything to you, Brendan. Anything.- he said firmly looking at me
- I get that. – of course I understood
- Good. – he opened the door
- Stephen! – I stopped him again – Did you watch it? – I dipped my head
- …No. – he turned to me after a few seconds and I nodded
He left me alone in the office. I put a PenDrive in my pocket and left the club as well.