1Forgotten Love and Goodbyes - Ch. 13
After taking to her mother for about an hour Akisha hung up the phone. She laid down stared at the ceiling and went over the conversation she had with her mom. She found it hard to listen to her mom's apology and accept that she was sorry. At times she wanted to just hang up and not listen to her, but knew that would be pointless because her mom would just keep calling back. She decided to just forget about it and finish her food, even though the soup was now cold. She had just finished her food when the phone rang again. She picked up the receiver and said, "Hello?" sarcastically.
"Hola chiqua how are you doing?" said a sinister male voice. Akisha's face went white, knowing full well who it was on the other end of the line.
"H-h-hey Mario, what do you want?" she said closing her eyes and wishing this was a dream.
"Just wanted to check up on you and see if you were okay. I know you survived your wound or else I wouldn't be talking to you. As a result my brother's in jail for the next 20 years. Don't think I've forgotten everything you and your asshole boyfriend have done, cause I haven't. As soon as you're out of that hospital, I'm coming after you and Leon and am going to finish the job my bother stared that night. That's right chiqua you're dead," he let a sinister laugh and hung up, Akisha did the same. After hanging up with Mario, she immediately broke down in tears, just as Dr. Livingston entered the room.
"Akisha are you okay?" he said as he ran up to her and handed her the box of Kleenex on her nightstand. Akisha shook her head no as she took a tissue and wiped her tears. "What happened?" as replied as he pointed to the phone, "who called?"
"M-M-Mario," she stammered, "he heard that I was here and survived the shooting. He's coming after me."
"He's coming here?" he said worried.
"I don't know all he said was that once I'm outta here he's coming after me and Leon."
"If that's the case I'll need to have security escort you out of the hospital and the premises."
"Is that necessary?" she asked as she blew her nose.
"Of course it is, if there's a chance that innocent patients, staff and bystanders could be harmed, it's necessary. I may even have the police take you home instead of your boyfriend."
"I really don't want that, plus I believe he'll expect something like that. He has no doubt been anticipating my every move."
"I'll think it over and see what's best. Right now we have a couple tests and x-rays to do, just want to make sure everything's back to normal before I let you go."
"Sure thing," she said as he helped her out of bed and into a wheelchair. He then wheeled her out of the room. Akisha kept thinking about Mario's call and what would be the safest thing to do. Dr. Livingston was right about having security escorting them back home, but then again she wished she didn't have to involve more people into their already crazy situation.
After returning to her room from the tests, Mary was waiting for them. She said she had come to help Akisha get cleaned up and into some regular clothes. She'd called Leon and asked him to drop off some clothes while Akisha was having the tests done. Akisha thanked Mary and followed her to the bathroom. While Akisha sat in the shower chair and washed her body, Mary washed her hair. As she got to her stomach Akisha noticed the stitches from her gunshot wound, she couldn't help but tear slowly. Mary saw this and assured her that everything was going to be okay and should be thankful that she survived. After they were done they went back to the bed and got dressed, Mary asked Akisha if she wanted to take a walk outside to get some fresh air. Akisha nodded and they headed out together. As they walked in the parkette of the hospital, they talked about life in general and the conversation Akisha had with her mom. Mary said that she felt bad about how Nika had treated her in the past few months and understood Akisha's frustration. Mary told her that she needed to be patient and understanding with her mother in hopes that she may realize how hurt she'd been and want to work things out with her daughter. Akisha reluctantly agreed to try and work things out with her mom. It was starting to get dark and Mary smiled and suggested they head back up and see if the results were in from the tests, Akisha agreed and they headed up.
When they got back to the room, Leon was there waiting for them. He went up to Akisha and gave her a hug and kiss on the cheek. Mary smiled. "I'll leave you two alone," and she left the room closing the door behind her. Leon went up to Akisha and pulled out a red bandana out of his pocket. He went behind her, put it over her eyes and began tying it.
"Leon what are you doing?"
"It's a surprise," he said softly growling in her ear.
"What kind of surprise?" she whispered.
"One you're going to enjoy," he whispered softly caressing her neck with tiny kisses. "Now follow me."
"But I can't see."
"Just give me your hand and I'll show you the way," he said as he took her hand and led her to a chair. He then walked over to the light switch and turned it off. He then walked back to her and slowly undid the bandana. "Ready?" he said as she nodded. "Wait give me a sec…there, well here's your surprise," he took off the bandana and Akisha opened her eyes. Before her was a small table with a three-pronged candelabra and two covered trays, Akisha was brought to tears.
"Oh my gosh Leon, this is wonderful."
"I knew you'd like it," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and nuzzled her neck. "Why don't we sit down and eat?"
"Sure," she replied as she wiped her tears away. Leon pulled out her chair and let her sit down.
"Bon appetit," he said as he lifted the cover of his tray and Akisha did the same. Underneath was a plate with a huge burger and fries. Beside their tray was a large rootbeer float.
As she ate her burger, Akisha smiled with satisfaction. "Man this is good, taste's like Charlie's famous ones."
"Glad to see you still remember him, he told me he misses seeing you."
"He's still around; I thought his place was closed down after that whole money laundering scandal?"
"He is he just has a small stand in the park where we went on our first date. I went to see him today and we talked about you. He told me that he was happy to know that you were still alive and can't wait to see you when you get out."
"That's great I would love to see him too."
"We'll make a plan of doing that once we leave. Now let's finish having dinner," he said smiling as they continued with their dinner.
The couple soon finished their dinner and quickly cleaned up. When they were done, Leon watched as Akisha walked over to the window and looked out at the city below. He came up behind her and wrapped his arms waist. He could feel the tension in her body as he held her close, but got more worried when she began trembling. "Hey baby what's wrong, why are you so worried about, I thought you'd be happy to get outta here and back with the team?"
"I am, I can't wait to go back to them, it's just that…"
"Just what?" he said as he turned her around to face him. "What happened, don't tell me he was here?"
"No Mario wasn't here but he phoned me and said that he found out about Rico being arrested and going to jail. He said that we are considered dead once we leave the hospital," she replied between sobs.
"What, he's gonna come after us?" he said as he wiped her tears.
"Yes, that's why I'm so scared to leave tonight. I mean at first I was so happy, but now it's…"
"The other way around, don't worry I'll make sure he doesn't get near you," he said kissing her on the lips and holding her close.
Just at that moment Dr. Livingston knocked and opened the door. He turned on the light causing Akisha to scream out. "Sorry Akisha didn't mean to scare you guys, just noticed you were having a private moment. I just wanted to talk with you before you can go."
"Sure thing, about what?" asked Akisha.
"Just want to go over the results of the tests that you and took this morning; plus I also want to over that other thing we were talking about."
"What other thing?" said Leon standing between them, giving them both a confused look.
"I told Livingston about the call I got this morning from Mario. He was suggesting that security escort us out to you car, then having the police escort us home."
"And what did you say?"
"I said that I didn't feel okay about it because it would involve more innocent people."
"I think it's a good idea, but it's all up to you and your instincts," he said to Akisha.
" I think we'll be okay on our own Doctor, I will contact you when we get back home, so you know that everything went okay," replied Akisha.
"Alright then if that's what you want, then you are free to go. All the tests came out fine, there's no other reason for you to stay here."
"Thanks Dr. Livingston, for everything," she said shaking his hand.
"No problem, glad that I could help."
"Thanks man," said Leon shaking his hand too. "C'mon baby let's go home." Putting an arm around her waist, they waved goodbye and left the room. They stopped by the nurses' station to thank Mary for all her help. Since Peter was there they thank him as well, they then continued on their way out.
Once out of the hospital, they walked holding hands to the yellow Skyline. As they neared the car Leon noticed the still frightened look on her face. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. "Look baby it's gonna be okay, don't worry."
"I know, it's just that I can't stop thinking about him, he could be watching us tight now and we'd never know," she said shaking in his arms.
"Don't think like that, we'll go say bye to the gang and head off on our way, Mario won't suspect a thing."
"But what if he's waiting there now, waiting for us to come there so he can finish us off?"
"Most likely not, Benny's probably had an undercover cop watch the place."
"That's true, let's go," and they continued to the car. When they got to the car, Leon unlocked the doors. They were about to get in when a gun shot rang out, and Mario stepped out of the shadows.
"Where do you two think you are going?" he said, his eyes bloodshot red.
"We're leaving Mario so back off," said Leon staring down Mario.
"You're not going anywhere till you pay for what you did to my little brother. Thanks to you he's going to spend the rest of his life in jail," he said aiming the gun at Leon. He fired, the bullet ricocheting off the payment. He kept firing one shot after another; both Leon and Akisha covered their ears.
Akisha opened her door and jumped in. "C'mon Leon let's get outta before he gets too close to make some real damage." Leon complied and jumped in. He turned on the ignition and sped out of the parking lot, leaving a frustrated Mario in the dust of his exhaust.
To Be Continued