RÊD FLÂGS
Red Flags – Episode 69 & 70
(Badasses•Bad•Jerks)
By; Naomi Cindy B.
★★★★★★★★★
“My father owns a casino in Spain, and my mother is Chinese… My name is Silver, Silver Banks”
Emory’s mouth hung unbelievably open as she stared at the lady in front of her.
It’s like her ears just deceived her, and she direly wishes for a repeat but she’s too shell-shocked to ask.
The room suddenly felt too hot and at the same time too cold, and her throat went dry automatically.
She couldn’t speak, and it’s worse cos Silver is not even looking at her as she spoke.
She’s staring into space.
“I don’t really like my father, and that’s because he mistreats my brother. I wonder if he’s still doing that. Besides, my baby should be 25 by now, so he should be old enough to put father in his place…I miss him so much, and I miss my mother too. Her name was Xusan, and it still pains me till now that Levi wasn’t able to meet her” Silver said again.
Tears crawled out of Emory’s eyes, and she had to cover her mouth so she won’t break down.
It’s her.
It’s Levi’s sister, for real.
Silver faced her, and she frowned when she saw the tears on her face.
“What did I tell you about tears?” She said, but Emory is too weak to wipe them right now, so she just let it flow freely.
“You’re just like me when I was young. That day in the car, if I hadn’t cried when Levi was sad, and if father hadn’t looked back from the wheel, maybe the accident wouldn’t have happened. That’s why I promised myself that even in bitter situations, I’ll never cry again till I die” she continued.
“I’m so…sorry” Emory said through tears.
“Is that pity? Throw it away” Silver grimaced.
“No, it’s because… because I…I might have killed your brother” Emory sniffled, and Silver stood skeptically.
“What do you mean? Tell me everything so I can understand…you know my brother?”
Emory stood too, tears blinding her eyes as she stayed in front of her.
They’re same height, short and petite.
Emory told her everything, including her rape case and where it all started, down to the Levi’s head shot.
“What in the freaking pit of hell…did you just narrate?” Silver said, looking speechless as her ash eyes stabbed poignantly into Emory’s marrow.
Emory quickly went on her knees…
“You can kill me if you want, but…
“You were raped by your uncle?” Silver interrupted, and Emory hiccupped.
“Huh?”
Silver squatted in front of her.
“What filthy uncle would do that to his niece? Darn it, I want to kill him. I badly wanna tie him to a piano and throw his body into any available river… f+ck!” She said, looking madly pissed.
“You’re not talking about Xhen? I just told you he got an head shot because of me!” Emory said, and Silver stroked her hair gently.
“Listen, so far the name of my mother is Xusan, even if he gets shot in the balls, if his will is strong, then he’ll live. He’s alive, I’ve always been feeling him and I’m still feeling him” she said, wiping Emory’s tears.
Emory went silent, calming down for her, and Silver smiled when she saw the sunstone necklace again.
“He must be madly in love with you to give you that” she said.
“Why?” Emory asked.
Silver sighed, dropping her hand from Emory’s face as her mind went back to that year.
“I gave him this necklace on the day of the accident” she said.
TWENTY YEARS AGO, BANKS FAMILY MANSION*
The spacious dull house is so silent that even the fall of a needle would reverberate.
It’s like a hell house, in the middle of a light forest.
No one is in sight in the dimly lit living room, but there are several toys on the couches, all with the name SILVER inscribed on them.
The main door opened, and Master X stepped in, looking as stoic and stony as ever.
Seven years old Silver came rushing downstairs, and as usual, her ash eyes and extra-white skin stood out.
Those are the two distinct things she took from her late mum.
“Dad! Levi turned 5 today, is there not gonna be a birthday party again? He has never had one, and you never buy him cake” She said accusingly.
“We’re almost late for the academy, go dress up and tell him to dress up too” Master X replied without blinking, then he began climbing the stairs.
“But Levi needs a birthday cake too! He needs a birthday party! He needs gifts! He needs you! Stop being mean to him! He didn’t kill mother!” She started crying habitually.
Master X didn’t budge despite her tears, and when he finally went out of sight, Silver gathered all her teddies from the couches.
They’re five, and they all have names.
She took them upstairs to her room and abandoned them on the ground, then she raised up her pillow and took out a sunstone necklace.
She has been saving her allowance since last year just to get this, and she even had to steal some money from Master X’s drawer to complete the amount.
It’s a rare necklace and the only type of it in the world…she got it from a jewelry store with the help of uncle Reginald.
She ran to Levi’s room and opened the door.
Darkness.
It’s dark as usual.
Levi stays with uncle Reginald and his wife, but Silver was the one who dragged him here today.
She climbed a chair and turned on the lights before going to the bedside.
She knelt beside it and peeped under.
As expected, Levi is there, crying silently alone.
His black shirt is soaked with tears already, and his face is sweatily red.
“Happy birthday, tall baby” she smiled, but he just continued crying, looking away from her.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him out, then she wore the necklace on his neck, feeling so proud of herself.
“Where did you get this?” Levi asked, touching the pendant with a sniffle.
“It’s not important. I’m glad I’m the first person to ever give you a birthday gift, and it’s the only type of it in the world” she smiled.
“Thank you” he replied, and she leaned in.
“I was told that in the future, if you meet someone you wish to marry, you can give it to the person” she whispered in his ear.
“Don’t be silly” he frowned, and she smiled widely, stroking his hair.
Levi hugged her suddenly, and she chuckled before reciprocating.
“Uncle Reginald and Kara will get you cake, we can go eat it when we return from the academy” she said.
Levi smiled.
PRESENT TIME*
“And on our way to the academy, we got into the accident cos of my stupid childish tears. It was a silent area, and unfortunately, the kidnapers were driving by. Instead of trying to save, they took me. They’d have taken Levi too, but they heard police sirens and just left with me. I’ve been here since then” Silver explained.
Emory’s tears cascaded down her cheeks in rivulets, it’s too much to take.
In everything Silver said, the only thing she held on to was the necklace.
The fact that Levi gave it to her only means one thing____he had plans to marry her, but she had to ruin everything with her trust issues.
“I wanna die!!” she cried like a kid, and Silver scoffed.
“One more drop of tear, and I’m not talking to you throughout today” she said.
Emory didn’t even act like she heard, her tears continued like she got payed to release them.
Silver shifted away from her, and then BJ came in with a bleeding, swollen back.
Only his underpants are on him.
“Baby is crying again?” He said, flexing his muscles.
“Damn! My back… To hell with y’all f+ckers!” He shouted, loud enough for the guards to hear.
“You’re sick” Silver shook her head.
*
TERRAVERDE, CARSON’S MANSION*
Tate arrived back in the island the next morning, and immediately she entered the mansion, the stench of alcohol stung her nose.
She had to plug it before stepping further into the living room.
Bottles of alcohol and water are scattered on the ground and the table, and Adrian himself is lying on the ground too, in the middle of all the chaos.
The laptop is still on the table, and Tate took a peek at it first.
Five staffs submitted their resignation letter again, and she clicked accept with a heavy heart before tapping Adrian on the ground.
Adrian’s eyes opened immediately, and he sat up.
“You’re back? Where did you go?” He asked, scratching his neck lazily.
“Why don’t I ask you a question first?” She replied sternly, and she stood, swaying like a drunk.
“What?”
“Why did you do that to Fred?” She asked.
“What do you mean?” He scowled.
“Why did you poison his home water? What did you do to his water pipes?” She questioned.
His eyes widened.
“How did you…
“Don’t ask me how I found out and just answer my question!!! Because of that, Fred killed my daughter! He killed Sybil, how could you be so beastly!” She yelled grievously.
“I had to take over Carson enterprises one way or the other! I am the senior, not him!” He yelled back.
“And you had to ruin him by making him infertile?” She came closer.
“He’s not infertile! The poison left his system after one month I’m sure of it. It can only last one month, maybe he doesn’t know” Adrian shrugged.
“You think you have the right to talk nonchalantly right now? Our daughter died, Adrian, all because of Fred’s enmity for you! Emory is my life and you know it! You’re an animal too!!” She yelled.
Tate didn’t get a warning…
With seismic force, Adrian slapped her, and she fell on the couch, holding that cheek as her hair scattered on her face.
She looks shocked as she stared up at him.
“You think you have the right to yell too? I’m aware that you slept with Fred one week before our wedding but I’ve been quiet cos I know how cunning he is! I’m beastly? Then you’re a monster too cos we both are at fault for our daughter’s death! Don’t push me, Tate” he said crossing over her.
He stormed upstairs like a wounded animal, and Tate remained there, dumbfounded.
*
*
________
FOUR MONTHS LATER, KING’S MANSION*
Rebekah stood below the rails, aglow with delight and looking resplendent than before.
She kept looking up like she’s awaiting someone.
She almost climbed up, but then they appeared.
Elsa, and King.
Thankfully, he got better this month, and he can move around by himself right now, though Elsa still insists on following him around.
She’s holding his right arm, and King is beaming.
“Easy” Rebekah said.
“I’m not weak anymore, stop the precautions” he replied, and Rebekah laughed.
“You can’t fall remember?”
Elsa carefully guided him till they got down, then Rebekah supported him too.
They took him to the dinning room where a special delicacy is waiting.
“I cooked everything, so you must eat well” Elsa said proudly.
“Sure” King nodded, taking his seat as Elsa began serving him.
Rebekah sat opposite them, pouring herself some yogurt.
“You’re not gonna eat?” Elsa asked.
“Not now” she replied.
King ate with a big appetite, and Elsa didn’t stop cosseting him like a kid.
“After the wedding, you and Conrad can jointly take over the companies. There are so many things to be done” King suddenly said.
“Wedding?” Rebekah froze.
She should have expected this.
“Yeah. The wedding couldn’t happen cos of my dethronement and sickness, but now that I’m better, I’ll have to pick another date for my wedding with Elsa” he replied, and Elsa hugged him from behind immediately, giving him a peck.
Rebekah pinched herself hard under the table, and then a car honk sounded outside.
“Master Conrad!” She heard the doorman shouting, and her eyes widened.
She literally flew out of the dinning room, running out barefoot.
She was breathless till she got out and saw him just coming out of the white limo.
Immediately Conrad saw her, a big smile formed on his naughty face, and Rebekah felt her heart defrosting.
F+ck!
He got more handsome, and he got buffer too. She could feel his packs despite the space between them.
“Are you gonna continue standing there, princesa?” He talked, and a big smile rented her face too as she rushed down the frontage stairs, jumping into his arms like a silly monkey.
Conrad caught her, smiling as her hair stuffed him, and the violet smell of her shampoo made him inhale her addictively.
She’s so heavy, so he had to hold her tightly by the waist.
“I missed you” she confessed senselessly, still not breaking the hug.
“It’s mutual, baby sis” he replied, and she felt like crying immediately.
“Son!” Elsa rushed out, and she had to come down from his arms so Elsa hugged him too.
“You visited at least ten countries in space of five months, can’t wait for you to put the experience into use” she said.
Rebekah bit her tongue immediately.
Ten countries? Meaning he has been talking to Elsa, whereas he ghosted her throughout.
Hurtfully, she went in, leaving mother and son outside.
*
7PM, A HOTEL*
There are several cars surrounding the hotel premises despite the fact that the underground parking lot is filled, too.
Obviously, there’s an important meeting going on which the hotel got rented completely for.
The breeze is chilly… it’s gonna be a rainy night.
A taxi stopped in front of the hotel, and Nina came out of it with Isaac.
It was Nina who payed the taxi, and Isaac looks impatient as he rushed to the hotel main door, but he was obstructed by the guards
“The hotel is off limits till 8, no extra entry” the biggest said.
“But Hyce is in. He arrived an hour ago according to his agent” Isaac said.
“Mr. Hyce McCall? He gave us orders not to let anyone in” the guard replied again, and then strokes of rain started hitting the ground.
“I think we should go, Isaac. We can come back tomorrow” Nina said.
“No I’ll stay” he replied.
Nina had to leave him, and even when the rain got heavy, Isaac stayed there.
The meeting will end anyways, and Hyce will come out with the rest.
He sat in front of the pillar, hugging himself as the rain beat him.
The guards didn’t even offer shelter, they stayed rooted like robots in their posts.
For thirty minutes, he stayed, and then he stood to stretch his legs.
Almost immediately, a Mercedes drove to a halt in front of the hotel, and Hyce came out of it.
A guard is holding an umbrella over his head, but his eyes widened immediately he saw Isaac, all wet in the rain.
“Hyce!” Isaac waved with a fulfilled smile.
Hyce literally ran to him, leaving the cover of the umbrella so rain began beating his expensive Tom-Ford suit.
There’s no stopping to his handsomeness.
He’s so damn hot, even hotter.
He grew his hair long, and it’s currently braided then tied in a s+xy bun.
He held Isaac’s small face immediately he got to him.
“What the f+ck are you doing in the rain silly boy! You wanna get sick? Huh?”
“I was just too eager to see you when I heard you’re back. I called you everyday throughout the four months trip but you didn’t pick, and I sent tons of messages. I got a job at a really good place last month, and when I get payed, I want to…
That was all he could say before Hyce closed the space between them, claiming his lips publicly.
Isaac’s eyes went shut with instantaneous effect, like he has been expecting this for ages, and his hands held Hyce by the sides as he returned the energy.
Hyce pushed him to the pillar, and they jointly groaned as their tongues wrapped and tangled.
“I missed you, silly boy, so damn much” Hyce whispered hoarsely into the kiss.
Isaac smiled into his mouth.
*
EUROPE CAPTIVITY*
Emory’s dark hair already grew so long that it gets to her butt whenever she’s standing… She’s naturally hairy like that.
It was BJ who helped her braid it into two, so the two fell on her chest.
She’s eating a red apple currently, watching as Silver and BJ played a game of cards.
The food servers seems to have recognized her appetite cos they always give red apples to their cell, and she’s ok with just one everyday.
Silver won another round of the game, and Emory spranged up, holding the apple with her teeth before clapping.
“Are you supporting Parrot now, baby?” BJ faced her.
“Stop calling her baby, blowjob” Silver pulled Emory to herself.
“And my name is BJ, not blowjob” BJ rolled eyes.
“Then tell us the full meaning. Your parents can’t just name you BJ” Silver scoffed.
“You tell me your name first” BJ scoffed too, and Emory grinned in their middle.
Silver was right, she’s only talkative with anyone she clicks with, and since she stopped crying everytime, she grew close with her.
Life in here for four months ain’t easy, but thanks to her and BJ, they treat her like their baby especially BJ.
She decided to hold on to Silver’s words that Levi is still alive, though she still cries silently every night.
“You both should just go another round again” she told the two troublemakers who’re still glaring at each other.
“Fine” Silver agreed, but before they could start another game, the corridor door opened, and the witch came in.
Rain!
Emory froze at first, then she threw down the apple and rushed to the cell door, holding the metals tightly as Rain approached their cell with a threatening look on her creepy face.
She’s wearing a purple skimpy gown, hugging her bony figure and giving out a lot of her br+àsts in the front.
It’s backless too, and she’s wearing slim heels, carrying a glittering shoulder bag.
She didn’t change one bit.
“Aww…you look filthy and smelly, how has the only daughter of the Carson family been surviving here?” Rain said, faking pity faces.
“Who is Fred to you?” Emory asked without missing a beat.
“Fred is my father, simple” Rain shrugged, fanning her nose.
“Fred is infertile, everyone in my family knows” Emory muttered, and Rain smirked.
“Console yourself with that, bî+ch, and for your information, you’ve been buried at home, and everyone thinks you’re dead! Hyce’s family got implicated and he’s disowned, Rebekah’s father got dethroned and Chadwick lost Sybil. Perfect revenge. Serves you right for lying against my father!” She said.
Emory dipped her hand into one of the holes and pulled her like she did to the guard.
She hit Rain’s head on the metal, and Rain staggered.
“Damn you, I didn’t hit it well” Emory seethed in anger.
“Open this door!” Rain hit the cell with her heels, and a guard obeyed the command.
She stormed in like tornado, and Emory was thinking she’d try to hit her, but instead of that, she plucked the sunstone necklace from her neck.
Emory gasped.
“Sybil told me Banks gave you this. It’s mine” she said, dropping it in her bag.
“Give it back!” Emory went closer to her, but she easily pushed her.
Emory staggered on Silver, and Silver caught her before kicking Rain on the hip.
Rain landed on the ground, and BJ took over, getting a bucket of water and wetting her completely.
Rain almost passed out, and her prosthetic leg got exposed slightly.
Only Emory saw it though.
Guards had to rush in and take her away to safety, but Emory and the rest didn’t go free.
They were taken by the guards to the correction room.
They weren’t even asked to strip, their clothes were torn off with a kitchen knife, and Emory began shaking as her br+àsts bounced free.
She quickly covered them with her palms.
Thanks to the panty that’s covering her pus+y, she’d have been totally naked.
It’s same with Silver, but her body is badly bruised with marks and scars from the tortures of this place.
BJ’s body is the same.
They were pushed to lay on the benches, and the belt lashes began.
Right from the first lash, Emory was already bleeding.
It hurts, so much.
She couldn’t take it, so her tears poured again as the belt landed wickedly on her back again.
Silver and BJ are used to it, so they only groaned at each lash, but Emory’s cries rented the whole place.
Her back is on fire, and she could feel blood trickling out.
The necklace is gone.
It’s gone.
She was about to scream again when BJ secretly showed his hand, and she gasped wetly when she saw the necklace.
He actually took it back from Rain’s bag earlier.
Before Emory could smile, another lash landed on her back, and she almost broke into two.
“Arhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!”
Her scream is thin but deafening.
“Please please please…. it’s ok!!!!! It’s ok!!!!! Damn!!!!!! Stop!!!!!!!!!”
“IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT’S TOO MUCH AND YOU CAN’T TAKE IT ANYMORE, JUST SAY THE SAFE WORD, AND I’LL STOP” Levi’s words rang in her head, his velvety voice soothing as she received another lash.
“Red!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” She shrieked in agony.
But the beatings didn’t stop.
*
TERRAVERDE, ALIVE HOSPITAL*
It’s 8pm when nurse Layla entered Levi’s private ward to do his night reading.
She was beaming as usual, and she’s not alone this time.
She’s with Conrad, Hyce and Chadwick.
“How’re you doing, bastard?” Conrad ruffled Levi’s hair in bed.
“Stop that, f+cker” Hyce rolled eyes.
“Duhh” Conrad ruffled it again.
“Don’t disturb his peace, please” nurse Layla said respectfully, sitting on the tall stool.
“Start the reading, please” Chadwick replied, settling on the second bed.
Layla cleared her throat…
“The time is 8:05pm right now, Mr. Levi Banks.” She said, holding his hand as usual.
Conrad and Hyce exchanged glances, and Chadwick smiled knowingly.
Layla continued. “My name is…
“Layla, and you’re 25 years old. Your favorite flower is daisy, and you prefer winter to summer. You live in Ferguson, and I’m your first patient”
The ward went silent after that, and everyone stood attention cos that voice is definitely not Layla’s.
The book fell from Layla, and her eyes widened when she saw Levi’s red eyes are wide open, staring at her.
“Oh my….gawd” she muttered, standing up in sheer shock.
Her hand is still with him, but he’s the one holding it this time.
“Banks? For real?” Conrad said.
“Banks!” Hyce’s eyes popped.
“Levi motherf+ckin’ Banks!” Chadwick said, his excitement going over the brim.
Levi gave everyone strange cold looks except Layla, and Hyce’s eyes flickered.
“No…I know that look” he said suspiciously.
“Don’t f+çking tell me…” Conrad narrowed his eyes.
Chadwick quickly fished out his phone, went to Emory’s IG and clicked on one of her pictures.
“Who’s she?” He asked, showing Levi.
“How the f+ck am I supposed to know? Never seen her before” Levi replied, shutting his eyes tiredly.
“And me?” Hyce asked.
“Is everyone f+çking crazy now? Hyce, Conrad, Chadwick? Want me to say your surnames too?” He said with a deep groan, and the three guys exchanged speechless glances.
“She’s gone from his memories. Just her” Layla muttered.
TBC
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