RÊD FLÂGS
Red Flags – Episode 27 & 28
(Badasses•Bad•Jerks)
By; Naomi Cindy B.
★★★★★★★★★
Omar couldn’t finish his statement when Emory pulled him in, crashing her lips on his own.
All eyes popped madly, especially Omar’s.
It’s like his legs left the ground, and he’s currently flying on the galaxy.
He couldn’t believe his eyes, and he couldn’t close them either.
No movement though, Emory only kept her lips on his, staying still like that, her eyes on Levi.
North rose to her feet with a devilish smirk on her twisted lips, and Emory’s friends aren’t exceptional.
Nina almost fainted, and it was Lizzy who held her.
Hyce is smiling, but Conrad is just downing the diluted cup of alcohol with him like he’s not seeing what’s going on.
Levi didn’t take the next step, he kept standing by the door, but he showed no emotions like Emory expected.
In fact, he smiled sweetly__a dark sweetness, then he turned his back and walked out of the spa.
Emory broke the kiss immediately, and Omar’s eyes remained wide, his body shaking excitedly.
“What was…what was … that?” He muttered, looking so red like a girl.
Emory looked at the door, making sure Levi is already absent before releasing a loud breath, coming back to her senses.
“That was….was a…a mistake” she said awkwardly.
Omar licked his lips before smiling. “I like it”
Emory blinked, and before she could utter another statement, Nina and Lizzy came for her.
“Emz are you f+çking crazy?” Nina’s eyeballs were dancing in their sockets as she talked.
Omar left the hall, touching his lips repeatedly.
North followed him out, and Lizzy cleared her throat.
“What was that? You kissed a boy and still remained standing?” She asked.
“I found out I’m not triggered by Omar’s touch, too” Emory muttered.
“Still .. ” Nina said.
“Levi was being a jerk, I needed to put him in his place” Emory replied, walking out of the spa while they followed her.
“The jerk who saved your life?” Nina said, and she turned to face them.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s the leader of The Vikings, and he came with his comrades to save you from The Titans, thanks to the tracker he planted on their cars, then you woke up and kissed Omar who’s also one of them? What a cool way to repay him” Lizzy said sarcastically.
“I don’t understand” Emory shook her head, and Nina pulled her along.
They took her to the room where they told her the story, everything.
“Rebekah?” Emory spranged up in total shock.
“You can confront her when we return home tomorrow, but for now, you should find a way to thank Banks” Nina replied.
“I’m not doing that. I told you he was being a jerk. Even if I want to, he’d pull out his jerky side. You guys don’t know him more than I do” Emory insisted.
“We don’t know him more than you do, but we know he’s the leader of the club, and he’s f+çking dangerous” Lizzy said.
“Then he deserves it for chaining me up in the bathroom. If he didn’t, I would have been with you guys and…
“Emory!” Nina snapped, and she stopped talking, breathing hard.
“Emory you should thank him, for real” Lizzy said softly.
“Heard that?” Nina added, and Emory fell heavily on the bed, remembering the smile on Levi’s face when she kissed Omar.
What’s even the meaning of that???
“Didn’t he release me? He was the one who unchained me” she suddenly said.
“Nope. It’s the same person who locked you in the freezer, according to Conrad and Hyce ” Lizzy replied.
“The hell?” Emory spranged up again.
“Yeah, so frankly speaking… you’re in total danger. Can you just apologize to Banks and let’s get this over with?” Lizzy replied, and Emory bit her lip, hard.
This isn’t right.
It went wrong, right from the start.
Even before it started.
*
OMAR’S ROOM*
Omar came in, still rubbing his lips as he tried to shut the door, but it was held from the outside and forcefully pushed open.
He staggered back, and North came in, looking venomous.
“What was that at the spa?” She questioned, her b👀bs bouncing in her bikini br@.
“You saw it all, she kissed me” he replied innocently.
“And you couldn’t resist? You know how much I hate her and you still kissed back?” She came closer.
“It wasn’t even deep. It was just a touch of the lips so why are you fussing?” He replied, and his blood dripped as she landed a punch on his nose immediately.
He fell on the bed with a bleeding nose, and she smirked.
“Yunno what? I’ll let Chadwick and the rest of the club handle this when we return home, mutt” she muttered, storming out of the room.
Romeo and Juliet were already waiting for her in front of it…
“I have an idea” she strained her vision.
“And it’s?” Romeo replied curiously.
Juliet stayed silent.
“Contact the families of the five dead members” she said with a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, inside the room…
Omar wiped his bloody nose with his palms.
He smiled when he remembered the kiss, and he decided to keep remembering just that.
He got a diary and a pen, writing down today’s date and the exact time the kiss happened, then at the end of the note, he wrote EMORY AND OMAR in block letters.
*
12AM*
Isaac emerged from the laundry room, holding the clothes he went to retrieve in his right hand then his phone on the left one.
He was so into the phone that he didn’t notice Hyce coming in from of him, not until the smell of his cigar hit his nose, so he looked up.
Immediately he saw him, he glared and made to take another way, but Hyce blocked him.
“I hate the smell of cigar, it’s bad for my health” he said, and Hyce quickly dropped the smoke, putting it out with his shoe.
“Are we ok now?” Hyce smiled handsomely.
Totally, he’s an eye candy.
“No we’re not, I already told you I’m not gay. The next time you block me like this I swear…
“I saw you at the gay club, aren’t you a stripper?” Hyce interrupted, and Isaac’s eyes widened for a fraction of second, but then his defensive look returned.
“Yeah I’m a stripper, but I only do that to make money. I strip in a gay club but i’m not gay, and if you must know, I like Rain” Isaac vomited the words at once, and Hyce squinted lightly, brushing his tongue on his lip.
“Ouch” he mumbled.
Isaac didn’t give him another look before walking away, leaving him in the hall.
Hyce got himself another cigar, and Conrad joined him as they left too.
Rain came out of a corner afterwards, and she stood in the middle of the hall for a minute before smiling.
Actually, she heard Hyce and Isaac’s conversation.
Isaac likes her, for real.
She was still smiling as she rolled up the sleeve of her blouse to reveal the bruise from Levi’s push.
Her smile disappeared, and she sighed.
*
NEXT DAY, TERRAVERDE~GRAND CASINO*
Deciding to follow Master X’s advice, Hazzan made sure to collect Chadwick’s early morning urine in a cup, and now the cup is in front of him for drinking.
Chadwick couldn’t close his eyes for any sleep till daybreak.
How would he when his cut wouldn’t stop bleeding, and his body felt empty like all the organs are gone.
He looks madly sick as he stared at the cup with splitted, peeling lips.
“You should drink up” Hazzan brought the cup to his lips, but he threw his face away.
“You expect me to drink that?” He scowled.
“You don’t wanna get well? I’m tired of seeing you this way coward! Drink up!” Hazzan dropped the cup on his palm, and he took the warm plastic with disgust on his face.
He counted the bubbly foams on top of the liquid as he brought it up to his lips, and at once, he closed his eyes, drinking it all.
“You did well” Hazzan took the cup from him, but almost immediately, he began bleeding from the nose, so much.
“What the heck… Chad!” Hazzan’s eyes widened.
“Get father!” Chadwick pushed him, and Hazzan rushed out of the room, to Master X’s office.
The man is standing beside his window with his arms crossed behind him, staring at a picture on the wall.
It’s the picture of a beautiful woman who’s holding two kids. A boy and a girl.
There’s a sad smile on his lips, and even the entrance of Hazzan didn’t tear his attention away.
“Boss!” Hazzan called, making him turn slowly.
“He drank the urine, but it only got worse” Hazzan said breathlessly.
Master X hardened his jaws before coming closer to take his seat.
“Are you that daft to think urine is really an antidote for the poison?” He said, and Hazzan gulped.
“Sir?”
“Levi cut him with the sword for a reason, and I won’t block that. Also, why do you think i adopted him and gave him the opposite of Levi’s mission? It’s to make him pay for his crime of using my name. I wanted Levi to take care of him, and it’s already happening” Master X smirked, and Hazzan couldn’t close his mouth.
“No…boss you can’t…
“I can’t? Well you decide that when he dies in ten days. My late wife specifically made that sword for him, and he’s the only one who has an idea of the antidote. Go kneel in front of him” Master X said grimly.
Hazzan rushed out.
*
CARSON’S MANSON*
“Welcome back baby!” Tate widened her arms immediately Emory came down from the car.
Emory walked into her arms, and the two hugged tightly like long lost friends who met again.
Tate showered her hair with kisses, stroking it affectionately.
“I was only gone for one day, Ma” Emory chuckled.
“Felt like ten years” Tate replied, and she laughed as they broke the hug.
Tate pecked her cheeks fondly.
“Did you have fun? What happened to your wrists?” She took the two bandaged wrists.
“Just a minor bathroom accident, let’s go on” she quickly changed the subject, taking her in.
She didn’t go to Levi like her friends suggested.
In fact, she avoided him like a plague till she left Forte this morning.
They didn’t even see each other in the plane, and that made her wonder if he was on that same plane.
It should feel blissful and peaceful, but it’s far from it.
Just like back then when she was owing him a favor, it was weighing on her chest like a load.
Is he a demon or something?
And then there’s Omar.
She needs to talk to him and clarify things, tell him the kiss meant nothing, but she doesn’t even know where to start from.
How would she handle the mess she created?
*
DIAZ MANSION*
North is not in, probably with Chadwick.
Mr. Diaz is out too, so it’s just Omar at home.
He’s in his room, replaying the kiss scene in his head while staring at the diary.
He was giggling and blushing, and each time he takes a peek, his face reddens.
He got his phone and began snapping several pictures of their names.
Emory and Omar.
He snapped close to hundred times, and they all look beautiful to him. He wouldn’t stop gaping and fantasizing.
One minute, he was still sitting there, and the next minute, he stood when a knock sounded on the door.
He went to open the door, and to his shock, he met five guys there who looks like hitmen.
They’re hefty and bald, reeking of danger.
He made to quickly shut the door, but they overpowered him and came in.
The first punch he received landed him on the tiled ground, and that marked the start of blood.
They thrashed him till he nearly bled all his blood, and his face became unrecognizable, especially his lips.
His lips were nearly tore away from his face, and it swelled up real bad.
The flesh below his eyeballs bulged, and purple coloured his face.
By the time they left, he was crying on the ground, unable to open his mouth well.
“I…I did nothing wrong… nothing…”
He spit out blood, crying painfully.
*
TERRAVERDE PALACE, 5PM*
Rebekah is not the type to shy away from outings, even if it’s with her enemies, and that’s why she didn’t complain when his Majesty announced the outing last night.
They’re gonna be eating out with her stepmother Elsa, and his son.
According to his Majesty, it’s an opportunity to meet the son, but what’s the use if she already knows the son?
She dressed up anyways, making sure her gown is short and tight, hugging her curves appreciatively.
She wasn’t smiling as she descended the stairs, and when the maids tried to take her bag, she refused.
Elsa was already waiting for her at the base, looking elegant in her queen- like outfit.
Elsa has the figure of a model, but no matter the persona, she’s still not as pretty as her late mum.
Not even close.
She walked past Elsa with her head up, and Elsa rolled eyes before following her.
They rode a different car, following the king’s car behind as they drove to the most exclusive private restaurant in the city.
It’s called Annabell’s.
They went in in the escort of guards and the maids in waiting, and as expected, they met Elsa’s son on seat already.
He’s wearing black slacks and blue button-up, his hair styled to wave back on his head.
He looks as arrogant as ever, and Elsa smiled brightly at him which he didn’t return.
No debate, he hates his mother.
His eyes met with Rebekah’s, and Rebekah’s frown became intense as a knowing smile formed on his lips.
Conrad will always be a wuss.
Yeah…Conrad is Elsa’s son, her stepbrother-to-be.
They all settled down for the dinner which will definitely not end well.
*
CARSON’S MANSON*
The family is currently having dinner, and instead of the usual silence, Tate won’t stop asking Emory about details on the trip.
Though it’s not her habit to talk over food especially when she’s not with her friends, she gave her answers to every question, taking it as a distraction.
“Any guy yet?” Tate suddenly asked, and Emory’s mind went to Omar immediately.
The guy she kissed.
Then Levi, the guy who won’t let her breathe well.
They’re both out of the question though, she’d rather die.
“Nope, till I die” she replied without lifting a lid, and Tate sighed.
“By the way, Sybil is coming back ” Mr. Carson talked for the first time.
“For real? You changed your mind?” Emory’s eyes glowed
“Your mother bugged me, couldn’t take it anymore” Mr. Carson replied.
“It’ll be great to have her back” Emory smiled genuinely, and her phone dinged.
It’s a text from Lizzy.
Lizzy: Check the group!
She went to the group, and the first picture she saw made her narrow her eyes before biting the wall of her mouth.
It’s a picture of Omar’s face, beaten like a panel. He looks unrecognizable.
“F+ck” She muttered, dropping her spoon and rushing out of the house.
“Emory!!!” Tate shouted after her, but she’s far too gone to listen.
She got in her car and drove roughly out of the house.
It’s so obvious, the perpetrator.
It’s too f+çking obvious.
She was boiling till she got to Levi’s mansion, and she was about to barge in when Hyce opened your door, almost bumping into her.
“Emory?” He stiffened.
“Where’s Levi?” She asked breathlessly.
“Probably at the Loft” he replied, and she bolted off, back into her car.
She zoomed away, and Hyce shrugged.
“Should have tagged along for the front row view” he muttered before shutting the door, but immediately he did, the doorbell sounded, making him groan.
“Who the f+ck”
He opened the door with a jerk, and Nina’s face popped in.
“Nina” she winked, and he nearly gasped.
“Smoke buddy?”
“Yeah, was bored at home and none of my girls are available, so i made inquiries about this place and here I am. Please tell me you have weed” she replied.
“I got you, come in” he said with a big smile, leading her in.
Her smile widened, and she instantly praised herself for coming here.
Her foster parents started their nastiness again, and she needed an escape.
She just had to come.
“C’mon!” Hyce motioned from the stairs.
“Qui” she replied with a snap, and they laughed as she followed him upstairs.
*
LOFT, 7:40PM*
Emory’s car arrived with a loud screech, and she didn’t even wait a minute before bolting out
She was already storming in when her eyes caught the wall where she wrote MOTHERFÛCKER the other time.
After his threat, she really came to wipe it, but now she’s regretting ever coming to do it.
If she had a spray paint right now, she’d redo it over and over again.
Nevertheless, she rushed in, and as expected, she met darkness.
Either he’s a demon like she’s suspecting or he’s obsessed with darkness cos it’s not fuçking normal for a human to love black this much.
She turned on her phone light and walked fast to the switch, turning on the lights, but he’s not in the center like the other time.
“Levi!” She shouted, but only the echo of her own faint voice returned to her.
Her voice is raspy and low for a reason, she can’t get loud no matter how much she tries.
“Levi!” She tried again, but a growl replied her from behind.
She felt the chills and gulped hard, and her ears moved slowly as she turned around.
From hindsight, she could already see the prints on the body of the creature, and that made her turn faster.
Her eyes widened, and she staggered back, falling on the table behind her.
She held the wooden edges for balance as sweat broke on her palms.
It’s a tiger!
A tiger is right in front of her, looking giant and mighty, licking it’s mouth like it saw an appetizing meal.
Of course it did… she’s darn appetizing, but what the hell is a tiger doing here?
She never went to the zoo before so she only saw tigers on TVs, but right now…
Her sweaty hands slipped from the table, and she fell, landing on her butt to the ground.
“Stay back!” She shouted as the tiger began pawing to her.
“Don’t!!!” She shouted, closing her eyes as it got to her.
The snap of fingers from the rails made the tiger stop, and it looked up to see Levi coming down the metal staircase.
“Hey buddy, back to your cage” Levi ordered, and the tiger matched away immediately, rolling it’s tail behind.
Emory looked up, and embarrassment would be an understatement for what she felt immediately.
Levi has this stoic look on his features as he stood at the stairs, staring at her intently.
She opened her mouth to talk, but then a girl came down the stairs too.
Obviously, she’s a whore.
“Who’s she?” She asked, giving Emory a nasty look.
“Get out” Levi replied, not sparing her another glance.
“But…
He looked at her this time, and that burning gaze is enough to shut her up as she stalked out of the Loft.
“Did you do that to Omar?” Emory asked immediately.
He stayed mute.
“I’m talking to you, Levi. Did you do that to Omar because I kissed him? You ruined his face!” Her fists were folded as she glared at his stupidly handsome face.
Levi didn’t warn her before coming down the stairs, and she stood her ground as he began walking to her.
He shoved his chest into her, and she pushed his chest with her hands, but that was her mistake cos he grabbed the two hands and took them above her head, holding them there.
He earned a gasp from her before grabbing her by the waist and placing her on the table.
Thanks to her small body, it’s like a baby to his muscular fit.
“Talk to me like this” he said to her face.
“Let go of my hands” she replied.
“Not so quick, fox” he replied blankly, holding her wrists tighter.
“Did you do that to Omar?” She asked.
“Who knows?” He replied, and she tried to release her hands, but she’s not his match apparently.
“You did it, and even had the mind to bring over a whore after that?” She smirked.
“Are you jealous?” He replied with a raise of his brows, his Adam’s apple moving up and down his throat.
“In your wildest dreams, and who even keeps a tiger as a pet” she scoffed.
“Yours truly, and it’s toothless” he tilted his head.
“Let me … Go!” She wriggled again, jerking her knees on his tummy, but he remained stiff.
“I received a note to stay away from you, and I’m doing my best to maintain a distance why won’t you just leave me alone!” She spat breathlessly.
“I don’t think STAYING AWAY from me is the right word to use, considering the fact that you came here by yourself” he replied, and she bit her mouth wall.
“Motherfûcker” she muttered, making his lips tug.
He let go of her hands, and she immediately jumped down the table, but instead of landing on the ground, she landed on his feet, and she almost fell, but she pulled his black shirt to hold herself.
He looks like a robot as she watched her struggle, but the moment he changed his mind and brought her back to her feet, her two hands quickly grabbed his shoulders for balance.
She looks shocked too cos her eyes are wide, and her throat bobbed as she swallowed her own spit.
“Cute” he muttered with a dark glint in his vision, and the emergency light began beeping red right behind them.
He let go of her, and she swallowed again as he gave the light a short look before going to the door.
He clicked open, and the moment it did, the faces of six cops came to view.
One of them raised an arrest warrant.
Emory rushed to the door too, and she gasped when she saw what’s going on.
“From the metropolitan police station. Levi Banks, you’re under arrest for the murder of five Legacy college students at Forte” their commander said.
TBC
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