Green eyed devils episode 17

Green Eyed Devils
written by Bunmi B. Gabriel
Chapter 17
XERIS
I pulled over at the hospital, the roof of the car covering up slowly. Lyra was still struggling to pack her hair while cursing under her breath.
‘Sure you don’t want a haircut?’ I asked pulling my cap out of the glove compartment. She huffed and kept muttering. ‘Okay, need some help with that?’
‘You can’t help.’
‘I pack my mom’s hair everyday….well, most days.’
‘Here’s the difference between my hair and hers,’ she lift her hair up. ‘My hairs a mop, what other difference do you need?’
‘I think I can manage, at least let me try.’
‘Goodluck.’ She turned around so I’ll have better access to her hair. She dropped her hairbands on the dashboard as she continued to mutter upsettingly.
‘You can just cut it and save yourself the stress.’
‘Just pack it Xeris, don’t talk.’ I chuckled. I weaved the hair as best as I could before wrapping it into a bun. The battle was severe but I won anyways, after sweating and struggling that is. ‘Wow, thanks Xeris,’ she said emotionlessly as she viewed her face in the side mirror. ‘You tried but I can’t carry buns like I’ve been saying, my head will fall off.’
‘Don’t you dare scatter what I laboured for.’ I warned. She huffed, opened the door and staggered out of the car, her head falling backwards.
‘Xeris, I feel like I carried a mountain on my head,’ she whined as she swayed side to side. ‘It’s too heavy.’
I did it intentionally.
‘You can manage,’ I encouraged her walking over to her. ‘You look beautiful like…’ I pushed her with the tip of my index finger, she fell face flat on the ground. ‘This, you look better like this.’ I laughed.
‘Have i ever told you I hate you.’
‘I lost count,’ I dragged her up and removed the bun. ‘How ’bout now?’ She used her hair to slap me. ‘Er, ow?’
‘That’s for pushing me. Now why are we in a hospital? Your Aunt’s to be precise? Have you contacted AID? Do you plan on trading my kidney?…’ I took her hand and pulled her along, she bombarding me with questions as we walked on. We walked to the elevator, I pressed the button and waited impatiently. ‘We’re here to see him, aren’t we?’ She asked soberly.
The door dinged open, I pulled her in, making sure I hold her hand tight so she won’t run off. She switched her weight from one foot to the other repeatedly, murmuring and playing with the hem of her skirt. The door dinged open at the floor, I dropped my leg which I crossed and dragged her out again because she wasn’t ready to move an inch. The hall was heavily guarded with men in gray and ash. I removed my cap and smiled at them.
‘Welcome Mr Xander and M….’ She waved them off.
‘I don’t want to see him.’ She whined trying to free her hand from my grip.
‘Lyra, I know you haven’t seen him for years, maybe seeing him will make you feel better.’
‘No, it won’t, Xeris let me go, please.’ I shrugged and dragged her to the end of the hall where the bullet proof door stood. I typed in the password and glanced at her, the door puffed open. ‘Xeris, I don’t want to see him, let go!’ She hissed hitting my arm with her stupid weak girly strength. I pushed the door open and dragged her in, I kicked the door close gently and pushed her forward.
She froze like a statue, her shoulders tensed and breathing increasing. The cardiac monitor beeping slowly, he was barely alive, the movement of his chest almost invincible. Lyle laid on the big bed with eyes sealed shut and a permanent painful wince on his face, the oxygen mask covering up the scars on his lower face.
‘I told you I didn’t want to see him,’ she sobbed. ‘How is this suppose to make me feel better.’
‘Running away from him isn’t helping either of you Lyra, I always wanted to tell you that myself. Even though he’s in a deep coma, don’t you think he needs you more than anything else? You only saw him after the accident and since then, you abandoned him…’
‘I didn’t abandon him, I wanted to come but I didn’t need any reminder on the past….’
‘You abandoned him Lyra, even Imogene who lives in Korea finds time to come see him twice to thrice a month, she’s not related to him.’
‘She’s different.’ She argued.
‘How is she different? She’s just his betrothed but she still cares, she has more hope in him than you do.’ I folded my arms, she believes he don’t need to be alive.
‘What’s the point of being alive but in a coma, he’s been here for a decade now, even more. His condition is unpredictable, one minute he’s getting better and the next, he’s getting worst. I can’t stand it Xeris, you won’t understand because you don’t have anyone in this condition.’
‘That doesn’t mean I don’t understand, Lyra stop torturing yourself and just you know, stay with him.’ She laughed amusedly, her back still turned to me.
‘So for our second date, we’re camping in a hospital. You’re crazy Xeris.’ I shrugged, I knew that since I was two. She dragged her feet to the bed and sat down, her hand entwining his gingerly. The monitor line increased.
‘See, just by touching him, he’s getting better,’ I said humorously. She smiled and gave me a look as if asking me what she would do next. ‘Just talk to him.’
‘Okay, Lyle, it’s me, Lyra,’ she looked at me questioningly. I jerked my head up, encouraging her to go on. ‘Can I get some privacy? Please?’
‘Sure.’
‘One more thing Xeris, don’t try to console me, you s-ck at that.’
‘I know right, I remember the time grandpa died and I was trying to console my aunties, I almost didn’t leave there with my head.’ She laughed, her really awkward laugh making me uncomfortable. She suddenly burst into tears, heavy one.
‘Life is so hærd.’ I walked out, girls are complicated. My watched beeped, I smiled at the guards outside and walked to the elevator, dinged the door open and waited for it to close before answering.
‘Tan, what’s up?’
‘She did it! Bullet found something interesting.’
‘What is it?’
‘Remember the case of Adrien’s wife found dead in her living room?’
‘Quick question, who’s Adrien?’
‘Adrien is his younger twin brother. Remember that time the news of his wife’s death broke out but no one could actually figure out who killed Adrien’s wife so the case was closed?’
‘Yeees?’
‘Adrienette killed her.’
‘How is that possible? He was found badly injured too but survived and according to him, masked people attacked them and they thought he was Adrien….’ I trailed off and hummed thoughtfully.
‘Exactly! Adrienette lied. Bullet was able to do some extra digging with my help….’
‘You met her?’
‘Where do you think I’ve been all this while? Anyways, the security footage was damaged, deleted out of existence but I was able to use the code or whatever that thing she gave me is to reconnect the videos from the satellite….’
‘You can do that?’
‘Don’t distract me. Adrienette went to see his brother but Adrien wasn’t in so he decided to wait. Brenda, the pregnant wife sat with him, you know the sister in-law brother in-law chat. Along the way, Adrienette being the dog which other evidences proves have been openly flirting with her made a move….’
‘The point please.’
‘Brenda refused to listen to his trash so he tried to rape her, force himself on her but she fought him. In the process of protecting herself, she smashed a vase on his head, that will explain where his own head injury came from. He got angry, really angry, pulled out his gun and shot her thrice in the head.’
‘Wow.’ I said with a sly smirk.
‘He panicked, shot himself on the stomach to cover up, kept his gun far away to match his “I tried to help” theory and then played dead. Everything was cleverly done, what do I do next?’
‘Tan, you’re wonderful! Have you paid her?’
‘Waiting for your permission.’
‘Pay her but give her one more job to do. She should deliver the videos and evidences to Metro Media and three other Media houses, no trace. I want a clean job and the news everywhere before dawn. Also have the videos sent to the cops, just in case.’
‘Got it,’ he said happily. ‘How’s Xena? She’s not picking my calls, did I do anything wrong?’ I bit my lip from saying something stupid.
‘No, you didn’t. She’s just occupied with stuffs, you know she’s the planner of all our music videos and concerts.’ It wasn’t a lie.
‘Oh, okay. And your dad? The poison haven’t worn off?’
‘Two or three days left, mom is already planning my funeral but I’ll manage.’ He laughed and clicked his tongue.
‘You’re lucky your mom is not my mom,’ I shuddered at the thought of Aunt Clover being my mother. ‘Scary right?’
‘Horrible, I gotta go now Tan. Thanks for a job well done.’
‘Anytime.’
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I honked the horn of my car nosily to annoy the gateman for fun. When I returned to Lyra, she was already asleep, Lyle’s chest drenched with tears. I had to carry her to the car, she was lighter than a feather. I turned my head and stared at her sleeping figure, her mouth was slightly parted like a baby’s, strands of hair sticking to her sweaty face. She cuddled her knees, soft whimpers leaving her mouth every now and then.
Why was she sweating?
‘Your name?’ A voice buzzed from the intercom. I stuck my head out and waved.
‘Xeris Xander.’
‘ID card please….’
‘Harold you nitwit, open the stupid gate!’ I snapped.
‘Password confirm,’ he grumbled. I missed calling him that. The gate slid open, I wasted no time in driving in. The longer she stayed in my car, the longer I was tempted to k-ss the life out of her l-ips.
‘Uncle Lake!!!!’ I shouted honking the car. The house was quiet, mine was usually loud because of mom, she loves blasting our ears with music. She’s one of the reason we fell in love with music, there’s never a dull moment with her around.
‘X-man!!!’ He shouted from the highest balcony. ‘Where’s the love of my life?!!!’
‘Sleeping in the car, I’ll bring her in.’ Carrying her was no problem but I wanted to play a little. I carried her in like she was heavy. ‘Here’s your package.’ I grunted giving her to him, he rolled his eyes and took her.
‘She’s not heavy Xeris.’
‘Yea, but it’s your job to carry her now, not mine.’ I plopped on the nearest sofa and made myself comfortable.
‘Wait here,’ he strolled off and returned ten minutes later, I was already at the bar. ‘When I was your age, my mother smashed a bottle of vodka on my head because I sniffed a cup of Moscalo d Asti but here you are half done with Marsala.’ I gulped down the drink in my mouth and smiled.
‘I was bored so I took a little.’
‘Little? Xeris the bottle is almost empty. Drop it or I’ll break it on your head,’ he threatened. ‘The next thing you’ll say is you smoke too.’
‘Nay, that’s Xeron’s job.’
‘Remind me to talk to your parents about this, what’s up with them.’ He was serious, I smiled nervously. ‘Did she cry?’
‘I took her to see Lyle and she might have found out about Ranice.’
‘Shit! How come?!’
‘I dunno, just found her crying. I’ll advice you tell her the truth, Lyra hates lies.’ I said calmly as I stylishly sneaked another marsala to my back.
‘She won’t forgive me…’
‘You only dated that bitch to help take back what she stole from my dad, it’s not like you enjoyed doing it. Tell her the truth.’
‘What if….’
‘Just try. I have to go now, mom would be worried.’ Wrong, he might noticed what I stole.
‘Thanks Xeris, for taking care of her a….what did you take?’ I sprinted out of the house to my car with  the speed of lightning.
He’s going to tell on me and then mom would kill me.
Nay, he won’t.
 
Tbc