Amy could not help but think that Liam was a little off today.
Hell, he'd been a little off since she got met with him recently.
Since she got employed, she could notice the a change in his behavior. The way he got lost staring at her face, or looking into her eyes. The amount of privileges and special treatment he gave her. The way he always opened his mouth to say something, but would end up not saying anything, or saying that wasn't as important as one would think.
She didn't know what was going on with him, but she was happy that he'd given her the rest of the day off. At least she could go have some rest and prepare for the coming week.
She finally got off the last bus and began walking to her apartment. She finally got to the doorstep and knocked on the door.
Even though she had a spare key she could use, she preferred to announce her arrival.
She knocked again, but she got no response.
She tapped the door over and over, each one being louder than the previous, but no one was answering the door.
Was Kayla taking a siesta?
She knocked again, and when she got no reply, she took out her phone and dialled Kayla's number.
She placed it on her ear when it began ringing. It kept ringing until the call time expired.
What was going on?
Why wasn't anyone home?
She dialed her number again, and no one answered still.
Frustrated, she resorted to using her own key.
She was about to insert the key into the keyhole when she heard the door unlocking from inside.
She took a step back and waited for the person finish the process.
Slowly, they door got opened, revealing and a weird look Kayla.
"Finally. I'd been knocking on the door for almost five minutes. Where did you go to? Where you sleeping?" Amy muttered her questions tiredly as she walked into the house.
Kayla didn't answer any of her questions. She just stood there like a statue, staring as Amy as she took off her jacket.
Amy noticed the ghastly stare on Kayla's face, and she got confused.
"What's going on? Why do you have that look on your face? And where Tris?" She asked.
She expected Tris to run down the stairs and hug her tight in a welcoming manner, but she he wasn't showing up.
Kayla wasn't answering any of her questions, and that was when Amy knew something was up.
"What's happening? Why aren't you answering my questions? Where's Tris?"
Kayla had this apologetic look on her face, and Amy's heart began to shrink.
"No, you didn't," Amy muttered, her rage rising faster than Kayla would've predicted.
Kayla still kept mute, and it was getting in Amy's nerves.
"Where is Tris, Kayla?!!"
"He's outside! I let him go outside to play-"
"Against my command? Did I not tell you not to let him out of your sight?"
"You did, but the poor boy was bored, and-"
"Kayla! I trusted my son in your hands! I confided in you and told you why I didn't want him outside, but you still let him?! What if he doesn't come back?! What if he gets kidnapped this time?!"
"We can't think like that, Amy. He just went to have fun. I didn't expect you to be back by this time-"
"So you thought it wise you make him disobey me? I can't believe this," Amy muttered in shock.
"Amy, please-"
The sound of a car driving off outside their house caught both their attention, and they both turned towards the door.
The doorknob was pushed from outside and Tris walked in.
He walked in looking tired, but he got startled at the sight of his mother.
"Mum... Wh... What are you-"
"Where have you been? Where are you coming from?" Amy questioned, her hands on her waist.
"Uhmm... I came to play with my friend, Gideon-"
"Don't even lie to me, Tris! Gideon and his parents travelled last night! Plus, why do you have a fresh haircut? Where did you have the money to get a haircut?!"
Tris knew he couldn't tell anymore lies to save himself.
"I went out with Mr. Stranger," Tris muttered in guilt.
"What? Who?"
"Mr. Stranger. He was the one who gave me that huge amount I came home with," he confessed.
"What?!!! You've been talking to him since then?!!" Amy questioned in sheer shock.
"Yes, mum," Tris replied downcast.
"What have you both been doing together?" Amy inquired, trying her best to keep her anger in check.
"He was the janitor that beat up Paulo. He snuck me out of the zoo took me to the park. I saw him today, and he took me to have lunch, and I had a haircut,"
Amy and Kayla could only gawk at Tris is sheer shock as he confessed.
Not knowing how to respond to these revelations, Amy took a glance at Kayla before walking into her room, no words said.
****
"Who's that?" Liam asked when he heard a knock on the door.
The door opened, revealing Cole.
Liam and Cole hadn't spoken a word to each other since the day Shantel denied him om TV.
"Good evening, bro," Cole greeted as he took his seat.
"Good evening," Liam muttered, his eyes on his laptop.
"Liam, are you still angry about what happened the last time?"
Liam didn't bother to respond to him.
"Look, I'm sorry. I know I shouldn't have treated you like that. You didn't deserve anything I did. I apologize," Cole said.
"I brought two presents, if that would help," Cole added, and he succeeded in getting Liam's attention.
He dropped a Rolex Submariner wristwatch on his table.
"Do you like it?"
Liam stared at it for some while.
"Apology accepted," he sighed, and small smile curled up Cole's lips.
"What's the second present?"
Cole dropped a bag of hair on the table.
Liam stared at it, confused at first, but his widened in realization.
"How did you get it?"
"That shouldn't be the issue now. We need to get to work. This is my son's hair. Give it to the doctor, and tell him to give us results in three days time." Cole replied, looking distressed.