Redemption - Episode 7

Lucas:

  I follow them discreetly making sure to stay two cars behind them to avoid being seen as a stalker. That wouldn't be a good first impression. I see the gate of the bar I saw her yesterday and the taxi they are in swerve off the road and into the bar. I wait outside the bar for the empty taxi to drive out before I quickly drive in. The place is crammed full with cars and I have to find a space to park my baby. This takes me about ten minutes and by then I have worried my poor lips with my teeth and rolled up my shirt sleeves. I have always hated corporate wears. I pop open the first two button so I would be able to breath. I increase my steps as I shut my door and hurry towards the bar.

  The sound of raised voice reach my ears first. The bar is dimly lit to create an ambience but as I walk in I see a guy who is obviously drunk holding a girl while screaming that it's not over between them. It takes me a few seconds to discover that the girl who's been held against her will is my Star's friend. I look around for my star and that is when I notice her on the floor grabbing her ankle.
"How dare you push her down, Silas?" The friend is screaming at the drunk guys face. I look around the bar and no one is trying to stop the drunk from abusing both girls.
"You can't dump me like that! Can't you see I still love you?" He yells back at the young girl

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/redemption

. No one is even paying attention to my star who is on the ground. I quickly walk towards her. I just want to help her up but I see her recoil once her eyes meet my outstretched tattooed arm.
"Don't touch her!" Her friend who has managed to get free from the drunk spits at me. I turn to look at the friend who gives me an evil look. She eyes my piercing and my tattoos.
"Come on Bennie, let's go. This place reeks of drunks and hoodlums" she says as she helps my star who I just discovered goes by the name bennie stand to her feet.
"You are a drunk and I don't want to see you close to my friend ever again or I will report you to my uncle. He works with SARS and I know you don't want to get beaten half to death" my star fire at the drunk before grabbing her friend's arm and pull her away. I notice she is limping and I feel bad for not being able to help.
"Bennie!" I yell after them but she doesn't even turn to look at me. She only quicken her footsteps. In my peripheral vision, I see the drunk who was spellbound by shock earlier suddenly grab a Heineken bottle and smash it against the nearest table. He lunges towards Bennie. I gasp in hurror and quickly try to push Bennie out of the way. I crash into her instead and we tumble and roll on the bar's dirty floor, with me under my star.
"Ouch" I groan. My side hurt like hell. I look down to see my shirt is bloody. The broken bottle must have touched me.
  My star is pulled away from me.
"Are you okay?" I can hear her friend fussing over her without paying me attention.
"I am fine. I think he's hurt" I hear my star sob out but my senses are getting a bit dull from the pain of my wound.
"We need to help him"I hear her say again but I can see her friend pulling her away towards the door.
"He'll be fine. He's just like them. It is already getting late and your brother has been calling me for some minutes now. Come on" I hear the friend say. People are starting to gather around me.
"Benedicta. Benedicta. You are here. I wanted to apologize for what happened earlier" I hear my brother's familiar voice and I groan. He doesn't know I am here. The people gathered around me are blocking me from his view and he seemed to be focused on only Benedicta who looks torn between her friend, and my brother.
"Let us go bennie. Don't listen to him too. They are all the same"  I hear her friend say before I lose consciousness.

********
Next day.

My head aches and my mouth taste like death. I blink gluey eyes open and the light blind me momentarily.
"He's awake! Lucas! Can you hear me my child?" My mom's tiny voice sounds scratchy in my ears and I wince in pain.
"I am fine" I croak out.
"You scared me Lucas! You were stabbed! I almost had an heart attack when your brother called us that you were in the hospital after getting stabbed with a broken bottle." My mom looks close to tears.
"I am fine. I was just trying___"
"Trying to do what? I told you that job would get you into trouble now look at your self!" My dad who I just realized is standing against the wall scream at me. My headache just got worse. I am lying here in his bed and he still shouts at me about my job.
"Leave him alone. My son almost died" my mom tells him. He just raise his hands up in surrender.
"Seeing as he didn't die, I am out of here" my dad peck my mom briefly before walking out.
"Don't let him get to you. He's just a little angry about work not at you." My mom tells me but I just want to close my eyes and sleep.
My mom hold my hand and squeeze it as if to assure her that I am here and alive. A broken bottle can't bring me down. Okay, it did bring me down but it's not enough to end me. The door opens again and my brother peeks in.
"Dad told me you are awake" he says sheepishly and I know he has something he wants to talk about but not in front of our mother.
"Mom. Can you get me some coffee please. But not hospital coffee, those taste like mud" I ask and I know she won't refuse.
"Okay, son. Watch your brother while I go out for a while Luis." She pat kiss my cheeks then pat Luis's shoulder before leaving us.
"How are you brother?" He ask. I sigh before shrugging my sore shoulders.
"I feel holey"I say and Luis chuckle.
"Heaven knows you ain't holy. Your tattoos and piercings make that obvious." He jokes and I grin.
"I kissed her yesterday" he says after a minute silence and I feel my heart skip.
"Who?" I ask knowing fully well that he's talking about Bennie. He looks deep into my eyes before he continues. Blatantly ignoring my question.
"I heard you took the got stabbed for her" he says and I know there's no use pretending.
"I think I am in love with her" he tells me and I grind my teeth to curtail my pains.
"I met her first"he deadpans and I nod. I can see the look he has on his face. He looks tortured.
"So you don't like her too?" He asks and I feel head shake.
"You are sure? Because you did get stabbed for her" he says. I remember the look of horror on her face when she saw my arm tattoo. She looked appalled. My heart hurts. I look up to my brother who looks like he's holding his breathe while waiting for my reply.
"She's all yours brother." I say silently. I watch the big smile creep unto my brother's face at my words. This is for the best.
"Thank heavens. I thought we like the same girl. Seeing as you took a hit for her. Look, I kind of messed up yesterday. I don't know what came over me. I think I scared her. Went too fast. If you know what I mean" he tells me and I feel like shooting myself in the head than imagine luis with my star. I just nod at him.
"You are the ladies man. Will you help me get her back? Just give me a few pointers."he asks and I find myself nodding and accepting the worst job ever.
"Thank you brother. You are the best" he hugs my uninjured side before skipping out of he room while whistling. He's so happy while I am here injured and heartbroken. This is what I get for playing the good guy.

  I rest my head against the pillow while a nice rift enter my head.

Read " Stolen innocence " by the same author ( Ameh juliet )

. I tap my fingers on the bed as I mentally store the music. Her voice would be perfect for this. If only.

I love the response now. You guys are the best. Our heroine namesake, benedicta you have always been supportive. Adeoti, Favour, confy-dencie, tadenikawo,  gift maduakor, Ronke, Esther mutunga, ayodeji, God you guys are so many to name. You all are amazing so I am dedicating this episode to you. My silent readers, I love you also. Try and make yourselves known sometimes okay?

Oh who am I forgetting?

Lol

I can't forget you jhor. Eliza, honey. This is to you too.

Btw Do you think Lucas did the right thing?

Pls like, rate and comment.

Good night