SHADOWS OF RECONCILIATION

“You can’t keep doing this Lucas, it’s high time you pulled yourself together and put an end…” Liam paused, to see if his friend was listening to him.

Of course, Lucas paid no form of attention to his friend. He had only arrived in New York City a few days ago and was so thrilled about the next stunt he was about to pull off.

Liam went closer to his friend and gave him a gentle tap on the back.

The room was quiet for a few seconds.

“This is not the time for this Liam”, Lucas spat out as he turned around to face his friend.

“It's been over five years Lucas”....

“I know it's been over five years. I was aware before I decided to embark on this journey, Laim, and I don't think I need you to remind me of that!” Lucas fired back.

“Five years of pain, five years living in betrayal, five years of plotting my revenge and I don't think I would be backing out now”

“You told me we were coming down to New York for business, Liam tried to cut in.

“Yes! This is the business and you would help me accomplish what I came here for” Liam, you are my friend!

Liam looked at his friend in a state of confusion. He couldn't believe everything his friend had told him earlier. He couldn't believe he had come down to New York City to help his friend carry out his callous plans.

Lucas paced about the room while his friend just stood there and watched him in disarray.

He seemed anxious, like he knew something was about to happen. He paused, took a glance at his wristwatch and continued pacing about the room.

“Are we waiting for someone?” Liam asked as he took a glance at his own wristwatch.

“Oh yes, my friend” As a matter of fact, in three, two, one….

There was a bang on the door. Lucas looked up and gave a wicked smirk.

“Come on, Liam. Go and open the door”. Lucas said to his friend as he sat by the edge of the bed.

Lucas reluctantly went to the door, turned his head to give his friend a suspicious look as he slowly opened the door.

“What the heck!” Liam screamed, as a lady rolled right immediately into the room. Two men dressed in all black came in right after. They both wore dark shades as well.

The lady was blind folded, with her hands tied behind her. She struggled to stand up as she also tried to catch her breath.

“What is the meaning of this!” Liam fired at his friend as he could believe what he had just seen.

“You are now a kidnapp…”

“Oh please! Liam, it's part of the business” Lucas cut his friend before he could complete his statement.

Right immediately, the lady on the floor begins to yell.

“Who is the coward?” Take these blindfolds off and I would spit on your face!

Shame! Shame!

The room was silent and Lucas raised his fingers giving a sign to the men in black to leave the room.

They opened the door and gave a loud bang as they both left.

Lucas got up from the bed where he was sitting, walked right to the lady and pulled her up as she struggled to set herself free, still yelling.

He picked up a piece of clothing and shoved it into her mouth to keep her quiet. She kept murmuring till she stayed still.

Liam just stood in disbelief and he watched the both of them. You could tell by the look on Liam’s face that he was already irritated.

Lucas walked straight to the window, sliding the curtains right open and the bright sun shone into the room. Liam raised up an arm in a bid to shield his eyes from the sun.

He brought out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter from his back pocket. He took one from the pack, lit it, took a long drag and puffed it out. He took another drag and finally broke the silence in the room.

“Oh dear Marie!, you have always had a sharp mouth and you haven’t changed a bit”. Still the same petite woman I used to know five years ago, the only difference now is my feelings towards you! Liam said in the calmest tone.

Marie, who was now on the bed, still blindfolded, sat still as she listened to Lucas speak.

So many questions immediately began to cross her head.

She thought to herself, “Is that Lucas?”

Her thoughts were disrupted when Lucas continued, “You look more miserable than I thought”, he said while giving out a small laugh.

He lit his cigarette again and took another drag. “Liam, take off the blindfolds”. Lucas said to his friend without even taking a glimpse at him. There was absolute silence in the room.

“Liam!” Lucas yelled!

“Alright, alright, fine. I am on it” Liam broke in.

He spoke softly to himself as he walked to the direction where Marie was seated.

He takes off the piece of clothing first from her mouth and she goes off again.

“Don't you dare lay your filthy hands on me”. “I would call the police and have your dirty ass in jail!” Marie continued to yell.

Liam managed to take off the blindfolds and untied her hands as she continued to struggle with him. He was done, so he took his steps away from her as she was still waving her hands, trying to defend herself.

She rubbed her eyes with her fingers and finally opened them but hurriedly closed it back.

“Ouch!” She said, as she tried to hide her eyes from the sun.The rays from the sun shone so brightly that they hurt her eyes as she was earlier blindfolded.

Lucas and Liam watched her calmly and waited for her to regain herself.

She raised her head up after getting herself and right in front of her was Lucas!

“Lucas!” Marie screamed as she stood still in shock…