RÊD FLÂGS
Red Flags - Episode 13 & 14
(Badasses•Bad•Jerks)
★★★★★★★★★
It was at that moment she knew...
She's Doomed.
She turned slowly, her hair doing a swirl, splattering water around.
She faced the stadium door, but he's already gone, completely.
She bit her lip gently, taking a look at her backpack which is hung delicately on her left arm.
Thankfully, it's leather, so there's no worry about her books and phone getting soaked.
She let out a heave and smirked, suddenly getting back her strength.
Why should she be scared of the devil when she did nothing wrong?
*You barged into his house first, remember?* That annoying voice in her head said again.
"Shut the f+ck, bî+ch" she shouted at her subconscious, taking fast steps out of the stadium__and praying inwardly to get home without freezing.
After she left, someone came out of a hidden corner in the building, wearing a trenchcoat and black Vans.
Only the legs is visible as the figure walked to the broken umbrella and packed the pieces, walking away afterwards.
*
TITANS MANSION*
The members are all still waiting in the open circle, and the body of the one who got killed by Chadwick's knife is still laying in the pool of his cold blood.
Chadwick is in the adjoining room with his father, both standing respectfully in front of Master X.
Master X has this wicked tug at the corners of his lips as he watched father and son.
Suddenly, Hazzan went on his knees, resting his palms on the floor too.
"I'm so sorry, boss. I knew about it but kept quiet, and I deserve to be killed. I don't deserve your mercy anymore" he begged, his tongue nearly colliding with his teeth as a result of fear.
Chadwick slowly went on his knees beside Hazzan, and he simply bowed his head.
"I knew about your trick since you started it three years ago" Master X said, and they both raised their heads at once.
"Wh..what!"
"There's barely anything ongoing in this country without my knowledge, you know that Hazzan" he continued.
Hazzan held his breath, and Master X stood, his shadow rising in the dark room too.
The rain is still pounding on the roof, it's quiet heavy.
"I'm adopting you. Starting tomorrow, you're Chadwick Banks" he said, and Chadwick spranged up, not believing his ears.
"Be at the casino tomorrow by 7. We have a lot to discuss" Master X completed his words then stepped out.
Hazzan covered his head with a black umbrella as he walked out of the mansion.
Chadwick began laughing maniacally, the echo of his laughter travelling around the building despite the rain.
He was still laughing like a madman as he came out of the room to the open circle where the members are still waiting at.
"I go nowhere, I'm here to stay. I belong to the family now!!" He yelled, laughing out again.
North smirked, going silent with the rest.
Omar gritted his teeth on the rails.
*
NINA'S PLACE, 5PM*
It's definitely one of the wealthiest mansion in Spain, reeking of old money.
Nina stood exhaustedly beside the third car she's washing, her bum shorts and singlet so soaked, and the detergent foam is scattered all-over her sweaty face.
She wiped the sweat with her arm and took the brush, dipping it in the foamy water before starting to wash the tyres.
She's just a minute into it when her mum came out dressed for an outing together with her husband who's wearing glasses.
They were both holding hands as they made their ways to one of the already-washed cars.
Nina dropped the brush with her and stood slowly.
"You better make it sparkle, else, you'll have to pay for your tuition by yourself this semester" the mother said.
"I understand" Nina replied.
The husband gave her a funny look before getting in the car with his wife, and they drove out.
Nina kicked the bucket of water away angrily.
She almost smashed the car window too, but she had to caution herself.
With hot breaths coming out of her nose, she rested on the car.
Actually, they're not her real parents.
They only did a favor by bringing her into the house when she was homeless, and she has been enduring since she was 5.
Their real daughter is studying in Stanford, and they pamper her real bad though she rarely comes home.
But her? She washes cars, cleans the house and runs errands almost all the time.
Though her friends are aware of everything, but they're not aware of the fact that she's being maltreated like this.
She only puts up a funny front in school everyday just to cover up.
She was still resting on the car when her phone rang where she kept it beside the detergent bottle.
She went for it and smiled when she saw it's a video call from Lizzy.
She wiped her face before picking.
"Hey wifey!"
"I sighted these two hot-as-f+ck dresses at the store just now. Should I get it for the two of us? Let's drive Emz and Bekah crazy" Lizzy said cheerfully.
"I don't have any cash for that gown, but it's so pretty " Nina pouted.
"Did I ask for your money? Shut up I'm paying!" Lizzy snapped, and Nina laughed.
"Have I told you how much I love you Lizzy? I'll come dress up at your place tomorrow morning" She said.
"Sure, ciao!" Lizzy winked.
"Ciao! (Bye)" Nina pressed red and smiled again, but when she saw the car she still has to wash, the smile disappeared as she dropped the phone and lay on the ground.
"I wanna die!!!!"
*
LEVI'S PLACE*
"You're stalking Isaac's IG? Are you seriously doing this?" Conrad made faces as he threw his weight beside Hyce on the couch.
They're in the living room.
"Won't be invested like this if I'm not interested, dude" Hyce replied, pressing like on another of Isaac's pictures.
"Dude is fine as f+ck" he muttered.
"Urgh! You're pathetic" Conrad left his side and stood with a frown.
Hyce gave him a middle finger.
"Uncle Remington and Kara aren't coming today? I need me some good food right now" Conrad said, going towards the kitchen.
"It's raining, you expect them to fly here?" Hyce rolled eyes from the couch.
"Banks should get some maids for real" Conrad groaned.
"So you can f+ck them in the kitchen?" Hyce rolled eyes again.
"If they have big racks, why not?" Conrad shrugged, going upstairs.
"The hell are you going?" Hyce stood .
"Going to drag Banks from his room, he should do the cooking" Conrad replied.
"I'll buy you a bombardier jet if he comes with you" Hyce said.
Conrad smirked before going up.
Immediately he opened the door to Levi's room, turned on the lights and saw him in bed, he sighed, walking in.
Levi sleeps without pillow, so the pillow is on the floor, and his hair covered his face so much, leaving just his nose and attractively pink lips.
He doesn't even look like he's breathing, he looks dead.
"I f(çking knew it. The moment he came back soaked with rainwater, I knew bî+ch was gonna shutdown" Hyce said as he came in too.
"When last did he sleep?" Conrad asked, tucking his hands in pockets as he watched sleeping Levi.
"Last week Friday, and today is... Thursday" Hyce replied.
"Then he's not moving till late tomorrow morning. We should order something, bro" Conrad said.
The two left the room, leaving Levi to his death sleep.
He rarely sleeps at nights cos whenever he does, he gets night terrors, so he's always sleep-deprived for days or weeks.
Whenever his eyes finally closes for a proper sleep like this, it's called a shutdown in his case.
He's gonna sleep without changing position for many hours, as if he's dead.
Conrad suddenly came back and turned off the room light before going back.
*
CARSON'S MANSON, 7PM*
Mrs. Carson made dinner snappy today, and she successfully dragged Emory downstairs.
Mr. Carson was already seated, as usual.
The man didn't look up till Emory took her seat and picked a red apple from the appetizer bowl first.
She took a bite, and her mother settled beside her.
"Thought you said you didn't like red apples" the woman smiled.
"I changed my mind" Emory replied, and she stroked her hair.
"I'm sorry about the other night, Emory. I shouldn't have provoked you" Mr. Carson muttered, and Emory looked up.
It's the first time her dad is doing apology, and it's obviously cos her mum talked him into it.
"It's fine. I should get used to experiencing it everyday if I'm gonna keep staying in this house" Emory replied.
"Emory...
"Can we not talk about this anymore?" Emory cut him off, and her mum held her hand under the table.
They had the meal in silence like they always do, and Emory returned to her room.
Smoking after eating upsets her stomach, so she gave up on smoking and hopped on her bed, getting her phone.
She snapped some selfies and even with her bare face, she's still so pretty.
She uploaded six on IG, and as usual, her friends were the first to comment...
The bitçhes are always active.
Princess_Bekah: Stunning wifey! I'mma need your skincare routine.
Nina_Young: Damn, wifey! Can your skin get any better?
Lizzy_Greene: Pretty little wifey.
She only reads their comments, any other one is meaningless to her, and oh...it's their habit to call each other WIFEY.
She was about to leave IG when a new comment popped up.
North_Diaz: Ugly @ss!
Emory sat up immediately, she doesn't need a soothsayer to know the comment belongs to North.
She rested back on her pillow before typing a reply...
Emory__Carson: Coming from a bî+ch who opened her legs for almost every hockey team member. Keep being a fan, cheese!
She left IG afterwards, but then what she has been avoiding to think about popped up in her mind again.
Levi's words earlier at the stadium, and the darkness surrounding his pitch.
Gawd, she hates how it's haunting her even more than him.
She went to his number and boldly clicked TYPE A MESSAGE.
Immediately the bar popped up, she typed a short text.
Emory: I can give you money if that's gonna settle this.
She sent that and instantly regretted it.
Why would he need her money when he's Master X's son?
She dropped her phone and dipped her face in the pillow.
"Damn me"
Her phone buzzed, but she didn't even bother to look.
It's another d∆ck picture from the empty number.
Emory remained motionless till the phone screen went off, and she was unaware of when she slept off.
She was peaceful till ten minutes later when she began having her haunting dream again, more like her traumatic episode.
She was eleven years old, and her mum had bought new dresses for her to change her wardrobe.
She put on one of the shorts and singlet...
"You're so pretty, Em" her mum complimented.
"Thank you, Ma. I'll go show it to dad" she replied, rushing out of the room with her dainty legs.
On her way to her dad's study, she collided with someone by the stairs, and she stopped.
The person squatted in front of her, and it turned out to be her uncle Fred.
He has this handsome smile on his face.
"Are these new?" He stared at the clothes, his eyes meeting the small immature nipples on her chest which were poking through the singlet.
"Yes" Emory smiled innocently.
"You're beautiful" he looked up to her face.
At this point, Emory spranged up from the bed, ending the episode abruptly.
She was sweating so much, and her heart was slamming.
Luckily for her, her mother entered her room that moment to check on her.
"Em!" The woman rushed to sit beside her, understanding what's going on immediately.
Emory hugged her tightly, and Mrs. Carson stroked her hair.
"Fred is in prison, ok? Always remember that whenever you get the nightmares. He can't hurt you anymore" she pacified.
Emory closed her eyes, hugging her tighter.
*
NEXT MORNING, GRAND CASINO*
Chadwick was swallowing spit at intervals as he stepped into the building.
Since it's morning, there are no gamblers, so it's empty, except for Master X who's standing in the middle of the room.
Chadwick went closer to see him holding a chess piece which he's tumbling on the table.
"Do you know how to play chess?" He asked, his voice bouncing off the walls.
"No, but I'll learn" Chadwick quickly replied, and the man faced him.
"Become Emory's tormentor" he said.
Chadwick's eyes widened.
"Emory Carson? But... didn't you... give Banks the mission to protect her and report to you everyday?"
"And?" Master X tumbled the chess piece again.
"You're pitching us against each other?" Chadwick said, and the man faced him again, his eyes soulless.
"You have a problem with that?"
"No... father" Chadwick bowed, and Master X patted him on the shoulder with a knowing smile.
Hazzan is by his room door, watching with uncertainty.
*
8AM*
Emory woke up to see the d∆ck picture from last night, and she cursed the sender repeatedly before blocking the number.
Who the f+ck is trying this?
She ate breakfast without persuasion, then she drove herself to school in her new Audi, thinking about the stupid mistake she made last night.
The text she sent to Levi.
Gawd, he better not step school today.
She was about to connect her phone to the car Bluetooth for some music when a new text popped up.
It's from Criminal!
"Shit" she stopped the car and took the phone to click on his reply.
Criminal: I've got enough money to take the president's wife on a date if I want her.
The arrogance of this prick!
She dropped her phone, deciding not to reply till she drove into the school.
She met Rebekah waiting already, and they shared a hug.
"I love your gown" Emory complimented.
"As if you'd wear it if I give it to you" Rebekah rolled eyes, and Emory chuckled.
Lizzy and Nina arrived in the same car, and the moment they came out, Emory and Rebekah couldn't close their mouths.
They both look so f+çking good in their matching outfits.
"Tell me what you both have to gain from this" Rebekah attacked.
"Are you jealous?" Nina said funnily.
"Bekah let's go" Emory pulled Rebekah, and Lizzy began laughing.
"I hate you both!!!" Rebekah shouted.
"Me too!!" Emory added, and Nina joined the laughter as they tried to catch up.
North suddenly crossed to them, bringing them to a stop.
"What do you mean by your reply on IG last night?" She questioned.
"You know what I mean" Emory replied point-blank.
"Telling me I slept with all the hockey team members doesn't sound savage when one of your friends is epileptic. Should I tell everyone how she was foaming from the mouth like a snail?" North said, and Lizzy stopped in her tracks.
Students are starting to gather, ready to watch the crossfire.
"Still better than you who f+çked a lecturer old enough to be your father at the observatory last semester" Nina replied.
"Should we talk about how you begged Banks for just one round at the storeroom too? That was two semesters ago" Emory said, and North tried to punch her, but Rebekah and Nina blocked her arms.
Members of The Titans who're girls joined North, and obviously, the trained girls got a good hold on Emory and her friends.
Emory made sure she pummeled North's face till she bled blood though, but her own lips got wounded too.
The fight was still ongoing when Levi and his friends entered the hallway, and all attention went to them.
* He suddenly got hotter when he became recognized as the son!
* I'm so f+çking wet, I want those lips in my c+nt.
* Heard Chadwick got adopted yesterday.
* Bull crap!
* For real, The Titans posted it, and all his pictures are gone from the walls and the online pages
* How did it happen?
* Chadwick and Banks are basically brothers now?
* Can't f+çking believe it!
The fighting girls let go of each other, and North swept her hair back, wiping her bleeding nose.
Emory adjusted her LC jacket, not bothering to smoothen her scattered hair.
Her eyes met with Levi's, and she frowned, gulping exhaustedly. She was breathing hard.
Levi broke the eye contact, and then Chadwick entered the school in style.
He's rocking designer shades, black studded leather jacket and pants like he's modelling for a leather company.
He looks super hyper, and there's a proud smirk on his lips as he walked with all eyes on him.
He stopped in front of Levi, their heights almost matching __ Levi is a little bit taller.
"You should welcome me home, don't you think? I became your brother overnight. You father adopted me!" He laughed at his face.
Levi remained silent, his eyes not swaying a bit.
Hyce and Conrad stepped back, staying beside each other with same look in their eyes.
The hallway went silent.
"Say something, loser! Fuçking say something! I said I became your brother!" Chadwick shouted at Levi's face again.
Emory bit her lip softly, wondering why he's not reacting.
Isn't he always tough with her? Why the muteness?
North only smiled callously.
Isaac and Rain are just getting to the hallway too, and they halted with the crowd when they saw what's going on
Chadwick smiled and leaned in to Levi's ear.
"This might excite you. I've been ordered to do the opposite of what you were told to do. My mission is to torment Emory, and i can't wait to tie you to a freaking pole and fûck her while you watch and won't be able to do a thing" He whispered.
He grinned after saying that, then he brought his face back to the front, and that was it.
Levi's hand flew like the wind, meeting Chadwick's face at the speed of light.
The slap landed dangerously on Chadwick's face, and his glasses flew off together with one of his front tooth.
TBC.
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