Chapter 2 A Gunshot

RIVER'S P.O.V

The knock on my door grew furious and demanding, the wooden hook threatening to let loose at the constant banging.

I groaned as I got up from the bed, angry at the interference and basking in the euphoric moment I was having in my dream. That person better have a good reason for cutting short the moment I was having with my mysterious man in the dream.

I took in my reflection in the mirror and winced slightly at my image. My dark hair was hanging out like a nest for birds and my eye bags were visible and my face looked swollen like I had just finished a fist fight.

"Coming" I shouted out to whoever was outside and dashed off to the bathroom, quickly brushing my hair and applying oil on it then I splashed water on my face, hurriedly dapping out the water with a towel and giving myself a once over before rushing out of the bathroom, palming my nightgown lightly.

I was not about to open the door and look like a zombie to whoever was going to behold my presence this morning.

I wished I had not opened the door because there before me is my very own nightmare, the man I have been trying so hard to avoid, there he was. My landlord.

"Good morning Mr Kent" I said, masking my discomfort with a charming smile, a smile that everyone who knows me always compliments.

"Miss River" he nodded at me, his lips pressed together, not giving me the reaction I expected my smile to have achieved.

"Your rent is due Miss, when will you make the payment" he questioned, staring deep into my eyes like he wanted to uproot the lie I was concocting in my head.

"Oh yes I remember Sir, give me two days and I will do the needful" I said nervously, hoping and praying inwardly that he considers me.

The soft-spoken man eyes me suspiciously then nodded slowly and made to leave his departing words "Two days dear, just two days"

I heaved a sigh of relief as I shut my door, resting my back on it and sliding down immediately, trying to think of what to do.

The waitress gig I had done was supposed to be the miracle that would have covered my rent but Miss Golden has insisted she won't pay until two days after and it's been two days now, no call from her.

Just then, I heard my ringtone from my bedroom and swiftly made my way towards my phone. It is Angel.

"Hey babes" her bubbly voice drowned my worries as I smiled at her words.

"How are you doing?" I asked, throwing myself lightly on the bed and facing the brown ceiling.

"I didn't see you at Miss Gold's, don't you want your money?" That alone got me sitting up as the reality of what she meant started sinking in.

"What do you mean, has she paid" confusion etched on my face, she said we should be present in the evening and not morning.

"Yeah yesterday, girl don't tell me you forgot" she asked, her voice sounding rushed.

"Let me dress up and go, maybe she will consider" I said hurrying up and taking my nightie off.

"Wish you luck babe,"

***

My heart constricted with pain as I recalled all the insults hurled at me today at Madonna's Hall. I had ditched the Uber that was supposed to take me home, preferring the peace of walking. The sting of Miss Gold's words still echoed in my head. She had refused to pay me the money I had worked for, calling me a poor girl with a lackadaisical attitude.Miss Gold kept me waiting outside her office for hours and when she finally came out, it was to hurl insult at me and rip me off the money I was supposed to earn.

As I walked down the lonely road, the setting sun cast a golden hue over everything, my only companion in this emotional moment. I wiped away the tears I hadn't realized were trickling down my face, remembering the moment my life had fallen apart.

My father's death, so sudden, had turned my world into one of struggles. My uncle Valentine wasted no time in stealing everything he had left for me, throwing me out like I was nothing. I had been surviving on the kindness of Angel, but she had her own life to live, her apartment too small for both of us.

The apartment I now called home wasn't what I was used to, but it was cozy, a small comfort in the chaos. Yet even that small solace was about to slip through my fingers, all because of a mistake I hadn't even fully caused. The thought of losing it was difficult and overbearing for me but I was jerked out of my thoughts by the unmistakable sound of a gunshot.

The loud noise shattered the silence dragging me from my solitude and startling me. My heart raced as I tried to figure out where it came from. Moments later, I heard a groan and muffled voices coming from a narrow space behind an abandoned building to my right.

I wanted to run, every sane thought in me,screamed for me to turn away and flee, but something kept me rooted to the spot. A wave of curiosity, or maybe stupidity, made me creep closer.

Peeking around the corner, I saw seven men circling another, their stance aggressive. The man they were wrestling with was taller than all of them, towering over his attackers despite being injured. His hand clutched his side, where blood oozed between his fingers, but even with the wound, he fought fiercely, his movements precise and lethal.

And then, just as fast as I could register, my breath caught in my throat as I recognized the injured man.

It was him.