Chapter 5 Instant Hate

"What the hell were you doing with those people!?" Liam screamed at Ava as soon as she walked into her house.

He was watching her talking to the criminals from her house.

Liam got a distress call from one of Ava's neighbors, and rushed down immediately when he heard the caller mention that Ava was with a gang of some ruthless Mafias. Worst still, RoughCoin Shakur. When Liam got to the neighborhood, oblivious to Ava, Liam didn't have the guts to walk up to them , or to take her away right there and then.

Obviously, he was scared of the men.

"Whoa! Hold on. What do you mean by that? I was just helping them. They were asking about Ronnie's address and I helped them!" Ava defended herself, innocently.

"Are you crazy?". Liam yelled the more.

Ava's excuse seemed to infuriate him the more.

"They asked you for an address and you gave them? Just like that, before even asking them who they are?" He scolded her the more.

Ava couldn't understand why Liam was being upset just by seeing her speak with those people. He even had to leave work at this hour just to come yell at her?

"First of all, stop shouting at me. You are screaming at me as if the men are terrorists, or a kind of dangerous people!" She raised her voice too.

"That is because they are dangerous people, Ava!" Liam retorted.

His voice was no longer raised but it was stern, and serious.

"What do you mean?". Ava's voice too, was calm. Almost like a whisper.

Did Liam just said that she was with dangerous people?

"That was RoughCoin Shakur! The one who was wearing the black leather jacket!". Liam's tone was low, and scary.

Like he was mentioning the devil himself, and feared that he might hear him and appear.

"No..! That's not true..!". Ava replied in that same tone.

She couldn't be standing with the devil himself and not know it. She even spoke with him, and there was nothing to show that he was the terror that everyone in the city dreads.

Ava could even remember the one Liam was talking about. He was looking at her intently, which even made it more scary. She knew who RoughCoin Shakur was, the Mafia leader of the North. The whole police force was after him sometime ago, but couldn't provide a single evidence or proof which could land him in jail. That was how smart his operations was, he never leaves a trace behind. Ava obviously feared him as everyone else did, and realizing that she just talked with him made her paranoid.

"N.no, that wasn't him! It cannot be him! Serial killers are never gentle" She stuttered still not believing Liam.

"That's him, Ava. And God knows why he is here in this neighborhood. You are very lucky he didn't kill you."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"What were you expecting me to say in front of him? Just, don't talk to him again Ava. No matter what. He is a criminal! I am sorry to disappoint you, but I don't wanna die too." Liam said.

Ava was already in panic, Liam's words were making her heart race.

"What if he kills me since I know he was here? He may take me as a witness or something . Anything whatsoever that there is in their criminology. OMG! I don't wanna die, especially with the responsibilities I have for my family. Omg! OMG! OMG!. Why did I help him!" Ava mumbled to herself, pacing the room in panic.

"Don't worry Ava. I don't think he knows that you know him, or else he wouldn't have let you live!". Liam said, making Ava stopped pacing around and stared at him.

"Is he really that dangerous?" Ava asked thinking about all the stories she had heard about RoughCoin, which were all over the media.

She wasn't quite interested in the Mafia world, but some stories about RoughCoin Shakur did pass through her ears. And those stories weren't something you would tell to a child if you're trying to make him sleep.

"A man who has killed his own parents, and has put his own sister under house arrest? Don't you think he is definitely more dangerous than the stories?!" Liam replied with a serious tone.

Ava's eyes widened in shock.

"Do you...do you really think he did those stuff?". She stuttered, and asked.

"I don't think Ava! I know that! RoughCoin Shakur is a bloody cold, arrogant and selfish son of a b*tch. He doesn't even respect women, that one. So you can imagine how he could be! I just want you to stay away from him, as much as possible. I don't even know why he is in this neighborhood". Liam said; more like ordered.

And his voice was laced with so much irritation.

Ava knew how dangerous RoughCoin Shakur was. The news about him can attest to that. And, she would be stupid if she had another encounter with him after this revelation. She had already resolved within her mind to follow Liam's advice, even when he hadn't said much.

Her only relieve was that RoughCoin Shakur didn't do anything to harm her while she was talking with them. Maybe her ancestors were good enough to save her that day.

While Ava and Liam still speak, the sound of loud cries came from the street. Liam and Ava rushed outside to see what was happening.

Out there, they saw, Ronnie's family being harrassed. The whole members of the family was ordered outside, and looking flushed. Their two young daughters, who also happened to be Ava's good friends, were holding their mother with fright. Mrs. Jada , Ronnie's wife was crying waterfalls.

Ava looked around and saw the whole neighborhood out there. And she wondered why no one was helping Mr Ronnie and his family. She glanced at Liam, a hint of something in her eyes as if asking his permission to go help the family. Liam also noticed her uneasiness and stared at her angrily.

"Do you have a will to end your life today, Ava?" Liam snapped at her.

"Isn't it obvious to you, Liam? Can't you see that Mr Ronnie and his family are in trouble? We need to help them!". Ava retorted, almost immediately.

They were a little bit afar off, and the Ronnies nor the other neighbors didn't hear them.

"Really Ava?! Those people are bloody criminals. Do you know that? If you interrupt them in their business, you may be shocked how you will become a victim of their criminal act! And, of course I won't allow you to go there". Liam responded, not giving Ava any chance to exhibit her self acclaimed heroine act.

"But we can't let that happen Liam, we shouldn't stand and watch Mr Ronnie and his family go through this without any help!" Ava pleaded, but Liam remained unresolved.

To him, Ava is only trying to endanger her life.

Then, suddenly they heard a loud sound. And they looked , and saw that RoughCoin Shakur had slapped Ronnie's son so hard across his face. The boys complexion is very fair, and his face suddenly turned blood red immediately.

"Do you think I am a fool?". RoughCoin growled. "You are going to pay the debt tomorrow with the full interest or else, be prepared to be an orphan. I don't care what will happen to your sisters, so don't give me that excuse!"

"Shakur, trust me on this now, please. Just give me one more month and I will pay up every bill. Please..." He pleaded.

RoughCoin took out his gun from his back pocket and placed it on the boy's temple. Ava gasped, looking surprised and afraid to see the gun.

Guns had always scared her.

"Do not ever address me as Shakur, again. You are not up to the level to call me by my name. And no, I will not give you any other fucking month. You hear me?! My men have been more than lenient towards you already. One year was enough to payback! But, it seems like you want to run away with my money!" RoughCoin was so angry, and was about to say more when Max whispered into his ear.

Ava watched, and could see the tension rising everywhere. She felt really bad for the poor family, and wondered what she would have done if she were to be in their shoes.

After some moments, RoughCoin smirked and Ava saw him say something to Max. He seemed to praise Max for whatever reason, and then he turned his attention back towards the young boy and said.

"Listen to me very carefully. If you don't want your sisters to end up in a brothel as sex slaves, you better get my money ready by tomorrow. I don't give a f*ck how you will make that happen. All I want is my money, the whole of it by tomorrow, and in cash." RoughCoin threatened.

Max just stood smirking. He knew his boss was just great at giving threats. No one could get away from his threats because they were never empty threats. He would actually do as he committed.

This is why he respected RoughCoin.

He was aware of the fact that, once RoughCoin decides to get something, he gets it, no matter what!

His thoughts wandered toward the young woman with whom they just met. They believed that she didn't live around that area, and this is why RoughCoin was so open with the threats. They wouldn't dare jeopardize RoughCoin's once chance to love. Max knew that RoughCoin needed a feminine company to make him a complete man, and that girl seemed to be perfect for that. And inwardly, Max decided to take up the task of making sure the relationship worked. The task of bringing them together. He decided to make that girl also fall for RoughCoin just like RoughCoin had fallen for her, no matter what method he had to use.

Thinking of that, Max smiled to himself and started making plans on how to make the girl come closer to RoughCoin, and put an end to his lonely life.

RoughCoin had passed through a lot of things in his life, lost many things in his past. So, not being able to get the only girl who caught his attention, would definitely hurt him.

Max's heart crunched by mere thinking about RoughCoin getting hurt.

No, he won't let that happen. He will do anything to make him happy. And now, RoughCoin's happiness seems to be on that young girl.

A loud scream terrified and jerked Max out from his thoughts. He looked, and then noticed it was from Ronnie's wife. She had screamed when she saw that RoughCoin had shot her husband's leg as a final warning.

Ava also gasped at what happened.

She couldn't help but release a low pained noise which made Liam quickly spun her around to hide the horrible scene from her. Liam knew Ava was too fragile to witness such a traumatic incident. And he could see blood flowing out from Ronnie's leg like a tap was opened.

Ronnie also was crying out in pain. The pain in his voice was enough to reveal how much that bullet hurt. Hearing his painful cry, also, Ava clutched Liam's arm more tightly. Liam felt bad to see Ava feel that way. He wanted to take her inside the house, but somewhere in his heart he wanted Ava to witness this, to see RoughCoin's cruelty so that Ava would not even spare a second glance at RoughCoin if she ever meets him again.

He wasn't being protective now, he was being overly possessive.

Ronnie's wife quickly got up, and dashed into the house as people watched. She quickly came back again with a big bag of something. Something which the others couldn't see.

Ava was now turned around in spite of her reluctance, to also watch. She was now sobbing for the poor family and what they were going through. Not only Ava, every woman in the neighborhood witnessing this were also crying lowly. Who would dare move to do anything? Nobody could, not even Ava with her soft and kind heart. She too was standing there, looking at everything as if it was a movie.

Ava saw Ronnie's wife open the bag and reveal thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. Even with the dim light, Ava could see the glittering gold. And she gasped! She had never seen such an amount of jewelry in her life. And she wondered how much it would cost!

RoughCoin looked at the jewelry with a face that showed distaste. He never was interested in money or jewelries. What he was after all his life was power, and global recognition. He wanted the whole world to be under his feet.

Max noticed his boss's countenance on seeing the jewelry, and quickly moved to him and whispered in his ear again. RoughCoin looked at Max, and again, a smirk appeared on his face. He clapped Max on the back before turning back to Ronnie's wife, and replied.

"Looks like the lady here is wiser than you two dimwits..". He began, waving the pistol in his hand at Ronnie and his son. "I think this stuff would make half a million, though. So, make sure to get the rest of my money in a week's time. Or else, one of your family members will surely die.". He added, and smiled as he handed Max the bag of jewelries.

Mr Ronnie was still on the floor bleeding. His son was also kneeling beside him, but was not doing anything to help his bleeding father. RoughCoin made him kneel and hold his two hands behind his head. And the two daughters too, they remained clustered to their mother who had returned back on her knees on RoughCoin's order.

They were watching the terrorist in horror.

"You see .!". RoughCoin said again, his two hands flying in the air in a mock surrender. "I have given you a whole week now, and not twenty four hours. That means, no day should add to a week without you getting my money ready. Or else, the consequence would be worse than you can ever imagine..". He threatened.

Max grinned too, smugly. His boss's techniques always gladdened his heart.

"I will be in this neighborhood for a week.". RoughCoin said as he turned to leave the family alone now. "Just to make sure you dimwits do not run before I can get my money." He finished as he walked towards the estate gate. With Max following close behind him.

Ava, then concluded that it was the jewelry that made RoughCoin leave.

After they were gone, the men in the neighborhood then rushed towards Mr Ronnie and his family, to provide help. Some called the ambulance, while some offered to help stop the bleeding in anyway they can. But no one dared to call the police.

Ava too, she was too shocked to even move a limb. She never ever had seen such violence in her life before. She just realized how it felt to be near a criminal for the first time ever.

And, she came to the obvious conclusion. She hated RoughCoin.

That night, Ava couldn't sleep. She didn't even have the appetite to eat anything. After all that she saw, she wondered, how a man could be so cruel! And that thought kept her awake all through the night.

She made all the mental notes and remembered what RoughCoin had said when he was leaving the Ronnie's apartment.

'I will be here for a week.' She recalled him saying.

His husky deep voice still rang in her head again and again. She finally came to conclusion:

'I must do everything possible to avoid this monster'. She said to herself.

It was just a matter of seven days, and then everything would be fine again, she thought. Her estate will become at rest again. And everything will go back to normal. She also wished for Mr Ronnie and his family to get over the trauma as quickly as possible, so that they all could be in peace again.