MAIA

CHAPTER 7

I covered the shawl tightly around my shoulders as the chilly wind blew. I clutched the hands of my bag tightly with my fingers as I trekked down the road to the gate.

Today was my off day and I could spend time outside the gates and return before dawn tomorrow.

I felt an intense stare on my back as I left the compound but I ignored it. I had been too stupid. I let my anger get the best of me and now the Don had noticed me. Hell he even did a background check on me. I was going to deal with Germain very soon.

That was too f*****g risky. My sides no longer ached. The doctor had come to see me on Adrik's orders and had applied a salve on my skin.

I showed my ID at the gate and crossed. I walked for a bit and hailed a taxi to take me into town. I stopped a distance away from my main destination and came down.

I felt uneasy as I stood on the half empty street. Someone was watching me. I raised my shawl to cover my head as I entered into the pharmacy on the side of the road. I looked around for a bit and bought a multivitamin.

I looked through the glass windows and assessed the street before I stepped out again. I walked around aimlessly for a while before I continued to my main destination.

I noticed the black car following me. I walked into the restaurant and greeted the doorman. I crossed the room and went through the backdoor.

As usual, a beefy security guard was standing at the door, his face stoic and intimidating.

"Pebbles" I said and he nodded. He opened the door for me and I crossed. I took the stairs leading underground and opened another door.

The room was busy as usual. The unpleasant smell of drugs filled the room. I stood at a spot and searched for who I came for.

I spotted her giving out instructions and I waved her over. A smile was on her face as she came closer.

"Maia. It has been too long" she wrapped her arms around me.

"I have been busy" I told her.

"Still no smile?" I shrugged. It was something I found difficult to do. Smile? It sounded foreign to me.

"Why are you here anyways?" She asked as we walked to her office.

She closed the door as soon as we entered.

"We haven't seen you around since you got your new job. Almost three years?"

"Four" she hummed.

"That's right. What do you need"

"Solar" her mood changed.

"What for? You know what that is. It's illegal"

"I know what it is. I need it"

"Maia...." She started.

I interrupted. "Are you going to give me or not?"

She sighed. "I could get in trouble for giving it out. It's too dangerous"

"I know all this. It is useful for my purpose"

She sighed. She turned to the safe behind her and punched in the code. She opened the safe and pulled out the item I came for and closed it.

She placed the vial on the table. The liquid was colourless and as I heard, odourless.

She handed it over to me. The vial was so small that it could fit into my folded hands. I looked and it for a moment and then I placed it carefully into my bag.

"You know how to use it?" I nodded.

"Thank you" I stood up to leave when she spoke.

"Maia. I don't know what it is you are doing but be careful. Don't get hurt" I nodded and left. I climbed the stairs and came out into the restaurant area.

I scanned the room and noticed the man in black seating at a corner. His eyes moved to me and he turned away quickly when I looked back at him. He looked oddly familiar.

I opened the door and walked down the street quickly. I didn't look back and focused on getting out of there quickly.

I took quick turns through the streets until I entered a busy street. There was a protest of some sort. I pulled the shawl away from my head and discarded it as soon as I mixed with the crowd. I passed around the protesters until I was on the other side of the street.

I turned and noticed the man from the restaurant looking around. I hid behind a wall and saw him speaking into his phone then I moved away quickly.

He was definitely following me but who could have sent him? Colton was too stupid and would never hire someone to follow me. Don Adrik? Could be possible.

I hailed a taxi and gave him directions to my location. I stopped a distance away like o always did. It was a habit I formed. I didn't ever stop at the exact place I was going or hail a cab from there either.

I pulled out the face cap from my bag and covered my face as I trekked the rest of the way to the apartment building.

I was thankful no occupant was out. I climbed the stairs and stopped at the door. I knocked once and was about to knock a second time when the door opened.

Dawn stood at the door, her face covered with a white substance and a large smile on her face. She moved inside and I followed her. I looked outside and scanned the environment to be sure before I closed the door and locked it.

I pulled the cap and tossed it on the chair. I dropped my bag on the high shelf so her wandering hands wouldn't reach it.

Dawn was no longer in the living room. I looked around and saw the pictures hanging on the wall. Tears stung my eyes as I looked at her.

She had grown and looked so much like her mama, it hurt to look at her. Her wide smile and bright eyes moved my heart and I envied her. She had no worries and I almost wished I could go back to her age.

I heard a loud squeal and I turned. I saw her small body running across the room.

"Mama" she shouted as she ran into my arms and for the first time in a long while, I smiled genuinely.