Lords of Underworld

Bug

Melly and Steve were  on the vast ocean, in the large customized luxury yacht sailing slowly. Apart from the crew, the only souls on board was she and Steve. This magnificent yacht was a birthday present from his father and two hip hop stars were already begging to hire it for a musical video shoot. But Steve would not collect a dime; he would let them use it for free.

They sat at a table with exotic drinks and assorted snacks. Music blared and the blue sea made a scintillating scene.

Steve looked into her eyes, flashed a mirth smile and held her hand, dragged her up and took her to the rear where we could see the endless stretch of water.

“ Having you is the best thing to happen to me.” He said. “ I can’t believe we are getting engaged after three hundred years.”

Melly giggled.

“ I am glad to have you too.” She said. Then her phone rang.

“Kim darling.”

“So, tell me how was it?” Kim asked

“ What?”

“Your first kiss with Steve, did it feel hot, cold, sour, bitter…”

Melly giggled.

“ You are crazy. Hmmmm….not yet. Maybe soon.”

“ You better do it now in preparation for the engagement day. I mean get the wrongs for rectification and get the rights for upgrading.”

“You addled egg.”

“ Have you seen Jeff of recent?”

“No, we lost contact. We were not that close you know.”

“ Yeah. I needed to tell you this, sweetheart, I think I am in love with him but…he keeps holding back. I wanted to kiss him but he got cold feet and chickened out. Can’t you do something about it, like make him forget the trauma with his ex?

“  l Don’t see him any more and I don’t plan on doing so. Are you serious with it?”

“ I don’t know. I want him but as for our future….I can’t tell"

“ Why?”

“ My parents. He lives in a hole, he’s got no job but girl, that guy is sexy. Super cute.”

“ Well, I will see you tomorrow. We are going for shopping.”

“Okay then. Incase you need lectures on this first kiss, I can be of help….”

“ Hush, you silly girl. See ya.”

The call ended.

“ Who was that?” Steve asked.

“ Kim.”

“ So, is she getting back with her ex?”

Melly shook her head.

“ I don’t think so.”

“ Oh..I’m the luckiest man on earth. I have you and not an ex.”

The way he looked at her, came closer, she felt nervous. He was coming for it. The kiss. He moved his head, drawing her closer, his red lips was just about to touch hers but she drew back, avoiding him.

“ What?” He asked surprised.

“ I’m sorry, Steve, I am not ready.”

“ Just a kiss?”

“ It means a lot to me. I promise, on our engagement night.” She smiled, “ My lips and mouth will be  yours.”

He smiled at those words, his eyes glittering.

“ Okay my love. It’s just two days away.”

The discussion with Margarita kept resonating with Jeff throughout the drive to West Miami. He did not know if to believe her or not but she sounded convincing. If what she told him was true, then the conspiracy was more complicated than they thought. It was a few minutes after 10:00 PM when he knocked at the front door of the house.

Why was he still doing this? It was none of his business. It was dangerous. Was it the heartbreak aftermath? He knew he could never commit suicide but what was life without Melly? How could he live with the thought of her living with another man? He had to keep himself occupied and doing this seemed to be a good way of doing so.   

He knocked for ten minutes but heard nothing. He was now desparate, ready to take risk. He turned the door handle and walked into the bungalow. He saw nobody in the living room.

“ Hello.” Jeff said aloud. “ Anybody home?”

Silence.

“Hello, anybody home?”

Silence. 

Instinct. Rummage through, don’t be scared.

He obeyed his heart, moved slowly out of the living room, looking round. There were signs of a living family here. The playing kits and the kitchen all proved that. He went round the house and saw nobody. He was aware that he was taking a big risk. This was trespassing and if he was not lucky, burglary could come in. He went to the back yard and stood still, hearing the loud heartbeat in his chest. He felt a frigid, repulsive wave crawling up his head as he saw the body of a fat rotund man lying in his pool of blood, then a woman, probably his wife lay next to him and he guessed the two teenagers lying dead were their children. Oh my God!

He had to call the police. The police? No! that is a bad idea. I am not the clean imaged boy I used to be. I am on their watchlist so it was better I left.

His phone rang. It was Margarita. Was it a set up? Did she set him up? Were the police right outside waiting to nab him? Was she in cahoots with mafias?

“ Hello.” Jeff said with an unsteady voice.

“ She is dead.” A thick voice said from the other end.

shivering. Not the Melly-love-effect-shiver, but I-am-in-s**t-shiver.

“ I am close by.” The unknown man said. “ Just wait there.”

“ Who are you?”

The person switched off the phone.

Wait? He was not that crazy. He would be out of here with the speed of light. He sprang back, retracing his steps but  came to a shocking stand still as he saw a man in the living room. He was the man who had called because he held Margarita’s phone.

Jeff now saw him him clearly. The eyes were thin and cadaverous, looking like death itself. The drooping nose had a scar across it. With aggressive jaw and dark crooked lips, he looked bogey. He was pointing a gun at Jeff.

“ I am Bug, Mr Jeff Simon." He said in a thick voice.

Jeff said nothing, hoping it was a nightmare.

“ I am delighted to meet you at last.” Said the man in stripped suit and black hat.

The way Bug held the gun made it clear that the slightest attempt of an escape was tantamount to a slug or more into Jeff’s back and men like this hardly missed. It was just him, the killer and the dead bodies.

" Please sit down." Bug said, trying to sound calm and polite but the dangerous note in his eyes made Jeff cringe. Jeff obeyed and sat precariously on a sofa.

" I like to thank you for leading me to Rita." He said." That b***h knew things and we thought she was just Pepe's lay. We found out years later and she vanished into thin air." He shrugged. " She had it coming. So, Jeff, what is your problem? Why are you onto us? We have no truck with you but you are bent on waking the sleeping dog. It is bad, very bad for your health."

Jeff said nothing.

" I don't know what Rita told you but it can't bite us. If she had a teeth, she could have bitten us long ago. But she is better dead. I Killed her immediately she left the club. When I saw you coming towards this house, I knew she said something about Bath. Bath tried when he was still of use and we let him live because he caused no trouble but discovering him is bad business. I got in before you. Fast, huh? It's my job, I am trained. I think you have to join them. You are getting yourself killed for nothing. The girl you are trying to impress belongs to another man, Mr Charming prince who is coming to save the princess."

Jeff was now trembling. A few minutes ago, he thought dying was nothing but as he faced it now, he got a change of heart.

" Don't think I will shoot you now." He said. " I will only do that if you misbehave. Whatever you think you know is useless. Your word against mine, besides, you killed Rita and these guy and his family."

" What?"

" I have her phone. The police will check her log, your number will appear, you were seen with her in the club and we know how to fix such things. Again, it is my job. You were seen coming here. You are on police watch list, a suspected criminal and Bath was connected to the case file you have. Maybe you are seeking revenge for an uncle, father or something......."

Jeff made a move that surprised him. With a striking speed, he flung a mug at him. It caught Bug across the face and he lost balance .

Jeff made a rush, grabbed the gun but Bug sent a punch which landed on Jeff’s jaw. It felt like a sledge hammer. Jeff arbsorbed the pain, having been used to absorbing pains since  stunting days.

Jeff pulled the gun off his hand and quickly pointed it at him.

" I swear, I will shoot if you make the slightest move." Jeff threatened, panting and gasping.

" Hmm..." Bug grunted. " I least expected that from an amateur. But don't think you will leave here alive."

" Gimme me the phone."

" What?"

Jeff pulled the trigger. The bullet hit the floor very close to Bug’s leg. He was now sure Jeff could use the rod.

Bug threw the phone at him. Jeff did not waste time in throwing the phone into the fireplace and saw it burn.

Jeff didn't know how Bug did it, but he sprang up with a terrifying rush and landed his fist on Jeff’s jaw. Jeff saw sparks, and could not tell if they were stars, fire flies or electric sparks. He dropped on the floor like a mill sack. Bug made another rush, kicked his ribs and he felt as if his ribs were fractured.

Bug now looked grim and pugnacious. He kept kicking Jeff until he felt like passing out. Jeff then made an effort and caught Bug’s leg, pulled it and swept the second leg with his strong foot. Bug went down. His gun was lying on the floor near a stool.

Jeff tried to go for it, but Bug grabbed his leg. Jeff sent a powerful kick which slammed into his neck. That could have sent an ordinary man to quietus but the dogged warrior stiffened his neck and reduced the impact. This time, Jeff went for his eye. As he smacked him, he gave a short moan. The eye had no bone.

Bug was forced to let Jeff’s leg go. Jeff ran and picked the gun.

Bug was full of strength. He got up, jumped and bumped his shoulder unto Jeff. They both crashed onto the floor. He punched Jeff.

Jeff felt an excruciating pain and  smartly realised that he was no match for this pugnacious gangster. Jeff dug his finger into Bug’s flesh and almost tore it. Bug hit his hand, but Jeff  used his head to hit his eye. He felt the impact. Jeff then got up with alacrity and ran out. He did not feel ashamed of running away. Instead, he felt proud of being smart.