The Outlaws

Chapter 6

~ Jerome Hill Trevor (Jem) ~

Today I rest at home. It feels weird since I have never taken any day off. Now, I have three days. Not bad, I can use it to tidy my apartment. It is not so messy. It is more like organized chaos, a term I used to describe my place.  

It is like a paradise to have time to relax in my apartment. It is a two-bedroom apartment with a balcony to see the stars and the moon at night. Sometimes I can enjoy the sunshine too, but it is rare. 

Usually, I do so many things in a day, and if I have nothing to do, no need to take overtime. It has been like winning a lottery ticket. 

Oh, yes, something has bothered me since yesterday—Ann. Something was off with her. I don’t know what it is, but I felt it was unnatural. I sigh. Probably I am only tired. 

Sometimes I wonder if anyone also experiences things like me? I mean can sense others’ emotions and feel it like it is my feelings. It is difficult to explain, but I can feel and ‘read’ others’ feelings since juvenile. Sometimes through their gestures, other times through their writings. 

If you ask me how it feels, well, let me tell you. It is more like a mix of blessing and curse. It is a blessing since I can connect to people in more profound ways, interact and connect with them according to their longings. But it is also a curse since no matter how much I try; there are always people who don’t like me, even at first meeting or sight. 

I shrug. I know I cannot please anyone. Having this, I don’t know what I should call it, if I could choose, I would prefer not to have it at all. It is draining me most of the time. You probably don’t understand what I said. It is okay; sometimes, I don’t understand myself either. 

Well, the easiest to understand ‘it’ since I don’t know if it is normal or not, or if there is a term for that, let’s imagine a mic. What I sense is like the mic. We use a mic to make the sound clearer and louder. While me, I can frequently feel other persons’ emotions.

Anyone can smile and say nicely in front of me, but I can sense if they are genuine or fake, truthful or lying to me, making things so complicated. As a banker, my skills are helpful to me. But in my personal life, it depends on the cases. 

Before my mind is wandering further, a bell ring stops it. I walk to the door, open it. There is a small package on the floor, so I pick it up and read the name. Yes, it is for me. I am searching for the sender. No sender’s name, only ‘The Doctor.’ Hm…, I wonder if it is a marketing sample of health supplements or something like that. 

I put the box on the white granite table in my living room/my dining room. I use the space for both functions since I rarely entertain people at my apartment. It is more to each part at the same time. 

Since starving, I have been heating the spaghetti and the sauce on the pan. After two or three minutes, it is ready. I eat it while reading the news on my phone. The reporter wrote that I was a hero. They also provide some of my customers’ testimonials. I read there is new speculation of an insider accomplice on BRC. 

I sigh. Reading while eating is such a bad idea. I put my phone on the table while eating. When I put my plate on the sink, there is a ringing sound before I can wash it. At first, I don’t recognize it. I am sure it is not from my phone. The sound is so different. Then it stops.

I am wondering if I only imagine it. However, after a few moments, I can hear the ringing sound again. I cancel my plan to wash my plate and let it on the sink. Searching for the sound’s source is more critical now. 

After a few seconds, I remember about the package. Is it possible I won a new phone? Excitedly I pick the box on the table, open it with a cutter. There it is, a new phone. I grab the phone and press the “on” button. 

“Hello, good morning,” I say. Then I hear a deep female voice from the phone.

“Good morning, Mr. Jerome Hill Trevor. You have received the packet. Excellent.”

“Yes, thank you. Though I am confused, why do I get this?” While I am thinking, is my staff buying me this?

“Mr. Trevor, I will directly go to the business. Please call me Honey. Currently, I have something you would want.”

“Sorry? What do you mean?”

“Read the letter below the phone. Afterward, tell me your response,” the woman says. “I will hang up the phone first. After a few minutes, I will call you back.” Then she ends the calling.

I reach for the note, and I freeze while reading it. It is a blackmail letter. Somehow the sender explained how the robbers entered the bank, distracted the attention toward the customers, etc. But they also added they got it all from me! This is nonsense!

I am immediately dialing Wayne’s number. He picks it up fast.

“Hey, Jem, what’s up, buddy?”

“Wayne, I just received a blackmailing letter. It accuses and shows I was the insider accomplice of yesterday’s robbery.” My voice is high-pitched now since I am so upset about this.

“Calm down, Jem. Don’t worry, I believe you,” Wayne replies. “It’s not you, I’m sure of it. I’d never give you a promotion as my assistant if I don’t know your performance, nor your loyalty.”

Wow! I feel better after hearing that. “Thanks, Wayne. You don’t know how it means to me.”

“Anytime. Enjoy your vacation days!” 

“I will. Thanks again. Have a great time in BRC!” 

As I press ‘off,’ somehow another phone is ringing again now. I pick it up. 

It is Honey’s melodious voice again. “Mr. Trevor, ah, I prefer to call you Jerome instead. Calling someone with their first name is more personal. Do you agree?” 

“I don’t have time for the nonsense. You pick the wrong guy to be a scapegoat. Don’t call me again, or I will report you to the police.” Then I add, “Goodbye.”

I switch off the phone permanently. Later, I put back the note and the phone in the box, and then go to the police. An officer—I peek at his name on the table, Gregory Williams—note my report and receive the package I give. After that, he says to investigate this further. 

“Thank you, officer.” I shake his hand. “I appreciate it, Officer Williams.” 

The police officer shakes my hand too. “My pleasure, Mr. Trevor. I listened to the testimonials from so many customers of BRC yesterday. I am sure you are innocent.” The officer even accompanies me to the door and opens it for me. “If you need my help, call me.” He gives me his card. “It is an honor if I can help a hero. Our country needs more people like you, sir.”

I smile, then I bow my head to him. “As you too, officer.”

I am driving home in a better mood than when I was leaving. When I arrive at my apartment, it is at noon already. There is a phone call from Ann.

“Mr. Trevor?” Ann’s voice is panting.

I frown. “Ann, what happens?” It is lunchtime in BRC. So, what can it be wrong now?

“I’m not sure, sir, but it seems someone is following me.” 

“Hurry, go back to BRC,” I say. “If you can send me your location, I will keep you on track. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”

The call ends abruptly. I am immediately calling Wayne again. “Wayne, it is an emergency. Please check Ann. She called me just now, but then it ended so soon. Something probably happened to her. She said someone was following her.”

“Okay.” 

After a few minutes, I receive another call—Wayne. “Don’t worry, Jem. Ann’s okay. She panicked back then since she thought they caught her. But it turns out, the one who followed her only wanted to ask her for an address.”

I sigh to hear that. “Thanks, Wayne. I am so glad to hear that.” 

“Me too! I’m shocked when you told me Ann’s probably in danger. Ah, the robbery’s playing havoc to our nerves.”

“Right. I am thinking about it too. Well, okay, I will not bother you again for today, hopefully.” I laugh.

Wayne laughs too. “Okay, Jem, bye.”

After that, I order a bagel pizza and a breakfast pizza. While waiting for the delivery, I wash my breakfast plate. Only waiting for twenty minutes, I receive the pizza, give tips, and eat a piece of each pizza for lunch. 

Somehow, I am wondering if it will be better for me to go to work tomorrow. I think my daily life seems so dull. A pleasant adventure probably will give more color to my days. After thinking for a while, I open my laptop and search for vacation destinations. 

After scrolling a few times, I have a few candidates: Maldives, Hawaii, and Bali. I think I deserve to have a great vacation in any of those three exotic places at the end of the year. Too much unnecessary tension outside of work is not suitable for me. After that, I read a novel about crime on my grey sofa, but somehow, I am asleep before finishing over five pages.