THE KILL JOB

It was during one of the holidays when I came home to be with my family just to spend a little time with them because it had been a while since I went home after being posted a thousand miles away. Most of the time I would prepare myself to go home and all over sudden there would be an emergency that required my to stay at work. I got home and it was more of a reunion after six months of working non-stop and when I got home, the excitement on my children's faces made me want to quit my job and find something else that would allow me to be closer to them. I missed them every single day of my life and talking on phone wasn't just enough but then again i had to work that much to give them everything they needed in life. As usual, I had a few days with my wife and kids and it was all fun and laughter with me getting involved in everything they were doing. Playing games with them, making Aliyah's hair, yaking her out on shopping spree i mean she could have done that with her mother but i was glad i got to do all that with her. I had two kids, Aliyah and Brandon. Brandon was 9 years while Aaliyah was turning 16 but Aliyah and I had a special relationship, you know how daughters are with their father? My daughter's birthday was on the same day I was meant to go back to work so my wife and i decided to do it a day before and because my daughter and I were so close, she preffered to go shopping with me. Being a dad to my children hadn't been a walk in the park as I barely had a relationship with them given the distance and time I spent away from them, Brandon was more of his mum's person and whether or not I was there didn't seem to affect his life in anyway. I remember asking him if he was going shopping with Aaliyah and I but he shook his head as he continued playing the video game. Aliyah sat in the front seat of the car and shortly after we were off to the supermarket doing a bit of catching up. We talked about school, hobbies and boys. Yes, boys. My daughter was growing up real fast and I knew things that came with adolescent stage so I wanted my daughter to hear some of these things from me and not learn from her peers. My wife and I raised our children in such a way that they knew they could confide in us about anything they were going through be it in school or life in general. We got to the supermarket and Aliyah picked the trolley. We strolled through the supermarket going raw by raw picking everything that was written in the list. Normally it's easier when my wife comes with us because she always knows what to pick even without a list which makes things a little bit easier but she was out with friends on some lady's baby shower and I was to pick her up in two hours time. We picked everything we needed and queued at the counter and as we were waiting to be served, I got a text from my wife asking me to buy a few packets of milk as she had forgotten to include it in the list so I asked Aliyah to stay in the queue as I went back for the milk. I went straight to the milk section and got a few packets and while at it, a guy came over to where I was standing and called me by name and when I looked at him he smiled but I couldn't remember having seen his face before. Me: do I know you? I asked looking around and he stretched his hand to shake mine and I took it hesitantly. "My name is Mariko" . You don't know me but I do. Me: so what do I do for you Mariko? I asked looking around making sure that there was no one else creeping up on me. I had every reason to be paranoid because of the life I had been living before.. Mariko: meet up with me at exactly 5:30pm I have a job for you. he had this serious look on his face and it's only then that i realized that my past could have caught up with me. Me: what job, listen I don't think you have the right person because if you did you would know I don't do errands. Mariko: that's not funny but I will take it as a joke. I know who you are Henry and maybe i should give you some motivation. He took out his phone and showed me a picture on it. Mariko: that's your wife right, if you want to see her again, you will do exactly as I say. Aliyah must have been next at the counter so she excused herself and peeped and when she saw me she called Dad! "Coming baby", I responded as I gave the Mariko guy a Stern look before walking past him but he grabbed my arm and looked right into my face. Mariko: if you even think about calling the police or telling anyone about this, I will come to your house and wipe out your entire family starting with your wife. I pulled my arm away from his grip and walked away. Mariko: 5:30pm Henry, he shouted behind me as he disappeared from wherever the hell he had come from. Aliyah: what took you so long dad? She asked looking towards the direction i had come from. Me: I was talking to a friend. Am sorry for keeping you waiting. She gave me a not so convincing smile but i was so sure she had not seen or heard the conversation. We finished up at the super market and got in the car. I tried to look around but did not see the Mariko guy. Could Betty really be in trouble and if yes, who was this Mariko guy and what job did he want me to do? Thoughts clouded my mind as i drove through with Aliyah talking to me without getting any response. How did the Mariko guy know I was going to be in the supermarket, and was he the one who texted me to get the milk? has he been following me around? Aliyah: Dad! Me: yes baby, what is it? Aliyah: I have been taking to you and you are not responding. Me: am sorry baby, what were you saying? She looked at me but did not say another word and i had to give her an excuse so that she wouldn't stay mad. We got home at around 3:00pm and after helping Aliyah take the shopping to the kitchen I went straight to my bedroom and called my wife. I wanted to make sure that they had her like Mariko claimed they did. My wife's phone rang severally but it was not picked thats when I knew there was a problem for sure. I got nervous but I couldn't let the kids see that neither could I call anyone to tell them what was going on so I got back down stairs helped Aliyah fix lunch for her and her brother and after making sure they were okay I got back upstairs to prepare myself for the meet. A few minutes to 5:00 pm I got a text from an unknown number telling me the place for the meeting with a warning not to bring anyone with me. I put on my shoes got downstairs and picked my keys from the table. "Aliyah" I called and a few seconds later she came rushing from her room.. Aliyah: Dad? Me: listen up, am stepping out to meet some clients but I don't know what time I will be home. I can't reach your mum on phone. Aliyah: is she okay? Me: I hope so. But should we get home late just cook something and eat with your brother okay? Aliyah: yes dad. Me: one more thing, don't open the door for anyone... Anyone at all unless it's me or your mum okay? She looked at me weirdly but nodded anyway. I turned to Brandon who didn't even seem to realize i was leaving the house. Me: hey Brandon.. Brandon: yes dad, Me: listen to your sister okay, no fights. Then get off that game and take a shower before I get back. Brandon: okay dad. I left the house got in my car and drove off. I followed the directions sent on my phone and when I got to that place i was directed by a security guard on where to park my car and I did. After parking my car i called Mariko to let him know I was already there and a few minutes later I saw him come out of the house so I got out and walked up to him. Me: where is my wife? Mariko: she is safe. Me: i need to see her. Mariko: you are not the one running this show, like I said, your wife is safe and she will be released once you are done. As I was talking to Mariko i had alot of thoughts cross my mind. First of all I wanted to beat the crap out of him but I held my horses because I had no idea how many of them were in there and what would happen to Betty if I went contrary to what was expected of me. Mariko checked me to make sure I had no weapons before allowing me into the house. I walked behind him looking around for any surprises and when we got to the living room I found two other guys seated there waiting for us. I looked at Mariko for explanation but he didn't say a word so I stood there very quiet waiting to be spoken to. One of the guys looked up at me from his computer and asked me to sit on a chair that was almost in the middle of the room and I did as nervous as I was, I couldn't really tell what was going on because no one spoke to me for like another twenty minutes. "Henry, do you know where your boss lives?" One of the guys asked. He seemed like he was the one heading whatever the hell that group was." Which boss?" I asked pretending not to know who he was asking about so he turned his laptop and showed me the picture of the guy they were talking about and seeing that he was really my boss, fear creeped in and I started sweating a little bit. Who were these guys and what did they want with my boss? "I will assume you did not hear me the first time so I will ask again, do you know where this man lives?" He asked again this time with a deep and commanding voice. Me: yes I do. "Good, we have a kill job for you and that man there is your target. Fail to kill him and I will kill your wife and two children instead. We will provide you with everything you need. Me: wait, who the hell are you and what do you want from me? "Call me Tom. What I want from you is not negotiable. I picked you for this job because you are the closest to him. You are his right hand man. Me: my boss has security around him 24/7. I might be around him all the time but killing him is suicidal, I wouldn't even get that close to him before his guys snap my neck. Tom: well, you are going to weigh how much you need to see your wife and kids alive against that. I tried to plead with this guys but my plea fell on deaf ears. Mariko gave me two guns, some small boxes of bullets and a silencer then Tom told me I had just one week to make sure the work was done. I thought for a while then decided to strike a deal with these guys, I mean what was I going to tell my kids on their mothers disappearance? Me: I will do what you want but please let my wife go. Tom and the other guy laughed out so loud that I had to go back to my sentence and find out what the joke was. Tom: get him out of here. Mariko grabbed my arm and started escorting me out when I broke free from his hold and walked back to Tom pointing the same guns they had given me at both him and Mariko who was was standing just a few second away from me. Tom: don't be stupid Henry. Me: release my wife right now, and don't even think am kidding because i will blow off your head out that window. I shouted ready to pull the trigger on anyone who got an inch closer to me. "You heard him, get his wife" Tom ordered and the guy who was seated next to him made a call and soon after I heard a door open and my wife walked up to me with her mouth taped and hands tied. Me: baby are you okay? She nodded as she approached me and I asked mariko to untie her which he did. Me: wait for me in the car. Betty ran out of the room and as soon as she was out I stopped pointing the gun at them. Me: I have two kids at home waiting for me to bring back their mother safe and sound. I will do whatever you want, but leave my family out of it. Tom: fair enough. I will keep off your family but don't attempt anything stupid. I listened to the instructions I was given on my kill mission and Mariko was assigned to take me on that mission just to make sure I stayed in line. I walked out of that room with the two guns in my hand and headed straight to my car where I found Betty eagerly waiting. I got in and drove off without uttering a word to her. I could tell she was worried and I didn't want to make her more worried by telling her what I had been ordered to do. I drove for a while then I got somewhere and pulled over by the side of the road and got out. I was furious and confused that I couldn't control how I was feeling so I kicked the tire to my car so hard and leaned on the car trying so hard to push back the tears that we're almost finding their way. I had never been so angry to a point of shading a tear and would you blame me? Killing my boss meant betraying him and after that I would have no job to go to. Not killing him meant giving up my wife and two children so what the hell was I supposed to do? Betty came out of the car and joined me. "Why are you still so upset, they let me go." Me: yeah, I know but I just can't help it. How did they get you? Betty: I got into the cab and told the driver where I was going. He drove for a while but instead took a different direction and he showed me a gun asking me to be quiet. I had no choice but to cooperate. Me: did they hurt you or do anything to you? Betty: No. They said if I behaved, they would eventually let me go. Who are they and what do they want? She asked holding to my shoulder and trying to sooth me. Me: I don't know who they are. Betty: but you know what they want? Me: get back in the car, the kids must be worried. I started to walk back to the car but she grabbed my arm and held on to me. Betty: baby talk to me, what is it. You don't get this upset for no reason. I know you.. Me: do you trust me? I asked turning to her and taking her hands in mine. Betty: i trust you with all my heart. Me: then let me handle whatever it is. Get in the car, the kids are waiting for us, we've been gone for a while.. She did what I asked but I could tell that she was not going to leave it at that, you know how women get when they feel like you are hiding something from them. We got home and found the kids still awake so we got in I hugged them so tight then walked up the stairs, freshened up and went to bed. I was not hungry and i was not excited to hold any conversation that night and I could not keep my thoughts from everything that had transpired that night... Back on the living room, Betty gad to make sure everyone was okay and she had to make sure the kids didn't read into anything they didn't have to know. Aliyah: mum, is dad okay? Betty: yes. He is just tired. Aliyah: okay, so we went shopping for my birthday and all my friend will be coming tomorrow. She said excitedly. Betty: okay, have you guys eaten? Aliyah: yes but we were waiting for you before we could go to bed. Betty: Brandon did you take a shower? Brandon: yes but am not taking a shower again. Aliyah: you will smell. Brandon: No. Boys don't smell. Betty made sure the kids went to bed and locked all the doors before taking a shower and coming to bed. I was not asleep but lay there thinking of a way out of the entire situation without getting anyone killed. Betty: am your wife you know, anything that bothers you, bothers me too. What happened to you back there? I turned and looked at her, brushed the hair off her face and stared deep into her eyes. Me: they want me to kill someone. Betty: what, who? Me: my boss. Betty: no no no. You are not a murderer and I won't let you do that. I turned the other side and pulled the blanket over me. Me: I have to report back to work tomorrow. Betty: you are kidding me. Don't tell me you are going to do it. I was not in the mood to go back and forth with Betty over the same issue so I slept. The following day I woke up and prepared myself for work. I knew things were not going to go down well between Aliyah and I as I had promised to be there for her birthday. Am Even the reason the birthday was postponed in the first place. Betty: baby look at me, She said turning my face to hers as I tied my tie around my neck. Betty: you don't have to do this. You can tell the police then we can get all of them arrested. I took Betty's hand and had her sit on the bed. Me: you don't understand, these people are dangerous. It's not just my boss they want dead but you and the kids too. If I go contrary to what they want they will kill both you and the kids and i can't live with that. The look on her face changed and I could see how shocked she was. Me: am not a murderer but when it comes to you and the kids I will do anything. Betty: there has to be another way. She said tearing up as she got up and paced up and down. Betty: are we even safe here, will the kids be safe at school, baby we can't stay here if you are not around. Me: I knew you would freak out and that's why I didn't want to tell you all that in the first place. Come here. She stood there staring at me for a while then walked up to me and I had her sit on my lap. Me: this is the safest place right now. If you pack and leave they will know I told you about the deal and they will find you. Baby they didn't just let you go, I had to threaten life out of them. Please take care of the kids and let me be the man of the house. Betty: so you are just going to kill someone? Me: no. I will find away to handle it but you need to promise me that you will not go anywhere. She nodded then we shared a passionate kiss before we both walked out of the room. I told Betty I was not going to kill but truth be told if it came to my family, I would do anything to protect them. Brandon and Aliyah were not awake yet so I had to go to each of their rooms and say goodbye. Brandon as usual didn't care much but Aliyah was the problem. I knocked on her door and a few minutes later she opened. "Morning princess" I said giving her a hug. Aliyah: morning, are you leaving? Me: yes, there is an important thing I have to do at work. Aliyah: more important than my birthday? Me: no, your birthday will always be important but this is work sweetheart I have to go. Aliyah: dad you promised! She said then started crying. I knew I hurt my little girls feelings but what the hell was I supposed to do? I couldn't explain to the best of her understanding that i needed to be out there. Aliyah: it's never going to be the same, you said you would be there. Me: I know, am so sorry sweetheart I will make it up to you when I get back. I took her in my arm and hugged her letting her sob a bit as I rubbed her back then when she couldn't handle the thought anymore she got to her room and closed the door leaving me standing there. Betty: she will come around. Me: I hope so. I hugged Betty and kissed her goodbye as I found my way to my car......