The Target

Chapter Five - Getting To Know You

"The nerve of that man..."

'Calm down Joel.. Calm down..'

I couldn't calm down and why was he telling me what to do?

"I was this close to telling him to go to hell.."

'But you know you have to stay calm so that we can find out what's going on. Look at the bigger picture.. The lives we could save...' Chief said and I shook my head, "What bigger picture chief? That the man I work for is a sick prick who is unfaithful to a beautiful woman and is probably behind all this.. Like why can't men find what they have to be enough? Why do they always have to go outside to look for what they already have?"

'Don't say men.. What I have is enough and I'm a man..'

I smiled at the fact that he was getting hurt by what I was saying," Chief .. You are not just a man.. You're a real man.. Real men don't act like boys. He is not a real man coz he is acting like an unmarried little boy."

'Then stop speculating about his involvement here and get me proof. Keep your head down and be my eyes and ears there okay.'

I sighed feeling a little bit calm now. I knew talking to him would calm me down.

" Thank you chief.. "

'Did you call your mother? She has been waiting for your call..'

I cleared my throat, "Chief ...."

'Call your mother. Please.'

I groaned internally but nodded my head even though he couldn't see me, "I'll do that Uncle.."

'Right now after this call.. Call her.. thank you in advance..'

God he was so demanding.

"I will.. I promise."

'Thank you. Bye.' he said then hung up. I looked at my phone for a bit and debated whether I should call my mother or not. I've been avoiding her for a while because she was always talking about the same thing. My ex and I.. And I didn't want to talk about this at all. Especially with her.

I took in one deep breath and then dialled her numbers.

'Honey ..'

I smiled, "Mom .. How are you.."

'I am good now that you got back to me. How are you?'

"I'm good too mom.. What's happening?"

'I miss my daughter. When are you going to visit?'

"The day you and the family stop talking about Lucia. I'll visit.."

She sighed, 'That girl is good for you..'

I knew this was going to happen. Lucia is the only reason why my mom would want to have a serious talk with me.

"Mom ..."

'She accepted you for who you are. She knows what you are and she still loves you..'

"Loved .. Loved mom.. Past tense. She and I haven't been together for over two years. When will you get over that."

'I talked to her yesterday and her son is growing.'

I kept quiet. I could never win this when it came to my mother. Whatever my ex fed her it was working.

"How's everyone mom?" I resorted to asking about the rest of my family to try and change the subject at hand.

'They are good. Everyone is just waiting for you to get married now. You're getting old. And I thought you would have imprinted on..'

"Okay .. It was nice talking to you mom."

'She won't wait forever... She will find someone else.'

"Greet everyone for me mom. I love you. Bye.." I said and then hung up.

After joining the program I met Lucia but she was a special agent inside. She was the tech girl and I found that a bit sexy. The guys in the field and I kinda made a bet about who was going to get her and I finally did after three months of running after her.

Our relationship in the beginning was amazing. But turned out we wanted different things. My job was demanding and dangerous. She wanted a family. I told her I couldn't have kids and she tried to convince me, then I cheated on her while I was on a job and she found out then we broke up.

I knew what I did was bad, but I just couldn't stay and be with her knowing that I was in the way of her happiness. She love kids with all her life and wanted them, I wasn't sure if I did, in fact I hated the idea of having someone call me mom.. So me cheating was the only way she'd hear me coz she refused to listen when I talked, she told me I'll eventually change my mind.

My family loved her like crazy. Worse when they found out that Lucia knew what I was and didn't leave me. They told me she was the one because she loved even the Werewolf side of me.

But to me she wasn't the one. Something was missing and I couldn't keep her with me anymore.

My microwave made a noise kicking me back to where I was. I sighed and took the pizza that was in there and started eating it. Today was Friday and possibly the last day at the Pillows this week... And I still had nothing to report about.. But only a husband who made me sick..

After eating I fixed my hair and went to work.

I've been in that house for 4 days and Leslie was the only reason I was going back. Her life worried me a bit and I was stupidly starting to be fond of her. She was the sweetest girl ever and I was starting to warm up to her.

I reached outside the city and they opened the gate when I got there. I drove in and went to open the door since there was no one opening when I knocked.

As soon as I walked in I could hear some yelling from the kitchen.

'No .. No Robert you don't get to do this.. You don't get to neglect us and this marriage and then as soon as I get a babysitter you want to leave on a business trip. You told me very well that when I get someone to look after Les you'll make time for me and you.'

'I know that. Can you not shout you are starting to sound a bit out of it. Our marriage is fine..'

'Fine! Fine? So it's fine with you if you leave before I wake up and get home after I sleep? Is that even marriage? Why am I here if you don't want to even see me? Why?'

'Martha you got everything that you wanted. You are running a law firm like you've always dreamt, you have a child like you always wanted. So what more do you want from me huh?'

'My husband..that's what I want. Is that too much to ask for?'

I sighed and went back outside. I hated what was happening to her. It made me sad.

I knocked a bit louder and opened the door then slammed it so that they'd hear that someone was here.

"Morning ... She's still sleeping right now.." Martha said as soon as I walked in and I smiled, "Thank you.. She must be tired still, I took her to the park yesterday after we got pizza.."

"And I still see the money you were supposed to use here.." she said that pointing at the cup with cash on top of the cupboard.

She looked fine.. She didn't look like someone who was just begging for her husband's time and love. I felt sorry for her a little bit.

"Well isn't it a good thing that I saw her at the mall yesterday?" her husband said joining us.

I was a bit confused now. Didn't he say I should never mention that I saw him there and that he was never there?

"What did you do?" Martha asked and I could tell by the tone of her voice that she was irritated and worried a bit. It made me smile that she was worried about how her husband was treating me.

I watched as Robert went in to kiss his wife then turned to me, "I helped her install the chair for Leslie in the car and bought Leslie the doll she had. I saw them after wrapping up my meeting yesterday and you know your daughter was crying for a toy that Sandra couldn't afford. So I came to the rescue."

Martha smiled and kissed him. Oh so they were pretending to be okay, how sad. She smiled at him, "Well .. Isn't it amazing that you were there.."

"It is babe... Let me run okay.." he said that then turned to me, "I'm starting to like you. Welcome to the family.." and then he left.

I felt like punching his face but I talked myself out of it. It took all the energy in me not to do it. He was such a devil and she didn't deserve him at all.

"We have installed extra camera's in the house okay... I'll be back early today.."

"Why are you married to him?" I asked without even thinking about it.

She looked at me for a bit and then sighed, "Because I love him.. And he is an amazing dad."

I rolled my eyes. He was never there for his daughter. What kind of a dad was that?

"I mean... Behind that wall you see is an amazing man.. He's a good loving man... We weren't always like this."

I've been here 4 days and he kissed her for the first time a few minutes ago because he was telling a lie and probably putting on this front for me and she bought it and took it as him caring. It was so sad.

I sighed, "Alright .."

"Why do you ask?" she asked and I smiled, "Because you deserve so much better than him I think. You are beautiful, smart, amazing.. The world's most kindest person ever if I can say that... You deserve someone who'd compliment that and treat you the way you deserve to be."

She smiled, "Thank you for thinking all that about me. And not every marriage is perfect. So we fall under that. We are trying to navigate this marriage thing."

I kept looking at her and wondered what she'd do if she was to find out what this man was up to behind her back. All this just made me think about the girl who was burnt on my file. I bet he was the man she was having an affair with... I bet she was pregnant with his child and he didn't want that coming out. I wouldn't be surprised at all if that was the case.

"If you say so..." I said. I had so much more to say but I kept to myself since I didn't want to offend her. She was starting to be defensive and I didn't want to disrespect her. So I kept quiet.

"Look I'll be back early today. Could you please come in tomorrow. I have a few friends over and I would like you to look after Leslie while I entertain them."

"Thank you ma'am.. I'll be here tomorrow.."

"Oh God don't ever call me that. You make me feel like I'm old.."

I laughed, "Apologies . I didn't mean to.."

"So I was planning to cook tomorrow and I noticed how amazing you are.. Can you help.."

I smiled, "You don't have to ask. I'll definitely help.."

"Pumpkin .." I heard a tiny voice and smiled looking at the stairs, "Hey you.. Wanna jump down here so I can give you a big bear hug..?" I said to Leslie and looked at Martha, "Go ... Use the back door.."

"Kiss her for me.." she said then left.

I smiled and watched Leslie slowly walk down tha stairs to me. I picked her up, "Hey you.. How are you?"

"Mommy ?"

I smiled, "She's on her way back? Did you wash your face and brush your teeth?"

"No .."

I put her down, "Well march up.. We definitely need to clean you up before I shower you with my special kissed.."

She laughed and walked up. I followed behind her and we cleaned her up when we reached her bedroom.

After an hour of bathing and looking for what she'll wear we finally decided on a blue dress and then headed downstairs for breakfast.

My day went well and I managed to figure out every place that had a camera on when Leslie got tired and went to sleep.

I then went to the kitchen and opened the fridge to see what I'll make. Martha was enjoying my food and she even was carrying it for lunch.

I took out some spinach and chicken. I was going to make that for her.

..

When I was cleaning up the kitchen Leslie asked to help.

"What are you doing?" she asked and I smiled, "Cleaning before mommy gets home.."

"Mommy is home?"

"On the way.. She is on the way home.."

"Mommy .." she said and I turned around to look at her. She was looking behind me.

"Hey baby...." Martha said closing the door and I smiled, "Oh mom is home.."

"Definitely home. It smells good in here.."

"Did you eat?"

She shook her head no, "No .. I didn't have time. I'm working on a case and it's giving me a headache."

"Sit down and I'll dish up for us. I haven't eaten too." I said taking her bag and jacket. She smiled and went to wash her hands.

I dished up for the three of us and we sat down, "So tell me about your case.."

She sighed, "This woman is in an abusive relationship. She's done everything.. She's called cops on him but he always comes back."

"Did you advice her to get a restraining order against him?"

She nodded her head, "I did but he said a piece of paper wouldn't stop him from being with his children."

"Does he get physical?" I asked.

"Yes .. But only with the wife. He has never hit the kids he just abuses them emotionally.. So she wants to divorce him and he is refusing."

I sighed as the detective in me kicked in, "Tell her to gather all the physical evidence she has and go to the cops, if she's able to, she should record him. She should find a safe place for her and the kids. Then file for divorce if he still refuses then she can..." I stopped talking when I realized that she was looking at me strangely..

" What ?" I asked and she shook her head," You're a babysitter? Are you sure with such information?"

I noticed what she meant and laughed," Oh yeah I was a cop... Then I stopped and decided that babisitting is probably better than being shot at."

"How long were you a cop? And where did you come from before moving here?"

I had two options, lie and drive her far away from me but I didn't feel like it, so I told her the truth. The truth that I haven't even told my own family.

"Cape Town.. I was staying there.. And I've been a cop from when I finished high school. I got shot two years ago and took paid leave to recover. Then I was like I need a job that won't kill me. And somehow babies were a safer option.. But Leslie killed me 9 times since I've been babysitting her. So I'm not sure if this was a safer job too."

Laslie laughed, "I kill you.. "

"That you really do pumpkin.."

"I kill her mommy I shoot her."

Martha smiled looking at her daughter, "You know the last babysitter was great but Leslie wasn't like this, she wasn't as open as she is now and you've been here less than a week."

I shook my head, "Don't do that, don't compare us. She worked different than I do."

She sighed and shifted the empty plate in front of her, "True .."

"So ... Tell me about yourself Martha.." I said and she smiled, "You called me by my name."

I laughed, "Don't make me change all that then."

She laughed, "I'm just me. I also grew up in Cape Town. Met Robert in University and I told him my dreams. He worked so hard to give me the life that I have now. I have a daughter that I love dearly. I owe everything I have to Robert.."

"I love you mommy.."

"I love you more baby.." she said looking at her child.

My mind was running around. So he worked so hard to give her this and now she had to deal with his behaviour because she had everything she wanted coz of him? That was just sad.

"You are beautiful Martha.. You are a very beautiful intelligent woman."

She laughed, "Well ... Thank you. And stop. You've never seen yourself."

"So what should I wear to impress your lawyer friends tomorrow...?"

That had her laughing even more, "Woow they are not lawyers. .. Umh.. Anything though. We will just cook and you'll be with us and Leslie."

"Where will your husband be?"

"He's going out on a business trip.." she said and I noticed that her face changed. She wasn't smiling anymore.

"Oh ..." I said and she sighed getting up, "Yeah .. So it's just me and my daughter.."

"What about me? " I said.

She smiled, " And you...it's just me, my daughter and you Sandra.."

I smiled and helped her finish up the dishes. She was coming along. I just needed to find out where her husband was going..

This was coming along just fine.