She hates you

Steve Marlone, I believe I just saw your heart jumping. What was that? Dolly asked narrowing her eyes. 

Come on Mrs P, I’m just messing with her. 

Careful with her, she could completely destroy you.

How so? He asked curious.

You saw how everyone followed her when she walked out of court?

Mhmm

She has an ability to start war on her own that one, that’s why we need her on this team.

You sound certain about that, is there something you not telling me? Steve had thought about the way the audience was cheering Aziza in court. It was almost like she was an inspiration of some sort.

I’m late for a meeting Steve, just don’t mess with her, okay.

Yes Ma’am, he said but deep down he knew there was no way he was going to honour Mrs P’s wishes. Aziza had piqued his curiosity and he had no intention of letting it go.

A tall teenage boy with small round eyes was sitting behind the counter tapping frantically on the phone screen. Hearing the door close startled him that jumped to his feet almost dropping his disproportionate huge eyeglasses. Welcome to LL cleaners, your laundry is precious to us. He recited the sentence he had said a million times before. He took a deep breath. I’m James, he smiled revealing a row of teeth with braces.

Steve looked and smiled at the teenager, he was a typical geek. He handed over the navy suit coat. Hi James, can you clean this for me?

Where did you get this?

James was looking at him suspiciously, like he committed a crime. Excuse me?

You better start answering now or I am calling the police? James said bravely already tapping on his phone.

Come on Dude, Aziza asked me to bring it here.

Why would she give you her coat? He asked, his hands not moving from the screen.

She’s a friend, okay.

James tapped okay and waited for the phone to ring. I am the only white friend she has. That’s it, I’m calling the police.

There’s hundreds of laundry services around here, if she didn’t give it to me, how would I know she uses your services? Steve asked, trying to find a way to diffuse the situation.

James hesitated before dropping the call only to make another call. Steve was about to snatch the phone away when he heard her voice on the other side. Hi Az, there’s a white dude here with your coat.

Hi James, yah I know. Can’t talk right now. Caught me during my afternoon run. A breathless voice answered before dropping the call.

Steve folded his arms on this chest. He heard the response she gave him. Are you happy now?

How did you even get her coat? I saw you on TV the other day, she hates you. James asked, curious.

Steve narrowed his eyes focusing on the teenager in front of him like a predator about to pounce on a prey. How did this  teenager manage to have Aziza’s personal phone number and even the way he addressed her on the phone was very informal. Don’t believe anything you see on TV kid, that was just our foreplay, he said winking.

James laughed.  Oh, please. Dream on dude. You are white, there’s no way she will go for you and she would have told me about it.

You are white too you little prick and why would she tell you about our sex life?

She’s my friend, she would have told me. He said proudly.

Steve was getting irritated and jealous that the teenager knew Aziza more than him. He wanted to remove the smug on his face. His phone rang. Hey babe, he said charmingly. No, I didn’t get lost. Yes I met James. Are you sure this kid does not have a crush on you? You will make it up to me later, can’t wait. Bye. He looked at the teenager, satisfied that the fake call achieved the intended results.

Is she as fierce in bed as she is in court?

What the fuck? You not having wet dreams about my woman, are you? Steve asked getting closer to James.

Come on, she’s hot. It’s a complement. James said running to the other side of the counter.

Steve now had James where he wanted. I won’t tell her about this if you tell me how the two of you got to be friends.

Two hours later Steve knew a bit more about Aziza. He knew that she owns at least 21 very expensive custom made designer suits, he knew her laundry schedule and that she played computer games with James while waiting for her laundry. He knew about the handsome rapper Jerome Lorgan, her ex fiancé who intimidated anyone that came close to her and he now had her phone number.

Getting to his office, he turned on the computer and typed her name. Being in the legal department had its benefits. He could gain access to anyone’s information without raising any flags. He could not suppress the desire to know more about her. He tapped search, waited for results and was shocked. Besides the legal career that began four year ago, nothing else was on the files about Aziza. No birth records, no assets, no tickets, and no social media accounts. It was like she did not exist at all. He could not access her university files, they  were sealed and password protected. Even Jerome’s very active social media wall never even posted her once. The engagement four years ago only showed a hand with a ring. He would have missed it if James hadn’t told him about it. The song he released that became a hit addressed her as Az and alluded to the fact that they had been through a lot together. Someone had gone through a great deal to keep Aziza a secret. Now he couldn’t stop until he found out why.