Unsafe

UGO

I took in the orderliness of the little room that had always served as my safe space for the longest time. All my childhood memories were still intact, almost as I had left them.

My mother had taken it upon herself to preserve all the good memories, making sure not to alter the shape of the room and the position of things as I left them.

I tried recalling the last time I visited Lilycity. It's been well over two years. Fairview had found a way to draw me into its tight grasp and sapped me off all my free time. I sighed, recalling my mother's tears at the airport when she came to pick me up. I was initially skeptical that she would be the one to pick me up, but then she somehow managed to convince me with my father's support that she has recovered perfectly since her intestinal surgery.

"Poor woman." I murmured regrettably.

Pulling my hair into a tight bun, I sat down on the only chair in my room, took in the beauty of the modest-looking room and smiled. What my room lacked in size, it made up for in character. There was my doll-sized bed that seemed refurbished, but the color and designs were still intact.

"Mum." I smiled, tapping the bed frame, imagining the stress she must have gone through just to ensure that the bed retained its design.

I pulled my window blinds closed. That was the only renovation my mother made in the room that I seriously didn't mind. The ugly looking suede curtains were off the wall and replaced by stylish window blinds that had me wishing to catapult the same into my home office at Fairview.

Carefully, I pulled out my old sweatpants from the wardrobe, making sure to pick the easiest and elastic one I could lay my hand on, black and ash color it was.

Placing it on my waist, I tried to visualize what it would look like on me.

Over the years, I had taken serious care of my body, causing me to develop more adequate muscles and toned skin, shredding off the unnecessary fats at some absurd parts of my body, so with its elasticity, I had no doubt the sweatpants would be my perfect size.

Putting it on, alongside a sports top, I ran down the stairs. "I'm going for another run, mum." I announced as I passed my mother in the kitchen. But the poor woman ran out of the kitchen hastily causing me to pause in my steps.

"Again!" She almost screamed my ears out. "But Ugo, we've talked about this, it's not safe to jog through the neighborhood alone. Times have changed." My mother said,

"Oh, not to worry, I can take care of myself, Mommy." I tried assuring her but she shook her head in disagreement.

"I'm not letting you out of that door. This is not years ago when you were just twelve. There are rumors of gangs and cartels everywhere. I can't let you out alone."

"Mama......" I protested but she didn't budge. "Fine, I'll just run around a couple of blocks and I'll be home. I promise, it will be just like yesterday." I pleaded, curving my lips in a sober twitch.

"Fine." She finally agreed. "Just within the streets and you make sure to come home as soon as possible. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Aye aye ma." I was outside in a flash and hit the ground running, literally, zipping down the streets.

I dodged people and the heaps of garbage that were piling up on the sidewalks. Grandma May's house caught my attention instantly. A clear image of myself and my best friend, Daisy, playing at the back of that house flashed through my mind and I smiled sweetly.

"How time flies." I whispered to myself.

Now the gorgeous and once-upon-a-time most beautiful house on the street was now a tangle of faded washed-out walls and overgrown plant weeds.

I took a couple of turns to a few familiar streets I used to ply through as a kid, ignoring my mother's warning to run within the area. I'd stuck to that warning the previous day but today is a new day.

Things have indeed changed in Lilycity. There were new buildings, exotic shops and the roads looked way better. A few more turns brought me to the part of Lilycity that was considered the city slum, a stark contrast to the manicured lawns I grew up in.

Rumors always had it that the houses here offer affordable accommodations to a weird mix of underprivileged families, and drug dealers. Seeing the current condition of most of the houses, I sighed regrettably.

What used to be a cute middle-class neighborhood was now a dilapidated, sore spot on the city’s good standing. The homes were built about three feet from the street and barely two feet apart from each other, a pattern I used to like until now.

Most of the paints on the houses were chipping away. Multicolored layers had started peering through spots as if the houses bared the scars left by their previous owners before being abandoned for good. I felt a few peering eyes on me, making me cringe with worry, wondering if it was the first time they had ever seen someone run through the streets.

I tried to convince myself that it was because of where I was, in this city or maybe not. Maybe it was something else. It could have everything to do with me being in a neighborhood like this one, it was common for someone like me to be a beacon for curious stares.

Ebony skin, brown hair with bold blonde tips. And to say that I was well built and beautifully endowed in the right places. My regular visits to the gym, Pith's karate classes, Bell's Yoga classes, my dermatologist and nutritionist wasn't just for the paparazzi of taking pictures and making videos.

My body is amazing, so is my skin, spotless and shiny. Now worried, I turned up the sound on my airpod. It’s easier to ignore people’s stares when you’ve got music blasting in your ears. Then I ran up the next bus stop and took a sharp turn to the next faintly-familiar street, tracing my way back home.

I veered onto the pathway that led through a cemetery. Like the rest of the neighborhood, the cemetery had been left neglected, with weeds growing everywhere around, and within the slow cracks of tombstones. Street-gang graffiti, spray-painted art covered almost every surface of the graveyard, including some of the stones.

I recalled running through this same route with some of the kids from school almost every day when I was fourteen. Some days we would stop and sit on the tombstones and gist before we continued. Other days we'll keep running until we start dispersing to our various homes.

But today I kept running, trying to make the most out of the lingering daylight, because I was running late, and a graveyard was definitely not where I wanted to be seated after dark.

The pathway snaked the cemetery and eventually led through a fence of overgrowth and trees.

I ran into the opening of the field of weeds, feeling unsettled and tense, then curved into another street, bringing myself closer to home.

The streets held more people and buildings, contrary to the shorty quietness I experienced at the cemetery that had been virtually deserted.

Plying through a few more streets, I caught sight of my home in front and noticed the figure of my parents pacing the lawn with worry all over their faces.

I ran up to the front of the house and stood staring at them. "Where the hell did you go to?"

"Ada, language." My father, Liam Chike chided.

"I don't understand, is there a problem? Mom?"

"I told you not to run past our neighborhood. What if something had happened to you? You just don't listen, you're just a replica of your father. None of you listen until you fall into a ditch!"

"Let's go inside." My Father said to a confused me.

I was completely clueless as to why my mother was upset. I was home, in one piece. Yet, that was not enough?

Still panting from running several streets, I followed them inside the house. "Go freshen up and come down for dinner. We need to talk." My mother finally said after being silent for a while.

I nodded and headed up the stairs, the fear of what I saw in my mother's eyes hunting me while I battled with cleaning my body thoroughly in the bathroom.

******

The silence at the dinning table felt excruciating and painful. I forced most of the mashed potatoes down my throat and swallowed hurriedly each time, unable to feel the taste of the meal. When the silence became too unbearable, I shifted my meal and turned to my parents.

"Let's hear it, what's the problem?"

"Eat Ugo." My father said, tapping me gently on the arm.

"I'm full, and even if I'm not, I can't take more. I've lost my appetite. What's going on, what's with the silence and brooding, did someone die?"

My mother was the first to shake her head. "We didn't lose anyone. But we might as well loose someone if we don't find a solution." She said,

"Ada..." My father called in his usual peace-loving manner.

"Ugo is not a child, honey. The earlier we start taking....the better."

"Please talk to me... anyone. Dad, Mom."

"Honey, it's nothing serious....."

"Your father was accused of stealing from his company." My mom interrupted.

"What?" I looked at my father, hoping he would assure me his wife was just making things up, but he lowered his head. An act of surrender or shame. One that I've never seen him do since I knew him.

"How?" I asked the next question that came to mind.

My mom turned to my father and when she was certain he wasn't going to talk, she took over.

"The company your father works for is trying to....... "

"Some money was found missing." My father interrupted.

"Some money as in millions." My mom rushed in.

My heart rate increased a ton. I looked at my mother, my father then back to my mother. "What happened?" I asked, fearfully.

"Sweetheart," he called in his cheerful manner, although the tone of his voice lacked the usual grave it carries. "Remember when I told you about my job?"

I nodded. He tells me everything and recently, he's been calling to update me on some of the leverage his new position as the chief accountant offered him.

"Well, a few weeks ago, something terrible and suspicious happened. I stayed way above the normal closing time. I had a couple of projects to round off and I didn't want to bring work home...."

"Was that the night you called and I told you to order pizza for two?"

"Yes, exactly. That was the night." He replied and continued with his narration. At this point, I forgot about my meal completely.

"Sadly, Darling, I'm being framed for something I didn't do."

"What? I don't understand. What do you mean, Daddy? Framed, by who exactly?"

"It's...... it's a very long story, but the company......." He looked at my mom, before turning back to me. Gradually, he kept rubbing his palms together, continuously and when he stopped occasionally, I would notice how shaky his hands were. Swallowing carefully, I let out a deep sigh, worried to my bones that whatever is disturbing him was way bigger than he could handle.

"The company belongs to a powerful man. The day I stayed above the necessary time, I saw some things that didn't just click. So, I started searching for more clues. I finally discovered that some illegal activities take place within the company."

I jolted immediately. "What sort of illegalities?" I croaked, cringing at the sound of my non-recognizable voice.

"Drug trafficking. I think the company is used as a camouflage to transport and store their merchandise. When I discovered it, I panicked and confided in someone from the office. But I guess that was where I made the mistake."

I impatiently cleaned my forehead with my palms, fear gripping the best part of me. "So, what happened?"

"Some funds were discovered to be missing and I was set up to take the fall for it."

"What, that's outrageous. Why, why would they do that. That's such a stupid and plain-annoying thing to do." I said, hoping the money wouldn't be anything more than a few thousands.

"If that was the worst of it, I wouldn't even be worked up. But it's not." My mom said, preparing my mind for the worst case scenario. I turned to my father, staring expectantly with wide eyes.

"Now, they are threatening me, saying I have to pay up a large sum of money or else......... I....... we might lose our lives."

"What?" I pushed my meal farther away for fear of destroying the plate. "Death? Oh my god! What sort of situation is this? How much are we talking about?"

"Five hundred million dollars." My mom answered, laughing hysterically. "These people must think we are some Billionaires or something. How much is your father's salary? Let's start from there."

A wave of restlessness and fear swept over me instantly. Where in god's name am I going to get five hundred million dollars. Even with all my life savings and investments together, I wouldn't be able to get up to that sum. I started thinking of all the possible ways I could gather the money.

"We will need time to pay up." I finally said, looking up.

On normal days, I would have turned creative but this has to do with my father. The very first man I've ever loved and looked up to, my role model. There was no way I would let them touch a strand of his hair.

"No, there is no way we can give in to their cheap blackmail. I can't support their criminal activities. I'm going to fight this......" My best father announced.

"Darling there is nothing cheap about this blackmail and the corresponding threat. Ugo is right, we need time to pay up. We can negotiate paying gradually until we clear it out. These people are dangerous. You saw what they did the other day when they came to the house......."

"They what? They've been to the house?"

My mom nodded and I became terrified. "Did they give any sort of ultimatum?"

My parents nodded in unison. "We're to pay up in two months. But I think we should negotiate for a longer payment window."

"Yes." I replied scratching my head. "I think it's best if I meet your boss and negotiate for a flexible payment window for us or even plead for forgiveness. I will promise and give him my word that you won't say a single word to anyone." I added.

"You think that would work?" Mom asked.

"I'm only hoping it will. You know, normally Dad would have been targeted or killed by now. But the fact that he's still alive proves that there might be some goodness in your Boss."

"You're asking me to keep shut. I shouldn't open up to the authorities on what I saw?"

"No you can't." I snapped. "That would mean signing your death sentence. These people might hurt you, I'm scared for you."

"I'll be fine......"

"No, you won't." My mum interrupted. "Not until we sort this issue out. I'll go get my phone," she said. "I guess we have a call to make, yes?" She looked over to me and I nodded my consent.

We did have a call to make and the earlier we do that, the better for everyone of us. I looked at the sad expression on my father's face and shook my head.

He had no idea what he had gotten himself into. I'm still battling with the cartel case I handled a couple of months ago and have narrowly escaped death twice. So, I needed no soothsayer to tell me that my father might lose his life if we didn't act fast enough.

I scratched my head lazily and thought to myself, I needed a plan too. Although coming back home was a much needed holiday, I still had a battle looming over my head and the word, 'terrified' doesn't even explain how I feel at the thought of going back to Fairview.