Chapter 211 – Beginning with a Daring Encounter

Candy cleared her throat. It was awkward asking or receiving help from him considering they had cut ties earlier that day, “Yes. I don’t want Jamal here with me when any of them show up. Can you keep him safe instead? Brandy and I will stay back,” Candy said, looking at him hopefully.

“Sis!” Brandy called in a surprised voice.

“Are you sure that is what you want?” Matt asked, not sure he liked the idea of separating the kid from his mother.

“Yes. I don’t know how far Jero would go this time. And I want to make sure that Jamal is safe regardless of whatever happens to us,” Candy said, and Matt exchanged a look with Brandy who gave him a nod, indicating that she supported her sister’s decision.

“Nothing is going to happen to you,” he promised before turning to Candy, “Would you like to speak with Jade?” He asked, and Candy swallowed hard before giving him a nod. She had thought the last time she would have any reason to talk to Jade was two years ago.

Matt took out his phone and dialed Jade’s line since she had asked him to let her know whatever Candace decides on.

Jade who was now watching the television with Harry, glanced at her phone when it started ringing and quickly reached for it when she saw that it was Matt, “Hey, Matt!” She said, snapping her fingers at Harry, and jerking her head towards the television for him to reduce the volume.

“Hi, Jade! I’m here with her. You can speak with her now,” Matt said before extending the phone to Candace who hesitantly moved closer to him and took the phone from him.

She cleared her throat, “Hi!”

“I’m genuinely sorry you are hearing from me again like this. I know this must not be easy on you, I’m sorry,” Jade apologized.

“It’s not your fault. There is nothing to be sorry for,” Jade said with a sigh, “What happened? How did he escape? Why are the members of the Legion searching for me?” Candy asked in a weary tone. She listened patiently as Jade narrated all that had happened and how her witness had suddenly gone missing too.

“That’s very sad to hear. Bill was such a good guy. He had always been different from the others. He couldn’t really stand the sight of blood. He only joined the gang to make ends meet for his family,” Candy said sadly when she realized that she knew the witness who was missing.

“Family? He didn’t mention anything about having a family. Not that he mentioned much of anything apart from his name. He only called to say he had evidence against the gang and asked that we meet. And ever since then I’ve been unable to reach him,” Jade explained.

“If the only thing you know about him is his name and what little he told you, then how have you been searching for him?” Candace asked with a scoff.

Jade cleared her throat as she turned to look at Harry who was looking at her with rapt attention, “I may not have much information on him, but I have my source who is working on finding him,” Jade said defensively.

“And you trust your source?” Candy asked cautiously.

“Yes, I do,” Jade said with confidence.

“Well, since they are out to find me, I can as well make it easier for everyone. Keep Jamal safe until all of this is over. In return, I will help you with the information you need to find your witness… That is if he is still alive. If he is dead, then I guess we will all have to wait for Jero to find me,” Candy said thoughtfully.

“Do you trust Matt to take care of your son?” Jade asked since there was no way she could keep the little boy with her. She wasn’t safe herself, and as such, she was in no position to keep the little boy safe.

“I do. But I’d rather Jamal stays with someone that has never been seen with me before. That way Jero won’t be able to find him,” Candace explained.

“Hm.” Jade thought about it for a moment, and then she smiled, “Okay. I think I know the perfect place.”

***********

Benne looked down at Celsie who was sleeping soundly on his arms in his bed, and his lips curved in a smile as he watched her. He had an immense feeling of contentment and satisfaction upon seeing her this way in his arms and knowing that she was now his.

It was almost six in the morning and he had been unable to sleep for most of the night. One would have thought that he would sleep soundly considering that he had been unable to get a night of proper sleep the previous night because he was worried that Celsie wasn’t going to forgive him, but he had been too overwhelmed by the fact that she had forgiven him and his search for love was over.

He had expected her to make things more difficult for him since he understood that most people often had the mentality that if they gave forgiveness too easily they would be taken for granted. Honestly, he would have been more than willing to put up with anything she dished out to him in her anger, but seeing how easily she had understood and forgiven him, his respect for her increased even more.

Benne leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead as he silently promised her and himself that he was going to do everything within his means to keep her safe, spoil her, and shower her with lots of love.

Benne moved gently so that he wouldn’t wake her up as he got out of the bed. He moved around as quietly as he could and walked into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Once he was done he went to the kitchen to fix himself a cup of coffee, before going to sit in the living room to check for news updates on his phone’s News app.

After going through most of the news for the day, Benne stood up with his now empty cup of coffee and returned to the kitchen where he rinsed it out before going to the bedroom to check on Celsie.

Celsie who had just woken up from sleep and was about to get off the bed quickly ducked and pretended to be asleep when she heard Benne’s approaching footsteps.

“I take it you are not going to work today?” Benne asked as he approached her bedside since he suspected that she was awake.

“How did you know that I was awake?” Celsie asked as she sat up to look at him with a small smile.

“I didn’t. You just told me,” Benne said with a grin as he stopped beside her, “Good morning, Princess. I hope you slept well?” Benne asked as he leaned forward to kiss her cheeks.

“I tried,” Celsie said with a yawn, “Good morning. I should go and get ready for work. You should too,” Celsie said with her eyes on his bedside clock as she got off the bed.

“You don’t have to hurry, you know?” Benne said, reminding her that he was the boss and she could get to the office whenever she wanted.

“You have to hurry. You are driving me to the office, remember?” Celsie asked as she started to walk past him, but Benne quickly grabbed her arm.

“Why are you so devoted to your job anyway? Do I have to fire you?” Benne asked with a scowl.

“You can try,” Celsie dared with a giggle as she embraced him.

“I’m so glad it’s almost weekend. I can’t wait to have you all to myself,” Benne said as he ran his hands down her back.

“You already have me all to yourself. Let’s have lunch together in your office when no one is looking,” Celsie suggested as she kissed his lips, “Now I’m going to get ready for work. You should do the same,” she said as she moved away from him.

“Let’s not go to work today,” Benne complained as he watched her leave.

Celsie paused by the door and turned to look at him, making him look back at her with hopeful eyes, “Going forward I hope you won’t be distributing your number to anyone who cares to have it,” Celsie said with a hiss of annoyance before walking away, making Benne chuckle.

An hour later Celsie who was sitting in the backseat of her car raised a brow when she noticed that Benne was driving in a different direction from the office, “Where are you going to?” She asked Benne curiously, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror.

“Oh, sorry! The CEO didn’t tell you? He called earlier, and asked me to take you somewhere else,” Benne said with a grin.

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