The premonition - Page 20

LorisKarius · #**286** 09-11-2016, 06:03 PM

Camping here.

laobububu · #**287** 09-11-2016, 06:45 PM

Camping too.

pussluver · #**288** 10-11-2016, 12:53 AM

Wednesday

The taxi was still in the workshop and I did not have much to do. Again, Sara went to work on her own, leaving me to my elements.

Just after she texted me when she arrived at the office, I received another text from an unknown number.

unknown msg: Sam right?

I tried to call the number but the user disengage me once the number got through. This arouse a curiosity in me.

unknown msg: don't try to call me
Me msg: who is this?
unknown msg: meet me at Ibis in 30mins. Tell the concierge your name directly and they will bring you to me.
Me msg: why the hotel? What is it about?
unknown msg: Sara
Me msg: what about Sara?

But there was no other reply. I tried calling the number again but it was already switched off.

My mind went back to Helen and what was supposed to happen but did not happen. I was positively sure that this caller had something to do with Lucy again.

Apprehensively, I made my way to the hotel, thinking about all ways to reject any advances.

Once I arrived there I went to the concierge and the bell boy brought me to a room on the 8th floor.

Bellboy: Sir, this is the room.

I nodded and watched him head back to the lift. Alone in front of the room, I prepared myself as I pressed the doorbell, expecting Helen or Matthew to open it.

To my surprise, it was neither both of them and there was no skimpily dressed woman as well. Instead, the old guy in the photo open the door. He greeted me with a smile.

Old guy: Come in.

I was stumped for a moment before entering. I looked around the room and there was no one else.

Old guy: have a seat. Can I get you a drink?
Me: no. I'm fine.

I had a million questions for him.

Me: How did you get my number?
Old guy: I have my means.
Me: who are you?
Old guy: sam.... sam.... have you forgotten me? Think....

Even though I had tried to search my memory but nothing came up previously. But now, with him physically in front of me, I had a faint recollection.

Me: No.....It can't be.....
Old guy: I see you remember now
Me: I thought you had died....
Old guy: haha.... and so it seemed so.....

His name was Paul. A colleague in my very first job more than 10 years ago. He was a senior engineer then but I only met him for 1 week before he was sent on a work trip to Makassar. He was reported to suffer a heart attack there and had died.

Because of the short period of time that I knew him and also that it was so long ago, I did not recall him until now.

Me: they went to your funeral....
Paul: haha.... did you attend? I guessed you did not. Because if you did, they would have told you that they were not allowed to view the coffin..... haha.....

I was now confused.

Paul: haha.... you looked confused..... but I am not going to tell you the whole story.... instead let me bring you to the present.
Me: Sara....

He nodded and smiled. I could see that both his front teeth were missing.

Paul: Yes. You know that Lucy is going to give her to me? ....haha....

I looked at him and frowned.

Paul: a sweet young thing.... fresh.... I think she could probably be a virgin as well..... haha....
Me: what do you want?
Paul: simple..... I am in need of money. give me 100k and I'll disappear. Lucy wont be able to find me and Sara will not need to marry me.
Me: what? 100k? where am I to get that amount?

He sniggered again.

Paul: it's up to you.... she could marry me....

Or anyone else. I thought.

Me: even if I can get you 100k, and if you disappeared, Lucy will find another one for Sara to marry.
Paul: well, at least I could buy you time. I could disappear on the day of the wedding or the day before that.

I considered. Time. That is what I need.

Me: I don't have 100k.
Paul: you find your means.
Me: and Lucy have not even said when the wedding will be.... it could be 1 year from now...

He laughed a throaty laugh and it was getting on my nerves.

Paul: that's not what I heard. It will take place in 2 weeks.....
Me: I am not informed....
Paul: check with your girl.... go on... take out your phone.... call her....

Instinctively I reached for my phone. When I took it out, there were 6 missed calls and a message from Sara. I had switched it to silent before I met Paul and did not realized that it was ringing.

I read the message and she confirmed that she had received a text from Helen to tell her that she is getting married in 2 weeks.

Me: who are you?
Paul: I am who you knew me as, albeit a different name now....haha....
Me: who is Lucy to you? why did she look for you?
Paul: I would just say that she owe me a favour. And she is returning the favour with a young pretty girl.
Me: why not you just ask her for the 100k?

His eyes narrowed to slits.

Paul: don't you know by now that there is no negotiating with her? Who am I to ask her for other stuffs when she made the offer?

I contemplated if he was telling the truth. But somehow, he did not seemed to be lying.

Paul: It's up to you. I can't bargain with her. But I can bargain with you..... the ball is in your court.

I decided. It does not seemed like I had much of a choice then.

Me: ok fine. I'll grab the 100k for you.
Paul: I'll disappear 1 day before the wedding.
Me: No..... I need you to disappear once you receive the money. I don't want to risk it.
Paul: sure. Your call.

He offered me his hand. I looked at the greasy thing and brushed him aside, walking towards the door.

Paul: 2 days. I'll contact you again on how to deliver the money to me.

Without replying, I opened the door and walked out.

I called Sara and assured her that she would not get to marry the guy.

Don text me to let me know that he is meeting Vivian for dinner that night.

I started to think about how I could get 100k for him in 2 days. Even though this seemed to be a feeble plan, however, I had no other alternative currently.