Chapter 177 Break in
Flashback.
“Oliver please. Not today.” Adison said dropping her bag and walking off to the kitchen
“Where the fuck are you coming from.” Old man Johnson shouted intoxicated.
“Each time I go out. I give you a heads up and you are god damn aware why are you fussing?”
He tossed a news paper on the table. Color drained from Adison’s face. She looked up at him.
“It’s not the way they put it.. the press has a way of twisting things. You can’t believe them.” She stepped closer to him and he stepped back.
The front paper read: Engagement bells; Adison Richard spotted going to a hotel with Major General Garrison.
“I can explain it. He said he had information about the bomb blast and who did it. He invited me there. I had to go.” She explained.
He scoffed and pulled out a stack of pictures, tossing them on the floor. They were intimate puctures of her and the major.
Her eyes widened. “Babe, I promise I don’t know what is going on.. but someone is trying to set me up.. let me explain.” She knelt, gathering the pictures with shaky hands.
“This one he said there was something on my neck and he helped me pull it out.” She was breathing fast. “This one, he got drunk, then he slipped and—“ The explanation sounded weak even to her she stopped “I swear nothing happened.” She whispered.
“Do I look like a fool to you, Adison. You are enjoying the privileges that comes with being rich now that you all were awarded for being patriotic heroes of ivorycity and you come here to pretend like you doing this for me?”
Adisons hazel eyes glistened. “How can you say that?. You know I rejected everything they offered. I’m here with you because I don’t believe you did any of those things. I’m doing everything just to clear your name.”
“Stop the fucking pretense Adison” he roared. “I thought I knew you but I was wrong. I can’t do this anymore.”
Adison shook her head frantically. She covered the space between them her hands tightened around his waist. “Oliver please I swear I didn’t sleep with him. He said he would prove—“
“I want to forget about Black Face,” he cut her off ruthlessly. “With you being here it makes it harder. I thought I could hold on but I can’t.. let’s end it.”
“Oliver, trust me. I love you I would never.” She sobbed hard. He removed her hand from his waist.
“I don’t even trust myself. How can I trust a prostitute. It’s over Adison.” He looked into her eyes one last time.
End of flashback.
Those were the last words he said before disappearing for years. When he came back he heard she died. He wished he believed her. He never stopped cursing himself. He lived with deep regret loosing the woman who believed in him when the whole world doubted.
Tears slid down the old man’s eyes.
Maverick downed the fifth glass of alcohol, the burn did nothing to suit the uncomfortable feeling in his chest. Everything was fucked up. He was losing her again, doing the same thing he said he would never do to her again.
“Maverick Richard, Fancy seeing you here,” Collins said, taking the stool next to him. “What a big surprise.”
Maverick barely glanced at him. He took another shot this time directly from the bottle.
“White Russian.” He said to the attendant.
“You are in pretty bad shape,” he pointed at his hand tied with a bandage smeared with blood. Then he paused as if realizing something.
“Looks like you are going through a rough breakup. Did you get busted fucking your sister in law,” he acted surprised. “That’s huge…”
Maverick got up from the stool and swayed slightly.He was intoxicated by the alcohol.
If there was one person who never lost control it was Maverick. Collins knew that right from their early days in the military. But he looked miserable today.
Maverick grabbed the bottle and staggered out.
“How does it feel being rejected?” Collins asked.
“Watch your mouth Collins.” His voice was a clear warning.
Collins rolled his eyes.
“You didn’t thank me the other day at the beach. I covered your ass. I want you to apologize. Now you know what rejection feels like.Not only did you reject me. You humiliated me.” Collins' jaw tightened. They used to be good friends but things turned sour for them one day.
Maverick stopped. He turned slowly. “I had nothing to do with telling people about your sexuality. All I did was turn down your offer.”
“True. Distancing yourself from me was worse than the fact that the whole dorm heard me confess my feelings to you. You turned a blind eye to all the bullying. Knowing a word from you would have stopped it.” Collins said. It was the first time since that day he was having this discussion with Maverick; they had turned sworn enemies.
He had worked hard to get to the MCID position now, wanting to prove a point to Maverick. But he had thought about it and had chosen to let go.
Maverick’s jaw ticked. “I don’t regret my actions and I don’t owe you an apology.” He turned and staggered out.
Maverick had his own share of problems, the problem had not only affected Collins him too. He lost a friend. His mother was gonna get Collins kicked out from the military entirely to save his image since she was so obsessed with the family being spotless. Even though he had explained that he wasn’t gay. He decided to not talk to Collins again.
Outside, the cold air blew over his face. All he wanted was Heaven. He wasn’t going to leave her even if someone threatens to destroy her. He’d ruin the person instead. He downed the remaining content in the bottle until it was empty, he tossed the bottle it shattered and stumbled towards his car. He took out his key and it was suddenly grabbed from him.
“Go around. Even if I want you to die and go to hell. Not today until I get my apology.” Collins said he opened the door and got into the driver's seat Maverick obeyed and got into the passenger seat.
The drive was silent, Maverick had his eyes closed leaning back on the seat.
“I met Ahmed a year ago,” Collins didn’t look away from the road. “He apologized for bullying me then. I asked him why he was removed. He said he was found with contraband. Turns out he wasn’t the only one who had been removed. Guess what they all had in common?”
It was silent. Maverick didn’t bother answering him.
“They bullied me and made my life hell after finding out I was gay. And guess what they had in common with you. The same platoon and you were room mates in the final year. Did you do it?”
Maverick opened his eyes slightly. “What do you think?”
“I know you did it. You are ruthless.” He said as a matter of fact.
“I know you didn’t grow up apologizing but being apologized to. Maverick apologizing doesn’t show weakness. It shows strength and you will be surprised how much could change.”
Maverick didn’t give a response but the words hit something in him.
“Take the left turn.” Maverick said quietly.
Collins' brows furrowed. “That’s not the way to the Richards estate though.” He said turning left.
Maverick directed until they stopped at Johnson's gate. They were four armed guards with a big surveillance light that was going round the front gate like they were trying to prevent a force.
Collins glanced at Maverick whose eyes were locked on the gate. He understood immediately. “Don’t even think about it. Are you trying to break in there?”
“Yes, and you are going to help me.” He turned to Collins, certain he would.
“Why will I even do that,” he arched a brow at him.
“You said I should apologize.” Maverick opened the car door and came out. Lightning appeared in the sky like it was going to rain and the wind became strong.
“What does it have to do with breaking into a house with men wielding AK47 rifles while dead drunk.” He lamented. “I’m trying to save your ass. Not letting you drive drunk and you are going on another suicide mission. Count me out.”