Chapter 69

'I didn't like the way he looked at me," Ludo told Hunter.

Immediately after leaving her office, she got on a cab to Central Park where she found Hunter waiting for her. She wasn't sure how she would meet him at first because she didn't get his phone number. She just went trusting that he would show up and he did.

'Perhaps you've both met somewhere before," Hunter said.

'He's my boss' cousin. There is something about him that i didn't like. Enough of that, any progress on the search for the two murderers?"

'Not really but i have been asking around. No one seems to know where they are found these days."

'I think my new boss can help us. We will just have to wait."

'How?"

'Leave that to me."

He stared at her and looked away. 'How's the boy?"

'On my way here, i talked to mom. She said he's doing much better and keeps asking about you."

'That's good," Hunter got quiet.

'What's on your mind?"

'Ben and Devi of course. They wiped out an entire family. I really need to find them and know who is behind it all."

'You will but once you do, let the law do it's job. Don't put everything in your hands Hunter."

He didn't respond.

'You seriously need to be medically checked. Those wounds look fresh and i bet they are hurting. You can lay low for a while and let the wounds heal and start the search thereafter. If Caesar fails to locate them we will definitely find other ways, but as for you, you need to rest." Ludo insisted

'My rest will only come when i am dead." Hunter declared

'I insist, please," she begged him.

She got her phone and called Melanie. She asked to meet her as soon as possible. Being a good friend, Melanie drove to Ludo and found her with Hunter.

'Is that….?" Melanie paused.

'Yes, that's Hunter. I don't have time to explain things now but did you hear about what happened in Chisoti village?"

'Yes, don't tell me he did…"

Ludo interrupted her, 'No. Apparently, he's the hero and there are some people looking for him and the last surviving child of the dead chief. He needs a place to crash."

Melanie dragged Ludo away from Hunter, 'Lulu, why do you put yourself in trouble ai?"

'It's not that. He's a friend and i am obligated to help him. Please help us."

'Do i have a choice?" Melanie asked raising a brow

'No you don't." Ludo smirked.

'Promise me you will tell me everything because I don't want to help fugitives."

'He's not a fugitive, trust me, and i cannot ask you for this if i knew he was one."

'Okay," Melanie stopped to think for a little while nefofe saying, "Norton has a flat in Lusaka West under maintenance. He can stay there for a while. I will call the caretaker to arrange some things for him."

'You're the best." Ludo hailed cheerily.

After calling the caretaker, Melanie left. Ludo and Hunter found their way to the flat and as Melanie had said, they found the place ready for Hunter. After checking out the place, Ludo told Hunter that she was heading back as it was late.

'Promise me you will stay here for a while until you get better."

'We will see."

'I take that as a yes. I will bring some things Tommorow."

'Don't bother, I'll have that taken care of. Just make sure the boy is well and sound."

'I insist. For once, let me help you. Don't make this difficult ah." Ludo complained

Ludo left and went back home. She found her parents talking with Walutanga. Joe and Zamiwe spent the whole day interrogating him asking him if he was kidnapped by Hunter. Conversely, they found out the opposite was true. Walutanga told them about how Hunter rescued him on two occassions. He also told them how they had met in the village.

As soon as they saw Ludo, they pretended to be talking about something else with the boy. Ludo sat next to Walutanga.

Walutanga had a clear view of Ludo and he couldn't help but admire. 'You're beautiful." he smiled looking away.

'Awww thanks, how are you feeling?"

'Much better but the pain comes and goes. I don't know what she's giving me," he pointed at Zamiwe, 'But it's doing its job."

'That's my mother," Ludo said with proud.

'Did you see Hunter?" Walu asked

Zamiwe and Joe's heads turned at this question.

'Yes i did. He will visit you soon. In the meantime he's looking for the bad people who wants you dead."

'Why would someone want me dead?" Walu frowned.

Ludo couldn't answer.

'This world has bad people and there are people like your friend who take care of them. Don't think too much. Focus on getting well soon, i believe you have a village to rule."

Walutanga laughed, 'My uncle will do that. I don't know where he is though. Maybe my sister knows where he is."

Ludo felt sorry especially after remembering what Hunter told her about Walu not knowing that his sister had been murdered. She stood up and went to the kitchen. Zamiwe followed her.

'Did he find them?"

'Not yet but he will."

'Are you sure?"

'Yes mom. Now tell me, why did you come with dad? Where you two together?"

Zamiwe became nervous, 'No, why would you think that?"

'I have noticed the coziness between you two. Are you doing something behind my back?"

'No Ludo. Even if we were we wouldn't need to explain it to anyone, do we?"

Ludo laughed, 'I knew it," she facepalmed herself. 'Love always finds its way back."

'Think whatever you want. Let me get back to the boy. He's even more fun than you. All you know is inquisitiveness."




Ludo laughed and when she checked her phone, there was a text message from Caesar.

"GOOD EVENING LUDO, I HAVE ASKED AROUND FROM MY FRIENDS AND I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHAT THESE TWO PEOPLE ARE KNOWN FOR. WHATEVER IT IS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, I THINK IT'S NOT WORTH IT."




After reading the text, she quickly dialled his line. He took some seconds to answer.

'Evening sir."

'Call me Caesar, Ludo," he told her.

'I have read your text and i am humbled that you're concerned about my safety. That i appreciate so much but it's just some research i am doing. Trust me, it's just for me and my friend."

Caesar was quiet for a while.

'Caesar, please." Ludo probed

'Let's talk tomorrow," he paused; his breath was increasing showing he was about to say something, 'During dinner."

'Are you asking me out?" she laughed.

'Is that a bad thing?"

'Doesn't your friend Lance prohibit casual hanging outs with workmates especially between the employer and his subordinate?"

'I don't know anything about that. Moreover i am also a boss, i can change that," he cleared his throat.

'I love the sound of that."

'Okay tomorrow then."

'Goodnight Caesar," she hung up.

*****

Sitting across each other, Erica and Evan stared at one another blankly. Evan had managed to locate her and was really upset that she was living lavishly whilst he was suffering.

'Even managing to pay for this hotel huh?" he broke the silence.

'Is that a problem?" she asked.

'Where are you getting the money?"

'None of your business."

'It damn is my business."

'Oh Evan," she rolled her eyes. 'We are all adults. I left when everything was all merry and coming back, i found everything was taken from us and my brother dead."

'You ran away when things turned bad."

'Did i have a choice?"

'You could have stayed and helped us."

'Us meaning you and that wretched girl, Ludo, right?"

'Don't wickedly talk about Ludo. Leave her out of this."

Erica laughed, 'What did that girl do to you? Anyway it's none of my business. What do you want from me?"

'Why are you back? You just can't tell me you needed a change of scenery. I know you, what's going on?"

'I am back to get what is rightfully mine."

'What is that?"

'Everything Evan, everything, and i cannot trust you with anything. You gave it all up for a girl, you could do it again. Dad even warned me about you."

'You're talking to dad?" Evan stood up, 'That man killed my twin brother."

'Our brother, Evan, but he had his reasons and he is paying for it, but he just wants what's his back and i am going to help get everything back. If you will excuse me, i have other serious matters to attend to." she got up and made to leave.

'I want in." Evan said standing up. "I  was the brains of everything, i can help. Dad doesn't have to know. I am tired of this rag life."

'With Ludo involved, i cannot trust you Evan."

'What do you mean Ludo involved? What does she have to do with this?"

'Apparently, the law firm dad chose is the one Ludo works at. I don't know why but he insist i use the same one."

'I want in. I don't care what you all think but you're my family."

'The family you once betrayed?"

'I never betrayed anyone Erica. I just did the right thing."

'Look where the right thing has gotten you."

'It's all in the past. I want in." he repeated.

She carefully scrutinized him, 'I am not sure about you Evan. Father never said not to work with you he just said not to rely on you. He referred to you as a deadbeat, his words." She felt sorry for him, he was her only sibling. 'Follow me," she said and walked away.

Evan followed her to a room where he found Jean and a young girl playing house. As soon as Jean saw them, he stood up and greeted Evan. Erica went to the little girl and Carried her.

'Uncle Evan," Erica told the girl pointing at Evan.

The little girl smiled.

'Evan, meet Elise, my daughter."

Evan's heart melted seeing the adorable girl. She looked exactly like their mother and had the nose of Ethan. He knelt before them and spread his arms. The little girl hid her face behind her mother.

'She's shy," Jean said.

'You see what's at stake if we don't get everything back?" Erica asked him, 'I need you to be all in. No mess ups especially when it comes to Ludo. We are all you got Evan."

'I promise i will do right by you."

Erica smiled. She she had him where she wanted him to be, Just like her father had instructed her to. Despite not knowing what the whole endgame was going to be, she trusted her father with her life. Little did she know that in Hamuumbu's game, everyone was a pawn.