27| the three girls

It had been about a month since the break in. She was given the key back just yesterday, 6 April to be exact.

Leah called Audrey yesterday the moment she had gotten back the keys and was excited to re make the place.

She decided not to go back yesterday and get a good night's rest. The police hadn't caught the three woman or Bernard yet, but they have got eyes on them.

They were trying to find the perfect time to strike. The time when they least expected.

Her parents and Kane had gone to back to work.

Now, Liam and Kayley are staying closer to them and their restaurant is nearer to Leah's shop.

Recalling what happened a few weeks ago, she smiled at the memory.

Flashback

She was just minding her own business when Kane got the Knight family into his car for a trip.

There was no spoilers or hints and what not, which made everyone even more confused.

Kane on the other hand was freaking out internally in his mind. He just wanted them to be happy about this surprise.

Driving, Leah took note that they were near where her shop was. She found herself getting more curious then ever. What were they going to do here?

He parked the car and opened the door for them and showed them a restaurant with the exact name of Liam and Kayley's restaurant.

"What- what is this Kane?" Kayley asked very shocked and confused.

"Your new shop location. It is closer to Leah's work place and I made some advertisements to help with your business.

I also hired a few people to help you" Kane explained sheepishly.

"There's still another surprise, come on" Kane said.

After ten minutes of walking, they reached an apartment complex? They weren't sure.

"So I bought you guys a place closer to here so you can reach there easier and it will be more convenient.

I hope you like it!" Kane said smiling.

There were tears in both Liam's and Kayley's eyes. "Thank you so much Kane" Kayley hugged him who reciprocated the action too.

Liam also gave him a hug.

Flashback over

She hadn't expected it at all and was just so grateful to find such a caring and amazing boyfriend.

"Leah, you okay?" Audrey asked, bringing her back to reality.

"Yup, just thinking" Leah replied.

"Okay, we are here. Let's go. Thanks Pete!" Audrey thanked their driver who nodded and drove off.

The shop looked the same as it did a month ago. To put it simply, it was a mess.

"Oh dear" Audrey muttered to herself. "Well let's get started shall we" Audrey said.

Leah nodded as thus operation clean up began.

Prior to today, she had contacted laundry companies wondering if the paint stains could be removed even after a month.

There was a company who was willingly to take a look to see if it could be washed away.

She would head there later today.

Next were the walls. Leah had bought some paint to paint over the graffiti. She has consulted the sales staff and made sure it could cover the marks.

Enya and Scarlet would be coming over to help out. Scarlet had only received the news just a few days ago.

Leah felt bad for not telling her but she had just forgotten to do so. Making calls to different companies as well as the back and forth trips to the police station, it was getting to her.

Kane stayed as patient as ever, understanding her stress. If he was in her shoes, he would feel exactly the same. At least the police would be able to help.

"Let's get painting!" Leah said to Audrey who chucked.

•••

After multiple breaks and paint jobs, Leah and Audrey had completed painting the whole space.

For a 54 year young lady, she sure had the energy of a 5 year young child.

Deciding to take a break, they headed on over to Liam and Kayley's restaurant. With the good advertisement of the place by Kane, business was blooming, even during non peak hours.

Entering the crowded restaurant, they were greeted by the aroma of the Taiwanese food and it sure made them hungry.

"Hi mom and dad!" Leah called them out, hugging them.

"Hey Liam and Kayley" Audrey also greeted them.

They both reciprocated their greetings to one another, finding an empty table for the four to sit.

"Business is blooming isn't it" Audrey struck a conversation.

"Yes, and it's all thanks to Kane. If it wasn't for him, his place would be super empty" Liam told Audrey happily.

"Really, I didn't even know that" Audrey's ears perked up at her friends words.

"It still feel like a fever dream" Kayley chirped in, handing both Leah and Audrey and plate of food.

"It's so tiring but fulfilling" Kayley added, looking at her husband, smiling.

Just then, Leah's phone rang loudly. Apologizing, she picked up the phone to see the familiar number:

"Hi this is Officer Stephanie here. Right now, Jessica Jane Warts, Bianca Jillian Hayes and Hannah Marie Keys are near your shop.

Officers are there patrolling acting as shoppers. Would you be open to getting them into your shop for an easy arrest?

If you feel uncomfortable, it would not affect the many plans we have as back up" Stephanie explained.

Giving it some thought, Leah nodded although Stephanie couldn't see it at all. "Yes, I'll do it. I'm out for lunch and I'll be back in five minutes" Leah told her.

Stephanie had made sure she was okay with the whole plan before hanging up.

Her parents and Audrey looked at her curiously, wondering what the phone call was all about.

Reading their facial expression, she explained everything from the phone call.

Seeing the look of curiosity faded on their faces, Leah decided they had to leave, promising to return after everything.

They bid goodbye for now and left to the shop. On the walk back, Leah and Audrey had made some small talk.

It was not long before they arrived back at the shop. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the two familiar figures waiting at the front of the door.

Realizing it was Enya and Scarlet, she walked a little faster and apologized for the wait despite them just arriving.

When they entered the shop, Leah filled them in on the situation of the cop situation so they wouldn't be alarmed.

Halfway through their talk, she felt a buzz and thought it was from Officer Stephanie but turned out to be Kane.

———

My love💓:

I miss you. How's everything?

Me:

it's going alright

i think they are arresting them

My love 💓:

That's good! I'll pick you up later for dinner @6.30pm

Dress fancy ;)

Me:

okay, i'll see you soon :)

bye

My love 💓:

Bye :)

———

"Erm Leah, you having phone sex or something" Enya asked bluntly, seeing the smiles forming on her face.

"That's not true. He just told me that he will pick me for dinner later at 6.30" Leah cleared her very weird assumption.

As Enya was about to rebut, she got cut off my the door opening, seeing the three girls who made her life a mess.

"Wow Leah, it looks so good huh?" Jessica asked innocently.

Scarlet decided to record this conversation as it could be used as evidence to give them a heavier sentence.

"I know right. We did quite a bit on the walls oh and those chairs" Hannah pointed out.

"The racks too" Bianca added on.

"If you have nothing good to say, don't say it. Waste your breath and don't pollute the air here" Enya rebutted.

"Exactly. Just leave. Your presence isn't welcome" Scarlet backed on Enya who was fuming at their gloating.

Leah who had been quite was trying to remain calm and not do anything that would make her

end up in a jail.

As Leah was about to say something, Audrey, in a spur, blurted out:

"Don't disturb my daughter in law"

~~~

heyyyy :D

welcome to another chapter ❤️

we love Audrey

#stanaudrey

awesome audrey in the house

anyways, hope you all are doing well and thank you for all of your support

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜💗

i have many different ideas and i don't even know how navy chapters this book will have

my aim is to complete it by december and start on another story lol

yup that's it for today and i'll see you in the next chapter :D 👋🏻

[word count: 1340 words]

[published on: 26 sep 2021]