Escape Planners [on hold]

Chapter-11

Kian Turner

Once back at work, Mia, Leo, and I were in the storeroom picking up the materials needed for decorating the main entry doors of the manor. Leo and I together picked up the heavy wooden frame and made our way out, with Mia following us with the box which contained handmade eco-friendly paper flowers, garlands, LED letters, cords, nails, hammer, and materials required to beautify the wooden frame.

Leo and I fixed the frame around the double door, then Mia began taking the materials out of the box. We were fixing the LED light over the edges of the frame when my phone went off. It was Rian. She wanted to meet Aura and me right away near the swimming pool.

"Hey guys, I've some work. I'll be back in a few." I said as I inserted the phone back into my jeans pocket.

"Hey, hey, what other work do you have? I don't remember Zoya giving you any other." Leo questioned.

"Uh..." I rubbed the back of my neck, wondering what to answer. I didn't want any of them to follow me and find out about my confidential task, so, I told them a modified truth.

"Have to see someone."

At my reply, Leo whistled and laughed. "Is that someone a girl?"

I smirked at his smartness. "Maybe. Maybe not."

"Well then, call me if you find someone for me." He winked. I laughed and gave him a thumbs-up to which Mia responded,

"You boys can never change your ways, can you?"

Leo looked at her and wiggled his eyebrows. "C'mon, Mia, where's fun in changing ways and besides, we aren't harming anyone, are we?"

I held my hand up and waved. "Alright, guys, see you in a few." And with that, I marched away to look for Aura.

I found her standing with a white drape in her hands with her group near a huge tree whose heavy and lower branch was to be embellished with drapes and lights to make it glamorous and more photogenic background for the guests to click pictures. As I went near, I found Joy sitting on the branch while Ezra was on the ladder hitched against the tree.

"Hey, Joy, what are you doing over there?" I asked as I looked up at him.

He pressed his hand on the trunk of the tree and looked at me. "Have to wrap the cloth around the branch. And dang, I feel like I'll fall anytime."

I laughed at his horrified expressions. "Don't worry, you wouldn't get hurt. It isn't too high."

"Where are Rachel and Vinnie?" I asked, particularly no one.

"With Zoya." Aura replied. Nodding my head, I came and stood beside her, and whispered,

"Rian called. She wants to meet us right now by the pool."

"Oh, alright. Let me pass this to Ezra then we'll leave." She whispered back, showing me the pristine cloth in her hands.

My gaze flicked to Ezra, whom I found staring at us. I didn't have any rift with him, we were becoming good friends. However, when it came to Aura, I felt weird to see her with him. It was stupid of me, but their interaction had begun bothering me. And I didn't know have any justification for that.

I silently watched them exchange smiles as she passed him the cloth. Despite having no reason to be disturbed, I lowered my eyes to the ground and played with the grass with my foot, waiting for them to get over with their talk. I couldn't see them closer to each other.

Then my senses came alive on their own and I acknowledged my stupidity. I shouldn't be behaving this way; I had no reason to. It wasn't me.

Frowning, I raised my eyes and sighing, I walked up to Aura. I placed my hands on her shoulders from behind, then turned her and gently pushed her to move. "Sorry, fellas, gotta steal her. I promise I'll bring her back in a while."