Until Proven Innocent 🤍 Net/James

Chapter 3 ~ under surveillance ~

The rest of the journey was completed in silence and soon Man was pulling up in front of a large fenced off property where he keyed in a security code to the panel by the large automatic gate and it began to slide open.

"I'll give you the code to get in and out" Man told Noel as he drove towards the large property.

"ok" Noel replied.

"oh but then you'll have to travel back again on the Sunday morning, that will be a burden ... look, why don't you just sleep here on Saturday nights, you'll be quite safe and I won't be here to disturb you" Man suggested.

"isn't that inappropriate though sir?" Noel asked.

"it's only the same as a live in domestic" Man said.

"I guess, if your sure" Noel answered.

"very, I'll show you around and leave you a list of things I'd like you to do this weekend" Man said.

"yes sir"

"didn't I tell you to call me Man or boss"

"I'm sorry boss, I forgot"

Noel really didn't talk much, he was exceptionally good at being tight lipped, whether that was because he was just secretive or extremely shy as Gunny said, Man didn't know but he would find out in time.

He'd got the kid to agree to stay here all weekend, every weekend and he could observe him covertly so it was a start. Man parked up and climbed out before walking around to open the door for Noel then he stood back a little so he didn't make him feel uncomfortable.

Approaching the property, Man keyed in another code and the large front door opened. It was all very high tech and secure, Noel was sure he would be safe here by himself but then he remembered something.

"Mr er boss, I just realized, I don't have anything to sleep in?" Noel said.

"don't worry, you can use whatever you want of mine, you'll be laundering it anyway so it's no biggy" Man said.

"thank you boss" Noel said.

"right, I'll give you the grand tour and tell you what needs to be done this weekend, it's great having a house out of the city but it's difficult to maintain when you're at work all week" he added.

Noel nodded, he wished he lived in a house like this with a loving family but he knew he would never have a life like that. How could he ever meet anyone when he was scared of his own shadow. He had made sure to keep fit by working out in his apartment but having muscles didn't mean jack' if you were scared to use them.

Man showed Noel all around the property and wrote down the security codes for him, explained the alarm system and added the full address in case Noel wanted to call a pizza or a cab or anything. He gave him a list of jobs to do over the weekend and paid him up front with an envelope full of cash. 

He was testing the kid, he fully expected him to do as little as possible then leave early before this evening.

"so that's it and now you know where the house is, if you come back again next Saturday I'll leave a list of jobs on the countertop with your pay, is that ok?"

"yes boss and I'm very grateful, thank you" Noel said.

"ok I'm leaving, if you need me for anything you have my number and be careful clearing the yard, if you can't manage it, leave it and I'll find someone to help you" Man said.

"I'll be ok boss, do you need me to fetch groceries and fill the fridge?" Noel asked him.

Man shook his head.