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    It was a breezy evening, Maverick entered his car and drove gently down the street. He had passed through many houses before he parked his car in the front of a duplex. The duplex was painted white, so it was called a white house by everyone. On the exterior part of the house were two tall trees, a dustbin, a car park and a marquee.

    Maverick walked slowly in the direction of Sophie’s apartment. When he was closer to the door, he saw a padlock dancing on the door. He muttered some words and walked in the direction of the marquee. He sat down on a bench under the marquee and started gazing at the passersby. When he was tired of gazing, he took out his phone. It was the iPhone his dad bought for him before he left for Hawaii. The phone cost five hundred dollars and it was the latest model iPhone. 

   Whenever Maverick gazed at the phone, he would remember his father. His countenance would change for good because he was now fathered. As Maverick was pressing the phone, someone tapped him on the back. He took his gaze away from the phone and saw a beautiful lady, in her 20s. She was dressed in a brown gown, a white belt and a hat. She was clutching a Chelsea bag too. She dropped her bag on the carpet grass and sat down.

“Why would you keep me waiting for so long?” Maverick said grimly.

“I am so sorry. Many people checked into the hotel today. I had to leave some work undone so that I could attend to you.”

    Maverick smiled and touched Sophie's nose. He said he wouldn’t take it lightly with Sophie if she kept him waiting for so long again. Sophie nodded her head and the twosome laughed. Maverick quickly put his phone inside his pocket. He clutched Sophie’s bag and they walked in the direction of the door.

    Sophie opened the padlock and pushed the door. When they got into the sitting room, they sat down on a settee and started discussing. Maverick complained that the air was too much, so Sophie walked in the direction of the standing fan and turned it off. “I believe everyone is aware of your workplace?” These were Sophie’s words before she sat down.

“Yes, of course. My clients are also aware.”

“That’s nice. I am looking forward to that day. The wedding would be fantastic.”

“You can say that again.”

    They were in the middle of a discussion when Maverick’s phone rang. He ignored the phone. When the phone rang the second time, Sophie pleaded that Maverick should pick up the call. Maverick took out the phone from his pocket and swiped the screen when he knew who the caller was.

    As he discussed with the caller, he laughed from time to time. Sophie hoped she could eavesdrop on the conversation, but she couldn’t, because the phone’s speaker wasn’t loud enough.

“I will tell her. Let’s hope she agrees.” These were Maverick’s words before he cut the call.

“And who was that?”

“It’s Miles. He is at my house now and wants my attention.”

“Really? But you told me you wouldn’t leave here until 8:00 pm.”

    Maverick was sorry that he wouldn’t be able to abide by his promise. When he saw that Sophie was sad, he promised to come back the following day. It was then that Sophie gave a sigh. She had always loved to be with Maverick and when she didn’t get Maverick’s attention, she felt sad.

“I hope you will stand by your words?” 

“Don’t you trust me again?”

“That was when you were still faithful.”    

    Maverick used his palm to cover Sophie’s mouth. When he uncovered Sophie's mouth, he gave her a kiss. He was about to loose the buttons of Sophie’s gown when he remembered he didn’t want a child out of wedlock. He quickly stood up from the settee. Sophie smiled and didn’t say a word. She held Maverick’s hand and walked him out of the sitting room. She gazed at Maverick as he entered the car. She waited for Maverick to start the car before she walked in the direction of the door.

    It was 7:03 pm already. Maverick increased the speed of the car, so that he could get home on time. When he got home, he alighted from the car and walked in the direction of the door. When he got in, he saw Miles sitting on one of the couches.

“How did you get in here, young man?” he said.

“At least, you should sit down first.” 

    Maverick sat down slowly and Miles told him that he had forgotten to lock the iron door.

“I was carried away because I had an appointment with Sophie.”

“Love makes you do crazy things nowadays. You should always check to see whether your door is locked. We can’t trust Hawaii’s security again.”

“That’s true. Thank you for the advice.”

    Maverick asked Miles what he would like to take. Miles said he had already taken dinner before leaving home. Maverick had no option than to let him be. The duo discussed many things. They were discussing the unsecured state of Hawaii when Maverick tried to change the discussion. “We should be talking about my wedding and not sitting down and discussing gibberish. The state has security agents. Let them team up to tackle the repellant happenings in the state, “ Maverick said. 

“You talked as if you aren’t part of the state.”

“Save that for another day, man. What did Eliana say about the change in the conduct of the wedding?”

“She said a church wedding would be better, that it would prevent you from being promiscuous.”

“That’s too strict. I don’t force myself on ladies. They are forcing themselves on me instead.”

“Then you aren’t ready for a church wedding. Remember, the church doesn’t allow polygamy.”

    Maverick smiled and nodded his head in affirmation. He had cherished Miles for so long, because he believed Miles was a wit. He also cherished the brotherly relationship between them.

    Three days before Maverick’s wedding, he walked into the living room. He didn’t have any alcoholic drinks because Sophie would be visiting him that day. He was shocked to see the cluttered state of his sitting room. All his electronics and gadgets had been stolen. He hopped into the bedroom as if he was on a chase. He quickly took out a briefcase from the wardrobe. He kept the briefcase in a hidden part of the wardrobe. When he opened it, all the money inside it had been stolen. 

    Maverick sat down on the floor and bawled. He blamed himself for not locking the door properly before leaving the house. As he was bawling, he heard the buzzing sound of the buzzer. He quickly cleaned his face, because he was expecting Sophie. He stood up from the floor and walked in the direction of the door. 

    When he got to the sitting room, he sauntered in the direction of the doorway. He opened the door and saw a man dressed in a black suit. He was wearing a nose mask and dark eyeglasses too.