ROMEO TRISTAIN'S PAYBACK

Chapter 6

Romeo sat in the front seat of Mrs Lilly’s blue Rolls-Royce, the leather cool against his rumpled clothes. His amber eyes stared out the window, his gaze heavy with sadness as Gem City’s streets blurred past,neon signs, bustling crowds, and gray buildings smudged by the morning fog. 

The weight of the past few days pressed on him: Erica’s betrayal, Madam Tracey’s lies, the cold jail cell. His cheek still stung from her slaps, and his heart ached with the sting of being called a thief.

Mrs Lilly glanced at him, her blue eyes soft but searching.

 “You okay, Romeo?” 

She asked, her voice gentle, cutting through the hum of the car.

He turned slowly, his face pale, and forced a small smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

 “Yeah.” 

He said, his voice low, almost a whisper. He nodded once, then looked back out the window, his fingers tracing the edge of his seat.

She frowned, her hands steady on the wheel.

 “How about we get something to eat? You must be hungry.”

Romeo hesitated, his stomach growling faintly. He nodded again, the motion slow, like he was too tired to argue. 

“Sure.” 

He mumbled.

Mrs Lilly’s face lit up. 

“I know just the place.” 

She said, her tone warm as she turned the car down a wide boulevard lined with fancy shops and towering buildings.

The car pulled into the parking lot of *Le Grand Luxe*Gem City’s top restaurant, its glass facade gleaming under golden lights, with valets in crisp uniforms waiting at the entrance. Romeo’s eyes widened, his mouth dropping open as he took in the sight. 

“This place?” 

He said, his voice thick with surprise.

 “This is the most expensive restaurant in Gem City! I can’t go in looking like this!”

 He gestured to his wrinkled college uniform, smudged from the jail cell and garden work, his sneakers scuffed and worn.

Mrs Lilly laughed, a light, easy sound.

 “Don’t worry about that. The owner’s a friend of mine. You’re fine.” 

She stepped out of the car, her simple dress somehow fitting the place perfectly, and turned to him. 

“Come on, Romeo, let’s go.”

He hesitated, then managed a small smile, his heart lifting just a bit. 

“Alright.” 

He said, climbing out and following her to the entrance, his backpack slung over one shoulder.

Inside, the restaurant was a world of elegance,marble floors, chandeliers dripping with crystals, and tables set with white linens and silver cutlery. The air smelled of fresh herbs and roasted meat. 

A waiter led them to a corner table, where plates of steaming pasta and grilled chicken were soon set before them. Romeo dug in, the food warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the cold jail meals.

Mrs Lilly watched him, her smile soft. 

“Enjoying the food?” she asked, sipping her water.

Romeo nodded, a genuine smile breaking through. 

“Yeah, it’s great. Thanks.” 

He said, his voice warmer now.

“It’s okay.” 

She said, her eyes twinkling. 

“That’s what I’m here for.”

Romeo froze, his fork hovering over his plate, a piece of pasta dangling. His brow furrowed, and he set the fork down, his voice cautious but curious. 

“Who are you, exactly?” 

He asked, his amber eyes locking onto hers, searching for answers.

Mrs Lilly chuckled, leaning back in her chair.

 “Where are my manners? My name’s Mrs. Lilly, and I was an assistant to the late Air Force Commander in Gem City.”

Romeo’s eyes widened, his breath catching.

 “Wait, what?” he said, his voice rising slightly.

 “I’m so sorry for being rude when we met at the gala. I was… I wasn’t myself.”

 His cheeks flushed, embarrassment mixing with the memory of his tears on the porch.

She waved a hand, her chuckle warm. 

“It’s fine, Romeo. I get it,you weren’t in the mood to talk then. I don’t blame you.”

“Thanks for understanding.” 

He said, his shoulders relaxing a bit. He took a sip of water, the glass cool in his hand.

Mrs Lilly leaned forward, her gaze curious. 

“Do you know who the late Air Force Commander was?”

Romeo set his glass down, wiping his mouth. 

“Yeah, in school they told us about him. The world’s wealthiest man, right? They called him Commander C.T.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a curious glint in them. 

“Is that all you know about him?”

Romeo shrugged. 

“Pretty much. That’s what they taught us.”

Mrs Lilly’s voice softened, but her words hit like a thunderbolt.

 “Commander C.T. was his code name. His real name was Commander Craig Tristan. Your father.”

Romeo froze, his fork halfway to his mouth, the pasta slipping back onto the plate. His eyes widened, his heart pounding. He let out a nervous chuckle, then burst into laughter as he shoke his head.

 “You’re joking, right? You’re trying to mess with me.”

Mrs Lilly’s face was serious, her voice firm.

 “I’m not joking, Romeo. Lower your voice.” 

She reached into her purse and pulled out a small, faded photograph, sliding it across the table.

Romeo’s laughter died as he looked at the picture,a younger him, maybe six years old, grinning beside a tall man in an Air Force uniform, both standing in front of a sleek jet.

 His breath caught, memories flooding back: the smell of jet fuel, his father’s warm hand ruffling his hair, the bright sun on that day before Craig’s final flight. Romeo picked up the photo, his fingers trembling, tears welling in his eyes.

 “This… this was before he left.” 

He whispered, his voice breaking.

 “We took this at the airbase. He promised he’d come back.”

Mrs Lilly nodded. 

“That’s right. That was you and your father, before his last mission.”

Tears rolled down Romeo’s cheeks, his chest tight as he clutched the photo. His phone buzzed in his pocket, snapping him out of the moment. He wiped his eyes quickly, pulling out the phone to see Ryan George’s name on the screen. He answered, his voice shaky.

 “Hey, Ryan.”

“Romeo, where are you at, man?” 

Ryan’s voice was frantic, worried.

 “I went to the station, and they said you got bailed out!”

“Yeah, I’m out.” 

Romeo said, glancing at Mrs Lilly, who gave a subtle shake of her head, signaling not to mention her connection to his father.

 “A friend of my mom’s bailed me out.”

“Oh, okay.” 

Ryan said, his voice laced with relief.

 “Where are you now?”

“Meet me at the school gate.”

 Romeo said, his voice steadying.

 “I’m coming. Think I’ll crash at your place for a bit.”

“That’s awesome!” 

Ryan said, excitement creeping in. 

“See you soon, bro.”

“Yeah, see you.” 

Romeo said, a small smile tugging at his lips as he hung up.

Mrs Lilly sipped the last of her drink, setting the glass down. 

“I’ll drop you off.” 

She said as she stood up.

 “Let’s go.”

“Thanks.” 

Romeo said, pocketing his phone. He paused, holding the photo. 

“Can I… keep this?”

She smiled. 

“It’s yours, Romeo. Take it.”

He nodded, gratitude in his eyes.

 “Thanks.”

They walked out of the restaurant, the warm air of the dining room giving way to the cool breeze outside. Mrs Lilly’s heels clicked on the pavement as they reached the Rolls-Royce, its blue paint gleaming under the streetlights. 

Romeo slid into the front seat, the photo tucked carefully in his pocket. The car roared to life, zooming through Gem City’s streets, the lights blurring past as Romeo stared out the window, his mind racing with the truth about his father.

After a few minutes, they pulled up to the college gate. Romeo stepped out, closing the door with a soft thud. Mrs Lilly rolled down her window and handed him a small card with her number scrawled on it. “If you need anything, or if you want to talk about your father, call me,” she said, her voice kind but firm.

Romeo nodded, pocketing the card.

 “I will. Thanks.” 

The Rolls-Royce pulled away, its taillights fading into the night.

Ryan jogged up, his blue eyes bright.

 “That your mom’s friend who bailed you?” 

He asked, nodding toward the disappearing car.

“Yeah.”

 Romeo said, his voice quiet.

“Cool. Oh, about your last test.” 

Ryan said, grinning.

 “The headmaster asked for someone to help you make it up. I raised my hand, but that shy girl in our class beat me to it.”

Romeo’s brow furrowed.

 “You mean Debra Dwayne?”

“Yeah, that chick.” 

Ryan said, smirking. 

“Think she’s got a thing for you.”

Romeo laughed, a small, genuine sound.

 “Nah, you don’t know that.”

Ryan shrugged, his grin widening.

 “Little bird told me.”

Romeo burst out laughing, shaking his head.

 “Man, you’re as funny as ever.”

A sharp scream cut through the air, desperate and piercing. 

“Help! Someone, please help me!”

Romeo’s head snapped toward the sound, coming from a nearby alley. His heart raced, and he broke into a run, his sneakers pounding t

he pavement. 

“Romeo, wait up!” 

Ryan shouted, sprinting after him, his voice urgent.

The alley was dark, lit only by a flickering streetlamp. A girl stood pinned against a wall, her black eyes wide with fear, her hands trembling. A man loomed over her, his face shadowed, a dark smirk curling his lips. 

“Quiet down, you little brat.” 

He growled.

 “This’ll be quick.”

“Please, let me go!” 

The girl cried, her voice breaking. 

“Someone, please help me!”