Chapter 5

Everyone, including the officers, burst into laughter.

The lady who sat beside him rose and sat beside another guy. "You can just tell us you are a beggar. He's smelling like a rotten egg."

"It seems he escaped from the prison. Arrest him again," a mustache man with a white cap said before his giggling turned into serious laughter that brought tears to his eyes.

"Did Esposito's son have a bus fare?" the driver asked.

"Of course. He can also pay for us."

The passengers couldn't stop making jest of Johnny until a police officer with the microphone said it was enough.

The officer walked close to Johnny and blow his nose. "Man, who are you?"

Johnny stared into the officer's eyes. "I'd already told you the truth."

"Show us the truth, man." The mustache man broke the silence.

"Yes! Where are you coming from, and where are you going?"

"He might be a criminal."

"He resembles a thief. He mustn't escape."

"How did he get the courage to lie? What is his intention?"

"Arrest him. He might have harmed Esposito's son for his good."

The officer raised one hand, and the passengers kept quiet. He then looked at Johnny. "Do you want me to arrest you? Show me that you are the Johnny we're looking for."

Johnny took out his silver ATM card and raised it so that they would see the name on it. "Can you believe me now?"

The driver exclaimed. "It's true. Esposito Johnny was imprinted on the card."

The passengers exchanged glances in shock while the officers were watching the card closely.

"Where did he get it?" A man from the back said.

"He cannot be Johnny. He had harmed Esposito's son."

"Arrest him!"

"Yes! Arrest him!"

Johnny put the card back in his pocket as the officer was about to snatch it.

"You are under arrest." The officer took out handcuffs.

The mustache man grabbed Johnny's hand but fell as Johnny pounce on his face. Johnny then smiled as he realized that the hands of the officer with the handcuff shook.

"Are you scared to touch me?" Johnny asked.

"Why should I? Give me your hands!"

Johnny pounced on his neck and dodged the baton, which was thrown by another officer. The baton then hit a lady's head at the back. Turning to see the unlucky girl, Johnny felt satisfied knowing that it was the girl who insulted him first.

The other police officers hesitated whether to attack him, but Johnny beckoned them to come after he adjusted his collar and rolled up his sleeves.

"This is the proof he had ambushed Esposito's son somewhere," a guy said.

Johnny turned to the passengers. "Who said that?"

Fear appeared on the passengers' faces as Johnny moved closer to them.

The old man pointed to the guy. "He's the one."

"Ah! Not me! I don't say anything!"

Johnny grabbed his collar. "I recognize your voice."

"Hold him, please! Help!"

The officers hurried to save the guy, but Johnny carried him and threw him at the officers, making them fall.

"Forgive me, please." The driver ran out as Johnny gave him a devilish look.

Johnny then passed by the groaning officers and went out of the commercial bus. He entered the police car and drove it to the boutique shop.

A salesgirl hurried to Johnny as he stepped in because she thought he could be a thief or a beggar, judging by his poor clothes.

"Afternoon, sir. What did you want?" the salesgirl asked.

Johnny glanced around. "Want to buy some clothes? Where is the sweater?"

"I'm sorry to say, sir. I don't think you can afford the price of the clothes here."

"How much is this shop? I want to buy it."

The salesgirl giggled. "I have no time for jokes. What do you want?"

"Have already told you. Should I leave?"

The salesgirl sighed. "Follow me. The sweaters are here. Which one do you like?"

Johnny pointed to an orange sweater. "I like this one."

"Okay. Don't touch it." She removed it from the hook. "What else do you want to buy?"

"Bring it. Wanna check..."

"No. Can't let you touch anything here until you pay."

"You can be my cart, then." Johnny walked to the left side where there were good suits, jeans, and fresh shirts, while the salesgirl followed him around to make sure he didn't touch a thing.

"I will buy all these suits and shirts. Can you carry them for me? Would pay you for being my cart," Johnny said and winked. "I will buy these jeans and hoodies too."

"How would I carry them? Can you even afford a pant?"

"Do you know who I am?"

"Who the fuck are you?"

Johnny took out his silver ATM card and gave it to her. The salesgirl covered her mouth with the sweater in her hand as she saw the name imprinted on the card.

"Are you the Esposito's son?"

The police siren from outside stopped Johnny from replying.

"Policemen had been searching for you. Please let me tell them I found you first," the salesgirl said.

"No. I need to hide." Johnny grabbed his card from her hand.

"They must see you, Johnny."

Johnny glanced around to see where he can hide as some policemen were close to the door.

He then looked at the excited salesgirl. "I will reward you. Please don't tell them I am here. You promise?"

She hesitated before nodding her head and then watched Johnny wear a hoodie, a cap, and his mask. And before the policemen could open the door, Johnny had disguised like a dummy.

The salesgirl hurried to the policemen as they stepped in.

"Where is he?" An officer stopped before the salesgirl while the rest walked around the shop, searching.

"Who?" she asked. Her voice was clear, although her mind wasn't.

"The criminal!"

"Criminal? I don't know who you're talking about."

"He had kidnapped Johnny and claimed himself as the Esposito's son. We must arrest him before he harms Johnny! So tell me where the criminal hide? He also stole our car and drove it here. Someone witnessed him walk into this shop fifteen minutes ago. And I'm telling you this so that you can confess. Where is he?"

The salesgirl's chest pounds faster, and her lips quivered.