The sun sympathizes my body which was pink by now. But, who cares... I couldn't stop doing this again and again. Alex was stunned to see me speeding into the infinity and when I completed my fiftieth or so round, he desperately asked me to stop.

"You are red. Just because you learned to ride, doesn't mean you have to die to get the sun-kissed skin."

"Someone's jealous... one more round, pretty please!"

"Woman... you have already completed God knows how many. Don't make me regret my choice in helping you ride. One more ride and you will get sun burnt skin and then you will be indoors without being able to drive until you are completely healed."

"But it will only be a rash. Nothing too serious" I said to Alex strapping my helmet for one more ride in the sunny day wanting to feel the wind.

"Don't make me repeat again and again. I said enough. It's two in the noon and you are already red. Do you want skin cancer? The noon time sun is really harmful to the skin and it's really sunny this day plus it's not like you don't have all night. Come inside and take a bath before you start to itch all over." The intensity of his eyes and words made me shed my armor and go inside like a sulking kitten.

I have finally mastered my riding and since then, I was not able to stop myself from kicking start my passion. Yes, riding was my new passion and to be honest eating snickers and cakes have done a bad job to my teeth which I regret now. So, I have now completely turned tables to love riding and I don't think I will regret it any time soon.

The whole gang was impressed with my performance making me climb Mount Everest than to cloud 9. Now I only needed to master in the stunt part for which I need to learn a few tricks like how I can do a wheelie, a standard droppie and stoppie. Everything was so new to me and everything eventually slipped into my hands. I am a fast learner. This made me beam with pride and I knew I can do it if I have the willpower; right now, I was having it more than my tummy fat.

Speaking of tummy fat, I can't believe I lose ten pounds in one month which was huge. Very huge for me, Alex laughed in realization and kissed my senses goodbye.

These days, everyday were magical until we got a call from the detective that the lead which they had until now slipped past them to Florida and that put paid to our happiness. Alex was tensed; not for knowing that he escaped but knowing that he left a letter to the police claiming that he will be the death of me. Well, that was only yesterday when we got the news of the letter and that was why the brooding Alex snapped at my desperate request to have one more ride.

I can't blame him...and I never shall.

Sitting next to Alex after a long shower... he looked at my wet hair and entwined his fingers with mine and sat there staring at nowhere in particular while Nat was busy flipping channels.

"Will You STOP it?" Alex bellowed to Nat who looked like a deer caught in the headlights and slightly turned pink before switching off the TV.

"Relax buddy." David tried to address Alex knowing very well the hot-tempered side of Alex.

"It's ok... Alex, nothing is going to happen as long as we all are here."

"It's not fine Nat... we can't hold her down all the time under our wings. We can't imprison her."

"Whoa... whoa... what are you talking about? It's not like that madman is coming here to kill me as long as the whole state is looking for him. Thank god, he had done a stupid mistake to take down such a large sum."

"You don't understand Angel, I can't allow you to go out without anyone to accompany you. How can I?"

"I can handle myself Alex; he won't be the death of me. I am perfectly able to defend myself."

"This won't be the silly fights that you have heard or thought it would be. This person can be dangerous and quite ruthless. I can't..."

"Alex, I and Nat will be there with her... always."

The satisfied look on Alex's face made me feel at ease but then there was something which pulled me off. I didn't want to ruin the peace that erupted just fine and so I rubbed the feeling off from me. As per Alex's suggestion, we walked to the diners in the end of the street to have lunch.

While having lunch Jim from the club walked to us with a small smile and dragged a chair to sit with us. He ordered something to drink and looked at all of us disgustingly.

"There is a rumor that the person is a criminal and is someone from the Blue Birds."

"I thought so, I already had a doubt and now I think you think it the same person."

"Den" Nat and Jim uttered the name at the same time.

"Damn, what is wrong with him?" I bellowed causing people to stare at us, but, I didn't care.

"Angel, it has something to do with us. Plus, when you walked here, his revenge intensified. That's all."

"But, what is his motive?"

"The family trouble and all... I don't know... his father and grandpa must have instilled such poison into him."

The momentary silence and occasional clatter was all that evolved around out table. After a while, the gasp of Stacey made us look up from our dead silence to see someone in a wheelchair being pushed to us. Finally, with beady glistening eyes he reached to us and looked at Nat admiringly.

"Hello... you might be wondering who I am." With a small smile, he looked at Alex and addressed him: "I want to meet you all in the back garden. When you are finished, please come over there. I will be waiting for you."

Saying that he was pushed outside and out of our sight while we washed our self and walked to where he said he will be waiting. Like he said, he was waiting in the back garden looking into the serene countryside.

"Before you move further into the curious lane, I would like to request the sole audience of Alexander, Natalie, and Angelina alone."

We were already confused and curious beyond oceans and now what he said simply irritated Alex and Nat. I stood there completely stunned knowing that he knew about us, he knew our name but the others were not bothered by that fact. I doubted that they might know this person. I curiously studied him; he was in his wheelchair with one chipped teeth and a hearing aid in his ears. His eyes were sharp almost watching me intensely just like everyone else and his manners were so poised. He must have caught me staring, making me go pink with embarrassment; he must be above forty or so. Bad move!

"We are family, I don't want to hear anything if you don't want them in your presence."

"Alex, trust those who hold genuine smile. Double check the same hand that feed on your trust to completely give away your life. What I am going to say might be a turning point against you and I don't want that to happen. So, it's better if you move around my card or punish yourself for not letting me speak."

The man was fiercely staring straight at Alex with his hands positioned like in prayer supporting the lush leather handrails of the wheelchair. He must be expensive, for the suit he wore to the shoes on his feet shone in the sun. I was completely incredulous and couldn't just keep my eyes on him. Finally, I saw Alex gesture his friends to go and wait someplace else while I and Nat waited sitting next to him on the bench. He lit his cigar and blew out the first puff of smoke which had a stronger scent than the usual cigarette, which got me into a coughing fit. Immediately, he pulled them away from me and kept it back into the pouch where he stored such cigars.

"That itself cost me a fortune. But, for you young lady, I am leaving it aside."

"Oh, it's ok... I am not used to it."

"So, angel... your mother just poof soared away from your dad when you were a child; huh!"

"How dare you talk to me like that... wait, how did you know about ..."

"I know just fine love. Well, Alex... thanks for being here."

"Get to the point... Charles. "Now I get the feeling of knowing him. He was the blue bird head. No wonder why he wrecked luxury and arrogance into such a phase; but, we can't judge a book by its cover... I dearly wonder why he is her now!

"Before I go into it... Nat, your grandfather was a very considerate old man. Tomorrow, my solicitor will meet you with certain papers and you have to sign them."

"What papers?"

"Your share from Pandow Acreage"

"Oh..."

"Well..." he looked straight into the scenery and inhaled deeply. "I always hated your mother for what she did to me. I loved her. With all my heart, but, I was a player back then and played with as many girls as I can; but never your mother. She was pure and innocent. I loved her. But, with my mischief's, she thought I was playing with her heart; thus she chooses to be away from me and your father came to rescue her like a knight in a shining armor. That broke me; mentally and physically. Yes, I planned revenge against your father and... well, I am sorry that I did mistakes back then. But... don't interrupt... I am not willing to apologize to which I know you won't forgive." Still looking into the scenery, he inhaled deeply before framing the words carefully in his mind. It was evident from the frown that he was brewing with his face. His next words did put it to my theory and I beamed knowing I can face read. Oh, lame me. "I had a son... you must be familiar with him. Well, I never noticed him being the same poison as me but much more intense; I never realized that until the misfits I come to know he was instigating. I was late by then to cane him."

"What is the purpose of your sudden confession? Don't certainly expect forgiveness. You don't deserve any."

"Like I said, I am not apologizing for something that I very well know you won't forgive." With that he turned towards Alex and looked straight at him. "Trust no one except these two. From the very few whispers I heard from Den's gang, there is a traitor in your ring and that person is very well acquainted with Den who is helping him plot something against you. Yes, it is a tricky game and confusing one too but there is no misperception for me to say...he is dangerous; I came to know about him recently. Unlike me, he is in the mafia... that is an extension where I didn't have any intention to cross..." he paused for the effect and from the furrowed brow; he knew Alex was not believing him. "Don't believe me?" he extended a manila folder which was thick with photographs of his own son. "That is my own work. When I knew he was plotting bigger games than what I did; I snooped on his back and I am scared." Saying that last word, he looked down; it was the very first time that I saw him looked completely exhausted. "I am dying. I have only one wish, to confess my love... to you Natalie and your mother... "Once again he looked straight into another place; anywhere but us. "Alex, be careful."

"Charles, is this some kind of joke?"

"If then you are more than welcome to be the death of me."

"Who is the traitor?"

"I have no idea, but... that person has strong bond with Sandra."

"Thanks."

Alex knew when to act and behave which made me feel proud of him. We saw Stacey and the rest lunging to us with curious faces. But, Alex shooed them off saying only the part of his narration on the confession of Charles love. Stacey was skeptical and had a determined face which showed that she will get to the bottom of the matter suspecting that we were hiding something.

The next morning as expected, there was a man clad in pristine black looking like a statue ordering Nat to sign the papers; Nat read the whole document, in fact, every single line. The man in black waited till she was satisfied and again recounted the crucial points. Nat listened intensely and then signed the papers with a gaping face. She was now the owner of a whopping 75-acre land.

"Ms. Natalie, give me the manila folder."

"What?"

"The folder which Mr. Charles gave to Mr. Alex yesterday"

"Oh, sure"

With the folder in his hands, he walked out like a robot in static motion. "Well, let's celebrate. You are a millionaire."

"(Laughing) let me see Alex."

******************

"WHAT?"

"I am sorry, but that backfired again and there is no way to pin Alex in this business."

"F....*. Why did Charles meet Alex?"

"We don't know."

"That F**** cripple. Finish him."

"Yes, sir."

****************

"Alex... "

"Hi angel"

"So... what are you doing tonight?"

"I just need to perfect my highchair wheelie plus Christ Jump; I don't know when I will be free."

"Oh okay"

"Is there anything that I should do for you?"

"Actually yes, catch the stars and make a necklace for me."

"Oh okay... that is going to be a hard work; what if I count the stars in your body right now? Will that ignite the spark to burn a mountain."

"Well, it depends."

"How so young lady"

"By the fact...how much you are committed to blessing my stars."

"You brought yourself into this and there is no backing out."

"Oh...no..."

"ALEX..."

"Nat; what is it?"

"Charles is dead.... He was found dead in the park right next to his mansion."

"Oh my..."

The place was swarming with forensics and officers by the time we reached there. When Nat mentioned he was her uncle, they let us three in. Nat broke out crying seeing his lifeless body in a plastic bag. Young women with the forensics cap brought a blanket to wrap Nat and took her away from the body; making her sit inside the ambulance."

Detective Jenkins walked towards us with a frown.

"Alex, we meet again. This is a wild goose chase."

"What do you mean?"

"I suspect this to be a murder."

"What?"

"Yes, don't disclose the fact that I stated you the statement from a crime scene. His body was half immersed in the pool; which will not happen unless someone pushed him into it from the wheelchair."

"Well, he must have been lifeless if he didn't struggle."

"Exactly"

"This is weird."

"Of course, plus I got a call today morning. It is not something that you will like to hear."

"What is it?"

"The phone message only said... twinkle...twinkle F***d up star... angels are meant to be in the sky... how come she in the lane... be careful she will pay. Do you have any idea who the lunatic is addressing?"

By the look Alex and I were giving our self, we heard him curse under his breath while a single tear rolled from my eyes.