Steemit Challenge s26wk2- Mysterious Roommate

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Ronnie and Timothy have been best friends right from their old neighbourhood, where they both attended college together. But Timothy had been a little grateful, left for the city for greener pastures after securing a job as a young graduate that paid his bills and with relative savings that kept him going.

But in his usual character to carry along his friend Ronnie after years of separation, he called his friend who has always wanted to come around to stay with him but at this time, when Ronnie arrived he came with so much enthusiasm by telling his friend that he wants to leverage the city's potential to expand his business ideas.

Timothy was happy to know his friend was hardworking, focused, and determined to break through life hurdles. Ronnie of the old is now matured and could convincingly drive a point to its winning end. They both stayed for a while with everything in good shape. He was convinced that allowing his friend to share his apartment with him was the best thing he had done for humanity.

Since both of them leave home all day, they see nighttime as the best time to discuss and share how their day went. This was a routine that played for a couple of months so they bonded to a point that a shift from this new normal would become more noticeable.

However, Ronnie started becoming unavailable given his incessant night engagements and calls that take him out for a longer period. In most cases, Ronnie has attributed these unprecedented outings to work emergencies from his new business deals. The need to attend to desperate clients who needed attention.

One fateful afternoon, Timothy was a little under the weather and decided to come back home for a rest but was surprised at what he saw. To Ronnie, he never expected that his friend would be home at that time of day.

While Timothy was just by the window side trying to eavesdrop on Ronnie's conversation, it wasn't clear what he was discussing before a young and rough-looking man quickly left the apartment without noticing someone at the side.

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Timothy, being curious to know what was going on, quietly walked into his apartment at this time, but he met Ronnke grappling with a bag of tools. One of the bags he came into the apartment with, but at this time, there are different kinds of assorted tools in it.

Timothy became nervous, having seen some strange tools, and in a quest to create a balance, he stammered as he asked Ronnie questions... What were those tools for? Who was that guy who just left the apartment? And he could see Ronnie smiling in confusion but tried to be stable...

Ronnie quickly said, he's one of my business clients that em em... I met him at my home for lunch, as he stammers... then, Timothy bolted in, you now attend to clients in the apartment? With those tools, who brought them out?

Timothy, now becoming a little composed with his responses and questions, Ronnie is thrown off guard now as he continues to grapple for answers.

But how did you acquire a pistol and never mention it to me? Or is that your new and unknown business line?

Ronnie continued to drawn in confusion this time, responded; this isn't just what you think. Aside from my business transactions, that is still growing, as I clearly mentioned to you. I also have a side hustle which I didn't mention at that time because of the uncertainties.

Now, Timothy is curious and wants to know about this high-risk side hustle that he just learned about. So it isn't just the business, RONNIE?

Ronnie, with a deep breath, asked his friend to sit down. That all that glitters is not gold. What he's assuming isn't what it is. He's just been a hardworking man without venturing into any illegal deals.

The look on Timothy’s face still shows so much curiosity as he continues to wait to know what exactly he had the gun for. Nevertheless, Ronnie told him while gazing at him that he works for a private security firm that secures onshore shipments.

Timothy, in disbelief, told him, Ronnie, my best friend, do you want me to believe you after muzzling out these talks from you? You could keep secrets from a trusted friend. Who knows what is still left untold?

Timothy was a little relieved but not yet certain that it was all in the cupboard. He was thinking aloud... suddenly, Ronnie muttered some words, trying to convince his friend that he was sincere. I was only trying not to drag you into my private life other than the business ventures.

Timothy, still slightly not satisfied, was wondering what the young man actually came to do. Was it just for the business deals or a private security side hustle? Could Ronnie be involved in some armed robbery deals? Or hiring of robbery tools for such jobs? With mixed feelings, Timothy took a deep breath.

Sometimes tells me that this was just beyond a private security hustle. My trusted friend, so happens to be my best friend, isn't what I think he is presently. He's either a thief or a spy masquerading as a business transaction scheme.

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Timothy left him and walked into his bedroom, had his bath, and lay on the sofa. He needed to ruminate on what had transpired within the short period. Remember that he was not well and needed to rest but only to be forced into an adrenaline trigger concern.

After a couple of hours, he came out to the sitting room to find Ronnie already dozing off on the cushion. He stared at him with so many mixed feelings. Was he telling me the truth or lying? Can I still trust him and share the same space with him again?

Gently, Timothy tapped his shoulder and told him, I know you have been my friend over the years but at this time, I can no longer decide what I want within your space. Anyway, since we come from the same hometown, having knownn. Each other's parents, I will not drive you away on two conditions.

Ronnie's face changed in eagerness to know what exactly. He quickly told. I am willing to do your bidding just to prove my innocence. All I did was just survive without having to always seek aid.

Timothy nodded in belief and disbelief. He said, Ronnie, I will have to go with you to this private security firm to confirm your identity with the company. And they would also confirm that they licensed you to handle a gun for the given purpose.

Secondly, I would also want to confirm in person the role of that young man who left my apartment. If both conditions are not satisfactorily met, I will have to engage the law enforcement officers in this.

I could see Ronnie’s facial reaction to these conditions. Not scared but rather feels that was good by him. I looked deeper into his face to discern fear and jitteriness, but he was firm.

In my mind, I said, even criminals are hardened, talk more of Ronnie who had kept this secret from me for months. No wonder he isn't perturbed.

In the end, we headed out of the house to report to the security firm to validate those conditions. When we got halfway, Ronnie quickly stopped the taxi and jumped out. To my amazement, I saw Ronnie run away in my very sight.

I came back unsettled, checked for his belongings, and he had packed them all out when I was in the bedroom to rest (probably I dozed off). He also kept a piece of note for me saying, "Brotherly, I am deeply sorry for all the troubles I caused you. My security firm did not license any gun to me, but rather a personal tool in junction with young who visited to stay protected from the risky onshore/offshore shipments.

At last, the truth was told, the coast was clear from suspicion, and Ronnie was gone from the apartment for a fresh start again, void of complications.

Invites:
@uzma4882, @paholags, @chilaw