Chapter 18: We're done

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I can't help but blame myself

Issac: One month later

My right knee bounced in sync with the red hand on the clock. I pressed my fingers against my lips and exhaled shakily. Then, I adjusted the piece of paper in front of me but it looked wrong so I tilted it on the side. I turned it around, then turned it back and waited.

"You can do this Zack," I whispered, "you can do this!"

The door burst open and Alonzo Valencio stormed in, expression contorted angrily.

'You can't do this Zack. What the hell were you thinking?!'

"Hello Issac," Alonzo sighed and sat behind his desk, pushing away some papers, "what do you want?"

'Nice to see you too father. I'm doing well thanks, how are you?'

Instead of voicing my sarcastic thoughts, I chose the diplomatic approach and decided to tell the reason in a straightforward manner. No beating around the bush. Just say, demand and go. Yes. That's it.

"Oh um, just a minute of your time Alon- I  mean, father." 'You're an idiot, Isaac.'

Alonzo arched an eyebrow and slowly nodded, "Very well... that I can give. So, what is the issue?"

"I- um... well, first of all, how is Mum? Is she- is she still in the coma?" 'Straightforwardness be damned. I'm dragging this thing out for as long as I can.'

For the briefest of seconds, pain flashed across Alonzo's expression. My lips turned downwards and I sighed.

"She's- she's still in the coma?" It was more a statement than a question. When confirmed, I strengthened my resolve and clenched my fist tightly together. 'This business is dangerous. What if something else happened to Arya? To the boys? What if they get killed- no.'

I took a deep, shuddering breath. "I want out. From the business. Everything. I've- I've drawn up a contract here. Please sign it."

Alonzo stared at me.

I stared back.

The clock ticked by, unusually loud in the deafening silence.

Then, he laughed.

A full on, belly-shaking, knee-slapping, deep laugh that reverberated through the room. It was the kind of laugh you only get once in a lifetime- and that's if you're really lucky. I think I even saw tears in his eyes. I could count on one hand how many times I've heard my father laugh. In fact, I could count on one finger. Just that one time.

"Um," I coughed awkwardly, "so yeah."

Alonzo frowned, suddenly serious. "This is not a joke? Not the latest act of rebellion?"

"No. I'm one hundred percent serious." I nodded and pushed the paper towards him. "Please read the contract and sign on the dotted line."

My phone buzzed and I pulled it out from my pocket, swiping right on the message and typing in my password. I blinked as a picture of Sparklemuffin popped up, a leather jacket draped around his back and wearing pink 'Hello Kitty' sunglasses. Underneath was the caption:

Sparklemuffin says good luck 🤞!!! Also if ur passing a store 🏬 can u get some takeaway 🍲?? We r all hungry 😋 

A breathy chuckle pushed past my lips and I typed out a reply.

Sure Caleb. Why is Sparklemuffin wearing sunglasses?

To protect his eyes 👀 duh 🙄

Of course. Silly me.
Wait... Sparklemuffin isn't inside the house right? You know he has to stay in the shed!

But it's cold 🥶 there!! Pleaaaaassseee let him stay inside pleeeaaassee! He might get sick 😷 and die 💀!!!

Wow I care so much.

I can feel ur sarcasm Izzy ☹️☹️
It wounds me 😢🤕

I wasn't trying to hide it.
Fine, I'll get some food.

How's Arya doing?

I held my breath watching the 'typing' line stretch underneath his name 'Food lover'. Finally, a response pinged through, but it was without the usual barrage of emojis- which worried me.

She's okay I think
She's still not talking...
But I think I made her smile today so that's good!

My heart clenched painfully in my chest.

Really? How did you do that?

Well... I was filming a Tiktok and Instagram reel with Sparklemuffin (he has his own account btw) and she was watching
Her lips twitched upwards slightly so it wasn't like a FULL smile
But something's better than nothing right??

Right.
I have to go. Text me if you need anything okay?

Sure 👍🏻

Alonzo cleared his throat and my head snapped up as I pushed my phone deep into my pocket and swallowed drily. I waited for the barrage of questions. The shouting. The accusations.

Instead, I heard the scratching of pen as he carefully signed the paper.

My eyes widened as Alonzo slid the contract over.

"Just-" Alonzo sighed, "please, tell me why you want to leave?"

I puffed out a sharp breath. "Well, it's mainly because of Arya. She has nothing to do with our business and yet she was taken because she had connections to us. But honestly? I've been thinking about leaving for some time now- ever since Mum...um, so yeah."

"Thats understandable, of course. I can't say I'm not disappointed, but it is what it is. It's a shame about Valerie, though-"

"Who's Valerie?"

"Oh!" Alonzo laughed and shook his head, "Sorry, I meant the woman who kidnapped your friend."

A cold feeling overtook my body. I swallowed drily, "You know who took Arya? Were you, I mean, were you planning on telling me at any point?"

Alonzo looked very, very uncomfortable, "Well, yes, I was going to tell you eventually. But, there's something you should know first... Arya was taken because Valerie wanted revenge on me. You see, she developed an infatuation for me about a year ago and it quickly turned into obsession. Naturally, I fired her. Now she couldn't hurt my family directly, so I am assuming she went after your friend in an attempt to hurt you and, by extension, me."

"How long have you known?" My hands were curled into loose fists by my sides.

"A day after your friend was taken, I connected the dots."

My nails dug harshly into my skin and my chest rose and fell rapidly, "So a while, huh? Tell me, Alonzo, why didn't you tell me this the second you 'connected the dots' hmm?"

"To be very frank, I was glad that your friend had been taken. She was being too much of a distraction to your business. But now you have quit, I guess that doesn't matter so much now."

I scoffed and laughed darkly, "I cannot believe you right now. Arya is an actual person with real feelings. Now I know that's hard for you to understand, but you keeping this information from me has destroyed her. And me and Nick and Caleb and Ethan and especially Chris."

"But-"

"No," I held up my hands, palm facing him in mock surrender, "we're done. After today, there will be no more contact between us. I will check up on Mum and keep my relationship with her- she didn't endanger my best friend- but you and I are done."

I walked out of his office and sprinted down the stairs, ignoring Alonzo's protests behind me.

X

"Guys! I'm back!" I called, kicking the door behind me, white paper bags swinging from my arms.

"Did you bring the food? Do not take another step unless you've brought the food!"

I sighed loudly, "Yes Caleb, I've brought the food!"

"Yay!" Caleb came barreling through the hallway, skidding to a stop just in front of me. He took the bags and carefully peered inside them. "Indian, Chinese and Italian? Interesting combination. We've all gathered in the living room. Ree had a headache so she went upstairs a little while ago."

"A headache?" I frowned, following him, "was it serious?"

He shrugged, feigning nonchalance, "I don't know... it seemed to be. But she can't tell us. Marigold suggested we give her some painkillers and try get her to eat something."

"Okay." I smiled tightly, "I miss her."

"Yeah," he exhaled deeply, "we all do, Zack."

"Hey you brought food!" Nick cheered, helping Caleb set it all up on the table, "How did your talk with your dad go?"

"Terribly," I collapsed on the sofa and squeezed my eyes shut. I quickly filled them in on my talk with Alonzo. By the end of it, they wore expressions that fell somewhere between shock and anger.

"You did the right thing," Kit growled, "I can't believe he didn't tell us!... Let's not spoil the mood right now. We can start the movie and talk more about it tomorrow."

"On it!" Caleb scrolled through Netflix and pulled a face, "there's nothing good here anymore!"

"Go on Amazon Prime. We can buy the next season of 'Modern Family'." Nick replied, busily eating his roti with dal makhani and onions.

Caleb complied and we began watching. A few seconds later, we heard a quiet thump and a slight creak as the door was pushed open.

I looked up and saw Arya.

Her legs were slightly shaky and she stumbled a little bit, but she managed to make her way to the couch. Nick immediately leapt up and lowered her into his spot, sporting a smile so wide it nearly burst at seams.

It was the first time Arya walked since she was kidnapped a month ago. It was the first time she willingly sat close to us in the day.

"Samosa?" Caleb offered, unusually cautious and shy, as he offered one to Arya.

She took one and bit into it and smiled- a real, proper one too.

"You know," Ethan cleared his throat, "being friends with you guys is weird."

Chris snorted, "Cheers dude."

"But it is! You guys drive me so crazy, half the time I want throw you out of the window and yet, the thought of something bad happening to you makes me very uncomfortable and sad." He shrugged, "Just thought I should say that."

Caleb wrapped his arm around Ethan's shoulders and grinned, "It's okay, E, we love you too."

"Yeah, yeah, now get off you idiot," Ethan rolled his eyes, but a faint smile played on his lips.

I looked over at Arya and saw the familiar spark light up in her eyes. And I knew then that everything was going to be-

"Blehhhhh!"

"Caleb. What the hell is Sparklemuffin doing inside?"

End of chapter 18.

Qotc:

1. How are you finding the story so far? Good? Bad? Terrible?

2. Thoughts on Sparklemuffin and Caleb?

3. Thoughts on Issac's dad?

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Stay safe and thanks for reading :)


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