Jonah was jolted awake by the rather loud ringing of his device which was far from his grasp. Jonah walked out of the room through the already opened door, padding his way downstairs to the kitchen, the phone continuing to vibrate on the counter. He reached for it, his fingers fumbling with the phone his eyes still half-closed from sleep.
He answered the call without thinking to much and started dragging himself upstairs.
"Hello?" Jonah’s voice was barely above a whisper, trying to maintain the peace and serenity of the morning. He pushed open the room door, a few seconds later the blackmailer's voice flowed through the phone speakers.
"Jonah, my dear boy," the voice, smooth and almost sickeningly cheerful, sounded through the phone. "You have done a splendid job. A truly remarkable delivery. I must commend your punctuality and obedience. And to think you tried to be stubborn." He chuckled.
"Now that you have gotten what you wanted, can you leave me alone?" Jonah said with a dead serious voice.
"Now why would I do that, I have found a reliable cash cow and I do not think I am ready to let go. At least not yet." The blackmailer replied.
"You are not getting another penny from me." Jonah whispered with gritted teeth so as not to wake Elliot.
"That is what you say every single time but you end up paying either way. I do not know why you enjoy stressing yourself with such acts of foolery." The blackmailer said teasing Jonah.
"You most definitely have my word this time." Jonah argued. "I have had it for like, the past three times and they have always meant nothing. Anyways I have a new task for you. This time around, I need a million dollars." The blackmler said.
Jonah’s breath slowed. "I guess I did not hear well. One million? That is insane! Where am I supposed to get that kind of money?"
Jonah's loud voice woke Elliot up. Elliot sat up slowly on the bed squinting at Jonah. He watched Jonah grow much more agitated. Elliot rose from the bed and walked to plant himself right in front of Jonah.
"Who?" Elliot mouthed to Jonah. Jonah just put the phone on loudspeaker. Elliot sat and watched the conversation between Jonah and this so called blackmailer. His blood boiling as he tried to hold himself back. Before Jonah could voice his growing panic some more. Elliot snatched the phone from his fingers, his eyes blazing with a fierce, almost desperate anger.
"You listen to me, and you listen good, you sick bastard!" he roared into the receiver, his voice shaking with a mixture of rage and fear. "You leave Jonah alone! Or I swear, I will find you, and I will make you pay for this!"
The blackmailer laughed, a low, chilling sound that sent shivers down Jonah’s spine. "Oh, Elliot, the sweet golden child of the Sinclairs. How touching. Such a display of strength. But do remember, darling, what I hold. The secrets that could shatter your perfect little world. One word, one image, and your precious reputation crumbles. I would not recommend that."
Elliot’s face got more wrinkly, but his grip on the phone tightened. "You think your petty threats scare me? I am not afraid of you!"
"Oh, but you should be," the voice replied, laced with amusement. "You see, Elliot, you both are the key to my financial freedom. Now, Jonah" the voice returned, addressing Jonah directly, the shift in tone sending a wave of disgust through him.
"Congratulations, you have finally involved Elliot. But it does not change anything. In fact, it makes things even more interesting. You see, I have always known Elliot was your weakness. And now, he's mine."
"What do you want from me?" Jonah asked, his voice strained, his gaze pleading with Elliot, who stood rigid, his knuckles white against the phone.
"One million dollars, Jonah. And you have 48 hours. Or, well, let us just say Elliot’s pretty little secrets will become public knowledge. Consider it a family affair."
"The time frame is too short, where am I supposed to get that amount of money from at such short notice." Jonah complained.
"Oh, I can't believe you are asking me that question Jonah, it is quite simple. Your lover boy Elliot is ever so willing to assist you." The blackmailer said. "He is a billionaire after all, son of one of the most wealthy man in the world, convince him to share in the joy." The blackmailer added.
"You can't do this," Jonah said, his voice stammering. "This is insane. You are setting a path to ruin our lives."
"Ruining? I prefer to think of it as restructuring. You see, Jonah, you and Elliot have something I want. And I am very determined to get it."
"And what if we do not pay?" Jonah asked, his voice filled with a desperate defiance.
"Then, my dear Jonah, the world will learn about the little secret life both of you share. And let us just say, the Sinclairs do not scandal kindly. Especially when it involves their golden boy. Imagine the headlines, the whispers, the shattered hopes and dreams. Your father would be crushed, Elliot. And you know how much you care about him." Elliot’s jaw clenched, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and extreme anger.
"You are nothing but a monster," he spat.
"Perhaps you are right. But I am a monster with leverage," the voice replied.
"And I always get what I want. Like I said, Forty-eight hours, gentlemen. Do not disappoint me." The line went dead immediately after, leaving behind a prolonged silence. Jonah stared at the phone, his hand vibrating.
Elliot was breathing heavily, his face disappointed.
The weight of the blackmailer's threat loomed.
"He can't keep on getting away with this," Jonah muttered. Elliot watched Jonah, his heart aching. All the stress Jonah had endured was starting to tell on him.
"Jonah," he said softly, his voice soothing.
"Come here." Elliot wrapped his arms around Jonah, holding him close. "It is okay," he murmured, his voice low against Jonah's ear.
"I am here. We will figure this out." "I do not know what to do, I am tired Elliot, so tired. I want this to end" Jonah whispered, his voice muffled against Elliot's shirt.
"I feel so lost."
"I know," Elliot said softly, his hand gently stroking Jonah's back. Elliot pulled back slightly, his eyes searching Jonah's. "Look, we need to clear our heads," "We can't think straight when we are both obviously so stressed. How about we take a shower? It might help us relax and come up with a plan." Jonah nodded, cool water running down his body sounded like a great idea right now.