42

Lewis is silent for a while. Shabaz packs his tools into a box. Once he is done with this, he carries the box and begins to walk towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Lewis asks, he notices Shabaz's movements are not stable. He is fidgety and anxious.

"I need a drink. I have a headache too, need to clear my head. Emily is probably on her way back, you can leave with her and say I had somewhere really important to be at and I would see her tomorrow."

"See who tomorrow?" Emily walks in with a questioning smile. She places her hand on her hip and looks at both of them for a reply.

"He was about to leave." Lewis chips in, he points towards the door when he says this. Emily's eyes go back to Shabaz who looks like a cat cauht in the act of stealing cheese from the kitchen.

"To where?" Emily asks, humour and subtle mickey intertwine gently on the base of her tongue.

"You have nowhere else to be, darling. I own you for the rest of the day. That was the agreement." Emily says with a false, toothy smile.

"What agreement?" Lewis asks, wondering what exactly are the dynamics within Emily and Shabaz's friendship.

"One you do not have to know anything about… Lewis. It is getting pretty late, let's go." She claps her hands twice as though to signify the end of their day. She walks out the door and they follow behind her like minions. Vasquez meets with them once they get to the lobby with effusive thanks, he kisses each of them on the cheeks and gives Lewis a bag containing his outfit for tomorrow.

"For the gentleman… Thank you." Vasquez offers him the bag dramatically and gives him a warm smile before disappearing into the elevator doors.

Emily shopped for a few things while she was away. The store attendant hands her the bags containing things she purchased and Lewis offers to hold them till they get to the car.

"Oh such a gentleman… and they say chivalry is dead." Emily compliments Lewis. He smiles shyly. Shabaz opens the doors and holds it for Emily and Lewis. Lewis nods in gratitude. Two luxury cars are parked in front of the store and Lewis is at a loss of which to go into.

"Sam is dropping you off at your home. He will be the one to pick you up tomorrow evening for the party. I am driving this one. Get your beauty sleep, you will need it. See you tomorrow, Lewis." Emily does not wait for his response but quickly walks into the car and Shabaz gets in right after her. Lewis stands in front of her tinted windows raising his hands that are full of shopping bags. Shabaz steps down immediately to take the bags and gives him a curt "bye" without looking him in the eye.

"Bye to you too." Lewis mutters under his breath as they zoom off into the distance. He steps into the next car and this time he does not bother to go into the passenger's seat.

"Hey Sam… how is it going?" Lewis offers him a handshake and he takes his hand. He looks less tensed up and more relaxed than before. He has a determined gaze now. Lewis is glad he could help him.

"All good. Stopped by Macdonald's to grab lunch and spoke with my brother for a while. How was your meeting with the witch? Did she pull any strange tricks on you yet?" Sam asks and there is no humour in his eyes.

"You seriously call Emily 'the witch' with a straight face. It went alright, I guess. She seems to be very demanding. Anyways, we got what we came for." Lewis says. He thinks nothing of his name for Emily.

"You think I am bluffing when I called her a witch, don't you? Be very aware of that woman. She can be very manipulative. Do not take her shallowness for stupidity." Sam warns Lewis seriously.

Lewis begins to think about his words, maybe Sam is right. He has not witnessed enough interactions with her to confirm his statement but he will not cross it out completely either.

"I understand. I will be careful next time. Right now, I need to go home, recharge my social battery and hang out with the cutest feline this sick world can boast of. A glass of fine wine and episodes of Grey's anatomy sounds like bliss already." Lewis exclaims, with a soft smile on his face. Sam returns the smile.

"If you feel drained by only this, then you could not last a day working for Emily. Garrick must be lucky to have someone like you as his owner." Sam's face looks bright even with his eyes on the road and his hands on the steering wheel.

"Sometimes, I wonder if I own him or he owns me." Lewis jokes and they both laugh at this.

Soon, they get to Lewis's block and it is time for him to go. He turns to look at Sam.

"Please, be careful. I know you want to avenge your mother but do not do anything that jeopardize your life or source of income… or my life either. Some people are actively putting in the work to make sure Doctor Richard gets what he rightly deserves, okay?" Lewis warns Sam. He knows he has given Sam a reason to hope again but he does not want him going around, trying to become a superhero.

"Yeah, I got you, man. I just want to take care of my brother and stay alive." Sam laughs nervously. Lewis knows that is not the entire truth but he will not press him any further than he already has.

"Alright, see you tomorrow." Lewis steps down from the car, shopping bag in hand. Sam drives off immediately. Lewis unlocks his door and begins to whistle. Garrick slowly moves from the couch to rub his head on Lewis's ankles.

"Look who missed me. Can't say I didn't miss you too, buddy. Ready for another Grey episode?" Lewis asks Garrick. He meows a reply and Lewis chuckles.