Chapter 83 Sooner than expected
All classes at the company is suspended for the week following a thorough investigation about Gregory. His whole life is being dissected, but even if they find him not guilty of any misconduct, the damage is already done. And he most likely will get fired.
With the time off, I do something I should've done a long time ago. I let T.J. drive me to Simon's apartment.
I'm again reminded how lucky I am to come from a family where I never have to worry about a dime. Dancers don't earn all that much, and with the rent in the city, I know Simon is sharing a place with another dancer.
T.J. is like a constant shadow, but I'm not complaining anymore. Ben is unpredictable, and I'm not giving him a chance to come near me.
I buzz Simon's apartment downstairs, but get no answer. Luckily, someone exits, and I quickly slip inside the door before it closes.
I remembered his apartment number, so I find it easily and knock on the door.
"Simon! It's me! Madison." I knock again, and I'm on my way to just leave and go back home, when the door opens, revealing a disheveled Simon on the other side.
"Madison." He looks surprised to see me. "I didn't miss something, did I?"
"No, no." I reassure him. "Can I come in?"
He steps aside for me to enter. "I'm surprised you know where I live."
"I'm a bitch and a bad friend, I know."
The apartment is small, but artfully decorated, trinkets present from when we were touring Asia.
"Anything to drink? I'm so hungover!" He opens the fridge and throws a bottle of water at me. "I figured why not have some fun since we have no commitments."
"Yeah, that's why I'm here." I don't beat around the bush. "Someone sent me a video last night of you in a club snorting something."
He pauses the bottle midway to his mouth. "A video?"
"Yes, a fucking video. You know you shouldn't do that shit, Simon." I can't hide the disappointment in my tone. "You just started getting leads and solos. Next year you can negotiate a better contract, but if that video leaks, the company might even drop you."
"It was just harmless fun!" He argues, but then frown. "Who the hell sent you the video?"
"I don't know, I don't have the number." I have a very strong suspicion, of course. "Who were you hanging out with?"
Simon scratches his head like he's also trying to make sense out of everything. "My boyfriend invited me to hang out with his friends. I didn't know they'd end up making a video, I'm going to call him now."
He makes a call, leaving me alone in the open plan living room and kitchen, before joining me again with a frown on his face.
"He says he didn't know anyone was making videos, but he will talk to his friends."
"And you trust this guy?" I want to know skeptically. Coming from an asshole fiance who recorded me, I wouldn't trust anyone with a camera these days.
"Yes, he's the best boyfriend I've ever had."
I refrain from saying the best boyfriend wouldn't give you drugs then let you be recorded taking it.
"Maybe I can meet him soon?" Maybe if I meet him, I could give him a piece of my mind. "Maybe for lunch or dinner somewhere in this week?"
Simon smiles. "Oh, I would love you to meet him!"
I'm not exactly in the right position to give relationship advice, so I just listen how he describes his boyfriend as being the coolest guy ever, and that I would love him. The cocaine was just some harmless fun.
"I don't know if I should've told him it's Ben." I tell T.J. when I get back in the car. "Do you think Ben has something to do with the boyfriend?"
"I already have someone watching Simon, so if he meets the boyfriend, we will know who it is."
I nod, grateful. I don't want anything to happen to Simon too. I'm already carrying the guilt of Gregory.
Who is Ben going to target next? My cousins? Their wives, or children? The thought alone makes me shudder. He needs to be stopped.
When my phone rings with yet another number I don't have saved, I have tremendous trepidation to answer it, but T.J. nods at me to take the call, because it's better to know your enemy's hand.
"Hello?" Fear grips my chest, wondering who Ben's target is now, and fearing for my family.
"It's... It's Lucille." Her voice comes out unsure on the other side.
"Is everything okay with Miguel?" I ask immediately, the fear in my chest even more gripping.
Raul had to leave Germany as well, but he's been keeping me updated.
"Yeah, he asked me to call you, he's a little high from the pain meds." She clears her throat. "We are transporting him to California today."
"Isn't it too soon?" The guy has multiple gun shots in his chest, one which narrowly missed his freaking heart. "Shouldn't he stay in hospital?"
"He's been making great progress, I'm sure Raul told you that. He wants to see you, he will be taken care of in his house." She doesn't sound like someone who wants to update me at all. "Raul can give you specifics, goodbye."
I look at the phone is disbelief. Lucille doesn't like me, that's for sure. And I don't like that she has access to Miguel when her feelings for him clearly runs more than just co-workers.
But this is not the time to be jealous.
Miguel is coming home.
And he wants to see me.
I turn to T.J. in my seat.
"Feel like going to California?"