Chapter 32 Pay me
COURTNEY
The sun was barely up, but Leah, Tyler, and I didn't mind the loud music blasting in the background as we knead some doughs.
Tyler and I grimaced at Leah's high-pitched and off-key singing, sharing a brief glance, and smiled in relief when she paused to breathe
It's been weeks since we both saw this side of her, and we'd rather entertain it than bear to see her in a melancholic state every time.
“I wouldn't listen to the song if it was sang like that”, Tyler shouts at the top of his voice but Leah doesn't pay him any attention because she's now twirling in the centre of the restaurant, ours.
It was a risk, I know because that man could be back anytime, but we deserve a break from hiding, and this is the only place we can feel connected to Zora.
It was a Saturday anyways, and staying indoors would only give the entire house a moody vibe, so I'd barged into the kid's room, announcing a surprise outing today.
While they both grumbled sleepily into the shower, their mood became lighter once we stepped out of the house and once we'd arrived, my gaze took in the look on their faces, bracing for the worst.
However, it seemed I'd made the best decision ever as they were taking the trip well so far. We made do with the few fresh ingredients still available, and when they were finished, I taught Tyler how to use the coffee making machine for when a customer ordered one.
He was a pretty fast learner as he'd come up with his signature coffee in a few minutes. “Alright kids, I'll be in the grocery store right in the corner, okay?”, I announced, taking off my messy apron.
“Remember, serve with a smile, okay?”, I reminded them about to step out when I turned around to face Tyler. “And tolerate your sister just for a few minutes, hmm?”. He nodded with a grin plastered on his face, and I finally stepped out, my mind at ease.
I know, probably not the best decision but I need the cctv camera from the grocery store to see if the man had come anywhere near the restaurant. That way, if he had, I'll be able to put a face to him and send a copy to my personal investigator.
The closest supermarket was just a two minutes walk from here, and I was confident the kids could manage without me until I got back.
I took in a deep breath, hope swelling in my chest.
My phone rang,
A scowl appeared on my face seeing ‘Mum’ as the caller ID. What could she possibly want this time? There was no point ignoring her unless I wanted my phone ringing all day, nonstop.
“What do you want?” I shot at her the instanto answered, holding my phone to my ears with one hand and rolling a cart with the other while simultaneously looking for their 'out of bounds/ staff only' room.
“Is that a way to talk to your mother after months of not calling?”, she snapped, furious already.
Oh boy! I can't deal with this attitude so early, so I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.
“What do you want?”, I asked again, in a calmer voice this time.
She paused for some seconds before replying, “your father started drinking again, and he, he used up all of our money and now—”
“You let him mum”, I stopped her, unwilling to listen anymore. She starts sobbing, causing me to release a weary sigh.
Here she goes again.
I groan inwardly, face palming myself with my free hand then throwing my last item into the cart before rolling it towards the counter.
Bingo! I found the room.
It was just a few feet away from the counter, but it had a keypad lock.
How the heck am I supposed to know the code?
When she didn't get any response from me, she continued “my sweet child, I know you can help with something, at least to help with this month's bills”.
I squint in confusion, “And how are you so certain about that, mum?”.
“Come on, Courtney, don't be so cocky now”, she replies, in an entirely different tone. “Scott mentioned he’s seen you on a company's website. I'm sure that means you're one of the big shots then, so you get paid huge money, right?”.
Damn Scott!
That company's website is my freaking restaurant's!!!
I growled loudly in frustration, drawing everyone's attention.
With tomato looking cheeks after realising the results of my careless actions, I quickly mouth a ‘sorry’ and continue the conversation with the goal of ending it soon.
“I'm in a really tight situation right now, so I guess you'd have to ask Scott for help, since I mean, you're both best of friends. I got to go now”, and I hung up.
Soon, I'm handed my shopping bags and hurry out of the supermarket, knowing I've spent a lot of time out here. Gosh, I hope those kids haven't turned the restaurant into something else.
The recent conversation with my mother attempts to take over my mind but I shove it down, letting other thoughts flood my mind.
It's a good thing I left anyway. And since then, I haven't spoken about them to anyone, not even Zora. It's like they don't exist and most times, I really wish they didn't, especially in times like now.
As I walk through the door, the sight that greets me causes my jaws to drop. The chairs are filled with a few people perching at the counter watching a seven year old girl entertain them with her clumsy but charming dance moves.
My eyes search for Tyler in panic, and I catch a glimpse of him behind the counter, making his ‘signature coffee' with a serious expression. A smile slowly bursts through my face, and a warm feeling spreads throughout my chest.
Oh heavens!
Leah finally sees me and signals that I join her, and after a few encouraging chants of my name by the customers, I grant her wishes, only stopping when another vibration courses through my phone.
“Excuse me for a moment” I murmured, still smiling while I made my way to the back of the counter, ruffling Tyler's hair and opening the message.
My heart stopped for a minute. I let the message by the anonymous sender sink in as I struggle to breathe properly.
“Are you alright, Aunt Courtney?”, Tyler asks, his face scrunched up in worry.
“Oh dear”, I squat to his height, squeezing him into a hug. “How about I drop you and Leah at home, then you both play games tonight to celebrate today's success in handling the shop, mm?
There's a hint of distrust in his gaze when he probes further, “Is anything happening tonight?”
I stare past his shoulder into the emptiness of space, “I have to meet someone tonight."
My eyes move back and forth from the ticking wall clock above me to the mirror right in front of me. Drawing my eyeliners one last time, I constantly remind myself that this isn't a blind date, neither is it like any of those scenes from the crime movies I've watched.
Nevertheless, I head out the door wearing a black, smoky makeup paired with some black leather jacket and skinny leather pants.
Fortunately for me, the night is young and bustling, and there are a lot weirded outfits than mine, so I don't think too much on my outfit.
The club is already filled to the brim by the time I arrive and just when I start to get worried I might not be seen, a voice whispers from behind me, “You didn't need that much makeup”.
I turn around with a glare, ready to fire back, but for some reason, I offer a tight smile instead. My best friend's whereabouts are still in his hands, so I can't mess things up — not right now.
"You said you know something about my friend's disappearance."
A smug glint flashes in his eyes before he leads me into a pretty secluded corner of the club, still standing.
“So what's your price?”, I ask when the silence lingered.
A deep chortle escaped his throat, “you really are very forward, young lady”, he says, “but are you sure the price is something you can give now?”, he arcs an eyebrow, fixing a challenging gaze on me.
I lift my chin higher and answered in a deadpan tone, “As long as you show me where my best friend is”.
His grin grows wid, r and I involuntarily swallow, hoping I haven't somehow walked into some kind of trap.
“Thirty six million”
I felt my ears bleed. A napkin is handed to me by him, and then I realise the blood trickling is from my nostrils.
Great, no better time to have nosebleeds than in front of a stranger.
“Why don't you go ahead and rob a bank while you're at it, huh?”, I snapped angrily.
Taking a step closer, he muttered in a low tone. “Werewolves cost that much for a reason, darling”.
I froze.