Chapter 14
Drake
Sensei, dressed in his traditional white gi, was standing over my shoulder as I set up the server. My phone buzzed, vibrating in my pocket. It was the call we had been waiting for. The one that could change everything. My pulse quickened as I anxiously listened to the voice on the other end, my mind already racing with potential outcomes and scenarios.
This was not the response we hoped for, the one that would bring the good news, the break in the case leading to his capture. Instead, it shattered my world, leaving me reeling and uncertain about what would come next. The weight of the news pressed down on me like a heavy blanket, suffocating any sense of calm or peace I had left. My mind raced with questions and fears, trying to make sense of this unexpected turn of events.
He slapped my back and said, “Go, be with her. I’ll get started on some videos for tonight’s class. I’ll need you back here to put them up for the students, though. I’m not sure about how to do that.”
Sensei's fingers flew across his phone, rapidly typing out an email to all the students. His face was furrowed in concentration as he informed everyone that the gym would be closed for the next few weeks due to a plumbing problem. He promised to send a link to a video channel where classes could still be accessed online.
His voice was like a river rushing over stones, smooth and constant but with an underlying current of urgency. I could tell he was also worried about her.
Brody had been in a dark, brooding mood all morning and kept grumbling about needing to go to the office to check on our girl. He paced back and forth, worried to the point of rage that we hadn’t heard from her. April's call broke through the air, offering us a glimmer of hope. A lunch meeting at the office? Brody practically leaped at the opportunity, his voice booming as he called for me to join him.
“Drake, get your shit together. Bella wants us to come to the office.”
I sprinted through the door, my heart pounding in my chest as I frantically searched for Brody. He was already sitting in the car, his foot tapping impatiently on the gas pedal as he glared at me with frustration.
“Dammit, Drake. It’s about time,” he barked, annoyance seeping into his voice. Every second seemed to stretch into eternity as I hurried over, and I could feel Brody's impatience growing exponentially.
"Come on!" he urged, his voice rising into a low growl.
“Would you calm down? We still have stuff to take care of. As much as I want to be there, we have things to do to keep her safe as well, you know.”
He sighed, stomped on the brake and put the car in reverse, waiting for the garage door to open. “I know, I know. I’m just worried about her. That girl, Maddy, was her friend since elementary school. She was her roommate, too, you know.”
“I know, but Graham and April are there with her. Stewart just left to go over and Christian is already there. Damn, it is all hands on deck right now. She’s safe.”
“Yes, but I am not there. Don’t you care about her at all? What the hell?”
“Piss off, Brody!” My patience was wearing thin with his constant bullshit. How dare he even ask me that? I was the one tirelessly working to fulfill everything the detectives demanded, while he just stomped around like a petulant child. “While you’re pissing and moaning about what you want, I'm busting my ass to keep her protected. What exactly are you doing besides acting like a spoiled brat? Grow the hell up!” I shouted at him, my frustration boiling over.
His eyes flashed with anger, but then quickly dulled as he turned his gaze back to the road. He’d been pacing around the room for what must have been hours, his frustration and powerlessness palpable. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of sympathy for him at that moment, realizing there was nothing he could do to change the situation. And without a task to occupy his mind and hands, he must have been feeling utterly useless and helpless. The silence in the car only amplified the tension and unease between us, adding another layer of discomfort to the already strained atmosphere.
“Listen, I’m sorry, bro,” I said, clamping my hand on his shoulder. “I know what you’re going through. I’m there with ya. Let’s just get there, okay?”
We were careening through traffic, buildings and people whizzing by in a blur. The cityscape flashed before us as we made our way towards her office, our surroundings a symphony of sounds and sights.
Graham's message flashed on my phone, urging me to stop at the front desk to check in. He’d already made arrangements for us to be escorted up to twelve and reminded me to let him know when we arrived.
I held up the text to show Brody and said, “Looks like they got her locked down pretty quickly. That’s a good thing.”
With a guttural grunt, he begrudgingly bobbed his head, acknowledging what I’d said. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy emanating from him, his muttering comparing his own disarray and pacing earlier to Graham's put-together demeanor. And truthfully, I felt a bit of envy myself, knowing how effortlessly Graham seemed to have everything under control.
We were ushered inside where a tall, stern-looking security guard immediately greeted us and led us to the elevator. As the elevator ascended, my heart raced with anticipation, waiting impatiently until the elevator doors opened with a soft ding. We stepped out and were met by Graham, with his perfectly tailored suit and charming smile. He warmly welcomed us with a firm handshake.
"I'm sure she'll be thrilled to see you, but let's take a moment to chat before we head up," he said smoothly.
With a swift gesture, he guided us into the cozy coffee room and quietly closed the door behind us. He spoke in hushed tones, his voice laced with concern.
"She was in rough shape this morning," he murmured, his expression tense with concern. "But she's been hard at work on the new endorsement. Let's try not to upset her again."
I nodded in understanding, noting the flush that spread across Brody's cheeks. We both grappled with the weight of the situation. I could sense his apprehension, but I knew that right now, she needed us to be there for her.
With a reassuring glance, I said, "I hear ya. Let's follow her lead on this." A question suddenly surfaced in my mind, and without hesitation, I voiced it aloud. "But I do have one question…"
“Yes?”
“She knew we were coming, right?”
“She asked for you.” He smiled and reached out for both of our shoulders. “I only wanted to let you know she was calm. For now. I figured you’d want to be let in on how she was doing before you got upstairs.” His voice was warm and friendly, reassuring, as he shared the current state of our mutual love. The firm grip he had clamped onto our shoulders was a gentle reminder that we were all in this together, and that we’d do whatever we could to take care of her.
“Thanks, Graham. We appreciate that. I hadn’t even thought about how to act when we got here. Only that I needed to be here,” Brody said, looking down, a little embarrassed.
“Hey, you’re speaking to the choir here. I had no idea what to do when Rory told me. I wanted to burst into her office, it was all so overwhelming. I can’t imagine what you two have been through having to hear it with her here and you somewhere else. I haven’t been able to do much, but April has been wonderful and a big help. I think concern is fine, but perhaps if we all try to pull her attention to the client, it might be easier for her.”
“Good thinking,” I said.
“Christian tried to have her go home, but she wanted to stay. She’s afraid to face it full on in her own head, so distraction, I think, is the key.”
With our minds racing in our own thoughts, we eagerly ascended the stairs to see her. As soon as we entered the conference room, she dashed towards us, her arms open wide. She embraced each of us tightly and led us over to the long table in the center of the room. I could see the glistening tears in her eyes that she was trying desperately to hold at bay, and I whispered softly to her, "I missed you, Cheri."
Her features softened, and her face lit up with a small but genuine smile. There was a hint of sorrow in the corners of her mouth, but it didn't detract from the warmth radiating from her. I cherished this small gesture of happiness from her.
The mid-day luncheon served, not only as a meal and to check up on Scarlett, but also as a crucial meeting to discuss images and copy for the upcoming campaign to maintain the illusion of business. The conference room was filled with an aura of professionalism, with all eyes on Scarlett. Walter and Samuel carefully observed every aspect of the office area below. Their keen focus and attention would later be reported to Graham in a detailed briefing.
Christian's words filled us with unease as he spoke about the mysterious Aria girl. Suddenly, it seemed as though everything and everyone was being called into question. Scarlett, typically poised and composed, couldn't hide her disappointment at the gym closing. Yet she surprised us by accepting the news with more grace than expected after she fought us about it the night before. However, her concern for Jenny etched lines on her face as she asked if there was any way to arrange a class with Sensei so that Jenny could feel reassured of her safety and well-being.
I assured her with sincerity that it was not out of the realm of possibility. The desperation in her tone was palpable as she clung onto the hope and assurance that the little girl would be okay. Maddy's murder must have been a significant blow to her. Though I felt the weight of it was immense, I couldn't fully comprehend the depth of her grief at that moment. I only knew I needed to be by her side.
Despite the heaviness weighing on our hearts, Graham had no choice but to stay at work. There was a lot that needed to be buttoned up. April and Georgia volunteered to stay and help with it while Scarlett went home to rest. She was exhausted and in spite of her protests, everyone agreed she needed to go home. Christian said he would stay with April, but Rory and Stewart insisted on escorting Scarlett.
The air hung heavy as the meeting came to a close. She tried to put on a brave face, but it was clear she felt a mixture of emotions: she wasn’t happy but understood she needed to take this break; she was grief-stricken, wrung-out and mentally wrecked. Brody and I decided to leave early in order to check on everything that needed to be done. As we bid her farewell, we each held her close for a few moments, promising to meet her back at home with a warm embrace.
We were both glad to see her and feeling more and more agreeable with some kind of arrangement between us and Scarlett. It didn’t feel like I thought it would. I was grateful for each of them and the way they loved her. We were all different, and it was plain for anyone to see the way she responded in a different way to me, than she did Brody and Graham.
I was comfortable with it. Despite the unconventional arrangement forming between us and Scarlett, it felt completely natural. It was a strange feeling, but one that I couldn't deny. Each of us played a unique role in her life, and it was evident in the way she responded to us. She seemed to have a special connection with me, as well as with Brody and Graham. We were all different in our own ways, but it was clear that we all shared one thing: our love for her. And that was enough for us.
As we turned to leave, Brody and I exchanged a look of understanding before our eyes landed on Graham. He gave a small nod, wordlessly conveying his support. We knew that at some point, we would need to have a conversation about this, but for now, unspoken agreement was enough. She would lead us, and we were content and at ease, each of us committing to this path in our own unique way.