I was nervous. As I sat at the table in the small coffee shop downtown, I tapped my foot impatiently against the floor. I checked the time on my phone before I set it back to the same place it was. Only five more minutes until he gets here, if he's punctual, that is. I needed to pull myself together if I was going to ever pull this off.
After Connery left this morning for class I texted Dant asking him if we could meet up for coffee. Dant and I don't have the closest relationship, which is why asking him to meet up for coffee was something he would find odd. But I leave it up to me to find the perfect cover-up. Peyton's birthday is coming up in a few weeks, so I told him that I wanted to plan a little surprise for her. This is true, but the thing that he doesn't see coming is the confrontation about the particular tattoo he has on his right hip.
My heart stopped when I saw Dant walk in through the front door. I wasn't good at confrontation and this could go bad quick. "Green,"
Dant sits in the chair across from me. "Nathaniel,"
He rolls his eyes. Dant hated it when I called him by his middle name, so when he told me to stop, I called him Nathaniel every time I saw him just to annoy him. "You could've picked a further place to meet up if you wished."
I laugh at Dant's sarcasm. "I didn't want to risk getting caught by Peyton. We tolerate each other for her sake. If she saw us sitting together in a coffee shop she would become highly suspicious that we're planning something for her."
"Ah, I get it," Dant replies. "Do you have something in mind? Or do we have to brainstorm a few ideas?"
"I was thinking about making it a costume birthday party, she loves to dress up. And that way she can use the outfit she never got to wear for Halloween last year." I tell Dant.
"The tinker bell costume?" Dant asks and I nod. "She wouldn't shut up about how she didn't get to wear it this year either."
"We have a theme, now we need a place," I say as I go over my non-existing list on my phone.
"We can have it at the house," Dant says. "We'll tell her it's a costume party that the frat is throwing. She'll never see it coming."
"Perfect," I reply. "Drinks and snacks?"
"I can take care of the drinks and snacks with the boys, you can order the cake," Dant says and I nod. "Remember to order a red velvet one, it's her favorite."
I know that Dant is an ass (at times) but he's the sweetest guy with Peyton. How can a guy like that be part of a gang responsible for countless murders and rapes? Is there someone else hidden beneath his exterior? "I have it written down, I promise I won't forget."
"Great," Dant smiles. "Is there anything else left to plan out?"
I shake my head. "I think we got everything covered for now. If there's anything else that we're missing, I'll let you know."
"I don't mean to be rude Green, but we could've done this over the phone," Dant says. "Why did you drag me over downtown? Is there something else you wanted to talk about?"
I began to get nervous, but I knew I had to keep it together. So with a big deep breath, I asked the question that has been haunting me ever since I found out about his tattoo. "Yes, I want to know why you have tattooed Azrael Sylla above your hip."
Dant looked at me as if he had seen a ghost. And he started to get nervous. "It doesn't mean anything, I got it in freshman year. Nothing more than a drunken mistake."
Don't lie to me Dant, don't lie to me. "You're lying."
"What?" Dant questions. "I'm not, like I told you, it was nothing more than a drunken mistake."
"It means fallen angel," I tell him. "And it just so happens to be the name of the gang Tommy belongs to. A gang who happens to be linked to numerous murders and rapes. So I ask again, why do you have Azrael Sylla tattooed on your right hip?"
"Everest, you don't know anything," Dant replies. "For your own good, just drop it."
"I won't drop it," I tell him. "You're dating my best friend and I won't let you drag her into your mess if you're part of that gang. Also, did you happen to forget that Macy in the hospital because of Tommy, because of your little gang?"
"I won't drag her into my mess Green, they won't touch her," Dant reassures me but I wasn't having it. "And that wasn't supposed to happen, what happened to Macy. She wasn't supposed to jump."
"They won't touch her until you do something stupid and they take it out on her," I say getting a little agitated. "And that wasn't supposed to happen? Then what was supposed to happen? What do you expect after all of the trauma she endured. You are going to tell me Ross Nathaniel or so help me God."
"I promise you, Everest, I would never let them touch her. She's safe." Dant says. Safe my ass. "It's best if you don't know. I'm not allowed to speak to anyone about this, having this conversation puts you in danger already. And I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"Don't make promises you're not sure you can keep," I reply. "And I assume the risk, I already walk with a target on my back because of the case. Tell me, now."
Dant heavily sighs. "Everest, please."
"Now, Dant," I say raising my voice a little.
"Where do I start?" Dant asks.
"Start with, how the fuck did you end up joining Azrael Sylla?" I pause. "You can't tell me you joined willingly Dant. Everybody knows who they are. Why on earth would you ever think it was a good idea?"
"It all started when Tommy introduced the boys and me to the races. At first, we all raced for the adrenaline and the thrill. Connery and Fai were the most successful out of the five of us. Fai did show us the ropes so it was a no brainer. The way the races work is that you win money if you win, but if you lose you start owing Maddox money." Dant pauses. "I wasn't that good at first, so unlike the rest of the boys, I started owing Maddox money."
"How does Maddox fit in the picture?" I ask.
"He's the leader of the gang here in Bowling," Dant answers. "Azrael Sylla is in different cities, that's why we have leaders that watch us and report back to the main leader."
"Who's the main leader of the gang?" I ask.
"I don't know, none of us do, we just know that he exists," Dant replies. "Back to the main story, I started owing Maddox money, a lot of money."
"How many races did you lose? All of them?" I ask and Dant gives me a look. "Sorry, I promise to shut up and listen."
"Just like drinking and poker, to me, racing became an addiction that I needed to fulfill. So I began to race on a daily basis, I did win, but the losses were a lot more than the victories." Dant says. "Fai also owed Maddox money, but for different reasons that I won't dive in to. When Fai got killed during one of his races, I knew I had to pay up because, at any moment, I could also end up hitting a brick wall."
"Connery told me it was an accident, so it's completely the opposite?" I ask. "Maddox had Fai killed because he didn't pay up?"
"These aren't just people you can mess with Everest, you have to pay up when they say so," Dant replies. "We couldn't do anything about it, we understood that Fai was just paying the consequences of crossing Maddox."
"I still don't understand how you became a part of the gang," I say.
"I'm getting there," Dant rolls his eyes. "Connery is right, you're a very impatient person. You should try listening sometimes."
I shoot daggers at Dant. "Go on, don't test me, boy. Not today."
"As I was saying," Dant pauses. "I knew I would end up just like Fai if I didn't do something, so I did the one thing I knew that could guarantee me that I wasn't going to end up in a casket. I joined the Azrael Sylla. By becoming a member, I was safe. I still had to pay my debts, but in my own time."
"How did you end up paying your debt? By raping other girls?" I asked afraid of the answer I might get.
"God no Everest, what person do you think I am?" Dant asks. Well... "I did drug runs with the guys, collect money that people owed Maddox. Things like that, I never touched a girl. The raping came after Tommy came up with the idea that we had to make the initiation harder for guys to join."
"What?" I ask as my jaw drops. "So Macy was part of an initiation ritual?"
Dant nods shamefully. "Everyone gets to initiate guys into the gang, everyone has their style. Tommy does things differently, he makes his guys rape girls before they can become a part of the gang."
I looked at Dant disgusted. "Tommy is a sick bastard. Doesn't that go against your code or something?"
"It does, but since Conrad used to be a member when he was in college, daddy's little boy gets to bend the rules." Dant replies and my jaw drops even more.
"His foundation, he targets girls through his foundation doesn't he?" I ask.
Dant nods. "It's a scam, for the most part. He uses his foundation to targets vulnerable girls, introduces him to Tommy and Maddox. Maddox uses the girls mainly to work parties for him."
"That son of a bitch," I say as I look at Dant in disbelief. "Is there anything else that's part of the initiation ritual?"
"From what I've heard, Tommy tapes most initiations," Dant replies. He tapes them? I need to get my hands on those tapes. That's how we're going to nail that son of a bitch and his father. "I need those tapes, I need you to get me those tapes."
"You're fucking crazy Everest," Dant replies. "I don't even know if it's true and even if it were, handing you those tapes could get me killed. I know you want to take Conrad and Tommy down, but you'll have to find another way."
"You need to tell Peyton about this," I tell Dant and he immediately shakes his head. "She needs to know Dant. Connery needs to know. There are no secrets between us and I won't lie. Not again."
"I can't tell her Everest, please," Dant begs. "She will hate me. I can't lose her."
"I'm sorry Dant, but she needs to know," I say as I stand up from my chair. "I'll give you forty-eight hours to tell her, forty-eight, if you don't tell her by then I will."
"Everest," Dant sighs in frustration.
"I have to go, I'm meeting up with Connery for dinner and I can't be late. I told him I was at the firm working on one of Jared's cases." I tell him. "Forty-eight hours."
As I was walking out of the coffee shop, my phone buzzed, it was a text from Connery.
[CONNERY]
Baby girl
[EVEREST]
Hey handsome :)
[CONNERY]
I'm studying with Inez for my Human Genetics exam
[CONNERY]
We're almost done, but it might take an extra hour
[EVEREST]
...
[CONNERY]
Baby
[CONNERY]
We're at the library
[CONNERY]
Nothing's going to happen
[CONNERY]
Can you trust me on this one?
[EVEREST]
I trust you
[EVEREST]
It's her I don't trust
[EVEREST]
You can deny it all you want, but if were up to her
[EVEREST]
She would do you right then and there
[CONNERY]
Ev
[EVEREST]
Matthew :)
I wasn't fond of the idea of Connery and Inez being in the same room, but I trusted him. As much as I didn't like it, that gave me more than enough time to get back to my apartment and get ready for our dinner date later in the evening. As I was walking down the street to where my car was parked, I saw a very familiar face, and my face curved into a smile.
"Sèbastien," I smile.
"Ev," Sèbastien smiles pulling me in for a hug. "How are you? You kind of disappeared on me after your grandparent's wedding."
"I'm good," I grin. "I know, I'm sorry about that, the case has been keeping me pretty busy and the classes aren't helping either." I'm such a liar. I hate myself for lying to him. But I didn't even know how to begin that conversation with him.
"I understand, how's the case going?" Sèbastien asks. "I heard about what happened to Macy."
"We're getting ready for trial, so it's been a lot more stressful these days," I reply. "And yes, it took us all by surprise. The doctors aren't giving us any hope, but she's a fighter that girl. We know she will pull through."
"I'm sure she will pull through, those girls will get the justice they deserve," Sèbastien replies. "I see that you have a lot on your plate and it has been keeping you busy as you said. The case amongst other things too right?" Sèbastien asks. Busted. "Stensby filled me in."
"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to lead you on if I did. I'm not like those types of girls." I say looking down. How embarrassing Ev, you just got called out on your shit for not being a normal mature human being. Was the conversation really that hard to have? The answer seems to be a yes or else Sèbastien and I wouldn't be having this conversation.
"You don't have to apologize, Stensby warned me, but I decided to still take my shot," Sèbastien replies. "I missed, terribly might I add, but I don't regret ever taking it. You're an amazing girl, Everest Green and I hope Connery realizes how lucky he is."
Why couldn't he be an ass like Dant? I hate myself even more. "And you're an amazing guy, and a top-notch cook too. Any girl would be lucky to even have the chance of crossing paths with you Sèbastien."
Sèbastien chuckles. "This world takes many turns. Who knows, maybe someday if I'm lucky, we'll get the chance to give us a shot. But for now, I accept and respect that your heart belongs to someone else."
I didn't know what to say. What was I supposed to say? I guess Sèbastien noticed that at the moment I had no words and didn't force a response out of me. "I will see you around Everest Green," I smile at Sèbastien as he plants a kiss on my cheek.
And with that, he walked away.
It took me a long time before I realized that not everything in life is meant to become a beautiful story. Not everything is supposed to be permanent. Sometimes we cross paths with people that show you how what is right, what is wrong. To show you who you can become, to teach you how to love yourself, to make you feel better even if was for just a moment.
Or maybe it's someone you meet in a coffee shop while you're having a bad day and you spill your life to. Not everyone who walks in stays and that's okay. We just have to be thankful, that we had the chance to cross paths, even if was for just a brief moment.
A/N
Hey guys, I hope you're all doing okay and loved today's update. What did you think? Personally, it broke my heart a little when Sèbastien was put in the friend zone ð¥º
I wanted to also give you guys a massive thank you for your love and support, we're almost at 50k which is so unbelievable to me. Thank you â¤ï¸
Before I leave I wanted to ask you guys a little something. During this week I started to plan the rest of the book and I wanted to include something special at the end after the book's completed. There's still a lot to go before Chasing Gold reaches its end but I wanted to ask you so I had a little bit more time to work on that special part.
I wanted to know what it means to be a woman to all of my female readers... you don't have to answer if you don't want to, it's okay! It's for a little special something I wanted to work on, so it's totally up to you if you would like to answer.
Once again, thank you, for everything! I will see you guys in the next one ð