Josiah
"Elijah Ali? Ain't that Camille's big brother? Don't do anything stupid man." Charlie says when I call him into my office. "I just want information, like where he's staying right now and for how long. We just need to talk."
Charlie frowns, "We both know what you mean by 'talk'. Camille will hate you if you hurt her brother."
"I'm not going to hurt him, and if you're not going to do your fucking job then I will. I didn't ask for advice, I asked for information. Now find me exactly that." I snapped at him, my voice laced with annoyance.
"Boss you're drunk. She's been gone for two nights, she'll be back. Don't do something you'll regret and lose her forever. She just needs time to clear her head."
I frown before getting up and storming pass him to the information room. I pick up the phone and make a call, "Elijah Ali, I need current information stat."
I hear quick typing , "Marriott Hotel, Harbor St, Room 212, second floor. Arrival date 9/12/17, departure date 9/17/17."
I hang up and head back to my office for my keys. "Don't do this." Charlie says stoping in front of me. "Move aside."
"Camille will hate you. She'll never come back."
"I'm not going to kill him for fucks sake. I'm drunk not an idiot. I'm going to tell him everything."
"Sir isn't that risky?"
"It might be, but if it brings her back I don't care."
Charlie sighs, "Then I'm going with you. You're drunk, we don't need you driving around town this late." I roll my eyes and toss him the key, "Marriott on Harbor."
We get into the car and Charlie drives us down town to the hotel and parks us around back. When we enter the hotel immediately all eyes are on us, I scoff and continue walking up toward the elevator. We reach the second floor and begin to search for room 212.
The door appears in front of us reading 212. I give it a hard knock and wait for an answer. A man with tanned skin and curly hair opens the door tiredly. "Elijah Ali."
He frowns, "Who the hell are you, and why are you knocking on my door so late?"
"Mind if I come in?" He shakes head and begins to shut the door when I stop it with my foot. "Josiah Wells, in the flesh." I bring my hand out for him to shake and he stares at me wide eyed. "What do you want man? I didn't do anything."
I chuckle, "May I come in?" He hesitates before opening the door for Charlie and I. "Why're you here?"
"You're familiar with my work and such correct?" He nods slowly. "I am a very noble man, and I thought it would be proper to introduce myself to my-" I pause for a moment, "girlfriends big brother."
"Camille is dating you?!" He exclaims. I sigh, "Well she was, she left me the other night because she got into a fight with you."
"So you're here to kill me now?" He asks. I chuckle again, "Do I seem like a barbaric lunatic to you? I'm here to make peace with you so Camille can come home."
"And if she doesn't want to?" My eyebrows furrow, "That'll be her decision. Assure me you'll talk to her, give her your approval."
"And what if I don't approve?" He questions back. A frown appears on my face. "I don't advise that's a wise choice." I get up and begin walking toward the door, "Have a good night Eli."
Charlie shuts the door behind us and frowns at me. "You just threatened the guy!" I scoff, "Barely, it was merely implied."
"He's going to tell Camille and she will hate you."
"Why do you always think so negatively?" He drives me back to my place and wishes me well before driving off. I get into the house I drink a little more before falling asleep on the couch, Camille being the last thing on my mind.
-
"Josiah Maurice Wells!" I hear a voice exclaim. I open my eyes to see a very angry Camille standing in front of me. "Am I dreaming?" I mumble.
"Oh you're going to wish you were. You threatened my fucking brother Josiah?" I rub my eyes and smile at her. "Did I ever tell you you're really pretty when you're mad?"
"Josiah! I'm serious, and you told him I was your girlfriend?"
"Well what else was I supposed to call you?" She was fuming now, "Nothing! We're not together!"
"It still hurts you to say that, I can tell."
"I can tell." She mimics, "Ooh you make me so mad!"
I stand up and face her, "Baby look-" She puts a hand in my face, "Do not even try to fucking 'baby' me. I'm leaving, lose my fucking number." She begins to walk away but turns around again, "As a matter of fact, take your stupid phone back." She throws the phone at my chest and begins storming away. I follow her to the door, "Camille wait!"
She ignores me and keeps walking till she reaches the door. As she begins to open it, my hand goes above her head to shut it again, trapping her between me and the door.
"Camille don't leave."
"Give me one reason as to why I shouldn't."
"I-I love you."
Tears begin to fill her eyes, suddenly her face turns angry. She begins hitting me and attempts to push me off, "And I hate you! Don't fucking tell me you love me when you won't even tell me why we can't be together." She tries to open the door again but I stop her.
"Fine I'll tell you! But you're going to leave me if I do."
"I was leaving anyway Josiah." I take her hand and sit her back on the couch. "You're right, this has to do with Sandra." She stays quiet so I continue, "Sandra was a childhood friend of mine, as time went on and my success grew, we started dating. She was my girlfriend. We were seen in tabloids everywhere, everyone knew about us. This caused many problems for Sandra and I, she accused me of cheating every time my photo was taken with any woman. I accused her of cheating as well and one day she finally just left. At least I thought she did. She had been taken by Lancing, but what I didn't know is that she had gone willingly."
I sigh as I continue the story, "I spent months looking for her, not knowing she didn't want to me found. I didn't find out they were scheming against me till I was tied to a pole in a parking garage. Lancing came out with some of his men, but I didn't expect her to come out with him. They spent hours torturing me, physically and emotionally. They even had sex in front of me a few times as well, the betrayal was unbearable. When I found a way to free myself, I stole one of the guards guns. I was on my way to kill Lancing when I ran into Sandra instead.
She was going to kill me so I knew what I had to do. I killed her, and it still haunts me to this day." I let out a breath and turn to Camille. She wasn't looking at me, just staring at the floor, "I love you Camille, but I just can't risk losing you the way I lost her."
She remains quiet before speaking, "Josiah I'm not Sandra. I wouldn't ever do that to you."
"I know but the wound is still fresh. I wasn't supposed to fall for you, I didn't want to. But I did, and I'm still too much of a punk to actually make you mine. But please don't leave me, I just need time."
She cups my face in her hands, "I love you too." I smile as I lean in to kiss her, but she pulls away slightly. "But I don't know if I can keep doing this." I frown, "Why what's the matter?"
She sighs and sits up, "Ever since we've gotten together, I've been so detached from my own life. Kept in your protective shell. I haven't worked, I haven't really seen my friends, and I rely on you for everything. Is this how it's going to be?"
I shake my head, "Camille it can be anyway you want, if you really do want to go back to work I can have a bodyguard outside for you everyday. I don't see as to why you'd want to work when with me it's not necessary to lift a finger. But if that's what you wish."
"I do wish that, I like being independent. I need something to fall back on in case this doesn't work."
I nod, "As you wish, I'll work on getting you your job back." She shakes her head, "No let me do it please, and if I don't I'll find another one."
I peck her forehead, "Alright."
She stands up from the couch with a small smile, "I need to go talk to my brother. I'll be back later okay?" I nod and watch her as she leaves with a smile. My own smile was stretched far across my face as I call up Charlie. "Sup boss?"
"She's home again." I say, the smile clear in my voice. "I swear you two can't even stay mad at each other."
I chuckle, "I know I can't. But tell me what is the latest on this Richard Louie case?"
"Well, he is no longer in a coma no thanks to you. David Tomlinson confessed about the missing money and wiring it to a fake account."
"So when do I get my money back?" Charlie paused, "Charlie?"
"After confessing David sort of fled the country."
I frowned, "What do you mean fled the country? Were you guys not watching his every move? I knew we should've gotten into this sooner! Where was he last seen?"
"A small airport in Boston."
I growled, "I want Richard Louie watched at all times and all eyes out for David."
"Yes sir, I'll keep you updated." I end the call in anger. My mood changed just like that. How could we let him get away? I had been so caught up with other things I wasn't paying attention to this case. Now that the air had been cleared with Camille, I can finally focus again. That girl really takes up most of my thoughts.
I smile at the thought of her again, I can't believe I admitted I loved her. And she loves me as well. It does take a weight off my back knowing Lancing is no longer around and I don't have to fear for Camille's safety as much. After the Sandra incident, I didn't want anything serious with anyone. Sometimes when I think of being with Camille it reminds me of what I had with Sandra and how badly that went downhill. I just don't want that to happen with Camille. I can still see Sandra's cold dead eyes staring at me after being killed.
My phone rings thankfully, changing my mood. "Jo speaking."
"There's someone here that wants to see you." I frown, "And who would that be?"
"He says his name is Richard Louie and it's urgent."
I raise an eyebrow, "I'll be on way." I put the phone down and grab my keys before heading down to the club. I get in through the back entrance and head up to me office. "Send him in." I say through the intercom. The door opens and a tall white man enters the room. His eyes a deep blue with a scar under his eye. I smirk knowing it was the work of my men. "Finally come to confess I see."
"I heard you've already got your confession. I came for a different reason."
"That being?"
"I don't want Camille involved in any of this."
I frown, "Excuse me? What Camille is involved with is none of your concern."
"Please, anything to do with me keep her out of it." That reminded me of something. "Why is she in your will?" I ask.
"She's a noble employee."
I scoff, "Then give her employee of the month not put her in your will. I want the truth."
"I didn't come here to be interrogated." He gets up to leave but my men block the door. "You're on my ground so you answer my questions."
"Why are you asking me to keep her away from your case? Who is she to you?" I ask again.
Richard stays silent. "It's a long story."
I look at my watch, "I have time." And so he sits down and begins.