Chapter One-hundred Eighty-Nine: Relationshifts

Chapter 189

Relationshifts

A few days later, Tristan was driving home from work. He wore a navy three-piece suit, a white pressed shirt, a black tie, and black wingtip Oxfords. He wore a black overcoat over it. He went up the driveway, pressed the button to open the garage door, and drove in. He parked his car and lifted the emergency brake. As he was about to open the door, someone else opened it for him. He raised his head to see Deimos. Deimos wore a Kreator sleeveless shirt, a denim vest, torn jeans, and black cowboy boots. Tristan gingerly stepped out with his briefcase in his hand.

Tristan: “What do you want, Deimos?”

He asked and drew a long breath.

Deimos: “I want to talk to you.”

Tristan stepped into the mudroom and began taking off his coat. Deimos helped him out of it and hung it up. Tristan untied his shoes and took them off, revealing his black sheer socks. Deimos took off his boots and had black socks on.

Deimos: “I thought about… what went on at Thanksgiving.”

Tristan set his briefcase on the island and went to the living room. He sat on the couch. He withdrew his gold cigarette case, took one out, and lit it up. Deimos sat across from him.

Tristan: “What exactly?”

He blew out a puff of smoke.

Deimos: “You and Celeste…”

He looked away with hurt. Tristan gaped at him.

Tristan: “What about us?”

He said noncommittally. Deimos hung his head.

Deimos: “I deserved that.”

Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Not everything is about you.”

Deimos: “But that was about me. I hurt you badly, Tristan!”

He cried.

Tristan: “I’m not in a relationship with her… I don’t want to be in one for a long, long time… if ever again.”

He sneered at him. Deimos shrank in his seat.

Deimos: “You don’t mean that…”

Tristan: “Watch me.”

He hissed.

Deimos: “I know I fucked up badly, Tristan, but… I will always love you.”

He said earnestly. Tristan looked away.

Deimos: “So, ah, what do you think of Ashley and Lazaros?”

Tristan inhaled another long drag.

Tristan: “Nothing adds up.”

Deimos looked away.

Deimos: “Lazaros didn’t put him in that coma.”

Tristan: “I know that. Lazaros isn’t the one to use violence, and he isn’t like you.”

He said sternly. Deimos recalled beating Blair up badly that night, but didn’t recall if he had broken any bones in Blair.

Tristan: “...Something you want to tell me?”

Deimos sighed.

Deimos: “I beat up Blair that night.”

Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “So you put him in a coma and said nothing.”

Deimos: “I didn’t say that because I don’t know if I did! I beat him up, but I don’t remember breaking any bones.”

He said sincerely. Tristan nodded.

Tristan: “So why did you beat him up?”

He exhaled smoke.

Deimos: “Because I was pissed off with you for going with Jordi! I don’t trust that guy! And now he’s with a total weirdo after dumping Gina!”

He said doggedly. Tristan rolled his eyes.

Tristan: “Jordi always jumped from one relationship to another. How does this make him suspicious?”

He challenged him.

Deimos: “I didn’t want him to be with you!”

He blurted. Tristan glared at him.

Tristan: “And you have the authority to tell me who’s with me?”

He said coldly. Deimos hung his head.

Deimos: “Tristan, I know I fucked up, but I am racking my brains on WHY I did it and what pushed me to do it!”

He cried.

Tristan: “Your insecurities got the best of you.”

He said flatly.

Deimos: “Yes, they did when I left you at the park, but cheating on you?!”

He tugged at his own hair.

Tristan sighed and crushed his cigarette in his ashtray.

Tristan: “Can we go back to the topic at hand? I don’t want to discuss you and me… There is no us.”

He said coldly.

Deimos: “You don’t mean that!”

He shot his forefinger at Tristan.

Tristan: “I understand Lazaros being a pain in the ass, not unlike his twin brother, but Ashley never saw issues with Lazaros guilt-tripping them about throwing up his food. What would push Ashley to leave Lazaros to be with Blair?”

He asked Deimos.

Deimos: “I don’t give a fuck about them! I give a fuck about you and me, Tristan! You don’t have to be Sherlock Holmes to solve every stupid riddle and mystery that comes your way, so you don’t have to deal with US!”

He cried. Tristan glared at him.

Tristan: “Nice to see you have me figured out.”

He said dryly. Deimos hung his head.

Tristan rose and went to the mudroom to put on his shoes.

Deimos: “Where are you going?”

Tristan: “Away from you.”

He sneered at him and slammed the door. Deimos knit his eyebrows and cupped his mouth. He heard Tristan’s car start, the garage door rise, and the car drive out.

~

As the sun was starting to set, Jordi sat out on his back patio smoking a cigarette and reading a book. He wore a denim shirt with the buttons open to expose his bare chest, jeans, and was barefoot. He had his feet up on the railing and his reading glasses on. Henrietta poked her head in.

Henrietta: “Jordi? There’s a young lady here to see you.”

She sang. Jordi raised his head from his book. Madelyn entered, dressed in a green tunic and pixie boots.

Madelyn: “Oh, hello there, Jordi!”

She greeted him and tickled his foot as she sat down beside him. Jordi kicked his feet and laughed loudly.

Jordi: “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA! HEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHA!!”

He laughed and then kissed her softly.

Madelyn: “Just thought it was my turn to swing by and visit you!”

She smiled at him.

Jordi: “Well, this is a pleasant surprise!”

He said genially and put his arm around her.

Jordi: “Do you want to spend the night?”

He teased. Madelyn’s eyes widened.

Madelyn: “Ooh, you want to have a slumber party with me? I'd love that!”

She teased and laughed. Jordi gaped at her and laughed.

Jordi: “This isn’t the Babysitter’s Club! No, it’d be nothing like that…”

He purred.

Madelyn: “Haha, don't worry, you don't have to babysit me like Gina!”

She laughed.

Jordi: “I never insinuated that.”

He winked.

Madelyn sat down beside him.

Madelyn: “So, what do you want to get up to tonight?”

She smiled at him. Jordi hummed and stroked his chin. Henrietta came out and smiled.

Henrietta: “Jordi?”

Jordi: “Yes?”

Henrietta: “Priscilla and Gina are out front to see you.”

She said genially. Jordi’s smile faded. Madelyn frowned.

Madelyn: “What is she doing here?”

She sighed.

He inhaled sharply. He removed his glasses, folded the temples, and rose to button his shirt up. Madelyn placed her hand on his. Jordi smiled a bit, tucked his shirt into his jeans, and went out.

When he came out of the front door, Gina was by the limo with a purple coat, purple leg warmers, and heels on. Priscilla wore a bright pink jacket over a pink dress with Mary Janes. She broke down crying when she saw Jordi. Jordi knit his eyebrows and knelt to her.

Jordi: “Hey, what’s wrong?”

He asked gently.

Priscilla: “You didn’t come to the parade, Jordi! I wanted you to come!”

She cried. Madelyn approached beside Jordi and knit her eyebrows.

Madelyn: “She's using her little cousin to guilt-trip you, Jordi…”

She said, placing her hand on his shoulder. Priscilla screamed and clung to Jordi when she saw Madelyn.

Priscilla: “NOOOO!! IT’S THE WITCH! KEEP HER AWAY!”

She cried on Jordi as he held her.

Madelyn: “Witch? I’m not a bad witch, little girl, but that one is.”

She pointed at Gina. Gina glared at Madelyn.

Jordi: “She’s not a witch, Priscilla.”

He sighed.

Priscilla: “YES, SHE IS! SHE CAST A SPELL TO KEEP YOU FROM COMING!”

She bawled on his chest.

Madelyn: “Spells, huh?”

She twisted her mouth at Gina.

Madelyn: “I guess you didn’t tell her how you broke Jordi’s heart and tried to kill him.”

She said to Gina, loud enough for Priscilla to hear. Priscilla gasped.

Gina: “I never tried to kill Jordi! Girl, that was my ex and soooo long ago!”

She rolled her eyes.

Jordi: “There was another man.”

He sighed.

Gina: “I don’t know who that is, but your new girl could use a diet!”

She spat.

Madelyn: “Is that the best insult you’ve got? I’m fat. So original.”

She laughed at her.

Gina: “And Jordi can’t carry your fatass when he rescues you, but no one wants a fat girl!”

She spat. Jordi furrowed his eyebrows.

Jordi: “Gina, knock it off, all right?! I can carry her, and I will rescue her! I never groused about it once!”

He snapped. Madelyn reddened and swallowed hard.

Madelyn: “That's because he’s a true gentleman business prince.”

She smiled at him, placing her hand on his chest. Jordi smiled down at her.

Madelyn: “He couldn't carry your skinny ass with how much you put him in danger and weighed down his life.”

She countered.

Gina: “I can get high-fashion clothes, honey. I don’t need to shop in the plus-size section! If you eat any more Voyage Burger, you will get so fat, Jordi will need to buy you a tent for a dress!”

She snapped.

Madelyn: “So? I make my own clothes. High-end means nothing to me. Oh, no, I’d better not go to Voyage Burger then!”

She laughed at her. Gina sneered at her.

Jordi rolled his eyes.

Jordi: “Gina, what is this about? Why did you come here?”

He growled.

Gina: “Priscilla is upset you didn’t come to Lacy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, stupid! Because you were feeding your whale!”

She cried.

Madelyn: “Using your baby cousin is so low, Gina. I thought you hated her because you were jealous of Jordi spending time with her instead of you?”

She countered.

Gina: “That was Daddy’s stupid idea!”

She hissed.

Jordi: “Of course, it was.”

He muttered.

Madelyn: “I'm sorry you have to deal with adults acting like little children putting you up to this.”

She said to Priscilla. Priscilla covered her face on Jordi’s chest. Jordi inhaled sharply and shot Gina a hateful glare.

Jordi: “Why did you tell her Madelyn was a witch?”

He asked her.

Gina: “I told her she was a whale! Daddy said she was a wicked ol’ witch!”

She cried.

Madelyn: “You're such a period.”

She laughed at her.

Priscilla tugged on Jordi’s sleeve.

Priscilla: “Jordi?”

Jordi: “Yes?”

Priscilla: “Will you still read me bedtime stories when you come over?”

Madelyn turned to Jordi, not sure what to say or think. She felt sad for Priscilla, caught in the middle of this. Jordi sighed.

Jordi: “I’m not coming over anymore, Priscilla.”

He said gently and sadly. Priscilla’s bottom lip trembled.

Priscilla: “Why not?! Is it because I’m a bad girl?!”

Jordi’s eyelids dipped, and he shook his head.

Jordi: “No, it’s not that… It’s just that… Gina and I are not seeing each other anymore, and I don’t feel welcome there.”

He said tenderly.

Madelyn: “You're not a bad girl, and it's not your fault.”

She assured Priscilla gently.

Jordi: “It’s not you at all.”

He hugged her.

Balderico stepped out of the limo with a smile.

Balderico: “Hello, Jordi!”

Jordi froze and sneered at him.

Balderico: “Well, I see like mother, like son! Your mother dumped you with her parents to go partying and do drugs! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

He chuckled. Jordi saw red when he said.

Jordi: “This IS NOTHING LIKE THAT!”

He bellowed. Madelyn knit her eyebrows and took his hand. Balderico grinned.

Balderico: “When was the last time your mother took you anywhere, Jordi?”

Jordi glared hotly at him.

Jordi: “My mother is dead now.”

He rasped.

Balderico: “Well, that’s what happens when you abuse drugs.”

He smirked.

Madelyn: “Hey! What's the big idea? Why are you insulting him? Because he doesn't wanna date your bitchy daughter anymore?”

She fired back.

Balderico: “This doesn’t concern you, Miss Hamburger Queen, or would that be your ex, Makayla?”

He smirked. Madelyn paused. How the hell did he know that? Who is this guy? She thought.

Jordi put Priscilla down.

Jordi: “Go in the limo, Priscilla.”

He nodded.

Priscilla: “I wanna be with you, Jordi!”

She cried and hugged his legs. Madelyn sighed sadly, feeling for the little girl caught in the middle of this.

Balderico: “Well, we mustn’t cut into Miss Hamburger Queen’s feeding time. It’s a shame you turned out to be your mother’s son, Jordi.”

He smirked. Madelyn frowned at them.

Madelyn: “You’re both wicked evil, trying to hurt him and trying to kill him and hurting this little girl!”

She shook her head at Gina and Balderico. Balderico scoffed at her, and Gina stuck her tongue out.

Balderico: “Come along, Priscilla.”

Priscilla moaned, and as she went, she looked at Jordi with pleading eyes. Madelyn sighed, feeling for Jordi and Priscilla.

They got into the limo, shut the door, and drove away. Jordi heaved a deep sigh.

Jordi: “Sorry about that.”

He mumbled and forced a smile. Madelyn took his hand.

Madelyn: “That’s not your fault. I’m just sorry you have to deal with THAT.”

She shook her head.

Madelyn: “Who is that man anyway? Why does he know so much about us and have all these links to try to hurt you?!”

She cupped his cheek.

Jordi: “I just learned now that Balderico has access to many resources.”

He smiled sadly.

Madelyn: “That's so creepy…”

She shuddered. Jordi put his arms around her and held her close before walking inside his house with her. Madelyn held onto his hand as they went back inside.

~

Balderico sat in his office with Narcisse across from him. He made a chef’s kiss gesture.

Balderico: “Narcisse, you do BEAUTIFUL work, but you told me Rutherford would have finished him.”

Narcisse smirked.

Narcisse: “My sweet summerchild, Rutherford is a mere pawn in this game of chess. I am aiding the king with this intel because I know the feeling of having your loved one hurt when something is taken from them.”

He clasped his hand over his chest and sighed. Balderico grimaced.

Balderico: “I want Jordi to pay for what he did or return to Gina.”

He muttered.

Narcisse: “Yes, the most essential part of this plan.”

He grinned evilly.

~

Jordi had Madelyn in his bedroom. He showed her his Yamaha DX7II synthesizer.

Jordi: “So this is my synthesizer. I love playing this when I feel like writing music or singing.”

Madelyn: “Ooh! Can you please play me a song?!”

She beamed and clasped her hands eagerly. Jordi nodded and turned it on. He started playing a gentle, funky beat on his synthesizer and eased into tender, soothing vocals, singing about sharing his love with someone. The chorus was more upbeat, and his vocals hitched. He then transitioned into a solo, running his fingers across the keyboard. Madelyn brightened at how happy and at peace he looked, indulging in his music. She hadn’t seen him this happy before and craved to see it more.

Madelyn: “Oh, WOW, that was beautiful and right from your soul!”

She applauded him and beamed with delight. Jordi beamed at her and cupped her hips. Madelyn reddened when she felt his grip on her hips.

Jordi: “Thank you! I love making music and singing so much.”

He said, drawing a long breath.

Madelyn: “I hope you do more! You’re terrific, and it makes you feel good!”

She smiled at him, placing her hand on his cheek. Jordi paused and smiled, leaning into her hand.

Jordi: “I always wanted to do this.”

He admitted.

Jordi: “But when you have an elderly grandparent to care for, bills start to pile up, and you could lose your house, something has to give, I guess.”

He sighed and idly stroked the keys as they played a sombre note. Madelyn placed her hands over his.

Madelyn: “You really are a true prince. I hope one day you can make your dream come true.”

She said earnestly to him, locking her gaze on him. Jordi gazed back at her and melted to her words.

Jordi: “Thank you, Madelyn… I would love that, you know.”

He sighed.

Jordi: “For a couple of years, I worked at Danny Donger’s as a waiter. The pay was meh, but I made a lot in tips. Grandpa got sick, and bills were piling up. The bank was going to foreclose on our home, and I wasn’t going to get more hours at Danny Donger’s, and my schedule wouldn’t allow for two jobs.”

He explained. Madelyn knit her eyebrows.

Madelyn: “That’s terrible!”

Jordi: “Then I saw an ad for Dr. Minerva Marzilli hiring bodyguards. I have my electrokinesis. I applied for the job. I got it.”

He shifted his eyes.

Jordi: “And I made enough to buy the house, get a new, nice car instead of the junker I used to drive that always broke down, and nice clothes. So while I grouse about my job, it saved Grandpa and me from a lot.”

He said soberly.

Madelyn: “Wow, you achieved a lot! I hope he appreciates everything you’ve done for him, pulling you all up like that!”

She smiled at him. Jordi laughed bitterly.

Jordi: “Hahahahaha, well, what about you? What are your dreams?”

He smiled and gazed intently at her.

Madelyn: “Haha, me?”

She gestured to herself. Jordi nodded.

Madelyn: “Well… I’m already living the dream… I get to prance around in clothes I made, and I get to be with a handsome prince! I’m a silly little frog who found her prince!”

She chuckled. Jordi beamed at her and laughed. He reddened a bit.

Jordi: “Is that so?”

He leaned forward and purred.

Madelyn: “That’s right!”

She purred back.

Jordi: “I’m glad to hear that, honestly.”

He leaned back.

~

A bit later, Jordi stepped out of the shower in his black silk pajamas with his name embroidered in gold on the left breast pocket. Madelyn lay on her side on the bed, resting her head on the palm of her hand, circling her other finger around the bed like something out of a movie. Jordi shiviered.

Madelyn: “Hey, handsome.”

She teased half-jokingly.

Jordi: “Hey, beautiful.”

He purred.

Madelyn: “Wow, you even have your name on your jammies like a real prince!”

She chuckled. Jordi laughed.

Jordi: “Yes, when I bought these, I wanted my name on them.”

He smiled and kissed her hand. Madelyn smiled and blushed as he kissed her hand.

He grabbed his reading glasses, unfolded the temples, slid them on, and opened his book to read. Madelyn peered over his shoulder.

Madelyn: “What are you reading?”

She smiled at him with curiosity. Jordi smiled at her.

Jordi: “A Peter Spencer mystery novel. I love reading hard-boiled detective novels.”

He replied.

Jordi: “I love reading anyway.”

He said, his voice trailing off.

Madelyn: “Oh, why is it hard-boiled? I know it doesn’t mean like hard-boiled eggs, haha.”

She asked him with genuine curiosity.

Jordi: “It means the protagonist is street-smart, cynical, and he or she is involved in a grittier, darker storyline.”

He explained.

Madelyn: “Oh, isn’t your life already a gritty and dark storyline?”

She asked, lying on his chest. Jordi paused and gazed down at her.

Jordi: “...Yes, that’s right.”

He drew a short breath.

Jordi: “Then that would make you the light in my life.”

He smiled. Madelyn’s eyebrows rose.

Madelyn: “Really?! Like a lighthouse?!”

She beamed at him. Jordi smiled.

Jordi: “I’d say a star…”

He whispered.

Jordi: “Or the sun, since the sun is a star.”

He smiled. Madelyn chuckled.

Madelyn: “Aww, that’s sweet! I’m not a sun-majique user though! But I am the star of my own little show that is life, I guess… or rather, you’re the star of the show!”

She smiled and winked at him. Jordi smirked tightly.

Jordi: “I thought I was the prince.”

He winked.

Madelyn: “You are the prince!”

She cupped his cheek.

Jordi: “But really, you are the light of my life. I always feel happier when I see you.”

He said earnestly and put his arm around her. Madelyn’s face lit up.

Madelyn: “Aww, that’s good. I am happy when you’re happy, and you make me feel happy, too!”

She nestled into his embrace.

Jordi smiled down at her and kissed her softly. He closed his book and turned on his side to face her. Madelyn kissed him back and cupped his cheek.

Jordi: “Yes?”

He put his hand on her waist, and his fingers trailed over her tummy. Madelyn reddened and shivered with a peal of giggles as she felt his gentle hands trace over her soft flesh.

Madelyn: “HEEHEHEHEHEH, that tickles!”

She giggled. Jordi smirked.

Jordi: “Does it?”

He teased and tickled her tummy with both of his hands. Madelyn gasped and threw her head back as she flopped onto the bed, laughing.

Madelyn: “WAHAHAH AHAHAH EHEHEHEHEHEHEEHAHAH HEEEEEEE JORDIIIIIIIIII!AHAH HA AH HA HAHAHAH!”

She burst out with laughter. Jordi laughed and dug his fingers into her soft tummy, tickling it. Madelyn writhed and squirmed, rolling around on the bed with laughter.

Madelyn: “HAHAHAH HAAH EHEHEEHEHEHA AHA AHAHAH HAH OHHH EEEEE! HAHAAHAHAH JORDIIIIII! Y-YOU’RE GOING TO GET ITIIITT!”

She squealed. He wiggled his fingers all over her tummy and dug his finger into her belly button.

Jordi: “Am I now?”

He teased.

Madelyn: “YEEHEHEHEHEHES! HAAHAHAH AHA HEEHEHEEHE OHOHOHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAHA AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH AHAHAAHHAAHAH!”

She laughed between short breaths, reaching for his tummy, draping her finger tips over his toned skin. Jordi stopped tickling her and screamed with laughter when he felt her fingers tickle his tummy.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO NOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO!!”

He laughed hard and thrashed around. Madelyn panted, catching her breath as she trickled her fingers down his sides and tummy in a ticklish revenge. Jordi howled with laughter. He threw his head back as he laughed hard.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHOHO GOHOHOHOHOHOD!! HEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

He laughed hard and wheezed in between laughing. Madelyn leaned over him, tickling his feet. Jordi’s laughter filled the house.

Jordi: “WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! AIYEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!! AHAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAA!! NOHOHWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!”

He rasped in between laughing and heaved. Madelyn poked her tongue out at him and ceased from tickling him when she saw his laughter heaving.

Jordi gasped for air and clasped his chest. He removed his reading glasses and panted rapidly. Madelyn lay down beside him.

Madelyn: “Serves you right!”

She teased. Jordi smiled at her and drew a long breath.

Jordi: “That is does…”

He wiped his eyes and reached over to take a drink of water.

Madelyn: “You know… you're the first man to tickle me.”

She laughed.

Madelyn: “I've only been tickled by other women like Abi, Juniper, and… the Hamburger queen.”

She stated. Jordi turned to her and gazed into her eyes.

Jordi: “You’re the first I ever tickled.”

He admitted and leaned over to kiss her. Madelyn gasped.

Madelyn: “Wow, REALLY?! I'm your first?! I feel special!”

She gasped. Jordi nodded and beamed.

Jordi: “I’m constantly being tickled.”

He laughed.

Madelyn: “Haha, of course you are!”

She teased and gave his foot a little tickle. Jordi burst out laughing and kicked his foot.

Jordi: “HEHEHEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! NOHOHOHOHOHO!!!”

He laughed and whined. Madelyn smiled at him and kissed his head.

~

Fabien was in his bedroom with “Moonlight Desires” by Gowan blasting on his stereo. He wore only green plaid pajama bottoms. Celeste entered wearing a sexy maid outfit: a long-sleeved black shirt with a high, Mandarin-style collar, buttoned at the neck. The shirt has a large cutout across the chest and midriff, exposing her large breasts, and a large white apron over her waist, featuring ruffled straps and a ruffled hem. On her head, she had a lace headband.

Fabien grinned at her and wiggled his eyebrows.

Fabien: “What do we have now?”

He purred. She whipped out a feather duster and waved it around.

Celeste: “I’m here to tickle your feet!”

She grinned. Fabien beamed. She swished the feather around his bare feet, and he burst out laughing.

Fabien: “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!! OHOHOHOHOHOHO MY!! AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!”

He laughed hard and kicked his feet.

She snaked her arm around his ankles and vigorously tickled his feet. Fabien guffawed loudly and pounded the bed.

Fabien: “HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

He laughed hard, and tears welled in his green eyes. She licked his feet as she tickled them. Fabien twitched and laughed hard.

Fabien: “OHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOHO GEHEHEHEHEHEEHEHEHEHEEEZ!! WAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!”

He pressed on his temples and thrashed around as he laughed.

She smirked and stopped tickling him. Fabien clutched his chest and panted. Celeste crawled up to him and lay by him. Fabien turned to her and kissed her deeply. He kissed her neck down to her breasts. He placed his mouth on her brown tips and sucked on them. Celeste moaned and raked her fingers through Fabien’s hair.

Celeste: “Fab?”

Fabien: “Hmm?”

He looked up at her.

Celeste: “Are you gonna be mad with me if I wear that bunny costume for Ichiro?”

He cupped the small of her back.

Fabien: “Why would I be angry? You want answers about that old, dead fuck, and this seems like the only option. It’s not like you’re going to fuck him.”

He shrugged.

Fabien: “I don’t imagine his sex would be great. It would probably be slightly better than Blair’s.”

He snorted.

Celeste: “I don’t want to think of Blair in bed… or Ichiro.”

She groused and tickled Fabien’s neck.

Fabien: “HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE!”

He laughed and jerked his head back.

Fabien: “Okay, okay, I know Blair is a virgin, but still. I don’t know. I think if you guys knew who Borko was to Ichiro, it would answer a lot of questions. I had to flirt with disgusting, fat, and ugly customers to get good tips. It means nothing at the end of the day. They give me their number, all I do is toss it in the trash when they leave… Sometimes I might write in the bathroom stall for other creeps to find.”

He snorted and cleared his throat.

Fabien: “My point being, you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet, and Jaxon seems not to understand this, letting his feelings cloud his judgment.”

He stated. Celeste pouted.

Fabien kissed her deeply.

Fabien: “Jaxon needs time to get the fuck over Seashell Cove and other bullshit. Yeah, I wasted a lot of time on a piece of shit like Craig, but life goes on.”

He smiled. Celeste smiled a bit.

~

At the Starlight Club, a white man in a jersey, jeans, and sneakers stood up from the booth and waved his hand. Gina sat there in tears, wearing a dramatic, deep plum satin halter mini-dress with a long, flowing scarf-like piece extending from the neckline and draped over one side, creating a sophisticated, asymmetrical look. She also wore metallic purple high-heeled pumps with a pointed toe and ankle strap, along with purple teardrop earrings. She carried a small purple purse in her hand.

She stood up and looked around the club. Feeling someone’s eyes on her, she looked toward Jaxon, who was sitting at the bar in the darkness, watching his cigarette light up and smoke swirl around him. He wore a red button-down shirt with a snakeskin pattern, tight leather pants, and Chelsea boots.

As she approached Jaxon, an Asian man with spiky, light purple hair came over to Gina. His eyes were hidden behind orange-tinted sunglasses. He wore a chunky silver chain around his neck and had a small earring in his left ear.

He was dressed in a black leather jacket with shoulder patches. Underneath, he wore a red shirt with a bold black graphic, black jeans, and black motorcycle boots.

Man: “Hey, babe, sorry your date flaked out on ya! Wanna have a round with me?”

He drawled as he grabbed her arm.

Gina: “No way, creep! I am done with pushy men!”

She cried. The man tightened his grip on her arm. Gina cried in pain.

Gina: “Let go of me! You’re hurting me!”

She wailed as she struggled to wrench away.

Jaxon marched up to him, took his hand, and delivered a chop to his arm. The man drew back and clutched his arm, wincing in pain.

Jaxon: “She said to let her go!”

He snapped. The man glared at Jaxon.

Man: “You wanna fight with me, punk?!”

He stood up to him with a sneer. Jaxon stood there and glared back at him.

Man: “Whatever, you can have that whiny skank!”

He huffed and marched away.

Jaxon turned to Gina and smiled a bit.

Jaxon: “You okay?”

Gina: “Y-Yes! Thank you!”

She blushed and brushed her hair behind her ear.

He returned to the bar, and she joined him.

Jaxon: “Rough night, huh?”

He teased her. Gina looked away and sighed.

Gina: “I joined this stupid dating agency to look for a new boyfriend after my ex-boyfriend dumped me for a fat, weird girl.”

She huffed. Jaxon shifted his eyes and laughed bitterly, thinking of how Celeste slept with Tristan because he didn’t want her to flirt with Ichiro for answers.

Jaxon: “Yeah, I hear ya.”

He said disdainfully, sipping his Jack and Coke.

Gina: “All of those men were losers, but you saved me!”

She beamed. Jaxon ran his finger over the rim of his glass.

Jaxon: “At least I did save you…”

He muttered.

Gina: “So you used to be the frontman of Steel Axe!”

She chirped. Jaxon turned to her with a smile.

Jaxon: “You actually remember that?”

Gina nodded.

Gina: “Yeah, I always thought you were soooo sexy…”

She purred. Jaxon’s face brightened.

Jaxon: “Hehehehehe, I know.”

Gina: “What happened to Steel Axe?”

She asked him. Jaxon heaved a deep sigh.

Jaxon: “Long story short: I made a lot of mistakes, and my guitarist chose a psycho fat fuck over the band and me, so Steel Axe is no more.”

He explained with a hint of sadness.

Jaxon: “It’s probably just as well.”

He muttered.

Jaxon: “But I’m working on a new band with my best bud, Deimos.”

He said on a lighter note.

Gina: “I hope it goes well, Jaxon!”

Jaxon nodded.

Jaxon: “Thank you.”

He slid off the stool, withdrew his wallet, and placed the banknotes on the counter.

Jaxon: “Anyway, I’m taking off, so I guess I will see you later.”

Gina: “Who will take me home?”

He whimpered. Jaxon turned to her and smiled.

Jaxon: “I can do that for ya.”

He nodded. Gina’s sapphire eyes sparkled.

Jaxon: “Come on.”

He nodded to the exit.

Gina: “Okay!”

She said breathlessly and followed him outside.

~

They got into Jaxon’s car. Jaxon adjusted his rearview mirror, slid his key into the ignition, and started the car. He looked over his shoulder as he backed out of the parking lot and shifted into first gear when he drove down the road. Gina bit her bottom lip, admiring his good looks and chivalry. Jaxon caught her stealing a peek and smiled at her.

~

Jaxon pulled up to her house. Gina turned to him with a smile.

Gina: “Want to spend the night?”

She batted her eyelashes. Jaxon paused.

Jaxon: “I know we met back in Los Campos, but I don’t know you, and I don’t want to sleep with you. No offense.”

He put his hands up.

Gina: “I know, playing hard to get, but we have guest bedrooms!”

She chirped. Jaxon gazed away. He loved staying at the hotel but hated waking up alone, with no one to greet him. He thought maybe staying at this place wouldn’t be so lonely.

Jaxon: “All right, I can stay in the guest bedroom.”

He smiled a bit.

~

Gina led him to one of the guest bedrooms. It was dominated by deep charcoal on all the walls and ceiling, creating an intimate, moody atmosphere.

A large bed with a dark wooden headboard was centrally positioned. It was dressed in crisp white bedding, which created a striking contrast against the dark walls. The main lighting came from two matching table lamps placed on dark wood nightstands on either side of the bed. There was also a light fixture on the ceiling fan.

Several small framed pieces of art or photographs were hung on the walls, including a large framed piece with a dark wood frame positioned above the headboard.

The walls featured crown molding outlined in gold near the ceiling. A large oriental rug with intricate patterns in deep reds, browns, and blues covered most of the dark wood flooring beneath the bed, adding texture and a traditional touch to the design.

Jaxon examined his surroundings. He placed his suitcase on the bed and hooked his thumbs in his pants. This is much spacier than the hotel room I have, he thought.

Jaxon: “Thank you for this.”

He nodded.

Gina: “If you need me, my room is down the hall.”

She winked. Jaxon raked his fingers through his hair, not knowing what to say to that.

Gina: “Night, handsome man.”

She purred and kissed his cheek. Jaxon laughed awkwardly and waved her off.

Jaxon: “N-Night.”

He stammered.

Gina sauntered out of the room with a wiggle of her hips. Jaxon inhaled sharply and headed to the bathroom for a shower.