Temptation

Chapter 9

"What?" I stopped moving.

"I know I messed up bad with you, but I believe that we still got a chance."

"You're delusional."

"You are delusional for thinking that what we had doesn't exist anymore."

"Because it doesn't! For God's sake, Shawn, move on! We are over, that is it! There is no more chance, nothing! It is over!"

His eyes, full of desperation, boldly turned dark, solemn with a glance of jealousy.

"You think you can just leave me? How about I tell everyone about us and see what the media think about you, Xemina?"

"Go ahead, break the deal, we will see who will lose; I promise you that I will sue you until your last breath." I redressed my position to look at him in the eyes.

"You can't play this game with me, Shawn. I know your moves"  I attempted a sardonic smile.

With Anger, he pushed me into the corner, his hands against the walls, he was ready to spat something in my face, but he looked at the door and smiled. He backed up and exclaimed loudly:

"Are you crazy! Get away from me, Xemina!"

I was confused why he did that. Is he okay?

"Get the hell away from my man!" A hysterical voice screamed at me.

Agea was coming in with full speed towards me, her heels clicking on the floor echoing, her pink skirt moving at the rhymes of her hips. Then I realized I just got bamboozled.

"So that is what you mean by watching my back, Hunh? Do you want to take my man? That is your idea of revenge? You slut!"

"I was not-."

"Babe, she came up to me, talking all crazy about how she wants me." Shawn cut me off with his innocent voice.

I was standing there. Jaws opened wide. Students were starting to come, and eyes were staring at us. I was defeated, two against one. This fucker did it again.

"I don't know what your end game is, but you better back the fuck off! What Julian did to you wasn't enough for you to come to talk to my man? You better not fuck with me, or this is not going to end well."

She turned around with her man, not before flipping her hair. While they walked away, Shawn turned around, smiled at me, and winked.

And sometimes violence is the solution to our problems. I was astonished. I wanted to bash both their heads against the concrete walls.

Xavier came right after. He asked me what was wrong, I could not respond. I told him to forget about it, and we went to class.

_______

There was a party in town this afternoon. I promised Xavier that I will go with him and his friends but before taking care of a few things. After passing the morning reading about Roll Royces and something to put into a gas tank and not make it explode, I went to the store to buy bleach and glitter. The best way to hurt a boy is to mess with his car. Since Julian's friend will organize the party, that means he could not be absent. The perfect opportunity to destroy his baby as an act of revenge for sending me to the hospital and threatening me.

The party was going phenomenally great, Xavier's friends were nice and friendly, but it was unfortunate that I had to leave them to go to the bathroom, which was a lie. The student parking lot was not far from the location the party was hosting. I made sure I had Julian on sight before leaving. He was with a bunch of girls dancing on him. It was time. I took off my heels to crossed the street and run to my dorm. I left the bleach and glitter on my porch under a chair. Julian had a particular spot for his car in the parking lot, not far away from the entry and the townhouses.

I tiptoed between the cars. I did not want the cameras to pick me. I could always ask Frenchie to erase the footage, but I was still careful. The black Rolls Royce phantom was sitting alone in the middle of the parking; no car was around it. It appeared people were scared to park next to it. Before I could reach it, a silhouette approached and leaned against it.

Shit.

I quickly crouched behind a car. Arms crossed, Julian was smoking a joint. He was checking his phone every second. My heart dropped, I was a car away from him, and the hard concrete floor was cold, and I was barefoot. Why did he leave the party? I was in a horror movie. If he sees me, I am fucked.

A black car arrived at the parking and parked in front of him. 4 guys wearing suits came out. The lighting was too poor to see who they were. The first man hugged him, and the second shook his hand. The other two stood behind. They were bodyguards.

"What is up, dude? How are you doing?" The first man slammed his shoulder.

"Same shit, what do you have for me?"

"Nothing really, just some papers and sign-up forms you have to sign. Nice hair, by the way."

He ran his fingers through his hair. Julian slapped him gently.

"Thanks."

"Mr. Elvero, any chance with Xemina Royale?" Demanded the second man.

"No, she is rough around the edges. I need more time to persuade her."

"Be careful around her, Julian, just like father, just like a daughter. The faster you convince her, the better it will be, do you understand?"

"I understand."

What do they mean the faster, the better? I was confused about how my name was being disputed in this conversation. The mention of my father triggered me a little. What were they planning?

"Julian, we also here because in a week it will mark the anniversary of the death of Jake McClure, questions will arise. It would be best if you stay low. If they demand, don't answer. Nobody should know. Do you understand?"

"I understand." His voice was deep, toneless, and frightful, sending goosebumps under my skin. The answer seemed it was not coming out of a human mouth.

"This case must stay silent and cold; whoever knows about what happened to Jake McClure will have the power to destroy you, Julian, and this is a fall you will never rise from."

"Trust me, that will not happen."

They started talking in Spanish. I was shocked behind the car. I was processing every bit that I heard, trying to make sense of what they were speaking. Jake McClure was Julian's best friend that died in an accident. What do they mean by no one should know? Know what? What does Julian have to do with Jake's death?

I was lost in my thoughts to realized that the men had left. Julian passed next to the car I was squatting behind. To hide better, I accidentally hit the tires with the bleach's gallon. The steps stopped, and I froze. Oh God, this is not the time to get caught.

His steps resumed until I did not hear them. Exhaling, I sat on the concrete floor, in the dark. The prank was not necessary anymore. I found a better interest now. I wanted to know what these men were discussing. Why were they obsessed with persuading me to step down? Most importantly, what Julian was hiding that could destroy him? What happened to Jake McClure?

I got up from the floor, tossed the bleach and glitter into the garbage. These pranks are over. I just won the lottery.

We are going on an adventure to find out what little secret Julian was hiding.

After all, I will keep my promise. I will be the one destroying Julian De Elvero.

~~~~
A lot of secrets are getting out

What do you think Julian is hiding?

What do you think happened the Jake McClure? And how is Julian related to his death?

Q/ If you could be one of the Characters in this Story for a day, who will it be?