Higher Stakes [Strings: Part 1]

Chapter 20: Nothing Is Better Than Being Done

Brownish creamy colored walls on one deserted hallway, right by the entrance and the exit door; somewhere in Los Angeles, and a black Mercedes-Benz parked outside freshly heated just for a few minutes. The hot hood evaporated some vapors off indicating the humidity of the day. Inside, two people sitting still.

The radio on the lowest volume and the air-conditioner on high, there are nervous sweats dripping down their foreheads. Twisting and clasping hard on the wheel; the young man turned to his side and faced the anxious brunette. “His car is still here.” He told.

“I know…” she managed. Her big brown eyes were locked at the dark blue door few yards from them. Feeling the agitating emotion pouring into her, she was digging her nails into the black leather seat and marking her anger.

“You’re sure you don’t want me to come?” he asked. Again.

Taking a deep breath, she drew out instantly, “Yeah, this won’t take long.” She turned to him and noticed the worried look on his face. Bradley seemed to be holding himself back, trying not to get in her way. However, Demi could see the struggle when she looked at the wheel he was holding to. The silver cover nearly rips off. She needs to get this over with before he tears the car apart.

Not looking back, she got out of the car and marched to the door. Soon after, she disappeared behind it. Slowly strolling the same old hallway where she ran for the first time in last few days, she traces the walls with her fingertips to feel back the old memories she had spent there. The old memories where sunshine shinning on her and her love. Back then, positivity was the main energy. No little arguments. No throwing of objects. No name calling. No big ego splattered on the walls.

Sooner, a soothing music felt vibrating in the walls. The beats of the drum and the strums of the guitar were blending together creating one song. However, the sound was vague. Further inside, the same old tunes was heard and the memories gone in a blink of an eye.

“We need to talk and I want this to be done now.”

Trace Cyrus stood there frozen in his tracks in the recording studio with his band. Curious glares emerged throughout the room from the front man to the girl standing at the doorway.

“Okay.” He calmly replied. Eventually, he followed her out of the room into another room, which was empty. It was a conference where other memories flushed in. She shook them off.

“Listen, Trace…” Demi began. “I think it’s perfectly clear what is going on here… and I can’t take it anymore… we should see other people-“

“If you think that Watson guy is the ‘other people’, Demi you’re damn wrong.” Trace interrupted, in the calming way he could.

“You don’t know Bradley!” she defended.

“Demi, he ain’t a saint!!” he fought back. “He’s only in all of this so he could use you, to make a stupid point! He wants to win this stupid bet that I shouldn’t have make in the first place.”

“That is not true!”

“Damn it!! It is!!” he went all over her.

“You cheated on me…” she drew out. “Twice… with two different girls and I caught you in the act the second time!”

“I only did that for you, I want to win you back.” He reached out and held her hands but she pulled away, backing off to the table.

“I don’t want to hear this…” Demi walked past him and went to the door. “Why bother coming here? I’m just wasting my time.”

“You’re making a mistake Demi!! I was trying to protect you!” he shouted. “He’s the one going after you for no good reasons!!”

“Don't try to blame everything on him!! He's been very honest with me since the beginning....You know what, he's a gentleman. A much better person than you. You're a trash.” She snapped back.