Kai and I entered Blake's hotel room and sat down on the sofa's. Liam and Blake had papers scattered around the desks and the coffee tables and some even around the floor.
See, after Kai and I had taken a shower Kai had gotten a text telling us to meet him at his room. So we quickly got dressed and here we are.
I still can't believe I'm his girlfriend now, I can't believe he even asked me. I'm still in the state of shock and sometimes I feel like I can't even breathe at the realization that he's my boyfriend. This walking God is my fucking B O Y F R I E N D.
I'm planning to tell Kai tomorrow about my leadership of the Shattered Jewels, and I hope that he'll take it as well as Liam. I can't help but feel a little troubled that he might be angry with me in some way, or maybe even sad that I kept this a secret from him. Or worse that I had lied to him about where I would be going, and what I was doing.
"What's the big deal?" Kai asked as he looked over Blake's shoulder.
"Silver," Blake sighed.
My eyes averted to the papers he was looking at but my head stayed focussed on Soldier, but my ears were perked up, ready to listen.
"What about them?" Kai asked in frustration.
I turned my head towards Liam who gave me a look that held an apology, I gave him a curt nod to tell him it's okay.
"Their growing, since they changed their ways, they've been gaining more power. They even overruled Ogus," Blake explained in frustration.
"What the hell? How the fuck did they do that in just a week! We killed their leader, and we have their second in command locked up right now-"
"There's always a third in command," Blake pointed out.
"But the third never runs the gang, it's always another generation of their leader-"
It grew silent in the room as Kai didn't finish his sentence. My eyes stayed glued to my lap and I felt my heart beating against my ribcage so fast, I thought it would leap out at any second. My hands grew steady and my body felt weak with feeling overwhelmed, and the tension in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
My thoughts started racing through my mind at a speed I couldn't decipher. The hairs on my skin danced with nervousness and I bit my lip at how I felt so many eyes on me. My breathing grew rapid but I didn't show it, it didn't even feel like I was breathing at all.
After what felt like hours, I heard Kai speak up, "He must have a daughter," he suggested.
"I've looked into his file, he doesn't," Blake said warily.
My body stiffened and I swear, if I lifted my hand up right now, it would shake like an earthquake had taken place.
I heard footsteps hit the polished wooden floor and stop in front of me. I watched as he crouched down and tried looking at me, but I used my hair as a curtain.
"Tell me it isn't true," he whispered.
I wanted to cry, I wanted to scream, I wanted to do anything that could stop the many thoughts that ran through my mind, but nothing came out of me.
"Diamonds..." he said sternly as he held my hand.
"Diamonds what's going on?" Blake asked.
I took a deep breath but the words wouldn't leave my mouth. I felt so stuck, so trapped, I didn't know what I was going to do.
"Diamonds, tell them," Liam said softly.
I watched from behind my hair as Kai and Blake looked at an upset Liam confusedly, and then turn back to me.
"Tell us what Diamonds?" Blake spat.
"I- I-"
"Fucking spit it out," Kai hissed.
His grip on me tightened and I tried to pull away, but he wouldn't budge. My body started to shake from being overwhelmed and Soldier barked at Kai, but he didn't flinch. Soldier walked over to the door and I immediately knew what he meant, and I still swear he's not a dog.
I shoved Kai away and he loosens his grip on me. I take that as my chance to start running towards the door and out in the hallway. I didn't hear any footsteps behind me but the way they said my name like it was acid in their mouths rang through my ears.
I unlocked the room with my key card and grabbed my things immediately. I'm glad I didn't bring a big suitcase or I would've been fucked but that's not the case so I'm happy as shit right now.
I double checked through the room to see if I had left anything and when the coast was clear, I grabbed my go-to bag from the cupboard and rushed out of the hotel room with Soldier in tow. I ran towards the nearest elevator door and I kept slamming the button eagerly.
Once the doors had finally opened I heard a door in the distance swing open and I immediately knew who it was. I pressed the button to go down and just as the doors were going to close, all three boys were running towards me.
It closed before they could reach me and it started going down to the lobby. My mind swirled with thoughts and I wanted to cry so badly but I wouldn't let them. I was going to be strong and eventually fight through this, and I won't look back. I won't. Look. Back.
Once the elevator came to a stop, I rushed out of the lobby and out into the side walk where many taxis drove by. I whistled one over and it swerved through the many lanes, creating a honking mess between cars, and park right in front of me. The driver came out and started loading the trunk with my suitcase and duffel and I loaded Soldier into the cab.
Just as I was about to slide in I heard my name being called from the distance.
"Diamonds stop!" I turned to see all three boys still running after me but I got into the car quickly and we sped off.
"Where you headed to miss?" The driver asked.
I told him the address of the penthouse and I pulled out my gang phone to call Joe.
"Boss?" He asked tiredly.
"Yo, I'm gonna be staying at the penthouse with you guys. You okay with that?" I asked as I tried to hold back the shakiness in my voice.
"Yeah of course, I mean it's your place anyways, I don't know why you're asking us," he chuckled.
"Yeah, well I'll meet you guys there yeah? And I'll take you guys out to eat too, my treat," I said gingerly.
"Sounds good, we'll be there in about an hour," he yawned.
"Alright, see you then, bye," I said as I hung up the phone.
I looked over to Soldier who was panting happily in the seat and looking at the pedestrians. I was really happy that he had pulled me out of that situation when I couldn't do it myself. He's really a good doggy and I love him so much for it.
"I'm so glad I picked you," I said as I leaned on to his back. He whimpered in response and I gave him small chest scratches.
The taxi came to a stop in front of a luxorious building and I paid him for the lift. He helped take my bags out of the trunk and I tipped him generously for the help. I stood on the sidewalk and looked up at the high and gorgeous building before me. My brother really did have a fine choice in everything.
From the corner of my eye I saw a man approaching me and take my bags. As a reflex Soldier barked at him and he held his hands up in surrender.
"Woah there, I'm only here to take your bags up. That's why you're here, right?" The bellhop asked.
I nodded my head in response and he carried my bags through the lobby for me and into the elevator. I pressed the eighteenth floor and stepped back and felt as the elevator started to rise.
"Man, eighteenth floor, you must be really lucky," the bellhop commented.
I gave him a confused look and he chuckled, "Usually people who are living in the fifteenth floor and above are loaded," he explained. I formed my mouth into an 'o' and nodded my head in understanding.
The ding to the elevator rang through my ears and we stepped out into the hallway. I walked down until I saw the room number 1821 on the door. I pulled out my ring of keys and pushed the teal one into the lock and swung the doors open.
The walls in front of me weren't walls but windows, giving an amazing view of the city. Since it was sunset the sea of lights started turning on one by one, all lighting up slowly. The blue sky mixed with purple made the lights of the buildings look golden. The faint clouds added an aesthetic mood to the scenery and I absolutely adored it.
"This your first time in the city?" The bellhop asked behind me.
I nodded my head in response and took out ten dollars to tip him. He took it graciously and left Soldier and I alone in the penthouse.
I started up the stairs and down the hallway to find a bedroom, and when I did I placed all of my things on top of the bed. I sank down into the white fluffy comforters and sighed in exhaustion.
I heard a small whimper from in front of me and I lifted my head up to see Soldier staring at me.
"You hungry?" I asked. Nothing.
"You need to pee?" Nothing.
"You thirsty?" He barked and I jumped up to get his bowl from my suitcase. I pulled out the plastic bag and grabbed his bowl from inside. I went downstairs as he followed and filled it up with water.
After I set it down the door opened and Richard walked in with a small suitcase and a duffelbag who was soon followed by Joe.
"Hey boss!" Richard beamed once he saw me.
"Hey guys," I said as I approached them.
"We'll go pick our rooms and then we'll go out to eat, yeah?" Joe asked as he started up the stairs. I nodded my head and waited for them to come downstairs and get ready to go.
Once they had come down all four of us drove to an Italian restaurant fifteen minutes away and settled down at a table in the secluded corner where we got the best view. The restaurant was cozy and it really gave the 'New York' vibe. It was crowded with many people and chatter filled the air along with laughter.
"Why'd you pick here boss?" Richard asked as he sipped on his soda.
"We own it dumbass," I deadpanned. I rolled my arms for a dramatic affect and Joe just laughed.
"How may I take your order?" A waitress asked as she approached us.
"Surprise the owner," Joe said as he set down the menu.
The waitress's eyes shot up in surprise and a smile etched on her face, "You're the owner? Wow honey, you must have a lucky uncle," she said referring to Joe as my uncle.
"No no, she's the owner," Richard corrected. The waitress's eyes widened in shock as she stared at me.
"And we're not her uncle's," Joe added. I chuckled as she apologized for assuming and left to get our food.
"Oh my goodness," I laughed as she was out of hearing range.
They both laughed with me until I finally cleared my throat, "Look, right after the ball tomorrow night we are going straight home. I have some business to attend to," I explained as she came back with our food and set a plate on the floor for Soldier.
"Sounds like a plan," Joe said as he started stuffing his mouth.
After dinner we payed our bill and left a tip for the waitress. As we were walking outside my phone started to ring and I pulled it out to see Blake calling. I pursed my lips into a straight line and sighed as I turned the ringer off. I looked up from my phone to see all three boys looking at me with shock all over their faces.
My heart beat quickened and I quickly turned my head towards Richard, "Drive."
I opened the door and quickly let Soldier in after getting in myself. I saw them running towards us but Richard was quick and swerved out into the road.
"Was that Kai Finnel?" Joe asked as he turned back to look at me.
"No," I said sternly. He turned back around even when he knew the truth, he didn't say another word about it on our way back.
I slammed the car door and walked into the elevator with Soldier hot on my heels.
We all entered the elevator and I started pouting, "Why do I have to sit in the back?" I asked sadly.
"Because you're not old enough to sit in the front," Richard joked.
"I'm seventeen!" I exclaimed, "and the car is totally bulletproof so I don't see why not."
"But then Soldier wouldn't be able to lay on your lap like he does," Joe cooed.
I bent down to eye level with Soldier and gave him ear scratches, "Ok boy, I'll sit in the back with you."
He barked in response and we all laughed as we made our way back into the penthouse. I sank into the white sofa and looked at my reflection on the blank TV screen.
I was absolutely exhausted. I was so drained of everything because of what happened today, I just didn't have the energy to do anything. I wanted them to know, but I didn't want them to find out this way. I was supposed to tell them, but instead I just ran. I couldn't believe of how good I thought this would all play out, but it sure as hell didn't. And what more of it, is that I possibly have to see them tomorrow.
"You good boss?" Richard said as he stood by me.
"Yeah, just exhausted," I grumbled.
And without hesitation, Richard reached over and grabbed my waist. He hoisted me over his shoulder and carried me up the stairs and to my bedroom. Soldier looked at me gingerly from behind which just made me giggle.
"Thanks you big lug," I said patting his back.
"You're welcome," He chuckled as he set me down.
"Hey boss, get some shut eye. Tomorrow is a big day," he called over his shoulder as he left the room.
I nodded my head and mumbled when he closed the door, "Tomorrow is a big day..."
I took some pajamas from out of my suitcase and slipped them on. I then snatched the duffel bag and started taking out the files that I thought I would look at.
After thirty minutes of viewing paperwork my everyday phone started to ring. I sighed and trudged over to it and answered it.
"Hello?" I asked rubbing the tiredness out of my eyes.
"Hey sweetie, what's going on?" My eyes widened in surprise as I heard my mother talk softly into my ear.
"Mama," I breathed. It's been awhile since I've talked to her, and I just hope I could see her soon.
"Liam called me and told me he needed to talk to you. What's going on honey?" She asked with concern.
So many things mom. So many things.
" It's not a big deal mommy, they just upset me a little that's all," I assured her. But it was a lie, they didn't upset me, it's the other way around. I want to apologize to them so bad, but today my heart has taken in so much disappointment.
"Okay, but if anything happens you call me alright?" She said in a playful threatening voice.
"Of course mommy, bye bye."
I hung up the phone and turned around to see Soldier sleeping on the bed peacefully. I cleared the files from the bed and got into the covers next to him. I placed my arm over his body and fell asleep to the wonderful city sounds of New York.