11. Truth + Trouble

"Please tell me you found something," I answer Haven's call, currently frustrated in more ways than one.

"Oh, I found something, alright," Haven's voice is edged with excitement.

"Spill," I order as I duck into a random storage closet off the convention center lobby.

"So, I didn't find out too much about Jeffers. He's a business lawyer, apparently one of the best in Northern California, that's really all I could uncover. But, I did manage to get some information from mom after she smoked her third bowl of the day. She said that in 1999, Alexei Solis hired Jeffers to take a case for him," Haven's words are quick-paced.

"Okay? So, what exactly does that have to do with dad?"

"That's the crazy part," his voice crackles through the phone. "Alexei hired Jeffers to help him re-write the Partnership Agreement for Duende, the Solis' winery. Apparently, back in the day, Alexei and our dad were best friends and co-founded Duende together. Then, for some reason, in 1999, Alexei wanted to write dad out of his ownership of the company."

"What?" My jaw drops and I feel like I've just been punched in the fucking face. Our dad, co-founder of THE Duende? And with that reptile, Alexei? "Are you fucking serious?"

"Pretty damn," he exhales loudly. "Mom said they started the winery together when they were in college, and over the years, as dad spent more and more time in the courtroom instead of the wine presses, Alexei got super bitter towards him. Wanted dad to sign full control of Duende over. I guess dad understood and decided to sign, instead of lose his friendship with Alexei."

I stay silent, fuming inside, as I try to process the information. I realize that I've inadvertently clenched my free hand into a white-knuckled fist.

"If dad did what Alexei wanted, then why does he always glare at me like he's ready to kill me?" I finally spit out, my voice an angry whisper.

"What?" His tone is serious and protective.

"That night I did the birthday party at Jayce's, when I first met Alexei," I start, remembering the malice that was burning in his eyes. "Alexei was sort of nice, up until I told him my last name. After that, he practically banished me from the house and gave me this look like he wanted to hurt me. And now, tonight, he's at the same charity ball thing as Pres and me, and he's acting like we're not even worth speaking to."

Haven is silent for a moment, but I can hear his heavy breathing, and it sounds angry. "What the hell is his problem?"

"I don't have a fucking clue," I nearly yell, throwing my free hand into the air and pacing back and forth as much as the dinky closet will let me.

"Something's going on here," Haven says. "There's got to be a reason Alexei is treating you like shit, and I bet it's connected to all this bullshit with Jeffers."

"Oh, there's something else you should know about, too," I swallow the lump that's been forming in my throat.

"What's that?"

"Do you know two people named Arthur and Madeline Rutherford?" I ask slowly, genuinely curious for his answer.

"Oh shit..." His voice trails off, like he's lost in memories. "Y-yeah... I think I do. Why does that sound so familiar?"

"They're a couple seated at our table. They both started crying when I introduced myself. They say they knew our parents most of their lives, knew us when we were young, even watched us for mom and dad. But mom cut them off when dad died," I catch myself chewing on my bottom lip, my nerves unsettled from everything that's going on.

"Crazy..." He muses, and then his line is silent again.

"What the hell are we gonna do?" My voice is small, bordering desperation. I wish I'd never found that damned letter.

Haven is quiet for a few excruciating moments before speaking. "We're going to get to the bottom of this, damn it. We're going to see Tom Jeffers. Tomorrow."

"Done," I reply, my heart already racing from the mix of fear and anticipation in my stomach.

We hang up and I close my eyes, tilt my head back and take a deep breath, feeling drained.

Suddenly the closet door opens and my eyes snap open to see a janitor starting to wheel his cart in.

"Oh, I'm sorry, miss," he nods apologetically.

"No, you're fine," I say, stepping around him and heading back to the ballroom, quickly making the decision to hold my head high and face Alexei and his hatred straight on.

Tomorrow, we'd be getting answers from Jeffers. I had to cling to that, otherwise I'd go crazy. Walking back into the ballroom, I realized that dinner and the presentations were over and the dance reception had begun.

Lucky for me, it seems I wouldn't have to face Alexei after all. As soon as I'm back at the table, Presley tells me that Mr. and Mrs. Solis had to leave to catch their flight to Paris.

Jayce and Layla are no where in sight, and Presley tells me she's going to go talk to Cole, so it's just myself, Arthur and Madeline left at the table. I feel myself being pulled to ask them about my dad, ask them if they know anything about Duende and why the hell Alexei hates me so much.

I will have to be tactful, though. I don't know who's side they'd be on, especially since mom supposedly cut them off and they regarded the Solises so warmly.

"So," I start, folding my hands in my lap. "How did you meet my parents?"

Arthur and Madeline both look surprised by my question. Arthur's bushy grey brows scrunch together, "Well, through the Founder's Council, of course," he says before a soft smile and a look of realization dawns on his features. "You don't remember us at all, do you?"

I give him a guilty smile. "I'm afraid not."

"We met your parents... Ah," Arthur stretches back in his chair, reaching his hands above his head as he makes himself more comfortable, "Well, I've known your dad since the 80s, when he was an infant. His parents - your grandparents - were on the Founder's Council with Madeline and me. Didn't meet your mother until she started hanging around with your father, which happened when they were in early adolescence, I think they were both 12."

It's literally the weirdest thing in the world to imagine your parents as kids. I wouldn't ever recommend it. "You're part of the Founder's Council?"

"Sure are," Arthur pats his rotund belly and beams proudly. "Going on 55 years."

"That must be how you know the Solises, then, too?" I'm trying to sound like I don't care very much, even though my insides are churning in anticipation of his answer.

"How else? But enough about us," his smile is the warmest, most comforting expression I've ever seen on another human. "We want to hear about you!" He reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet, quickly fishing out a small photo that he offers to me.

I peer at the aged photograph - it's very clearly a picture of a younger Arthur and Madeline, standing next to my mom and dad, who are holding very small versions of Haven and me. The lump finds it way back into my throat and tears fill my eyes as I look back in time at this happy, serendipitous moment.

Madeline speaks up, her voice soft and sweet, "I know all of this probably seems strange, but honey, we've always viewed you and Haven as our grandkids, especially after your father's parents passed away so young. We're just now getting to reconnect with you, so it's a bit strange for us, as well."

I let myself think strategically for a moment before settling on a direction. After a brief silence, I say, "I think I might need a little bit of time to process all of this, if that's okay. I definitely want to get to know you both more," I give them my sweetest, most genuine smile. "But, before I go, I have one last question that I would love to know the answer to." My heart skips a beat as I await their response.

"Ask away, Tink!" Arthur says gleefully, his use of my nickname taking me by surprise. I decide that I like him, a lot. He's a very cheerful man.

"Why does Alexei Solis have a problem with my family?"

Arthur and Madeline exchange a quick glance, which makes my insides lurch. They know something.

Madeline seems to be growing increasingly interested in the cutlery. Arthur sighs and leans forward, placing his elbows on the table. "I'm not sure we're the right people to tell you that, kiddo," he says, flashing me apologetic eyes. "There's a lot of history there, and a lot of sides to the story. Perhaps another time."

"That's fine," I lie, standing up from the table. I write my phone number on the back of the event program and push it towards them. "Another time."

I'm about to go find Presley when Arthur's hand gently grabs my wrist. "Your father was friends with Alexei for longer than they were enemies. Remember that."

"Thanks," I say with curt finality as I quickly leave the table and stalk the perimeter of the ballroom, keeping an eye out for Presley.

This is the shittiest week of my life. I don't do well with drama, and there is way too much bullshit going on right now.

To make this super-fucking-spectacular evening even better, I round the corner to search the lobby and bump into the #2 dickweed himself. Cole. Chief Davenport. I would've never known who he was if Presley hadn't pointed him out to me earlier. He really doesn't look 33, more like 23, if not younger.

"Oh, excuse me, I'm sorry," he says, holding my elbow and steadying me. He has the lightest blue eyes I've ever seen.

"No problem," I grumble, embarrassed to be touching him. This is the yahoo who has been illegally with my best friend, threatening her future with complete indifference. I hope he actually is as great as Presley says he is, but I'll need serious convincing.

"Hey, you're Presley's friend, Fallon, right?" He asks with a friendly smile.

"That's right," I keep my tone bored and narrow my eyes.

"I just wanted to say that she seriously loves you so much, she talks about you all the time. I think you're a really good influence for her."

What the fuck, he talks like he's her damn father. I bite back the response I want to give, which would be, Yeah, and I think you're a bad influence for her. Stay the fuck away, creep. But, alas. I know Pres really believes in their relationship, so I choose to be a good girl and a supportive friend. "Thanks for that, I hope you two are able to make things work."

He chuckles and rubs the back of his neck. "Yeah, I hope so, too. It's a bit of a tricky situation, isn't it?"

I raise my eyebrow and fold my arms, unimpressed. "'A bit'?" Is he seriously this detached from the reality of the situation that he's created? My stomach starts churning, as if I need another fucking thing to add to the list of drama.

"We should all hang out sometime," he tries again with what I'm sure he thinks is a winning smile. "I'd love to get to know her friends. See what she's like around you."

"Yeah, fine. Whatever," I'm getting weirder and weirder vibes the longer I'm near him. "Just don't hurt my friend, or I swear to God, I will fucking kill you."

"I care about her a lot, Fallon," he looks a bit disheartened. Good.

"That's nice," I give him the best intimidating look I have in my arsenal. "How about you prove it to me, hmm?"

He looks shocked, but slowly nods his head anyway.

Presley is suddenly at his elbow, wearing a huge smile. I force myself to smile back at her. "Are you planning on staying a lot longer?" I ask her, so ready to get the fuck out of here.

"I-uh-think she was planning to find a different place to stay tonight," Cole says quickly, looking down at her.

I glance at Presley, who is a mess of blushing and giggling.

"I'll take your car then, Pres? Now?" I'm itching to escape this situation and my current state of mind.

"That's perfect," she sings and hands me her car keys, her eyes not leaving Cole.

Fucking stab me in the eye.

Unable to handle another moment of his creepiness and her infatuation, I push past them and practically sprint through the cold night air to Presley's Fiat.

I debate going home, but figure I might as well not waste such an amazing look. I decide, against my better judgement, to go to the party at Jayce's house. Besides, free booze.

Here goes nothing, I guess.

~~~

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