Charmed - 5.

I decided to call Aunt Michelle back later that evening. She'd been blowing up my phone since my arrival Stateside. I have a feeling Uncle Don and Aunt Gaby reached out to her, but I wasn't ready to talk about the reason for my hasty departure at the time.

I briefly mention the fallout between Brice and me, not wanting to get into the messy details and explain that I needed space and a change in environment. Michelle is understanding and I manage to steer the conversation to my parents' old apartment which needs to be updated and exterminated.

We briefly discussed my estate, and she mentioned that I also have a trust that will be made available when I turn 25. I'm speechless. I knew we were well off, but we never discussed money and Gogo liked to behave as if I was going to bankrupt her whenever I asked for money to go shopping or on a trip. Even Michelle could be stingy at times asking for a budget and quotes before releasing any funds.

For some reason, I held off on telling her about the bag of money I found hidden in the vents because I didn't know where my dad had got it from or what it was for. Subconsciously, I felt the need to protect him or rather his memory. I wonder if maybe it was the reason why they were killed that night. At the end of our call, we set a date to meet up and I promise to stay in touch.

After tallying the contents, the total came to $750k. There was no way we could board a plane with that much cash. Initially, I'd wanted to help my friend out because Char was like a sister to me. But after our two-day drive across the country from NYC to Vegas, I was having second thoughts.

We'd arrived mid-afternoon on the third day of our great trek, checked in, and passed out. By the time I woke up, I was starving. I took a shower in the luxurious apartment suite that had been booked under Char's name and thought about how I was going to convince her to abandon this mission she was on. I still didn't have my license so she'd spent 12 to 14 hours a day behind the wheel. It was going to be a tough sell.

I'm dressed in comfy sweats and make my way to my bestie's room as I wrack my brain for a convincing argument.

"Char," I knock on her door. "Are you up yet?" I let myself in. "Do you want to order take out or go down– " My sentence is cut short when she emerges from the bathroom in a form-fitting, long black dress. She's straightened her hair and looks like she's wearing make-up. "Why do you look like that?"

"What's wrong with the way I look?" she counters, smoothing down her dress.

"Nothing! It's just that you don't usually put much effort into how you look unless it's a special occasion or something. So, I guess the better question is, where are you going looking like that?"

"I'm going out to dinner."

"Okay... care to share what's so special about this dinner? I don't think I brought a dress that can live up to that." I gesture at her frame.

"I'm going alone." She sits down on the bench placed at the end of the bed to put on a pair of black strappy heels. "I got another invitation a couple of hours ago."

She stands up, now a good 3 inches taller, and walks to her bedside table to retrieve a green envelope which she hands to me. I pull out the thick black card. A single line looks handwritten in cursive with gold ink.

Be ready and waiting in the lobby by 9.30 PM for dinner at 10 PM sharp.

I check the time and it's a little after 9. I thought I would be able to speak to her and share my concerns over a good meal but that doesn't look like it's going to happen. I stuff the card back and throw the envelope on the bed.

"I don't think you should go."

"Soleil, I don't have much time– "

"No, listen to me. I have a bad feeling about this. You don't know who these people are or what they want. One minute, they're asking you to answer questions via a webpage and the next they have you hacking into a bank. They can't be too hard-pressed for cash if they're providing you first-class tickets and putting you up in plush hotels!" I throw up my hands exasperated.

"The bank was a test, just like the quiz. It's no big deal," she answers with nonchalance.

Charlondra heads back into the bathroom to put on a gold watch and a single gold cuff. She pulls her hair back and slips on a gold set of earrings. She looks beautiful and sophisticated. A part of my brain is convinced she's going to be auctioned off and here she is serving herself to these creeps on a golden platter.

"Come. On. You can't be that naive. Why doesn't the invitation mention where this dinner is taking place? And why are they asking you to come out so late?"

"This is Vegas. The city is practically open 24/7." She walks out of the bathroom and picks up the duffel bag. "Some people only come alive in the nighttime," she adds, walking out of the room.

"Char, for someone really smart you sound pretty dumb right now."

"Funny, I said the same thing about you and Brice, but I let you go ahead with your bad self."

"Exactly! And look at how that turned out."

"Well, I'm not you fawning over some teenage boy who couldn't be bothered to look twice at me. This is bigger than a stupid crush."

Ouch.

Talk about hitting me where it hurts.

"I'm sorry, Soleil. I didn't mean that."

"Yes, you did. You've never been one to mince your words."

"Look, I have you on speed dial. And to keep you abreast of my whereabouts, I'm sending you my live location."

I hear my phone ping with a message from my bedroom. I go to retrieve it and see a message from Char with the location pin when I open the messaging app. I hear the main door of the suite open. I quickly run after her in my Adidas slides.

The girl is dead set on going to only god knows where. I'm surprised by how fast she moves. By the time I catch up to her, she's waiting by the elevator.

"I'm going, Soleil."

"Then I'm coming with you."

If she insists on being stubborn then so do I. The cab arrives on our floor and we both get in.

"You know they won't let you in."

"Who is this they, Char?"

She doesn't answer me and in a final ditch effort to stop my friend from making a mistake I'm sure she'll regret, I ask for my money back.

"What?!" She turns to face me in shock. "You can't do that. You already agreed. Where do you expect me to get 500 grand in the next-" She looks at her watch incredulously. "10 minutes?!"

"I don't know, and I don't care. Can't you see I'm trying to save you?"

"Oh, I see alright. You're just jealous that things didn't work out with you and Brice so you're trying to sabotage me."

Damn. I knew Charlondra was a determined individual, but I never knew how vicious she could be to anyone who stood in her way including me. She drops the bag between us and crosses her arms angrily. I don't know what to say or if there is anything else I can do to convince her to stay. After a few tense moments of silence, the elevator stops on a different floor and a few people enter. Char moves away from me to stand in a corner looking more pissed off than I've ever seen her.

The cab arrives at reception, and everyone gets off. In the lobby, there's a flurry of activity and Charlondra heads toward a group of people as dressed up as she is completely ignoring me in the process. I pick up the heavy bag and trail after her feeling underdressed and ostracized. They're a diverse group of young men and women who don't look at all nefarious.

What if I'm just being paranoid? Char's right. Just because things didn't work out between Brice and me that doesn't mean she's also doomed to the same fate. She pushed me into exploring things with Brice when the opportunity presented itself that fateful morning and she encouraged me further when I was freaking out in the library after Brice asked me out. Why can't I be supportive of her?

My conscience weighs heavily on me. Dare I say as much as the bag in my hands. I feel stuck between a rock and a hard place. If I'm supposed to be a seer then why can't I tap into my gift, or whatever it is, and see what lies ahead? These stupid powers better not only work where Brice is concerned. I just don't want my friend getting mixed up in a world that doesn't deserve her. She's the best.

Before I know it, I'm walking over to the group and stand behind Char tugging at her elbow.

"What now?" she asks, barely looking at me over her shoulder.

"You're right. Here." I hold out the bag to her and her face changes.

She pulls me aside away from the group.

"Are you sure about this? I don't want you hanging this over me if things go south."

"Yeah, I'm sure. You need it more than I do. I was trying to strongarm your decision and that's not fair of me."

She gives me another one of her rare hugs. "Thank you," she whispers into the shell of my ear.

"You're welcome. Just don't make me regret this."

"I won't and I'm sorry for what I said about Brice. That was shitty of me."

"Don't worry about it. I'll get over him."

"Of course you will. You're beautiful, smart, and one of the most caring people I know. Very few guys are worthy of you."

I roll my eyes knowing very well what my dating history and prospects look like.

"You're just saying that."

"No, seriously. Remember when we went to the Boulé Ball? There were at least 5 guys who hit on you and to this day 2 of them still ask me about you whenever I bump into them at those snobby events."

"Wow! And you only tell me about this now?"

"I ran a background check and red flags everywhere! But if you insist, I could put you in touch."

"Argh no. I think I need a break from the male species for a while."

"Good call. And again, I'm sorry– "

"Don't mention it." I wave her off.

"Trix!" Someone calls out.

Char looks back at one of the guys who's waiting for her. The group is making their way out of the hotel.

"I gotta go. Will call you if I need you."

She hurries to catch up and I follow wanting to at least see her off. They get into one of the three black Suburbans with tinted windows that are lined up along the drive-in. I get the bright idea to memorize the number plate of the car she enters except there is none. My paranoia kicks into high gear and I hurry towards the car just as the valet slams the door shut.

"Hey! Where are they going?"

The little man ignores me and steps back. I try to open the door but it's already locked and before I can think to make a scene, I'm picked up by security. I squirm and kick trying to get out of his grip, but the guy manhandles me and is built like a boulder. He sets me down a good distance away from the car like a petulant child. I try to walk around him and he immediately blocks my path.

"Get out of my way!" I try to push past him only for another goon to appear.

I watch in despair as the car disappears around the bend between their bulging biceps. Deflated, I decide to head back to the suite and wait for Char. I turn around to walk back into the hotel only for another security guard to block me off at the entrance.

"Excuse me."

"I'm going to need to see some ID," says the big oaf.

"What? I just came out of this hotel. I checked in a few hours ago."

"Okay, then. Where's your room key?"

Shit! I must have left it when I ran out after Char. Fuck my life.

"Look, I think I locked myself out of my room. If you'll just let me go back in, I'm sure we can sort this out at reception. The lady who checked us in was Nancy. No, I meant Nadine."

The security doesn't budge and looks down at me sceptically.

"What's going on here?" asks a deep, baritone voice.

I turn to find that the man behind it is just as seductive. Ocean blue eyes, a full beard, and chocolate brown locks that fall a little past his shoulders frame his face. He's tall and well built judging by the long-sleeved, white jersey that hugs his body like a second skin. He looks familiar and smells really good. Maybe he's a model.

"Sir, we have a vagrant trying to sneak in," answers the security.

VAGRANT?!

I'm snapped back into reality by the disrespect. I may not be as dressed up as most of the patrons, but I sure as hell know that I do not look like a tramp!

"Excuse you!" I turn back to the lump by the door. "You have exactly one minute to get the manager before I put this place on blast."

I'm so irritated I start to tap my foot. Do I look homeless? What is wrong with this idiot? A warm hand settles on my lower back and disrupts my seething thoughts.

"Don't worry, she's with me."

The Scott Steiner-looking asshole nods his head and steps aside. I huff in disgust and walk past him. Surely, he can tell I've never met the man in my life, but one word from the white dude and he's willing to let me in.

"A little 'thank you' goes a long way," says the mystery man.

I turn around ready to tell him off. I'm worried, hungry, and now offended adding to my list of growing grievances. I calm down a bit when I see that face. The corner of his mouth is tilted in amusement. He's a gorgeous specimen and looks like trouble.

"Thanks," I mutter and walk away.

He follows. I can tell by the cologne that intensifies around me while I'm speaking to Becca about my problem. She's awfully polite and keeps looking behind me every so often. He must have that effect on women.

True, very true, murmurs my subconsciousness. He's older than me and way out of my league.

Becca produces a new key card for me and I'm looking forward to heading up and ordering a disgusting amount of takeout because my eyes are bigger than my stomach. I head to the elevator and wait. The smell of that cologne is calling my name so I turn around wanting one last look to satisfy my curiosity.

"Can I buy you a drink?"

I was not expecting that.

"I don't drink," I lie.

"Dinner then?"

"Not hungry," I lie again.

Just then, my stomach chooses to grumble in protest as if to denounce my lying ways. He chuckles. Damn, was it that loud? How embarrassing. "Listen, I don't know you– "

"The name's Max and I own the hotel," he introduces himself and offers his hand in greeting. "Think of it as a complimentary meal in apology for the poor service you've received."

I can't believe how quickly I jumped to conclusions. I mentally facepalm in embarrassment. Of course, security would listen to him if he's the boss. I take a moment to think about it. He's not just a cute white guy. He's all man - a very good-looking one at that who's probably just being nice. I highly doubt he sees me as anything more than a guest. My stomach rumbles again as if to remind me of what's important, begging me to say yes.

"Thank you." I remember my manners this time and place my small hand in his larger one. "I'm Soleil."

2024 / 08 / 24

WC: 2816

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