REMI HOOD

Chapter 24

Remi

I'm not going to lie, I'm kind of flattered that Will literally fought for me. It was wrong, but damn, I can see that he likes me a lot. I walk back to the room, dreamily closing the door behind me.

"The doctor said you'll be discharged once you get the cast on your hand. Also don't forget to do the job..." Says the voice of my dad, instantly ruining my happy mood.

"Hmm... Who's ordering me to the job? You or mom?" I ask mockingly.

"I see.. you still don't believe me. Again, understandable." He simply says and leaves the room before I can say anything else.

I need to find my mom... If she's alive that is.

I need the truth.

An hour later, I'm leaving the hospital with an ugly cast on my right-hand. The doctor had told me that I've fractured both my index and ring phalanges, as well as one of my carpal bones. Jee, thanks dad.

My phone rings in my pocket, I struggle to pick up the phone. My heart skips a beat to see Will Louis' name flashing across the screen. "Hello?"

"Hey Remi, how are you? I heard that you got discharged."

"Yeah, I just got out of the hospital and am on my way to..." Oh shit... My house is burned. "Well, uh... I don't have a specific destination in mind." I joke.

"You can come to the hotel we are staying for the time being, you're always welcome... We have to ask you some questions regarding the case, anyway."

I don't really have anywhere better to go. "Sure, I'll be there in a while, I'll have to take a taxi."

"And Remi... Does your dad have a place to stay?"

I panic for a moment, where is he actually going to stay? "Um, he told me that he's crashing at a friend's house until he finds a place to rent." The lie slips out of my mouth.

"But... What about you?" Will asks me.

"Well... I sorta lied to him. I told him that I'm also staying at a friend's house until we find a place to rent. I didn't want to worry him that much."

"Remi-"

"Don't worry about me Will, I'll be fine, maybe I can book a room at the hotel you're staying at." I say without thinking.

"Yeah, good idea... And Remi?"

"Yes, Will?"

"About the fight with Finn... I'm sorry. It's not like you're mine or anything. I don't know what I was saying."

I smile mischievously, what if I play hard to get? "I'm no one's property, either am I your girlfriend." I try to say as sternly as I can, biting my lips to stop myself from giggling.

"Yes, yes. I'm sorry. Please don't stay mad at me." Will desperately begs. He's so cute.

The stupid smile on my face widens. "I'm not mad at you Will..."

"Phew... Well, that's a relief." He laughs a little.

"I don't think I can ever get mad at Will Louis." I playfully say. Am I really flirting right now?

"And I don't think I can get mad at you either, Remi Hood."

I smile, knowing he's smiling as well. You'll definitely be mad...

If you find out who I am.

"Pfft. You don't even know me properly. We've known each other for like two days, I think."

"That's true, but... I've never felt like this towards a woman, not ever." He says tenderly. My heart flutters, the butterflies in my stomach turning into elephants, into freaking whales.

"Wow. You really know how to flatter someone." I chuckle, my cheeks flaming.

"We should get to know each other properly... Well, after solving the case that is." He sighs. "Finn and I are supposed to keep more distance from you because of the fight and also because you are sorta involved in the case. My boss thinks you're a distraction... He's not wrong, you're quite the distraction, Remi." I swear I can feel him smirking goofily.

"You better solve this case..." I threaten jokingly.

"Of course, don't doubt us, we're the best detectives on the planet!"

"I think you need to deflate your ego a little." I laugh. After a bit of more small talk, we hang up.

If they do solve the case, I'll be in jail. I don't think WIll Louis will want to know me then.

Wait... Is the second deal still on?

I text my dad.

Me: Am I still supposed to get their boss's money? Will you still kill them if I don't?

Dad: Yes, that's what Anaya wants. I'm sorry, sweetheart. Where are you staying, anyway?

I seenzone him and delete the chat like I always do. Sorry? That's all he's gonna tell me?

My dad's previous words echo through my head. "You're going to be a distraction to them, you already are... You will lead them to the wrong culprit. They will think they solved the case. That's not all... I researched them both when I was in the lobby. It turns out that their boss owns around a billion dollars. You are going to find a way to steal that money."

My eyes water, I can't do that to them... But I can't have them killed either. I wipe the tears that escape my eyes. I'm so sorry, Will and Finn.

I brainstorm to come up with a plan to carry out the second deal as I wait for the taxi to come. I mentally note to investigate regarding finding my mom. Once I find her, and the truth, maybe everything will be over. Maybe I won't have to use the detectives.

Finding mom is now my number one priority.