The ashes we left behind

Chapter 4

I pretend to be asleep for the rest of the night. I can't close my eyes because I'm scared and excited at once. What is going to happen tomorrow?

I get some evidences from their discussions. I hear Connor talk on the phone many times while Ginny can't stop complaining. Helene isn't there. I think that she went to her house in order to get some rest.

I act as if I'm waking up when I hear other people enter the basement. There are at least nine of them: boys and girls looking tough. They don't even bother telling me hi. Only one of them nods at me. Not knowing how to act, I smile. I shouldn't have since Ginny whispers an insult towards me.

When Helene finally comes, we all sit around the table and Connor starts to talk about today's plan. Helene and I are going to have to disguise ourselves as waitresses so we can have access to the inside of the bar. Then, one of us will have to try to get in Asher's desk room where what we need takes place.

***

It's in front of the mirror in a gas station that I notice how tired I look, especially with the wounds and dirt of yesterday. I really need a shower. Or even a two hours' bath. It's not going to come to me soon. Indeed, today's journey is going to be very long.

The waitress skirt fits me almost well which is not the case of the white shirt that is a little too large at my shoulder's level. I quickly put my hair up before joining my sister's friends in the car. They drive me and Helene to the bar. We both act normal as we get in the building.

In the contrary of its outside, the inside of the bar is huge! There are tons of tables and chairs distributed into two levels. There is also a big scene where some girls wearing underwear start to train for tonight. They're stripers.

It's Helene who wakes me from the bar's main distraction. We get to the table where we're supposed to work.

We don't stop from observing what is happening for hours...

I do all of my possible to stay calm and patient. I want to find my sister. I want her to be with me. I want to see her now! I don't really believe in the universe and faith but now, all I want is for the universe to give me a chance. The chance to take Hailey in my arms.

Things start to get interesting the moment Asher Williams gets down the stairs, wearing black jeans and a white shirt. His chin up, he acts as if he were the king walking through the throne room. What an asshole! I watch him carefully. I've never seen that guy before. But I know that my sister does.

I glance at Helene and realize that she's staring at Asher in a dreamy way. I look at him again and understand the reason Helene is hypnotized. A few seconds earlier, I wouldn't have noticed his beauty because of my hatred towards him. But now that Helene made me aware, I start to look at him from head to toe. His hair is a little bit messy but still looks perfect. A part falls on his face. A face I could observe for hours. It has something that I can't describe. He may look normal with eyes as basic as his lips and nose. Despites it, the guy is mysteriously handsome-

I jump at Helene's elbow landing on my arm.

"He can have any girl he wants", she murmurs.

"Why?" I ask, not knowing what else to say.

"Don't tell me you wouldn't want to have him in your bed..."

I turn to her, surprised. "He has my sister captive. Plus... plus it's not only the looks that matters."

"Oh don't worry. He has a lot more..." She looks at the cup that she's supposed to clean. "Looks, money and power... He has all those three." She puts her eyes on me again. "Something not everyone can have."

I know that she wasn't talking about me. But I can't prevent myself from comparing. I have no power. The money is something I have never had the right to possess. And the looks... Let's not talk about it. Well, some people are lucky. And Asher doesn't deserve it.

When we are sure that Asher is out for a long time, Helene and I decide to climb the stairs that take to his desk room. Except that the moment I put a foot on the first stair, a tall and muscled man comes to me. he's part of the security.

"What are you doing here?" he asks us.

Helene giggles before saying. "We were just going to clean the rooms." She looks at him innocently.

The man doesn't fall for her charm. He stays as cold and strict. "You have no right to go upstairs." Then he adds, threateningly, "If I see either of you that close to the stairs, I'll kick you out."

"Wow, calm down", Helene says with a seductive smile. She gets close to him. "It's not as if there were some secret documents about destroying the city."

The man gives Helene a dark glare before leaving us.

"It usually works", she complains.

***

Asher comes back until night comes. People start to come to enjoy their nights. Many stripers are already busy. Three of them are joined by Asher. He puts an arm around one of them before taking them to the stairs. A second before disappearing in the darkness, he turns his head one last time and our eyes cross. I quickly look away.

"Helene", I call when Asher isn't there anymore. She's talking to one of the clients.

I shake her arm. "Helene!"

The music is too loud but she manages to hear me.

"What?"

"Have you found another plan?" I ask, trying to retain a smile.

"I have an idea in process. Why?"

This time I can't contain my grin. "I have one that will please you."