Tangled Webs -Oscar Diaz-

Chapter 30

The phone call she had ignored during her time with Oscar had been Ruby. He was freaking out and badly. He had texted her over twenty times and nearly tracked Sofia down by the time she responded. It was a few hours later, and she was still at Oscar's. Cuchillos had called Oscar around one A.M. and woke the both of them. Sofia decided to call Ruby back, and he demanded she come home. Since Oscar was on the phone, she kissed his cheek goodbye and slipped out before he could argue with her.

Sofia made it back to her house in record time. After being rolled up on, she feared being alone on the streets and jogged back to her home. "Ruby," Sofia whispered walking into the house. By now everyone else was asleep. "Ruby?"

"In here," he called softly from the kitchen. Sofia slipped off her shoes and made her way into the kitchen. There she found Ruby and Jamal standing around the table. They had the Rollerworld money and a backpack. Each of them had different expressions and appeared to be incredibly stressed.

"What's going on?"

"Cesar," Jamal looked down sadly. "He's leaving."

Sofia stared at them, "what? Where is he going? Why?"

"That doesn't matter," Ruby stopped her without answering any of the questions. "We had an idea."

"To save him," Jamal finished for him. She didn't understand what they were saying and gestured for them to continue. "We buy him back in."

"Buy him into what?"

Ruby rolled his eyes, "the gang. We buy him back into the gang."

Sofia raised an eyebrow, wondering if this was the best plan they could come up with. "Are you serious? That is the best idea you have?"

"It's all we have," Ruby threw his hands out. "He's going to leave. We have 150,000 dollars. Spooky would be stupid not to take the money."

That part was true. It was a lot of money. To her, Oscar would never agree. He wouldn't buy Cesar back into the gang, but it was worth a shot. If Ruby was correct, Cesar was leaving. This could be their only chance. "It's worth a shot."

"See," Jamal pointed at her. "I knew she would agree."

Sofia crossed her arms, realizing there was more to the plan. "What did you need me to do?"

"Set up the meeting," Ruby began. "Spooky will be in a better mood if you're there."

Sofia wanted to argue with them, but she couldn't. They were actually correct with their thinking. "Unfortunately, that is probably true." Jamal and Ruby nodded. "Okay, when is Cesar leaving?"

"On a ten A.M. bus."

Sofia was surprised by how soon he was leaving, but then again, he was wanted by the Prophets. "We need to get there early then. He won't answer his phone this late. We can call him in the morning." But Oscar would answer his phone if she called. However, Sofia didn't want to do that just yet.

"You can call him," Jamal said. "I don't want any part in that."

"Yeah, neither do I."

She chuckled, "cowards." They glared at her, "okay. I can call him."

"We can grab donuts," they all stared at Ruby. "What? It's early, and I want to be a good host."

"Might help with his mood." Sofia agreed with him, "he likes sprinkles."

"Spooky likes sprinkles?"

"Yes," Sofia informed them. "I'll go over first while you two grab donuts."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sofia watched Oscar through tired eyes as he strolled towards the couch with a cup of coffee. She smiled as he sat down and rubbed her leg. "Why did your brother want to meet me?"

She glanced at him and opened her mouth to speak. However, the knocking on the door cut her off. Sofia pushed up to answer the door, already knowing who it was. Ruby and Jamal stood on the other side. Ruby held a pink box full of donuts, and Jamal was holding the gym bag. The two stepped inside and sat down across from him. Sofia went to take her spot on the couch, but Jamal put a hand up to stop her. "You're on our side," he didn't look at her. "Stand on our side."

"Jamal," Sofia tried to hide her annoyance. "Seriously?"

"Seriously." He lifted the gym back, "and hold this."

"Why?"

Ruby stared at Oscar, "because he won't rip it from your hands." Sofia noticed how Oscar tried to keep his stone-cold expression but was slightly intrigued as to why they gave Sofia a bag.

"If you woke me up this early, you better had sprinkles."

"You were right," Ruby glanced at Sofia. She winked at her younger brother.

He opened the box, and Oscar took out the first sprinkled donut he saw. "Speak."

"We want to buy Cesar back into the gang," Jamal crossed his arms over his chest.

Oscar chuckled, "that isn't how that works." He took a bite. "Even if it was, you can't buy someone in with a couple hundred bucks."

"How about 150,000 bucks."

Oscar glanced at Sofia, who nodded at him. "Where did you little traviesos get 150,000?"

Ruby stared at him, "answer the question." He leaned closer, "would that be enough to buy him back into the gang?"

"Maybe," Oscar began wanting to know more about the money they had. "How clean is the cash?"

"Squeaky," Jamal responded. "It's been washed."

"Continue."

Jamal turned to Sofia, who handed him the bag. He put it on the table and opened it to show Oscar the money inside. "I found the Rollerworld money."

Oscar reached out to inspect it, but Ruby grabbed the bag. "This is not a favor. This is a business transaction." Sofia was impressed by her younger brother. He was taking action, and holding his ground. "You get something out of it, but Cesar has to be protected." Ruby moved back, "we don't want him gone forever."

Sofia watched as Oscar responded, "you really care about him?" They nodded, "okay." He took the bag of cash, and Sofia's lips parted. She was sure Oscar was going to reject the plan. "I'll take the cash." He set the bag beside him, "but not Cesar."

"That's not how a business transaction works." Ruby argued, "you don't get the money without doing your part."

"That's Rollerworld money?" They nodded again, "then it's not yours to bargain with. But thanks for bringing it back home after all of these years."

"Don't do this," Ruby was becoming angry. "You owe us."

"I don't owe you shit."

Ruby glanced at his sister, "Sofia?"

She wasn't sure what to do. "Oscar-"

"No."

Ruby slammed his hands on the table. "We took him in after you kicked him out!"

"Thanks," Oscar smiled. "Now. Get out."

Ruby shoved the table and stood up. Sofia watched as he swung open the door. "You're a real piece of shit!" With that, he stomped out of the house angrily.

Jamal stood up and dashed to grab the cash. However, Oscar was quicker and pulled it away. The boy glared at him and snatched the donuts. "No more sprinkles for you." He walked out the door after Ruby and let it slam behind him. Sofia stared at her boyfriend.

She was upset with him and slightly disappointed. Jamal found the money, and he should get to keep it. Sofia grabbed the door and pulled it open. "Sofia, wait." She stopped but kept her eyes forward. There was a moment where she debated on staying but knew it was better to leave. "Sofia-" she slipped out the door and let it close behind her. Without looking back, she rushed after her younger brother and his friend.