Beauty & A Beat (She Don't Like The Lights Sequel)

Chapter Six

Justin's P.O.V.

Storming out of the office, I pulled my hood up and covered my face the best I could to avoid getting noticed. I sprinted out the door and out to the mildly busy streets, not stopping once. Anger washed over my expression as I thought back to what I just read. It baffled me seeing a picture of Jasmine and Marie together. It seemed believable, however, Marie was known for her cunning little tricks. Although it could be fake, I couldn't be completely sure.

Taking deep breaths as I jogged across the streets, I inhaled to calm myself down. The snow lightly fell, covering the grounds and roof tops. It melted as it fell on my face and covered my hair. My vision became hazy as it fell upon my eyelashes. I looked down at the floor to have the snow fall on my hood rather than my face, and continued pacing to where I wanted to go.

Surprisingly, not many stopped me, or noticed who I was, allowing me to reach where I wanted to go in a matter of 10 minutes. The small building came into view beside the many small shops across a small park. It had started to snow more, causing many to stay in. I approached the shop and opened the door. Entering the store, I took of my hood and let the snow fall off of it, while wiping my face with the sleeves of my sweater.

As though I was expected, the man behind the run down counter beamed when he saw me.

"Hey Justin" He began, "heard you were in New York, hoping you'd stop by,"

I managed to crack a smile only because of how enthusiastic he was. "Hey Cole," I nodded my head.

I squinted my eyes, examining the claustrophobic store, and the crammed shelves. Last time I had been in here was several months ago, however, for a similar reason.

He stopped with whatever he was doing and brought upon a serious face, interesting in what I was here for. He tapped his fingers across the counter waiting for me to bring up what I needed help with.

I put my hand in my jacket pocket and shuffled through the things. Finding what I needed, I opened up the folded piece of paper and set it flat across the counter.

"This is a bill," Cole stated, running his eyes across the paper Jasmine had given me.

"Yes I'm quite aware," I slightly chuckled.

He grinned, "what exactly do you want Justin? If it's about the task you came for last time, I'm telling you it'll take quite a while"

"No, no," I cut him off, while looking around to check that no one else was here. "I don't need any more information revolving that- for now atleast. I just simply want to know whose bill this is, and any information revolving that person."

He nodded while picking up the bill and examining it thoroughly. Holding it in one hand, he ushered for me to come into the room inside. I followed him in and watched as he started up his computer and did a whole lot of inputting. Occasionally looking at the bill, he searched and did whatever stuff he does, and in about 5-10 minutes, had everything printed out for me.

"Here," he handed me the paper, "Vanessa Figs. Here's her address, number, past and recent purchase history, any flights she's booked, where she has worked in the past, mugshots from her drivers licence and passport, and etcetera"

I examined the paper and laughed under my breath considering how clever Marie was. She even got a fake name and ID. Vanessa Figs? How cute. It was humorous how carefully she was going through with this whole plot. Humourous yet sick.

Remembering Cole was in the room, I looked up and nodded in approval, smiling.

Cole returned the gesture, and made his way out of the room. I thanked him, and folded the papers before placing them into my pocket.

Zipping my jacket back up, I grabbed my phone to call the driver to come get me. There was a whole lot to do today.

•••

Back at the hotel, I sat on the chair by the desk, contemplating what to do. Finding out the route to where Marie lived, I was now aware of the fact that Marie wasn't home for the weekend, considering the two tickets she'd booked leaving today to L.A.

She'd obviously gone back to get something or talk to someone and it was ought to be something important. She'd never leave for no apparent reason, considering I was in New York right now.

I had two options at this point. Fly back to Calabasas and confront Marie, or go to her residence to find Jasmine. I was quite sure Jasmine would be there. After all, why would Marie risk taking her back to Calabasas with her? That would attract too much attention, and give away the truth, being Jasmine still alive.

I had now come to regret that night last winter, when I chose to trust and help Marie. I'd done it as I was blinded by love. Then when Jasmine came along, I had created a lie to tell her.

I couldn't tell Jasmine what the problem was. Atleast not a few months back when I hardly knew her. I'd put up this act infront of Jasmine those few months hoping she would either drop the topic, or help me get the tape back.

Clenching my jaw, I got up and went around the bed so I was now facing the large glass window, peering out into the snowy morning. I couldn't go back to Calabasas, god knew what Marie had in mind. It would cause too much commotion.

Thinking it throughly once more, I grabbed my car keys and went to put my shoes on. I'd made my decision.

"Oh Jasmine, I'll be seeing you very soon," I huffed under my breath.

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