She's The Artist

| Chapter 32: The Past Dosen't Stay In the Past |

{LISTEN TO SONG AT THE TOP}

Warning: Mentions of Drugs, Death, and Graphic Sense

✞ Ethan Perez ✞

♫ ♪ ♫

"Here. All 3k lined up for you." I toss the roll of money at Marco. Knowing without a doubt he'll count it anyways. He doesn't trust anyone anymore. Not after what happened.

I would expect him to pick it up, un-roll it and count. But today, he doesn't do any of that. Nope. Just looks at the money like it's the most interesting thing in the world.

I know Marco well enough to know not to find a reaction for when he's like this. He's in one of his thinking moments. The long ass ones to.

"Do you want me to be honest with you, boy?" he speaks strongly like he always doses when he wants the truth or when he knows something. I used to know all the shit around this place. Not anymore.

Let's just say things got messy around here. . .

"Of course. The honest truth and nothing but." I nod my head, letting my signature blank face show. Marco doesn't like when his employees show fear or signs of hesitation. It makes them look weak or, like he says, 'It's a sign that you're not a man.'

We have three rules in this gang. One, always show respect. Two, show nothing but strength. And three, always get the job done no matter what happens. Yeah, that rule was newly added a while ago. I don't like it of course but I can't say shit without getting a "consequence."

"Your one of my best people around here. You know that?" he leans up from his chair and places his hands on his desk like a real boss would. His face shows some signs of proudness but still the same old blank, dark, empty eyes ever since his best friend died. Now years ago, at that.

Ever since then, that day when he got the call about Stefan, he's never been the same. He used to care. He used to care about me as much as he did his best friend. But that want all out the God damn window.

Stefan died by ODin'. Apparently, he came home all fucked up. High and drunk at the same time. His little girl found him lying on the floor. Foam mouth and all that. I may talk about him like I didn't know him, but I did. He was like a second father to me. The only reason I don't talk about him at all, well, at least around here, is because of Marco.

Marco blames himself for his death. Why? Because it was Marco's drugs that he was use'n.

Of course, Marco didn't know he was use'n them. If he did, he would have stopped him. Right away at that. It's just the matter of if someone was sellin them to him. Or, if he stole them. But that's still unsolved.

"I guess I am." I answer him with a small smirk and a head nod. Being respectful and showing nothing at the same time. I straighten up a bit, trying to hold my confidence at it's best.

"Same old, same old." he shakes his head and lowers it, looking a little like his old self. But that quickly vanishes and it's back to new Marco. Fun.

Just when I think I'm about to be dismissed and let out, he starts to speak. And I have a feeling that it won't be pretty. I just know by the way his face hardens like it pains him to even want to talk about this. Or how his knuckles turn so white from how much pressure he's placing on his folded, giant hands.

Now, Marco is no small guy. He's huge. Bigger then me even. He would workout at the gym everyday after what happened. Making himself look bigger and Badder and scary to some people.

All because of him.

"How is the. . . the girl doing? Have her trusting you yet? Anything?" he sounds angry and pained to even bring this topic up. While, this is the last thing I want to talk about. It doesn't help that I kissed her and am trying to get info out of her at the same time.

Alex is a tough wall to break. But I have to break it to find out what the hell happened to her dad. My boss's best friend.

I'm not doing this shit only for him. I'm doin'n it for myself to. I want to find out what happened. Where it all started.

I started off with her mom but that didn't work at all. She went off the radar as soon as I approached her at the funeral. Her brother is a big part of what happened but of course I couldn't just ask him. So really, it was down to her.

Shes got a lot of damage. A lot. I don't want to know it all. I don't even want to try. But I have to do it. For myself. For Marco. And even for her father.

But then I keep remembering about that fucking kiss. I never kissed someone like I kissed her. She felt too good to let go. Too good for her just to be a memory or a mistake. She felt. . . real.

"Boy, you better be thinking about what you know." I hear Marco's impatient voice pull me out of my thoughts. I blink a few times. Remembering what he asked, I tell him what I know.

"She told me a little about her dad takin away her brother's and her guitar when they were little. She didn't say anything else really. Just seemed broken and lost. Like usual."

"Hmm. . . that's all?"

"That's all."

I hold my breath.

One. . . two. . . three

He lifts his chin and turns his chair back around to the window behind him.

"Good."

Finally.

Hellloooo Readers!!

I know it's been a long time scenes I have updated but only because I'm working on myself and can't always be writing 24/7.

BUT I STILL LOVE YOU GUYS SM!

Anyways. . .

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and tell me what you think of it. 

Have a good weekend and summer! I'll see you guys soon!