He's Fire and She's Playing with It - Mafia Version

Chapter 39: Friends

"How do you have Adryan's phone?"

Ally's eyes scanned the room as she spoke and she watched horrified how Adryan pulled his mobile out of his pocket, checked the screen, and slid it right back in.

"I don't."

Grim's voice was as disgustingly smooth as she remembered it. There was no evil in the words, but the cold cruelty was still audible, just beneath the surface.

"Someone was kind enough to exchange Adryan's number for mine."

She was suddenly freezing, her body wanting to shiver. This wasn't a natural coldness, and she did her best to keep a mask of solitude on her face. If anyone saw her panic, her body's shaking, involuntary movements, they would sense that something was wrong. The room was hot, people's makeup slowly transforming into a messy chaos due to sweat, and even the slightest hint of something being off on her face and Adryan and Clara would rush to her side.

"Who?" she asked.

"A friend", Grim simply answered.

An unexpected anger arose, soon walking hand in hand with the now burning hot panic. "Who?" she repeated. "I called him yesterday. The correct number was under his name as late as last afternoon. So, who? And when?"

She could almost feel Grim's smile. "It doesn't matter. What does, though, is that I haven't had a single call from your dear Adryan. Or wait, do you still hold him dear? Or should I call Benjamin your new d-

"Shut up", she hissed. "I'm doing my best."

"You're not." The smile was gone and replaced by the cold cruelty that had finally surfaced. "You have to give me something." He paused to let his words sink in. "Bye, Ally. I expect a lot from you."

And with that, Grim ended the call.

Bye, Ally.

Her breathing quickened and her eyes filled with tears, but sadness wasn't what dominated her feelings – no, it was anger. Anger and fear.

The phone fell to the floor and again, all eyes were on Ally. For a second hers found Benjamin's, but as fast as the moment had come, it passed. This time she didn't offer the room a causal smile, instead she rapidly picked it up and left. If their eyes had lingered too long, they would've seen the tears that threatened to fall down her cheeks.

Benjamin turned his head toward the sound of Adryan's voice and accidently put Ally straight in his eyeline. She was looking across the room without really seeing anything. Her eyes were dim. If she had been present her gaze would've met his, but she didn't even seem to be aware of the fact that he was there, or even that it was a party going on all around her.

Just as Adryan's hand landed on his shoulder, as if to lead him out to the patio, the soul aching sound of a phone hitting the floor turned his focus, and several others, to Ally. For a second they locked eyes. Hers were riddled with panic and... anger, he realised. A brutal anger was stirring behind her pale cheeks. Then the moment was over, she picked up the phone and left the room.

Adryan let his hand fall from Benjamin's shoulder and took a few steps toward the door. Without thinking, Benjamin followed him.

Something was wrong.

Ally shut the bedroom door behind her and fell to her knees by the side of the bed.

"Ally." Adryan's voice sounded through the door. "Can I come in?"

She wanted to ask him to go and stay at the same time. She wanted his comfort but she knew that she didn't deserve it. What she was doing... it was unforgivable. She was betraying him. Leading him on. Lying to him. What was worse was that she did it to protect someone else. Someone he knew and trusted.