Billie Bossa Nova

27.

Finneas pointed on the screen at the photographer across the street from the gym that she went to, seemingly a tourist snapping pictures of landscapes. When she exited with Zoey, the man subtly followed behind her, a good distance away. She entered the Cafe, and the man moved in a manner in which he would be standing at the right place to watch her. Even when she left, he was on her. She was glad to see that her abrupt pause wasn't obvious, and the bubble gum in the shoe save had been natural and effective.

"Looks like your code yellow was out of game," Finneas almost said it wryly, but he was deadly serious.

"I didn't think anyone would be following me for any reason..."

Finneas shut the laptop sitting on the desk of his temporary apartment, explaining, "Adan Rivera found out that there's a mole within his new staff, fires all but you and now there's a PI on your tail. He might be onto you."

Billie didn't reply. She sat on the bed across from Finneas, hands digging into her hair and fingernails scratching her scalp. Her thoughts flew around her head in a torturous circle. She was allowing herself to get distracted. She made the stupid mistake of trusting Tyla Gibson. She was focusing less on what she had to do and more on Kai Rivera. She was going to fail. She is failing. The moment Adan finds out who she is, everything is over. She would be a failure. She would lose. Her entire life, everything that she has worked for will tumble to the ground and ash to nothing.

Her lungs compressed at the mere thought. She easily hid it from Finneas, trying with all her might not to press her hand against the sharp pain that sunk into her heart. Finneas was saying something, but she couldn't hear a thing. Her ears were focused on the sound of her fast heartbeat crashing on and on in her chest.

"Billie." Her head shot up towards him. He was frowning. "Understood?" She nodded her head. He sighed. "Like I said, we'll play the long game. Be as inactive for as long as possible. No connection with me or CRO. No investigating Adan. Nothing. Stay low. I'll let you know when things change."

A mute nod came from Billie. Finneas said more things that seemed important, and she nodded as if she were listening carefully. He appeared fully convinced that she was. When they were finished, Finneas notified her that she had been followed here, and walked her out to the Uber, waving her goodbye like they were good friends.

By the time she reached the Rivera mansion, she was ready to rain down on her cheeks. Her chest was so compressed with panic and the ache of failing that she could barely get air in and out of her lungs. The grin she forcefully stretched onto her lips at the Uber driver as she thanked him came out with so much difficulty, she worried that her lips would drop from her mouth. The moment she stepped out of the vehicle and it drove down the long driveway, she bolted for the stairs, ready to shatter into pieces on her pillow.

She was only a few steps in when she heard someone call for her.

"Ms. Eilish." She spun around. Rusty grinned at her. "Mr. Rivera would like you to come in." He pointed at the Porsche van behind him. Billie frowned in confusion.

"Look, Rusty, I really don't have time for this-"

Rusty held a hand up to stop her, pressing the other against his ear piece. "He's very insistent that you come, Ms. Eilish."

Sadness and dismay aside, she crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "Or what?" she asked sassily.

Rusty listened again at his earpiece, probably at Kai at the other end. His eyes widened slightly, glancing back at Billie. "Due to professional and respect purposes, I cannot say that to her, sir."

Billie's cheeks reddened to tomatoes. Jesus Christ, Kai.
"Fine, geez, I'll come." She tried to hide the slight humiliation and anger towards Kai as she made her way towards the vehicle, but her scowl was evident. What the hell did Kai say to Rusty? Judging by how outrageously blunt Kai was, Billie wouldn't be shocked if it was something worth dropping one's jaw or worse, assuming that they were in some sort of affair. With a huff, she continued, "Tell him to stick this up his ass." She shot a middle finger out.