ECHOES OF FORBIDDEN LOVE | (ongoing and undergoing editing)

✤Chapter Eleven✤

✭ Laurent ✭

✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾ ✾

I hastily threw on the first clothes I could find, my mind still fogged with sleep as I tried to process the sudden turn of events. George, of all people, calling me out of the blue? And at this ungodly hour? It was just like him to pull something like this, but I couldn't shake the strange mix of curiosity and irritation bubbling inside me.

As I stepped outside, the cool early morning air slapped me awake. The streets were eerily quiet, like I was the only one alive in the city. What on earth could George have to say that couldn't wait until a reasonable hour? And why now, after all this time?

My thoughts kept circling back to Kayla. It wasn't just the call that had me on edge; it was everything the email, the unanswered questions, the uncertainty gnawing at me every waking moment. But for now, I had to push those thoughts aside. George was waiting, and I had a feeling this conversation would be anything but relaxing.

When I arrived at the club, a wave of anxiety hit me. A line of people impatiently waited for their turn to get in. I felt a pang of unease; I hadn't been here since George's last visit two years ago.

Frantically, I searched my pockets for my wallet, but it was nowhere to be found. "Fuck," I muttered as I realized I'd forgotten the essentials money, ID, and the membership card I was given last time. I quickly pulled out my phone and called George.

"Please don't tell me you're bailing on me, 'cause if you do, I'm gonna hunt your ass down," he answered.

"Okay, calm down, psycho. I'm outside. Can you please come get me?"

"What happened, they won't let you in?" he asked, amusement clear in his tone.

"Just come get me," I snapped before hanging up.

A few minutes later, a furious-looking George appeared, exchanged a few words with the bouncer, and got me in. I followed him until we were seated in a private area.

"You hung up on me," he started, his voice laced with mock indignation.

"You called me here at four a.m. to tell me this? It could've waited until a reasonable hour instead of disturbing my much-needed sleep," I retorted.

"Oh, come on, stop whining. I had trouble sleeping, so I thought it'd be a good idea to call my friend and spend some quality time together," he explained.

"Quality time? You know, you can hire an escort if you're in search of 'quality time,'" I said angrily.

"You can be a bitch sometimes, you know that?" he shot back, taking a sip from his glass.

"I'd like to order a drink now, please," I said, flagging down a passing server. After placing my order, I turned back to George.

"I'm not stopping you," he replied, though a bit too late.

"That would've been a great comeback," I mocked.

"Okay, can we be serious now? I've got a lot to tell you," he said, his tone shifting to something more serious.

"Talk. I'm listening. What's new, and how is everybody?"

"I guess you already know this, but your father is furious. He wants you back as soon as possible. He almost got me to tell him where you are."

"I don't want to talk about that right now. Can we change the subject?" The discomfort and deep pain I felt every time my father was mentioned was overwhelming. I hated him with every fiber of my being. But I wasn't here to talk about my father with my best friend.