𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭

𐙚 5

ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈• ｡ﾟ

We arrived at a room, and Rafe stopped. He opened the door and pulled me inside before closing it behind us and leaning against it. He looked at me without saying a word. It was clear that this was his room.

The space wasn't completely untidy, but it was organized in its own way. A pleasant scent of men's perfume lingered in the air, which I found quite attractive. Next to his bed, there was a desk, a wardrobe, and a display case filled with trophies: six silver and four gold golf clubs. He must be quite skilled.

Above the bed hung several awards for motorcycling, along with pictures of him and his buddies.

"Why did you bring me here, Rafe?" He walked past me and pulled open the drawer of his wardrobe. He took out a wad of cash and counted it briefly. After putting a few bills away, he held the rest out to me. "Here, the remaining $2,000. Take it, and then we'll all have no more problems." He looked at me with impatience.

I couldn't believe it. "Are you kidding me, Rafe?" I stared at him in horror. "I don't want your money!" He laughed and slowly walked closer to me. "Oh, of course not. You're doing this for Pogue pride, aren't you?" He raised his eyebrows mockingly. "Very honorable." I pressed the money to his chest, pushing him a little further away. "It's more than money that counts for us. We stand by our friends and don't break promises. Not like you Kooks!"

He looked as if he was amused by my words and tilted his head slightly to one side. "Sure, don't take it then. But you know what? There are things that could cost you and your friends far more than a few dollars." My look couldn't be more disgusted as he smiled dirtily at me. " Keep your dirty money, Rafe!" His smile fades slightly and he leans a little closer to me, his voice lower "You act like you have any choice here. You want the money? Then take it. If not..." He leans back, his eyes fixed on me. "Then you disappear now and forget you were ever here." He really thought he was the best. He's so much more pathetic than I thought. "I'm not leaving until Rose gives me the money for the cookies and cake." I crossed my arms and Rafe put the money in his pants pocket. "Rose, huh? Maybe she doesn't even care anymore. Wouldn't be the first time a pogue waited for his money." He just grinned and looked at me. He'll never get me down. "Then I'll wait until they care. Or until Ward finds out his family members aren't honoring their deals or trying to blackmail someone." I looked him coldly in the eye. His eyes narrow for a moment before he grins, shrugging his shoulders "You've got guts, I'll give you that. But you're only making things harder for yourself and your friends with your stubbornness, Ana." He tilts his head slightly, his tone almost curious "Do you really think the money thing is that important? Do you think any Pogue would have done the same for you?"
"Yes, that's exactly what any of us would do. And that's why you don't want to understand why your money means nothing to us. It's just a means to achieve something - for you. For us, it's a matter of principle."

I couldn't interpret the look on his face. Everything inside me was racing and my heart was pounding faster than normal. I held my right hand in a fist behind my back. I knew how to use it now. "Maybe you're right. But don't forget - when you walk out of here, the game really starts. And believe me, the kooks always win."
He whispered these words to me and looked deep into my soul. I was trapped in his emptiness. The eyes were the key to the real Rafe. They spoke so much more. I would like to find out more, to know more. Even if I'm not allowed to and I shouldn't be interested. " Rafe..." I breathed softly to him. He was fighting something. His hands formed fists and loosened again. He tensed his jaw and closed his eyes. "Rose is here. Her car's come." Slowly, he opened them again and looked at me. He took a few steps behind and opened the door. I had to get out of here. I scurried past his side and ran down the stairs. Just as I reached the living room, the front door opened and Rose came in. Three bags of Chanel in her left hand and two bags of Sephora in her right Hand. There was no sign of Sarah for miles around. When she saw me, she smiled and came in. She put her bags down and looked at the cooler. "I'm so sorry, I should have told you it would take longer." She looked at me worriedly. "It's all right. It's in the box. Nothing can happen there. Where should I put it?"
She took out her wallet and looked up at me. "In the kitchen on the counter, please." She nodded and rummaged through her bills. I carried the box to the large, bright kitchen and put it down on the floor. Then I took out the various treats one by one and set them out nicely. I nodded in satisfaction, took the box and went back. "Here, a little more. As an apology." She held the bills out to me and smiled confidently. I took out the wallet and accepted it gratefully. I put it in my pocket, put it back and looked at her happily. "Thank you very much. Have a wonderful day."