::Chapter Ten::
FF>> 4 month:
RECAP:
Over the last four month I havebeen working hard to try and kick start my photography business. I'vetravelled all over Scotland and England to find new things tophotograph and I've collected some beautiful shots but still no oneseems to be interested in my services and my confidence in my was wasslowly deflating.
The money Zak gave me wasrunning out and I was on the verge of becoming in debt.
On a more positive note, I'veheard from the guys almost every day in some form or other and weSkype at least once a week. I missed them so much. I'll be honestwhen they left I truly thought I would not hear from them again butthey stuck to their word.
TODAY:
I got a phone call from Zak thismorning checking in. They were finally finished filming and headinghome. As he always done he asked if I was okay for money and asalways I lied to him and told him I was doing fine. I felt bad forlying but I knew if I told him the truth he would give me more and hehad given me more than enough already. He then had to go to bored theplane. He told me he would call when he landed. We signed off.
I was in my kitchen scrubbingthe stove when the lights went out leaving me in darkness.
"Shit." I threw thescowering pad down peeled the gloves off and headed out to theelectric box. I had used all my electric including the emergency."Fuck." I grabbed my phone and checked my bank app. My accountwas empty. Slamming the electric box shut and head back inside.Sitting on the couch I fought hard not to break down and cry. Maybe Ishouldn't have quit my job, maybe I should have just come to anarrangement with Liam about avoiding that floor, maybe I could haveeven changed positions all together. I grabbed my phone and searchedfor Liam's office number. I paused before I pressed call. I wasn'tsure I could go back there, I was terrified of that place now. Icancelled the call and threw my phone down on the couch next to me.
A loud knock on my door startledme as I wasn't expecting anyone..... I didn't know anyone. Iconsidered ignoring it but the knocking continued until I gave in andanswered it. I swung the door open about to bark at whoever it wasuntil my eyes fell upon.... Zak.
"ZAK!" I screeched as I wraphim up in a hug. Releasing him I looked to him confused. "Not thatI'm not glad to see you but uh, what are you doing here?" I steppedaside to let him in before he replied.
"Our last location was inIreland, I thought I would swing by and surprise you."
"You did that." I noticedZak looking around.
"Why are you sitting indarkness?"
"Ughh..." I tried lookingfor an excuse but came up empty.
"Brook?"
"I'm sorry I lied but I knewif I told you, you would insist on giving me more money and well Ihated taking the first lot so I decided it would be easier if youdidn't know. I didn't think you would turn up at my door step to findout." He walked through the house and into the kitchen, opening thefridge.
"Answer honestly, when did youlast eat?" I diverted his gaze. "When Brook?"
"Three days ago, Zak."
"How could you not tell me?"
"I'm sorry but I just couldn't." He pulled me into a hug.
"Come on, I'm taking you tolunch, there is something I need to discuss with you, one of thereasons I popped over before going home." I grabbed my phone frothe couch and we headed out. We went to Revolution and we shared acrate again. Even after eating nothing for 3 days I couldn't finish awhole one. Before he got into details he asked me to tell himtruthfully how things have been going. I told him.
"Okay well that somewhat tiesinto what I wanted to talk to you about. The guys and I have beentalking and Aaron really loves your work and he suggested you comework with us as a co investigator/still photographer. We know howmuch you enjoyed working with us, well until the crappy stuffhappens, but that was different circumstances, the spirits won;t knowyou on a personal level they way they knew you here."
"How would that work? I meanme all the way over here, would I like meet you at the locations orwhat?"
"No, no. I remember you sayinghow you'd love to get away from this place one day. So I thought youcould come back with me, I have a spare room you could use until yougot on your feet, or permanently if you wished."
"Really? You just want me tohop on a plane and move to America with you?"
"Yeah, I don't mean this nastybut what have you got to stay for?"
"Are you being serious? I meanwhy are you doing this?"
"I told you Brook I care foryou, a lot I want to help you get the best in life and that isn'thappening here."
"I don't know what to say?"
"Say Yes Zak." He grinned.
"Yes Zak." I got up andhugged him.
"Good, We have a flight for3am to Las Vega I've booked us into a hotel, so how about we go backto yours grab your clothes and anything else you want to take withyou that is big enough to fit on a plane and head back to the hotel."
"I can't believe this ishappening." Zak paid the bill and we went back to mine. I gatheredall my clothes a few other items I held dear to me and we left forthe hotel. I posted the keys through the letter box.
At the hotel We sat at the barand enjoyed a night cap before we headed up to our rooms and tried toget a few hours kip before we had to head for the airport. Thoughafter an hour I gave up flicked the light on grabbed the TV remoteand checked what was on. Not much of course. I headed down stairs tothe bar where the night porter told me it was closed.
"Oh I wasn't looking fordrink, just needed to get out the room."
"Oh well then feel free totake a seat. I can get you a tea or coffee if you like?"
"Coffee would be nice thanks."I said taking the couch next to the stain glass window. My brain wasswirling with everything that was happening to me. I couldn't believehow amazing Zak was being to me, he had given me so much and askedfor nothing in return. I had to find a way to thank him and pay himback. Wrapped in my own thought I didn't notice the night porter hadgave me my coffee.
"Oh thank you."
"Anything else and I'll beright over there." He pointed to the reception desk.
"Thanks." I sipped on mycoffee and got lost in my own thoughts again.
By morning I had yet to get anysleep, hopefully I would catch some Zzz on the plane. We checked outand grabbed a cab to the airport. We had a coffee at Starbucks whilewe waited for our flight to be called and Zak looked at me concerned.
"How you feeling abouteverything?"
"Honestly it's all so surreal.I haven't slept a wink, my brain just wouldn't shut down."
"About what?"
"You and all the things youhave done for me. You have seriously been so amazing to me and askedfor nothing in return. I just feel so guilty I have no way to pay youback."
"Are you grateful?"
"So very much."
"Then that's all the thanks Ineed Brook, I'm not doing this for payment, I'm doing this because Imet a girl I like who has been through a lot and deserves a break, Iam lucky enough to be in a position to offer her a break so that iswhat I have done."
"I don't care what you say."Our flight was called. "I'm going to make it up to you some day,some how." I finished as we gathered out belongings. Zak smiled andwrapped his arm around my neck as we headed toward our Gate.
