The Girlfriend

Part 11

I stared nervously at the hand I had been dealt. I was fairly confident that I had a chance to win, but I could just as easily loose. Shaking out my shoulders to release some of the tension, I watched as West placed his cards face down and reached across Victor to take a soda. He opened the can and proceeded to rapidly drink its content in a display of raw power. He was trying to intimidate me but I just had to have faith in my cards which were the key to getting answers and to getting Emily back.

Once done, he smashed the can into a flat piece of aluminum and tossed it out the open garage door; much to everyone's annoyance. He watched me carefully as if trying to predict my next move but I stayed still, simply awaiting his instruction. He finally growled out "Call."

I knew he wanted me to show my hand so I placed my cards down so he could see my straight flush. His eyebrows rose, he looked slightly taken aback. I hoped beyond hope that I had indeed won this game so he could stop playing with me and tell me what I needed to hear. He leaned back in his chair, and threw his cards on the table. The cards scattered, forcing me to track them with my eyes. Initially I thought he had lost because why else would he throw his cards? But as I sought them out, I realized he had a royal flush.

West had actually beaten me by sheer luck!

I looked up to see a smug smile playing on his lips. Angered by own lack of skill, I pushed out my chair and picked it up, hurling into the nearest wall. The others flinched at my actions but West didn't seem the slightest bit perturbed. As I turned around about to demand answers, he smiled my way and said "North, my friend, please sit so we can discuss."

Confused by his words, I went hunting for my chair and dragged it back. Maybe West wanted me to kiss his ass to give me answers, I had never done it before, but I was willing to do it now. The others kept shooting worried glances my way, I didn't blame them, I was hanging on by a thread. West loudly spoke "I know what I want for my favor."

I nodded my head, willing to give him anything if it meant Emily. He sent me a sad smile and then said "North, for my favor, I want you to stop looking for Emily."

My head shot back and I glared at him. What was he asking of me? He must know how badly I needed to see her yet here he was asking me to do the opposite. I yelled at him "No!"

He pointed a finger at me, eerily similar to Mr. Blackbourne, and said "A deal is a deal. I want you to stop looking for her. In fact, I don't want you near her."

I growled in response "Emily is mine! I will not stop until I find her. Either you help me or get the fuck off my property."

He shook his head as if I had said the wrong thing, he explained "North, you just don't get it. Emily sent me. She doesn't want to see you again. She told me to tell you it's over. What happened, according to her, is a mistake. She thinks you guys should simply forget that night and move on."

I simply stared, unable to comprehend his words. A full minute must have passed before Silas broke the quiet, he menacingly ordered "Maybe you should leave now."