Don't Listen to Your Heart

3. Hotel Cortez

I quickly stood up waking up from one of the worst nightmare I've ever had. I reached the table, drank a glass of water and let out a breath.

A notification popped up from Rocky's laptop, I accidentaly read.

"Hotel Cortez, 8.30am today. If you don't do what it has to be done, I'll kill you. You know the deal. 200 dollars, cash. Meet you there.

- JPM"

I gasped and quickly looked at him sleeping. I sat on my bed and started thinking. I remembered he told me he was broke the night before, how would he pay this person? I've probably shouldn't care, it was none of my business anyway, but I really felt like doing something for him. I didn't know why, I just cared about him.

7am, Rocky started opening his eyes.

"Good morning, I made a couple of strolled eggs for you, bacon and pancakes. Your favorite, for what I understood the last time" I said with a small smile,

"Uhm, yeah. Why did you?" he asked rubbing his eyes.

"Well, cause you're my roommate and we should get along, right?" I nervously asked,

"Right" he laughed as he started eating.

***

I nervously walked up and down through the whole room thinking about what to do.

"Woah. Ssup?" he asked with a wondering look,

"I'm just.. sick" I lied with a fake laugh,

"Take care" he smiled, "I really got to get going"

"Where?" I asked,

"Chemistry class, forgot?" he laughed as I nervously smiled shaking my head no.

As Rocky left the room I slowly followed him. After 10 minutes of walking the big label started showing: Hotel Cortez. I knew he was gonna meet that person. I slowly let myself in and followed him again through the Hotel floors. Room 64, that's where he stopped and knocked.

I quickly leaned in and checked the whole room through the door hole. A guy in a suit was standing, drinking some kind of orangish drink. He was tall, a couple of mustache, an old-style hairstyle. He looked like man in the 40s or even the 20s. As I saw him holding a knife I started sweating.

"So, Rocky, where is my cash?" he asked,

"Mr.March, I'm so sorry but I don't have that much money. I'm completely broke and I told you that-"

"Bullshit. I really hope for you that you're kidding"

"H-He is" I quickly said entering the room. They soon turned to me with surprised looks.

Rocky gasped and stared at me with a mix of rage, confusion and saddness. The other guy just smirked of pleasure.

"Who do we have here?" he said with a smirk, walking closer.

"I-I'm here to give you the cash" I said looking right into his deep dark eyes.

"SASHA GO THE HELL AWAY FROM HERE" Rocky yelled whispered with a serious tone, I ignored him as the other guy got even closer.

"Sasha. Do you want a drink?" he asked,

"N-No, thank you. I'm just gonna give you the cash and leave with Rocky"

"Why so fast?" he asked again with a small smile, I just stared at him.

"Alright, alright. Show me the cash, I'll check it and then you two can go" he said with a small smirk, I nodded my head and gave him my last 200 dollars.

"190,195,200. Great. It's always a pleasure being in business with you" he smiled glancing at Rocky, who soon looked down.

"Alright, if you're not out of here in 5 minutes I'll be forced to let you stay.. longer" he said whispering the last word in a creepy tone.

"W-We're going" I quickly said pulling Rocky's arm as we ran out of the Hotel.

***

"ARE YOU CRAZY?" Rocky yelled as we reached our dorms,

"So crazy I saved you, Mr.Secret"

"He could've killed you" he whispered in a mad tone,

"He WOULD'VE killed you since you didn't have the cash" I said looking right into his eyes.

"About that.. how did you know about the meeting, first. And how the hell did you find the money?" he asked crossing his arms,

"I didn't mean to read the message but the laptop started shining and I, I'm sorry. About the cash.. it was my money. I was saving it for emergencies and, well, what's better that avoiding my roommate's death"

"I owe you 200" he said looking down as he sat on his bed,

"The only thing you owe me is a favor. Nothing more" I smiled as he weakly smiled back.

"Rocky, listen. Maybe I don't know what it feels like being you, and maybe you're in troubles that are way bigger than you. But I'm your roommate, and your friend, I guess. So I wanna help you. You don't need to talk to me, just.. stay out of troubles please" I begged as he slowly looked at me,

"H-He took my ex girlfriend. He killed her in front of me. How do you think I feel?" he started crying as I gasped and held him tight.

"He won't let go on me, he wants to kill me too"

"He'll change his mind" I whispered rubbing his back.

***

As Rocky fell asleep I took a quick shower and layed down my bed thinking about a way to help him. I had to do something.

Sun started shining through our window, I slowly woke up and made breakfast.

"Today is family day, I missed my brothers and sister so much! Can't wait to see them!" Rocky excitely said as he started eating his breakfast, I weakly smiled.

"What will you do? Is your mother coming over?" he asked,

"I guess" I said looking down as he quickly held me.

"Thank you again for what you did for me, it means a lot" he whispered as I held him back.

"Will you be okay?" he asked as we walked out our dorm,

"Sure. Have fun with your family" I said as we hugged and he left.

That was it. There was one a thing I could do at that point. Since my mother wouldn't come visit me, I would've go visit someone. At Hotel Cortez.