SMOSH EXPEDITION: The Golden Flamingo (Book Four)

Chapter Eleven - Getty into Trouble

Billy Hamburger

The cab drove us away fast, away from the theater, ignoring Anthony who was running after us. I looked back at him and saw his eyes filled with sadness and despair as he slowed down his pace unable to keep up.

"SIDNEY!" Anthony screamed, his tone cracking because of the controlled sobs. Sidney was sitting beside me inside the cab, face buried in her hands, sniffing. Her hair was messy and her shirt was stained with tears.

"Sidney?" I murmured, reaching out a hand to pat her back, "It's okay."

She lifted her head and looked at me, eyes bloodshot, nose redder than a tomato and mascara washed away by her tears.

"It's okay." I half-smiled, trying to cheer her up.

"I trusted them, and they lied to me." She sobbed.

"Hey." I rubbed her back, "It's alright."

"We'll finish this search with or without them." She said firmly, wiping the tears from her cheeks and taking out her book.

"So... where to, mam?" The driver of the taxi spoke up, calling both of our attention. He looked at us through his rear view mirror.

"To the Getty Center, please. And step on it." Sidney replied, shuffling through the pages of the book to find the assembled puzzle pieces of the glass flamingo key sandwiched between them.

"You got it." He nodded his head and the car went a little faster.

"One more to go, Billy." She forced a smile through her frowning lips, "We can do this." She took the three pieces from the book then put them in her shirt pocket.

"What about Ian and Anthony?" I asked, wiping away the makeup I had earlier but also trying not to wake Charlie who was sleeping on my lap, drunk by the booze he had earlier.

She twitched upon hearing their names, "I don't wanna talk about it. Right now, we have larger matters at hand." She furrowed her eyebrows, looking at her phone about an article on The Getty Center, studying where the piece might be located.

"Ms. Ackerman, don't let this pass," I said, "They only did that so you won't get hurt."

"Oh really? Didn't they think that it would hurt me more if I was the one who found out?" She replied, not even looking at me keeping her eyes glued to her book.

I nodded my head, "Listen, I know you're hurt, but Ian and Anthony like you. Especially Anthony."

She glanced at me, "Anthony?"

"I know Anthony, and once you're friends with him he swears that he will do whatever it takes you to be happy... And come to think of it, I think he likes you more than just a friend." I shrugged, "They kept the secret hidden from you because they want you to like them for what they really are and not because of their fame." I paused, "And also because you're insanely attractive as they've said." I injected some humor in my over-dramatic claim. She put down her book and shifted all her attention to me, intrigued by my statement.

"I overheard you and Anthony talking, he is a man of his word. He will protect you no matter what's the cost. That one thing he did, when he threw himself to shield us? That was one of the bravest things a man could do for someone."

She broke down again, "I'm sorry, Billy. It's just that... I've been always lied to by other people I've worked with. Then I found you guys who managed to earn my trust, I just lashed out because of those horrible events that happened before."