Black Lotus

22 - Halfway

September 15, 2016 | Thursday

"Oasis do you know a six letter word for evil? I'm trying to solve this crossword puzzle but nothing is coming to mind."

I sighed. "Try Lizzie, it should fit like a charm," I voiced sarcastically.

Liz squealed and jumped up and down. "Wow my name really does work! Thanks Oasis!"

"You are more than welcome, Your Wickedness." For the past 24 hours, I amused Liz by giving her the nickname of "Your Wickedness." Though it was a blatant insult, she saw it as a well earned title, like a degree. She finally completed her puzzle then set it down on the floor.

Only one day ago Lizzie called Max and scared the living daylights out of him. He thought she was bluffing but then he heard my voice and panicked, promising he'd come up with all of the money very soon. I felt more sorry for Max than myself because he was already in rehab trying to beat his drug problem, and now he needed to come up with a way to pay the woman who got him messed up in the first place.

Right now the last thing I was concerned with was the money. I only wondered what had happened to Yvette and Rafael. Everything had taken place at the wrong moment and wrong location. If I had let them take me from that basement she wouldn't be in the condition she was.

"So Oasis, have you ever been with anyone besides Max?"

"No."

She laughed. "He's not the best first choice for a boyfriend. I mean, he's sweet but there have always been better options."

"What if he's the right one for me though?"

"You sound like me awhile back when I was head over heels for Max. I swore I'd die for him and more. Love can really change your perception of what's real and what isn't. Don't be a fool, my dear."

"Weren't you the fool crying about how I stole him from you the other day?"

"I was, then I realized how stupid I was for doing it. Max doesn't deserve me, you, or anybody else. What he does deserve is to rot in hell and suffer for the pain he's brought upon both of us." She sounded so hateful and hostile. Her fists were clenched and she gritted her teeth.

"You need to let go. I'm not saying Max doesn't owe you a formal apology, because he does, but how about you let karma naturally take its course? You're overdoing it with this whole revenge thing!"

"Oh well, maybe this is the karma."

"But is it really though?"

"I can't answer that but I feel like it is."

"Boss, do you need me around for anything else? I have to go see some... one." Christina came in, but paused in confusion when she saw my face. "I thought the plan was to get him, not her."

"I switched it at the last minute for the heck of it. And I do need you around. I have to run an errand, so can you keep an eye on her?"

She hesitated but then replied with a, "Sure."

Lizzie darted out and slammed the door. Once she checked that the coast was clear, Christina rushed to let me loose, unbinding the rope from my wrists.

"What are you doing?"

"Letting you go. Listen, I don't have a thing against you or Max anymore. Max apologized for hurting my feelings and whatnot, then after he took a paternity test and the baby isn't even his. So he was right the whole time."