Us and Them (Sequel: Bruno Mars Fan Fic)

Chapter 20

It is eight-twenty in the morning and 60 degrees outside where I stood in my grey skinny jeans and black BEN's hoodie while I stand in the middle of the rubble that I once called my office. My eyes are still red and swollen from crying all night with my best friends. Last night, Bruno called Elizah and Nick to tell them because this store is just as much as theirs as it is mine. Bruno called his band mates to let them know what happened but they came to the scene anyway with Elizah and Nick. Bruno talked to the police and some of the firemen to see what could have caused it. I could only relive the memory over and over as I kicked the ashes around.

"How old was this building?" A fireman asked me.

I shook my head, "It was old but there's no way it was electrical. We literally gutted out the entire place and renew all the electrical wires and pluming and even renewed the shell of this place." I scoff, "Damnit, the place was brand new! We've only had it for a few months!" I spoke with tears streaming down my face, "I'd show you the paperwork but it's ash!" My voice squeals and cracks and tears freely streamed down my soaked cheeks trying to keep myself composed as impossible as it felt.

The fireman nodded, "I'm very sorry ma'am." He took a deep breath, "We didn't find anything that could have accidentally started the fire."

My jaw fell open while looking at him, "Was it done on purpose?" I didn't want to believe someone could do this on purpose.

He shook his head, "Is there anyone you know that might have had any conflict with you?"

My mouth opens to tell him everything that I know and who I think might have done it, but all I could do was sob. Elizah and Nick came to my aid as Nick talked to the fireman for me. Elizah and I held each other tight as we watch the men scope the our store for evidence. That's the last of the memory I can remember before going back to Elizah's and drinking till I couldn't anymore.

I passed out drunk and still woke up early enough to take a shower and drive to my Paris base... where it once was. Elizah called me to see where I was and drove to me with coffee. I tried to smile at her, but it was hard to find the strength so I nod, "Thank you."

She sighs as she looks around as we see investigators taking pictures of the scene for evidence. "Did you talk to Bruno this morning?" Elizah breaks the ice.

I shook my head as my eyes focused on a burnt picture frame with broken glass and pieces of the paper that was luckily just a copy of my business degree, "I woke up this morning and he wasn't there." I took a drink of my delicious coffee that warmed me up quick. "I think he left this morning for Amsterdam." I sigh before taking another drink, "Where is Nick?"

Elizah scoffs, "Probably still knocked out. If he didn't drink enough at the bar, he sure did after the fire... we all did. But I think Nick is taking it a little harder."

I nod as I finally ask, "Who do you think did it?"

I look at Elizah as she looks right back at me, "There was two pissed off, heart broken people last night, but I don't think Tahli would go that far."

"Jessica?" I ask before taking another sip as rage began to engulf inside of me.

Elizah huffs with an evil smirk as she presses her lips against the plastic lid of her coffee cup, "I'll kill her or whoever I find out that burnt down our store." She takes a sip and sighs, "I wonder where she is at, right now?"

I shook my head, "Did you see Tahli?"

She shook her head, "No, but Nick did give the police his info. You think they found him?"

I roll my shoulders, "I don't know anything anymore." I could feel the ball of fire forming in my throat at my eyes began to water agains, "We lost our employees, we have to cancel the runway show, we have to cancel the interview, the magazine article... We have nothing in Paris." Single tears fell down my cheeks as I carefully wipe them away from my sore skin as I felt the cool breeze piercing my skin. "It will be a miracle to get all of construction done, new furniture, orders shipped here, models for the runway, the runway show, our interview and commercial all done before the holidays." I looked at Elizah as my eyes squint at the bright sun, "Maybe we should go home and wait for Paris till next year.