Stalking Charlie

Trouble Brewing

Marco Stone

"Good morning, Dad."

Alex came to the kitchen in her work uniform, a white shirt and black shorts. She glanced at the empty chairs on the table.

"Don't wait for them." I said grimly. She went around the table to kiss my cheek.

"Did you check the cams?" she inquired softly.

I sighed. I had installed CCTVs in and outside the house for security. I've been through many things in my line of job, so I admit I'm kinda paranoid about the safety of my children.

"I know that your brother was so wasted last night that Charlie had to get him to that damn party." I said calmly.

I saw Alex flinch. I rarely cuss, and when I do they know that I'm in a very bad mood.

I can't say that I'm a strict parent. I let my kids do as much as they like without qualms on my end. I trust them, and they have always been responsible enough to keep it.

But last night, Nicolas had not shown any signs of being responsible at all. Getting drunk with all those kids? It's a bad idea.

And having Charlie fetch him in the middle of the freaking night was a bad idea, too.

A very bad one.

Alex ate her breakfast quietly. A few minutes later we heard fast footsteps upstairs, a door banging and the telltale of a bad hangover.

"I have to go." she said uneasily once she saw my probably darkened expression. She stood up and gathered her things. "Bye, Dad."

"Alex."

I held out my hand to her, and she extended hers. She frowned when she saw keys on her hand.

"Use the car." I instructed her.

"But Nick-"

"Nicolas won't touch that car for a month, Alessandra. And if he piss me off more he won't have a car to use until he can buy his own."

Alex just looked at the keys on her hand helplessly, then she kissed me again on the cheek and went on her way.

I was clearing the dishes when a knock sounded on the front door. A man in a greying, wrinkled suit was standing on my doorstep.

"Morning, Marco."

I smiled mechanically at the man, shaking his hand with mine in a firm grip, but at the same time thinking why the hell is this man here.

I sense trouble looming over head.

"Detective Murdock. What a pleasant surprise."

---

Nick Stone

I climbed down the stairs gingerly, wincing as I felt my head hurt more whenever I move.

Seriously, what did I drink last night? I've never experienced this before.

"Coffee?"

Charlie presented a cup of coffee at me, a warm smile on her lips. She had put on clothes, thank God.

I sat down and blew at my coffee. She settled on a chair in front of me, a smile still pasted on her face.

"Quit giving me that creepy smile, Raven." I said grumpily, sipping at my coffee. It was so damn good.

"Like it? That's one of my five specialty in the kitchen." Charlie beamed at me.

"You mean, one of the five things you can make in the kitchen that is edible enough for a human to digest? Yeah, totally impressive." I drawled sarcastically.

"Hey!" she protested.

"I wonder what the other three is."

She just rolled her eyes.

"You'll be extremely lucky to taste those."

"Wow." I said with lack of enthusiasm.

"Oh, I just remembered. Your dad took your keys. Said you can't ride your car for a month." she informed me perkily. I just scowled at her.

That's a minor punishment.

"Hm, what else? Right. I think he also mentioned about no hanging out with friends, no extracurricular activities at school unless approved, and the whole household chores for a month!"

"Why do you have to sound like a fucking talkshow host? God, you're so annoying." I grunted. "Dammit, this headache is killing me."

"Want me to kiss it goodbye, Rocky?" she whispered. She had leaned forward to me, her lips inches apart from mine. "We could repeat last night.."

"W-what?"

I stared at her dumbly. Did I hear her right? I did, didn't I?

Damn, what happened last night?

She suddenly laughed, a full blown cackling, with her face really red.

"Fuck, you should have seen your face! That was so funny! You really don't remember last night, do you?"

I glared at her passionately. She's toying me.

"Is there any chance that you'll care to tell me what happened last night?"

She posed as if to think about it, her finger on her chin. Then she shook her head.

"Nah, I like it this way, Nicky."

I frowned as I thought about what she said. But my headache just assaulted me mercilessly, causing me to stand up and grab an aspirin on the medicine cabinet.

"Raven, do me a favor. Go somewhere else and annoy other people." I said.

"Nope. Don't want to. You're my favorite." she even winked at me.

I sighed deeply. I'll just lock myself in my room then.

"Fine. Just stay away from me for like.. forever." I snapped, then headed back to my room to rest.

But I don't think I could though. Because my phone was full of messages from my father.

And his list of what I should do and finish today.

Damn it.