Rockabye (Sequel to Attention, A Kavi Fanfic)

Chapter Sixteen: Bad Weather

When I said this would be a filler, I realized that it actually wouldn't. Some drama coming in this chapter and the next:

"I can't believe that she's the real Kirstin Maldonado."

"She was a slut. Feel bad for her kid; hope she doesn't abuse him."

"You feel bad for the kid? No, I bet he's just like her."

"Does that mean Avi Kaplan is the kid's dad? Well...probably not, he most likely rejected that hoe once she lied all over the media about him for attention. She probably even told the paparazzi herself- she's an attention-seeker, she purposely disappeared and then reappeared now when Pentatonix is on tour. She just wants to ruin everyth-"

"You don't know what I've been through, yet you're assuming crap about me. Talking about me like bad weather. You know what, I don't care if you talk about me. Because you, and the rest, will continue to do so, even after everything. I've changed, even if no one besides me knows it. Even if the media, if the paparazzi continues to spread lies about me. And stop talking about my kid; he doesn't deserve any of this," I interrupted, as the two waitresses rolled their eyes at me, walking off back to their table.

I sighed, going back to scrubbing my work area clean. Thanks to Kaplan, now I've been not only the talk of the town, but the talk of the entire country (or maybe even the world, since Pentatonix was loved globally). People continued to spit my name out, sharing fake messages, victimizing me through their conversations. As for me, I usually kept quiet, even if it meant drowning in the news.

     "Kirst," Jeremy murmured softly, as I spun around.

     I gave him a weak smile, nodding.

     "I fired them. If they can't stop listening to fake news and disturbing other employees, then they might as well leave," Jeremy explained, as I ran my fingers through my hair.

     "Is this how my life's going to be? Just a lifetime of people spreading crap about me, trying to destroy me, and other people sinking because of me?" I declared tiredly, perching against the sleek wooden countertop.

     "I won't let that happen, Kirst," Jeremy placed his hand tenderly on my shoulder, as I exhaled deeply.

     "You've helped me so much, and all I've ever done is let your business sink. You just fired two of your waitresses because of me. Maybe, I should be the one to go," I uttered, as I turned to face him.

     Abruptly, a shadowy figure crept from the door, washing over the walls. I gasped, my fists clenched tightly, as I stayed right where I was.

     Kaplan.

     "What the hell do you think you're doing here?" I snapped, as he marched right by me. His eyes, oddly enough, shone with delight, as if he had discovered the greatest piece of news, as if he was blessed with a wonderful surprise.

     "Kirstie, I didn't tell the paparazzi," Avi exclaimed, his voice shaking a bit, as he narrowed his eyes at Jeremy.

     Jeremy simply scoffed, although his hand reached for his tie, as if to rearrange it.

     "Yeah?" I placed my hand on my hip. "Then who did?"

     Avi took a deep breath, pulling out a wide orange envelope. Untwisting the metal clip, he opened it up, displaying sheets of documents within.

    Snatching that from his hand, I skimmed through the documents, my eyes catching the plastic bag in between.

     The missing apartment key. The 'missing' apartment key.