Runaway

Chapter 13

Author's note:

Warning: strong language, drinking

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Brian Murphy wasn't an unreasonable person. Moreover, he had a lot of understanding for all sorts of nonsense and that was the main reason for employing his friends, instead of looking for employees through the ads, as any normal businessman. He thought it would make them even closer and, apart from working place, give them a place to gather. But today, Brian regretted his carefree way of thinking.

Aline and Daniel were standing in the doorway, out of the world wasted, hysterically laughing at the door, hitting the wall.

„This isn't happening," he said, shaking his head and not wanting to believe what he was looking at. One look at Daniel was enough to figure out an outcome of his yesterday's late-night conversation with Nikki. Frankly, Brian started to fear about the dark-skinned woman's condition.

„We're a little drunk," Aline said and they both laughed again.

„Your shift starts in ten minutes. How are you going to work in this state?" Brian asked Daniel angrily. „Where have you been?"

Daniel was about to answer the questions but then his gaze fell on the picture at the opposite side of the store and suddenly, he was speechless, completely frozen in place.

„Sofia..." he muttered quietly, causing Brian to threw back his head and groan loudly.

„Please, go to the back room," he pleaded his friend but Daniel didn't listen to him. Instead, he went forward, approaching the picture. His hand went lightly over Sofia's face.

„I miss you!"

In the same second, Brian was next to him, grabbing him roughly.

„I swear to God, if you don't go to the back room right away, I'll take the picture down and you'll never see it again," he hissed.

The other man paid his attention to Brian and finally complied, disappearing behind the door leading to the back room.

Brian returned to Aline who was already asleep at the counter and dragged her behind one of the shelves. For the first time, he was grateful for not having many costumes today. He was sure that none of his customers wanted to see a drunken girl, sleeping at the counter.

„Give me your phone," he ordered.

Aline was having a trouble with finding a little device but soon she gave it to her friend. Brian found Maia's number and immediately pressed the green key. It took a few moments and then a familiar click was heard.

Maia: „You really have the courage to call me after everything that happened last night?"

Brian was surprised at the sharp and slightly hurt voice on the other side of the line. The Australian's answer caught him off guard.

Brian: „Umm...it's Brian...Aline's friend. Umm...I didn't know you weren't on good terms. Otherwise, I wouldn't call you."

Maia: (worried) „Has something happened?"

Brian: „Aline is in my store. She came along with Daniel and both of them are destroyed by alcohol. I was hoping you'd come to get her."

There was a complete silence for several short moments.

Maia: (angry) „Why don't you tell her to call her yesterday's dance partner? She looked very happy in his arms."

Before Brian had managed to respond to Maia's last sentence, the Australian interrupted the call, obviously not wanting to help Aline. He was frustrated, knowing he had no other choice but to call Diego. His friend had a day off but Brian needed him to take over the store because Daniel was unable to work. He called the man, explaining everything and then went to the back room.