I LOVE YOU

Chapter 13

STEFI'S P.O.V

Riley has left for the show.  I still rested my body on the couch.  Seems like this cute dress didn't work for tonight.  I just laid down, did nothing but talking with this huge ice cube in my hands.  I barely could feel my lips.  It's really hard to talk.  And the most dangerous thing is Richard was still here.  They can't stop him just like that because the tour has just started.  Cliche.

"Hey, can I talk to you?"  Richard walked toward me and sit on the couch near me.

"What?"  I tried to sit.

"I'm sorry."

I narrowed my eyes looking at him.  "No, you don't."

"Whatever.  I've said sorry, now it's up to you."

"Keep on blaming, yeah?  You're really good at it."  I spoke in very limited way.  It's so hard to speak now.

"Actually,"  He stood up.  "You still better go out of his life.  You don't belong here.  He can only date an actress."

I just sighed, giving him glare.  Richard walked away to the edge of the stage, keeping his eyes opened for the boys.  Yeah he actually did a good job.  He's a great manager.  But an awful person.

I walked to the bathroom and washed my face.  I need to figure out something.  Really need an advice right now.  Someone who would understand this thing and can give me some example of rules that usually applied between the band and their manager.  Oh, I know.

I packed up my stuff and sneaked out of the venue.  It's still 1 hour again before the boys ended the show.  I walked further across the street, headed to Starbucks.  Hope I can find something there.

"Stefi?"  Somebody put his hand on my shoulder.

"Braiden..."  I was shocked.

"Hey...  Where's the boys?"  He sipped his coffee.  "Wait.  Aren't they having show tonight?"

"Yeah..."  I bowed my head.

"Stef, what happened to you?"  Braiden held my cheek so he can see the bruise on my mouth.  "Oh shoot..."

"Brai...  Uh, can I talk to you?"  

"Sure!  Let me help you."  He looked at me with concerned face.

"Alone?"

"Oh."  He mouthed.  "Let's go to my hotel.  It's two blocks from here."

I just nodded and followed Braiden to his hotel.  Unexpectedly but I'm happy to meet him.  I got these whole questions in my mind to ask him.  Hopefully he will help.

"Welcome to the new cribs."  Braiden opened up the door for me.  It's more likely the room I share with Riley in our hotel.

"Thanks."  I sit on the couch.

"Brai?"  I heard a girl's voice from the bathroom.

"Uh...oh...I don't want to disturb you guys..."

"Heck Stef, no, you never will.  Hang on."  Braiden walked to the bathroom and knocked the door.  "Hailey, I want you to meet somebody!  Can you come out?"

"Oh a second please!"

I chuckled.  She yelled a lot.  A minute later I saw a beautiful girl showed up from the bathroom with a towel in her hand.  

"Hey.  Meet Stefi.  Stef, this is Hailey.  My guitarist."

"Oh!"  I was surprised.  "You got a female guitarist?"

"Yeah, tired of being a normal one."  Braiden laughed.

"Right.  Great choice.  Hey Hailey, nice meeting you." 

"Hey Stef, I heard a thing or two about you.  Nice meeting you too, love."  She hugged me really tightly.  Well I love this girl already.  "Coffee, anyone?"

"Please, thank you."  Braiden nodded.

"Thank you Hal."  I smiled to her.

"So, you said that you want to tell me something.  Uh...what happened to..."  Braiden pointed to the bruise in my face, and he just realized too that I got another one on my knee.  You can see it while I sit.

"I...  We got a situation..."

"I'm listening."  Braiden sit closer to me, and soon Hailey joined us.

"You know...this manager...he's..."  I sobbed already.

"No way."  Braiden shook his head.  "I know where it's going.  You're kidding me?"

"I wish..."  I cried harder.  "He's so rude..."

"Oh my gosh, Stef...  I'm truly sorry..."  Braiden hugged me.

"You're a tough girl."  Hailey sit by my side and calmed me.

"Do you know his name?"  Braiden asked slowly.

"Richard...uh...I guess it's Richard Johnson, Jamerson, I don't know..."

"Richard Johnson..."  Hailey murmured.

"Excuse me?"  I looked at her.

"Richard Johnson..."  She stared at the distance and suddenly blinked a tear.  "He didn't die, did he?"

"What are you talking about, Hal?"  Braiden shook her hand.

"Dad..."

"WHAT???"  We said in unison.

"It can be wrong."  Braiden bowed his head.

"No, it can't be.  Richard Johnson.  I know him."  Hailey sobbed.  "I'm sorry Stef, he's been doing a really bad thing on you..."

"No...  Ssh it's fine Hal, I'm okay now...  Are you sure he's your Dad?"

"Positive."  She nodded in confidence.

"Then we need to tell the boys about this."  Braiden stood up and took his jacket.

"Wait!"  I tried my best to stop him.  "What are you guys talking about?  What did Richard do, Hailey?"

"He's supposed to be in jail...  That's all Mom said to me.  He's been out of my sight ever since I was younger..."

"Oh my gosh..."  We hugged each other.  "I'm sorry this is all a mess...  I supposed to keep it as a secret..."

"No no no, you do the right thing.  What a coincidence, right?"  Braiden hugged both of us.  "Look.  The boys are still my brothers.  I know what's on their mind.  And I can help.  Stef, Riley doesn't know you're leaving right?"

"Hmm..."  I shook my head.

"Alright, let's go back to the venue and talk to them."

I just sighed following Braiden and Hailey now back to the venue.  Chaotic.