Convicted

Chapter 6: The Confrontation

Hi! New chapter! This is dedicated to Mr Kevin Yong! Thanks to the rest of you for getting my story to 150 reads!! :D hell yesssssssss.

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"No, I mean lunch, just the two of us?"

We walked to the Starbucks opposite my building. I was in no mood for eating at all so I let Michael go order food on his own. I found a empty booth and slid into it.

"CECILIA EVANS OH MY GOD! IS THAT YOU? OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD! OH MY GOD!" A voice squealed out.

I turned my head to notice a teen girl walking towards me, she was frantically digging in her bag, a pen in hand.

"OH MY GOD! CAN'T BELIEVE I SEE YOU HERE! I'M A HUGE FAN CAN I HAVE YOUR AUTOGRAPH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!" She was screaming now. I didn't mean to rude but my head was starting to hurt from her high pitched squealing.

I was in no mood to deal with her.

The joys of being in the entertainment industry.

I was thankful that the Starbucks I was currently in, didn't have a lot of people around. However, her screaming drew the attention of the employees in the coffee shop, they leaned over the corner to look over.

Michael was already signing autographs while he was at the counter, smiling widely to everyone.

That's right, Michael the "people pleaser".

I faked a smile at the elated fan, taking the pen from the hand and quickly signing on a napkin I found on the table. Giving the napkin to her, I saw Michael approaching the table with food and drinks. He raised his eyebrow at me, a smirk on his face.

"Hey." He said to the fan, and she jumped. She turned and saw Michael. She screamed.

Yes. She screamed.

"OH MY GOD. I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS IT'S YOU! MICHAEL ROGERS OH MY GOD! CAN I HUG YOU?!" She requested, her voice piercing my earsdrums.

To which Michael nodded, and she wrapped her arms around him. I felt an unpleasant feeling tug at my heart.

Jealousy?

I shook my head, trying to chase the thoughts away. I stared outside the coffee shop while Michael and the fan were making small talk.

Finally she left us alone, Michael passed me a cup of water and a plate of cake.

"Figured this would make you happier." He said.

Instead of giving a reply, I nodded.

"What's with the sour face, Cecil?" He asked, reaching over and pinching my cheek. I instantly felt myself withdraw, feeling tingles on where he touched me.

"Are you still angry? I'm sorry." He apologised, frowning. I realised he was tense, as if he was on his guard.

"Is that your new boy toy?" He asked, inclining his head to the outside of the shop.

Boy toy? What is he talking about?

I turned to look outside and saw Austin there. He was staring.

As soon as we made eye contact, he quickly ducked his head down, as if he was ashamed that he got caught. He quickly walked away until he was out of sight.

"What's his name? Are you into police fantasy shit?" Michael asked, the expression on his face was unreadable.

"Police fantasy shit"?

Heat bloomed in my cheeks.

"No-no, his name is Austin. He's with Emmett on the job, why would you want to know anyway?" I replied, rolling my eyes. It's not like he even cares.

"Just scoping out competition." He said, winking. I scrunched up my face in confusion, stabbing the cake with my fork, trying to avoid meeting his eyes.

"You didn't stand up for me." I said, I was still upset by the fact that nobody spoke up when I was telling off Mr Martin yesterday. Michael and I had been friends for two years. Two years. Means nothing, huh?

"I didn't want to lose my job." He said, his voice quiet, sounding very guilty.

It was such a bull excuse. Guaranteed I almost got myself fired but did I mean nothing to him? It didn't help that I felt so strongly towards him.

"Losing your job is more important than your morals?" I shot back at him, feeling betrayed.

"I have my reasons, Cecil." He stared down at the table, looking conflicted.

"I can't believe you, you're just a lapdog for Mr Martin!" I insulted him, surprised that my words became so venomous. Where did that come from? I shouldn't have said that.

Michael instead of getting angry, he remained silent, his hands holding his head. It was rare that this was happening. Michael and I wouldn't really fight and even if we did he would give a lame retort to piss me off even further. But this time round, he just let me insult him. Something wasn't right here.

We sat in silence, not speaking but my thoughts were loud enough to fill the silence hanging in the air.

I downed the cup of water, trying to get myself together. Maybe I should pour water over myself so I won't be so angry.

"I talked to Emmett." He finally spoke, his eyes meeting mine, a frown set on his face.

"What did he say?" I asked, taking a mouthful of cake, trying to distract myself to not do anything stupid. For some reason, it made Michael smile as he watched me do so.

"He thinks someone in the studio is responsible for the murder." He said simply, taking a sip of his coffee.

"What, why?" I questioned, I was honestly confused why Emmett would think so, everyone was okay, except for some of the girls and Mr Martin, of course. But for them to kill? Seems highly unlikely.

"Didn't you notice how nobody is affected by Valerie's death?" He hinted.

Then it clicked in my head.

"Oh, I get it now. Emmett thinks that someone in the studio did it and some of the people are in on it. That's why they don't even seem concerned by it." I pieced it together, alittle proud of myself.

Michael nodded, he stirred his coffee, silent like he was in deep thought.

"Or it could be they are afraid of something. Everyone's more...how do I put it? Everyone in the studio aren't as chirpy as usual." He stated.

"Well you should see how Jessica acted." I said, giving a bitter bark of laughter.

"I'm worried about you, Cecil." He said, a look of concern flickering across his face, then it was gone the next, like he was afraid to show his feelings.

"Why? I'm fine, just got slapped. I'm more awake now." I joked, my tone icy.

"I don't know...after everything that happened, it's just...weird? I will find who the murderer is." He said, determined, finishing the last bit of his coffee.

"I think you are crazy, Sherlock. Leave it to the police." I commented, rolling my eyes. What is he even thinking of doing?

"I'm afraid that something happens to you, Cecil." He said, it was vague but I felt like he knew something I didn't.

"If you say so."

After lunch with Michael, we went back to the building for the next round of filming. I was told to go straight to the make-up room to get my make-up done for next scene. I dreaded going in there, needing to see those people. I stood outside the door, trying to brace myself before going.

Then, I heard Jenny's voice.

"I saw someone follow me home last night! I was so scared!"