Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 23: She Knows

Patrick straightened his khaki Burberry bucket hat, teed up a ball on the personal golf game set in his office, and prepared to hit it.  Even though no one else was there to watch he yelled out a warning anyway just for kicks.

"Four!"

Then he swatted the ball with his club and watched it zip toward the hole only to swerve and miss at the last instant.

"Darn it."  He was making a mental note to have his personal assistant sign him up for golf lessons when all his online alerts started going off at the same time.  He went over to one of the four big-screen monitors on his desk to see what was happening.

"Oh, no."  He grimaced.  "Not again."

A few minutes later he was in Gabby's office.  She looked like she hadn't slept well.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."  She stopped typing and looked up.  "What's going on?"

"Um."  He stepped inside her office and closed the door.  "Why don't I take you to lunch?"

"Now?"

"Yes, now."

"But it's 10AM.  And I'm not hungry.  And you don't even eat lunch.  Last time I asked you to go with me you said it was, and I quote, 'something that regular people do'."

"Okay, maybe I did say that.  Well, breakfast then.  Whatever.  Just come on and let's go."

Gabby bristled at the way Patrick rushed her onto the elevator and down to his SUV.  As they turned out of the building's parking lot she pressed him with questions.

"This is so random, Pat.  Did you forget we have a big meeting in an hour?  And what restaurant are we going to anyway?"

Patrick wheeled onto a side street and pulled over.  "I don't know.  I was just trying to get you out of the office."

"Why?"

"Because."  He gave her his iPad.  "This."

Gabby looked at it and blinked.  "This is a joke, right?"

"Afraid not, hun.  But don't worry about it.  Remember how groupies like to stir up drama.  It'll blow over."

She stared down at the screen.   The video was so clear she could even make out the numbers on the hotel room door Laurent was standing in front of wearing nothing but his boxers.  Room 1204.

Maybe the circumstances were unclear, but this video was definitely real.  She gulped.

****

At home that night Gabby mindlessly flipped the channels on the television until Patrick called.  Again.

"Hello, this is best friend check-in number two.  I told you I'm gonna call every hour to make sure you're alright...and not on a plane to New York to hurt Laurent."

"You don't have to do that, P.  I'm fine."

"Uh-huh.  So what are you gonna do?  Did you talk to him yet?"

"Nope."

"Don't you think you should?"

"Honestly, no.  He'll be home in a few days.   And then we only have a week together before he's back on the road for months with the tour.   I don't even wanna deal with this nonsense."

"So, you're just gonna let it go?"

"Yes."

"Really?  Cuz I don't believe you."

"I am.  I'm not thinking about it anymore."

"Oooh-kay.  If you say so."

As soon as Gabby hung up with Patrick the phone buzzed again and she automatically hit the speaker button.

"Pat,  I told you I'm..."

"Baby,  it's not Patrick.  It's me."

Gabby held the phone.

"Gabby?  You there?"

"Yes, I'm here.  Hi, babe, how are you?"

"I'm good.  Sorry I didn't call last night.  It's been so crazy here.  You know, with the rehearsals and all."

Gabby kept her tone even and pleasant-sounding.  "That okay, Lau.  I know you're working."

He paused for a moment at her calm reaction then kept talking.  "Soooo, I got my plane ticket to come home.  I'm gonna text you my flight number."

"Okay.  That sounds good."

"I miss you and I can't wait to see you."

"Mmmhmm.  Me, too."

"Guess I'll talk to you tomorrow then?"  Laurent couldn't think of anything else to say. Gabby's short answers were throwing him off.

"Alright, goodnight, Lau."

"Goodnight, baby."

He hung up and looked straight at Larry who had been sitting anxiously on the bed beside him listening the whole time.

"She knows."