Through the Fire (a Les Twins fanfic)

Chapter 33: Melancholy and Madness

At the London airport Gabby followed the arrows pointing to ground transportation where the driver was supposed to be meeting her.  She was pleased to find Idris waiting for her instead.

He had tried to dial down the sexy by wearing a simple pair of jeans, a striped shirt, and a leather jacket, but it wasn't working.  As Gabby approached a small crowd of people who thought they recognized him were already beginning to gather and stare.

"Wow.  This is a nice surprise,"  she gushed, relieved to see him.  When she hugged him around the neck the stubble of his beard tickled her cheek.  "I thought you were working today."

"C'mon, now.  You know I had to make time for my best girl."  He spotted the paparazzi out of the corner of his eye.  "Let's roll before they come for me."

He grabbed her bag and guided her to a black town car waiting curbside.  Gabby gave the driver the address to the hospital Laurent had texted Patrick then gazed out the car window only half-listening as Idris told her about his new movie.

Outside it was cold and rainy and the colors of the London landscape blurred and bled together like a melancholy impressionist painting.  Yesterday, she had been so concerned about Larry she had managed to block out all her apprehension about seeing Laurent again.

But now she was full of nerves.  Her stomach started to turn.  She cracked the window and breathed in the cool, damp breeze.

Idris patted her leg.  "You okay?"

"Umhmm.  I just needed some air.  It's stuffy in here."

"No worries.  We're almost there."

The driver turned a corner and pulled to a stop underneath an overhang with a sign that read "O2 Arena V.I.P. Parking" in blue lettering.  The enormous dome loomed through the fog in the background.

Gabby turned to Idris confused.  "Why are we stopping here?"

At that moment Larry came strolling out of a side entrance and opened her car door.

She took one look at him and immediately got fiery mad.  "Larry, I swear.  Jesus himself better have come down and healed your leg!"

He gave her his best baby face.  "Je suis désolé (I'm sorry).  But it's the only way you would come."

Gabby spun around to unleash the rest of her wrath on Idris, but he had confiscated her purse and was already standing outside on the sidewalk holding an umbrella.  He spoke to her gently through the other open car door like he was coaxing a wild animal.

"Gabby, come on out, love."

Larry cosigned the begging.  "Yes, please get out of the car.   S'il vous plait (please)."

"No."  She flat out refused.

Larry and Idris looked at each other over the roof of the car.

Idris spoke first.  "Alright.  The way I see it, we can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way."  He bent down and stuck his head in eye level with Gabby.  "Don't make me drag you out.  It's your choice."

Her mouth dropped open.  She shook her head in disbelief as she reluctantly climbed out.  "This is so wrong."

Larry dapped Idris up.  "Thanks, man."

"No problem.  You need me to hang around?"

"No, she'll be okay with me."

Idris raised his eyebrows and handed him her purse.  "Dude, I was more worried about you."

Gabby glared at Idris as Larry pulled her toward the building.  She couldn't believe he was in on this, too.

Idris smiled and slipped on his shades.  "You're welcome."

****

Back in the States, Patrick was smiling, too.  His black, Cartier diamond-encrusted turban shifted slightly as he bowed his head to read a text from Idris confirming their plan was in motion:

Idris: The Eagle has landed.

So far, Operation "Get-Gabby-And-Lau-Back-Together-Before-They-Drive-Us-All-Mad" was off to a good start and Patrick was relieved.  Next, he stashed the phone in one of his desk drawers, put on a serious face, and buzzed his office assistant on the intercom.  There was still one loose end left to tie up.

"Gail, you can send him in now."

A few seconds later, Tarik strolled in trying his best not to look awestruck or nervous or both.

Patrick was perched on his high-backed leather chair like an emperor on a throne.  His face was unreadable.

"Have a seat."

Tarik settled into a chair on the other side of the desk comfortably at first, but then he began to feel uneasy.  He squirmed under Patrick's cold stare, crossing and uncrossing his legs before finally breaking the awkward silence.

"Soooo, what is this about?"

Patrick leaned forward. "I'm glad you asked.  Let me cut right to the chase.  Did you know you almost had me fooled?  I actually thought you had potential.  But when you tried to worm your way into my best friend's life...," he paused for effect, "...you picked the wrong one."

"Hey,"  Tarik held the palms of both his hands up defensively, "whatever you're thinking, you don't understand.  Gabby and I are close.  We had a moment...there's something between us."

"Oh, you mean that sorry little kiss you planted on her when she was under duress?"

"Uh...you know about that?"

Patrick blinked across the desk at him wordlessly.  Gabby had told him everything.

"Well, er, um,"  Tarik hesitated as he scrambled to get his lie together.  "Well, then you should also know she's the one who came on to me.  That's harassment.  I could sue this whole magazine."

"You really want to do that?  Go right ahead," Patrick scoffed.  "My lawyers have lawyers.  And I'll make sure they have a copy of this."

With one click of a button the security footage of Tarik cutting the battery cables in Gabby's car instantly started playing on a wall-sized projector screen behind him.

Patrick narrowed his eyes.  "Imma give you ten seconds to get the hell out of my office and this building before I have you thrown out."

Tarik stormed off looking defeated.  "This won't be the last you hear from me. Trust!"

Unruffled, Patrick flicked a bejeweled wrist in the general direction of the door.  "Good riddance!"