THE STARKS ALLEY

40

"So," Ella began, throwing a document on Izzy's desk smiling, "What do you think?" Izzy left his work and quickly opened the document.

"I still can't believe you can edit this well. Where did you learn this?" He was pretty impressed by her work, truly.

"Home school?" Ella chuckled.

"I figured. Same way you learned how to cook, knit, bake... and I mean so well. Still haven't tasted any pastries like that."

"You still owe me, you know."

"What?" Izzy asked.

"That day you came over," Ella sat on his desk, "You ate my cupcakes."

"Because you gave them to me."

"You took them from me."

"I would never do that without your consent."

"I mean actual cupcakes!" Ella said, which made Izzy laugh.

"You need to be more specific, Cupcake."

"Don't call me cupcake."

"I know you love it."

"After you two are done flirting, you might want to come and see this," Ty interrupted them.

"We weren't... uh..." Izzy said but Ella cut him short.

"We were," she smiled at him.

These two had been growing close for the past few months since they met. They clicked instantly upon their interaction to this day. Izzy was Ella's personal photographer and their excuse for hanging out was 'work.' No one really knew what their deal was because neither of them did too.

"So you think I'm responsible for Kristie's kidnapping?" Kent said, throwing his hands in the air. He was furious with Officer Theodore who had come on short notice.

"No sir. We just want you down at the station for questioning." Officer Theodore was composed about it, "Everyone else has already been down there."

"I too have been there," Kent said, "However if this will shed light on your investigation then so be it." They both left for the precinct but no one understood why Kent caused a scene.

"That time I went for questioning, I was a little hesitant. Kent must be in the same position right now," Kelsie defended him.

"Especially now when we've got no time to lose," Jerry spoke up, "I want the next scene rolling right now."

"This is bad publicity girl," Ty said, showing Kelsie his phone, "They already have a picture of Kent going to the precinct online."

"Sometimes I can't believe how fast they are." Just then, Kristie walked in hastily, "Great. There goes the one day I get to enjoy."

"I wasn't supposed to come in today but The Puxxe just posted Kent's arrest online," Kristie broke the news to them, thinking they already knew about it.

"No. He's just been taken in for questioning," Kelsie said immediately.

"I know what I'm saying," Kristie showed Kelsie a picture of her uncle in handcuffs and she looked at the phone for a while before fainting.

Kelsie had never opened up to anyone about her dad and she didn't even ask her mom. Mr. Haymahn had woken up but no visitors were allowed to see him. She was eager to talk to him about it and that kind of pressure was too much for her. That's why when she read the headline: POSSIBLE MASTERMIND BEHIND KRISTINA BULERO'S KIDNAPPING, her poor brain could not take it anymore and it instantly shut down.

She woke up in a hospital bed with Ty standing right next to her and Kristie in a seat nearby.

"Kelsie!" Ty shrieked when she woke up, "We have been worried sick." Kelsie looked at him quietly observing the room.

"I'll get the doctor," Kristie said, walking out.

"Why is Kristie here?"

"She gave you a ride here, actually," Ty answered, "She didn't hesitate if that's what you're thinking."

"She shouldn't have. I didn't need her help anyway," Kelsie got out of her bed slowly.

"You were unconscious! And obviously Kent couldn't bring you here."

"Kent!" Kelsie exclaimed, "His picture, that was is last thing I remember then I woke up here. Where is here anyway?"

"You're at R.K Hospital," Ty answered. That is when Kelsie walked out immediately, leaving Ty in the room.

Meanwhile Kristie was with the doctor who was attending to Kelsie. He had a lot of questions for her.

"Before you fill this form I need to know how you are related to the patient."

"I'm her... colleague. We work together."

"That's all?"

"I just drove her here because she needed help. But if you insist. She is my ex-best friend who betrayed me multiple times and I was too blinded to see that but since I am the best ex-best friend there is, I have to ensure that she's safe no matter what. Okay?" The doctor was speechless for a moment.

"I can work with that ma'am."

"Great."

They got to Kelsie's room and found Ty with an empty bed.

"Where's the patient?" The doctor asked.

"She woke up," Ty answered.

"Clearly we can see that but where is she?" Kristie asked impatiently.

"She walked out."

"She walked out?" Kristie and the doctor asked.

"She walked out."

"And it didn't occur to you that you should follow her..." Ty was in silence. He couldn't stop Kelsie even if he wanted to. She was determined to get out that door no matter what.

"There's no pleasing anybody these days," Ty muttered to himself.

"Just... stay here. Ty and I will find her soon," Kristie said leaving.

"Sorry," Ty told the doctor, following Kristie.

"She is delicate, Ty. Delicate people should be closely monitored. She could be hurt or maybe it's something worse."

"I didn't expect you to care, Miss Kristie."

"I don't."

"It's okay if you do. She still cares about you too. Sometimes she even texts you from my phone just to get a text from you."

"Can we just find her first?"

"Look!" Ty pointed, "I would know Kelsie's backside from anywhere." They both rushed to her.

"Really? You lead us on a wild goose chase in the hospital?" Kristie asked.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking," Kelsie replied.

"Kelsie just..."

"Sshh," Kelsie said, "I need your help, both of you."

"What's going on?"

"I need to talk to my dad." Obviously, Kristie and Ty were confused, but they had something else coming their way.

"Mr. Haymahn is my dad."

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