Two Swans Motel
04/02/16 09:55am
Abbie POV

I had decided that I was going to ignore Andy. On Saturday I had completely blanked him and I could tell it was pissing him off. Eventually, he gave up trying to speak to me. I decided Sunday morning that I was going to quit my job there and try and find another bar to sing at.

I'd even serve drinks if it meant getting away from Andy. I had written out a note and had gotten up extra early to deliver it. As I passed through the lobby, I mumbled good morning to Vic. He glanced up and smiled. Kellin was probably still in bed at this point.

It was a strangely sunny morning as I made my way through Hell's Kitchen. Diamond was quiet when I got there and I hoped that Andy would be nowhere in sight. I pushed open the heavy door and peeked inside. I could hear voices and I guessed my luck wasn't in as I could hear Andy's deep voice. I could also hear the voice of another man.

I took a shuddering breath and stepped inside. Sure enough, Andy was across the way talking to a man in a designer suit. The man in the suit was speaking with authority and he paused when Andy stopped talking, nodding towards me. The suited man whirled round and his face broke into a large, charming smile.

"And who may I have the pleasure of speaking to?" The man grinned.

"Vinnie, this is Abbie. She's the singer here." Andy said.

Vinnie stepped over, holding out his hand to me. I reached out and accepted, only for him to lift my hand and press a kiss to my knuckles. Wow, that was unexpected. My face must have shown this as Vinnie smiled.

I had suddenly forgotten about the note and hastily stuffed it into my jeans pocket. Vinnie spun round and chatted to Andy quickly before turning to me again.

"Would you care to accompany me for some brunch?" Vinnie asked.

I was taken aback by this charming stranger. I nodded my head, ignoring Andy's look of annoyance. Vinnie disappeared round back and I heard him speaking to Ashley.

"What do you think you're doing?" Andy hissed.

He had appeared next to me. I lifted my head and glowered at him. He had no right to lecture me. He wasn't my boyfriend so it was none of his business.

"I'm accepting breakfast from a charming stranger, got a problem with that?" I shot back.

"Charming? You don't even know him, Abbie." Andy lowered his head to try and look at me.

"He seems sweet." I scowled.

Andy's cold gaze met my own and I held his eyes for a long time before turning my head in an attempt to ignore him.

"He's our boss. He was the one who commanded us to kill that body in the carpet." Andy shot back.

Trying my hardest to mask the horror I was feeling, I arranged my face into a sneer. Was I so willing to upset Andy that I'd spend time with someone that orders another person to be killed? Yeah, I was feeling that petty.

"Well, he seems kind." I reasoned.

"You know what, do whatever the fuck you want." Andy snapped.

I could see Ashley's gaze flitting to us and Vinnie must have noticed as he strolled over and smiled. I forced myself to smile back.

"Shall we take our leave?" Vinnie grinned, offering me his arm.

I hesitated then rested my hand on his arm. He nodded at Andy before dragging me along beside him. I could still feel Andy's eyes on me and I fought to ignore the sick feeling creeping up my throat. This had been a bad idea.

Vinnie had a way of speaking that made everything seem fine. He took me to a waffle place, probably in an attempt to make me feel more comfortable. He stuck out though in his his designer suit.

"I must say, Andy made a good choice with you." He grinned.

We had finished eating and were sipping on coffee. I managed a feeble smile and he grinned back. Although I was vaguely creeped out, I managed to be polite. What the hell was I doing? Vinnie seemed nice, but my feelings were still there for Andy. I had to think of a way out of this.

"Thank you for saying so. I should probably get going." I shifted my chair back and went to leave.

Vinnie looked shocked, but composed himself after a couple of seconds. His face shifted into a friendly smile.

"Of course. I would very much like to see you again." He grinned.

A huge part of me was screaming no. I parted my lips to say those exact words, but they wouldn't come out. If I refused him, would I suffer the same fate as the guy in the carpet? Andy kept mentioning assassins. Would they find me and murder me in the dead of night?

"I'd like that too." I murmured.

Vinnie smiled, clapping his hands together. A sinking feeling made my stomach ache and I had the overwhelming urge to want to scream. Instead, I smiled and paid my part of the bill.

"I will be in touch, my dear." Vinnie smirked, as we left.

He grasped my hand before I could escape and pressed a kiss to my knuckles. I watched him leave and tried to ignore the nauseous feeling as it rose up inside me.

*****************

Starbucks Coffee Shop
04/02/2016 11:20am

"A payphone, eh?" Dani sighed, leaning across the table to snatch some fries.

Annaliese nodded. She had hoped for a more solemn reaction to the news that Paul had been trying to reach out for his Dad again. She glanced at the cash desk to see Nikki paying the barista. Annaliese shrugged then.

"Don't you think it's sad." She murmured.

"Not really. Everyone longs to be part of a family. Just look at yourself." Dani replied.

Annaliese nodded, toying with the few strands of hair that had escaped her ponytail. Nikki wandered over and sat down. He was sipping a coffee and toying with one of the number stands.

"What'd you order? And can I have some?" Dani asked.

Nikki looked slightly offended, but his features relaxed and he smiled slightly.

"A sausage and marmite sandwich." He said.

Dani's features twisted in repulsion. Annaliese clicked her tongue against her teeth and the two coders looked at her.

"Look, if you're so concerned then why not get to know Paul better." Dani said, shaking his head. "I can't think of a good reason not to."

"Apart from the issue of him being a sociopath." Nikki snickered.

Annaliese glowered at them, "I don't think that word means what you think it means."

She stood abruptly and left them. She was in no mood for their inability to be serious. She marched out of Starbucks and down the street. She made her way down the back streets and into Hell's Kitchen. She paused at an appartment block and stood outside, thinking for a while.

Should I go knock on the door? She faltered then blinked a few times. She'd had such limited interactions with him and the other day she'd felt something profound. She'd felt empathy for someone that could snap her neck like a twig. Annaliese didn't want to consider the feelings she may have, so she shook her head in an attempt to clear them.

"Didn't expect to see you here." A voice said.

She whirled round to see Donnie standing a few metres away. He looked happy to see her. His hair was tousled and looked soft. He approached and stood next to her. His gaze followed hers and he frowned.

"Not somewhere I'd want to go." He murmured.

Annaliese tried to hide her annoyance at him. Donnie failed to notice the growing tension that passed between them. He turned to face her and Annaliese plastered a sweet smile on her face.

"Yeah, I was just worried." She whispered.

"That's sweet. You're like the mom of this team." Donnie laughed. He had meant it as a joke, but Annaliese's face fell.

She would be twenty-nine this year in October. She was too old to be getting close to someone eight years her junior. Still, it hurt that Donnie had crassly pointed it out to her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled, punching him on the arm.

"You make it sound like I'm ready for retirement." She managed to laugh.

Donnie laughed too, "Did you want to grab a coffee?"

Annaliese took one last fleeting look at the appartment block, then glanced at Donnie. She shook her head and he looked disappointed. She'd always hated upsetting Donnie. Ever since they were kids when he gave her a flower and told her he loved her. She'd hated to see him sad, but she really wanted to be alone today.

***************************

GreenView Heights
04/02/2016 13:15pm
Kacee POV

Someone tapped on the door and I rushed over, pulling it open to come face-to-face with my older brother. It had been a quiet morning and I'd been undisturbed for it. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I was even more shocked to see Liam.

Liam and I were totally different. I was definitely more like Mum and Liam was Dad. I had Mum's long, blonde hair and sweet nature. Liam had been raised mostly by Dad and was therefore just like him. It felt rude to not invite him in so I did.

"Would you like some coffee?" I asked.

"Yes, I'll have one before I go back to work." He said, glancing round my appartment.

I prepared our drinks and came back to the lounge. Liam was analysing the parcel that had arrived this morning with my dress inside. He looked bemused.

"What's this?" He asked.

"My dress for this Saturday." I said, setting the cup in front of him. He tore his gaze from the parcel and narrowed his eyes at me.

"Dad wanted you to get something hand-made." He shot at me.

"Well, I'm not into designer brands so I got myself something. When I showed the picture to Mum, she loved it." I said, glowering at him.

Liam and I often fought. Because he was so much like Dad, he never took it easy on me and would always berate me. His face twisted into a scowl.

"Of course Mum would say that." He said, sipping his coffee.

We were both silent for a moment and I sat across on the window seat. Liam lowered his cup then glanced at me.

"So, I hear you have a date for this Saturday."

"Yes, I do." I said, hoping he would say no more. Thankfully, Liam said nothing.

A sound outside made me glance down and I smiled when I saw John and the guys walking towards the building. Someone cleared their throat next to me. Liam had moved deftly over and was staring down as well. His sharp gaze analysed John and then went to me.

"How charming." He smirked.

"I suppose your date is perfect then." It was an angry statement and Liam chuckled.

"My date is the daughter of a hotel owner. She's smart and cultured. A bit like the date you turned down." He said, and set his cup down on the table.

Grabbing his briefcase, he turned to the door and I trailed after him. Liam opened the door and stepped into the hallway. He turned to me and said his goodbyes. I watched him go. He strolled past John and the guys and side-stepped as though walking by a pile of dung.

"Who's the stiff in the suit?" George appeared next to me, grinning.

"That was my brother." I replied.

Saturday was playing on my mind. Liam had clearly come to check up on me. My dark thoughts were disturbed when I was pulled into a hug.

"Put her down. You don't know where she's been." Paul grinned.

John shot him a glare and I nestled closer to him. I decided it was better to spend the day with them than go back to my appartment to dwell on Liam's visit.

Notes

I'm back at last. Been feeling a bit ill with my depression and anxiety so my concentration hasn't been great. So happy to be back and working on my story yay.