Peter
It’s been two days since Darian and I learned the whole truth about Becky. I haven’t seen her since, which is probably for the best.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking over the past couple of days. Including questioning myself about a lot of things. Things like, “Is this girl worth it?” “Is she telling us the truth?” And I’ve come to a decision. It’s risky as hell, but I believe in it wholeheartedly. If it comes back to bite me in the ass, well then that’ll be my own damn fault.
My decision is to trust Becky, one hundred percent. I believe everything she said to us, and I want to do everything I can to help her. As for whether or not she’s worth it? I think she is, but only time will tell something like that.
You can’t tell something’s worth until you give it a chance.
Anyway, this morning I got a message from Darian when I woke up asking me to meet him at his office. Which means it’s definitely something important. Obviously, Darian and I don’t just casually meet up- mortal enemies and all.
I head to my office and get a bit of work done, before making my way to Darian’s. Anytime I know I’m going to see him; I always feel a bit odd. Like a mixture of anger, sadness, and anxiety. Which feels exactly how it sounds… confusing.
By the time I get to his office, my whole body feels heavier than it is. Like my shoes have bricks taped to the bottom of them. Like my legs have gained four hundred pounds over the last few minutes and I can barely move them. But I keep walking, until soon enough I’m right outside his door.
One short knock later, and he answers. My heartbeat speeds up and my head gets a little fuzzy, but I ignore all of that and barge in.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“You could be a bit nicer; you know. Seeing as how I’m about to save your ass.”
“What are you talking about?”
He gestures for me to take the seat in front of his desk, as he sinks into his chair. Reluctantly, I sit down. The sooner I get this over with, the sooner I can be out of Darian’s presence.
“My lawyers found something about what Max is doing. You know, the part that Becky told us she doesn’t know much about yet? Well, now we know. He’s laundering money through Wiggle Jiggle.”
“What?? Are they sure?”
“Absolutely sure. That’s why he’s interested in your company. Apparently, he needs to launder even more money- money that he’ll have access to if he’s given a seat on the Board of Directors on your company like he wants.”
“Are you kidding me?? That’s what this whole thing has been about?!”
“Yes. Having a seat on your board would give him theperfectopportunity to launder the kind of money that he needs.”
“Well we can’t let him do that.”
“Why do you think I called you here instead of keeping this to myself?”
We lock eyes. There’s a split-second of understanding between us.
“I’m going to forward this to Becky,” he says, not taking his eyes away.
“Good idea. Could be a huge lead in her investigation. Listen, thanks for warning me before I made a huge mistake with my company.”
“Of course. I know how much that company means to you. No one deserves that.”
Finally, we break eye contact, and I look down at my feet. When I look back up at him, I clear my throat.
“Look, Darian. Just because we’re in this weird situation where we’re sharing the same girl- things between you and me haven’t changed.”
“I know. You think I don’t know that? This isn’t about me or you, it’s about Becky. And I don’t know about you, but I would like to keep her around.”
“She’s the only reason I haven’t beaten the living shit out of you.”
“Oh yeah? After I just saved your ass? You’re really gonna say that to me, rightnow?Do you really think that’s smart?”
“I don’t know Darian; did you think it was smart when you slept with Vanessa?”