Lake:

I know I have already given a million reasons why I liked Neil as my personal assistant, but I just have to add one more to that list; his ability to deliver just when he needed to.

Just as he said he would, Neil trailed Jojo back to her home. From his car, he was able to take pictures of the house she lived in with her friend and her little sister. He showed me images of her rolling her mother's wheelchair into their house. He took note of the address, penning down every lane he entered and every turn he took. I had not told him, but he knew me enough to know that I would want to see things for myself the next morning.

He returned with a comprehensive address and a note from the doctor that entailed my prescription and everything I had to do to make sure I did not return to the hospital again. Trust me, I was glad.

He drove me back home and I managed to get seven hours of sleep before my alarm went off, blaring all around the room. It managed to wake me up at exactly 7:30am, just in time for me to get ready and replace Jojo.

Yes. I know how crazy I sounded. Obsessed? Possessive? You could call it whatever you wished. But she was once mine... fuck it. She was mine. As long as she remained in my pack, under my umbrella, she was mine.

I got out of my house and drove to her place. Lurking in the shadows, waiting for her to come out of her home was starting to make me feel like a mad man, but there was only little I could do to calm my troubled mind. From the night I met her in the alley, I had known she would be the one to take away my peace. It was a pity I was right.

I watched from a corner of her street as she stepped out of the house beside her best friend. She had her red hair styled in one neat French plait at the back of her head. Her blue jean trousers clung to her hips, and the red crop top she had on exposed a small part of her belly button. She turned back to wave at the little girl standing at the door. She turned toward my car and looked into the road, while her friend struggled to hail a taxi.

It took every ounce of strength I had in me not to drive over to her, step out of my car and force a kiss on her lips. I had to force myself to be still. I had to fight to keep River calm.

They got into a yellow taxi and I drove behind them. We passed familiar streets and turns and it didn't take me up to ten minutes to know where we were going.

Smith's diner, my mother's... Heavens! Even the word made me sick.

She stepped out of the car and her friend slipped a key into the door of the diner. They opened it and stepped in. I watched from a distance, through the glass doors and windows as they turned on the lights in the shop. I saw Jojo wear a black apron over her jeans and shirt. She smiled to herself and danced around with her friend while wiping the tables and setting the chairs.

She was happy, very happy, and without me. She did not seem to be experiencing the pain I was going through. Yes, I had seen her cry that night, but she seemed to be doing just fine without me.

And she was working for my mother. The two women I wanted nothing to do with were now employer and employee. The goddess really knew how to mess with me, didn't she? Soon, she retired to the back of the counter and disappeared into a door.

There were no words to express the emotions raging from within me. My right hand gripped my steering wheel while I started the engine with my left. When my Toyota roared to life, I pressed my right feet against the accelerator of the car and drove away from the restaurant.

I had to stay away from the both of them. Jojo and my mother were not good for me. I had to keep them as far away from my mind and heart as possible.

I would never look for them again, and I would never stumble upon them again.

Never.

"Okay girls! That is all for today! Zelda, work on your split, you're beginning to land like a ten-year-old ballerina." Bentley called out loud as she walked from her chair to the stage.

Ashley and Hadley snickered, and Zelda sent them a stony glare. Ashley watched as Hadley kept a straight face immediately, but she did not care.

"Hadley, keep your eyes on the crowd but always remember to target the man with the most expensive suit in the room, he is your man," Bentley spoke again. Ashley watched as Hadley nodded in response.

Bentley was standing in front of her now. The woman heaved a sigh and crossed her arms underneath your chest.

Ashley inhaled a deep breath, waiting for her own share of admonishment.

"Ash, your moves are as good as usual. But your head and heart are not present. I noticed and the customers would notice too. Listen, you can twirl around the pole and make a man want to drop his black card at your feet, but a man also needs to feel like his all you are focusing on. You're not just giving him your moves, you are giving him your attention, making him feel, know and understand that you're all his..."

From a corner of right eye, Ashley saw the door of the training room open. Beta Kenji stepped in. He looked around the empty room before leaning against the wall. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his grey suit pants. "... do you understand me, Ashley?"

Bentley's voice echoed in her ears. She returned her gaze to the woman in front of her. Ashley nodded eagerly, even though she knew she had not heard more than half of what the woman had said.

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"Zita, you were as amazing as always. You too, Brandy. Keep up the good work girls and I'll see you tonight." Bentley said, closing their afternoon training session.

Ashley turned her back towards the door and spoke to Hadley while she packed her bags. She had made up her mind to walk past that door like there was no one standing behind it. However, she was not given the opportunity to do so.

In the middle of her discussion, a familiar voice called out her name.

"Ashley."

She had not intended to, but she turned around almost immediately, as though her ears had longed to hear her name from his mouth.

"I need to speak to you..."

Ashley opened her mouth to protest, but his voice was faster.

"Five minutes, tops."

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