CHAPTER FIVE: TOP DIME
( episode three: the forbidden zone )

✲*'。

Arden groaned as she felt the warmth of the sun, hitting her exposed arms. Where the fuck was she? She tried to roll around, freezing in place when she found she couldn't move. Arden immediately stilled and calmed her breathing. She couldn't let her assailant know she was awake. She needed to find a way to gain the upper hand. As Arden tried wracked her mind to get herself out of this situation, she almost leapt a foot into the air when she heard JJ Maybank's voice from above her.

"You know Jelly Bean, this has to be far the weirdest night I have ever spent with a girl—even for your Eomma."

Arden tried to not let out a noise of surprise as she heard JJ speaking. Who the fuck was Jelly Bean? He ... he hardly had given their baby a nickname? What the fuck did Arden miss out on?

"I'm assuming you'll call her Eomma.... Arden always told me it's what she used to call her Mom before her Appa passed away."

Arden continued to continue breathing calmly, least she gave it away that she was actually awake. Arden wanted to treasure .... whatever the fuck this was. Finally she would be able to hold this memory close to her heart to later tell her little bean in the future when her they asked her about their appa.

"Your Eomma and I used to be ... friends. You'll find out the exactly sort of friends when your older. Who knows you could be a little girl and have that ... awkward charm she has. Yes .... I'm putting my money on it your gonna be the image of your Mama and be a little girl. You'd need more than a god to help you if you turned out anything like Rafe Cameron."

Arden felt her heart clench at the unmistakable pain in JJ's voice. Yet ... as he described their child, all Arden could imagine was a sweet, cherub little girl with her fathers bright, blue eyes paired with her own black hair. Arden hadn't given it much thought to her babies gender. She would be happy with either but with the knowledge of what her baby daddy just said, Arden couldn't help but hope for a little girl, with the personality and temperament paired with the blue eyes of the man currently holding her.

"You ain't half bad jelly bean—well for the spawn of Cameron that is. Want to give JJ another ole kick?"

In response, little bean produced a very large burst of movement, prompting a groan of discomfort from Arden, as she forced her eyes open. She didn't look up at JJ, not wanting to give away the fact she had been keenly listening in to his conversation with their child.

Arden forced away the disappointment she felt when JJ immediately separated himself from her as Arden moved to stand and stretch. She awkwardly glanced around seeing that it was just her and JJ in the living room of the chateau.

"Why am I here?" Arden asked after a few awkward moments of silence. At her question, JJ's previous soft demeanor was gone as he regarded he with a cold glare.

"You literally fucking passed out on us last night so we were forced to take you here Princess."

At the nickname, Arden shot JJ a dark glare. She took in a deep breath, and tried to not let JJ get a rise out of her.

"Fair enough. Now if you excuse me———" Arden awkwardly trailed off as she took off in the hopes of finding her shoes.

"The fuck are you off to?" JJ questioned, reluctantly getting up to follow the girl as she quietly crept away.

"In the search of food ... if you didn't know I didn't exactly get the chance to eat anything yesterday because YOU made ME sick!" Arden called, particularly emphasizing her words.

In response JJ rolled his eyes. "First of all, your cover story Princess is that you stayed with Haven last night so you need new clothes and what. We too good for you to eat here?"

"Your telling me there's fresh food here other then beer?"

JJ shot her a glare to which Arden huffed out annoyed, clambering back inside the Chateau. She poked around in the kitchen, eyes lighting up like a disco ball when she caught sight of a bag of Doritos on the counter. She immediately leapt forward, munching into the bag for breakfast.

JJ only rolled his eyes in response, digging a fistful away to eat for himself. As the two ate in silence, it didn't take long for the other remaining Pogues and Haven to eventually wake up.

"Doritos for breakfast?" Haven questioned in an amused manner as she took the free seat beside Arden.

At the question, Arden shot John B a withering glare. "Well someone made sure I—"

"Ard, it's way too fucking early for this," John B groaned.

Arden huffed, pulling the chips bag closer towards her in response. Once John B was certain Arden wouldn't speak since she was busy filling herself, he turned towards his friends, trying to think of the best way to bring up the incident of yesterday.

"Ard, what do you remember about The Royal Merchant ship wreck?"

Arden shot John B an unimpressed look while everyone bar Haven warily looked him. "It's some made up story about a pot of hidden gold. Kinda like the Irish and their gold after the rainbow which is a big let down you know."

John B blinked in response while Haven bit her lip to stop herself from erupting into a fit of laughter. Now was definitely not the time.

"Right .... what do you think of the possibility of the treasure being a reality?"

"If it were real? I'd say count me in. I need the money to emancipate myself from my fucking mother and get the fuck out of here. But it's only a myth John B."

As Arden spoke up, Haven placed a discreet hand into her friends knee in comfort. Arden would have done anything for the chance to get the hell away from her mother. The only one in this room that had an understanding of the extent of her mothers personality was Haven. Haven knew exactly how much an opportunity like this would mean to her. At the small, quiet display of support, Arden shot her a small smile before turning back to the pogue's ringleader.

"Why....?"

"Well I'm glad you asked that my former friend!" At the terminology he used, everyone shot John B a dark look to which he shot them all an awkward smile.

"My dad was looking for the treasure before he went missing Ard," John B began while Arden could do was nod slowly in confusion. Why was she being told this. She glanced around to see Kiara avoiding her gaze, Pope looking on in uncertainty, JJ kept his eyes trained on her carefully while Haven shot her friend a confused smile.

"Right ....."

"Yesterday, those men showed up to take all the evidence he had to find it."

At his words, Arden felt her temper beginning to boil again. She threw her empty chip bag onto the table while she stood up in a fit of anger. "You mean that my baby and I were almost killed yesterday because of some make believe treasure!" Arden screeched as she charged forward.

All Arden could see was red as she headed directly to John B to vent all her anger out on him, until JJ's arms tightly looped around her waist to keep her still.

"Ard you need to calm down!" Haven cried as she made her way over to friend, gently stroking Arden's hand and back to try and coax her friend out of her blind rage. Once Haven had managed to calm the pregnant teen away, JJ slowly backed away while Haven kept close to her.

"My father left me a video tape Ard. I know it's real."

"Let me guess. All you want is for me to keep my mouth shut and not demand an apology?"

"I was going to ask for you to keep this a secret but as form of apology. I was going to offer you a lump sum to help you and your baby."

Arden blanked as she heard the words leaving John B's mouth. She heard the various chorus' of disapproval that completely went over Arden's head. All she could focus on was the offer John B was making. This was her chance. This was Arden's escape away from her mother, Rafe and Ward Cameron. Arden could stupidly feel tears threatening to pool that she barely managed to keep at bay.

This was her chance.

This was her shot to finally be able to leave. And maybe, just maybe, be able to give her baby the chance to know their real appa.

"I'm in."

✲*'。

"I actually can't believe you said yes," Haven murmured quietly as Arden finished deftly braiding her short, raven locks.

After Arden agreed to John B's offer, he explained the beginnings of his plan which regarded getting the precise location of the co-ordinates on some map he found. The logistics went over Arden's head but she managed to catch the gist of it. Since she didn't have any clothes here, Arden was given a pair of red gym shirts belonging to Kiara and a simple grey t-shirt belonging to one of the boys ( JJ she later found out ) that she tucked into her shorts and the same white sneakers she wore yesterday.

"You know I'm desperate at this point," Arden muttered quietly, before she sat down beside Haven.

"I know..."

"Have, genuinely how are you doing?"

Haven shot her friend a rueful smile before shaking her head. "Later."

Arden rolled her eyes before a cheeky smile slithered onto her face. "You aren't telling me something!" She horrifically sang out, causing Haven to cringe in response.

"What aren't I telling you?"

Arden giggled happily to herself as she jumped up to dance around before leaning in towards her friend.

"You like Pope!" She whispered.

"I do not!"

"You like him!"

"Who does Havey Wavey like?" A mocking tone called from the door. Arden huffed, turning around to meet JJ's teasing smirk.

"None of your business!"

"No one!"

JJ shot his ex and cousin a speculative look before nodding slowly. "Come on we are leaving now."

"Yes sir!" Arden mocking saluted, smirking to herself as JJ rolled his eyes exasperated.

"Come on Ard," Haven sighed as she led her friend towards the boat.

On the boat, Arden laid close by to Haven, with Kiara on the other side of her friend as the girls stripped down to their swimsuits with the intention of tanning. Arden had wanted originally to just lay down with the hopes that she wouldn't get any morning sickness Now would be the worst time especially with her secret baby daddy in the corner who tended to seize up in anger at any mention of her little bean. Alas, her symptoms caught up with her and it didn't take long for Arden Kim to suddenly stand up and jump over the girls towards John B who was by the edge. Arden dumped her head over the side of the boat in the case she did end up vomiting. However it just was a queasy spell but Arden didn't dare try to leave her spot in the case she did get sick. Arden curled in on herself by John B's feet as she kept a hand clamped over her mouth.

"How are you still feeling sick?" John B asked her in disbelief.

Arden scowled at him from where she'd just began to rest her head on his calf. "Oh, I'm sorry that my usual sea sickness has become amplified now that I'm carrying a literal human inside me and still suffer from morning sickness."

"Got it, no more boats," he mumbled, regretting that he even asked as the others chuckled at them .

"I don't know, I think I'm getting used to it," Haven hummed teasingly. Her friend gently kneeled up from she had been lying down, her eyes peered over the rims of her sunglasses as she stared at Arden's unimpressed face. "Something wrong, Arden?"

"Shut the fuck up," Arden grumbled to which Haven just laughed at her. "Or I'll get sick on you."

"Can we stop talking about vomit please?" Pope sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration as Haven shot him a sheepish smile. Arden felt the beginnings of a smirk growing on her face as she wobbly moved to stand up——that was until John B grabbed her by the shoulder, keeping her on the ground.

"Don't even chance it Ardie Wardie." John B warned as Arden shot him an unimpressed glare in response.

Arden stopped listening as JJ began rambling about a passing boat in fascination, trying to keep her focus on her slowly settling morning sickness.

Standing proudly at the wheel of his speedboat worth 200 grand boat was Topper fucking prickward Thornton. Arden huffed as she caught "I hate to break it to you, guys, but that's Topper and his girlfriend," she scoffed as she lowered her glasses to judge Sarah.

Haven suppressed a snort, though failed when she caught Kie's amused grin. "Topper's Girlfriend? Is that what she's been reduced to?"

"What can I say," she shrugged with just a bit too much innocence to be trusted. "Pet snakes aren't usually given names." There we go.

The boys all whistled and chuckled to themselves while Arden blended into the background. Out of all the girls, Arden was the only one who still got along with Sarah, despite everything that had happened.

"You don't have to act like you don't see us, bitch," Kie raised her voice as the two boats passed, Sarah choosing to ignore the comment even though everyone knew she had heard it.

"Didn't you know, Kie? Snakes have trouble seeing."

As JJ began to speak up about the girls sassy and snarky attitudes, Arden kept her head down trying to resist the urge to speak up in defence of her friend. Sarah Cameron was practically hated by Kiara and despised by Haven. Arden didn't even want to know what was going on through the boys heads about the kook girl.

Just like Arden Kim had been raised in life, she had to bite her tongue and keep her thoughts to herself.

✲*'。

Arden really was trying her best to keep her temper in check, she's being completely honest about that. But oh man was she hungry. With the aggressive bout of nausea gone, Arden felt her stomach rumbling aggressively in anger. Both her and little bean were hungry and the chips Arden had stuffed down for breakfast just wasn't cutting it anymore.

"Look," Pope sighed in frustration as he got out of the back of the van to lean through the passenger window. "I predict that bringing a weapon to a four-star hotel where your aunt works will likely cause more problems than they solve."

"I agree with Pope," Haven spoke up from beside Arden as the girl unbuckled her belt harshly. "I only just defended you to my mother, JJ. Don't let her prove me wrong."

"But I'm the protection--"

"JJ, I swear to god, I'm going to throw that thing in the ocean," Kie snapped, her patience finally running up with the lack of movement from anyone. The last thing the pogues, Arden and Haven needed was to be caught prowling around the country club.

"Fine," Arden watched JJ grumble to himself. The annoyance didn't last longer as he shot a John B glare for the way he just threw the gun away. "Whoa, man, you can't grab a gun like that."

"Jesus, who cares?" Arden half screeched in annoyance, finally wanting to just move on and get in and out. "Can we go already? I'm hungry."

Soon after they were leaving the van behind and Arden trailed behind the others, staring at the country club anxiously. From the corner of her eye she could see her mothers friends speaking to one another in their pompous manner. It was enough for Arden to stay hot on the pogues trail. The thought of her mothers friends busting her out was enough to terrify Arden——that was until they entered the kitchen.

"Oh, sweet jesus," Arden giggled in delight at the sight of cooking food. Finally she could eat something proper! She blindly reached out for the closest person which happened to be Haven. Arden happily gripped her friends wrist as she bounced up to one of the chefs at an empty station near the back.

Arden did her best to stay still, shooting her most innocent smile one of the chefs, all the whole bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Whatcha cooking?"

"Pancakes," Was the reply Arden got. A wide smile grew on her own face as she caught the mans small smile. Deciding to shoot her shot, Arden smiled up at the man. "You got any spare? I'm willing to pay top dime!"

"Of course you are," Arden heard Haven speaking from beside her. She could practically see the way Haven was rolling her eyes. "I could make you pancakes, yaknow, maybe when we don't have places to be."

Arden had to bite down on her lips so she wouldn't burst into a fit of giggles. Arden Kim had only ever seen her friend cook once——she had made Sarah an omelet that well didn't look anything like an omelet. "No offence, Have, but I don't trust your cooking." Arden spoke in a disinterested tone, eyes on the chef whose had had began to shake in amusement.

"I recognise you, Arden Kim. I used to know your father, kid, it's on the house."

"You knew my father?" Arden beamed while her eyes lit up in surprise as she began to scoff down the pancakes made for her. The thought of someone willingly speaking up about her father was enough to drop any of Arden's wariness.

"I don't lie, kid." The man replied, eyes on Arden herself.

Arden quickly finished up, nervously rubbing her hands together as she tried to think of an answer that would show she didn't want to insult the man. So instead she spoke up the closest thing to the truth. "It's just, no one speaks to me about him anymore. It's nice knowing someone knew him." Which it was. The last good, willing thing Arden had ever heard about her father had been three months after his death had been spoken to Arden by her old governess. After her fathers death, her mother practically forbade Arden from even mentioning her fathers names. It was nice——hearing someone speak to her about her beloved appa.

The chef sighed to himself as he leaned up against the counter. His eyes narrowed for a moment, as if he was weight up the pros and cons of something inside his head. "I met your father when he and your mother first moved to Outer Banks. He was a great man, always willing to offer a hand to those in need. At the first peak after a storm, your father would be out helping those from The Cut who needed help recovering from the storm. He was a good man, Seojun Kim, my friend."

Arden couldn't help the way she felt her face lighting up again. Everything this man had said to her, it was the appa she remembered, the memory Arden was desperately trying to cling to. She leant her chin on her hand, reaching out with the other one to hold onto Haven's wrist before speaking up again. "What's your name?"

After a small moment of hesitation the man spoke up grey eyes meeting Arden's brown. "... Liam Powers." All warmth was gone now as his expression went grim. "I'll see you around, kid, I can see your friend is impatient and your boyfriend's getting fed up waiting for you."

"Boyfriend?" Arden questioned, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. She glanced back at Haven as a laugh escaped past her lips. "Who else would he be referring to, Ard?"

Arden almost jumped a foot in the air when she whirled around only to see JJ pointedly staring her down, an accusing look in his eyes. "What were you two doing?" He hissed in their ears as Arden called out a 'later, Liam' waving as dragged Haven with her towards him. "I thought I told you to stick with me."

"I'm not a toddler," Arden huffed, a pout forming on her lips. "Besides, I had Haven with me." She cried out in annoyance

"Against my will," Haven piped up. Arden ignored her in favour of she staring JJ down challengingly. After a few moments the boy gave up much to her pleasure.

"You know what," JJ sighed, shaking his head. "I'm not doing this right now. We're leaving now."

"Thank god," Haven cheered, quickly shaking off the grip Arden had on her, charging on ahead. Arden awkwardly looked up at JJ, cheeks colour red as he pointedly grabbed her arm to pull her ahead.

"Oh, is it nap time?" she piped up after a few moments, a cheeky smile on her face as JJ finally her go from the shock of her question.

Arden sniggered to herself, skipping on ahead as she heard JJ made an audible sound of disbelief. "Is it what time?"

✲*'。