I was still reeling from the Inspector's call when my phone suddenly beeped, signaling an incoming message. My muscles tensed as I peeked at the screen. Michael's name flashed, and I eased up a little. With a resigned sigh, I read it.

Want to study at KopiKreme with Marie?

My first inclination was to turn him down, but realized that this is a good opportunity to fix the mess I was in. I sent a quick "Okay" to Michael as I made my way to my dresser. I hurriedly snatched my olive green parka jacket and stole a glance in the mirror. I adjusted my black turtle neck top to fix the creases and noted how faded my clothes were. I ran my hand on my hair in my last-ditch attempt to control the frizz and then realized that my hair was more stubborn than me. So I put my hair up into a lazy bun.

I gave myself a quick once-over.

"Yep, that's as good as it gets."

Korn braided himself in between my ankles. I picked him up and stared into his judging feline eyes. "I'll be out to study. Don't burn the house down."

He purred in response, his tail wagging slightly from side to side. I gave him a quick petting before I left.

I reached KopiKreme in about thirty minutes with the contraband wallet in my pocket. I had to find a way to return it somehow.

Marie and Michael were already there, seated in one corner of the coffee shop. One glance and I could tell they were arguing again. Or more accurately, Marie was in a dour mood and giving Michael hell because of it, no doubt due to prince charming's adventures last night.

I knew for a fact that Marie was secretly in love with Michael, but was too prideful to admit it. I could see it in the way she looked at him and how she was always ready to help him whenever he needed something. Michael, on the other hand, was either blind as a bat towards her affections, or she was not just his type.

We often joked that Michael dated girls of a certain mold --tall, slim oval-shaped face, slender built, long straight black hair--and Marie was anything but. She was not ugly nor were her features strikingly pretty. She had a charm of her own that went well with her nerdy persona. I had known these two since my undergraduate days, back when we were still studying Political Science in preparation for our law studies. I already had my fair share of mediating between the two.

If they were not squabbling like today, they were besting each other in class. Michael graduated at the top of our Political Science batch, with Marie second, missing the top spot with a measly .03 points. Right now, I could freeze my butt off with the icy vibes each of them radiated. They were ignoring each other, but both acknowledged my presence when I sat.

Michael saw my face, deduced that I had a rough night on his behalf, and his expression softened. He pushed a cup of coffee in my direction.

"Here. I ordered for you." I smiled at him and said nothing. Marie was not aware of our involvement with Inspector Eugene, so I couldn't give Michael hell because of last night. Perhaps it was the reason why he brought Marie even though she was mad at him. Wise guy.

"Thanks," I said. "And my banoffee pie? I believed you promised last time."

He sighed, but got up and went to the counter.

One BanoFree pie coming up, eh?

We were seated two tables away from where Gio and I sat last night. I tapped the wallet inside my pockets. This might be easier than I thought.

Moments later, we were all studying, drinking coffee, and munching on our pastries. A typical law students' weekend. I was halfway through the required reading when I saw Gio's assistant enter the coffee shop. His eyes spotted me and immediately turned accusatory.

Anton started fiddling with his phone, alerting his boss and the authorities, no doubt. I got up and approached him.

"Hi there, Anton." I gave him my winning smile. All it did was won his irk; his narrowed eyes told me as much.

"It really is you, you thief," he growled low. Gone was the gentle-mannered assistant I met last night.

"What?!" I had the audacity to sound startled. I widened my eyes for an extra dramatic effect. "What do you mean? I came here to thank you for your help yesterday!" I sounded hurt even in my own ears.

Oscar nominations, anyone?

"Mr. Lee shouldn't have helped you. How dare you steal his wallet after what he did!"

"What?" I scrunched my eyebrows like how I usually did when there's a particularly nasty question during recitation. "What do you mean I stole from him? I did nothing of the sort!" I raised my voice, startling the barista behind the counter. I noticed that Michael and Marie were staring at us as well, confused.

"Why don't we speak about this outside," he said. He suddenly yanked my arm and my ribs screamed in protest at the rough handling. I collapsed on my knees because of the sudden pain. I sensed Michael leave his seat to help me and I raised my hand to stop him. He did not need to know about this.

"A little gentler next time, Anton," I hissed at him as I got up. Anton looked at me with concern but I could tell he was still wary of me.

"Are you alright?" He reached for my back to help me up and I flinched as his fingers dug into one particular angry bruise. He sensed my pain and lightened his touch. "You're injured."

"Good job, Sherlock," I said, swatting his hands away, and limped outside.

"What happened to you?" he asked me again once we were outside.

"I fell down the stairs yesterday because I was drunk," I said as a matter of fact.

"Do you mind?" he said, asking permission if he could see my injury. I nodded lifting my top a bit, letting him see a little of the side of my torso that was littered with bruises.

He gasped and tsked when he saw my injuries. "Did this happen before or after you met Mr. Lee?"

"Uhm, before." I winced at the painful memory. I could see the gears working in his brain. If she was injured, she could not have stolen the wallet, can she? The thought was there, plain for me to read.

"Why did you not tell Mr. Lee of your injury?"

Because, hospital expenses, duh.

"I didn't know that it's that bad. The...alcohol sort of dulled the pain." Well, that was mostly true.

It was time to deliver the coup de grace. "His wallet"--I waved towards the coffee shop--"maybe he just lost it. Have you asked the employees at the coffee shop?"

"Uhm, yes. They have looked everywhere."

"Well, maybe you have not looked thoroughly enough? It was the wee hours of the morning after all, and everyone's tired."

"That's true."

"I can help look if you want."

"But you are injured. I'll look again." He sighed and left me. I fought the smile forming on my face, but the corners of my lips still twitched up a little. It was a good thing he did not notice. Ten minutes later, Anton was holding a familiar black wallet.

"I found it." He seemed pleased with himself. His smile, however, faltered when he opened the wallet. "The money's all gone!"

Of course, dear. You don't really think I will return even THAT, I thought, to Mr. Yang's consternation and Ms. Yin's delight.

"Well, somebody might have seen it first and took them. A lot of customers go here in the morning. You can request the shop for the CCTV footage," I bluffed. If he ever requested the CCTV footage, he would see a certain hooded someone pass that area where he found the wallet and stayed a little bit. There would be no visible face, however. I made sure of that.

"Nah. Too much trouble. Mr. Lee is more concerned about his IDs and cards anyway," he replied, shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry, for doubting you Ms...."

"Anna."

"Still wearing the wrong bracelet, I see."

"You bet."

Whut, whut, another chapter!

I had the urge to post all my draft reserved chapters, and then frantically write more chapters to meet the weekly deadlines I've set for myself. Life is more colorful that way, isn't it? What could possibly go wrong?

If you want to see me stressed and enslaved during the weekend writing chapter after chapter of Reianne's life, please vote and comment!

xoxo,

RF

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