As I walked down the staircase I could hear voices from downstairs. The man spoke in a very aggressive way, I could hear it in his tone. Then there was dad's voice, calm and firm. Soon as Alexis caught sight of me her eyes went wide. She clearly didn't know I would be here.

"I believe you haven't met my boys, Mr. Ramirez. This is Axel and the other is Ashton" dad said, introducing us.

"Well, it's nice to meet you both, but unfortunately I'm not here for silly introductions, I'm here to collect what your wife owes me" He said sternly.

"Okay, calm down. How much exactly are we talking about?" Axel asked.

"Look. How about we sit down first" dad suggested, gesturing to the couches that surrounded us.

Mr. Ramirez and awfully quiet Alexis took a seat and I watched as he pulled out some papers from his briefcase.
Dad sat on an arm chair and Axel and I sat opposite them on a couch.

"She owes me alot of money. Hasn't been in contact for the past few months. I'm getting more angrier by the day, I want my money and I want it now!" He spat.

"How did you find this place?" I asked, curious to know how they got here. I'm pretty sure this place is new.

"It was quite easy. See, I have a friend on campus and let's just say she's been very helpful lately" Alexis said with a wink.

"You b--"

"Easy, brother. .." Axel said in my ear, draping an arm over my shoulder.

"How much?" Dad asked, eyeing Alexis and her father.

"A hundred thousand dollars. Cash" He said, handing the paperwork over to dad.

After dad took a look at the papers, he handed it back to Mr. Ramirez and shook his head.

"I'm sorry Al, but I can't give you the money. See, I've just started my own business and I'm afraid I'd lose everything if I just hand it over to you" dad said, trying to reason with Mr. Ramirez.

"I don't care about your stupid business! Your wife borrowed money from me with the promise of returning every single cent. I'm here to collect, not sympathize about your business" He said, grabbing the papers from dad.

"Alright" dad said, standing up. "Give me a month. I'll return your money, you have my word".

"I hope so, Mr.Parker- or things will end badly for your wife" Mr. Ramirez said, shaking dad's hand.

I glared at my father. I couldn't believe he would allow his business to suffer a loss and possibly close just for the sake of our mother! I shook my head, utterly disappointed in his decision. As soon as those snakes left, I turned to dad to ask him why.

"I don't understand, dad. Why are you fixing her problems? You aren't married anymore- this shouldn't be your problem. She made a huge mistake loaning from a guy like Al Ramirez, she should be the one to pay!" I spat. I was so mad at dad for doing this and I was furious at mum since I learnt of her true self. I wish the day would just end, I've fucking had it!

"I will try to contact your mother but if worse comes to worse, I'll have to make one more deal. I just hope it doesn't come to that" He said sternly, walking up the staircase.

"I fucking hope it doesn't too! 'cause I don't wanna be a part of it!" I shouted, loud enough so he could hear it.

I walked back to Axel who was now knocked out on the couch. I swear, this bastard falls asleep so fucking much. I should put him in a coma, that would be better for him.

"Wake the fuck up!" I growled, shoving at his shoulder.

"Jeez, Ash! What the hell?! Can't a brother get some sleep around here, yeah?" He said, stretching out on the couch.

"Get up! We're going to pay Yvonne a visit"

"Aw seriously? Why can't you go alone?"

"Shit. Some brother you are!"

"Alright, fine. ..Meet you outside in a tick, I need to have a wee"

"Make it quick"

****

"How do you even know she's here?" Axel asked, taking a bite of his burger. He made me stop along the way for food. And he said 'just because'. That's the lamest fucking excuse ever. Must've really come from my brother.

"She's like a leech to this place. Trust me, she's around here somewhere" I said, removing my seat belt and getting out of the car.

"If you say so" Axel says, hopping out of the car as well. Dad is going to kill me if I scratch this car. But hey, I don't fucking care.

As we walked towards Club Toxic, the bouncer out front quickly opened the doors soon as he saw us. He greeted us and gave a brisk nod before we passed through, then he gently shut the doors again. Almost all the bouncers and club owners know us or know of us, word got around fast back then, when the dealings were in full swing. Even at 16 I could get into any club.

Once we walked down the steps into the club, I noticed that the place was fully packed. Yep, on a night like this- she's definitely here.

"Look around and text me if you find her" I shouted into Axel's ear. The music was deafening and the flickering lights made my head hurt. Hope this doesn't take long.

Axel took the bar area while I went through the crowd, all the way to the VIP section. Where is this bitch?

Nearly all the booths were taken, most of them by men surrounded by beautiful girls. I could tell they were only interested in the amount of money these old fucks had, that and the expensive drinks they were drinking.

As I neared the last booth, I spotted a familiar crowd of people. Finally, I had found her.

"Wow! Not exactly the guy I'm waiting for but you'll do" Yvonne joked as she saw me approach their booth. Everyone burst out laughing of course, they were already wasted. Jeez, it's not even 9pm and these fuckers are already gone.

"I need to talk to you. It's important" I said, leaning against the booth. I looked directly into her eyes until she decided to get up, just so she knows I'm not playing around.

"Okay! Fine!" She growled, sliding out of the booth.

"Follow me" she said, as she picked up her drink and walked out back. 

We were now headed to the private rooms. They were mostly occupied but I guess one of them belonged exclusively to Yvonne. I don't even wanna know what the fuck goes on in there, even though I might have a fair idea. Just hope she's not thinking she's getting anything from me tonight.

We stepped inside the small room and she drew the sheer curtains shut. I sat down on the far end of the curved leather seat. Yvonne sat in the middle and sipped on her drink.

"What's up? Finally changed your mind about me?" She asked with a devilish look in her eyes.

"Um. ..no, but I have questions. ..about Alexis" I said, shifting around a bit. She makes me so uncomfortable.

Yvonne's facial expression suddenly  changed from flirty to angry after I mentioned Alexis. I was interested to know why, too.

"What about her?" She spat. She had a look of disgust on her face.

"She showed up at my dad's house tonight. Said a friend helped her get the location. I'm pretty sure you're the friend she was referring to" I asked her directly and I watched as her eyes went wide and she was looking everywhere else but at me. She finished off her drink before setting it down on the small square table infront of us.

"Look, Ash. I didn't have a choice. I really didn't" she said, moving closer to me.

I wanted to leave soon as she came closer but I needed this information from her. It was important.

"What did she do to you?" I asked.

Yvonne shook her head and leaned back against the hard leather backing.

"It's not what she did, it's what she would do. See, Alexis is a cunning little bitch who uses people. I thought she was my friend, my mistake" Yvonne spat, looking like she was now filling up with rage.

"Yeah, but what was she going to do, Yvonne? What made you give up dad's location? Last I checked, you're not authorized to give out information like that, especially to a person like her".

"Trust me, I didn't want to. But she had the cops on speed dial, she said she would tip them off about my flat. The last thing I want is to get raided out. I have packages I haven't delivered. We could all go down if she called them"

"What about your dad? Isn't he a cop?"

"Yeah but he doesn't know what his little girl is up to now days. He'd throw me in a cell if he knew. I'd be a disgrace, more than I already am to him right now" she said, looking down. I almost feel sympathetic towards her, but I think of all the crap that she's pulled before and quickly shrug it off.

So she has a solid reason for doing what she did. She has stuff she hasn't delivered, which means she's still working for mum. I have so many questions, and so far she hasn't played any tricks. I wonder if she would answer more of my questions. I can give it a try.

"Did you know that mum was the boss of the business, and not dad? She was running it the entire time".

Yvonne looked at me for a second with furrowed brows before her eyes went wide soon as she figured I wasn't joking.

"Wait.. what?! Are you serious? Oh my fucking gosh. I need another drink. That's news right there! Wow! All this fucking time and I didn't even know who I was working for. Now that's fucked up for real" she said,  shaking her head.

"Then why are you still working with mum? I'm curious" I tell her.

"Hey, I thought she was working under your dad this whole time" she said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Well she's not. She's actually in it alone. Dad's out, for good. He's got his own legal business, he's doing well for himself. But now that mum owes Alexis' dad money, he could get dragged into this mess again" I said, standing up from the seat. I was so frustrated with mum, I felt like getting wasted right here, right now.

"Hold up! Your mum owes Al Ramirez money?!" Yvonne said in disbelief. She stood up and looked at me, a serious look washed over her face.

"Yeah, why?" I asked, opening the sheer curtains. I had to go find Axel before he wanders off and goes missing for days.

"Be careful, Ash. Al isn't a guy to mess around with. If you don't pay up. .."

"What, Yvonne?! Spit it out!"

"He goes after your loved ones, one by one. People around you will either get hurt or disappear, Ash. You have to believe me, I've seen it happen" she said, tugging at my shirt. She had a look I had never seen before. I could tell she wasn't playing around.

"I believe you, Yvonne. ..and thanks for your help. I have to go find Axel now. See you around" I said before leaving her.

As I walked out of the private area and back to the VIP booths, I spotted Axel at Yvonne's table, downing some drinks. I swear this guy is super helpful. ..not!

"Let's go!" I said, putting his glass down. He looked up at me and smirked before sliding out of the booth.

"Did you get any information?" He asked, putting his jacket back on.

"Yep, so we better get back to dad's place and fast".