Song: Underneath It All by Martina Stoessel from the telenovela; Violetta

Chapter Four: Looks like the dog's out of the bag

I've never been this panicked before in my entire life. The jig's up! He's gonna tell everyone. He'll blackmail me. Hell, he'd even sell the information online. My life is over!

Calm down.

Don't tell me to calm down, you're not the one being blackmailed.

I kinda am.

Urghhhh! I'm going crazy. I'm insane. I'm, I'm.......... I'm gonna be in so much trouble.

Should I say something? Or should I just keep looking at him with a stupefied expression?

Maybe, you should start with picking up the wig.

Oh, yeah right. I rushed to the wig and picked it up before turning back to him.

"Looks like the dog's out of the bag." I expected him to be smirking, but all I could tell from his expression was a hint of amusement.

"Dog?"

He nodded. "I'm sick of cat expressions. I love dogs."

I love dogs too, but cat expressions make more sense.

I didn't reply so he just continued, "So what do you have to say for yourself Cherry?"

"It's Avery." I hissed.

"Is it?"

I just stared, dumbfounded.

"So are you actually Charvi or Avery?"

Is he stupid?

"I would've thought the wig or glasses would have made it quite obvious."

He ignored that. "How did I not notice this before?"

"You and everybody else."

"I'm the only one who knows?"

"Do I really have to answer that?"

"You're right. I should just switch the punctuation."

"Well duh."

"For someone who was just caught red-handed, you sure seem calm and collected."

Okay, good. That means he can't see that I'm panicking the hell out.

"Can I just ask one thing?"

"Ask away. It's not like you needed my permission before."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why hide under a disguise?"

"I don't have to tell you."

"You don't have to but you will."

I scoffed. "Was that a threat?"

"See it however you like."

Should I tell him?

I don't see what you have to lose.

I removed the glasses and stuffed it and the wig in my bag. I sat down on the floor and rested my back on the wall.

"You don't have to sit down. Wouldn't want you to get your jeans dirty, am I right?"

Not trying to be rude. Wouldn't actually want him to get his jeans dirty, they probably cost times three of my whole outfit. He chose to ignore my words seeing as he walked up to me and sat a respectable distance away.

"Ever since my dad, walked out on us 2 years ago, it's been hard." I fought the tears that threatened to fall. The tears I've shed these past years are more than I would've shed in decades if he hadn't left. "We barely see mum anymore. She's always working. She doesn't want us to help but I want to. No, I have to. If not for her, at least for my sister. So a year and a half ago, I put on this disguise and looked for work, anywhere and everywhere. "

"It's just not fair, you know." I started rambling.

This can't really be happening. I didn't mean you should go this far.

"It's not fair. He wasn't fair to us. He didn't warn us, he just left. Next thing I knew, mum was calling her lawyers for the divorce arrangement. Does he have another family now? Were we not good enough for him?" I looked at Zed. He was staring at me worriedly.

Stop crying. You're putting him an awkward position.

I didn't even know I was crying. I touched my cheeks and they were indeed tear-stained.

I quickly wiped it with the back of my hand and rushed to my feet. "I don't even care anyways. I hate him. He's selfish and walked out knowing he was our source of income, our only means of getting by. I don't even care, I'm perfectly fine. Just great."

He got up too and dusted his jeans with his hands. "Are you sure because you don't look......" He didn't get to finish because I cut him off a little too harshly. "I said I'm fine!"

We stood there for a while before he finally spoke up. "Do you know what always makes me feel better?"

"A look in the mirror?" I offered.

He smiled at me. "Yeah, and?"

"Are you gonna tell me or are you just gonna keep standing there expecting me to know?"

He rolled his eyes. "I was at least expecting you to try."

"What would be the fun in that?"

"I don't know, that's how guesses work. Anyways, the thing that always makes me feel better is ice cream."

"Really? Are you a gelato type of person?"

"All ice cream taste the same to me."

"Of course they do."

"So, how about it?"

"I don't know. I don't think I'm up for it."

"Oh, come on. It won't take long." He went behind me and started pushing me forward. And since I planted my feet down, I was practically skidding across the pathway.

"It's really late."

"It's not that late. Come on." He begged.

"Fine. But just one cone."

"One cone, I promise."

I started walking on my own so he stopped pushing me forward and came to walk beside me. Then, after about 10 seconds of walking in silence, he abruptly stopped.

"What?"

"I just remembered what I came here for. I think I left my watch here. I've checked every other place I'd been today, but I didn't find it. The front was locked so that's why I came to the back."

Oh! So, it's his watch! Should I tell him it's with me? What if he thinks I tried to steal it? Would he believe me if I said I took it for safekeeping since there was no lost and found box?

If you put it like that, no.

Then what should I do? Maybe I should pretend I don't know what he's talking about and give it to Benny tomorrow.

That's a very bad idea. If you tell him you didn't see it, he'd just beg you to reopen the restaurant and you'd foolishly agree.

You didn't have to put it like that, but you got a point.

At the end I went with my instincts. Ivy, you better be right.

I reached into my bag, pulled it out and held it out to him.

"I saw it under your table and picked it up for safekeeping because I didn't know who it belonged to. We don't have a lost and found box. I planned to give it to Benny tomorrow."

He grabbed it and wore it. "Thanks."

"Just out of curiosity, why would you come all the way back for a watch? Couldn't you just buy another one?" I'd come back, but not everyone's the same.

"Umm." He scratched the back of his neck. "It's a family heirloom so it's kinda special."

No wonder it looked all vintage. But the silver wasn't chipping off so it must be original.

What were you expecting?

True. I nodded at him, ready to start walking, but he made no attempt to move. Then he muttered, "The door."

"What?"

"The door. When I bumped into you, you didn't get a chance to lock it. You were supposed to lock it, weren't you?"

Foolish! Foolish! Foolish! How could I forget? I grabbed the key from my bag.

"I knew that." I nodded as I started walking backwards towards the door.

"Of course you did." He gave me an amused smile.

"I really did."

"Mmhmm, so why did you leave without locking the door?"

"I...um...you know." I stalled.

"I know what?"

"There's a reason for why I left without locking the door."

"And that is...."

That is what? Ivy? Ivy! Okay so you point out the bitter truth when I don't want it, but to help me out in front of Zed so I don't look stupid is a problem.

Exactly!

Unbelievable.

"There's a policy." I blurted. Where did that even come from?

"A policy?" He gave me an incredulous look. How dare he? I'm literally trying my best here. It's not that easy to come up with a lie, you know.

"Yup, a policy. We're not allowed to lock any doors in front of people that aren't workers."

"Really?"

"Really."

"Is there like a passcode or something or is it lock and key?"

"Lock and key."

"I see." He nodded slowly and began walking towards me, since I wasn't stopping. "So how does me seeing you lock the door with a key help me get in if I don't have the key."

"You may think that's a smart point, but it's not."

"It's not?"

"Yup. Technology is advancing, you know. There are these special type of locks and keys. They only work if you turn it a particular way. So if you indeed steal the key, you won't still be able to unlock the doors." By this time, we had stopped in front of the door.

"Isn't that brilliant?"

"Of course it is. So turn around."

"If you're planning to get naked, I don't do alley sex."

The disgusted expression on my face was probably very evident and priceless because he just laughed. "I'm kidding."

"Well, you better. Never in a million years am I getting naked for you."

"We'll just have to see about that, now won't we?"

I facepalmed myself. "Stop teasing me and turn around."

"You can't actually be serious."

"I am." I said as I started turning him around even though he wasn't budging. "Turn!"

"Fine. Fine. I'm turning! I'm turning!" He raised his hands in mock surrender as he turned.

"This is ridiculous." He muttered.

"It so is not. How can I trust to know you aren't a secret agent from the uh... Stealing Stuff Company."

"Uh maybe because I go to your school."

"That doesn't mean anything. A lot of secret agents go undercover. That's the whole point of secrets."

"And really? The Stealing Stuff Company?"

I was this close to saying "It's the best I could think of at the moment. Cut me some slack." But I went with the one that didn't make me look a dummy. "SSC!! Duh, everyone's heard of it."

"Why would an illegal company even......." He trailed off and ruffled his hair. "Why do I even bother? Just lock the door."

I put the key into the lock and turned it. Then, it clicked. If I just dragged it out, he'd know there's no special movement.

I know you know he knows there's no special movement or SSC, so why keep up the act?

You're right, but where's the fun in that?

Before I pulled the key out, I jingled it a little.

"It takes a little while, you know. The process."

"I heard it click. I know you're just jingling the keys."

"Are not." I said as I pulled the key out and stuffed it in my bag.

"Whatever lets you sleep at night." He said as he started walking away.

"Shut up." I mumbled as I fell into place beside him.

********************

The drive to the closest ice cream parlour was about 20 or 30 minutes. He had a black car. Not sure which type, didn't care either. We sat in silence most of the ride just enjoying the music. The only times we talked were arguments. He was always picking stupid songs. No taste at all. I feel bad for his ears. When we arrived, I had to pick the shirt in my bag and wear it over my uniform. I think one person knowing is more than enough. Wouldn't wanna add more.

We were sitting in a small booth. We came in about a few minutes ago. Lucky for us, a few customers were still in so they didn't close yet. They would soon though.

I couldn't even have a normal conversation with this guy. All we did was argue. We were complete opposites. He just wouldn't agree with me. First, he said sprinkles are better with ice cream than Oreos. Then he said it was better to take it in a cup than cone. And do you want to know what his lame excuse was?

I'm assuming you'd tell me anyways.

He said and I quote: "If you take it in a cup instead, you won't have to worry about it dripping on your hand."

Stupid, right? I know. I mean what's the big deal with ice cream dripping on your hand. Just lick it off.

Now we're arguing about which ice cream flavour was better. I finished my ice cream about 3 minutes ago, but he was swirling his in his cup. Why would he let it melt? Did he not want it? If he didn't want it, he should have given me before it melted. Maybe he prefers melted ice cream. Another thing to argue about.

"Chocolate."

"No, vanilla."

"But it's so plain." I countered.

"The original of everything is always the best."

I made the sound a buzzer makes when you pick the wrong answer before saying, "Wrong."

"I'm not wrong. I'm right."

"Mister and Miss, not wanting to interrupt your intense conversation, but I wanted to inform you that you're the only customers left and we're closing." The waiter pointed out.

I looked around and the parlour was indeed empty. When did all these people leave?

"Okay. I'm done, it's Zed here I'm waiting for. He's almost done."

"Okay miss."

"No, no, no! I'm done. Let's go." He dropped a bill and started walking out.

I stood up and started going after him. "Goodnight." I waved at the waiter.

He smiled at me. "Good night miss."

By the time I got to the car, Zed was already seated but he didn't look like he was preparing to go. I was about to ask him about the hold up but he turned to me and spoke.

"How can you not know my name?"

What is he rambling on about?

"Zed, what are you playing at here?"

"It's Zane." He stated.

Zane? Was he sure?

Of course he's sure. It's his name after all.

Oh! Good thing I didn't ask that out loud then.

"Zane? Then, where did I get Zed from?"

"Beats me." He scoffed.

"Hey, don't get so worked up, you didn't know my name until today. At least I was close."

"But how can you not know me? I'm Zane Rivers."

"Geez! Arrogant much?"

"Yes."

"It's not like I didn't know you. I just mixed up your name a little."

"But it's me. Everyone knows me. Don't your friends correct you or something?"

I snorted. "Oh please, I'm pretty sure we have more interesting things to talk about than you."

"Like what?"

"Are you really that full of yourself?"

"I prefer the words 'self-confident' or 'self-loving'."

"More like self-centered." I muttered. Then I looked at him. "What makes you so special that people would put aside important things to talk about you?"

"Correction: I am important." I rolled my eyes at that. "First off, I'm like super hot."

"Seems like your mirror is broken."

He glared at me but continued anyways. "As I was saying, I'm a hot jock, the most popular guy in school, the quarterback and the captain of the football team."

"You're the captain? I thought that was Axel."

"Oh come on!" He threw his hands up in exasperation. "He's assistant captain."

"Is it just me or are you not as popular as you thought you were?"

"It's just you."

"Could you be any less overconfident, cocky and arrogant?"

"If I could, then I wouldn't be me." He shrugged.

"Ahhh. I see." I nodded slowly.

He began driving with me giving him directions to my house.

"Oh ok. I think I'm finally getting it now. You're the one every guy wants to be, and every girl wants to be with."

"Exactly. Took you long enough."

"I must be an alien then."

There were a few moments of silence.

"Shut up."

"I've been quiet for about 30 seconds so I don't know what you're talking about."

"Could you be any less of a smartass?"

"If I could, then I wouldn't be me." I shrugged.

"You can't use my words against me."

"Why not? I'm a smartass after all."

After that, we just went into a petty banter.

When we stopped in front of my house, I opened the door to step out when his voice stopped me short.

"How would you feel about me calling you Cherry?"

"I'd absolutely and utterly hate it. I don't even like cherries."

"Perfect." He clapped his hands together and beamed.

"Don't." I warned.

"Don't what?"

I just shot him a glare and got out of the car. When I was almost at the door, he yelled, "Good night Cherry! You're welcome for the ride."

I turned and was about to yell that I didn't say thank you, and he could shove his you're welcome up his ass because my name's Charvi, but he just waved and sped off before I could get anything out.

Dickhead!

I opened the door and was ready to hit my bed straight, but once I entered and walked through the sitting room, the lights flickered on, and a familiar voice questioned. "Where have you been, young lady?"

Oh, come on! Haven't I had enough?

This was literally the longest day ever.

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