A week turned into two with Philip's training schedule extending longer. The mathematician in my head worried for the lesser time I got to spend with him upon his return.

It was my friends who provided me with the greatest distraction of it all. After we closed down the restaurant we decided to stay back and talk. In Philip's absence, even Steve went a little rogue and managed to sneak a bottle of wine before the cellar was closed.

We sat in the eating area on a round table, propping our legs over it as if we were at our apartment.

"Madame, try this..." Steve let out a fake accent to mimic Joseph Clementine's words from a few days ago.

After my interview-cum-non-interview went well, I waited for Philip to come back to break the news. I wanted us to leave this place together as a gesture of moving ahead. Though it wasn't a move for me as I was still stuck in the same city. But for us, our relationship, it was a better step.

A snorted giggle turned me to Linda who after chugging two glasses of wine on an empty stomach seemed to be comfortable, leaning onto Steve's sides.

"It's not that bad," I said, justifying Joseph's speech delivery style. "It was different. Impressive, actually."

"Fake accent is impressive?" In her slurry speech, Linda questioned.

"Fine, not impressive but I would dare any of you to try an accent with a confidence as his."

Steve served me another round of wine, a generous one before pouring one himself. "So you are saying that if I or Linda can pull an accent challenge before you leave, you'll let go of your entire month's salary?"

"Done." And then it hit me. "No, wait. You make more than me. Why do you need my salary?"

Grinning, Steve looked over to Linda who might have dozed off on his shoulder.

"I think I'll take her home now," I said standing up but was made to sit back with Steve's narrowed stare and finger dancing over, instructing me.

"We all decided to stay back till one in the night and we will do that." Steve reminded me of the agreement. "You're not making any excuses."

"But Linda-"

"She is fine," he answered, sliding a lock of hair that fell on her face. I was surprised. His gentle attitude, carefully leaning her back on her chair as if she was made of porcelain. Even after Linda was settled in the comfort of a cozy chair, Steve lingered over for moments and watched her sleep.

"Steve," I called out in a hushed tone, knowing well my roommate's light sleep. "Are you two...dating?"

My finger danced between them. I was not blind to see the sudden chemistry but was surprised to notice it only now. Between all the yelling and screaming between him and Linda, it was difficult to notice any semblance of care and adoration.

"It just happened," Steve's unwavering gaze remained on my sleeping beauty friend. He reminded me of the time I had woken up in the middle of the night, Philip gazing. The feeling was indescribable. It was like watching something so comforting, one's sight wouldn't move over. It would remain glued, drinking up the perfection that was in front.

Upon clearing my throat, Steve's trance broke and he turned to me with a goofy grin spread across his lips.

"When did this happen?" I asked. "Back when Philip asked you to ask me out?"

"No. No," Steve waved his hands vigorously, swatting my word-flies. "It happened on those long nights when you, my dear apprentice, were happily journeying back to Philip's place. Lin felt lonely one day so she decided to pull an all-nighter by herself. I couldn't let her stay alone so decided to give her company. We stayed up talking and-"

"The rest is history?"

"More like fate," he pursed his lips, twisting a knot with the strings of his apron laying nearby.

"Oh, I didn't know Steve the greatest believed in fate."

I considered him to be a macho man who derived pleasure from berating other chefs if things weren't done right. Once again, I stood acknowledging the fact that Steve had two sides - only the half of which I saw in the restaurant. The other side - caring and kind one, as he puts it mildly, was hidden away. It was only revealed to a privileged few. The rest of the world would never know the real Steve.

"...and that Steve, you didn't know and was a figment of your imagination." His instruction couldn't be clearer. With me signaling my sealed lips, he leaned back, carefully threading his hand around Linda.

She stirred in her place, blinking her eyes open. "What time is it?" She asked nobody in particular.

"It's ten in the morning, Linds," I answered. My reply knocked the wind out of her as she checked her watch before breathing steadily. "What happened? Is everything alright?"

Linda wasn't a girl who would freak out about little things. The mere fact that she did a figurative somersault meant something was amiss.

With shrugged shoulders, she leaned closer. "I've to meet my dad. He's.."

She trailed off. Her only comfort seemed to be Steve's hold over her into which she leaned and watched me. It might have been her brain marinating in wine which resulted in her slow reflexes. She tilted her head over Steve's body who comforted her. Then she jerked back.

I giggled while Steve watched her with amusement.

"Really!" He called out. With her eyes dancing towards me, she asked. "Daisy knows?"

He nodded, pulling her back for more affection.

Linda's tanned cheek turned to a shade I red I barely saw before other than when she was in close contact with the stove. She hid her face, nuzzling into Steve's chest as her way to escape my stare.

"Oh come on," I tapped at the table. "You can pull me apart for any time Philip even touches my hand but I can't?"

"No," she giggled. "Only I can tease you."

At that moment, it was all a ball of bliss. Then an array of cars screeched outside, breaking loud. We all stood at our place, watching the black SUV's lights dim out.

"Oh shit," Linda murmured and grabbed her bag, tossing things inside.

"If we are about to be killed by some gang your father controls, you have to speak now," Steve said before darting towards the closed door to check on the latched locks.

He moved back, securing Linda closer - almost behind him. Linda checked her phone, cussing some more.

"I missed my dad's call. So-"

"So he came here like a man from some gangster movie?" I questioned.

"Relax guys. I've got this," she said and unlocked the door. Her confidence somehow didn't reassure. It felt cold as if she wasn't able to convince herself. As she moved out into the dark of the night all we could see was the silhouette of the man she was talking to.

Steve looked at me, worry disfiguring his smiling face.

"Don't worry, she's having troubles with him for long." I tried the assurance path, helping Steve cope.

"It's been bad lately," he answered. "There are a lot of things that have happened after that..."

I felt a ball of hurt rise in my chest. It boiled up, poked at me for ignoring my friend and her troubles while she had always been there for me.

"How bad is it?" I turned to him, tugging at his sleeve while his eyes remained glued to Linda's back. He was looking for any signs to intervene.

"Very," he said before holding my elbow and walking us out.

Only when we emerged into the darkness outside, did things become clear. Like the fog lifted itself I could make out the face of the man whom Linda called her father. Even in the dim-lit area, his salt peppered hair stood out. His red face, pursed lips and fluttering nostrils focused on Linda who heaved for air.

She plunged near my body upon seeing me. Her wet face was the confirmation of the tears she shed. "Are you okay?" I asked. She could only nod, sobbing more into my shoulder.

I couldn't bear the sight of my friend's suffering. Blood boiled inside me, watching her father stand stoic even at his daughter's wailing. Linda's sadness kicked up which remained dormant throughout my life.

"Sir," I held up my hand, halting any move if he had planned. My phone displayed an emergency number on speed dial and my digits hovered over if things leaned towards worse. "You need to leave. Linda doesn't want to talk to you."

"Who are you?" The vicious monster of a man spoke, the force of my words tossing me back. "You think I'll take orders from you? From some punky little kitchen rat."

No amount of deep breathing or reciting numbers backwards could help the turmoil his words drudged up. I slid Linda behind me, straightening and walking closer to the man who gritted his teeth so loud, it would have turned powdered.

"I have dialed up emergency when you arrived." I matched his tone, if not his gait. "So if you don't want to be caught trespassing you better run, you puny little ambulance chaser."

With bloodshot eyes staring daggers at me, Linda's father watched me. He retraced his steps, one at a time before slinking back into his car, driving away. Only when the rows of cars left our sight completely, did we walk in.

Linda shivered like her body was exposed to the arctic cold. She fell back into a chair, staring a hole in the floor. Steve knelt beside her, holding her knuckles and patting her back to reality.

"He's going to buy this place," she murmured, tearing up as each word left her mouth. "He'll do everything to destroy me if I don't move back with him and act the way he wants me to."

Although I thought I'd won the round with her father, for now, he had planned for more damage to her daughter just to save his repute.

"Why does he want you back? Didn't he say he was okay to let go of you if you paid him back?

Steve asked, his concern dipped his tone while watching Linda gasp for air.

"He's running for something...I don't know the details. So the payment is off the table. It's only one thing for me as an option. Move back." With a quivering voice, Linda managed to answer. She held me close to her, leaning on my sides.

Steve and I shared a helpless look.

What could she have done differently? How would she manage and out?

There were not many answers to it. The only comfort we had was knowing the vile man left us for today.

"Let's go, Linda." I pulled up her almost lifeless body, tucking her under my hold.

"Actually, I'd be more comfortable if you both come to my place." Steve pulled up his bag, turning to me. "Linda's father knows where you stay. Don't give him anything to pounce back. Be safe."

Steve words did the trick. After I riled the beast, I didn't want to serve ourselves as easy prey, staying at our place. Steve drove us to his apartment. We settled on his couch. Linda sat with me in silence, threading the colorful tassels of her bag. I could only smile at her, knowing well no words could comfort her for now.

Steve walked in after arranging the guest room for me to stay. He lent his hand out, awaiting Linda's approval. She kissed my head and took his hand, walking back with Steve to his room.

Maybe words didn't need to comfort Linda. She had a person to do so now. 

~

Drama... Drama and more drama.

What do you think would happen to The Three Aces? Will Linda's father take over and destroy everything?

And what is happening to Philip's training. Where is he? 

Any guesses?