A/N: Welcome back my loves.

GAVIN

"Hey man." I greeted him, accompanied with a bro hug.

"Hey." He greeted back, reciprocating the hug. Natasha loudly cleared her voice, announcing her presence. As if I could forget she was here, you know with all the thirsty compliments she has been mumbling.

"This is Natasha Yen." I made the formal introductions and immediately, Fabian's face contorted in astonishment.

"Really? As in the same Natasha who sent that fake video of you and Carl to the whole school?" He inquired, his gaze resting on Natasha who sent a nervous smile his way.

"In my defense, he leaked a mortifying article about me so the video was more of revenge. But that's all in the past now because Gavin and I are on the road to a long lasting friendship." She blabbered then entwined her lean hand with mine. What is happening right now?

"Okay. It's nice to finally meet you Natasha. I have heard more than a lot about you." Fabian said while extending his hand for a handshake.

"Mostly good things I hope. It's a pleasure to meet you Mr...." She replied, a smile plastered on her lips as she reciprocated the handshake.

"Fabian Robles." He made an introduction to Natasha who seemed to be enjoying the handshake more than she should.

"Fabian. Such a delicious name." She blurted, causing me to roll my eyes.

"Thank you, Miss Yen." He replied chivalrously.

"Oh, you don't have to be so formal with me. Just call me Nat." Her face was flushed. Who would have thought the ice queen was capable of blushing?

"Shall we get down to what brought us here?" Before the interaction could escalate into something that haunts my dreams forever, I stepped in.

"Of course. But first would like something to eat or drink?" He asked.

"No. I'm good." I replied then turned to Natasha who was basically eye fucking the guy. "Hey, would you like something to drink or eat?"

"Yes. Him." She absent mindedly whispered the words, low enough for me to hear.

"Did she say something?" Fabian addressed me.

"Yes. She said, she is not hungry. She's good." I spilled the lie, a confident smile touching my lips.

"Okay. Let's go to the study. "Fabian declared, leading the way as we followed.

"I think I'm wet and not just from the sweat." Natasha informed me. Oh God.

"I don't need to know why." I released a bored sigh.

"You already know why. It's because of Fabian. He is a sex dream come to life. And not just that, there's something about him that makes my inner bitch purr into submission. He makes me fucking nervous and I like that. He can tie me up any time. I don't mind. Wait, is he into kinks?" She yapped on as we ascended the marble steps.

"Natty, I don't know and I don't fucking want to know the kinks that the guy I consider my brother is into. Okay?" I snapped, erasing the disturbing image of Natasha tied up by Fabian, from my mind.

"Jeez. No need to get all worked up about it." She muttered.

"Let's just focus on what brought us here. The investigation." I reminded her.

"Fine. But after the investigation, can I fuck him?" She actually had the audacity to ask me that. Girl has balls, I give her that.

"No. Never. It's not even up for a debate." I made my stand.

"You are no fun." She grumbled, her small lips curling into a pout.

****

Computer is a language that Fabian speaks fluently. He graduated from MIT five years ago with a bachelor's degree in IT and software engineering. Worked as an intern in his uncle's software company in Silicon Valley, for a year. During one of mom's business meetings, she met Fabian and offered him a job at her tech company as the head of IT department.

I remember mom asking him to train me on administrative matters of the company, when I was only 15. It's how he and I bonded. He became more than mom's employee. He became like an elder brother to me. A confidant.

"So, tell me what brings you here? What was so important that you needed my help with?" He directed the question at us. We were in his study which was packed with computers and shelves of books. A chandelier hang from the white ceiling, illuminating the room.

"Someone is black mailing Natasha. He sent her a bunch of threatening messages." I explained.

"Can I see those messages?" He inquired. Natasha unlocked her phone and handed it to him. He put on his reading glasses and started scrolling through the messages.

"There's more. The black mailer also sent her an email with a list of names. Mostly powerful people. He wants her to write and publish dirt about them on her blog." I added, glancing at Natasha who was seated next to me. She was biting her finger nail, anxiously.

"These messages...they are dark. You could be in actual danger, Natasha." Fabian spoke, his gaze settling on Natasha.

"Yeah I know. It's why I need your help to track whoever is doing this and stop him." She spoke.

"How do you plan on stopping him? Do you know that this black mailer could be dangerous? What if he hurts you both?" Concern was dripping from his voice as he addressed us. "I think you should let the cops handle this." He suggested, placing the phone on the round mahogany table.

"No. He warned me not to bring in the cops or I'm dead. He will leak every dirt he has on the people in that list. I can't risk that." Natasha protested.

"What if he finds out that you are onto him? He is going to harm you both and I can't have that on my conscience." Fabian declared, leaning back in his leather chair and crossing his arms on his chest.

"Fab, I know that you are concerned about us but we have this handled. We just need you to help us track this guy then we can put a stop to his blackmail. Look, mom is on that list. I don't want her to go to jail." I opened up.

"Why would you think that your mother could go to jail? What dirt could this black mailer guy possibly have on her?" He enquired.

"Apparently she bribed and killed someone." I spilled, the words feeling like gall on my tongue.

"Oh. Umm...that's incriminating." He let out a comment.

"It's why we need your help, Fab. Please." I implored him.

"Fine. I will help. But promise me that you'll be careful...both of you." His elder brother mode was on.

"We promise." We said in unison. He got up from his seat and sauntered to one of his computers and switched it on then plopped on the swivel leather chair in front of the desktop. He typed some stuff on the keyboard of his computer and logged into a website that was foreign to me.

"Natasha, do you have the black mailer's contacts?" He asked.

"Yes." She slurred.

"Give me your phone." She did as he asked. He typed something on her phone then handed the phone back to her. "I want you to text him. Say anything. Make sure that he texts back." He instructed, his focus on the computer screen where a detailed electronic map of River Bridge town was on display.

"Okay. " She muttered then got to typing. "Is this one, fine?" She passed her phone to Fabian who looked over the text.

"Excellent. Now send it and wait for him to reply. As soon as he replies, I will be able to track the location where he sent the text from." Fabian explained.

"He just replied!" Natasha exclaimed, a few minutes after she had sent the text. A red blinking thing on the computer screen confirmed his location. Fabian triangulated the exact co-ordinates on the map. Turns out the blackmailer was in Rooks. It's a slum area located on the south of River Bridge town.

I have never been there before but I have heard stories of high criminal activity in the area. It is also the most polluted area in town.

"You sure, you still want to go ahead with this mission? I mean Rooks is a dangerous place." Fabian raised a concern.

"Yes and we are going to need weapons. I have pepper spray in my purse. Do you have a knife in your kitchen by any chance, Fabian?" Natasha enthusiastically inquired.

"I have a better idea. I'll give you both stun guns. They are more effective." He stated, getting up from his seat.

"Guns? Like the ones which FBI dudes use?" Natasha excitedly inquired.

"No. They are basically Tasers. I can't give you real guns." He walked out of the room and we followed him.

After minutes of training on how to use the stun guns, Fabian gave us matching plastic bracelets.

"Don't take them off. I have installed tracking devices in them so that I can know where you are at all times." He explained. We left his residence afterwards and embarked on our mission.

****

Forty minutes later, we arrived in Rooks. I parked my car in a petrol station and asked a bald headed guy who was the manager of the station, to watch it for me.

"Kid, I don't work for free. You want somethin' you pay for it. It's how things work around here." He mouthed, while picking his yellow teeth with a scrawny tooth pick.

I took out my wallet and plucked two hundred dollar notes and gave it to him. He counted the money, a crooked smile gracing his thick lips. "Kid, consider your car safe. But I don't know if you'll be safe in these streets." He spoke.

"I can take care of myself." I concluded then joined Natasha who was standing a few meters from the car. She was texting someone on her phone. Anger had taken over her features.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I can't believe that they would go to the spa without me. Back stabbing bitches." She spat, then shoved her phone in her purse. "Anyway, have you taken care of the car situation?"

"Yes. Paid him 600 dollars." I retorted.

"Jesus! That much? Just to keep an eye on a car?"

"Yup."

We navigated the slum which was packed with piles of garbage at every corner. A carcass of a dog was lying amongst the piles of garbage. Maggots had eaten through most of its decomposed body. The nauseating stench of the carcass floated in the air, overpowering the smell of garbage and anything else in vicinity. I pinched the bridge of my nose to block out the smells. How do people live in a place like this? I couldn't help but wonder.

We came across an alley. A bunch of beggars were stationed along it. Mostly blind and crippled. With their rusty bowls, they pleaded for money from the passersby. "Please help me some money, good ma'am and sir." A girl, seemingly a seven year old came up to us. Her hair was dusty and unkempt, clothes tattered, bare feet and she looked malnourished. Like she hadn't eaten in a while.

"Hey little girl, what's your name?" I crouched in front of her.

"Mimi." She replied, her big blue eyes clouded with helplessness.

"That's a nice name Mimi. Where are your parents?" I asked her.

"I don't have parents." She replied, sadness knitted in her voice.

"Okay. Here, take this and buy some food." I placed some money in her bowl. Natasha did the same, in fact she gave her a lollipop too.

"Thank you so much good sir and ma'am." She smiled, exposing her upper toothless jaw. Then she bade us good bye and walked away.

"I feel bad for her. Imagine not having parents and having to beg for money to survive. It's sad." Natasha opened up. "It is times like this that I am grateful for having my parents even though they piss me off half of the time." She added.

Her statement took me back to my parents. For a long time I have been angry with them for not being present but not once did I think of how much they have done for me. They have given me a place to stay, food to eat, clothes to wear, a bed to sleep on and a bunch of other things. I should be grateful for them because not every child gets to experience that. Mimi is one of those kids who never got the chance to know what having parents feels like.

****

We arrived at the building where the supposed black mailer stayed. It was marred with graffiti and posters. William stockfield's face was printed on most of the posters. A group of guys were smoking weed next to the building while playing cards. Old, damaged cars were parked outside the building.

"Looks fancy." Natasha let out a sarcastic remark as we strolled into the establishment. Tiles on the floor were stained and broken. The elevator was labelled as out of order, compelling us to use the stairs. After what felt like hours of climbing the stairs, we arrived at our destination.

Apartment 406.

I knocked on the wooden door but there was no reply.

"Maybe he is sleeping. Knock louder." Natasha instructed. I knocked louder and waited but still there was no reply.

"You know what, fuck it! We are breaking in." She proposed.

"How the fuck are we going to do that? What if someone sees us? What if we are caught?" I had every right to be freaking out.

"Relax. Nobody is gonna catch us." She assured, taking out a pin from her hair and straightening it. She inserted the pin in the keyhole. A few clicks later, the door opened. "And that's how it's done, ladies and gentlemen." She proudly remarked with a curtsy then strolled into the apartment as I followed her.

"How did you learn how to do that?" I shot a question, closing the door.

"My late nana. She taught me. She used to say that the skill would come in handy someday." She replied, grabbing a laptop from a dusty coffee table. Empty cans of beer were scattered next to the laptop. A box of pizza was resting on a dusty old couch. It was opened and three slices of pizza peeked from it. The pizza was stale, judging by the stench that radiated off it and the flies hovering over it.

"Of course it has a damn password." Natasha hissed in frustration while glaring at the laptop.

"I remember Fabian telling me once how to override a password. Unfortunately, I have forgotten the procedure. I'll shoot him a quick text." I took out my phone and did just that. He didn't reply to my text. Fucking great.

"What did he say?"

"Nothing. Why don't we check out a You Tube video and see how it's done?"

"Brilliant idea."

Suddenly, I heard footsteps outside. Someone was coming.

Fuck.

****

A/N

Hey, that was a really long chapter. GOD! My fingers froze while writing this. Thank you guys for reading this long ass chapter. So, which part was your favorite in the chapter?  Let me know in the comments.

What do you think will happen next? Are they gonna get caught? Stick around to find out.