Chapter 3: Sumerlan Finance
PRESENT
Claudette Deveraux
Wolf is posted outside the building I entered at uni. Unbeknown to him, I am currently exiting from the back. He wouldn't recognise me because I've taken precautions by changing clothes as well. I arrived in a formfitting knee length black dress paired with nude heels and walked out in a buttoned up black trench coat, turtleneck, wide leg pants and black heels. I topped off my look with a hat and sunglasses.
I speed walk to where the Uber I ordered is parked and rush inside. I leave my car behind because uni parking is notoriously jam packed and if I had left with it, I wouldn't get the same spot back. That would surely tip off my ball and chain. I have just under 2 hours.
The Uber driver is a polite middle-aged man with South Asian accent.
"You're getting your bachelors?"
"Yes." I beam at the chance to speak to someone freely. He's a stranger with no ties to my hellish world and he has no power over me. "I'm majoring in Public Relations." I'm actually a double major but it's a mouthful to tell people.
"My son is getting his Bachelors degree. First year", the pride in his voice is unmistakable. Something my mother once had in me. My heart clenches somewhat but I ignore it, forcing myself to stay in the present. Now is no time to get lost in memories.
"What's he studying?", I enquire.
"Civil Engineering."
"Impressive. You must be so proud", I gush.
"His mother and I are. We came here so he could have better opportunities and he's using them well. But with the current economy, we worry", the love this man has for his son shows.
"COVID has taken a lot from us but have patience, not all is lost. We still have our lives and there's so much we can do with it. He will be fine. Just give it time", I reassure him.
"Would you like some music?", he asks.
"Yes, please. The radio should be fine."
The rest of the ride goes in silence and then I'm here.
I thank the man and step out of the vehicle, instantly getting assaulted by wind.
Gripping the coins in my pocket, I make my way to the payphone and dial. The person on the other side picks up.
"Sumerlan Finance. How may I direct your call?"
"Hi, I'm having a problem with my account. The number is Delta, Sierra, 4, 5, 1, 9."
"Line is secure. Proceed", she responds after verifying my identity.
"Mockingbird has taken off. I have been left in the care of the Knights of the Highway Motorcycle Club. I suspect they're the ones hiding her while they supervise me. Not all my privileges have been revoked. I am still able to go to university and work but one of their men is always tailing me. I need an easier way to get in touch with you. Find me on campus on Friday, 4 pm. I'll be in building X. I have to speak to Kai", I hang up and check my surroundings. No one seemed to have taken any memorable notes of me.
I pull out my phone and order another Uber. I have an hour.
***
I make it back on campus with 15 minutes to spare and waste no time redressing in the toilet. I meet up with Esther just outside the classroom I was meant to be in.
"Hey, girlfriend", she stretches out the words comically and has the biggest smile on her face. Her makeup is flawless, giving her mocha skin radiance and her hair is in braids. She's wearing jeans and a cropped hoodie.
We give each other a European kiss and start walking.
"Thank you for recording the seminar for me. I really appreciate it. How are you?"
"Not too bad. Was on a Skype call with mom. She wants me to visit", she shares.
"I take it from your tone that you don't want to go?", I ask.
"It's not that. I just don't like that she's comfortable making demands of my time. I love her but I also know her. You give her an inch she will take a mile." I know a few things about Esther's mother. She's the CEO of a publishing company and for most of her childhood Esther was raised by nannies. I guess now as an adult she feels like she's surpassed her need for a mom.
"Did she say why she wanted you to go see her?", I enquire.
"There's a charity event she wants me to attend with her. Guess she feels like showing off her shiny undergrad daughter", she huffs out and I can see her disappointment.
"Oh, honey, come here", I wrap my arms around her. She deserves so much better than that and it hurts me that I can't invite her back to mine for us to have a night in.
"Can you, like, maybe come to mine and we'll watch movies or work on assessments together or something? I don't want to be alone", she whispers. I pull back and feel like the most horrible friend.
"I'm sorry, E. I've got some things going on right now. Rain check?" I'm going to hell.
"Sure. So, how come you didn't come to class? I've never seen you skip before." She's disappointed in me but I appreciate that she doesn't take it personally. I also know that friendship is a two way street. There're only so many times I can let my friends down before they feel slighted and stop trying. I don't want to lose them and I don't know if I'll be able to stop it in time.
"I…", I trail off, trying to think of an excuse. "I had to do something for Kai. He's out of town so he needed me to do it."
I hope I sound convincing.
"Oh, how is Kai, by the way?", she asks as we reach the exit.
"Not bad. He's spending some time with family right now. How are things with Aiden?" I shift focus to her. She's been dating the male model for the past six months. I hear good things but there have been times when I felt like I wasn't getting the full picture. Like there was an unequal power dynamic between the two. I'm hardly one to talk and point fingers, though. Just look at the mess Kai and I are in. I don't even know if the two years we spent together meant anything to him.
"He's… well, Aiden. He's in town right now. I might ask him over tonight." Her eyebrows furrow just a tad, but she doesn't go into details and I'm not one to pry. I don't really have the energy either. My head hurts just thinking about my call earlier and I don't even know for sure if Kai will show.
"Hey, I'll see you Friday, okay? And chin up, she can only ruin your day if you let her." I say to her as I walk backwards, waving goodbye.
***
I'm looking through my mini fridge when I hear a knock at my door.
Not again.
I put a shirt on and walk to answer. Sometimes, all a girl wants to do is scroll through her phone while eating a slice of pizza, topless. Fuck what I want though, right?
Surprise, surprise, it's Sin.
"Can I help you?" I don't bother to hide my irritation this time. He's proving to be a pest.
He barges past me.
"Close the door." He commands. He's angry. I've never seen him like this. At least not towards me.
I do as he says and turn to face him.
"You weren't at school today."
I freeze.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone