Crack in the Surface

CHAPTER SEVEN

Ryan crossed his arms and stared at the people lounging around him. School had ended a few hours ago and this was not how he envisioned his weekend starting off. In fact, he wasn't totally sure how he'd ended up in the Nichol mansion in the first place, but lo and behold, there he sat with five other people. Seth and Jodie paced around the room as they argued with each other, Mandy lay with her legs stretched over Alex's lap while she watched the muted t.v., and the blonde's attention was on whoever was texting her phone at the moment. How his two peers continued to be completely oblivious towards the other two bickering teens was beyond him.

"Your little geek project was cute and all, but now you're interfering with best friend time."

"Best friend time? Dude, I'm her nephew. I think that trumps you."

"Yeah, you would think so."

Seth gives her an incredulous look. "What does that even mean? It makes no sense."

"Your face makes no sense."

This time he rolled his eyes. "Yeah, that was an amazing comeback, Jodie."

She moves towards him and Alex quickly gets up and jumps between the two. The odds of Jodie actually trying to hit him were low. Like Alex, she didn't treat him like one of her friends, but she still cared about him; she considered him family by default. She just liked watching him squirm.

"Ok, you both go sit down. Don't make me give you a time out."

Jodie rolls her eyes and slaps the back of the blonde's head before sitting by Mandy.

"I still think we should go out. I mean, you have plenty of time. Your comic has like, a year deadline."

"Four months." Seth corrects her.

"Actually, I have to get going." Mandy stands from the couch. "Can you give me a ride back to my car? It's still at school."

Alex nods. "Try not to burn the house down while I'm gone, guys."

"One little fire...." Jodie complains.

"...and she won't ever let it go." Seth finishes.

Alex just shakes her head before going to the main doors. She opens it and abruptly stopped as if she'd ran into an invisible barrier then cocked her head slightly to the left in confusion.

Mandy stops short of running into her. "Why'd you stop?"

"Can I help you, lady?"

The woman who'd been busy rooting around one of the flower beds stood up straight and walked over. She was dressed in a dark pants suit with high heels, her hair done up in an immaculate bun and eye glasses sat on her nose. She looked snooty, like she thought she had not only the power, but the right to do anything she want there and Alex cringed a little on the inside at the thought of having to deal with her.

"I'm just surveying the property."

"Yeah, well, I know the gate was open, but that doesn't mean you can just walk onto my property."

"My apologies. I simply wanted to survey my client's interests and assets."

"My dad sent you?"

"No, I work for a Mr. Kiel."

Alex hands the keys to the brunette beside her. "Could you go get the car for me?"

Mandy steps closer to her so the woman can't hear. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

She waits until the brunette walks away before turning back to the woman.

"Why would your guy be looking at our house as an asset?"

"I'm not privy to that information at the moment nor would I give it out to anyone else."

Alex's face turns red as she frowns at the woman. That was not the answer she wanted. "Leave. Now. And if I see you around here again I'll have you arrested for trespassing."

The woman slowly raises an eyebrow, but nods in resignation. "Very well. I'll be back when things are more... official."

"Yeah, you do that."

After being certain the woman really leaves, Alex gets in her own car and locks the gates behind her.

"We have to stop by my dad's office first."

"Okay."

Mandy looks at the girl sitting next to her. Over the years that they had been friends she'd learned how to easily read the blonde, and even though Alex was trying not to show it, she was truly bothered by the mystery woman. They made it there in record time thanks to Alex's hectic driving. She got out of the car without saying a word, knowing Mandy would know to stay there.

The majority of the building was empty so, fortunately for Alex, no one stopped her for mundane chatter with the boss' daughter.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Caleb jumps slightly from the surprised intrusion. "I don't know what you're talking about, but watch your tone."

"Some woman came snooping around our house."

"Well, that wouldn't be the first time, Alex."

"She called it an interest and asset for some guy she's working for. It's our house, Dad, how can it be his asset?"

He waves a dismissive hand. "It's no doubt just a bit of confusion on their part. A miscommunication, I'm sure."

"I saw the papers." She wasn't letting it go.

He frowned momentarily, but then shook his head. "What papers are you talking about?"

"A few days ago I saw papers on your desk at home. There were a lot of red numbers, Dad."

"Oh, sweetheart, you have nothing worry about. Those weren't actual reports. They're just "Worst Case Scenario" write-ups. What's the worst thing that could happen if we decided to pursue a deal and failed."

She lets out a small sigh. "Really?"

"Of course." He gives her a big smile.

A smile that Alex immediately recognized as his "deal closer" smile.

And she felt her stomach drop.