CHAPTER X: Disturbia
It's a thief in the night that comes and grabs you
It can creep up inside you and consume you
A disease of the mind that can control you
It's too close for comfort
Put on your brake lights you're in the city of wonder
Ain't gon' play nice watch out you might just go under
Better think twice your train of thought will be altered
So if you must falter be wise
Your mind's in disturbia
It's like the darkness is the light
Disturbia
Am I scaring you tonight?
Disturbia
Ain't used to what you like?
Disturbia...
Disturbia...
I sat there on my bed, I hadn't bothered changing clothes yet, staring intensely at my laptop. I reactivated my Facebook, replied to unanswered private messages, added my sister and started a "poke war" with her, and declined all friend requests from the rest of family. The simple fact that they requested me blew my mind. I didn't want to be part of the family Empire, couldn't they understand that? Back then I was supposed to be the little undergraduate sister that could care less about the business. The one that was supposed to be a goody-goody two-shoe.
Regardless of how my sister always managed to irritate me beyond comprehension, no matter how much of a constant reminder she was of what my parents wanted me to become, I loved her because she was the only one that really knew me. The only one who I thought was worth protecting when she got on the LAPD's "Most Wanted" list. My parents were careful and clever enough to stay off the radar, but my sister got too addicted to the adrenaline rush that came with being part of the Empire and became sloppy. When my parents refused to bail her out, possibly to teach her a lesson on being careful, I provided the LAPD with a… "distraction."
Sometimes I regret myself for not coming up with another plan, one that wouldn't make ripples in the family business. One that didn't alert everyone of just how much money I could get on my own. One that didn't advertise to all of the rival businesses, that the family Empire's income would increase by millions more every month if I kept on doing what I did. In the family business, I was considered to have untouched talent, and was offered jobs and training left and right. Among the Empire's allies, I was probably both a feared and respected force to be reckoned with. But of course, the business rivals either wanted to bribe me to join their side or kill me.
So after I had enough money to get my sister out of jail, I resolved to buy my way out of the life I forced myself into while she learned her lesson and finished her jobs with less carelessness. My sister, forever grateful, understood how much I wanted to stay out. My parents on the other hand, doing jobs of their own and yet were willing to ignore me but prime my sister for a life of crime, said that if I wanted to be a post-grad at Oxford I could get my ass off the couch and use my newfound skills. Right when I thought it was all over, right when I thought they'd leave me alone and recognize that I had some of the family talents just like my sister, they ask me to hone my abilities and pursue more jobs.
Just ten or fifteen jobs later, I had enough money for three years at Oxford, the travel, and some leftover for cushioning. When I moved there, I didn't plan on returning back, because no doubt they would ask me to get back on the bandwagon or ask about any jobs I did abroad. I got a job at the supermarket, as a cashier. I changed my name. I reverted myself to the normal college kid I was supposed to be, one that preferred partying over studying. And when emotions got high, Mike Stamford became my guidance counselor.
Despite all my depressing thoughts, I smiled at my computer screen, waiting for my MacBook's Photobooth to take a shot of my face so I could change my profile picture. As I changed it, I've realized that I had two identities: a young woman who was willing to take extreme risks for those she loves, and a young woman who wanted to blend in and not stand out. I couldn't help but realize how boring I became over the years. I think I've gone all prim and proper since coming to Britain.
Sherlock managed to wrench out every boring detail from me, but he couldn't figure out the important details of my life in Los Angeles, about how I got the money to pay for Oxford. How do I know he hasn't kept quiet? Because the vibe he gives out when I'm around doesn't say "I-Am-In-The-Same-Room-As-An-Ex-Convict." Because if he did know, I would be at the local police station by now. Because, unlike my sister during the LAPD incident, I'm quick and clever enough to not get caught.
He thinks I'm just a random normal girl. Nothing special going on here. Nope. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zap. Zilch. I was considering the idea of telling him, but obviously since the first date got us nowhere, I decided not to. Not until we get used to each other. Not until I have a place in this flat, other than paying a third of the rent. And you know what? Maybe I shouldn't tell him at all about the industry I was in. I can honestly picture my parents' faces if they found out (and they always do) about an outsider knowing of my involvement in their jobs, their operations, their lives. It'll finally get them to start calling me, but not in a "Hello sweetheart, how was your day?" kind of call.
A chat window from my sister popped up.
Alejandra Costillo (10:13 PM)
Hello sissy. See? I still remember the name you changed to before you left.
Selena Seim (10:13 PM)
Hello.
Alejandra Costillo (10:14 PM)
Long time no chat.
Selena Seim (10:16 PM)
From you and everyone else in the family. Why are you chatting with me? Are you not mad enough to leave me and my pokes alone?
Alejandra Costillo (10:18 PM)
Because I love you Selena, dolly. Speaking of the family, mommy and daddy are doing great. Remodeled the entire house with all that money from their last job.
Selena Seim (10:18 PM)
Good for them. I see you've changed your last name.
Alejandra Costillo (10:19 PM)
I got married. I see you're still single.
Selena Seim (10:19 PM)
Alejandra, as much as I love you: shut up.
Alejandra Costillo (10:22 PM)
Now now, Selena dolly. Don't be so mean to your big sissy. Not when mommy and daddy are in such happy mood over my marriage with Kurt Costillo. Big unification of two major allies, right there.
Selena Seim (10:25 PM)
Now now, Alejandra mira. I would never want to upset mommy and daddy. Not when our Empire is being unified with such a big and illegal drug corporation known as the Los Angeles Mafia. Yeah. I'd totally want to burst their bubble.
Alejandra Costillo (10:27 PM)
Still the goody-goody two shoe? Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit, Selena. How is London?
Selena Seim (10:27 PM)
Good. I'm fine. You didn't answer my question. Why do you want to chat with me?
Selena Seim (10:32 PM)
Still there? It's been five minutes. You've gone quiet.
Alejandra Costillo (10:32 PM)
Come back to LA, Selena.
Selena Seim (10:34 PM)
Why? Only reason you'd want me there would be if it had something to do with the family business.
Alejandra Costillo (10:34 PM)
Mommy and daddy "think" they have made a lot of enemies lately.
Selena Seim (10:35 PM)
I don't think I want to know how or why. Then again, I probably do, considering that they're part of an EMPIRE. I nearly went nuts myself trying to save money for Oxford.
Alejandra Costillo (10:35 PM)
Please just come back. We all need you.
Selena Seim (10:37 PM)
No you don't. How is this problem any different from all the others mommy and daddy went through?
Selena Seim (10:37 PM)
You didn't go to jail again, did you?
Alejandra Costillo (10:38 PM)
NO.
Selena Seim (10:38 PM)
Then I see no reason to get involved in this. Again.
Alejandra Costillo (10:39 PM)
It's complicated.
Selena Seim (10:39 PM)
Well then, uncomplicate it.
Alejandra Costillo (10:40 PM)
Mommy and daddy want an heir. Someone to take over the regime.
Selena Seim (10:40 PM)
Pass. You're the perfect criminal. Take the family business.
Alejandra Costillo (10:41 PM)
Thank you, but no. They're going crazy over the idea of internal mutiny, and want you.
Selena Seim (10:41 PM)
NO.
Alejandra Costillo (10:46 PM)
This is the perfect opportunity for you. You've always been so stubborn. So very stubborn. Mommy and daddy never liked it. They couldn't mold you into the perfect criminal like me. But apparently, stubbornness is a characteristic currently wanted in the industry. This is your chance to prove how badass you can be. Your chance to get un-disowned.
Selena Seim (10:46 PM)
My god you've changed. And no thanks, I'm fine here. Why aren't they offering it to you?
Alejandra Costillo (10:47 PM)
Selena, it's because they want someone who hasn't gotten arrested yet. Just come please.
Alejandra Costillo (10:52 PM)
You've gone quiet. You obviously won't come through a simple "please," so I'll simply have to drag you out of London.
Selena Seim (10:52 PM)
"Drag" me?
Alejandra Costillo has logged out.
I sighed and let my weary head all into my hands. I cannot tell Sherlock or John any of this. My past is my past, and I cannot let it interfere with my future. And even though I have no idea how my sister Alejandra is going to "drag me out of London," I'll have to keep on my toes. Anyone who's grown-up in the industry or has been part of a major job with the Empire, knows about how my parents and Alejandra having access to anyone willing to get paid to spy on anybody.
Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door, and then a crash. Closing my laptop and running downstairs, I saw a bunch of policemen running around the flat and overturning chairs and pushing off books from the shelves. "What's going on?" I yelled, just when the familiar face of Detective Inspector Lestrade loomed over to me. This cannot be good.
"This is a drugs bust, Ms. Seim."
Yes I know there hasn't been any real interaction between Selena and Sherlock or John, but I thought I might as well bring up Selena's teenage years as an ex-convict in this chapter since I hinted at it in previous chapters. For sure it's going to play a big role in the upcoming sequel. Right now, this whole story sets up her, her life, and her skills.
And just out of curiosity: What do you think "the family Empire" is? I already have a set idea, but I really want to surprise you guys. I just want to see if anyone's figured it out. xD And if you don't get it now, it'll be more evident in the sequel.