True to her word, Alex gave Piper the space she needed. In that time she planned to sort her life out. She was currently sat on her balcony, with her laptop and a beer, downloading files off of an external hard drive and waiting for Nicky to arrive. She took a swig from the bottle and adjusted her position in the chair she was sat on. Putting the bottle down she pulled the laptop closer as multiple files opened on screen.
After taking pieces of information for each file, and memorising an 8 digit code, she grabbed her phone and dialled a number which she hadn't in a very long time.
The phone rang, and Alex relaxed back in her chair.
"Hello it's Drew".
She smiled. "Drew, it's Vause".
There was a pause on the other end of the line.
"I've been waiting for your call. Have you got the pin code I gave you?".
Alex recited the code to him. Nervously adjusting her glasses.
"Drew I don't want any trouble. I just want to get my money, close the account and be done with it".
"Are you sure I can't help you invest it in other ways? I've made you a lot of money over the past 10 years. It would be a shame to stop now".
"I'm done with it all. I made a promise to myself before I got out. I'm finally free from Kubra, I need to rebuild my life again". She took another sip of her beer.
"Okay. I respect that. I'll send you a couple of emails with the figures broken down. I managed to store some of your possessions, but not many. I've paid myself what you said, and not a penny more. Check the figures Vause, and tell me the account you want it transferred into. It will be done by the end of the day. You and Diane have always been good to me".
Alex grinned. "Thank you. What do you have stored?".
She heard him chuckled to himself. "Theres a lock-up. I'll email you the address, but don't worry its local. The code to get in is the same as the one you gave to me. Your cars, motorbike, and jewellery collection are there. As well as paper work to your properties, and some other household knickknacks that I could grab before your place was sweeped".
"You managed to save my fucking cars?! Dude I love you!".
"If only!" He chuckled. "Don't be a stranger, check in if you need too I'm always here for you after all you and Diane did for me. We'll talk soon". The phone clicked off.
There was a loud series of knocks on the door. Placing her laptop on the decked floor she swiftly made her way to the front door and opened it.
"So I have pizza and beers. How much do you love me?".
Nicky barrelled through the door, dumping her bag in the hall and kicking her boots off, before making her way outside to the balcony.
Alex shut the door, and placed Nicky's boots neatly on the wrack before returning back outside to her chair. Nicky was already chowing down on her second slice of pizza.
She raised an eyebrow at her, which in return Nicky gave her a goofy grin with mozzarella dangling from her mouth.
"Fuck you're lucky Lorna has already agreed to marry you!". She leant over and grabbed a slice.
"I know! Now means I get to let myself go".
"You mean you hadn't already?
Nicky threw one of the pillows from the spare chair at her, which she easily dodged. "Is that all you got?".
"Sorry, my hands are full" she replied, with pizza in one hand and a beer in the other.
Finishing her own slice, she picked up her laptop. "I made the call today. I'm just waiting on the emails".
"Money?'.
"Money".
She logged back in and noticed 3 emails had arrived in her inbox. Opening one, there was an address, and opening hours. Only 20 minutes away.
She opened the second email, and scanned through the writing. Her smile increased with every line.
"What is it stretch?".
"Like I said before, I had a guy watch my money. Not any guy though, one of the best! I knew from the start that this could be dangerous, so from the start of it all I had someone manage my money. Drew is an old family friend, and managed everything for me. He invested a shit ton, and also managed to save some of my things. This email is just the balances of my bank account, not including any investments". She highlighted the figure, and turned the laptop round so Nicky could see.
Nicky leant forward and scanned for the number. Her eyes bulged.
"Holy shit Vause. Thats 500 million dollars in there!".
Alex chuckled and took the laptop back off her. She replied to the email with her details and shut it down.
"Fancy coming to pick my car up?'.
"Fuck yes".
She quickly downed the rest of the bottle. Grabbing her laptop and phone she walked back inside. Placing her laptop on the counter she grabbed her jacket off the back of the couch and picked up her key.
"Come on I can't wait for you to see this".
Twenty minutes later they arrived at a large warehouse. The pair walked in through a set of glass doors into a large reception area. After checking in and showing ID, they were guided through a series of corridors and out to the back of the lock up. They were left outside a large metal door. Alex walked towards a keypad to the left of the door and punched in a code. The door clicked and slid open.
Walking inside the lights flickered on. Walking down the centre of the room she smiled to herself. She turned and smirked at Nicky.
"Holy fuck Vause. I knew you were totally fucking loaded. But this? Its…just…"
"Wow. Nicky Nichols speechless. I never thought i'd see the day! So…which one?" She said whilst gesturing to the cars.
They were parked neatly in a row and were in pristine condition. A black Ferrari 488 Spider, a black Lamborghini Aventador SV, a white Ford Mustang GT350R and a black Audi R8.
"I'm a Ferrari girl Vause through and through". Nicky climbed into the passenger side. "Fuck it even smells new. Have you even used this?".
Alex shrugged off her jacket and climbed in the drivers side. "No. Never. I'd just bought it before I was arrested. It hadn't even been delivered. I'm fucking stoked Drew managed to get this. I'd had my eye on one for a while."
"So, I guess we need to take it for a spin then?" Nicky replied waggling her eyebrows.
Alex buckled up and turned on the car. The sound of the engine echoed throughout the lock up as she revved the engine. She smiled and pulled out the space and left out the still open door of the lock up. She quickly ran out and locked the door again before returning to the car, and driving off with Nicky.
—
It had been a week since they had last seen each other in person. They had sent daily messages with brief updates of their days with well wishes, and a few small admissions of missing each others company.
Piper was missing Alex, of that she was certain. After only a few days of her company, all of her senses had become overwhelmed. The fire had been regained, and the heat was surging through her veins again. It felt natural.
Larry had bombarded her with hundreds of calls and messages. Piper picked up her phone as it rang for what felt the millionth time again. Larry please leave me alone.
She had to admit she had been busy since Alex has left her at the door of her apartment. Or should she say old apartment. Or Larry's apartment.
She had been living with Larry for a few years, and as soon as she had entered the complex, the most overwhelming suffocating feeling enveloped her. She needed to get away from this place. Especially after the events of the previous week. I knew this would hurt him. And I hate that I have caused him pain. I really did love him. But never did I think he would ever lay a hand on me. Not ever.
She hadn't stayed at the apartment that night. After watching Alex leave she quickly made her way into the building. The lights were off, and Larry was no where to be seen. Good. I can do without the confrontation. In and out Pipes, you and do this.
She entered the bedroom, and pulled out a large black suitcase from inside the closet. She laid it open on the bed and made quick work of folding her clothes and placing them neatly inside. She grabbed her jewellery box from the dresser, her perfumes and her make up bag. Entering the bathroom she collected all of her Popi products, and her toothbrush. She looked around the room and saw nothing else that she wanted. Piper was a minimalist, and when she moved in with Larry, apart from a few books, a couple of potted plants that she could leave behind, she came with the clothes that she owned. Her furniture from her apartment was in her parents storage lockup. Larry's place was already furnished by his parents.
Piper entered the kitchen she grabbed the few bags of organic ground coffee off the counter, and then headed to the study to grab her laptop and some of her files. After packing it all safely into the suitcase and zipping it up, she exited the bedroom into the hall. She would have to come back for her books another time.
Piper exhaled. She took a long, last look at the apartment. She had years of relatively happy memories here. She thought that this would be her life. Well how times change. Keep moving Piper. Leaving is always the hard part.
Without a second thought or hesitation, she pulled up the handle of the suitcase, and walked through the front door, gently pulling it closed till it clicked. Goodbye Larry.
—-
She was temporarily staying with Polly again. This time in the guest bedroom with an ensuite bathroom. Polly and Pete had bought their 3 storey townhouse last year in preparation for starting a family. Between the success of Popi, and Pete heading up his own advertising firm, they were pretty set.
Piper had made quick work of unpacking her belongings and had settled in the high back chair next to the window. She was on the third floor and had a great view of the city.
"Piper…" yelled Polly.
"In here".
She heard hurried footsteps coming down the hall, then door swung open and a flustered looking Polly stepped inside.
"Look, look at this for me. Tell me I'm not going crazy. Look at it."
She walked over to the window and thrust something into her hand. Piper looked down.
"Eww, Polly have you peed on this?! Why am I touching it?!".
"Please just check it for me, please Piper."
She looked down at the pregnancy test in her hand. She turned it over and smiled at what she saw. Positive.
"Oh Pol…"
"Is it really there Pipe, am I…"
Piper looked up at Polly, who had tears swelling in her eyes. She stood quickly and pulled her into a hug.
"You're going to be a Mommy Polly. You're pregnant."
"I really am? Im not imagining it?"
"Really! Congratulations!."
Polly burst into tears and clung to her. Piper knew just how long they had been trying. She knew how much it meant to Polly and Pete to become parents.
Polly took a step back, and dabbed at her eyes with her cardigan sleeve.
"Im sorry. I've just seen so many negative tests, I just though I was imagining it! Oh my god I'm pregnant. I need to tell Pete! You know what this means?!".
Piper looked at her confused.
"You're going to be an aunty. Oh fuck, does that mean my kid will have supercunt as an aunty too?!"
Piper laughed loudly and passed Polly a tissue.
"We will see! It's early days Pol. But this feels right."
"Lets go to dinner to celebrate! Oh, I know! I will tell Pete there."
"Are you sure thats something you want me to be involved in Pol? I think that should be something you and Pete should share alone tonight. Why don't you both go for a nice romantic meal, and you can tell him then? I was planning on going to the store this evening anyway to make more products, and to check on the soap moulds. I'm not planning on getting back till late."
"Yeah okay, that would be a great way to tell him he's going to be a Daddy."
Polly was smiling from ear to ear.
"Tell me all about it tomorrow. I want all the details!"
"All of them?!" Polly winked at her.
Piper made a gagging noise. "I'll pass on those details."
"Can I borrow an outfit? I want to look amazing. Perks of you being a roommate, you have an incredible wardrobe."
"Help yourself." Piper smiled. "Im about to jump in the shower, and then I'll be gone okay?'
Polly nodded and made her way to the generous sized walk in. Piper picked up her phone.
To Alex: Hey, are you free tonight? Do you fancy coming to the Popi store so we can talk? I have some work to do but we could order take out and we would be alone. As much as I hate to admit it, I'm missing you x
She made her way into the bathroom and closed the door. Turning on the shower allowing it to get hot, she placed her phone on the bathroom counter and started to strip.
Her phone chimed, and vibrated obnoxiously.
From Alex: I'm always free for you. Sure, send me the address? I'll pick up Thai food on the way! Anything in particular? I get it, I am very missable ;) x
Piper rolled her eyes. Her phone chimed again and vibrated in her hand. Looking down she saw Alex had sent her a photo. Holy fuck.
Alex was sitting out on her balcony with her laptop next to her. She was wearing small black shorts and a strappy vest top. Her long black hair, was slightly curled, with the ringlets tumbling down into her cleavage. Her tits were pushed up in a black lacy bra. Alex was staring up at the camera, her black winged eyeliner done perfectly. She looked sultry, and Piper felt as if she were prey. Her phone vibrated again in her hand. I miss you too Pipes… X
Suddenly feeling bold Piper stepped into the shower. Letting the hot water cascade over her body, she quickly captured a few second video of her running her free hand over her tits and down her stomach, steam billowing around her body. Two can play at this game Vause.
She sent the video along with a quick message containing the address for Popi, and a message to meet her there at 8.
Tonight is definitely going to be interesting. She place her phone back on the counter and continued her shower alone, with thoughts of a certain brunette.