asdfg: Well, I should tell you to prepare yourself for the last few chapters.
Guest (Jul 20): Yeah, I get it. I'm kind of an expert in fucking up feelings.
Yan: It's not the last chapter yet, is it? There are still quite a lot of things that could happen. I don't know.
avidreader: Now I don't know how to respond to your review. It's really sweet and nice, I'm flattered. You're right, things didn't go the way we all wanted. It's the kind of reality I wanted to mirror out. But it's not the end of the world, right? That's just life.
Guest (Jul 17): Well, I do love surprises! :)
AnonTheWriter: You know when, in movies, they set a scene into a mute slow motion? That's how I pictured the part with the bomb. Just a moment of silence and adds to the suspense. So, I'm glad at least one person had the same kind of feeling. Sort of. With regards to Bumper, I wanted to give a purpose as to why Beca didn't kill him off before. And don't worry about over thinking, you might be right. Good luck with Poison & Wine, by the way. That story killed me every chapter.
Guest (Jul 15): Saw people's reaction on that game. It's really heartbreaking.
Tofu9162: So we're finally on the same page, like, literally. LOL. Again, thanks for all the reviews you left. Your most recent review actually inspired this new chapter, you'll see how. I find your perspective on Benji interesting. While it's true that he could be regarded as a hero, there's actually two ways to look at it. First is as a loyal servant who willingly sacrificed his own life, and second is as a sort of an antagonist. Arguably, he stole the chance for Phil to reunite with his family, but who knows?
BeChloeFan01: It was meant for them to lose the treasure, dear. Otherwise, this would be a very boring cliche of a story. Cheer up, the story's not over yet.
madness2013: We all have to say goodbye eventually, yeah?
Rennie Laroche: Speaking as a reader, I never thought Beca would step down, not even for Chloe. I guess that's just how love works. I clearly intended CR to say such things because I wanted to emphasize the irony. Considering that Beca was dubbed as the monstrous of all monsters, she was the only one brave enough to follow her heart. And yeah, Bumper and Ben should die.
Kartoffel, MysticFalls94: You guys really thought The Society would get the treasure, didn't you?
RobOverstreet: I think that's the hardest part in writing a story. You have to say goodbye to all the characters and moments you have grown to love. Sadly. Oh, and I'm not sure if you were referring to me or the organization, but nevertheless, I love you too, cricket.
crystalsoda1: Aww.
cricket: Yes, Chloe is the miserable one. Hands down. And yes, it's going to be a happy ending. That I can assure you.
Guest (Jul 14): Is this our new chant?
aimeekiwi93: Wow, really? You still want a third installment? LOL. I never even dreamed about a sequel. It just happened by popular demand, I guess. Well, if this ever get published into a book, I will most definitely send you a signed copy with a personal note, so let's keep our fingers crossed.
First of all, this is shorter than the previous chapters, but there's lots of dialogues which I truly enjoyed. I was tremendously challenged as what this chapter would be all about because for one, there's no more treasure. It's kind of chill, but it was nice. I like how it went. Consider this the denouement.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Departure
"Yes, Maverick!" the trainer cheerfully clapped his hands for the brave little warrior walking down a make-shift uphill road as a training for his prosthetic limbs. "You're doing a great job, kiddo. Just keep walking 'til you get to the end."
Ronie watched from a far, her hands were clasped together against her chest while her lips curved in an obvious grin of pride. This was definitely a significant progress compared to the kid's previous session. Maybe it had to do with the attendance of his favorite evil person who stood nonchalantly next to her mother and spoke no word at all. If she could just pretend, even for a little bit, that she was somehow enthusiastic about this big achievement.
"Just a few more steps and you're on top of the Everest."
Determined, Maverick took the remaining steps in a hurry then the entire room chorused in celebration. He never fell and the number of times he had to hold on to the rail on the side did not exceed thrice. It would mean that he would be able to walk and move as normally as possible in no time as if both his legs were never really amputated.
"I'll see you next week, okay?" the trainer high-fived the trainee for a job well done before dutifully turning towards the typically quiet brunette. His face suddenly turned serious. "Uh, the… Head Phoenix sends her regards."
She didn't make any further reaction than her usual vacancy, scaring a former inferior away while Ronie pretended to ignore such exchange the entire time; she focused on getting Maverick into the wheelchair and helped him put away his prosthetic limbs. Continuing with the prosthesis training in a normal hospital instead of the underground infirmary back in Old Pandemonium didn't really get them away from the same people they were trying to forget already. Normal people usually didn't receive any message from certain Head Phoenix whoever that was.
"Did you see it, Becky?" the kid eagerly tugged the hem of Beca's shirt in excitement. "Did you see it? Did you see it? They say, with more practice, I can start running soon too. Isn't that cool?"
"Hmm." The lack of interest clouded her external persona. But, really, she was far more ecstatic than anybody else deep inside. Otherwise, she would have never bothered to spend much of her time in this gloomy place and endure the terrorizing smell of disinfectant. She wouldn't have been willingly and patiently pushing the wheelchair for Maverick. "So, ice cream?"
"Yes, please!"
She threw a look at her mother who had just settled into the passenger seat of the old Toyota Yaris.
"Oh you were talking to the kid," realized the older brunette.
"So what do you say, kiddo?" Beca asked one more time while she buckled him up on the back seat. "Do you still have energy for some ice cream?"
Maverick giggled adorably and readily nodded his head. That was when she pulled off a snicker because of how jovial he had been only for a taste of ice cream. Yeah, she knew she did the best thing after all. She should have done this a long long time ago – abandon the mighty Phoenix for this chance at a wonderful life, not only with Chloe but with Maverick too. Yes, Maverick. Maybe he could go with them when they leave; Chloe would never mind, she would be beyond blissful. Oh, leave. Right, her mother had no clue about it yet. Nobody else had the knowledge of. They were waiting for the right timing to break the big news.
"Mirelli's, huh?" she hopped into the driver's seat after putting the wheelchair into the back hatch and put her seat belt on.
He was nodding his head again as reflected on the rear view mirror, his wide grin displaying the large gap brought about by his two missing teeth.
"Miss Grant, can I have Cookie Monster?" he inquired because it wasn't always answerable with a 'yes' back in Barden. "No, what about Banana Cream Pie?"
"You can have whatever you like, dear."
"Hmm…" he had a finger on his chin while he looked up, contemplating. "I think I want to try the Original Salted Caramel flavor."
"Yeah, okay, but you can't try them all, alright? It's going to make you sick."
"Alright. Uh, so are we meeting Fat Amy there?" he posted yet another question. He was around that age where he naturally had more questions than what he had during the previous stage of development. "It's her favorite place. And I haven't seen her for a long time. I miss her."
For the record, Fat Amy had a lot of favorite places especially when it came to food selection. Everywhere that served non-vegetarian was her favorite place, that's why her food preferences would never jive with Aubrey's. Beca knew this. In fact, she knew every little thing about the Australian by heart while the blonde expertly knew how to deal with the supposedly heartless creature; they could be like an old married couple for it, actually. Just great, Beca thought. She was missing her former partner in crime.
"I want to see Rem too!" Maverick quickly added – how could he forget about her. He was then giggling dreamily, his cheeks blushing red. "She's pretty."
It was bad, the fact that Beca was also missing that particular crazy blonde. It was ridiculous, outrageous in so many levels. Sickening, even. Why oh why, of all people?
"They are busy with work nowadays," Ronie answered for the unresponsive cricket. Of course, it wasn't easy to leave her entire life behind in a snap. It's going to be a long process for the former mighty Phoenix.
"Busy?" the kid questioned. He was sensing an irregularity in the alibi. "But, Miss Grant, they don't have work. They're just playing on their laptops, like, all the time."
So, what should they tell him? That they were working for a criminal organization in an underground facility, and that they usually do criminal stuff on their laptop for a living? They might as well bring the kid back to Pandemonium if that was the case.
"Uh… Chloe," Miss Grant blurted out the first thing she thought could completely divert his attention with the essential amount of interest on the subject. "Yeah, what about Chloe? Maybe, uh, she can meet us there after her business meeting. She can do that, right, Beca?"
The cricket handed her phone over to her mother. "Send a text message to Kimmy Jin. Everything has to pass through Kimmy fucking Jin first. I don't want that bitch getting on my back again. Literally."
"Watch your language, young lady!"
Beca deliberately ignored the apprehension imposed on her. Much to Ronie's dismay, however, the kid seated at the back of the car was chuckling in enjoyment. Sometimes, it's a puzzle whether or not the cricket was a good influence on him. Meanwhile, with his presence, maybe it's the best time to disclose contentious plans.
"Listen, I need to tell you something."
Both brunette stopped to exchange looks. Whoa, it looked like it wasn't just Beca who had a secret to tell.
"You go first," Ronie forced a nervous smile.
"Uh…" Beca mentally cursed herself while she scratched the back of her head. Why did she even start it? "Well, uh… I-I've been… meaning to tell you about… Chloe and I talked and… since everything just didn't go as planned, and you know, there's nothing really… We were thinking about…"
"About…?"
"We're throwing a party," her liar of a mouth vomited the words. "Yeah, because that's what normal people do. Friday night? I hope you'd come."
"Party!" Maverick clapped his hands happily.
Ronie let out a chuckle. "Sure, we'll be there."
"Okay," her daughter nodded. "So… what were you saying, mom?"
"Oh it can wait," replied the other. It was a good thing that they had arrived at Mirelli's, and the kid was growing impatient to get his ice cream – saved by the bell.
Ding dong.
It wasn't Aubrey, Chloe was sure, because knowing her best friend, she would simply let herself in with her spare key as if it was her own house. She's always welcome, really, but sometimes, she just couldn't grasp the whole idea of privacy especially when a couple was clearly in the commencement of a heated make out session.
"Ronie," she greeted the unexpected visitor who came along with Maverick. Her voice was louder than usual so her girlfriend could hear it. Did she know they were coming? Beca wasn't making any violent reaction, so that would be a yes. "It's nice to see you. Come in."
"Party! Party! Party!" Maverick began chanting right after receiving a hug from his most favorite redhead.
Party? What party? The clueless host hid her lack of knowledge with an ever-charming smile. Nonetheless, she welcomed the guests wholeheartedly. She wished Beca could have told her about this party though, so she wouldn't have to tolerate watching Maverick's face fall in big disappointment when he saw the view inside the house - no party balloons, no food, no anything. Sure, because there's no party to begin with.
"I-I thought you guys are having…" Ronie couldn't even end the sentence.
"Party in a few," was all her daughter announced before disappearing back into the kitchen.
"Uh…" Chloe turned to the first arrivals, most likely to be the only arrivals, for the evening. "M-Make yourself at home. I'll go help Beca, uh… prepare for the party. W-We'll be at the kitchen if you need anything."
Lying still wasn't her thing. Fortunately, the kid was already rushing to the living room. Ronie, however, wasn't that naïve to be convinced. She knew the truth, and she knew that the redhead was trying to back her girlfriend for whatever its worth. Chloe offered an apologetic gesture, and so the brunette nodded her head understandingly and handed over the bottle of wine she brought with her. Fine, she'd take the ride. She went after Maverick to the living room while the other hurried to the kitchen. The mastermind behind all this was truthfully cooking for dinner.
"So," Chloe began, setting down the wine on top of the counter, "do you want to brief me about this party that apparently we are having tonight or are you just going to let me guess about your plans for the evening? You see, babe, last time I checked, you're not exactly the party animal type."
"It's just a party. No big deal."
"I don't know what kind of a party you have in my mind, but… this is no party. There are three of us and a kid, and wine for dinner."
"Spaghetti?" Beca held up a wooden spoon for her to taste the sauce.
The redhead compliantly tasted it. Damn it, her girlfriend was really great at cooking. She found herself submitting even more into whatever Beca was planning here. That meant it was time to get out of the spell and run for her life.
"Beca, what's going on?"
The quiet cricket was on mute, unfortunately.
"Tell me. Whatever this is, we're in this together."
The young Mitchell sighed, defeated. "I haven't told her about us leaving. I was hoping we'd break the news tonight."
"Oh."
"And I've been considering," the cook approached the oven to check on the chicken. "Maybe we can take Maverick with us."
Jaw dropped immediately at the confession. Chloe could barely believe it. Was this the same Beca who almost ran over her the first time they met outside Old Pandemonium? Was this the same Beca who didn't give any concern for another human being? This time, she was practically telling her girlfriend about her interest in adopting the kid whom she used to despise by the way.
"What?" Beca cocked an eyebrow because the redhead was smirking at her playfully as if she did something either silly or totally out of her callous character.
"I'm so proud of you," said the young heiress in all honesty. "And you make me fall in love with you even more every single day."
"What did I do?"
Chloe let out a chuckle and shook her head for the oblivious one. "Nothing."
That word. They should have known that there was no more turning back after that. Beca fetched a pair of glasses, placed them on the counter, and poured in some wine.
"I haven't told Aubrey yet," admitted the redhead before anxiously biting her lip.
"It's nice to have a problem other than worrying about a treasure, hmm?" the other laughed. She had never felt so normal; it was nice. She then raised her glass for a little toast. "Good luck to us."
As if on cue, they heard the front door swing open. No doorbell prior to that, so it had to be Aubrey. There was a loud thick Australian accent announcing take-out dinner, so the Posen heiress wasn't alone. Maybe it was the universe's way of telling Beca to stop lying because then everybody they were supposed to but had forgotten to invite for this make-believe party came in attendance. Perfect timing? There couldn't be any other time than this.
So Fat Amy and Jesse had been monopolizing the Xbox for the last couple of hours, playing Just Dance 2014. It's a very good exercise for the healthy blonde; it could make her, uh, healthier by burning some unnecessary layers of fats. Well, it would have been effective if she could just quit munching chocolate chip cookies every two minutes – the large cookie jar was almost empty.
[I don't wanna go to sleep
I wanna stay up all night
I wanna just screw around
I don't wanna think about
What's gonna be after this
I wanna just live right now]
Jesse, on the other hand, had his game face on, competitive when it comes to video games as always. He was on the lead but only with a very small margin – one mistake could absolutely change the course of the competition. It was already too late when he realized that his sexist self should have picked the girl instead of the panda because then Fat Amy was climbing on his back to earn a perfect score. That happened right before they both tumbled down the floor.
[C'mon 'cause I know what I like
And you're looking just like my type
Let's go for it just for tonight
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon
Now don't even try to deny
We're both going home satisfied
Let's go for it just for tonight
C'mon, c'mon, c'mon]
Meanwhile, Rem was stuck on the couch with little Maverick who was obviously daydreaming about her this whole time. She had never been creep out in her whole life – wide eyes and that cheeky grin. If he wasn't a seven-year old boy, she would seriously assume that he was already undressing her the first thirty seconds that they had been seated next to each other. To shake off the disturbing image, she awkwardly sipped from her glass of wine, avoiding the pair of small eyes glued on her.
At the patio was the site for a little chess battle between mother and son. Whoever was winning it, Aubrey had no idea until the two players would start reacting at the end of the match. She made a mental note to herself to ask her best friend to teach her how to play such a boring game just so she could have another reason to spend more time with Stan. Speaking of her best friend, where had she been anyway? Oddly, her pint-sized girlfriend was nowhere to be found as well. If she would have bothered to leave Stan's side for a minute, she would have found the pair of lovebirds seated on the kitchen floor, hiding behind the counter, and sharing a plate of spaghetti and meatballs. No, they weren't trying to recreate that romantic scene from The Lady and the Tramp. This was merely stress-eating.
"You tell them," Beca mumbled.
"No, you tell them!" insisted the other.
"Why does it have to be me?"
"You're… I don't know, you say something and people never question it, you know."
"My mom questions me about everything."
"You have got to be kidding me. You used to be this scary killing machine and now you're afraid of your mother?"
The former mighty Phoenix pulled off this image of a poor and helpless and piteous person – how did she even do it? It was supposed to be Chloe's strategy! The cold-blooded beast had come a long way to be able to execute it perfectly well.
"Fine." The ladybug took a deep breath. "We'll do it together."
Her girlfriend speechlessly appealed, but Chloe shot back a dirty look and so the negotiation eventually came to a close. It was fair enough, actually. It was a mutual decision, so it was only reasonable that they break out the news together. Chloe was the one who stood up first, placed the plate of spaghetti on top of the island counter, and extended a hand towards the quiet cricket. Sighing loudly, the brunette took it and trailed behind the braver one as they slowly moved to join the others in the living room.
"Oh there you are."
Why did it have to be Aubrey who had to greet them first?
"Well, since most of us are here," Chloe began to attract everybody's utmost attention and she got a gentle squeeze of encouragement, "Beca and I… we have s-something to tell you."
"Beca got you pregnant, huh?" Fat Amy joked and laughed hilariously along with her fellow IT expert.
"We're leaving," was Beca's firm response, however, much to the surprise of her audience. Even her girlfriend was stunned by the courageous straightforward reply.
Stan was up on his feet in shock. "What? W-What do you mean you're leaving?"
"Not funny," the healthy blonde shook her head towards her former roommate.
"Maverick," Ronie hurriedly turned to the kid before he could post his own set of questions and motioned towards the stairs. "Go play upstairs. The adults are talking right now."
The brave little warrior left his seat in obedience but made sure to catch a glimpse of his favorite brunette before ascending the stairs with a toy in hand.
"Chloe?" Aubrey was using that voice, that look, that entire attitude that would normally make her best friend recoil in intimidation.
"Aubrey, this is not something we didn't think about, alright?"
"Young lady?"
"It's going to happen," Beca reaffirmed. "We're leaving. We're moving to France."
"Whoa!" Stan held up a hand. "Hey, it's one thing to quit The Secret Society, and I'm glad that you did, but this… this is a whole other thing, kiddo. Come on, you're leaving? Now that the chaos is over, you're going to run away? I thought we're a family!"
Chloe came to the rescue, "It's not her fault. It was my idea. Staying here is just… already too much to handle."
"Staying here… with your best friend," the Posen heiress spoke, feeling a little insulted. "Doesn't it mean anything to you now?"
"Aubrey, that's not what I meant! I mean… I watched them kill my dad! My dad exploded right in front of me! I still get nightmares about it, and I don't know if I'm ever going to be able to move on from that. Now we leaving, it might be the only chance for Beca and I to have a fresh start."
"We're here for both of you," replied Ronie. "What else do you need, ladies?"
It was one way of saying 'aren't we enough?' which had a corresponding wrong answer. Ronie would rarely say something serious, but when she did, it was usually undisputable. What she said, a question of counter-attack, was one hell of a surefire that Beca and Chloe had their mouths shut with no fine answer prepared to be given. So, the quiet cricket clasped her girlfriend's hand once more and faced the rest of the group.
"We need to leave," she pronounced.
"Fine. Do whatever you want," Aubrey threw her hands in the air in surrender. She grabbed her bag from the table and walked out, slamming the door behind her. She must be crying already – her best friend had started – and so Stan rushed to go after her.
"Maverick?" Ronie called out and soon the kid was at the stairs. "Get your coat, honey. We're about to go."
"You can stay for the night," muttered her daughter.
"No, thanks. You might want to start packing."
"I want Maverick," Beca revealed. This might be the first and last opportunity to do it. "I know I'm not the best person to take care of him, but I'm never going to abandon him the way his parents did."
"Oh my god," Jesse was looking at the older brunette in disbelief. "You said you told her, Ronie."
He earned a glare from Fat Amy before being haphazardly dragged out of the door to leave. Damn his stupid mouth. He should have seen the sign and pretended that he didn't know anything. Idiot Padawan.
"What is he talking about?" inquired the young Mitchell.
Her mother avoided the pair of dark blue eyes while the subject of the confrontation was slowly making his way towards the remaining members of the group.
"Mom!" Beca demanded for an answer.
"Go find Jesse then I'll meet you in the car, okay?" Ronie instructed the kid.
Maverick nodded his head yet could hardly comprehend what was going on. He was gone for a short time and suddenly Chloe was crying while Beca didn't look too happy and so was Miss Grant. Nevertheless, still confused and curious, he innocently waved them goodbye, and did as he was directed.
"What's going on?"
"I received a call from Maverick's aunt," explained the former Barden Chief Directress. "They want to have him back. I asked Jesse to conduct a background check, and... They are the family he'd always been looking for, Beca. I'm driving him to Louisiana in a few days to meet them."
Beca felt her heart shattered into pieces. It would be such a selfish thing to ask the kid to stay when she herself was determined to leave. She wouldn't be that hypocrite. Of course, she wasn't the only one who needed a second chance at a normal life.
"You are welcome to send him off," was her mother's parting words.
All that's left was Rem still seated on the couch with a glass of wine. Ignoring the eyes focused on her, she leisurely took her time in consuming the beverage, speechless and calm. There must be something completely off with this crazy woman's brain or she simply didn't care that much about other people. Everybody's leaving, so what? The last drop of wine finally washed her throat after some time. Idly, she placed the glass on top of the coffee table, picked up her jacket as she stood, and headed towards the door.
"Call me if you ever need a hand," she offered without looking back then she was gone.
The pair of lovebirds exchanged hopeful looks. At least, one person was still on their side. Of all people, the cheat code became a symbol of hope and refuge.
"Dude, take a seat."
Ben could feel his blood boiling inside of him with every rush through his veins as he looked upon the derision painted on his brother's face. He remained standing by the chair assigned for him and ran his eyes over the room. Gathered around the long table were new faces. These weren't Syndics, yet they seemed to be important people when Bumper bothered to wear something nice and presentable other than his usual sense of fashion.
"I said take a seat, Benjamin."
The younger McDouglas acted like he didn't hear a thing. The Head Syndic was not happy to be snubbed like this in front of his people. One simple gesture and X, ever-gigantic, easily pushed down Ben by the shoulder, forcing him to take his freaking seat.
"There," Bumper flashed a grin. "We are now complete and this meeting is set to commence."
"What am I doing here?" the late-comer dared to ask from out of the blue.
"I want you to see the extent of our empire," was the presider's blatant reply
"Yeah?"
"This is the Council that used to fund The Secret Society. Now that it's dead, they have decided to join us instead."
"Great!" Ben exclaimed sarcastically. "So these are the people who go to where the money is."
"Benjamin!"
"Congratulations, my dear older brother. You have found the group of people who would glaly kiss your ass."
"Mr. McDouglas," someone from the Council spoke out. Ben recognized him as the exclusive auto dealer of a successful car manufacturing company in one of those developing countries. "This is purely business. We need something from you, you need something from us. We both make an investment we hope to be profitable. You're a businessman yourself; you should know how it works."
"Businessman... Is that what we are calling ourselves now? What an awfully beautiful way of sugar-coating our criminal minds."
"The Mitchells never wasted our time like this," warned another Council member.
That was when Bumper fixed a death glare towards his younger brother. They would need the help of the Council to multiply the treasure, and they wouldn't be getting the help they needed if his moronic brother didn't stop pissing off their special guests.
"Unlike the coward ones who submitted to your leadership, we are here not because you won the treasure," reminded the auto dealer. "We chose you because the mighty Phoenix quit The Secret Society."
So the rumors swirling around were true.
"Do you seriously think that losing One Hundred and Seventy Five Billion dollars would stop her? She can bring the Syndicate down all by herself if she wants to."
It made the Head Syndic instantly tick. One Hundred and Seventy Five Billion dollars? They only obtained three billion from the house!
"Let's postpone this meeting," the Council adjourned. "Call us when you're ready to rule the underground."
Before long, the Council members were walking out of the door, and Bumper didn't care. His mind was set only on one thing – it wasn't over. The treasure hunting was not yet accomplished. The treasure was yet to be found.
"She tricked you, didn't she?"
His brother, chuckling mockingly, reached for the pitcher of water and filled up a glass. He held it and leaned back to his seat.
"She knows," realized the other in remorse.
The younger McDouglas nodded his head in agreement. "I have a plan. I can help you. But this time... we are going to kill her, Bumper."
"We will kill Beca," promised Bumper. It was one promise he was willing to keep. The last battle had yet to be fought. Debts were already paid; no more second chances. Once and for all, the mighty Phoenix had to be killed.
Stan sat awkwardly in between Chloe and Aubrey who had not spoken since the night of argument. He was the only thing standing in the way, ensuring that no confrontation or catfight would ensue. It was difficult sitting there in silence, watching the two closest people he knew grow apart in the most inconvenient way possible. It was worse than lovers breaking up. It felt like the end of an era, even for an outsider.
"So Chloe-" he tried to strike a some small talk but was immediately apprehended by a unanimous 'don't'. It was as if both ladies had their minds in sync which happened naturally.
The glass door suddenly opened and everyone in the Conference Room alertly stood up – Kimmy Jin, Gail, and even the two heiresses - so the young Mitchell figured that he must follow the lead. A man in a fancy suit and tie entered the room. He had golden hair, abundance of sophistication and his entire being was screaming intimidation. This, no doubt, was Aubrey's father.
"Five minutes," was his greeting as he sat on one of the chairs at the opposite side of the table.
Kimmy Jin and Gail leaned forward to start. "Miss Beale here is entitled to her father's shares."
"So?"
"She deserves a seat in the Board."
Richard scoffed and fixed a stern look at the redhead. "You are ambitious. It is such a shame that you have people to speak for you. Perhaps, you lose your tongue when your father died?"
"Mr. Posen-"
"Mr. Posen," Chloe cut off her secretaries to prove that she wasn't as weak as he perceived her to be. "My parents worked hard to build up and expand this Corporation."
"Sentimental value doesn't worth that much… Chloe, right? You see, we sell tangible products and services, not your family history. You should understand that running a business is not something you think you could easily accomplish. It's a jungle out here. You're not going to survive."
"One time," she guaranteed. "I just need one time to seat on the Board, Mr. Posen. I just need to cast a vote for the upcoming board meeting. It's only right that I get to have a say as to the future of Phoenix."
"Phoenix will be merging with my old company," explained the President. "The rest of the Board has already agreed. The election will be conducted only for formality's sake. It's done, dear."
She paused shortly and sighed. "The airlines. Your old company was the one who bought it from my father, I know. Now I want the airlines."
"It's not a candy."
"I buy it back."
"It's not for sale."
"You can have all the remaining shares of my father," was Chloe's last leverage. "Your shares will rise up to eighty percent. It will cement your position for a lifetime. I will give you the shares. Just let me buy back the airlines."
Tempting, it was. Richard had never thought this hard because the truth was the Board of Directors had taken regard to Clarence's daughter. For someone who graduated from Harvard Business School as the top of her class and considering her lifelong experiences growing up with her father, she wouldn't be a bad choice. With all the bad publicity, a newbie would do well for the corporation. She was a threat, most certainly, but not if she would no longer hold any stock to give her authority.
"Your five minutes is over," he announced and stood up, ready to leave. He realized that she wanted the airlines more than a seat on the Board or a shot at the presidency. And he was not going to give her the pleasure to make him cave in.
"Wait! Mr. Posen!"
"My condolences, Miss Beale. that's all I can offer." He went on his way towards the exit.
"I will work for you!"
That one final slug made everybody stopped in attention. The spotlight was upon Richard's only daughter, the sole heiress of the Posen legacy.
"I'll take a job," she continued and her father was, as she had expected, listening attentively. "I will do whatever you want. I will stay in the office and work for you. You want a Posen global empire, right, dad? Okay, I'll give it to you, but you have to give her back the airlines without any condition whatsoever."
"You start on Monday," Richard smirked and left.
The austere mask immediately disappeared from Aubrey's face as soon as the door closed. Taking a deep breath, she smacked herself inside her golden head – he won again, her father just kept beating her out of the game.
"What did you do?" she heard her best friend's strained voice. "You hate him. You hate being with your family."
"Yeah, well…" Aubrey met Chloe's eyes and shrugged. "I love you so…"
The redhead felt tears slipping out of her eyes. Good thing her insensitive girlfriend was not around to witness this touching moment otherwise, Beca would have been rolling her eyes. Stan smiled at them both before following Kimmy Jin and Gail on their way out. The blonde clicked her tongue because when her baby of a best friend started crying, chances were she would be just as affected. Therefore, she opened up her arms for Chloe to crawl in for a hug. This would make it more difficult to say goodbye.
Paul made his way through the dancing crowd with a brown paper bag in his arm. This stupid kids at the VIP area, they just couldn't get their tongues away from each other he had to use his hands to push them apart and clear his path. The guy was poised to attack the rude fellow, but all it took was a sight of a pistol discreetly tucked in the side. The former Syndic generously offered him a dirty look and proceed to the second floor, to the Private room where his teammates were in the middle of a meeting.
"Have some apple?" Paul picked up a piece from the bag. He got lots of shaking heads except from Fat Amy, so an apple was tossed her way. "Where are we on things?"
"The Council had crossed the fence," Skyler updated. "We're losing a lot of money."
The Head Phoenix heaved out a sigh in disappointment. "I'm sorry, guys. This is my fault. I… I-I can't do this. If only Beca's here…"
The entire team shifted their gazes towards the pair of IT experts engrossed into their laptops for a new prospect for a mission in order to meet their quota for the week. Jesse automatically gave his partner a push. He wouldn't be put under the hot seat.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Fat Amy frowned at them. "Beca doesn't want to be involved anymore. We don't even talk about it anymore. She made a freaking decision, people. We all just have to respect that."
"I agree," Thud seconded.
What's left of Team Pura bowed their heads in compunction. What were they going to do? The Secret Society was on the verge of sinking. Not even Pandemonium 2.0 would be able to save it.
"It doesn't make sense," supposed Paul. "To me, it doesn't."
"What is?"
"Beca," he answered. "I know how much she loves Chloe. I've seen that love story unfold right before my very eyes, but… no, I don't think she's just going to leave The Society hanging like this."
"She's done," Cynthia-Rose asserted. "And yeah, Fat Amy's right. We have to respect that. For now, we just have to figure out how we're going to make it on our own."
A loud collective sigh filled the atmosphere. The Secret Society was on the verge of collapse – they were losing money, people, resources, everything they worked hard for. Bumper didn't even have to do anything to kill the organization. They were already so good at doing it to themselves.
"I can't believe you're actually selling this place."
The Posen heiress bounced a little as she sat, prim and proper, at the edge of the bed when her best friend flopped into the pool of pink madness.
"You practically spent your whole life here in this manor."
"I offered it to Gail and Kimmy Jin, but they won't take it. With both my parents gone and me leaving, there's nobody left to look after it. I'd rather sell it to strangers than let it go to waste."
Aubrey looked around the old bedroom. The touch of Tickle Me Pink sprinkled all around the place, stuffed toy versions of Snagglepuss and Patrick Star on the sofa, a Hello Kitty sleeping bag readily available in the balcony – she realized every little detail spelled out Chloe. It was like her presence never really left.
"I'll take it," she told the girl lying lazily on the bed.
The redhead opened one eye to see the seriousness painted on her best friend's face. "What are you saying?"
"Let me buy the manor."
Chloe propped her upper body up with her elbows. "Are you sure?"
"Well," Aubrey's voice trailed off. "Considering the deal I made with my evil father, it's only a matter of time 'til he gets to control my life. I'm going to need a place to run. What's more perfect than here?"
"I'm sorry," the other apologized for the hundredth time. "He will come between you and Stan."
"Let him try," smiled the stronger one in full confidence. "Hey, come on! You said we're going to the home theater! I miss Captain Sparrow so much! I want to see if he still has… you know, that thing."
"You really are straight," her best friend commented as she let herself be dragged away from the comfy material.
Down at the backyard garden, meanwhile, Fat Amy and Jesse entertained Maverick by playing random games with the kid which usually involved flashlights and glow in the dark rings in the vast landscape of darkness; Ronie was helping out, or rather disturbing, Beca at the grilling station, and so leaving Stan alone with Rem by the portable fire pit. She was wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses while her back was reclined against the lawn chair and her face was directed up to the night sky as if she was sunbathing under the moonlight especially with that tankini. Weird as it was, Stan's attraction towards the crazy blonde only intensified.
"Stop staring," she murmured.
He quickly looked away pretending not to be doing what she said he was doing.
"You already have a girlfriend."
Well, yeah. Sort of. It's complicated.
"Do you love her?"
"Yes," he heard himself answer. No second thoughts. "I do."
"Then I'm still going to kill you if you ever cheat on her."
"I'm going to get over you, I promise." That was the first time ever that he admitted, although implicitly, that he had some magical-butterflies-floating-in-the-stomach kind of feelings for her.
Deemed amusing, she pushed the sunglasses on top of her head so he could see her hazel greens stealing the spotlight from her playful smirk.
"Now stop staring at me," he demanded.
"You are such an embarrassing cheeseball," she laughed. "But you know what? I really like you too, Stan."
What the fuck! Really?
"I just can't." There's the boulevard of broken dreams. "I guess blonde bitch is so lucky to have you."
"I'll pretend you didn't just call my girlfriend a bitch right in front of me."
Rem chuckled when his younger sister came in to ask for substitution. She had enough of her mother talking nineteen to the dozen. It was Stan's turn to endure it. Beca opened up a bottle of beer with her thumb and occupied her brother's previous seat, either silently staring at the fire or deliberately ignoring other physical presence in the area.
"You really hate me, don't you?" said the crazy blonde with a sneer.
"I don't hate you." It was surprising, really, that the cricket bothered to make a response.
"Fine, you don't like me."
"No, not you. I just don't like… your fucking guts."
Blondie grimaced in confusion. "My guts?"
"Yes."
"Now what the fuck did my guts do to you, huh?"
"You are everything I'm not."
Charmed, Rem put on a wide grin and reclined back to her chair while the other drank a big gulp of beer in regret. Why the hell did she blurt it out?
"You still don't deserve her, you know."
The lump of liquid was stuck in Beca's throat as the words sank into her sober brain. She knew the cheat code wasn't lying about it because she knew herself that after all, she didn't deserve Chloe.
"I'm buying your moving to France shit because that's what I signed up for," added the other. "My job is to do what you need me to do, believe what you need me to believe."
The cricket no longer dared to respond.
"They need you, that I understand. And I don't expect you to quit being the mighty Phoenix in a blink of an eye. But you have to promise me that nothing bad will happen to Chloe. Or else, you should know that I will be your number one enemy."
Was that a threat?
"Don't act so surprised," told Rem. "We're one and the same, Beca. We are one and the same."
"Just what the fuck do you mean by that?"
"I mean I'm your cheat code. If you screw up, I have to fix it for you. But Chloe… if you fail to save Chloe, who knows what would be left of her to be saved? You saw what they did to Clarence. Bumper has the advantage this time. So yeah, here I am, your cheat code. Yeah, I'm everything you're not."
Rem deliberately reached for the beer clenched in Beca's hand and took a drink herself. "Just promise me they're not going to hurt her. That's all I ask."
"Why?" Beca had to ask and found herself afraid of the answer.
"Because I didn't take care of her just so you could leave her again."
The young Mitchell directed her sharp eyes towards the other. "I'll do everything to keep her safe."
"Then I'll be where you need me," the blonde awarded a small salute then marched towards the rest of the group in time for dinner. Her fellow mighty Phoenix watched them mingle what could have been the last night of them together like this.
A sizzling plate of mouthwatering steak was each served to the McDouglases. The older one rubbed his hands together in anticipation when the door opened and his newly instated Right Hand, X, entered the dining room.
"She's here," the giant whispered into his boss' ear.
Bumper's enthusiasm for the meal slowly faded away. He looked over at his brother. "She's here."
"Then let's go meet her," replied the other, placing his napkin on top of the table, and heading out to the door. This was their utmost priority.
"Dude, are you sure about this?" asked the devil while they walked across the hallway.
"Yes."
"Is it going to work?"
Ben glanced at him briefly. "If your stories are true, then yes."
"But can we trust her?"
"It depends on your convincing power."
"You're the businessman," quietly hissed Bumper. "You sell it to her!"
"You shot the girl."
Without more time to debate, X had opened the door to the Head's office and there she was, their visitor. Skyler stood there right in the middle, nervously hugging herself. Did she do the right thing? Was it right to trust the enemy?
"Miss Conrad-"
"Cut to the chase," she cut them off. Every minute passed was suffocating her. She had to get what she came for and then leave as soon as possible.
"Okay," Bumper breathed. "You want to know the truth about your sister, right?"
"Just tell me everything you know."
"I can see why The Secret Society never told you anything about Stacie. Oh poor Stacie. How she died, it was such a tragedy."
"I swear to god, Bumper, if you don't-"
"Beca Mitchell murdered her."
Her reaction was suitable for what the brothers needed. She bit the bait.
Song: C'mon - Ke$ha
I really hate Aubrey's dad! Like, if I'm ever going to burn Bumper and Ben alive, I want him to be there too. I really hate him. What I hate even more is the fact that there are only two more chapters waiting.
Disclaimer: I don't own Pitch Perfect.