I apologize for leaving you guys with that cliffhanger. I hope this chapter makes up for it. Once again, thank you so much for the reviews! And by the way, Morgan Croix, this chapter contains some Graverobber goodness at the end just for you! Enjoy!
Chapter 7
Shilo bit her nails and watched as David paced around the room with a worried expression on his face. Everyone else seemed to be wrapped up in what they were doing, mostly likely in fear of disobeying Amber and Luigi's orders of going back to their work. Shilo looked towards Jillian's dressing room. A part of her wanted to go knock on the door and see how the singer was doing but at the same time she didn't dare bother the Largo siblings. It was obvious that they didn't want to be disturbed by the way they rushed to Jillian's room and shut the door. She wondered what was wrong with Jillian. Her coughing fit seemed to have come from out of nowhere and she seemed perfectly fine beforehand. Pavi had carried her away so quickly and Amber had insisted that she was fine when she clearly wasn't.
"I don't understand why they couldn't have sent for a doctor. I mean there are plenty of genterns here who could have easliy helped." said David, anger seething in his voice. "That fucking Pavi Largo wouldn't allow me to help either."
"What do you think was wrong with her?" asked Shilo. "She was fine 30 minutes ago."
"Who knows?" said David. "Everytime this happens they brush it off like nothing, always claiming that she was feeling overworked or something. I seriously doubt that it was merely stress though."
"Every time? You mean this has happened before?" asked Shilo
David nodded. "It hasn't happened in a while actually but it has happened a few times before. Ana starts coughing and her body shakes. Then they'll tell us not to panic and take her somewhere. After a few minutes she'll come out and seem fine again. It's all pretty suspicious if you ask me."
"But if this a reoccurring problem, wouldn't they think to have it checked out? Does she have some sort of illness?"
David shrugged. "It's beyond me. People have asked before of course, myself included. Do you think they would give answers though? No." He let out a groan of growl of frustration and sat on a metal chair, running his fingers through his hair. "It's frustrating because well, I care a lot about her. I just hope she's okay."
"Me too." said Shilo., "Me too." She looked at the door once again and wondered if Jillian was aware of David's feelings.
"Ana, hey, Ana." Amber pat the girls cheek to see if she was still conscious. "Ana?" The young girl groaned in response. Amber sighed. "Jill? Jillian. Wake up."
Jillian slowly opened her eyes and looked at the Largo siblings that were staring down at her. She couldn't tell if they were angry or concerned or perhaps both. She groaned again. "What happened?"
"You don't remember? You collasped in the middle of the photo shoot. You're having withdrawal again." said Amber "Have you been taking your pills?"
Jillian nodded. "Twice a day like you're supposed to?" Jillian nodded again.
" It must be your body craving zydrate then." said Amber. "It's been a while. Luigi, go get a gentern."
Luigi grunted and left. Pavi continued to stare down at Jillian and she turned her head away. When Luigi returned with a gentern, she was carrying a bottle of blue, glowing liquid. Except this time it was the real stuff.
"No, Amber. I'm not drinking that." said Jillian at the sight.
"You have to. Otherwise you won't stop shaking and it'll get worse." she held out her hand and the the gentern gave her the bottle. "You know you want it."
"No I do not. I don't want more zydrate I just want my fucking pill." sneered Jillian. "It's my right. It's in my contract."
"And you will get your pill." said Amber. "For now, however, you need this to get through the rest of the day."
"I already told you, I don't want it!"
Amber sighed. "Hold her down." she directed her brothers.
Pavi and Luigi grabbed each side of her arms and tried to prevent her from squirming. Amber brought the zydrate juice to Jillian's lips as the singer thrashed in Pavi and Luigi's arms and cursed at them. Amber grabbed Jillians nose to still her breathing and began to force the blue liquid down her throat.
"Drink it." she commanded "All of it."
Jillian continued to kick and thrash but soon began to choke and had no choice to swallow. Whether she wanted to admit it or not her body craved the drug and she wouldn't be able to rest until she had it. She did as she was told and drank the whole bottle. She gasped when the Largo's released her.
"There." said a satisfied Amber "That should hold you over for a while. The effect won't take place as quickly as the original stuff so I think we have time for a couple more photos don't you?"
Jillian muttered under her breath and Amber bent down to hear her better. "What did you say?"
"Fuck you." said Jillian, earning a hard slap across the face from Amber.
"Sister, please." started Pavi.
"Shut it, Pavi!" Amber yelled. "You would do best to show some respect for your superior, Jillian. You should know better."
Jillian said nothing, the pain of the slap still stinging her face. Amber huffed and headed out the door. "Five minutes and I want you back out there." Luigi and the gentern followed her out the door. Pavi bent down and handed Jillian a tissue. She took it and wiped away the angry tears under her eyes. Pavi cupped her face.
"Why would you try and defy my sister?" he asked. "You know that you won't get away with it."
"I don't care. She can't push me around like that."
Pavi sighed. "So stubborn, mia cara. Just like when I first met you." He grabbed her chin and leaned in to kiss her but she quickly turned her head. He sighed again and stood up. "You should know better than to say no to me too." he said before heading out the door and closing it.
When he was gone, Jillian buried her head in her hands and began to really cry this time. 'Will I ever be free from this torture?' she asked herself. Something inside her told her that it wasn't likely.
When the photoshoot was over, Shilo and Jillian sat in silence while they rode back to Shilo's house. Shilo shifted uncomfortably in her seat as Jillian faced the window stared out into space. Shilo still hadn't asked why she had collapsed earlier. David was right, when Jillian stepped out of her dressing room, she seemed fine again and they had carried on with the photo shoot. It couldn't have been that simple.
"So." said Shilo finally, breaking the silence. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine." said Jillian, still facing the window. "Why do you ask?"
"Well, not to pry, but we all were a little concerned with what happened back there. David especially."
Jillian turned her head and looked at Shilo. "He was worried?"
Shilo nodded. "He was freaking out when Pavi and all them took you to your room. He said that it had happened before."
Jilliian gulped. "Did he now?"
"Well, is it true? I mean are you sick or anything? Do you have some kind of illness?"
"It's not really any of you're business, is it?" snapped Jillian.
Shilo recoiled a bit at Jillians sudden mood change. "No, I guess it isn't. I'm sorry."
Jillian frowned. "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I just don't like to share my personal problems like that."
"Well you did tell me about your mother's death, earlier this morning. That was pretty personal." Shilo pointed out.
"I suppose you're right. Well, I guess it's safe to tell you. I'm anemic. My blood runs very thin." she lied.
"Oh, I see. So you really do have a blood disease? Not a fake one like mine."
"Yeah. So, David was freaking out huh?"
"He really was. Is he your boyfriend or something?"
"Not at all. Him and I are just friends."
"Well he really seems to like you. He talked about how amazing you were during the photo shoot."
"He did?"
"He also said that he cared a lot about you after you had collapsed."
"Wow." was all Jillian could say.
"Do you like him?" Shilo asked.
"I..I don't know. He's a great guy but..I don't think it would ever work out."
"Why not?"
"Because I-I just don't think I would have time for dating. And he deserves better."
"I guess that's true but what do you mean he deserves better?"
Jillian shook her head."Nevermind."
Shilo shrugged and decided to brush it off.
"What about you and Graverobber?" Jillian asked, changing the subject.
"What do you mean?"
"Are you two together?"
Shilo blushed. "Graverobber and me? No way. I'm not his type."
"Really, because I was under the impression that he likes you a lot."
"What makes you think that?"
"It's the way he looks at you. Also the way he acted toward you back at the opera when Amber was bothering you."
Shilo looked down and blushed again. "Why would he like me though? I'm small and inexperienced and he's.."
"Totally into you. I can tell." Jillian smiled.
Shilo leaned back in her seat and sighed, thinking about what the next day would have in store. "Are you thinking about the press conference tomorrow?" asked Jillian.
"A little." she admitted. Her thoughts went back to when Amber brought her aside and explained what was to be done.
Flashback to earlier events
"Tomorrow a car will come to pick you up at 10 o'clock. It will drive you in front of the opera house where I will announce your survival to the public. You will explain that my brothers and I found you alone on the street and saved you. We fed you, clothed you, and provided you with a new job. You are to smile, look pretty and only speak when asked a question of your survival and your new job as Ana's assistant. If asked about your father's death or other events pertaining to to the opera, you will say that you don't wish to comment on it. Understood?"
End flashback
Amber was so demanding. This press conference was going to be hard. She wished that Graverobber were allowed to go with her. At least, Jillian would be there so she wouldn't be completely alone.
"Well, here we are." said Jillian when they arrived at the house.
"Okay. Well, thanks for the ride." said Shilo
"Thank you for all your help today." smiled Jillian. "I'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Yeah, see you tomorrow."
"Oh, before I forget, I have something for you." said Jillian, handing Shilo a white rectangular box.
"What is it?" asked Shilo, about to open the lid.
"Wait until you get inside." said Jillian.
Shilo shrugged. "If you say so." Martin then opened the car door for her." See you tomorrow, Ana."
"Have a good night, Shilo."
Jillian watched as Shilo walked inside. 'She's a good kid.' she thought to herself. 'I wonder if what she said about David is true.'
Shilo set the box down at the small table at the front of the room and removed the lid. When she saw what it was she couldn't believe it. It was the dress that she had complimented Jillian on, excpet that it looked brand new. Shilo smiled. She would have to thank Jillian in the morning. Shilo then called out to Graverobber "Graves? Are you here?"
"In here!" he called from the kitchen.
Shilo walked to the kitchen and saw Graverobber sitting at the table munching on a sandwich. She smiled at him and he returned the smile as he swallowed.
"Welcome home, gorgeous." he said. "I hope you don't mind, I raided your kitchen."
Shilo shook her head "It's your house now, too. So I don't mind."
Graverobber smiled warmly at her. "So how was your day?"
Shilo shrugged. "It was kind of weird. Ana collapsed in the middle of the shoot."
Graverobber lifted his eyebrow a bit. "Yeah? What happened?"
"I don't know. She just suddenly fell and started coughing and shaking."
"Shaking? How so?" growing more interested.
"Well I brought her some water and I noticed the cup shaking in her hand."
"Was she sweating at all?"
"Maybe a little. I didn't see. Why?"
"Just wondering. So is everything okay? You look like something's bothering you."
Shilo sighed. "Tomorrow, Amber is holding a press conference in 'my honor'. She's going to announce my survival to the public and I have to be on my best behavior."
"If you want, I'll come with to support you." he offered.
"I wish you could but she already said she doesn't want you there."
"That bitch." he cursed.
"Oh that reminds me." Shilo reached into her pocket and handed Graverobber a piece of paper.
"What's this?" he asked.
"Instructions. The amount of zydrate she wants you to get and where to deliver it."
"Ah, I see." he looked over the paper and sighed. "This is gonna take me all night."
"It's a good thing that you sleep during the day, huh?"
"Yep. I guess so."
"Speaking of which, I think I'm gonna go to bed. It's been a long day." said Shilo, rising from her seat.
"Aren't you hungry?" asked Graverobber.
"Not really. Just tired. Tomorrow's going to be even worse."
Graverobber grabbed her arm as she began to leave.
"Hey, it's going to be okay, Shilo. You know I'm here for you." he said with the utmost sincerity in his eyes.
Shilo gazed down at him. 'Is it even possible for him to like me?' she wondered.
With the thought running through her head she hesitantly bent down and softly pressed her lips against his. They stayed like that for a moment before she realized what she was doing and pulled away.
"I'm sorry, Graves. I shouldn't have done that." she was about to turn and leave when he grabbed her arm again and turned her around to face him. He stood up and looked down at her with a serious expression on his face.
"You're right. I should have done it first." he said. With that, he grabbed her shoulders and kissed her hard. Shilo wrapped her arms around him and wrapped her legs around his torso as he lifted her up and deepened the kiss. They pulled away for air and he began to kiss her neck. Shilo softly moaned.
"What about the zydrate order?" she whispered.
"Screw the zydrate." he said as he left the kitchen and began to carry her upstairs.
'Maybe things won't be so bad after all.' Shilo thought to herself as Graverobber kissed her again. For the moment, Shilo was in true bliss.
So what do you think? It looks like things may be looking up for Shilo but what about Jillian. Keep reading to find out. Reviews, please!