Chapter 9: One Drink

Edward watched Mr. Stone put on his coat and cap, as well as everyone else in the office. They all left after 5pm, soon he was alone. He texted Cori he was working late on a file, which he was. Wanting to get it done before tomorrow. The janitor didn't pay him mind and was in and out in an hour. He finished at 7pm but couldn't seem to grab the phone and text her just yet. He couldn't pack up and prepare to go home. He kept thinking about that number. Ten thousand over and over.

Stop obsessing. It's just a number. Go home.

He got up from his chair then and looked up to Mr. Stone's office.

She told you not to keep secrets. She's waiting for you, Edward.

He found himself at the staircase to his door. You could get in trouble. Let it go.

He turned the knob to his office, it was unlocked. But I can't.

Mr. Stone's office was a shrine of his many certificates and awards. Pictures of his nuclear family and him playing golf. Edward came in and looked on his desk seeing the file for New Beginnings face up. There you are.

He opened up and checked the numbers one last time, it was still correct. He didn't make a mistake.

Why didn't they listen to me?

There was another file underneath it, Waterfront Industries.

We represent them, too?

When he opened that file to see the data, it wasn't there. The same numbers not staring back. The money from New Beginnings wasn't documented. How could that be?

No paper in the trash bin, but lots in the shredder. He dumped it out over the floor, shined his phone light and began setting it like a puzzle board. He saw a slip with the name Mr. Joon, the same name listed as the owner of New Beginnings. Hours went by, fleeting into the dead of night. He could hear his phone buzz with Cori's texts, but he was far too into the puzzle.

I'll tell her as soon as I'm done. I need to figure this out.

Then the payments began to come up again. The same small amounts but this time stating the actual amount— 10,000 total. The same amount debit from New Beginnings, and credit to… Renewal.

Edward released the longest breath, the sweat under his arms went cold. He whispered to himself, "Someone's sending dirty money to Renewal!"

Cori curled up in her bed, holding a squishmallow under her arm, staring up at the fairy lights on her wall. Tears were drying to her cheeks, her eyes still stinging. Her mouth dry and every now and then a new tear would crawl down. Her thoughts were with her dad. His face when she left him in the road, the figure of him fading in her side view mirror. Somehow the bad memories dusted the good, bringing them back to shine.

Being so small, she could still remember him hunched over the bath letting her splash him. He'd just yowl and laugh giving her such admiration. She could kiss the sky on his shoulders, feeling the clouds sweep through her fingers as he carried her to the park. His goofy and fun voices when he'd read her a story before bed. In most of these memories Celeste was there, holding his other hand as Cori held the right. He would jump on the trampoline with Cece and Cori, so much laughter in the memory it was almost vivid. Both of them to each side of him as they slept in bed. He was an attentive dad before her death. Very present, very forgiving and loving. The badge of being a dad he took passionately, and made it magic. Each game they'd play and story the drew he nurtured it. Watered the seed till it was their tree. It wasn't until Cece died that he fell. That her memories turned sour so fast like expired milk. She brought her phone to her face again, seeing his name on her recent texts. He had texted her when she left.

"I'm sorry. I will give you time, all the time you need. Just know no matter what I will always love you."

She laid the phone to her lips, squinting and birthing more tears. She inhaled sharp then sat up. She called him and the phone rang. She rehearsed the words she would say briefly.

"I love you, too. I'm sorry."

The phone kept ringing, and ringing, until it went to voicemail, "Hello, this is Jeff Atkins. Leave a message and I'll return it timely. Thank you."

She didn't leave a message she just hung up. She texted Edward, "You coming home soon?"

No response, but she was stuck in her head. She wanted out. She wasn't sure if she would answer, but she called her mom. Not even two rings in, she picked up the face call.

"Hey, honey!" She was lounging on the patio swing outside. A night owl in her natural habitat, "Oh, no. Baby, what's going on? You've been upset."

Cori sniffled and said hoarsely, "Yeah. I'm sorry I'm just… I talked with Dad today. Face to face."

Her mom tilted her head and comforted, "Well. That explains the tears."

Cori made a weepy smile as her mother chuckled in her phone.

"I bit his head off today. There was so much bottled in, and it came out all at once. I shouldn't have… I left him and I… I feel like it was a mistake."

"Why do you say that?"

"I don't know. He… he was a good dad. Before Celeste. He was a really good dad. Her death killed him, and I was so mad with him because of how he treated you. He ignored me. He drank. The anger in that diner I think it was my state as a child, but I'm an adult, now. I know more then I knew then."

"Your dad did change a lot when Cece died. It wasn't just over night, it was… slow and sad. We grew apart, all of us. I was able to see you. Your dad, well… I think all he saw was Celeste, after that. It horrified him so much his only comfort was in the drink. I'd try to get him to stop and be himself again but all it did was make him angry. I was angry, too. We lost sight there was still a child in our home that needed us." Her mother divulged, looking away from the screen for a moment, "We lost sight of each other, too. Your dad and I… well, there's not a man alive I've loved more than him. Maybe you're right. He died with her, too."

Cori smiled a bit, her lips still shaking, "You didn't, though. You were always there, mom."

"You needed both of us. Don't beat yourself up for what you did. Sometimes as parents, sometimes we need to get our heads bit off by our kids. Because we're still human. We still grow just like you. Losing a child, that's not something they taught in the parenting books. Your dad couldn't cope, but I clung onto you. There was no way in hell I'd be losing you. If I did, I'd make sure I'd soak up every damn moment of you until that day came."

Cori smiled into her phone, watching her mother just imagining her arms securing her again. Keeping her warm and loved.

Her mother continued, "And about the reopening of the case. I'm not mad at you, baby. I'm just… fuck. I'm just shit scared of digging all that shit up again. Then I remembered your dad and I didn't just lose a child. You lost a sister. You lost your crown jewel, you and Cece were inseparable. She took care of you. Hell, she was able to comfort you better than I would."

Cori giggled at the latter.

"She was a star. And you were her's. I won't dare take this case from you, peanut. You have every right to closure just as much as we do. I'm just… so fucking proud of you, Coraline. You done her proud." Her mother's voice started to break, "And if this ain't honouring her memory, I don't know what is. Good job, baby girl."

Cori mumbled through tears, "I love you, mom."

"And I love you, baby. I love you to the moon and back. Anyway you can catch a flight tonight? I'll pay for the flight!"

The two shared a warm, kindred laugh, even over the phone it enveloped Cori in the sweetness of home. Her mother sighed, admiring her through the phone.

"You know, I still shake in my bones when I see you. Seeing the woman you've become, its mind blowing. And under such impossible odds, I raised you right. I know I can say that and really mean it to the people on the street that I raised my baby right."

"You needed someone to take care of you, too."

"And that was you! You raised me from the ashes of grief like a phoenix. I know I got a few screws loose, but I'll be damned if anyone says I didn't raise a good girl. They'll been lying through their breeches. Hell, I can stay proud knowing you got your sense a humour from me, at least."

"Crude and over-sexualized?"

"Ha! The best kind!" Her mother laughed over the phone. The buzzer to her unit went off, telling her Edward was back.

Cori wiped her tears then, "Shit. I gotta go, mom. Edward is here."

"Okay, honey. You let him give you a back massage and a happy ending. You sure as shit need it."

Cori scoffed a laugh, "Okay. Bye mom. Love you."

"Love you, baby!"

Cori pressed the button to open the door downstairs. She shuffled back to her bed, patting her face to bring down the swelling from an evening of crying. As she rested the door opened, he was putting away his coat and shoes. He came into the bedroom silently, then caught a glimpse of Cori and stopped.

"What's wrong?"

Cori sighed against her pillow, "I had a day."

"Me too." He replied wearily.

She asked, "You want me to go first?"

"Yeah," he said, plopping down in the bed beside her, "You go first."

Then he noticed her puffy eyes, red nose and lips. Her cheeks still wet. He brought his hand to her chin, "You've been crying."

"I saw my dad today."

"I know. It didn't go well, did it?"

Cori smiled and shook her head slowly, "Nope."

"Tell me about it."

"I saw him, but I didn't. He wasn't there. I was looking at him and talking to him, but he wasn't present. I yelled, right in the middle of that diner. Stormed out and left him."

"Did you tell him how he made you feel?"

"Yes. But he still wasn't there. I don't know if he ever will be."

He petted her hand, "I'm sorry."

"I miss him. I miss who he used to be. Sometimes I think it would be easier if he never existed for me at all. I keep thinking the dad he was is still in there somewhere. I get disappointed each time I try to find out."

Edward softly said back, "I don't know much about family but… you don't need to give anymore chances."

She dimmed a hopeful smile, "Celeste's case was reopened."

He brought his head up from the pillow slightly, "What?"

"Lieutenant Gordon called me today. It's open. It's being investigated. I wanted to tell you in person."

Edward set his hand to her cheek and kissed her, "That's great," he whispered with a smile, "Cori, that's so great. I'm happy for you."

"You think we might find her killer?"

"I think you're doing everything in your power to figure it out."

"You sound like the mayor," she teased, making him scoff a laugh, "I mean it, do you?"

"I don't know. I really hope so."

Cori sighed, "Me too."

There was blissful silence as Edward caressed the palm of her hand, and she'd the same. She asked, "What about you?"

"Me?"

"How was your day? You came home really late. You missed my ugly crying."

"Pfft. You couldn't be ugly even if you tried. I wish I was here, though. I don't want you crying alone."

"Why weren't you?"

Edward looked down to their hands entwined, "I… broke into Mr. Stone's office."

Cori snorted, wheeze laughing in her throat, "You what?"

"I didn't… break in, I guess. The door was unlocked."

"Why did you do that?"

Edward shrugged and softly said, "Compulsion? I did find something, though."

"What?"

"New Beginnings and Waterfront Industries are both represented by KTMJ. Those ten thousand sums are being sent to Renewal. It's dirty money, you were right."

Cori flexed a brow and asked, "That makes no sense. Why are they sending dirty money to Renewal?"

"I wish I knew."

"They we're trying to cover that up? Using Renewal as their piggy bank? I don't get it."

"People lie, numbers don't."

Cori sighed and nudged her head into her pillow, "I'm so tired."

"Want me to turn the light off?"

"Please? Can you fill my water bottle up too?"

He kissed her forehead as he got up, "On it, ma'am."

He took her bottle from the bedside table and went to the kitchen to fill it up. When he came back, she was already sleeping. She snored lightly, and Edward pulled the blanket up over her and kissed her cheek. He set the bottle on the table again.

With her asleep, he drifted into the living room. He got his laptop from his backpack and sat to the couch in the dark.

"Don't do it, Edward. How many times can you put yourself through this trying to find an answer…"

He looked back to his screen with the Renewal applications he had submitted. Dating back to 1999, all rejected. His first application in 1996 written by hand.

He closed his laptop, setting it on the coffee table. He crawled into bed with Cori, and she instinctually wrapped her arms around him in her sleep. He spent a few minutes thinking before falling asleep.

What you focus on is what you create, Edward. I need to focus on this.

It was the next day, Friday the 16th. Edward was waiting for the time to strike 5pm. All his accounts were finished, his desk tidied and prepared for his trip. He wasted the last two hours doing puzzles on Nigma and texting Cori.

"What time?" He texted her.

She replied, "A little after 9. Probably an hour or two, I don't want to be out too long. You sure you don't want to come?"

"No, thank you. I'll be way out of my element. You should have fun, though. (:"

"Okay. (: I'll see you at five."

Mr. Stone called from his office door, "Edward. My office, please."

At first he thought he'd be getting in trouble for slacking, but he was ready to show proof he finished his books for the day. The office was brighter now, even a different smell with Mr. Stone sitting across from him.

"The file you brought to my attention."

Edward clutched the arm of the chair. He knows!

"You were right to flag it. I will talk to the owner myself and handle any further investigation. Consider it taken care of. Thank you, Edward."

Liar!

"But that's not why I called you here. Edward, do you have any past relationship with Wayne Enterprises?"

The docket of his rejected applications to Renewal and the stage at the orphanage was contemplated. He said it anyway, "No, sir."

"No conflict of interest at all?"

"None at all."

"Good. Seems like almost everyone in this city does. They're being sued again. I'd like to bring you on to do a full-blown review of their accounts. Would you like that?"

"Uh. When, sir?"

"Starting Monday."

Edward replied, "I'm sorry, sir. Um, I'll be gone next week… with my girlfriend's family for Thanksgiving."

Mr. Stone tilted his head down to peak his eyes from his lenses. But he warmly smiled, "You don't say? Ha. I've seen you two outside in the car park. It's new?"

"Yes, sir."

"That's good. Already meeting the family. I'd hate to draw a wrench between that. However, you can take the file to go over while you're gone. Gives you time to get accustomed to the account and giving you time with your loved ones for the holiday. When you get back, we can conduct the review. What do you say?"

Edward thought to himself then, He's a liar.

But he agreed, "Um. Yes, sir."

"Very good. I wish you a safe trip and a fair Thanksgiving. That'll be all."

Cori was in the bathroom at her apartment speaking to Edward through the door.

"He didn't say anything else about the New Beginnings account?"

Edward replied with his back against the wall next to the door, "No. He sprung this on me so suddenly, I can't help but wonder what's his endgame. Do you think he knows I'm suspicious and he's keeping me occupied? Or does he actually see what I can do, finally."

"Either way, he's really shady."

"But what if he's onto me? What am I supposed to do? We supposed to do? We can't go to the police. There's nothing to say."

"Well, yeah. So far it's nothing. He would have fired you if he thought that. Clearly, he wants you to stick around."

"Yeah. Maybe. I don't know. Hey, you know I've seen you naked over a hundred times. You don't have to change in the bathroom."

"I want to do the reveal!"

"Reveal?"

"Yeah! Like, you go "Oh my God, she's so hot" when I come out. You know, I'm a sucker for retention."

Edward chuckled quietly, "I do that, anyway."

"Okay!" She opened the door, and he turned to it. She wore a lilac mini body con dress with long sleeves, and white platform high heels. It was one of the few times he saw her actually wearing makeup, and her long black hair was down and wavy.

She asked up to him nonchalantly, "Thoughts? Is it too much?"

He was a bit starstruck to see her at first, then he laid his hands to her hips and smiled, "Wow. You look amazing. I feel like I can't put it in words to do it justice but… I'm speechless."

Cori smiled and wrapped her arms around him, "Really?"

"Yeah. This is just a thing at a bar, right?"

"Yeah, anniversary party. Why?"

"No reason. Just…"

"You think it's too much."

Edward stammered a bit as he playfully swayed with her, "I mean… it's not too much for me, you can stay home."

Cori giggled and tapped his chest, "Shut up. I bought this stupid dress in my party era, never wore it. It's just been sitting in my closet. Plus… I was kinda hoping you'd see it and wanna come with me."

"You were scheming?" He asked amusingly.

Cori shrugged, "Did it work?"

"No. I'm staying home, but you go have fun."

Cori sighed, "Damn it. I tried. One of these days I'll show you off to my work buddies."

They shared a kiss, Cori loving the easier height range with her heels in reaching his lips. He usually had to hunch or crane his neck, but now she just had to tilt her head back.

"You'll wait up for me?" She whispered.

"Of course."

Cori caught a cab to the Simmon's Bar, a small but nice bar by Upper West. She could already hear September by Earth, Wind and Fire playing from the patios inside. It wasn't too busy, but there was quite a few people she recognized from the Times building, as well as other patrons. She paid the fare and walked in with just a clutch with her phone and wallet. Manny's obnoxious belly laugh was already heard as she came in the doors. It was a swarm of laughter, chatter and glasses clanking. She walked in with a succulent plant in her hand taking in her stimulating surroundings. Almost all of the politics floor was here. Then Manny screamed with his hands raised, "Cori!"

He wore a wig as some kind of joke, skinny jeans and a designer tank top. Steve was his quiet better half, wearing a cardigan with a shaved head and stubble. The two came over to greet her through the faces.

Steve was excited to see her, "Hey, sweetie! It's been a minute! Oh, shit, you're gorgeous!" He gave her a hug; she wrapped the succulent behind his back.

"As are you, Stevie! I missed you!"

Cori gave the succulent to Manny who was confused to take it.

"Anniversary gift. Don't kill it."

Manny held it up, "Girl, the fuck am I supposed to do with this here? Shove it up my ass?"

"I mean if you really want to."

Steve took it from Manny, "I love it, Cori. Thank you. It'll sit at our table till we take it home."

"Let's go to the bar, get us a Paralyzer." Manny took her hand to the bar.

She replied, "Only one drink, Manny. I told Edward I'd be like two hours max."

"So, we got two hours to get you shitfaced. Make that two double tequila, please!"

Cori protested, "No! I'm not getting sauced, Manny."

"Girl, you at my anniversary party telling me you're not gonna live it up with me? Last time we went drinking together was almost two years ago."

"Yeah, that was when I was single and didn't have my worst hangover."

"It's Friday night! You saying he's gonna be mad if you stumble home drunk?"

Cori scoffed, "No. He doesn't get mad."

"Well what, then? You scared of looking trashy?"

"No," sighed Cori and said in his ear, "I wanna have sex tonight, and he won't if I come home drunk."

Cori pulled away giggling as Manny erupted in a hearty chortle.

"You a dick fiend now that you got a man, aren't you?"

Cori jested and pinched her fingers, "Just a little."

"You can go without dick for one night, we gettin' white girl wasted. Bros before hoes, bitch."

Cori laughed, "Did you just call Edward a hoe?"

Manny shrugged as Steve came to his side and said, "I don't know the man, but he slippin' it to you like a hoe. You just thirsty all the damn time. I want my girl back for one night. Can I have my baby Cori for one night? Am I asking too much at my anniversary party?"

"Okay! Okay! Fuck me, I'll drink with you, whore."

Manny gave her a sloppy kiss on the cheek making her giggle. He celebrated, "Woo! Shots! Shots!" He leaned over and kissed Steve, "Two years, baby!"

Steve, Cori and Manny raised their glasses, "Two years!"

Eventually Manny managed to get the DJ to play Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO, a favourite of Cori's and Manny's during their nights out. She was three shots in, before she knew it the inebriation was taking her to the dance floor. Weaving hands with Manny and Steve, bringing her back to a time when she first came to Gotham and met Manny. How they didn't get on at first, and eventually became fast friends. She was there when he met Steve at the Sim. Now they were back after two years celebrating that union. For a moment she forgot about her dad, she forgot about Celeste, she even forgot about Edward. She was just in the moment so happily, carelessly dancing and joking around with her friends under the changing colours of the LEDs. Her heels were off, usually after the second drink she would take them off to dance, then leave them off for the entirety of the night not even caring of her bare feet on a bar floor. Her dress would keep crawling up her rump and she'd constantly have to pull it down. Or Manny would do it for her if she was too into the moment.

Cori stumbled to the bathroom leaving Can't Wait by Midi Mafia blaring behind the doors. She nearly tripped over herself to the mirror where two other girls were standing at.

One girl asked, "You okay, honey?"

Cori laughed, "Yeah, I'm fucked."

The two started laughing. She replied, "No shame, baby. No shame. What's your name?"

She was her height, wearing long black high heel boots, a mini dress with a belt along her waist and a purple bob. It was clearly a wig, but Cori wouldn't say anything about it.

Cori smiled, "Cori, yours?"

"Selina. I love your dress, it's beautiful."

"Thanks, I love yours! You're fucking hot!"

Selina laughed, "Thank you, thank you! This is Ani." She pointed to her blonde friend, taller than Cori and Selina, but wearing a sparkling bodycon dress and thick make up.

Ani waved bubbly, "Hi! You're gorgeous! I love the lilac!" She was clearly more sottish than Selina, as she came over slurring and grabbing Cori into a hug. She asked shamelessly, "Are you Chinese?"

"Nah, I'm Japanese, dude. I'm a half breed, my dad is white as fuck. Are you Russian?"

"Yeah! My accent very strong, right?"

"It's beautiful, it's a romantic language. Kind of a hostile culture, but Russian women just hit different."

Ani giggled, "Yes! That's why I got out of there!"

"Can you speak Russian?"

"Khochesh' vypit' s nami?"

Cori smiled in amazement, "Whoa. That was cool. So… what"

"I said do you want to drink with us?"

Cori smiled brightly as Selina and Ani laughed. Cori said back in Japanese, "Mochiron issho ni nomitaidesu!"

Selina and Ani squealed in laughter, and Cori said, "That means yes!"

Ani raised her hands up, "Woo!"

"Wait, I'm at an anniversary with my friends, you guys wanna join us? They're awesome, they're fun and so incredibly gay. They'll love you two."

Ani clapped, "Yes! I love gay men! Love them!"

Selina nodded, "Why the hell not. Let's do this."

Cori escorted the two through the crowd to Manny and Steve's table. It was almost full with other people from the Times, but there was enough room for the three. Cori announced sottishly, "Look what I found in the bathroom!"

"Holy shit! Gotham hotties!" Manny yelled; he too was bright in the face from the alcohol.

"Can they join us?" Cori asked as Selina and Ani waved.

"Fuck yeah! Hey girls, welcome to the Times!"

Selina asked, "You guy's journalists?"

Steve wagged his finger, "Not me, just these nerds." He gestured to Cori, Manny and a few others at the table.

"This is Ani, and this is Selina."

Manny laughed, "We got a fucking Russian, a Jap and I'm Italian. We the Tripartite Pact!"

Cori winced, "Okay, that's dark!"

Ani was laughing from it, and Selina smiling but giggling in her throat. Cori went to the bar to get herself another drink. The DJ announced karaoke would be starting soon. As she sat down at the bar, a familiar voice said next to her, "Having fun, cupcake?"

Cori gasped, "Holy shit!" She was spooked to see Cindy sitting next to her, "What the hell! Are you…"

"I don't even know, I got the invite and figured I'd come check it out."

"Manny invited you? He's terrified of you."

Cindy laughed with a drink in her hand, "I know, that's why I was invited."

Cori immediately affirmed, "I'm sorry. I reacted like an asshole. I'm drunk and I was just shocked."

"It was an honest reaction. No one expects to see the boss at the party."

"You having fun, at least?"

"I'm getting drunk, that's fun. Looking forward to an empty Thanksgiving and taking time from an empty house. You?"

Cori stretched her lips, "Shit, I feel bad now. I… I mean, Thanksgiving is kind of an overrated holiday. Should be named Indigenous Oppression Day."

Cindy chuckled and asked her, "What you drinking?"

"Uh. Bourbon."

"Ha!" She called to the bartender and said, "You really are from the Midwest, aren't you."

One of the girls from the H.R department was up singing Better Now from Post Malone for karaoke.

"You bring your boyfriend?"

Cori shook her head, "Nah. He wanted to stay home."

"That didn't upset you?"

"No," chuckled Cori, "Why would it?"

"Just be careful. If there is anything a man is better at than us, it's keeping secrets. I know from experience."

Cori shrugged, "Edward isn't like that."

"I didn't think the same about Pete, either. But, hey… don't let my bitter ass bring down your night. Go join your friends, I'm in a mood and will likely burden you with my troubles the next two sips."

"You can join us if you want?"

Cindy scoffed but smiled, "You're a good kid, Cori. Nah. Go on."

Cori left her then, as she was coming back to the table they were all moving to the stage to watch Manny sing. As soon as FACK from Eminem was said Cori cracked in laughter as she sat down with Selina and Ani.

Of course, he would pick that song.

He sang it as goofily and on the money to the song as I could, except changing some verses to his sexual orientation. Clearly the viewers were all in fits of wheezing laughter. Cori nearly tipping her chair into Steve from laughing so hard. Overall, the night was going perfectly. She hadn't noticed she'd been there for three hours. Everyone singing with him on the stage, "I'm coming!"

Steve tapped her shoulder and said in her ear over the music, "You should go up, karaoke queen!"

Cori shook her head trying to talk, but still laughing to Manny on the stage, "No. No way. I'm too drunk."

"Come on! I love your voice!"

Ani joined in, "You can sing? Go up there! We will cheer for you!"

Selina laughed, "Anything but this, please. This is too much." She referred to Manny on the stage jokingly.

"Okay! You talked me into it."

Steve clapped and gave her a side hug. Cori went up after Manny and sang Don't Stop Believing from Journey, and everyone sang along excitedly to the classic.

As she sang on stage there was claps and her name being called enthusiastically by Manny and Steve. The screen, the music and the encouragement from the viewers, she didn't even notice a similar face come from the doors and sit down next to Cindy.

Cindy sighed, "The fuck are you doing here, Richard."

"You weren't returning my calls."

Cindy said back to him, "I wonder, why. I'm not getting involved in this shit anymore. I gotta deal with Mitchell, I'm not dealing with you, too."

"You're not sleeping with Mitchell."

Cindy slapped her drink on the counter and looked him in his lenses, "Get fucked, Stone. Don't you have a wife and kids to go home to. That's what you told me, remember? Your perfect nuclear family fed from your managerial duties at KTMJ."

Mr. Stone glanced from Cindy and looked to the stage to see Cori vocalizing behind the mic.

"I know her."

Cindy glanced back and sighed, "That's my journalist. She wrote that piece on Mitchell."

"No, not that. She's… dating someone at the office. Young man who saw the payments to Renewal."

"Would you keep your voice down? Jesus. What do you mean he saw? Did he review it?"

"He doesn't know about Renewal. He just saw the smaller payments and raised a brow. Nothing more, it's under control."

"Don't you think you should be keeping your eyes on him?"

Mr. Stone said, "I am. I'm keeping him distracted. He's not a threat. Plus, he'll be going to Nebraska for a week. If he's suspicious, he'll be distracted long enough he forgets about it."

"I'm well aware. He's going with Cori. Just make sure you don't get complacent, Richard."

"Hard to when I have you hounding me."

"You don't have me."

As Cori sang on stage, Ani caught a short glimpse of Mr. Stone by the bar. She started whispering frantically in Selina's ear. Cori's song ended and they clapped. As she got off the stage, Selina and Ani came up to Cori then.

"Hey, we gotta go. Something came up."

Cori had a smile but still said, "Aw! So soon?"

"Yeah, sorry. It's been so fun, though. Wanna exchange numbers?"

Ani gave Cori her phone to write her number in there, and Selina did the same. Ani gave her a hug, "We had so much fun, see you another time, baby!"

"You too!"

Selina and Ani congratulated and waved to Manny and Steve on their way out, but Ani kept her head down as she walked passed Mr. Stone to the doors.

It was nearing last call, and Cori and Manny were sitting at the table as the bar began to empty. Steve was talking to a few of Manny's friends by the bar.

Cori whined in her hand, "I got daddy issues, dude."

"Don't we all, girl."

Cori's sights were spinning like a merry-go-round. Her fatigue was now at its peak from the alcohol, and she was speaking in tongues.

"You ever feel like your just talking and and saying things that matter to you but they just… don't come out good. Like you're vomiting."

Manny slouched over, "I feel like throwing up right about now."

"That's me with my dad. Just… vomit. All my relationships suck ass like I have a bad habit of finding douchebags, it's not a secret why. Then… Edward comes out of nowhere and he's all glasses and soft voice and nerdy. Not the guy I go for at all, like at all. And he's perfect. No hint of douchebaggery or anything. What if he's the one for me?"

Manny's eyes were droll, but he managed a smile, "Maybe he is."

Cori sighed blissfully, "I think I love him. I haven't said I love him, yet. I think cause I'm waiting for him to say it first? But… I do think I do. God, I have to pee."

As Cori got up, she nearly toppled on the floor if Manny didn't catch her.

"Oh, okay. Imma help you to the bathroom."

Cori just groaned and stumbled with Manny to the female rest room.

"Then I think I'm gonna call you a cab and get you home, cause girl, you a mess. Haha! You got white girl wasted."

Cori giggled, "I did! Are you happy?"

"Yes, baby! First, I gotta call your man, make sure he's outside when you come by. Can I borrow your phone?"

Cori nodded, "Yeah, it's in my boobs."

Manny let out a laugh as he fished around in her cleavage for the phone. He let her inside the washroom before she used her thumb to unlock her phone. She was in the stall as Manny called Edward.

He picked up, "Hey sweetie."

Manny said aloud, "Oh, hey baby! I'm Cori's friend, Manny. Look, your girl is drunk as shit and I'm gonna call a cab to come take her home. Can you wait outside and make sure she gets in okay?"

Edward replied lowly on the other end, "Yeah. Uh, I'll wait outside for her."

"Thanks a million! She'll be home soon, bye!"

Cori was giggling in the stall and slurred, "You probably scared the shit outta him."

"He sounds like a little dove. He said he'll wait outside for you, so Imma call the cab."

Cori flushed and stumbled from the stall taking her phone back. Manny led her to the front patio where she was almost sleeping. They rested there till it was last call and the cab finally arrived. He helped her get her seat belt, paid the fare, and it was off back to Tricorner to Westinson's Apartments.

"Okay, Cori. Have a safe trip to Nebraska, I'll see you at work, baby!"

Cori's nausea slapped her senses as the vehicle went into motion. She rolled down the window and let the cold November air hit her face. She stuck her head out the window still slouched over with her hand in the wind. When she looked up to all the brilliant lights from the towering buildings above she smiled. A reawakening and speck of sobering against the pulse of winds as the cab drove past the black abyss of the pacific sea under the bridge. She closed her eyes against the bliss of it. Holding onto the moment and all it's small enjoyments. Feeling the dizziness and tilt-a-whirl of the alcohol was comforting. Knowing she was going home to someone she loved.

When they hit Tricorner the smell was obvious. But the cab drove up to Westinson's doors and footsteps on the pavement came closer to the window. Her eyes were closed but she felt a cold hand touch the skin of her shoulder. Her eyes slowly opened, and a dizzy smile spread to her face. She reached her hand out to Edward and said, "There you are."

He breathed a smile too, hunching down to the window with such enchantment in his eyes. To her, he was enchanting. Her state now over exaggerating every emotion. He was a king without a crown. A knight in shining armour coming to bring her to warmth. Just seeing him was enough to bring tears. He opened the door for her and helped her out. Grabbed her belongings and thanked the driver.

He helped her waggling gait to the doors and asked her, "So, you had fun?"

Cori's eyes were barely open, and her head rested on his shoulder, "Yeah… I think I…" Then she stumbled and nearly fell, but Edward caught her.

"I think I drank too much," she giggled.

"I figured," he said amused, "That's okay, we'll get you into bed with your favourite blanket and that fat animal pillow you love so much. Water and take this dress off, and you'll be all good."

Cori snickered as he used the key to get back inside, "Oh, daddy. Take my dress off, please."

Edward stifled a laugh, "Get you into something more comfortable like a shirt and sweatpants."

"You inside me is good enough…" She hiccuped.

"Nope," he opened the door, "Not tonight, Cori. You need rest."

She whined, "Ugh, I knew it." Then lost her footing again.

He carried her up the stairs and to the door, she wove her arms around his shoulders— loving the feeling of her legs swaying back and forth off the ground. He took her to bed from there, helped her take off her dress and put on one of his tee shirts over her and a pair of her sweatpants. She was flimsy and passing out the entirety of the time. He laid her down to her pillow and she gripped his shirt. She opened her eyes to see his face coming into focus, melting into his sad green eyes.

He smiled, "Get some sleep, okay?"

"Edward."

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

He froze to her saying it, she closed her eyes quickly after. He was now left with the words and not knowing how to respond. Never knowing or understanding the feeling to have the confidence in saying it back. The first time the three words were ever uttered between the two of them was now. He was waiting for her to say it first. Now that she did, he had to understand the feeling and ask himself if this was indeed love.

As she slept, he opened his laptop again. Before he knew it, he was staring at the rejected applications for Renewal once more. A screen of dejection he found himself in front of too many times. Hoping to find some kind of answer in his corners of self-hatred. Surprisingly the dagger each bold red reminder would reflect didn't strike as it used to.

A missing piece that will never be found. Rene says you can look, just don't get caught looking. Sometimes I can't help myself. But… this time is different. My whole life I've known I'm strange. Different than everyone else. Isolating me from everyone. I'd keep coming back because I thought I had nothing to look forward to. All my life I've been rejected. Passed over. Left dangling by my fingernails at the edge of a cliff. Too weak, too scared, too worthless to scream. When I did, nothing ever came out. Or no one heard me. No one cared if I fell. They saw right through me like glass. One by one I turned off the lights. Going room by room as the years went by. Soon there were none left. Then hands pull me up just as I'm about to fall, and I see her. Everyone walks past, but she stepped from the masses. A collection of dead, broken people she emerges like my guardian angel to save me. I feel my feet on the ground when I'm with her. It's so easy to just be me. When I sat before her at her kitchen table for the first time, the lights started turning on. Slowly but surely, they would come alive again when I'd hear her voice. Smell her skin. See her face. Room by room. I'm not scared, anymore. With her I'm worth something. Something to look forward to.

I think I do. I really think I do. I think I love her.