020: Tailing

Lara

After I tell Ambrose the offer Dexter made me, he’s pensive.

I keep waiting for what he’s going o say because I don’t know where’s this is going to go. How will Ambrose deal with the matter? I know that Dexter said that he’d find out if I told him but that would only be in the case that Ambrose tried something against him.

Which Ambrose won’t do.

“Who would’ve guessed,” he says. “I planted you here to keep an eye out on him and he’s trying to do the same with you.”

I ask, “Is there a reason for him to want to have me spy on you?”

“Not that I know of,” he replies without missing a beat. “It’s confusing, actually. I’m not sure what I’ve done to get the attention of the authorities.”

“But he suspects of something, or he wouldn’t ask me.”

“If you can, I want you to find out what it is,” he tells me. “I hate to put you in this position but it seems Dexter didn’t give you a choice. He’ll kill you either way.”

I shudder at this.

“He didn’t recognize you at all? You’re sure about that?”

“He asked me to take the mask off,” I state. “He looked me in the eye when we spoke.”

Ambrose says, “It amazes me how he impregnated you and can’t even remember your face.”

“I guess it’s easier for me to remember him,” I claim. “I was…in a wild state of mind when I met him. I was meant to be with Vince Vaughan, and I didn’t have feelings for him. I was looking for a way out and he ended up looking like the perfect escape. So, I decided to be impulsive for once and live. It ended up being the worst thing I ever did.”

“I know all about making mistakes, Lara. You’re not alone in this,” he assures me. “But now it seems you have no way out. If you don’t find something against him, you’re never going to get rid of him. It’s a wonder that he asked you to do this. Isn’t he afraid that you’ll tell me?”

I have no answer for him. I don’t have a clue myself.

Ambrose snaps his fingers and says, “Or this could be a strategy. Maybe what he expected was that you’d tell me and I’d try to get rid of any evidence, which would make him catch me a lot faster. It’s hard to know with that man.”

“I’ll have to give him something, though,” I volunteer. “To keep him coming. And that will let me get even closer to him.”

“You’re right,” Ambrose agrees. “I couldn’t have planned it better myself. It’s a way for you to be close to him.”

I take a deep shaky breath upon hearing this. Goddess, I don’t want to have to do that. But there’s no way around it. I have to get really close to him. Today was only the beginning.

“You’ve done well, Lara,” he tells me. “I’ll think this through again and let you know if there’s something I want to add to this. Meanwhile, keep an eye out for him and we’ll see how it goes.”

I head to my apartment but all the while, I’m thinking about this plan of Ambrose’s. He wants me to spy on Dexter but the truth is that he doesn’t even touch his phone when he’s in that private room. How am I supposed to overhear a conversation?

I make it to the apartment. Ander is sleeping. I barely see him these days. I didn’t think work would keep us apart like this. We’ve barely exchanged words during these last three days. I can’t take this. I have to alter my schedule or something. I’m good at dancing. Maybe I can cut back on practice? It’ll give me enough time to relax with Ander.

I shower and dress into something more comfortable. I then go to bed. The whole time, I’m just thinking about how tonight went. I feel a little shameful and I can’t even lie. I almost got naked for the man who ruined me. It’s not an easy task, and I’m not that cold-blooded that I can’t feel the humiliation attached to it. I know I have to keep going but it is a hard job.

I hope Ander never finds out about this.

In the morning, I get up early despite sleeping late. I realize that there’s barely any ingredients to make breakfast, so while Ander is sleeping, I take the car and go to the nearest grocery store. Once there, I buy eggs, bread, pancake mix, butter, cheese, and anything else I can think of. Things are good. Even Dexter paid me last night, and it’s good money.

I keep walking through the aisles in hopes of finding some things I can take home with me. I opt for a few packets of cookies. I know Ander will love these. I’m just getting to the meat section when someone touches my shoulder.

I whirl around and the basket I’m falling nearly falls to the ground. I feel myself growing pale as I see Dexter staring at me. He’s dressed in a forest green sweater and jeans.

“What the hell are you doing here!?” I ask.

“I came here to talk to you,” he says. “Why? Is there a reason for you to be afraid?”

I didn’t tell Ambrose, if that’s what you’re implying,” I answer. “I don’t care what I do. As long as I’m getting paid, I’ll do anything.”

“So you’re serious about the offer?”

It’s too early and I’m having a hard time processing the fact that he’s here. Standing in front of me. He scared the hell out of me. “Yes, I’m serious.”

“Good. I’ll be at the strip club on Saturday. That’s two days from now. You think you can have something for me by then?”

“I don’t know,” I lie. “Ambrose doesn’t seem to be the kind of person who has something going on behind the scenes. I’ve met sketchy people and he isn’t it. But if he’s hiding something, I’ll try to find it. What are you looking for exactly?”

“Can’t tell you, can I?”

I give him a look before continuing. “Is that all?”

He falls into step next to me. “Why are you walking when we aren’t done yet?”

My eyes are back on his face. I feel my anger rise and I don’t care if it offends him. “You’re not my boss. We’re working together here. If you want to bark at me and give me orders, then you’ve chosen the wrong person. I walk if I want to and when I want to.”

Dexter is stunned at my tone. I don’t plan on taking my words back. “Now, is there anything else you’d like to say to me or not?”

“No, that’s all,” he answers, though his expression hasn’t changed. He looks like he’s trying to figure me out.

I speed past him and head straight for the counter to pay for my groceries. I have to get the hell away from here quickly. I don’t look around to see if he’s still here. I grab my bags and head outside. I put them in the trunk of my car and then speed back to the strip club.

If there’s one thing that scares me, it’s that I didn’t notice him following me, and he probably was otherwise how would he have found me? He knew exactly where I was because he tailed me.

I keep an eye out and don’t see anyone following me. That doesn’t mean I’m not nervous though. I’m playing a very dangerous game and I’m not safe anywhere.

What scares me the most now is the fact that he’ll keep an eye on me and will know about Ander. I don’t want that to happen. If he knows about him then he will want to use him against me and I won’t be able to survive that. He can’t get anywhere near my son.

My thirst to get this matter resolved is greater now. He can’t be around to make my life hell like this and I’m not willing to send Ander away from me. To keep him safe, yes, but there’s no danger yet so I don’t see why I can’t just be careful. Again, I have to see this through.

The life of my son depends on it.