Chapter 9

ALMA

"You are a complete magician! How did you even pull that off?" I turned to Rodney as he made his way into the apartment, carrying Velma, who had fallen asleep on his shoulders.

I never would have guessed or predicted Rodney's arrival in Los Angeles. Not one thousand alarms or letters would make me ready for it, but he showed up at the best time. That was when I needed him the most, and he appeared like the heavens knew that I needed help.

The look on Carl's face when Rodney arrived was iconic. It was stuck at the back of my mind, and I'd never seen him express so much shock. What happened to him being a man so composed that he wouldn't even show the slightest bit of pity to his wife? I wonder what happened to that man.

Our little game of pretense earned me another winning point. I didn't know why I was so eager to inflict every form of pain I could on Carl, but he deserved it, and more.

The doors clicked open, and we ventured in while I closed it behind me, and Rodney set Velma onto one of the plush couches. "A magician never reveals his secret. Except when his secret is a little girl who gained access to a phone."

"Velma?"

Rodney clicked his tongue, shooting invisible bullets with his fingers. "Exactly. After yesterday, I just couldn't wrap my head around how you'd go through this by yourself. Not that I don't think you can," he immediately clarified after reading my expression. "I just didn't want you to, so I got on a plane and impulsively headed here."

I grinned, settling next to Velma. "And?"

"And I got to the airport..." he sat, too. "I realized I hadn't informed you, so I started to call repeatedly. No response, even to the texts I sent. I called one last time, and Velma picked up. She clearly told me you two had gone to see family, and I instantly knew where to come. The Jenkins family house could be the easiest location to find on the internet."

"Oh..." my voice faded into nothing. "That makes sense. I was shocked at your arrival, but It'd be a lie if I said I didn't love it. It set the atmosphere quite right. I owe you one again, Mr. Green."

"And I don't collect favors. I mean, what are friends for?"

Friends, huh? I was still haunted by the moment Rodney leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek. Since my years of knowing him, we'd never attained such proximity. Rodney had shown romantic interest in me, and each time, I diluted it with friendly gestures and feigned oblivion because I'd rather have a friend in him than a romantic partner I wasn't prepared for.

Each time I stylishly turned him down, he'd always move on from it. That was why I couldn't tell whether the kiss from tonight was just an act or Rodney taking an opportunity.

Then again, he wasn't that kind of a person. "Right. What are friends for? You really helped me tonight, Pal. I can't convey how much I appreciate your presence."

The room sank into silence as we were both immersed in our thoughts. I didn't know about Rodney, but the thought that danced around in my head was Carl. Though it was embarrassing to admit that a part of me was still curious about him after how horribly he'd treated me, it couldn't be helped.

I wondered how much of Velma he saw and the ideas he was having. It was impossible to tell whether or not Linda had informed him of my being pregnant. Judging from the kind of person she was, I didn't think she would.

She'd do anything to make it a secret, that simply meant that Carl might have suspicions, but there was no way he could tell that Velma was his. That calmed me a little.

"That was him, right? That son of a bitch?" Rodney's angry voice hit the air in a rush, and I wondered how long he'd been holding it in.

"Yeah..." I responded with a sigh as I sank deeper into the couch. "It was him." There was nothing more I could say. I was driven back to the moment of being under his heavy scrutiny, battling with nerves and that undying urge to smack him at least once.

"I see. Would you...uh-need a restraining order? A bodyguard? If those are too obvious, we could get pepper sprays, pocket knives, alar--"

"Rodney?" I called out with a genial smile. "It's okay. I can handle Carl, and I assure you, he's not even worthy enough to be a threat."

"I suppose," Rodney responded with a half-shrug, his finger rhythmically tapping the edge of a chair. I could almost swear that he was anxious. He ruffled his hair and leaned back. "And you've made the decision to stay, haven't you? The moment I saw you this evening, I could just tell..."

"I think it's for the best. Not only is it good for the company. It is also great for me. It's like...this huge stepping stone that finally pieces everything together. I'm going to stay, Rodney."

"That's..." he flicked his index finger. "That's very impressive, Alma."