Now, Quinn wasn't in group B but she sure as hell was in group A. Ever since her grandfather's empire toppled down like lined-up dominoes, she had steered clear of such powerful figures. Her plan was working out just fine until she met the idiot over there.
"AH Leif, wuwuwuwu. Why push me away… Leif," wailed Alison crawling on the ground to hug his leg before breaking into a heart-breaking cry. Okay, was it too late for Quinn to scale the wall again and run away? Quinn's lips quirked up into a stiff smile. The woman holding her at gunpoint tilted her head slightly before striking her head with the grip of the handgun. Quinn vaguely heard Alison calling out her name as she sank into the dark abyss.
As everything around her was slowly fading she could hear the clacking sound of formal shoes amplified in her ears with each step. As complete darkness enveloped her she saw the tall figure crouch down before her. After that, it was lights out for this snow white but instead of an apple laced with knock-out drugs she was struck by the grip of a handgun for trespassing.
So how did she end up in this situation? She was obviously a bright young woman with great prospects. Well, here is how it happened.
Five hours ago she was happily knocking off work and heading to her apartment with one thing in mind that is spending her entire weekend binging on some random new series with a box of wine and lots of junk food.
As soon as she got home and changed her clothes into something super comfortable she received an unexpected message. She decided to ignore it and proceed to cut open the box of wine and take out the tap so she can fill the glass when her phone rang. It seemed the person persisted and wasn't taking no for an answer.
She angrily left the kitchen and walked over to the coffee table to pick up her phone. She was ready to scold whoever it was and ten generations of their ancestors but when she saw the nickname Ali flashing on her screen her expression softened.
Alison was like that one friend you don't talk to every day but when you do hang out you have so much fun and then ask each other why you don't do this often. She was the type of friend who would have your back no matter what.
Plenty of people stopped hanging out with her when her family's empire crumbled to dust and they even gossiped terrible things behind her back to Alison but Alison was different. She would fight anyone who dared speak negative things about her. This is why Quinn was willing to leave her nest and go out to see her.
She swiped the green call button to accept the call and a soft sobbing voice that made one's heart twist painfully came through the phone. She sounded so sad and wounded like she had been bullied.
"Quinn, *whimper… it hurts," she said retraining herself greatly.
Quinn's brows creased as she sat up straight. Her friend rarely showed any weakness in front of her thus this call hit differently.
"Ali, what happened? Tell me who bullied you," replied Quinn as she got up and directly opened her closet to grab something to wear but when she remembered that Alison might not be in the same city as her she froze.
Alison didn't speak for a minute or two as though trying to stop herself from crying. "I just want someone to talk to. Can we… can we meet. I am in Leigh," she said which surprised Quinn.
She didn't expect Alison to be here but the fact that she was calling her meant she was definitely around.
This should have been the first red flag for Quinn but blinded by years of friendship she dropped her safe lawful weekend plans and hurriedly changed her clothes.
Quinn picked up a pair of light blue skinny jeans while comforting her. "Okay, okay. Text me the address."
"… Okay," replied Alison before hanging up the call. Quinn wiggled into her jeans which seemed slightly tighter than usual.
Shit, she cursed hurriedly putting them on while scolding herself for eating that cream-filled doughnut at lunch. While she was zipping up her pants her phone made a dinging sound and she opened the message.
Ali: Le Pré
In the past, Quinn wouldn't have cared about money. In fact, she would have disregarded the cost of the place and wouldn't even restrict herself on spending but since she was on a budget she cried tears of blood.
That place was so freaking expensive that a simple bottle of water could cost her an arm and a leg and believe me she still needed both her limbs to make an income. Now that she knew what kind of place Alison wanted to meet, jeans simply wouldn't cut it. She won't even be allowed through the door.
She grabbed the fanciest pair of pants and blouse that she could find before putting on some light make-up and rushing out of the door. With a loud clank, she closed her apartment door and locked it.
The noise somehow attracted her neighbour two doors away because his door suddenly opened and he stood there leaning against the door panel while calling out her name. "Quinn, I thought you weren't going out tonight. You look very beautiful," said the young man unable to keep his eyes off her.
Quinn who had rejected Nick's invitation to go out together because she wanted to spend her weekend in doors smiled apologetically. "A friend of mine is in town and invited me for dinner on short notice. I am sorry I am kind of in a hurry. I will see you later," she replied before waving at him and walking towards the elevator.
Nick waved back perfunctorily and said, "Have fun," and as soon as those elevator doors closed Nick's expression turned cold the warmth from before all gone.