Wronged

? 28 ?

Hayley is bored, sitting there on her phone while I grab the guitar that sticks out to me as soon as we walk in: The Taylor 200 Series 214ce Deluxe. The wood is smooth, and I'm even more in love with it than I am with the Martin my father left for me. My Fender that I have will always be my number one, only because it's my first guitar ever. But this will go well when I'm writing songs.

Someone taps me on the shoulder. I turn around and see a model-like girl with her arms crossed. She's giving me a quizzical stare. "Are you going to buy that?"

I nod. "Yes."

She scoffs and rolls her eyes but then tells me to follow her to check out. I glare at the back of her head as I go to checkout, knowing exactly why she scoffed. She doesn't think I can afford it.

To prove my point, I slap the exact amount of cash onto the counter, tax included. She gives me a bored expression and enters the buttons on the register before taking the money and popping the hundreds into it. She goes to the back closet and returns with a nice guitar case. She puts the guitar inside and clicks it shut.

I take it. "Thanks."

"Whatever."

I roll my eyes and go to Hayley. "Let's get out of here."

She looks at me in surprise. "Woah, you bought a guitar?" She asks incredulously.

I nod. "I've been saving up. Now let's go."

She tilts her head to the side. "Are you okay?"

I sigh in exasperation and twirl the small bag with my phone in it with my right hand. I set the guitar down by my foot. "No," I answer honestly. "That girl was getting on my nerves. I wanted to maybe get a job here, but now that I know I'd be working with jerks, that's out of the question."

Hayley looks behind me, most likely at the girl. Her eyes widen instantly, jaw dropping. "The girl with the gorgeous body?"

I nod, rolling my eyes. "Yeah. Her. Now can we-"

"Anna, that's Amanda Rent. The...um..."

My breath hitches in my throat. I remember the conversation in my room with Nico and Hayley easily. She thinks I forgot probably, but I think any girl would remember the talk about her soulmate's fuck buddy.

I glare at her. No wonder her last name is Rent. People probably rent her out all the time. From the sound of it, she's a booty call. I wonder if you have to pay for shipping.

"I need to talk to Aiden," I mumble, turning around. I don't need to be making enemies. Besides, I doubt he's been sleeping with her anymore. Not since he's been hanging out with me so much.

I pick up my guitar and walk out of the store, Hayley walking next to me. "Wanna set up your phone so you can call him?" She asks.

That idea occurs to me and I hesitate before nodding. We make our way to the food court and take a seat. I pull out the phone and look at the black screen. An iPhone 8, that's what it's called.

Hayley sets it up for me and finds the dial area before calling Aiden's number. She hands it to me and I press it to my ear. She's going to have to show me how to use this thing later.

I wait three rings before Aiden picks up. His voice is angry. "Who is this?"

I wince at his tone, but then remember I was the one who needs to be angry. "It's Anna," I say in annoyance.

"Anna?" His voice immediately softens. "You got a phone?"

"Yeah. Listen, who's Amanda?"

Hayley snorts and gives me a thumbs up before mouthing she's gonna go give me some space. I nod and she gets up, leaving me alone to talk with him.

"Amanda...Amanda Rent?" He asks.

I nod, but then realize he can't see me doing so. "Yes," I say.

He sighs. "I used to mess around with her. We met through my mom, who is CEO of that company and a soulmate doctor specialist on occasion. Amanda used to always claim that she and I were soulmates, but I never felt that was real. I never felt burning on my tattoo. So my mother checked it out, and told her we weren't. She still wanted me apparently, and I didn't really care, so I used to sleep with her sometimes. But I promise you, Dimples: I haven't been in contact with her since I met you."

I take in the story and eventually sigh. I'm glad he told me the truth. That's all I can ask for. And if he's not in contact with Amanda, then I don't need to worry. I trust him.

"Okay," I say. "Thank you for telling me."

"I'll tell you anything you want to hear, baby," He says. I roll my eyes, but blush at the nickname. "And listen, I went to the hospital this morning. Noah's been discharged. I don't know where he is, but I came to headquarters and found something in his office. Something that could put him out of this business for good, and get everyone blackmailed by him or working for him out of his grasp."

A smile breaks out on my face, heart rising in rate. "That's amazing!" I say, ignoring the people giving me stares. "How? What is it?"

He chuckles. "I'm bringing it home with Nico," he says. "Finish your girls day. I'll be at your house tonight."

"Okay," I reply. "I love you."

"I love you too. Bye."

"Bye."

I hang up and sigh a breath of relief.

Maybe I could use a spa day.

•••
A/N:
Drama shall arise within the next chapter. 😈