---Sydney POV---

Tap Tap Tap

My pink fur coat was rubbing the floor for dear life. Just as my hands were, as I was Walking to the front desk of Vine View hotel.

"Miss Ventura." The lady at the front desk beamed.

I froze. Then I blinked rapidly. Wondering why my name sounded so foreign

I cleared my throat and responded "Yes. Which room am I in?"

"Room 5 .Someone will come and show you your room'" And she passed me the keys. She just looked down and continued to type. Like...like I was invisible. No praise with her words or eyes. It was such a cold interaction.

Immediately a man tapped me on my shoulder. I turned around to meet eyes with him

"No bags?" The man inquired, and I nodded yes

"Right this way he stated." I did as he said, and I followed him up the swirl of stairs.

I walked into the beige colored room. Which was dull and gloomy. Didn't represent a shimmer of hope.

I sat on a chair across the door. Looking at the door. To open up and swallow me whole. I was surrounded by the silence and my justifications for all my doings.

Then the door slowly opened up. Then Alvaro popped his head through the door's crack.

He flashed me a smile, and I gave him one back. He lifted a wine bottle, in his hands. I smiled back at him.

"What's that for?" I asked while tilting my head

He gave me a snarky smile but took aa step closer. "I am guessing you and Branson is not in a good place and that's why I am here."

I stood up from my chair. Stepped closer to him. I stood up on my tippy toes, so we could be chin to eye contact. "Maybe the reason you here. Is you just pure temptation. To me"

He kissed my forehead. "Nice try. But your mask is slipping."

I let my hands fall from his shoulders. And turned around from his face "fine you right." I threw my head back.

"Since you said my mask is slipping, let me take the damn thing off." My eyes started to sting. I started to blink rapidly. "I made that fool my temple and my sky.

And I showed him my angels and demons. I surrendered my hopes and dreams to him." I took a breath "I shared my mind body and soul. He touched every nuke and cranny of my body." I closed my eyes cause felt the tears well up in my eyes "He read me like a book and tore those pages out. And left me with the book cover."

"That' s exactly how I felt when you left me." He mumbled. I turned around so quick.

I crossed my arms in front of my chest "What you were with Zurie?" I uttered.

He chuckled an ran a hair through his hair "I was young and confused. I thought I NEEDED two girls to be a man. And after I lost you I still needed the façade that someone wanted me." He didn't once break eye with me. "I never once stopped thinking about you."

I stood there silent

Alvaro has fear written all over his face. " Please say something, because I can't take back my words back."

"Do you really want to open this door again. Because we couldn't walk through our issues. The last time." I put my hands around. His shoulders and I l looked him in the eyes.

Then we heard buzzing. I bolting away from him like a frightened hare. He looked down at his phone.in pure confusion. Still hand his hand on my waist. He looked and at the caller ID. He didn't look up, but I knew it was her.

I want to turn around. From him cause I felt the bitter tear run down my face and into my mouth.

But he gripped my waist tighter. He turned his phone off and threw it on the bed

"Let's kick that door down. And we can fight together. That's if you want to?"

I pondered on his words? Do I want to?

I nodded my head and he leaned in for a kiss. Maybe I needed to break up with Branson to get with Alvaro. Maybe he's the love of my life. Not Branson

So I jumped in and tasted. The hope and happiness. Held in his mouth I tasted our future.

The night faded from black and great pleasure. To daylight and memories.

I opened my eyes s and heard water running. I thought I would wake up with regret, but I felt a rush of pleasure.

I walk through the door with; anger, hurt, embarrassment, and betrayal. But Alvaro kissed and sucked it away. Now it's all over the bed.

There was still a small part that wanted. Branson to call me back. So I could set the table for 2. He would apologize buy me flowers and I'll be okay.

I don't want him, to send me back from where I came from. I just took a deep sigh.

I pulled my phone out my purse. I saw no miss calls or messages from Branson. My heart truly ached. And I called Violet.

"Hey" I beamed over the phone

"hey.. Who is this I didn't check caller ID. OR time?" Violet said in a groggy voice.

I rolled my eyes. "It's your bloody rib."

Violet started to giggled "hello my dear selective British friend."

I stood up and opened the curtains

"What , where are you? What are you doing?" She asked

I looked around the room "Well that's, not important. I want us to go to the cafe around 3."

"Okkay. Is that all? You wanna hear about that detective I danced with?" She inquired

I twirled my hair "Yeah. You guys looked real cozy."

She was silent, she took a deep breath then said. " Fine."

Then Alvaro walked in with a towel around his waist.

"Okay got to go." I switched off the phone. He leaned over for a kiss and I gave it right back.

He pulled away. I wonder what Branson is doing.

"We should probably get going" I stated, while biting my lip.

He smiled in agreement. "Yeah, I got to break things off with Zurie."

"I got a lot of to handle. Back home too." I replied.

I need to fulfil the Fortune Teller request

---------------------

I opened my door to meet eyes with my dad, who was standing in the hallway, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. His posture was relaxed, yet there was a seriousness in his gaze. It's like the gala, thing never happened.

"Where's the butler?" I asked, my voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of impatience.

"I gave him three months off," he replied, his expression softening as he spoke. "I really took your words into consideration."

I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. My tense muscles began to relax, and I let out a sigh of relief, feeling a newfound sense of calm wash over me. "Okay, Dad, I'm going upstairs."

Good now at least the Fortune Teller. Isn't around me anymore

With that, I turned and headed towards my dad's office. The wooden floor creaked softly under my feet as I walked, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. Pushing open the heavy oak door, I stepped into the familiar space. My dad's huge mahogany desk dominated the center of the room, its surface cluttered with papers and a few scattered pens. Four large bookshelves lined the walls, filled with an array of books and documents.

I moved towards the bookshelves, my fingers trailing along the spines of the books as I scanned for the red file.

Nothing

As I straightened up, I glanced around the room, taking in the familiar sight. The smell of old books and polished wood filled the air, a comforting reminder of the countless hours I'd spent here over the years. Looking for the red file.

I dropped to my hands and knees, searching beneath each bookshelf... but found nothing.

Maybe my dad moved it. Maybe the fortune teller was wrong. Maybe I was wrong.

Then I went over to the last book shelve....nothing. I threw myself on the floor looking, straight up at the ceiling. A salt streams feel from my eyes. and into my ears.

I turn my head to look at the desk and there it was.... a red file. I kicked my feet up in joy. I pulled the file from under the desk.

Wondering why would the fortune teller want this red file and what was in it

My nosiness got the best of me. So I opened it. It was a bunch of bank statements, numbers and names.

"Who's Diggy?" I pulled my brows together. "Racing?"

The door swung open. Before I could react I saw the figure in the door frame. The chef she had a tray of food in her hand.

We made eye contact. She saw me. I saw her. We saw each other.

We paused and looked, at each other for what felt like a year.

She slowly walked out. And closed the door behind her.

That was my cue to leave.

I walked out the office and made my way to my room.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOO." My dad yelled Crack

"Oh honey you bleeding." MY mom shrieked. I put the file, on under my hoodie. On top of my tummy.

I made my way to the source. They were in the living room. I peeked through the cracked door. My dad was on the floor. My mom was rubbing his back. His hand was all bloody. I guess he smashed, a wine or champagne glass. "This is bad this is bad!" My dad's voice.... was like breaking...like like he was on the verge of ...crying "The CORNWALLs pulled ..out. Our money and the town money is screwed. "He took a lot of quick breaths " We can't handle another scandal or financial issue." This must really be bad. Cause my mom, is touching him. While there is no cameras or people around.

Oh and the fact my dad is sobbing on the ground.

I started rubbing the file with my thumb. I'm the reason why the hospital debts got exposed, and now will I be the 1 to expose, and hurt my dad again

Will I be the downfall to our empire? Is pleasing the fortune teller even worth it?

I went up stairs to my room. I was in knee deep thoughts.



-________________

A/n

What do you think she should do save her dad or herself?

We one chapter away from the finale.

Can you guess what happens next?