Chapter 61
1453words
Ring…ring…ring…
Tiffany’s sweet voice asks, “Do you want me to get it for you? Or do you want me to let go of you so you can get it?”
The warmth inside her embrace is the best medicine for my frazzled nerves, but I can’t make her stay with me all the time.
A soft chuckle rumbles around in her chest while I tighten my arms around her. She pats my back. “I’ll grab it. Hold on.”
Together, we lean towards the end table next to the couch. As soon as she picks up the phone and looks at it, her eyebrows furrow. “Your phone says black sheep. Who is black sheep?”
I take a deep breath. I need to take this call. It is the one I’ve been waiting for. He had called me back several days ago, but something came up as soon as we started to talk, and he had to go. So, I never got to ask him any questions about Tiffany’s father.
I turn around but stay within my girlfriend’s comforting arms and take my phone. “Hey, cous. We finally get to talk, or do you have to rush off again?”
A hearty laugh flows from the phone. “Not today. I have other people out doing the work. Is there something you need? We don’t usually talk much since I’ve been kicked out of the family, but you have seemed pretty persistent about something recently. I’m assuming something is up and you need my help or info.”
I switch the phone over to speaker mode and sit it on the couch’s armrest. “A little of both. I know I promised not to call you too much, but this situation pertains to someone who is close to me.”
I savor Tiffany’s warmth and gather the energy I need.
My cousin snorts, “Someone close? Is this person someone you are dating? Or maybe you like?”
I glance up at Tiffany’s gorgeous face as warmth fills my chest and reply, “It is about someone I’m dating. We are actually living together right now, but that isn’t the reason I’ve been trying to get a hold of you. Do you still dabble in gambling and the debts, mainly in debt collection?”
A wave of laughter erupts from the phone. “Don’t tell me cous you started gambling and need help to resolve some debts. I will first knock some sense into you before I deal with any of your outstanding debts. You know you shouldn’t be messing around with it. It will ruin your life.”
I glance up at my girlfriend again. Her once playful and loving eyes are now full of pain, knowing exactly what my cousin is talking about.
I shake my head. “Not me. The person I’m dating has a father who has gotten himself messed up with it. Actually, he has been chained to it for a long time, but I’m afraid things have now gotten out of hand, and he will send someone to try and collect the debt from the person I’m dating.”
The phone instantly goes quiet, and my heartbeat quickens. Is he not handling this area any longer? If not, maybe he will still have some pull to help me out this once.
My cousin sighs. “Yeah, I’m still in the gambling and debt collection areas. We all know the ones who have been doing it for a long time. I can’t guarantee I’m the one handling his account, but I’m sure I know who is. Depending on who it is, I might be able to handle it for you, but you are going to have to owe me a favor. You know the rules.”
His tone might be casual and laid back, but he is anything but that right now. He is in his business mode, and it carries an underlying threat.
I nod and rest my head back down on Tiffany’s chest, nestling in between her two round mounds. “I know. Do you happen to know my co-star in my current drama?”
The line goes silent for a second before he hesitantly replies, “Yeah. Tiffany, right? The girl who is probably the prettiest actor in the industry right now.” He pauses for a moment. “Are you telling me you are dating your co-star, Tiffany?” A slight tone of amusement returns.
A smile dances across my face. “You can’t tell anyone right now, but yes. I’m dating and living with her. I have an issue which has required me to leave my apartment and move somewhere else that is safe and has plenty of security. Tiffany has also moved in with me for other reasons.”
My cousin sighs again. “I’ll address the issue pertaining to you later, but is the reason Tiffany has had to move in with you partly because of her father, who is a gambling addict?”
My girlfriend pipes up. “How did you know my father is a gambling addict?”
“Oh, so, Tiffany is there with you right now. Well, I guess that makes sense, since you said you are living with her now. Okay, back to Tiffany’s question. Remember when I said if the person has been gambling a long time, we all know who those people are?”
She chimes, “Yes.”
“Well, everyone in the business knows your father. He drops your name all the time as the one who will pay off his debts. Anytime someone confronts him to pay an outstanding debt, he will sing like a canary about you being a great daughter and will cover whatever it is.” He pauses for a second. “Even this time. Did you know he has offered up your personal belongs to offset his debt? I can see why my cousin has had you move in with him. Knowing my cousin, he is probably wanting my help in resolving the issue with your father. Am I right?”
I nod. “You are correct. But I don’t want a little help. I haven’t told her yet, but I want this to never come back to her again. If we are building a life together, we can’t have people showing up at our door all the time looking for money or something to offset her father’s gambling debts. Is there something you can do to help? Are you handling the collection for him?”
My cousin sighs. “Do you know his debt this time is over $50k? Do you have the money to clear his debt? Don’t answer that. It doesn’t matter. For family, I will put out a blanket command that Tiffany’s father is responsible for his own debt, and no one is to go after her to collect her father’s debt, no matter what her father says. Beyond that, there isn’t much I can do.”
Tiffany stiffens and gasps.
I’m not surprised. I had warned her this would happen sooner or later.
Clearing his throat, my cousin asks, “So, do you want me to put out the blanket stop order? When any of us in the industry put one out, everyone must follow and obey it. It will keep people from hunting Tiffany down.”
My girlfriend gulps as I nod. “Yes, that is what we want. We have another drama soon where we are the main couple. We can’t have people showing up at the set trying to do a shakedown on her. Plus, after listening to Tiffany, I believe she has paid enough of her father’s debts over the years. She hasn’t been able to live in a decent apartment because she was giving her last dollar to her father. She has carried her father long enough. It is time for her to enjoy her life and think about herself, me, and our relationship.”
In a cold tone, my cousin grunts, “Done. It will be in place within a few minutes.”
A weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I think I can breathe a little easier now.
Tiffany softly mumbles, “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
My cousin’s playful tone returns. “Not a problem. Plus, it sounds like you are family now. One of these days, I’ll stop by and meet you. Where are you staying?”
I shake my head and chuckle. “I’ll tell you when you decide to visit. For now, I’m keeping it under wraps, so no one knows where I’m at. It is safer that way.”
A cold chill washes over me as my cousin barks, “Why? Is this about the issue with you? What is going on? And don’t tell me it is nothing. I won’t believe you.”
Gulp.
I know that tone. If I don’t tell him, he will find out on his own.
I guess I don’t have an option.
Hesitantly, I reply, “Maybe.”
