Cherreads

Chapter 134 - Chapter 133

Don't you feel like I hadn't posted in a long time?... Nah, must have been the wind.

Enjoy

---

No, being honest I just got blocked, many good and bad things happened in my life, I can officially say that I am a mathematician :D (at least on paper), and despite knowing what was the next thing I wanted to write I simply couldn't, for everything that I wanted, sit at my desk and actually write.

So I took a break from writing this story, I went back to reading (something I had been doing less and less), I caught up with series and movies on my list, I went back to playing basketball and at some point during these three months I continued writing not only this story but a bunch of other things and at some point I opened the file and started writing.

Now, I can't promise that this won't happen again, but I can promise that if it does, I will at least give you a heads-up.

So, without more than an apology to those who were waiting (in addition of course to a thank you for actually waiting).

Enjoy.

---

Fortunately, during my short and extremely cozy stay in Vogler's suite, no one had called the elevator to another floor, allowing the metallic doors to open barely a second after pressing the button.

Listening to the elevator motor work as it went down the floors of the hotel. Forcing my heartbeat to return to a normal rhythm. I ignored as best as I could the adrenaline in my system while mentally recreating what had happened, staring fixedly at my reflection in the mirror that occupied one of the walls of the metal box.

Olivia's reaction upon being discovered in the suite. My conversation with Volger and the expression on his face as he fell onto his ass. All completely invaluable and extremely comical, but not what I wanted to revisit, at least not at that moment. Laughing dryly, I forced my mind to go back to what happened shortly before the blow and with it to all the fine points in Vogler's body language.

His expression along with the pressure in his knuckles, the agitated breathing beyond his overweight and the glass shattered against the wall, everything told me without a doubt that my threat had landed. I didn't even need to recognize the fear hidden behind all the fury in his eyes to know that Vogler had no choice but to keep the donation.

Abruptly cutting my train of thought. The elevator stopped, opening the doors again in the hotel lobby.

Smiling stiffly I stepped out, immediately drawing the receptionist's attention I quickened my pace toward the hotel door avoiding at all times maintaining eye contact for more than two seconds.

I knew, by the way she tried to catch my gaze with her eyes, that if I stopped or showed acknowledgment of her attempt to start some conversation, I wouldn't have the mental capacity to avoid the interaction without being curt or rude, something I didn't want to do with someone who didn't deserve it.

Managing to leave the hotel, slightly embarrassed as I ignored the poor attempt to hide the disappointment on the receptionist's face, I waited just a few seconds for the valet to bring my car to the front doors of the hotel, and with a couple dollars less in my wallet, I drove away turning the music, that was already playing on the speakers, all the way up.

Humming one of the songs while tapping the steering wheel to the rhythm of the music, I allowed all the adrenaline that, until that moment, I had kept under control to speed up my pulse in the same way it happened to me after a fight. If Vogler's ass hitting the floor after I set his jaw straight could be called a 'fight.'

Unable to avoid it, remembering once again the disbelief on Vogler's face upon receiving what I was quite sure was the first real punch to the face of his life, I laughed openly. I had forgotten how liberating it was to insult and also hit a person who practically begged for it, and despite feeling a slight sting in my knuckles, the satisfaction only grew as I accelerated on the empty road, this time fully focused on enjoying the long ride back.

A long time later, at least long enough for the last vestiges of daylight to disappear completely, I parked my car in front of the house and immediately noticed Diane as I got out. She was standing on the porch of Meemaw's house, dimly lit by the porch light, her gaze was fixed entirely on me.

By the way she hugged her arms from the cold despite wearing one of her sweaters, it was obvious that Diane had been waiting outside the house for a while, not very hard to deduce why.

Walking toward her, I stopped for a fraction of a second surprised, because in her eyes unlike the calm I would expect from her, I could distinguish a clear look of concern.

Feeling as if a bucket of ice water fell down my back, I immediately lost all the good mood I had with me as I quickened my pace toward her.

Again it wasn't difficult to deduce the reason why Diane was worried, in fact it was so obvious that I was disappointed by the simple fact of not having thought about it before going to confront Vogler.

Annoyed with myself I finished crossing the street, at the same time Diane went down the few steps of Meemaw's porch. Before I could say anything, with much more anxiety on her face than I had distinguished from afar. "Everything alright?" she asked me.

Raising my hands to my sides with a calm smile. "Yes, everything is alright" I assured.

Exhaling relieved, Diane nodded pressing her lips tightly. "Good" she murmured stiffly.

Taking advantage of our short distance, I took one of her hands. "I'm sorry for worrying you" I admitted with self-disdain.

Thinking about it seriously I was quite sure that I could have done a better job to avoid any worry in Diane, I could have even lied if necessary, but with the adrenaline of doing what I did and with the certainty that I could defend myself if Vogler tried something in the suite, I completely overlooked that Diane could imagine the consequences if something went wrong in my plan.

Of course she was going to worry.

Focusing her eyes on mine, surprised Diane quickly shook her head. "I wasn't worried" she tried to lie, "all right, maybe a little."

All it took was for me to raise an eyebrow for her to give in almost immediately.

Holding back a laugh, amused by how easily Diane had broken in her attempt to lie, I gently pulled her hand wrapping her in a hug. "And I'm sorry about that" I murmured against the top of her head.

Burying her face against my chest tightly, Diane took a couple of seconds before speaking again. "It's fine" she assured me, "I was just being paranoid" she added separating her face from my chest, seeking eye contact, "I think all those movies altered the way I see millionaires" she admitted with intrigue tilting her head slightly, "my stepfather is one" she added with a hint of irony.

Snorting I nodded, understanding what she meant. Like her, upon finding the evidence the dozens of scenarios of how I could use it to take Vogler down slowly transformed into what he could do in retaliation.

Vogler was disgustingly rich, maybe more than I could even imagine, and I knew that if he wanted to the man had the means and contacts to make my life and that of my loved ones incredibly complicated. But as I thought about those means, in my mind the figure of Vogler slowly turned into a movie villain.

No matter how crazy the scenario was, in my head everything seemed genuinely possible; robbery, kidnapping, murder even car bombs, for a moment it sounded like something Vogler would be capable of doing, but fortunately I came to the conclusion that that only happened in movies and not in real life.

Definitely, Vogler would look for a way to get revenge for the humiliation I put him through, House had already shown it to everyone, so I couldn't just let him find it, at least not now that I had no means to defend myself.

Much calmer than when I arrived. Diane took a step back with seriousness in her eyes. "But now I'm better" she declared significantly.

I knew where Diane was trying to get at, after all I had already discussed the next step of the plan with her. Sighing deeply I nodded, because as much as I wished it wasn't like that, I was still involving her. "I have to contact the journalist" I declared.

Nodding, but with her gaze lost, obviously thinking carefully about something. Diane tilted her head. "How does one contact a journalist?" she asked intrigued, "do we just call the newspaper?" she added with a hint of irony, "usually journalists just show up at events, it had never occurred to me to ask for a contact information before."

Snorting amused. "I really have no idea how it would normally be done" I admitted scratching the side of my head, "I suppose one would have to call the newspaper and be lucky enough to be taken seriously" I continued frowning "fortunately we don't have to do that, I know someone."

Accompanying Diane back to the porch of the house, I made sure she was completely calm, narrating what happened at the hotel, obviously leaving out a couple of key points, before returning home.

Mentally exhausted, I stopped for a second at the front door. Listening to the muffled sounds from inside. Remembering how worried Diane was, I knew that, no matter what problem I encountered in the future I would have to do everything possible to solve it without having to worry my loved ones more than necessary.

Nodding, with the resolve to completely solve the problem with Vogler, I opened the door of the house.

Immediately my little sister's cheerful laughter greeted me. "PJ!" mom who was sitting next to Charlie on the living room couch, raised her arms excitedly. "Oh honey, I heard that doctor House will keep his job," she said happily before I could say anything, "you must feel so relieved."

Snorting in disbelief. "Of course you heard" I murmured amused closing the door before approaching the couch, "yeah, great news" I said leaning over the couch, directly in Charlie's, who was lying down playing with a stuffed toy, field of vision.

Making faces that made my sister laugh even more, I somehow managed to get rid of all the exhaustion I was carrying.

Pretending to be disappointed. "Unfortunately his donation to the hospital is also going away with him" I straightened up looking directly at mom, I felt a bit bad about lying to her, but it wouldn't be consistent for the rest of the hospital to have one story and me another.

Fixing a lock of hair that had moved to my face. "Oh don't worry about that, I'm sure the hospital can manage without the donation" mom smiled softly, "it did long before Vogler arrived" she added tilting her head.

"Yes, I suppose so."

Before I could say anything else, a... long bowel movement from Charlie stopped me, "Wow" I said surprised and amused at the same time, at least until the smell reached me, "oh!" I exclaimed moving away from the couch and from my sister who had no change in expression, clearly unaware of the smell she was producing.

Noticing my expression, mom smelled the air inquisitively, immediately opening her eyes surprised. "Oh, it seems like someone needs a diaper change" she said making her baby voice while tickling Charlie's abdomen.

"Are you sure that's it?" I asked incredulous covering my nose with the side of my arm, "maybe we need a new baby, this one is broken" I added exaggeratedly making mom snort with exasperation.

Kissing Charlie's forehead. "Don't listen to PJ, he's a dumb meanie, you are perfect" mom declared playfully holding my sister's nose.

"I'm not mean" I said falsely offended, "maybe a little bit dumb, but that just can't be right" I added incredulous.

I was not unfamiliar with the smell of excrement, in fact I could think of dozens of worse smells I had been exposed to, so at any other moment I would have assured that I had a great tolerance against bad smells, after all it was part of the job, but this time the surprise that such a smell came from something as cute as Charlie simply got the better of me.

"Oh this is more than normal" mom assured me, "you were much stinkier" she added with irony.

Shaking my head, feeling my eyes water from the bad smell. "No way" I said immediately.

Nodding broadly, mom snorted. "Oh yes way" she said, raising one of her eyebrows, "I'm going to talk to Sandra, I'm sure there are a couple of babies in the pediatrics wing who need diaper changes, it will be perfect for your education."

"Tempting, but I think I'm fine thanks" I said immediately.

Lifting Charlie in her arms. "Maybe we should check who really is the baby in this house" mom said against the baby's neck, tickling her causing my sister to laugh happily.

Unable to respond to my mother's witty insult, genuinely worried about being offered as a diaper changer, I could only watch in silence as she walked away toward her room with Charlie resting on her shoulder.

Moving away from the smell still lingering in the living room, I also walked toward my room.

Without paying attention to Gabe who was still in his bed, this time reading comics. I opened the top drawer of my desk, immediately finding dozens, if not hundreds of business cards scattered in complete disorder. All my collection from the events I had attended and others I had gotten in different places, a collection that until that moment I didn't think would ever be used.

Several minutes later, with the cards now organized by a thick rubber band, I left my room with the specific card I was looking for, a card which basically started what was now my extensive collection, and that I had not actually received, but mom and Bob.

Fortunately, without having to explain anything to mom since she had not yet returned from her diaper duty with my sister, I took the phone in the kitchen calling the number printed on the card.

After a couple of rings I heard on the other side the voice of the only journalist I knew and whom I knew I could trust. "David Wallace" he said as a greeting.

Taking a breath, not entirely sure how to proceed. "David" I said, "it's PJ Duncan, I don't know if you remember me?" I added uncomfortably, after all the months that had passed.

Snorting amused. "PJ!" the man on the other side of the phone said, "how could I forget you?, you saved the life of my wife and son" he added laughing a moment later "I wrote an article about you!" he exclaimed ironically.

Embarrassed I pressed the bridge of my nose. "Yeah, looking at it in retrospect, it was a very stupid question" I admitted snorting.

"Don't worry about it" David said amused, "how is everything?" he asked a moment later.

Relieved by the lifeline thrown into my arms. "Great, thanks" I responded immediately, "how about there, how is your wife and what about your son?" I asked.

"Oh everything is perfect, thanks for asking, Callie loves being a mother and little PJ's growing like a weed."

Genuinely happy for the family. I nodded ready to cut the cordial conversation and get to the real reason why I was calling but, stopping abruptly as I properly registered what I had heard, I coughed softly surprised.

Surely understanding the reason for the silence on the other side of the call, David snorted. "We never told you" he said as if it were a revelation, "I hope you don't mind, but Callie and I thought the name just fit" he admitted, "besides it will be an extraordinary story to tell when he is old enough."

Feeling a wave of pride in my chest, I snorted. It was genuinely touching that someone was named in your honor.

"But enough of that, I'm sure you didn't call just to catch up" David declared jokingly, but by his tone it seemed he was embarrassed, "what do you need?"

Thinking about the box full of documents in the trunk of my car. "It's a big favor" I said a couple of seconds later, "but I would like to talk about it in person" I added peeking through the kitchen door, I could swear I had seen something move "if you don't mind" I added a moment later.

I didn't know how busy a journalist's life was, much less a journalist with a few months old baby at home.

"Of course I don't mind" David replied immediately, he seemed almost eager to be useful, "I can be in Medford tomorrow at-" he was saying.

"No" I interrupted him, "I'll come to you" I declared seriously.

Having involved Diane was already far beyond my limit, I didn't want in any way for my family to find out. Medford being such a small town really didn't have a public place to have a meeting without someone recognizing me.

"I'll be in Houston early tomorrow" I said lowering my voice, I couldn't see anyone outside the kitchen, but it didn't hurt to be cautious, "is there somewhere we can meet?" I asked.

Keeping silent for a moment, obviously noticing the seriousness in my voice. "Of course" David replied.

Agreeing on a place and time for our meeting, I thanked the man for his time and said goodbye hanging up the phone a moment later.

Standing still next to the now hung phone I nodded once checking my watch. It was relatively late, I would have to hurry if I didn't want a punishment from Case for being late.

As I left the kitchen I stopped abruptly, surprised, upon finding Meredith and Teddy, who by the way they were breathing heavily seemed to have jumped onto the couch in a pathetic attempt to look indifferent, it was clear I hadn't imagined seeing something.

Pretending to be surprised. "Oh PJ, when did you get home?" Teddy asked causing Meredith to also shift her attention from the television to me.

Snorting I rolled my eyes exasperated, they were painfully obvious in their attempt to hide that they were listening on the other side of the kitchen door, and to add to the obviousness they hadn't even bothered to change the channel that mom was watching without volume, the news.

Unable to contain her curiosity and breaking her lie of not knowing I was home. "Who were you talking to?" Teddy asked interested.

Raising an eyebrow slightly, I checked the sides of the room, as if I were looking to make sure no one else heard what I was about to say, managing to make both Teddy and Meredith lean in obviously interested. "I was talking..." I said slowly and in a low voice, "with the president of the United States of America, Mr. George W. Bush" I replied as serious as I could raising my eyebrows, "I'm a very important person" I added amused.

Frowning in displeasure. "Ha ha" Teddy spat rolling her eyes, "you're very funny" she added exasperated.

Rolling her eyes equally exasperated. "Hilarious" Meredith commented

Snorting as I walked to my room. "Perks of being me" I said mocking my sisters.

Quickening my pace after checking my watch, I entered my room finding Gabe putting on his shorts. "Are you ready?" I asked somewhat nervous.

Nodding quickly, matching my nervousness. "Yeah" Gabe replied, "I just saw the time" he added pointing at our clock on the table, "why are we so late?" he asked raising his voice.

"I'm sorry, I've lost track of time" I excused myself while taking off my shirt hurriedly.

Rapidly tapping his foot against the floor. "He's going to make us puke" Gabe murmured scared, "I don't like to puke" he added visibly distressed.

Hopping on one foot to finish fixing my shorts. "Nobody is going to puke" I assured him with false confidence "but we better get moving" I added a moment later letting my own anxiety show.

"Yeah" Gabe nodded walking out of our room with me behind him.

Half putting on my shirt, passing behind the living room couch. Teddy and Meredith, who were sitting this time actually watching television, turned surprised, surely because of all the noise caused by how fast Gabe and I were moving.

"See you" I said putting my remaining arm into the shirt.

"Wait!" Teddy exclaimed.

Stopping abruptly. "What?" I asked urging her with anxiety.

Making her best puppy eyes, which Meredith imitated. "Could you bring us ice cream?" she asked me.

"Sure" I replied continuing my way.

"Wait!" Teddy shouted again.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"I want chocolate" Teddy said.

"Strawberry" Meredith added.

"Done" I said, hurrying out of the house, "bye."

Gabe was already waiting next to my car when I came out, practically running, through the house door. "What are you waiting for?" he asked raising his hands.

Without answering my brother I walked to the driver's side, allowing Gabe to get in a moment later through the other door.

Gabe pulled on his seatbelt a couple of times immediately after taking his seat, since the mechanism got stuck on the first pull. "Let's go, let's go."

I didn't need Gabe to hurry me, immediately after taking my seat and putting on my seatbelt, I started the car engine.

A moment later, the music, at the same volume I had forgotten to lower when I arrived several minutes ago, blasted through the speakers startling both Gabe and me.

"Why!" Gabe shouted immediately covering his ears.

Quickly lowering the volume of the music. "Sorry" I apologized.

On the way to the gym the tension inside my car was palpable, both Gabe and I knew the kind of trainer Case was, at least with Tim and us, after all the rest of the people at the gym, the normal clientele, didn't have a schedule beyond the gym's own hours.

As soon as we arrived, Gabe got out of the car the instant my engine shut off, following him I closed my door a second later, entering the place just a few steps behind my brother.

The gym, as always at that hour, was full of people training all kinds of punches and footwork, without much difficulty, among all the people, I found Tim showing someone the correct way to throw a hook to the liver.

Surely hearing the main door, my friend turned immediately to see us. "Finally, he's in the back, look busy" he told us anxiously after checking the wall clock.

Nodding quickly, I pushed Gabe's head urging him to move toward the back of the gym, next to the ring, where most clients had no reason to train.

Halfway through our path, greeting clients who recognized me, and who were unfortunately not few, the back door of the gym, the same one that led to the alley where Case's trailer was parked, opened and without being able to avoid it I locked eyes with Case.

Raising his eyebrows, which was always strange to see because of his clean shaved head. "Well look at that" Case murmured slowly, "how kind of you two to lend us your presence twenty two minutes late" he added, saying the last part much slower than before, turning in a long motion to look at the clock.

Smiling nervously. "Better late than never, right?" I asked.

The training that followed, even for Tim who really wasn't at fault for anything, was little less than a living hell, at the end, without a shirt because being so soaked it prevented fluid movement, I could pick up whole cups of sweat from the gym floor.

Fortunately no one puke.

After training and cleaning the gym floor. Leaning against the wall between Mrs. Santos' shop and the gym, Gabe and I still breathing heavily hydrated ourselves drinking gatorade. "Better?" I asked Gabe.

Drinking practically all the content of his bottle in one go. "Yeah, but I need to take a shower" Gabe nodded after wiping his face with the side of his arm.

Stopping before patting Gabe's head, since it was still wet with sweat. "That's an understatement" I said joking, "all right, let's go before this melts" I added lifting a bag in my other hand where Meredith and Teddy's ice creams were.

The next day, after a full night of sleep thanks to how exhausted I was, with my mind much calmer than the day before, I woke up early without any intention of going out for a run, and seeing Gabe in his own bed, sleeping like a log, I was sure he didn't either.

After a quick shower, excusing myself from breakfast with my family with a small lie about a date with Diane. I left the house ignoring Teddy and Meredith who shared a knowing look, I highly doubted they had understood anything the day before when they listened to my conversation with David.

Outside, I arrived at Meemaw's house where I only waited a couple of seconds before Diane came out. "Ready?" I asked.

Nodding she moved forward pressing herself to my side, surely looking for a source of warmth against the morning breeze. Glancing at Diane, while we chatted on the way to my car, I smiled relieved noticing that she no longer exuded the same worry as the day before, in fact she seemed strangely excited.

Inside my car, watching Diane choose among all the discs in my glove compartment, I definitely saw how excited she was and honestly I didn't understand why. "Are you all right?" I asked genuinely interested.

Holding all the music discs on her lap, Diane looked at me opening her eyes wide. "Oh... ah" she murmured avoiding my gaze, "I know I already said this, but this really feels like the plot of a spy movie story" she added pressing her lips into a small embarrassed smile.

Amused, I shook my head snorting. "We're just going to 'anonymously' give the information to David" I said reminding Diane of the plan, "he's going to take care of the rest" I added.

If Vogler fulfilled his part of the deal, keeping the donation at the hospital without conditions, I planned to keep my word and not bring to light the incriminating evidence I had found in the memo... Unfortunately for Vogler, the deal did not include everything Diane had found.

Being honest, Vogler could easily deduce that the anonymous person who gave the information to David was me, but without solid proof, which in trying to obtain it could put at risk the exposure of illegal acts in his company, I highly doubted he would do anything to accuse me or the hospital of corporate espionage.

Adjusting herself in her seat, to face my profile. "I know, but that doesn't make it any less exciting" Diane said, holding my arm.

Shaking my head I snorted. "If you say so" I murmured amused at the same time I started the car.

Watching Diane, completely carefree, search through the discs in the glove compartment while we waited for the engine to warm up, I couldn't help but smile relieved, we were only a few hours away from completely being done with Vogler.

Already in Houston, following the directions of a couple of kind locals, we arrived at the café just a couple of minutes before the agreed time.

As we opened the door, the shop immediately welcomed us with a strong smell of excellent coffee, as well as ambient music matching the beautiful warm lighting thanks to the sunrise light coming through its wide windows. It was an exact painting of a high level café, the kind that in the future people would pay a lot of money to emulate.

Sweeping the place with my eyes, something that was slowly becoming a habit when entering a new place, I noticed that, aside from the workers behind the counter, there were only a couple of customers scattered at the tables, surprisingly not as many people as one would expect.

Unable to dwell further on the strange lack of clientele, I walked with Diane toward one of the corners of the shop where, sitting by himself, I recognized David who, despite having a newspaper open in his hands, had his attention completely on us, surely after hearing the door open.

Guiding Diane through the empty tables I greeted raising my hand at the smiling journalist who was already placing his newspaper on the table while standing up. "PJ" he said happily when we were close enough to his table.

Raising my hand ready to receive a handshake. "David, it's great to-" I managed to say before being interrupted by a strong hug, "... see you again" I continued somewhat perplexed after being released from the sudden and very affectionate greeting, "this is my girlfriend Diane" I added a moment later getting over the initial surprise.

Taking Diane's hand in a formal and fortunately much more normal greeting. "A pleasure" David said with a huge smile on his face, "you got a good catch right here" he added patting my shoulder with some force, not enough to hurt.

Wrapping my arm with her now free hand. "I know" Diane declared.

Taking the opportunity to use a move from doctor Thomas' book. "It's actually the other way around" I assured smiling meaningfully at Diane, who pressed her lips a little embarrassed.

Raising his eyebrows amused. "Smooth" David commented smiling widely "now, please take a seat" he added a moment later seriously, apparently remembering why we were there, "it sounded quite important over the phone."

Nodding, I pulled a chair for Diane. "It is" I declared seriously, "what do you know about Edward Vogler?" I asked as I took my own seat.

I genuinely thought I would have to explain a couple of things to bring David up to speed on the matter, at least everything related to Vogler's pharmaceutical company, but before I could even think about organizing my ideas, David adjusted himself in his seat seriously and began to speak.

"Billionaire businessman from Chicago Illinois, who started his empire by investing twenty thousand dollars in a small company that grew until it made him a millionaire, from there he used the funds to diversify into investments in many other companies among them Eastbrook Pharmaceuticals" taking a breath after speaking without stopping, "a few weeks ago he made a donation of one hundred million dollars to East Texas Tech Medford Teaching Hospital, where he is now the chairman of the board" he added saying the last part with a hint of disdain, which he tried to hide.

Surprised I was left speechless for a couple of seconds, enough for David to notice.

"He made an extremely large donation to a relatively small hospital in Texas" he explained, "it would be much stranger if I didn't know anything about him" he added with irony.

It made a lot of sense. "Yeah, I guess you're right" I said nodding, "although you have the last part wrong, he's no longer the chairman" I added, this time surprising David.

"Really?" he asked leaning forward, "since when?" he added interested, surely thinking about being the first with the news.

I understood David's interest, after all I was giving him a fairly surprising exclusive from a town as small as Medford, but that didn't compare to what I had. "Yesterday, but that's not important" I replied not wanting to divert the topic.

Nodding, surely biting his tongue to avoid asking more, David returned to his relaxed position in the chair.

Before I could continue, from the side of the table, one of the café employees approached the table. "Can I get you something?" she asked smiling kindly with a small notepad in her hands.

"Black coffee, please" Diane answered immediately.

Nodding the waitress wrote down the order in her notepad. "Two black coffees" she said for some reason assuming that would also be my order.

"Actually, I would love a chocolate milkshake" I said not at all embarrassed by the surprised expression of both David and the worker.

I loved a good coffee like any other person, whether student or worker, with complicated schedules excellent for fighting off sleep caused by an overworked brain, but if I was perfectly rested and had the option, it would definitely be a chocolate milkshake.

Nodding slowly. "All right" the waitress murmured, "anything else?" she asked, this time focused on David, who immediately shook his head.

Once we were alone again, David took out from inside his jacket a small notebook, surprisingly similar to the waitress's. "So, what is it?" he asked fully prepared to write.

Sharing a look with Diane, not really knowing how to start, I sighed mentally preparing myself to explain, maybe from the beginning, how everything had happened.

---

Author Thoughts:

As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen, not Michael Phelps, not Arsene Lupin, not McLovin, not Elliot, not Capone, not Tiger Woods, but I am a Mathematician.

Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:

11332223

Victor_Venegas

RandomPasserby96

I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.

Thank you for reading! :D

More Chapters