He walked off the escalators, bringing him to a security check for the hotel rooms. The guard waved him forward, letting Nero pass the people waiting to show them their room keys.
Getting on the elevator, he hit the top floor, holding down a series of buttons until it flashed. It made it possible for Nero to ride the elevator without a stop for people to come on. He was glad for that feature; otherwise, it would take all night to reach the top floor.
After the smooth ride of the elevator, Nero watched the door open. He walked down the long hallway, playing out what to say in his mind. When he came to the guarded door, he stopped.
“He wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
“I wasn’t expecting to come down here.”
“All right. One second.” Nero watched the guy whisper into his earpiece for a brief moment.
“He said you can go in.” The big guy opened the door and moved out of the way.
“I’d hope so,” Nero replied as he walked through the door.
When the door was slammed shut, Nero looked around the big, dark yet bright room. Hardly any lights were on, but all the TV screens in there filled it with light. The people looking at the screens didn’t once turn their heads to see who had entered.
Nero walked to the other side of the room, coming to a chair beside another door. He took a seat, knowing from experience it could take a while.
Nero pulled out his cell. He had a few texts, but not the one he wanted. He scrolled through his contacts, stopping at Elle’s name. He hit the text button, bringing him to a new conversation, typing the words, You at work yet?
Four minutes passed and he got a reply that made him grin. Maybe.
Nero pulled up the keyboard, this time typing, Schedule?
* * *
Elle looked at her phone under the bar, and read the text message she had just received before putting it back in her apron. She walked through the swinging doors, bringing her to the kitchen. She went to the wall holding the OSHA binder and a long piece of paper. She stared at the words that titled the top. “Biweekly work schedule.” Her eyes traveled down the paper, looking at the two-week sentence.
‘Let’s make it a picture of your schedule.’ She didn’t know if giving him her schedule was a good idea. If she did, well, then she couldn’t lie to him, using work as an excuse to get out of doing something with him.
Elle stared at the paper a little longer, coming to a conclusion and a solution.
She pulled her phone out of her apron and snapped a picture of her schedule. Going to her recent texts, she knew exactly what to say.
* * *
Nero felt his phone vibrate in his hand. Turning it over, he read the words, How about a trade?
Nero was intrigued. What do you want?
A minute later he read, If you want the schedule, then we will need to be at school early before Chloe gets there.
Nero liked that Elle cared for her friend so much. It showed him she was loyal. However, her loyalty didn’t change the fact he didn’t like that idea. Nero had never been a morning person. He was already going to have to get up early as it was to pick Elle up for school. No way was he waking up that early. He decided to counter.
* * *
Elle felt her phone vibrate in her apron while she poured coffee to one of her tables. She was going to make good tip money tonight; the diner had been full practically the whole night. She went to the counter and pulled out her phone, not understanding why everything had to be so difficult when it concerned Nero as she read his message. I’ll tell Amo to be there early. He can watch her.
Elle didn’t know why this was a discussion. She was the one with the schedule. No schedule then. She hit the word send.
Elle had refilled the coffee cups to the brim when her next message came back. Then no one there to look after Chloe.
Elle cursed his name. She should have thought about him using Chloe’s safety against her.
Elle decided to text Chloe first. Amo will be at school before you get there. Stay with him till I get there, okay?
Elle took an order from one of her usual customers. She always liked when he came by. He would tell her funny jokes and make sure she was tipped well.
When she put his order in, she read her message from Chloe. Please, no, Elle. I’ll be fine.
Elle thought realistically for a second. No, she wasn’t going to be fine.
She sent Chloe another message. Cassandra could be back tomorrow. Amo will meet you at your parking spot, all right? You know it’s the best thing.
After Elle dropped an order at a table, she went to the back again, laughing at Chloe’s reply. UGHH FINE!!
Elle decided to go back to the kitchen and take another picture of the schedule. She would let Nero win the battle, again. But from now on, she decided things were going to change. She was going to win the damn war.
* * *
Nero thought he was going to doze off in the oversized leather chair before Elle texted back. He knew he had her when he had texted her that no one would be there to watch Chloe; thus, he didn’t understand why it would take so long to reply. She already lost.
When his phone finally vibrated, he looked at her reply. So, Amo will be there?
Nero knew he had won again. Yeah, bright and early. You have my word.
A minute later, he read her reply. Tell him to meet Chloe at her parking spot then.
A moment later, the text was followed by a picture message. He clicked it open to enlarge the image. The picture ended up turning out to be better than he had thought; he could use this to his advantage.