His Addiction

Chapter 8

"Mom? You here?" Bash scowled, not expecting to see his mother in the club owner's cabin.

"I heard everything you did." His mother's eyes weren't on him, but her tone made him glare at Julian, whose eyes were anywhere but him. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Bash swallowed hard, yet he pretended he didn't know what she was saying. "I didn't hide anything from you. You were aware of everything, especially my dreams for my business. That's something I promised my uncle," His throat felt constricted with emotions, yet he went on. "And I want to fulfill it at any cost. It was his dream too. You know that, don't you, mom?"

"He was my brother. Of course, I know that." She said in reminiscence, but she brushed it off with a cold snort. Bash clenched his hands when her darker shade of green locked with his light emerald; he got the warning there even before she put that in words.

"Before I take any legal action against Mr. Iglesias and why you helped him, being well aware of his intentions with the forsaken heiress who had been fighting for a child's custody, I want to know why your girlfriend left this city the very moment you were attacked in the backstreet near the Iglesias manor, Sebastian." Bash stiffened under his mother's unwavering gaze. But she smiled brightly at him, which didn't reach her eyes, of course, and Bash knew it wouldn't end well when she shifted her attention to his friend sitting at the other side of his desk, who couldn't look more nervous than he already was. With her eyes still on the man, she said to her son, "I expect your honesty regarding your Eline's matter if you don't want me to do what I don't want to do. Your friend will be happy to help, won't you, Mr. Kennedy?" At which the owner nodded and smiled stiffly, fisting his hands under his desk.

"It wasn't necessary, Ms. Fernandez." The man didn't want to challenge this tyrannical businesswoman. As much as he looked willing to defend his cousin, who helped him with his contract with Bash, an old high school friend, Mr. Kennedy didn't want to put himself in trouble and his business. "Bash is my friend. I would still have agreed to help you with the investigation even if you had brought the police to my office. But mugging is normal here. It is seen everywhere, even in your UK, but a murder attempt?" He turned his gaze to Bash, frowning worriedly. "I didn't know it happened to you, Bash. I called you, but you told me not to come to see you yesterday. Does my sister know about the attack? Why didn't she tell me when she called me in the morning?"

"She called?" Bash felt a weight lifted from his shoulder. Breathing in relief, he muttered, "Thank god. She is okay."

Bash came here only to confirm if his girlfriend had joined the team they sent two days ago. Madeline had to be with them; she would have come to see him in the hospital after hearing the news, but she didn't, and he was worried about her, so tense that he forgot about the work he gave to Julian, and it worsened his mood when he heard the taunting talk of that girl with her colleague.

"And she didn't call you." His mother glared at him, who went stiff again. "Like her family, she doesn't care whether you live or die. Or maybe that's what she has always wanted to happen to you. I don't see any other reason for her to live like that with your team when she has nothing to do with your job or even planning. Are you sure this is the girl you want as your life partner, Sebastian?"

"Ms. Fernandez." Mr. Kennedy looked at Bash's mother warningly before Bash could refute it. He wouldn't have reacted this way if the woman hadn't brought his family into this. And she was disrespecting them. "My cousin had taken a break from her career for Bash because she wanted to be there for him. It is important to him, and she knows more than anyone who claims to know him. She only wants everything to be perfect. That's what she told me, and Bash knows that. There would be thousands of people to help him with the events of their one-month tour, but Madeline would put her heart into it to make the event a success. You can carry on with your investigation all you want, ma'am. I won't stop you or even worry about the loss it might bring to my business with the police and media involvement. It will make my guests uncomfortable, but it will be fine with me, but you have to stop raising your finger at my family. We may not be at your standard, but we value what we have. Please, I kindly request you not to bring them into this."

"It's okay, Oliver. Calm down. You don't need to explain yourself- " Bash tried to fix the matter, but his mother had other intentions.

"Oh, please. Who are you guilt-tripping here, Mr. Kennedy? Me? It may work on my son, but when it comes to me, you have to work hard to convince me." Juliette scoffed, getting up from her seat. "Then you suddenly become all defensive at the mere mention of your family. Aren't you her family too? And didn't you claim to be Sebastian's friend a while ago? Then why do you think I am bringing your family, who live thousands of miles away from this city where you have been living for two years?" Oliver slightly paled at that. Juliette looked as if she was offended by whatever he said before, but her eyes held a smile that sent chills down his spine. "And then you told me my son stopped you from coming to see him in the hospital. Every news channel is telecasting that news. You saw the police involvement here. How did a grown man like you think it was just a road robbery? You claim to be my son's friend, that your family treated him as their family. Then how could you be so ignorant about the news? Tell me one thing. Do you even care about your cousin? You know very well about her unconditional love for my son, and then you left him- "

"Mom, I think this is enough." Bash interrupted his mother, looking pissed. Turning his gaze to Oliver, he said, "I tried Madeline's number and my crew members, but nobody accepted my call. Tell her to call me if it isn't too much to ask you."

"But Sebastian- "

"Mom, please." Bash again cut her off. "We have other things to talk about. Please spare others who know nothing about this."

His eyes looked so gloomy that it made his mother change her mind and follow him out of the owner's cabin, whom she wouldn't spare as she wouldn't to her son's girlfriend and now business partner. She wouldn't let Bash know as she loved him too much to hurt him. But that didn't mean she would forgive Madeline. Juliette never liked her and her perfection and dedication, which was too good to be true. And she was sure that if she stepped into that office, she would catch him talking with Madeline. Her son wouldn't believe her, and there wasn't anything she could do about it. She was only waiting for that heiress's contact. She hardly believed that girl would pick up her call any day. But could Juliette blame Emily for that? That girl was dealing with her issues already.

Still, she tried her luck. "Sebastian, I want to see that girl. Doesn't she work here? Take me to her."

Bash halted at his steps and turned around with a blank expression. "Why do you want to meet her now?"

"I have reasons? That's why." She narrowed her gaze at him. "What you did with her was wrong. Of course, I won't let her family get away with this, but I want to thank her for saving my son's life."

"You don't know a thing." He gritted out. "I wouldn't have ended up in that place if she hadn't chased me in the first place."

Juliette snapped. "Keep your grudges to yourself, Sebastian. I don't care to know what made her do that, but I am sure you are at fault. If you don't take me to her, I won't help you with your deal. You have to deal with your father and Mr. Iglesias about it yourself. And then, I will go to the police station and give the names I suspect of pulling this stunt on you, and your girlfriend and her brother won't be spared from it." There was an evil glint in her eyes. She wasn't joking or threatening her son but letting him know about her plan so that this information could reach Mr. Kennedy. She was confident that Oliver's men were around them, now evaporating this conversation even when the hallway was empty and no one could be seen other than Bash and her men.

Bash pinched the bridge of his nose. He could never understand why his mother was wary of his girlfriend. She was nothing but good to her and his father's family. His father liked her, and so did his elder brother. She had crossed her limit in provoking him with Madeline, but he needed his mother with the deal he wanted to break. "Mom, could we have this conversation in my suite?" He sighed, feeling tired. "And about that girl. . .I don't think she would want to see you. She has no reason to, and you can't do anything about it because even the law here is on the girl's side. So, please, spare me from this. I truly don't want to see her face again."

With that, Bash turned around and stalked off. He knew his mother would come around. He had done what he could to repent. He had done Emily a favor whom he wronged. Unethically, he took out all the money from her grandpa's New York client's account that he sent to his account the other day to teach her a lesson for stalking him. Whatever Emmanuel's plan was for the heiress, Bash had ruined it for the Oldman, and now, instead of being grateful to him, the girl made a snarky remark about him. Bash was already dealing with some issues. He was right on his side to react that way, but no one would understand him. His girlfriend was in touch with Oliver but wasn't returning his calls. It hurt still. He had tried his ways to catch the person sending those parcels about him cheating on Madeline, but no matter what he did, his efforts were worthless, and he would forever be a cheater in Madeline's eyes.

As expected, his mother followed Bash to his car. He waited for her to climb in, but she stood there watching the building strangely. He seriously didn't want her to pick a fight with his friend. Getting annoyed, he called, "Mom, get in the car, will you?"

"Did you offend that one too, Sebastian?"

Bash followed Juliette's gaze and found a guy looking, no scratch that, glaring coldly in their direction. He frowned, instantly recognizing it was the same guy Emily was talking about him without taking his name. He was standing by the third-floor window, and his mother managed to locate him this fast! "Impressive!" Bash had to give that to Juliette. That compliment. His gaze landed on Julian in the passenger seat, and Bash taunted, "How I wish my boys had eyes like you and didn't wear their hearts on their sleeves."

Julian stiffened after getting that comment from his boss, but Juliette looked dissatisfied with how her son waved the matter off so casually. That guy wasn't standing close, but his eyes were alarming. Yet she felt like that waiter wasn't a threat, as if he would not harm her son, but they should watch their backs. Especially Bash. If he hadn't wasted his time trying to catch the person trying to break Madeline and him off, he would have noticed that waiter and his brothers. Emily wasn't the only one working here in disguise.

But her son was hopeless. Blind in love with someone who always had her eyes on his property. She would have left her son if she didn't see his progress in his acting career and business, and the person who would stay in benefit would always be Madeline.

Juliette took the warning from the waiter. She would do anything to protect her son, but she would look forward to meeting her, the forsaken heiress. She was sure they would meet soon, even if her son didn't want to see Emily again. But they were bound to meet. Madeline wouldn't let this opportunity slide away. Juliette knew that well. If only her son believed in her more than the girl he loved.

~

"You are taking Julian, and this is the end of the discussion, mom." Bash looked sternly at his mother, who was adamant about going alone to the Iglesias manor where his father and older brother would be. They had just arrived and directly drove to Emmanuel's place, and Bash didn't know why. He wasn't that interested or had the time to spare when his flight was in an hour. He had to join his crew for movie promotions as he couldn't afford the new rumors about him. One thing was sure, Bash wasn't leaving Juliette alone in this city, as no one more than he knew how his mother was, and she wouldn't ask for help from his father even if she was in trouble.

"We have talked about it, Sebastian. After what happened here with you, I am not leaving you- "

"You know very well this isn't the first time I have been attacked like that." He said calmly. "It was nothing new, and it happened to all of us and even to you. Don't forget why you divorced my dad. You thought it would work, but it didn't. You have enemies, and I am making mine too. You are aware of how things work in a highly profitable business. You know the risk, but you are still doing this. Please leave it here, mom. I insist." "The only thing I want to do is break off the deal. But if you can't, then. . .I will have to open my factory here. Even if I feel humiliated every second working with Mr. Iglesias, knowing why he gave me the deal."

"He wanted the corporation with dad. Even Andrew would do for him, and you won't believe the appreciation he had in his eyes. He wanted Andrew as his great-grandson-in-law." Bash grumbled and went on, hoping his mother would take pity on him, which she would, of course, because she loved him that much and spoiled him rotten since his parent's separation. Little did he know this information would give Juliette corrupt ideas even if she helped him out of this embarrassing deal. His expression darkened when he said, "The stalker girl would have become my sister-in-law long ago if her father wasn't against this and dropped the matter there. Thank god it didn't happen. When I can't stand her, how does my short-tempered brother spend the rest of his life with her?"

"I see." Something flashed in Juliette's eyes, but she hid that behind her teasing smile. "It seems like the girl has already got under your skin, Sebastian. Are you sure you hate her? You barely get time out of your schedule to take your Eline on a date. But the more I hear you, I look at you in astonishment, as I had never heard you talk so much about a girl who wasn't Madeline. It is new to me, a good change, and it isn't even too late, you know. If it is too much for you to handle, let me know. Your mom will be happy to help."

"What the--- " Bash looked at her in disbelief and was so flustered that he didn't know what to say. "Mom, you can't. . .seriously. . ." He closed his eyes and groaned in annoyance. He was done with her. "Alright, mom. I have to go now. . .you know I can't miss the flight." Opening his eyes, he smiled tiredly at her. "I am glad you came here for me. Say hi to Andrew for me."

"Alright. Take care. And you are taking Julian, and I don't want further discussion about it." Juliette interrupted her son the moment he opened his mouth to protest. "Good luck with your movie, Sebastian. I know the result will be positive. I have my guards with me. No need to worry about me, okay?" Bash could only nod and left for the airport after dropping his mother at the Iglesias manor. And, of course, he left Julian with her, not having enough trust in the people she had recently appointed as her bodyguards.

In the evening, just when he was about to board his flight, Bash received a call on his number. He stopped a few steps away from the terminal gate to fish out the phone from his jacket and bumped into a woman who was coming from the other side with a few militants in their civil uniform. That woman had a file with her in her hand slipped from her hand. Bash bent down to help her and then froze when his eyes fell on the pictures. Before he could get a clear view of the person in that photo, one of the militants came to help that woman, and Bash's eyes enlarged to see that guy was that waiter he saw yesterday morning with Emily.

"See where you're going next time?" The man questioned his subordinate, who said, "I'm sorry, Chief. The zip of this file is loose."

After that, they motioned to board their jet, where Bash saw the rest of the militants with them boarding in a hurry. He wanted to chase behind them. Forgetting the plaster on his right leg, he went after them to find out about that guy and why they had her picture with them. He would have let go of it if it was merely a picture they had, but it wasn't just that. It looked more like some snapshots of a crime scene, making his stomach churn with uncertain thoughts. If he wasn't wrong, the girl in the picture was hers; Emily. . .who was lying on some road holding the knife in her stomach! And then that waiter! Why did that woman address him with that?

Bash was sure one of the brothers had joined his crew for the tour. He had checked their background details and knew they were three brothers studying at a nearby college, and their cousin had left for a vacation. Then how could he be in the military?

"Sir, wait! You are going in the wrong way. Our flight. . .Sir?" Bash's men tried to stop him, but he walked hastily behind the crew. Before he could get a hold of Beckett, a few girls circled him, squealing after recognizing the star. "Oh my god! Bash, is that you?"

His throat felt constricted, yet he told them, "Excuse me. I have to go somewhere."

But his fans weren't taking any of it and took out their phones and diaries to take selfies with him and get his autograph.

The area became so chaotic that the police appeared, and Bash's men had to take it upon themselves to take their boss on their flight.

Bash still looked at the military jet, but it started to move and was ready to take off. Taking out his phone, he called Julian and told him everything after taking his seat. He was more worried about his family than the girl he had wronged. "But, sir?"

Clenching his jaw, Bash ordered, "You are taking my family to LA, Julian. I don't want them to be with Sr. Iglesias. No need to tell anyone what I told you just now. I could be wrong about the girl I saw, but my family isn't staying a second in the Iglesias manor."

Bash lied but didn't feel guilty about it.

That girl was nothing to him. So, she shouldn't be his concern. But his family. . .they were dear to him. He couldn't let anything happen to them. When her grandfather didn't care about her, why should he bother himself with her well-being then?

It would be better if he pretended like he didn't see anything. He had enough problems in his life to think about a stranger.