On the way to the restaurant, Sebastian explained how a civil case worked, and what I should expect of it. He didn't think Curtis had made a complaint yet, only threatened it. Our plan was to swing by the apartment after to see if I'd received a summons.

I tapped my fingers against my thigh as a queasiness set in my abdomen. It wasn't that I was afraid of being sued— at worst he would demand all the money in my savings account— but rather if he decided to take it a step further and press charges against me. What if I lost then? Would I go to jail? What would happen to Brandon?

Noticing my anxiety, Sebastian reached over and squeezed my shoulder. "It's going to be okay. I'm actually a pretty good lawyer when I want to be."

I gave him a small smile. "I don't doubt that."

Collin wasn't very pleased to see us when we arrived at the restaurant. He stuck up his nose, turning his head away from us as he guided us to the backroom where the computer for the security was. "This very well make you lose your job here," he said to me.

"Just like your restaurant will lose its reputation when it gets out the manager lets customers get away with sexually harassing the waitresses," Sebastian responded coolly.

Collin's beady eyes squinted at Sebastian. "And who are you?"

Sebastian reached into his jacket pocket, producing a business card, and handing it to Collin. "Sebastian James. I'll be representing Henley should Mr. Voham follow through with his suit."

Collin examined it for a minute and then his face paled, his demeanor changing immediately. "Oh! I'm sorry Mr. James, I didn't realize it was you. Did your father send you?"

"No, I'm here as a favor to my close friend." Sebastian smiled courteously at Collin as he gestured to me. "I hope we can settle things quickly."

"W-well I have nothing to do with this, but I'll help you in anyway possible," Collin said quickly.

I scowled at him. What an ass kisser.

When he noticed me watching him he puckered his lips. Turning away from me, he opened the back office, allowing us to enter. Sebastian walked over to the security screens. "I want the footage of the full duration of Henley's shift."

"Isn't the assault on Curtis enough?" Collin asked.

I rolled my eyes. "It wasn't an assault!"

"It's prudent to keep all the footage," Sebastian said, his eyes narrowing. "Why? Will it be a problem?"

Collin swallowed audibly, eyes searching the room, avoiding Sebastian's gaze. "I-I'll pull up what I can."

Sebastian and I exchanged glances. What did he mean? Pull up what he could? I knew for a fact the recordings stayed for three months before being slowly cycled out. The footage was most definitely there.

And yet it wasn't.

When Collin forwarded it to the time of my shift the cameras facing the table Curtis had sat at, and the cameras facing the bar area where he'd tried to grope me, were grainy and blank. It didn't make any sense. The cameras rolled twenty-four seven. There was no way they would be blank.

"For some reason the cameras weren't working," Collin said, his back to us. "It's unfortunate, but—"

"Did you delete the footage?" I cut in.

"They weren't working—"

"Did someone tell you to do it?" I demanded.

Collin went stock-still and I knew I had suspected correctly. Anger surged through me— that was illegal! And yet Curtis was trying to sue me? When he had tampered with evidence?

Sebastian grabbed Collin's shoulders, forcing him to turn around. He closed in on him, balling Collin's shirt up in his hand. Collin's eyes were wide as Sebastian leaned forward intimidatingly. "Who told you to?"

"I c-can't say."

"I'm assuming you know tampering with evidence is a criminal offense. I can easily take this from a civil to a criminal case. You know our success rate."

Now Collin's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets. I could've laughed, had I not been so pissed.

"Who told you?" Sebastian repeated. "Don't make me take you to court."

"I kept the original footage!" Collin squeaked.

Sebastian's grip tightened. "Where?"

"It's on the flash drive in the computer. I promise! It has everything. You can take it!"

Sebastian pushed Collin to the side, letting him go. The older man stumbled, his face ashen and forehead sweaty. I forced my way in front of him as Sebastian opened the file on the desktop, pulling up the footage. True to Collin's words, the missing footage was there. And you could clearly see Curtis touching my ass before getting punched.

"Who were you going to give this to?" Sebastian asked, ejecting the USB from the computer and pocketing it.

Collin pressed his lips together tightly.

"Was it Curtis? Are you that scared of him you would break the law?" I asked, still in disbelief he would even try to keep the footage from us. I was certain if Sebastian hadn't come with me, I wouldn't have been able to get anything from him. I always knew Collin was skeezy, but didn't think he would drop this low.

"I don't think it was Curtis," Sebastian said lowly, holding Collin's gaze.

I frowned. "Huh? Who else would it be?"

He shook his head. "Never mind. We've got what we need. Let's go. I have someone to see."

"Oh, sure." As we left the room, I peeked around Sebastian's back and raised my fist threateningly at Collin, giving him the dirtiest look I could muster.

We walked back to Sebastian's car in silence. He seemed to be deep in thought, completely missing the handle when he went to open the door for me.

"What did you mean you don't think Curtis is the one who told him to delete the video?" I asked him.

"It's odd... Curtis should be afraid of Bennett. But who would scare him more than Bennett?"

It didn't take too long to think of the one person who scared even Bennett sometimes. My mouth fell open. "You don't think—"

"But the question is why is she doing this?"

"Obviously because she thinks I'm not good enough for her son."

"Yes, but..." Sebastian trailed off.

"I can't believe she hasn't given up. If anything, this is doing the opposite. I'll stay with Bennett just to spite her." I paused. "Well, I mean, obviously I want to stay with Bennett because I like him too. That's the main reason. Spite is just an added incentive."

Sebastian didn't seem to be listening. It wasn't the first time he'd said something strange. I didn't like it. It made me feel like I was missing something. Something important. "Are you hiding something from me?"

From the way Sebastian's head jerked, I knew I was right. "Nothing, why?" he said.

"You are," I accused. I tried to think of what it could be, but nothing came to mind. It was frustrating. Was it about my brother's lawyer? Is that why Mrs. Calloway had been so shocked when she'd seen my brother? But what was the connection? I couldn't think of anything. Bennett and I hadn't been together back then.

But Bennett and Brandon had been at McKellan's at the same time the night of my brother's accident. Could she have seen Brandon there? But even so, why would it matter to her? Was it because Richard lost my brother's case? Did Mrs. Calloway hate that it tainted Richard's record? Or was there something else?

"It's something I'm curious about, but I don't want to say anything until I'm one hundred percent sure of it," Sebastian told me, interrupting my thoughts. "Because if I'm correct... we're facing a much larger problem than just your relationship with Bennett."

I didn't like the sound of that.

"But don't worry about it right now," he added.

I gave him a flat look. "Yeah, because that's so easy after what you just said. But I trust you. I know you'll tell me the truth if it involves me somehow."

"I will," he promised. "For now let's see if you have a summons."

My old apartment looked more decrepit than ever. I now understood Bennett's reaction when he saw it the first time—it wasn't livable. I smiled sheepishly at Sebastian as I slid out of the car to check the mailbox. There was nothing. No summons.

"So either it hasn't arrived or he hasn't done anything yet," Sebastian said as turned the car around, heading back toward Bennett's house. "I'll go and speak to him tomorrow."

"I want to talk to him too."

He frowned a little. "It's probably best not to."

"I don't want everyone to fight my battles for me. I appreciate what you all are doing, but..." I trailed off, shifting in my seat. "I don't like feeling useless. Hearing you say that, or Bennett say not to worry, makes me feel like a damsel in distress."

I thought Sebastian might try and argue with me, but instead he grinned. "I understand. I'll let you know when I arrange a meeting with him."

"Don't forget me," I warned him.

"I won't, I won't."

When we pulled back down Bennett's driveway, I noticed Henry standing outside by his car, two suitcases in his hands. As soon as Sebastian parked his car, I hopped out, walking up to the scruffy looking secretary. Apparently he hadn't gone home to change yet. "What's up, Henry? Where's Ariana and Brandon?"

"I brought them to Ariana's house."

I nodded. "Good, one less hassle for me. What are you doing with those suitcases?"

"Um... um..." He put down the suitcases, running a hand over his brow. "Bennett told me to gather your stuff and bring you to your new place."

I raised an eyebrow. He wanted me to leave? After the amount of times he'd asked me to stay? Something wasn't right. "Er, why?"

"He also told me to tell you he's deposited the rest of the money from the contract into your bank account."

"Why?" I repeated, my chest suddenly tightening. Now I knew something was going on. Why was he bringing up the contract again? Wasn't it null? Why would he pay me...

Henry took a deep breath, preparing himself. "Bennett said one more thing. That from now on, there's nothing between the two of you. Any relationship you had... it's over."

His lips continued moving, but I couldn't understand any of it. I couldn't understand anything he was saying. I wouldn't understand it. Was he trying to play some kind of joke on me? Why would Bennett say that? It didn't make any sense. Everything had been fine a few hours ago. There was no way his feelings could change so quickly.

"Henley?"

I set my jaw. "No."

"No?"

"That's bullshit. He was practically begging me to stay with him. How could he do a one-eighty and kick me out?"

Henry's eyes widened and I knew I should've calmed down, but I was pissed. Bennett was ending things? Through Henry? I couldn't believe it. There was no way Bennett could think I would accept this. I pulled out my phone, hitting his contact with trembling fingers. His phone rang once before going to voicemail. I rang it again, and again, and again. Each time it rang once before his message tone would play.

"Sebastian, can I have your phone?"

"Henley..."

"Please."

Sighing, he handed it to me. I searched for Bennett's contact and hit call. On the second ring, Bennett picked up. "What?" His voice was low and scratchy.

My voice caught in my throat. I'd thought I knew what I was going to say. But really, I just wanted to find out if he was ignoring me. I got my answer.

Stay calm, Henley.

"You better get your Hugo Boss suited ass back here right now and explain things to me."

So much for being calm.

His quick intake of breath indicated he hadn't expected me to be on the other end of the line.

"If you think you can just get rid of me like this, you're wrong," I said quickly. "Please tell me this is a stupid joke."

For a second I thought he was going to say anything. Then I heard his breathing hitch. "It's not a joke. Don't call back."

The sharpness in his voice startled me. This couldn't be Bennett. He wouldn't speak to me like that.

Beep beep. I stared hard at the phone in my hand, feeling heat rush down my neck. He'd hung up on me. "Where is he?"

Henry cleared his throat. "I can't tell you."

"Why?"

"He doesn't want to see you."

"Why?"

Henry flinched and I immediately felt guilty. This wasn't Henry's fault. I shouldn't be taking my anger out on him. He was just doing what he was told to.

"I'm really sorry," he apologized softly.

I closed my eyes, trying to collect myself. "No, I'm sorry. It's not your fault. I just don't understand. Where did this come from all of a sudden?"

"His mother," Sebastian suddenly said and then everything clicked.

Bennett wouldn't do this. His mother should have been my first thought. Something must've happened between the pair. Something bad enough to make him go this far.

Anger replaced any hurt. I cracked my knuckles. "That bitch is going down—"

"Henley wait," Sebastian interjected. "Before you can deal with Bennett's mother, you need to deal with the current threat of Curtis suing you. Attacking his mother won't help that situation."

I hated that he had a point. Now there was now no doubt in my mind Mrs. Calloway was trying to set me up. She was the one who told Curtis to sue me and she was the one to tell Collin to delete the video recordings. If I wasn't careful, I knew no matter what Sebastian did, I could get nailed with the blame. So it was best not to go after her. Yet.

"Let's head back to your apartment for now," Sebastian suggested, glancing at the sky. "It looks like it's going to rain."

I didn't want to. I wanted to stay until Bennett showed up. So I could demand that he explain himself and apologize and we would be fine. I refused to believe he was doing this to me.

Sebastian put his arm around me and guided me back to his car, informing Henry that he'd drive me to my apartment. I let him, unable to find it in me to fight. Bennett probably wouldn't be coming home any time soon if he was avoiding me, anyway.

"Are you okay?" Sebastian asked, breaking the silence in the car as we pulled away from Bennett's.

"I'm okay," I said. "Well, I will be. I'm sure there's a reason for this. Bennett isn't the type to do this. I'm sure he'll be calling me to apologize soon."

Or at least that what I told myself— there's a reason for this, Bennett wouldn't do this. I could repeat it all I wanted, but there was that little ball of doubt in my mind that did believe this. Bennett was always out of my league. Maybe he realized that. Maybe he never thought of our relationship as a serious thing.

Or maybe it was me. I'd never even told him how I felt about him. I always just assumed he knew. Never once had I said to him, "I like you." Maybe he thought I wasn't worth the fight. Someone who was too self-conscious to tell the man she wanted for herself that she wanted him.

I refused Sebastian's offer to keep me company when he dropped me off at my new apartment. For now I wanted to be alone. I dragged my suitcases up the steps, unlocking the door. The place I would be calling home felt cold and unfamiliar. I found myself missing Bennett's uncomfortable, thousand dollar couch. It almost made me laugh. Never would I have thought I'd ever miss that thing.

"Phew," I said out loud, turning on the lights in the living room. The apartment hadn't been furnished yet, so there were minimal decorations and furniture— enough to get by with, but not enough to make it feel like home.

I sat on the couch, my hands in my lap. "Okay, Henley. You're okay. Just take this time to relax. Don't think about Bennett. Don't stress yourself out."

That frame of mind didn't last long. My thoughts wouldn't stop. All I could think about was Bennett. I realized I must have been in some form of shock— nothing was settling in. Nothing was really hitting me. I kept trying to come to terms with it, but couldn't. In my mind, I would wake up tomorrow to Bennett trying to skip out on work. He'd say something ignorant and then apologize. It was what made Bennett, Bennett.

As if on autopilot, I pulled out my phone and hit the call button next to Bennett's name. It went straight to voice mail. "Jerk," I mumbled, tossing my phone away. It was clear to me that he'd blocked my number.

If Bennett thought he was going to get away with this, he was wrong. We were going to talk whether he liked it or not. I wasn't going to give up on him that easily. Not unless it was what he truly wanted. Until I heard that from his lips, I wasn't going to let him end our relationship. I'd promised to fight.

And I would.

___________________________________

If you celebrate it, WHAT ARE YOU ALL BEING FOR HALLOWEEN!? What do you think Bennett and Henley would dress up as? I love Halloween but I never do anything ): I guess I might go to the bar and play pool this year. I have everything to be a scarecrow (so original.)