I'm in control

Chapter eleven
Ryder POV
I look at Gwen, at eyes that have gone wide and dark with surprise.
I pull her up slowly and shake my head at her slowly.
She nods briefly, understanding what I meant.
I turn to look at Heidi. I was right. Heidi was really maltreating her sister. I guess that's why she ran away from home.
"What a coincidence Heidi," I smile at her and watch the shock on her face too.
She didn't expect to see me here. Little did she know Brews is like my home.
The manager, Steve is an old friend of mine. So, I come and leave here like it's my home.
Actually, I was not supposed to be here today because I have a basketball match this afternoon.
Well, I guess it's part of me already. I love going to the court from Brews.
And this once, I had to be here to save a life and find the trophy I have been looking for all my life.
Isn't life wonderful?
"Ryder, what are you doing here?" Heidi stammers.
Her sisters are standing now with looks that show how terrified they are.
I notice that people have started to bring our their phones as if to record us.
"I will leave you to enjoy your meal," I tell them and turn around but Gwen is nowhere to be seen. Again?
Where did she go through just now?
I walk out of the restaurant nevertheless. My car is by the right. In it is James, the stupid photographer. The idiot conspired with Heidi to take my pictures and expose them to the world.
No wonder. I had initially found out that Heidi's acts were suspicious. How could she stay so long in the restaurant, only for crowds to go it when I got there.
She must have seen James beforehand.
Now, he just took some videos of Gwen.
I don't know that Heidi could be this dangerous. And I wonder why she's like that to her sister.
Actually, I will soon be late for my match. I will come back to the matter after I'm done.
Also, Gwen was one of the waitresses. So, Steve must know about her.
So, it wouldn't be difficult to find her again.
After so long. I don't believe I will find her here of all places.
I've been coming here for a month and I didn't notice her.
I walk to my car and open the door. Jacob was at the driver's seat and James sat at the back seat.
I seat beside James and close the door, "Drive."
I saw James the moment he walked in. In fact, I got a piece of information from Tina that James would have been the one that took the pictures of me and Heidi at the restaurant.
And I've been looking for him.
It was just a coincidence I found everything I was looking for here.
Jacob pulls out into the street and I look at fidgeting James, "Do you know your offense?"
"I'm sorry," he stammers and I caught a glimpse of his phone hanging beside his pocket.
I take it and stretch it over to him, "Why don't you do me the favor of unlocking this," I smile and watch him.
He nervously put his finger over the fingerprint scanner.
I stroll through and enter the gallery, "Do you know you have been getting on my nerves?"
" I'm, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for it to happen," he stammers.
I click on the video he just made of Gwen. I delete it and look through other pictures.
"I beseech you to forgive me, it would never happen again, I was trying to survive,"
" What!" I scream, looking at him with disdain. I don't believe he would tarnish other images to get himself money, "What did you just say?"
"I'm so sorry Ryder. Please, just do forgive me. It will never happen again."
I look back at the phone and delete the pictures he took of me and Heidi.
I stretch the phone back to him, " Delete all the posts you made on the internet. Then maybe I can find it in my heart to forgive you."
He collects the phone from me and shivers, " I will do everything."
" Good, park then," I look at Jacob.
Jacob pulls to a stop almost immediately.
I look at James, "Be of good behavior and I may not have to see you again."
He forces a smile on his lips, " Thank you so much," he made a curt bow before he opens the door and get down.
I glanced at my wristwatch, "Drive as fast as you can to the stadium," I tell him. I have approximately thirty minutes before the match.
I watch him increase the speed before I dial Steve's number on my phone.
He picks up immediately. There seems to be a heat of argument ongoing, "What did you think you've done!" He scream that I had to move the phone away from my ear before I become deaf.
Steve has this temper he can't control. His bad temper of his sent his first wife packing away. The poor woman couldn't handle it.
I was the only one that could stop him because he respected me so much. He might be older than I am but the respect he gives me is more than that.
"You are fired!" He spat out.
I place the phone to my ear and overhead a soft voice pleading in the background.
"Hey, Ryder!" He says when everywhere finally went silent. His voice was still deep and full of anger. I wonder what he's doing that got him so worked out.
"Hey Steve, are you ok? Why were you shouting?"
"Don't mind me," his voice has finally cooled off, " I got upset with one of my workers. Are you ok? I was told you left late. Are you sure you haven't missed your match?"
" No, I will be there soon with my current speed. Steve, there's someone I saw at Brews and I want her to be around till I get back."
" Who?" His voice went lower than normal, " Have you seen a girl you like?"
I chuckle lightly, I trust Steve to see right through me. He knows me more than I know myself.
"Yes, you can say that. Her name is Gwen."
The line went silent.
I thought the line have been disconnected but it hasn't, "Hello Steve."
"Did you say she's Gwen Brooks?" He sounds so surprised.
" Yes, she's the one. She had some issues with Heidi. I will explain it better to you when I leave here."
" I just sacked her. She was the one I was upset about. She even stole my wristwatch."
It can't be! This must be one of Heidi's schemes.
" Steve, I won't like it if I come back and she's no more in Brews. I will never patronize you again."
" She will!" He says suddenly, " you will meet her here. I will call her back."
My heartbeat accelerate again and I hung up on her as he wanted to go into explaining what had happened.
I know I don't get angry easily but if I do, mine is nothing compared to Steve.
I can destroy things if I get to my climax.
And that will happen today if I go back to Rock and Brews and Gwen isn't there.