Chapter 11

Soma’s POV

I decided to head to my bed, laying my head down, the room was still spinning but I was glad to make it to my bed. I didn’t want to face the detective, but I didn’t have any choice. I wasn’t hiding anything, but I wasn’t sure what he had on me. I was innocent in this whole thing, and I wasn’t sure if he was going to pin something on me and make it stick to bring down Oliver or get him to react. I didn’t even know who Oliver was really.

Waking up the next morning, I had a major hangover, I knew I shouldn’t have drunk as much as I did. Crawling out of bed, I took myself to the shower. Once I finished I was feeling a little better. Getting myself ready for the day I was dreading, I kissed mouse before I left for the day.

Driving to the tea shop seemed short, there weren’t any cars in front of the store I was thankful for that. Opening the store like I normally did, I grabbed the money from the safe, I walked around the store. My nerves were shot, I was scared.

I remembered telling my parents that I always wanted to move to the city and have a tea shop, and I would be successful. My parents didn’t want me to move to the city because of all of the people that lived there and how it would be crazy. They were right, but I loved the city life. I didn’t mind all the people, and I wanted to show my parents my shop and that I made it.

Walking to the window I looked across the street, the coffee shop was busy, I thought about running across the street to grab a coffee, I knew I would have time before the customers would start to pour in.

Running across the street, there was a small line but I didn’t mind, I smiled when I saw Oliver, he didn’t see me because his back was to me. I ordered my coffee and left before he noticed I was there.

Chime from the bell, the elderly couple that came in at the beginning of last week came in again was there again. “Hello again.” The old woman said. “I love this store, I came to buy some more for my granddaughter.” She smiled.

“Thank you for coming back, what can I help you find?” I asked.

“Everything.” She giggled. “She loves the chestnut kinds.”

“We have those right here,” I said leading the old woman to the back near the window.

“You are a great woman.” The old woman said grabbing some. “You will do great in this part of town. You are not too far from where we live, we are thankful you opened here. The Stone brothers don’t have tea and we have to travel into the main city for tea.” She continued. “But now we don’t have to.”

“I am thankful for myself. I have a police officer coming to try and shut me down for something to do with the Stone brothers.” I said pushing my hair out of my face. I didn’t want to complain, it kind of came out.

“Detective Marks, he is a bully.” The old man said. “Don’t let him scare you away, he’s a rat out of his swamp.”

“So I have heard,” I said leading them to the register. “This is on the house today, thank you for being so nice to me,” I said putting the tea in the bag. “Have a nice day.”

“You are too kind, what is your name?” the old man asked.

“Soma.” I smiled.

“I am Hector and this is Dorothy. We will be in a lot.”

“I look forward to seeing both of you.” I smiled brightly. “Have a blessed day.” I walked them both out.

I stayed outside the sun was warm on my skin, the afternoon was quiet, I wondered when Detective Marks was coming. Maybe he was lying and wouldn’t be in and this whole thing was just to make me scared. Maybe he was a bully and he wasn’t going to come in. He wasn’t coming and I could relax.

Closing my eyes I walked back inside to finish my coffee and cookies, I then went and fixed some more of my tea. I was still nervous for some reason. I hated feeling this way and it was started to drive me crazy. I wished I had someone in the city I knew that I could go and have a conversation with.

The chime from the bell on the door startled me, I looked and Detective Marks was standing there with others. “Ms. Soma how nice of you to comply.” He smiled. “Alright tear this place apart, I know she is hiding Oliver Stone’s stuff.” He barked orders like he was on a mission.

“Wait what?” I asked confused. “I thought you weren’t going to come. I’ve been here all day wondering where you’ve been.”

“Soma, you need to stand over here.” Detective Marks snapped. “I don’t want you touching anything.” He didn’t listen to anything else I had to say. He was going to make my life hell the rest of the afternoon.

“So you are going to tear my store apart without telling me what you think I am hiding?” I asked walking to the register. My heart was racing and I didn't want my store ripped apart when he wasn’t answering my questions as to why this was happening. Something was going on and this wasn’t something that should be taken lightly. I knew if I made the wrong decision he could arrest me and make up some crazy excuse as to why I was arrested and my life would be over.

“I have been watching you and Oliver Stone. You two have become friends it seems, so you and he have some kind of agreement, and he has been bringing his drugs over here and you are ensuring they are safe, we will find them.” He said without looking at me.

“I have no idea what you are talking about,” I growled.

He looked at me a smirked on his face, “Search this place!” Detective Marks growled.

I watched in horror as they tossed everyone on the ground, everything was being destroyed. Detective Marks watched in enjoyment, he smiled the entire time. I wanted to stop this madness but knew this wasn't going to work out in my favor, I was pissed inside. I tried to keep myself calm, but as they tossed and broke things my anger was boiling over.

“Anything?” Detective Marks growled. “Nothing?” he snapped. “Show me where your safe is Soma.” He said looking at me.

“Fine,” I said moving away from the register, Detective Marks followed me to my small office where the safe was. “Here,” I said standing in the small room.

Detective Marks looks around the room, he causally walks towards me and corners me, putting his arms against the wall so I couldn’t move away from him. “I know you and Oliver Stone are special friends.” He says taking a deep breath. “Your smell is divine, I knew there was something special about you. Too bad he doesn’t know what you are,” He said closing his eyes. “I’m going to break him using you.” He leaves me standing there.

I didn’t know what he was talking about, what am I? A human being just like he was. I was still pissed that he could corner me and make me feel like I was a child and he could bully me all around. I wanted to say something, but my voice didn’t want to work. I watched as he retreated from my office. My legs were weak, tears were rolling down my cheeks, I let this man win and there wasn't anything I could do about it. I was so afraid to see what damage they left for me, I knew I wasn't going to be able to recover from this, I was going to close the shop and go back home with my tail in between my legs.

“Let’s move out!” Detective Marks yelled.

I stayed in my office until the chime of the bell stopped. I was afraid to go out and see the final damage of my store, more tears formed in my eyes as I stepped out of my office. Rounding the corner my heart dropped, glass and product everywhere. I collapsed on the floor, there was no way I could do this, everything in front of me was ruined.

I decided to lock the door, I didn’t want any more drama for the night, I was scared of Detective Marks and what he said about Oliver and using me to break him. Whatever that meant I was afraid of him.

Turning back towards my store, the only thing left for me was to pick everything up and close up until I figured out what to do about this. My heart was in my throat for the three hours it took me to clean the broken glass and product up.