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“That’s a lie. You adore him,” Gabe says, setting a plate in front of me. “Eat while you continue watching.”
“Piper, this is when I must be tough with you. Your cousins have orders to take away the box if you don’t start living your life. That means going back to school or work or whatever you’re doing at this point in your career. We said you’d start playing more concerts by the age of twenty-two. If you’re there, go back on tour. If not, well fuck, I died right after creating this video.
“Did we set up the nonprofits? If we haven’t yet, let’s start soon. There’s a to-do list envelope. Open it and start doing some good in the world. I love you, beautiful. Never forget that, okay?”
Gabe whistles. “He’s asking for a lot.”
“I can do it.”
“Can you? Because I’m ready to take the box with me.”
“I’m going to do it,” I argue.
“Were you planning on playing more often?”
I nod. “That was the plan, but I hadn’t spoken to my parents. Maybe I’ll do it after I know what I’m doing with the publishing house.”
“You have a lot on your plate.”
“Well, we had lots of plans,” I mumble.
“Time to get back to work, Ladybug.”
Gabe is right. I lost four months of my life. If Archer walked through the door right now, he’d hate to see me falling apart.
It’s time to get my life together. I just don’t know how I’m going to do it.
ChapterFourteen
Derek
August 4th
While growing up, I traveled a lot with my parents. Mom loved to visit new places, experience different cultures, and try new foods. She’d drag my father all around the world. She was passionate and thrived while going on new adventures.
After her passing, things changed. I was shipped off to boarding school. I didn’t travel again until I turned eighteen and could access my trust fund. I only went to Italy, Mom’s favorite place.
Since she loved classical music, I attended a concert at Teatro alla Scala in Milan. After I retired, I’ve been making it a habit to catch a show at least once a year at the closest venue in honor of my mother. Well, that’s the excuse I tell anyone who asks.
Now, I find instrumental music soothing and listen to it all the time.
So far, none of the guests at the hotel have complained about me playing it all day and most of the night. They probably don’t stay here for more than a day or two. I’ve been here for two weeks.
Will I go back home soon?
Doubtful.
I’m leaving for Panama in a couple of days. If all goes well, I’ll be there for six months. Then, there’s my sister’s divorce. Her lawyer is good, but her soon-to-be-ex-husband is making everything difficult. He doesn’t want to pay any alimony and refuses to pay more than one hundred dollars in child support.
He’s an asshole. I hope that after the papers are signed, he loses fifty percent of his assets and still has to support my sister for the rest of his natural life. A friend of mine did some digging around in his finances, and we have proof that he’s hiding money in many places. If the lawyer can’t get half of that to my sister legally, I know a few hackers who can make sure it disappears from his account.
Sharon and I still don’t get along, but everything I’m doing is for her children. Including leaving her my apartment for the time being. In less than a day, I move out all my furniture and the rest of my belongings so she can do whatever she wants with the apartment. I lend her money to live comfortably while I’m away.
Though it’d be wise to store my things, I donate all the furniture and only keep the basics. Ever since I was sent to boarding school, I learned to only have the necessities with me. Nothing changed when I became a SEAL.
Do I plan to live in a hotel for the rest of my life?
No, but I’ll figure out my living situation when I return from my assignment. The night before I have to travel to Panama, I contact Benedict.
