Chapter Three

I ignore Miranda’s question mostly because I’m in no position to answer when these guys are so close, I’m not taking the risk of them hearing me.

“But-” 

“Go now or I’ll call security, I have work to do so make your decision quick.” 

“The f**k, you’re lying to me. We saw her come through here.” The guy responds harshly and I flinch at the sound of aggression in his voice. 

“You curse at me one more time boy, I’m going to pummel you to the ground!” The old man points and threateningly takes a step forward. 

“I’ll like to see you try.” 

“Hey!” A girl suddenly intervenes. “There isn’t gonna be any fighting here. I’m leaving okay, am not getting myself in trouble because of you Kevin.” I hear retreating footsteps and let out a breath of relief. 

“Come on man let’s go, it’s not worth it. And who knows, she might still be inside.”

I lean forward a little bit and see them, some guy with dark brown hair pulling on the arm of a black guy with a purple Mohawk as the rest of their friends head for the exit. 

“You watch yourself old man.” Purple Mohawk warns, raising a finger in his direction before leaving.

I breathe out a sigh of relief, slumping back to lean against the wall and the old man turns to me when he grunts sarcastically. 

“Nice brother you got there, ” 

I smile in response and stood up slowly, dusting off my clothes. 

“You get going too. I wasn’t joking when I said you can’t be here.” 

He turns to leave without waiting for a response and I quickly yell out in gratitude. “Thank you!” 

       “L.K... Hel-look… L.K... are you still there?” 

Hearing her voice and remembering the interview makes me roll my eyes in annoyance, but I put the phone back to my ear reluctantly.

     “I don’t think she can hear me guys, looks like the call got disconnected or something.” 

“I’m still here Miranda, sorry for that, I got distracted again,” I say and run a hand through my hair. “Listen, Miranda, for private reasons I can’t disclose how we came into an arrangement. But, I can tell you that I too lost a lot in other for me to get those rights.” 

Paying them off took out a big chunk of my savings, but it was worth it. I’ve earned a lot thanks to all the work I’ve ever done after my popularity skyrocketed and my family’s debts had been paid.

I never spent a single cent of my money on leisure things and instead worked my butt off for every penny, sometimes it amazes me that I had that kind of money just sitting in my account. 

     But, it also pleases me to see how far I’ve come with all my hard work. 

In simple terms, I'm not broke and I won’t be for as long as I don’t spend it frivolously, but I sure as hell still have to work hard in others to get back all that I’ve lost. 

I could only get away with giving up an additional ten million dollars due to some threats I issued, my agency is not one with a squeaky clean record and if the information I have ever gotten leaked, they would have lost everything they’d built.

I still have copies hidden away as leverage just in case they try to get revenge like I know they would, which is why I need to get out of this country as soon as possible. 

As far as Slim-Jim is here in New York, New York will forever be a place where I can never get the work I want. 

“I guess after years of being in this industry I adopted some business skills.” I joke, and Miranda laughs softly in response.

“It’s been set already; I have a few agencies interested in signing with me and while on vacation I’m going to consider my options carefully. Nothing will be revealed until all deals are final.” 

       Okay, I’m lying, but in other for me to work again this is how it’s going to be. 

        People need to know or at least think, I’m in demand and there’s a possible chance they could lose the sweet benefits that come with my brand. 

     “Sounds serious, looks like there’s going to be some major competition folks. Unfortunately, this is all the time we have left with you L.K, it was lovely listening to you and I wish you good luck on the journey awaiting you in the future. I hope we have another chance to interview you, and this time it’s going to be face to face. But before you go let’s give our audience a small shout please.” 

“It was a pleasure Miranda, and I hope we do too. For those fans who have been supporting me, I want to say thank you so much, I appreciate all the love you’ve given me and I couldn’t be any happier for it. I have to go now, but thanks for the interview, Miranda.” 

       “No, thank you L.K. Well, that’s it for today's people. As always I’m your host Miranda Lain and this is Radio Splash FM.” 

I cut the call and slump against the wall behind me, relieved to finally be done with the interview. 

The smell of garbage reminded me of the fact that I’m still standing in-between two dumpsters, so I quickly made my way back inside. 

Closing the door behind me I run back upstairs since there’s no other way out of this stairwell. 

Reaching the emergency doors, I nudge it forward and quickly survey the area before walking out. 

But as luck would have it as soon as I start heading towards the elevator I spot the group chasing me. 

They, unfortunately, turn in my direction and my eyes widen in alarm when they connect with the dark brown eyes of the purple Mohawk guy, and without a second thought, I bolted. 

Pounding footsteps rush behind me and I stop on a certain floor.