Okay, time for Chapter 5 of our new novel What Would You Do, and I will honestly be trying to find ways to make this novel something I want to write. This may mean it will venture out of drama, but we will see what happens. With that out of the way, let’s get to it.
Chapter 5
Davis looked away from the TV when the doorbell rang. Maria rushed to answer it and Davis hit mute on the remote. Who would be coming to visit them? They were new to LA.
“Yes, I’m expected. My name is Valerie.” Davis sank low on the couch. What was his aunt Valerie doing in LA?
“Yes, Mrs. Steel is waiting for you by the pool. Let me show you your room.” Davis listened to the two women head upstairs and quickly turned off the television. Heading down the hall, he poked his head into the kitchen to see the other woman who worked for them, Leanna.
“Leanna, I’m heading out for a bit. I’ll have my cell phone if my parents are looking for me.” Leanna was younger than Maria, with dark skin, brown eyes and long black hair, which she wore in a braid. She smiled at him, looking up from the vegetables she was cutting.
“Of course, Davis. Do you need me to pack you anything?” Davis shook his head.
“No thanks. I’ll grab something at one of the stores if I’m hungry. I just want to explore some more.” He didn’t want to add that he wanted to get out of the house before his aunt saw him. Ensuring that he had his wallet and phone in his pockets, Davis slipped out of the house, hopped on his bike, and took off.
What Would You Do
The houses behind him, Davis headed into the city, being sure to stick to the side. Los Angeles traffic was terrible again and he was beginning to wonder if this was a regular thing. Veering around a car as the driver opened his door without looking, Davis heard the man yell something at him, but ignored it. He didn’t want to pick a fight over nothing. As he entered the city, he felt his phone vibrating in his pocket and pulled his bike over in front of a small shop. Fishing the phone out he groaned when he saw his mother’s name on the caller ID.
“Hey mom. Did Leanna speak to you?”
“Yes. She said you wanted to go exploring. I wanted you to know that your Aunt Valerie is here. She will be staying with us for a month or so. The airline lost one of her bags and she needs some things. If I put some money in your account, can you pick those up? Maria and Leanna have to leave early today for an appointment.” Davis looked skyward. He could only imagine what his aunt needed. If you thought his parents were high maintenance, Valerie Duclair made them seem humble.
“Sure thing mom. What does she need?” He thought he heard his mother sigh with relief.
“I’ll text you the list. Call John if it’s too much to carry on your own.” Davis hung up, chuckling to himself. He was tempted to ask John already to meet him, certain that the list would be extensive.
Chapter 5
His phone chimed and he opened the text, chuckling and shaking his head. The list was full of moisturisers, skin care products and sunscreen. Opening up Google Maps on his phone, he located the nearest mall and texted the address to John, along with a quick explanation. John promised to meet him there as quickly as he could and wished the teen luck. Davis chuckled. Davis pocketed his phone and headed in the direction of the mall, hoping there was a place where he could lock his bike.
Arriving at the mall, Davis locked his bike up and headed into the mall. It was huge, as expected, and he had no idea which way to go. Looking around he found a map and looked at it. There were so many stores and multiple levels.
“You seem lost.” Turning, Davis saw a group of teens his age standing nearby. The girl who spoke smiled kindly, her blue eyes giving him the once over. “What are you looking for?” Davis managed a smile.
“Honestly, I have no idea. My mom asked me to pick up some things for my aunt. Let’s just say the list is out of my line of expertise.” The girls giggled and the guys nodded their understanding.
What Would You Do
“Let me see.” Davis pulled out his phone, showing it to her and her eyes lit up as she read out the list.
“Your aunt has incredible taste. Expensive, but incredible. We were about to do some shopping ourselves. How about you join us? I’m Olivia.” The group headed into the mall, Davis relieved to have the help.
“Nice to meet you, and thanks for the assistance. I’m Davis. My family just moved here.” One of the other girls appeared on his other side, her brown, wavy hair pulled back in a high ponytail.
“Where did you move from? New York?” Davis frowned, shaking his head. “Some of the products that Olivia read off on your list are high quality. A friend of mine moved there a few years ago and those products are popular there.”
“Oh,” Davis smiled. “My aunt spent three years there for work. She works with my mom in fashion.” The girls eyes all lit up.
“Who is your mom?” Davis hesitated. Was he about to only make friends because of his family name?
“Amanda Steel.” The girls stared at him, wide eyed. “My aunt, before you ask, is Valerie Duclair.” Olivia’s jaw dropped.
“Those two are fashion legends. Many of us look up to them. Honestly, I would have thought you would dress differently.” Davis shrugged.
“I don’t like to advertise who my parents are. It tends to affect the way people treat me.” One of the guys nodded.
“Yes, it must suck having all the girls fawn over you.” Davis smirked back at him.
“My parents do have enemies as well. That’s more where I was thinking.”
Chapter 5
As promised, the girls knew exactly where to find everything. In no time at all they had collected everything that he needed, plus what the girls had wanted. Davis glanced at his phone and found out that John was in the parking garage, which his new friends helped him find. They stood nearby as Davis handed the bags to John, letting him take them back to the house. After he left, Davis turned to the group.
“Thanks a lot. That would have taken a lot longer if it had just been me.” They grinned. One of the guys, Kyle, waved it off.
“Hey, no problem at all. What else are you up to? We were thinking of grabbing a bite and then catching a movie. Want to join?” Davis nodded and the group headed back inside and towards the food court. While standing in line for some Japanese food, Davis couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching him. Casually looking around he spotted a man sitting at a table with a cup of coffee and a newspaper. When Davis looked in his direction, he pulled the paper up a bit higher, hiding his face. Davis frowned and turned his back to the man. Was he being watched? Or was he just being paranoid?
What Would You Do
The rest of the day Davis had trouble relaxing. As he and his new friends walked around the mall, checking out the different stores, Davis kept catching glimpses of the strange man. Even as they settled into their seats in the theatre, he glanced back and spotted the man. Still not sure what to make of it, Davis kept it to himself. Now, however, he was getting ready to head home and he saw the man getting into a black sedan.
“Davis, did you hear us?” Davis snapped back to the present and turned to the group.
“Huh?” Ariel, the girl with the high ponytail, frowned.
“Are you okay? You’ve seemed distracted since lunch.” Davis sighed, glancing back to the sedan. The stranger was still there.
“Do any of you know that man?” They all turned to where he was pointing. Seeing the teens all looking at him, the man started the car and pulled away. Olivia shook her head.
“No, I don’t think we’ve ever seen him. Who is he?” Davis shrugged.
“I don’t know, but I think he’s been following us. At first, when I spotted him in the food court, I thought I was being paranoid. But then I saw him everywhere we went.” His friends looked concerned.
“Maybe you should have someone come pick you up. We would hate to hear that you got abducted because you were alone. But none of us live in your area.” Davis shook his head.
“I’ve seen how the traffic is here. He’s in a car, I’m on a bike. I can lose him if he is following me. I’ll let you know when I get home to put all your minds at ease.” They nodded reluctantly and Davis said goodbye, heading home.
Chapter 5
Thankfully, Davis arrived at his house without spotting the black sedan. Deciding to not freak out his parents, he kept the strange man to himself, and texted his new friends to let them know he was home. Hearing his aunt on one of her rants about a rival in the fashion industry, he slipped quietly upstairs and into his room. Laying on his bed, he pulled on his headphones and put on his music, grabbing a book off his night stand.
Most people knew Valerie as a successful fashion designer, who worked with her sister, Amanda Steel. She was intelligent, beautiful, and rich. However, those who knew her well knew her other side. She was cruel to her employees, took credit for other people’s work, and thought herself better than anyone else. She even looked down on her younger, and more successful, sister. Amanda still tolerated her cruelty because Valerie could be ruthless, and had threatened the Steels on more than one occasion when they didn’t agree with her.
It was later in the evening when Valerie poked her head into his room, without knocking.
“Davis, darling. Why are you up here on your own? You should have joined us.” Davis looked up from his book, sliding his headphones off.
“You and mom seemed to be talking business and I didn’t want to interfere. Did John get you your things?” She nodded.
“Yes. You didn’t get the right products. But, the airline found and returned my bags, so no harm. I’ve donated them to your mother. We know she could use the extra help. You could use a makeover yourself.” She left before Davis could respond. He sighed. It was going to be a long month.
Trouble in Paradise?
Well, Aunt Valerie seems like a piece of work. And who was that strange man? I had to add some mystery and questions to Chapter 5. After all, if I don’t enjoy writing the book, you won’t enjoy reading it. So, I hope you enjoyed Chapter 5 and hopefully you can forgive me for going a bit more mystery based with this chapter. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I’ll see you Monday.
