Chapter3:Part 2

I stared at my phone, feeling a mix of emotions, and absentmindedly scooped up some cookie dough. In an attempt to distract myself, I impulsively stuffed the dough into my mouth, dropping the spoon afterward. Finally, gathering my courage, I picked up the phone and made what seemed to be the first sensible decision since MS's hand had touched the small of my back the night before.

I dialed the number, swallowed nervously, and placed the phone to my ear, waiting for the familiar voice of my friend to answer. "Hey there, Julia," I said as she picked up the call.

"Last night, the Great MS paid me a visit," I exclaimed.

Silence followed. Not just any silence, but a profound, all-encompassing hush, as if every sound in the world had been vacuumed away.

Then came a hesitant voice, "Girl…"

But then, once more, silence took over.

"He actually came back today too! Can you believe it? He was here when I got back from running errands, and he just left about twenty minutes ago," I divulged, eager to share the unexpected turn of events.

The silence returned, more intense than before, like a heavy blanket muffling any noise.

"Juls?" I called out into the void, hoping for a response.

"He left just twenty minutes ago?" she inquired, her disbelief palpable.

"Yep," I replied, nodding even though she couldn't see me.

"He was there in broad daylight?" she asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yep," I replied with a sense of amusement in my voice.

"And his skin didn't burst into flames or anything like that?" she asked, seemingly astonished.

"Nope," I answered, a grin spreading across my face.

Curiosity piqued, she wanted to know all the details. So, I proceeded to recount the entire story - from last night's encounter to the incidents involving Roxy, Tank, and Steel, right up to the Great MS's surprise visit and our heartfelt conversation about the boundaries of our relationship.

As I wrapped up the narration, she muttered, "Shit."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I inquired, eager for her thoughts on the matter.

"Girl, I've got some info on Corby Michaels, also known as Steel, the big shot in charge at HavocMC. And let me tell you, you definitely don't want to get involved with that crowd. Word on the street is he's been trying to clean up the club during his reign, and sure, he might have had some success, but their version of 'clean' is nowhere close to what regular folks consider it to be. They proudly call themselves Havoc, and trust me, they've earned that name for a reason. These guys are nothing like your typical boys. They lack that civilized filter most people have, living in a world governed by law and order. Instead, they thrive in a world of survival, where instincts reign supreme. They're like wild animals, Penn, and I'm not kidding."

Gulping nervously, I realized I had unwittingly stepped into some dangerous territory.

"Wait, I didn't exactly plan a date with him," I reminded her, hoping to alleviate any worries.

"And you better not, ever. If you get caught up in that world, there's no coming back. Do you understand me?" she warned, her concern evident.

I couldn't help but feel a bit shaken by her words.

"He was intimidating, Juls, but don't worry, I'm not going anywhere near that scene," I reassured her, wanting to put her mind at ease.

"I hope not," she replied skeptically. Our history together included my tumultuous divorce with Andrew, who may have been good-looking but was undoubtedly a complete jerk. She also knew about MS, who was even hotter than Andrew but was unfortunately turning out to be cut from the same cloth - a real jerk.

"I'll talk to Jerry and see what information I can gather about your sister," Juls continued. "One thing I can say about MS is that he gave you solid advice. It's crucial for you to lay low right now. Payton is Payton, and she's been heading down a dangerous path, and it looks like she's found trouble along the way." As I listened, I noticed Juls taking a deep breath, and that told me she was about to share something I might not want to hear. Juls was known for being upfront and straightforward, but she also had a kind heart - the kindest of them all. Therefore, when she continued, she chose her words carefully to be gentle. "I know she's your sister, girl, but Payton Casey doesn't care who she takes down with her. She'll use anyone as a shield to protect herself, no matter the consequences. She's in trouble, and if she sees an opportunity to use you, in any way she can, she won't hesitate to do it, babe."

I couldn't deny the truth in her words. Payton's behavior was indeed unpredictable and often manipulative.

"I've had enough. From this moment on, I am officially disowning her," I declared, determined to distance myself from Payton's chaotic life.

"Finally," Juls muttered, sounding relieved.

"Give me a call after you've talked to Jerry," I instructed, wanting to know whatever information she could find.

But before we ended the call, Juls called my name, and I answered, "Yeah, babe?"

"I'm also planning to discuss MS with him," Juls mentioned, and panic iMSediately set in. Oh no, absolutely not. My dad, Lily, and Troy had no idea about MS, and I intended to keep it that way. Jeremiah Johnson, too, was completely unaware of MS's existence. The only people who knew were Julia and Miley, and I had made them promise to keep it a secret.

My silence on the matter spoke volumes about how I felt towards MS - a mix of shame and desperation. It made me worry that people would judge me, branding me as a desperate slut, something no girl should ever have to endure. The last thing I wanted was for Dad, Lily, Troy, or Jerry to think of me in such a negative light.

"No, Juls, I can't let you talk to Jerry about the Great MS," I firmly objected, hoping she would understand.

But she stood her ground, replying with equal firmness, "Listen to me, Penn. This guy seems to have some extraordinary abilities. He can walk through doors, and he clearly has the means to investigate and keep tabs on you. If he's out there and traceable, Jerry can surely find a way to get a lock on him."

"Perhaps, but I don't want Jerry to have any control over him," I confessed.

"Why?" she asked, her impatience evident in her tone. "He investigated you."

"That may be true, but today, I'm officially disowning my sister and putting an end to my messed-up, non-existent relationship with the Great Mystery Stranger. It's over. Completely over," I declared firmly.

Silence filled the air once again.

Then, she spoke, "Seriously?"

"Absolutely, Juls!" I cried out emotionally. "I already told you how he spoke to me. He made it clear what he thought about our so-called relationship. He probed into my life, knowing everything about me, and had the audacity to claim that only he had the power to end things. On top of that, he wouldn't even share his name with me. The whole situation was incredibly messed up before, in ways I didn't think could get any worse. But now, it's become an eye-opening wake-up call. It's over."

Again, a moment of silence before she responded, "I hope so, girl. I've said it before, and I'll say it again - there are plenty of hot guys out there who aren't motherfucking assholes. They won't use you for their pleasure. There are men who know how to treat a woman with respect, and you're going to find one, babe. But the only way you can do that is by breaking free from the one who treats you poorly."

There stood Julia Antoine, always upfront and honest. And there was Julia Antoine, the intelligent girl who had her wits about her.

"Well, today has been a day of revelation. Payton and The Great MS are officially history," I proudly announced.

"Hallelujah," Juls responded, clearly sharing my sentiment.

Ten minutes elapsed before we said our goodbyes and hung up. After that, I remained seated at my table, spooning up dough and munching on it, my gaze fixed on my phone. I hoped that I could truly follow through with my bold declaration.

Summoning my courage, I reached for the phone and dialed Miley's number. It was time to discuss everything with her.