Andy gave Fanny a worried look as they walked along the back garden pond.

"But Shortfoot, you should go home. I mean ok, I'm sure you need to agree to some tweaks but Michel is right. It's dangerous here. This right here is nothing compared to what could happen." He pointed one of his crutches at his injured leg for a point.


They slowly came to their familiar positions at the bench and sat down.

Fanny wrapped her coat tighter around her due to the drop in temperature and looked over at her friend.

"Imagine someone would tell you to stay away from Farrah. Can you do it?"


"If it's meant to protect her, I'll do it in a heartbeat." He immediately replied without hesitation.

"But it's not like I'm protecting him by staying away. He's just doing this for me, which leads me to believe that he must have feelings for me more than he's leading."


"Or so he can live up to his family obligations of marrying Farrah. I'm sorry, but this is reality." Andy added.

Fanny's face fell as her shoulders dropped in defeat, feeling hopeless and frustrated.

Closing her eyes, she sighed sadly and mumbled her words under her breath.

"I don't know what to do, Andy."

"Don't you want to see your father? Rosabella? You've told me a lot about her. I'm sure they're worried about you."

She turned to look at him as he fumbled with the zipper of his jacket, his eyes fixed on the water in front of her.

"I know that doesn't mean anything to anyone including you. And it's not like it's not long before I see my father or my best friend. It's just... I don't know why the thought has to be away. He scared the crap out of me."

Andy looked at her sympathetically.

"Has he even talked to you since he flipped out a few days ago?"

Fanny shook her head.

They were silent for a few minutes before Andy took his crutches again and helped himself to his feet.

"Well then, all I can say is that he wants you to leave because he doesn't want you in danger.

---

Sitting in the Cabaret house, Michel waited patiently while sipping his drink and smoking his usual brand of Marlboro.

He came alone and had purposely chosen a date and time when he knew the business would be slow.

As a result, he didn't have to wait long to see Kaylin go to the secluded area where he was sitting, settling down.

"I only have a few minutes, what do you want."

"I have something to ask."

"A gift."

"That's what I said."

She looked at him speechless before reaching out and taking the cigarette out of his hand, smoking it herself.

"Shoot."

Leaning in, Michel didn't hesitate and simply did what he came to do.

He tells her everything - from how he was shot, to Charles's suspicions of the Davies and now Gwen's suspicious behavior.

And Kaylin listened, paying careful attention as she continued to smoke her cigarette, reaching out every now and then to take a sip of wine.

"Are you sure?" She asked, her voice lower now, aware of the fact of how secret this information was.

Michel nodded, took out another cigarette, lit it for him, and then gave her a second cigarette she had taken.

"And Carlos doesn't know?"

"Are not."

Kaylin cursed, shaking her head at the dilemma before slowly turning to face him.

"So what do you need me to do?"

Michel leaned back again.

"Davies's people come here often, especially Eddie and Mark. I need your information. What they know and what they're planning."

Kaylin looked at him for a few seconds in silence before raising her glass again and drinking it all.

"Okay, but I want something in return."

"I even thought you could," Michel smirked at her, knowing her all too well.

Kaylin smiled back.

"I want to get out of here."

"What?"

Kaylin's gaze became more determined as she also leaned forward as if to make a point.

"I want to get out of this life. I want to be more than a mere entertainment host at a pub. I'm a smart woman and ultimately I want to use my brain for a change."

Michel frowned at her as he lifted the cigarette to his mouth and smoked it.

"So what are you asking, Kaylin?"

"I know Charles was looking for an accountant last time he was here. I heard him talk about it with Alexander."

"We only rent in the family."

"Exactly."

Michel put down his cigarette, a deep frown between his brows.

"Kaylin..."

"Make me a Black Roses necklace, Michel. I'm good with numbers and..."

"We hardly hire outside the family. Andy is the last. Even our security guard has been the Wilson family for the past five years."

"You want me to work for you, but you don't want to do this for me?" She challenged, causing Michel to roll his eyes.

"Listen, that's going to be Vengo's call..."

"We both know that this is bullshit." Kaylin immediately cut him off, finished his second cigarette, and once again stole his cigarette to continue smoking.

"You came here to tell me that your long alliance with Davies is worthwhile, but you don't want to give me a chance. I'm the woman you've known for years and trusted."

"I don't believe it..." but Kaylin cut him off again, raising a hand to his face.

"Don't give me that. You've already told me about this, Michel, and it's a serious matter. So what will it be? Will you keep the end of the bargain? Because you know well I will? do like that."

Michel was silent for a few seconds before shrugging and raising his hand.

"Okay, let's do it."

"Yes." Kaylin's face lit up with the toothy grin she was smiling at.

"But I want the fine details. Something I can really work on. Not just flimsy information." Michel warned as he stood up and put on his jacket, straightening his collar.

He was about to leave when he stopped and turned around again.

"Also... about the last time we met..."

"Michel, no. Just know that even though I'll never let you touch me again, I'll still turn my back on you, okay?" Kaylin replied, her expression now serious.

Michel licked his lips and nodded before leaving, knowing he had made the right choice in coming to her.

---

When Michel got home, he went straight to the infirmary.

He told himself he was going to ask Fanny how Carlos was when in reality, he knew exactly that he was just making an excuse to go see her.