The Discourse

I woke up to an empty bed with a note on my desk.

Aaron's scraggly handwriting hurt my eyes with their ominous words.

Get detention if you want redemption. Ps. It means I will so blow the whistle on your job description to the whole city if you don't come. I wonder what people would say. Let's negotiate the terms of my silence.

I peek into the classroom and sniff the air for any sign of danger.

The blinds are down and the room is empty save for a lone figure hunched over a table.

I slither in and cringe when the door creaks.

The figure stirs and my eyes flash towards the table on the podium. Why isn't there any teacher?

"I don't bite you know? Your sweet tush isn't in any danger with me. Yet."

On reflex, my eyes roll back my head.

Of course, he'll say something like that.

"I don't have your time Aaron. Let us ride this detention out quietly."

"That's no fun. How about we fuck like animals? You know you want me."

"How about you swallow that ego of yours, choke and die?"

"And have you violate me in death? Never!"

"Hey Rapunzel."

"Rapunzel."

"Tequila."

"Killer."

"Booty call."

"Arcelia."

"What Aaron! What!"

His chuckle reverberates in my ears.

"You still hate it when anyone but José calls you Arcelia. Sweet."

"Why were you calling my name Aaron?"

He straightens and pushes a lock of hair behind his ear.

"Remember I have a deal for you?"

"Not interested if you're going to be this childish."

"I can help you get revenge on everyone who turned their back on you two years ago."

"How does that work? Everyone did."

"I know you want revenge."

"I also want to rule the world but we don't always get what we want. Besides, seeking revenge is like playing with fire."

"Playing with fire is my forte, Tequila."

"Watching you burn is my wet dream, Batman." I smack my lips like I just had something delicious.

He chuckles and rises, his chair squeaking as it is pushed back.

"You say otherwise, but you want revenge. I can help you bring everyone involved to their knees."

"You speak like you were not the catalyst. This is not what I came here to talk about, you dirty blackmailer."

"Ah, but this is what you truly want. You can have your revenge on everyone — myself included, and in return I possess your body."

"Aaron, I am not that bitter or vindictive. I would not get revenge on people for not sticking with me when the going got tough. I have learnt my lesson; students of D'élite Haut thrive on the misery of others and don't understand the meaning of friendship."

"Rapunzel, I am not talking about your lack of friends,-"

"I have two friends."

"-I'm talking about the people who pulled the strings. The people who branded your father a pedophile."

My lungs trap in air and I wheeze. Daddy? The people who pulled the strings?

"What strings? It was the word of a confused child and a drunk bastard against his."

"Your father owned one of the largest robotics company for miles around and a child's word dashed his words to the rocks. With circumstantial evidence alone. Don't you smell foul play?"

"What are you trying to say?" My hands grip the edge of my table as I refrain from shaking him until he speaks.

"Your father knew something and he was sacrificed for that knowledge. He is suffering for a crime he did not commit. Are you sure you do not want vengeance on those involved?"

"No one is investing in RP because of the incident." My feeble voice does not carry any distance.

"Yes. In business, a good name is much more than gold and your father's name has been sullied."

"What would happen to me were I to say yes?"

"You could lose a little money, your friends, but most importantly, your soul. What do you say?" He shrugs as if we were just talking about the weather.

"Such a simple discourse, such steep price. I love it, let's dance." His wide grin is looks eerily like the Chesire cat of Alice in Wonderland.

My father fell from grace hard because he was accused of raping a child.

He was acquitted of the crime but his name had already been destroyed.

There were murmurs behind closed doors before the incident. Murmurs about his distorted predilection.

The murmurs were the building blocks as they went all out to destroy his name.

My dear father stood no chance the moment he stepped into that garden.

Aaron's muscles move in a tantalising dance as he stretches and I find my eyes drawn to each plane and contour, forgetting my purpose here for a moment.

"Done checking me out? My body is now yours you know?" He purrs, amusement lacing his tongue like poison.

"That reminds me. What are you really gaining from this?"

Aaron has a harem of girls ready to do his every bidding so it cannot be because he lacks female attention.

"Aside burying myself to the hilt inside you? I want to destroy Nirvana."

"Can I ask why you want to destroy your father's company?"

He walks to the door just as the bell rings.

"I don't know, can you? Press record."

I glare at the spot where he stood previously and stand to leave when he reappears with Thomas Gaye, son of silicon valley magnate, Branson Gaye. I immediately silence my phone and begin recording.

"Tommy my man! What's up?"

"I didn't rape her, Fletcher." My eyes widen at the aggression in his voice as I slowly take my seat.

He is not facing me so for now, I am free to eavesdrop.

"I never said you did. You don't have the guts to rape a woman."

Guts? Did this fucker just say guts?

"Then why am I here?"

"Because apparently, you have the guts to videotape a rape. I enjoyed your commentary, what was it again? Ah yes. I believe you said, 'stop crying, bitch, we all know you like it.' Some parts I didn't really get. Where you getting off watching a rape scene?"

I don't need to see his face to know Thomas is white as a ghost.

His hands shake uncontrollably as he stumbles over his words.

"I don't– you don't know what you're talking about. This is a false accusation. You don't– you have no evidence."

"No? Are you sure? I heard you lost your phone."

"It got stolen. Some bastard..." He trails off as realization hits. "You stole my phone? I thought you were there to see Evie!"

"Stole is a big word. I just gathered evidence. Yes, I used your sister as an excuse to get into your house and she's cute and all, but the sex was just not good enough."

Thomas makes to grab him by the collar but Aaron sidesteps.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you. We both know I can wipe the floor with your pathetic face. Listen here you sorry excuse for a man. I have edivence against you and the police is just a call away. I've always hated your face so I won't hesitate to throw you to the dogs."

Thomas wheezes and drops heavily on a seat. My eyes follow the sweat trailing down the back of his neck.

"I won't however." My eyes snap up to Aaron's.

"I will delete the video right here in front of you if you help me find the rapist."

"I don't know who it is. If you didn't already know, I was drunk then. This stranger just offered me a roll and asked me to get the girl." His sobs are like chalk on a blackboard.

Fucking bastard! And you did? All for a roll.

"Oh yes, I am aware you were inebriated then and yet you had the sense to blur his profile even though he hid his face. If you refuse to help me, you would go down alone. If you choose to help me however, I will make sure you leave unscathed. The voice changer was a nice touch, you crook."

Thomas's cries reduce to sniffles. "You will protect me? Really?"

"No, I will just leave you alone. I only protect people who deserve it. I will not destroy your family's name. Were I to hand the video to the police or trade it for information, you would still be safe."

"No, you will delete it." I raise a brow at his newfound strength.

Now that the danger of ruin is not hanging over his head, he can demand things?

Aaron wouldn't dare delete it.

"There. Delete it yourself and take the phone. It was cumbersome holding unto it." He says as he throws a white phone at Thomas.

My heart stops and I glare at him, searching for an explanation in his eyes.

"Done! You didn't send it to another phone and delete the evidence, did you?"

"You are the heir to a tech firm. You tell me."

He extends a hand and Thomas takes it.

"I'll be in touch when I find a use for you. Do we have a deal?"

"Deal."

"Good. Now don't be stupid, I might not have the video, but this conversation has been recorded. Say hi to my princess." He uses his jaw to point at me and Thomas swivels in his chair.

"Holy shit, Tequila!"

"Hi Thomas." My voice is curt and slices through the air like a whip. His face turns sombre as colour flood his cheeks.

"This stays between the three of us, Fletcher." His venomous voice carries after he leaves.

"Poor boy is so embarrassed right now. He's had a huge crush on you for the longest time. Serves him right."

"Aaron, why did you let him delete the video? If you plan on finding the rapist, you need the video! Who's the poor girl anyway?"

"It's in your phone. You know her. I sent the video and an explanatory text to you before leaving today. I even checked to make sure it got in. Explains your shock. You didn't open the message, did you?"

"You just said you checked to make sure. There was no notification. Why do you want to find this man so much, anyway? I know you don't care about the girl."

"You wound me. He must be connected to the rape of Annalise George. I have a feeling it's the same person. If we get him, we get the rapist and clear José's name."

"My father's name has already been cleared. In a way, at least. The damage was done prior to the little girl. The person who started the rumour should be the one to confess."

"Tequila, I don't do things halfway. RP will shine again, just trust me."

I do trust you, and that is what scares me.

"I take it you will be holding my secret over my head as well."

"Nope. Another benefit of our discourse: I forget your secret. Now come give Daddy a lap dance."

I glare at him and open the door.

"Never again, Aaron. Never repeat that statement."

The slamming of the door cuts his chuckle short as I make my way to the car park.