024 !! CURRY

She rubs on a spot on the counter with a rag, her nail trying to scrape off the darkened curry spot through the material of the rag.

It remains rock solid though, only a few fragments coming off as she continues scratching at it, her mind a jumbled mess of confusing and annoyed thoughts.

It's as if the spot alone represents everything that is wrong with her life and that, just as her problems refuse to magically vanish into thin air, the spot too refuses to leave her life without causing any drama.

It's truly irritating, the way the dark brown of the once semi-liquid curry is stuck over the polished grey marble surface contaminating it, exhausting her.

Despite her repeated and consistent efforts to rub it off, it stays put in its place.

As if that two centimeter wide spot was specifically crafted for disgusting curry leftovers.

"You're fucking dead".

The voice interrupts her incessant wiping and she glances up only to be met with two very angry sapphire eyes slightly similar to her own sending daggers her way with just the raging intensity of their gaze.

Georgie sighs and resumes wiping down over the stubborn spillover.

"Where the fuck were you? I called and texted. Everyone did but nope, nothing. I didn't even know if you were alive, that's fucking crazy. I can't believe you could ever be so goddamn irresponsible".

He spits out the last words in a mixture of anger and disappointment.

She doesn't know how to answer, does she defend herself or keep her mouth shut hoping he'll tire and leave soon?

She almost opted for the latter when he uttered something completely unimaginable.

"Was it because of Sarah? You thought you'd just 'ghost' us 'cause you don't want her in on this? Because that's fucking immature".

She looks up, scoffing.

"I can't believe you'd say something like that. The whole world doesn't revolve around Sarah Cameron, JJ. Even if she might think otherwise", her words turn into a mutter as she turns her gaze back to the still intact brown spot.

What, in God's name, do you want from me?

"I never said it did. But you", he points an angry finger at her, "are in so much trouble. Where did you spend the night?".

She wants to laugh, really because if she were to admit the truth he'd disown her but if she didn't he'd still doubt her because the lie she has ready isn't exactly that believable.

So, she decides to tell him the half truth.

"It's none of your business actually".

Those words might follow with the half truth.

If he doesn't relent soon that is.

"None of my business? Georgina, I am responsible for you. I'm the only person in our family who gives a shit about you. I'm your fucking brother for God's sake. I was worried. I still am", he shakes his head baffled at her response.

She knows that if it were him in her position then she too would be gracing him with a proper telling off.

So, she exhales throwing the rag down.

"I was at Jasmine's".

It's a lie, yes. Not even the half truth really but she knows the last thing JJ Maybank would do is go ask Jasmine if his little sister spent the night at hers.

Long story short, they have some pretty complicated history and though Georgie still does and always will hold a place in her good books, JJ is debarred from being subjected to such a privilege for life.

So he either needs to believe it or go complicate his life even more.

"And you couldn't think to return any of my texts? Or calls?".

"I wanted some time away from", she waves her hand around, "everything".

JJ scoffs, shaking his head in disbelief and goes to open his mouth to respond when a demanding presence fills the space next to him.

He rakes a hand through his gelled back hair, momentarily levying a long stare at Georgie as he takes a seat.

She feels the stare to her toes, her body practically tingles with memories from the night before.

The way his mouth devoured hers, the way he touched up her spine . . . .

And then this morning too.

The way he touched her, oh god what she wouldn't give to be touched like that right now right here.

The taste of his lips, the taste of his skin, the way the muscles in his biceps flexed each time he lowered himself on top of her.

God, it felt heavenly being under Rafe Cameron.

The brunet clears his throat throwing a casual glance at JJ before turning back to her.

And just like that, she snaps from her daze.

She's pretty sure she gawked for much longer than advisable and that is very evident in the way the corner of his mouth is twitching, begging to let the smirk show and the way JJ is scowling at her.

You're a fool, you're a fool, you're a goddamning fool . . . .

"What can I get you?", she smiles acting unfazed by the mischievous look in his eyes.

"I'll take a salad".

That voice was moaning out her name just a few hours ago.

Get it together, Georgie.

"One salad coming right up", she taps the counter in an exaggerated gesture of 'hospitality' and scurries into the kitchen to inform them of the order.

As she exits, her eyes automatically find JJ's and she picks up the rag, her best friend for life.

"We're infiltrating Crain's house tonight. You're coming with", he drops his voice to a whisper not wanting any 'unnecessary' bystanders to eavesdrop.

"Infiltrating?", she eyes him in amusement.

He frustratingly waves her off, "You're coming with. That's it".

"Can't. Anna wants me to help her out with the inventory tonight", she lies through her teeth acting the most innocent she ever has.

Rafe, who's very discreetly listening to their conversation, coughs out in approval.

She throws him a warning glance whilst JJ grimaces at him.

"No way. You're working double time? That's unacceptable. Tell her you're sick".

Very calmly, Georgie places her hands down on the counter.

"JJ, look. This gold thing is great. It's gonna turn our lives around but until then we gotta survive and we can't do that very well if none of us brings in the money. So stop looking for ways to piss off my employer and go secure our share in this whole thing".

Her words are so convincing and logical that he huffs in both defeat and frustration.

"Alright but you better sleep at home tonight".

She smiles a knowing smile.

"I will".

***
we will not talk about me abandoning this book and then casually coming back in the new year acting as if i've been here the whole time
this chapter went in for three rewrites which alone can v well explain my absence👎

anyways i love you thank you for reading <3