Page 59 of Byte

Patch nodded and stuck his head out the door. “Jan, you guys can go ahead and go home. We’re going to be a while longer.”

“Are you sure? I can stay and help,” she offered.

“Thanks, but I think we’re good. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said and closed the door. Turning back to Lauren, he asked, “Now what?”

“Now we wait for everyone to leave,” she said. “While we’re doing that, both of you put your phones over there where I can see them.”

I reluctantly removed my phone from my pocket and placed it on the counter beside Patch’s. The only thing keeping me from completely freaking out was knowing Byte was in the parking lot, waiting to pick me up. When Patch and I didn’t leave with the rest of the employees, he would realize something was wrong. I just needed to stall long enough for that to happen.

“All right, everyone should be gone by now,” Lauren said and pulled out a roll of duct tape from the large purse beside her. She pointed the gun at Patch and gestured to the chair. “You, sit down. Gabby, you’re going to secure him to the chair and cover his mouth with tape.”

I couldn’t tape Patch to the chair. If I did, I’d be completely on my own against her. “What? Why? Why are you doing this?”

“Oh, now you’re interested in me?” Lauren spat.

“What are you talking about?”

“I shouldn’t be surprised. You’ve always only cared about yourself,” she said and laughed derisively. “You know, I actually thought you’d try to find me. For years, I waited for someone to show up, but they never did.”

While Lauren was talking, Patch had been slowly inching his way closer to her. Unfortunately, Lauren noticed and angrily pointed the gun in his direction. “Not another step closer.”

I completely ignored their interaction and tried to bring her attention back to me. “I’m sorry, but I’m really not following you. For years you thought I’d come for you? How would that have been possible? I just met you last year.”

She narrowed her eyes, and the muscles in her jaw tightened. “No, you met me when we were children.”

I remembered Byte telling me angry people were sloppy people, and I hoped that would be the case with Lauren. “You obviously knew I had no recollection of you. Why are you acting so upset about it now?”

“I’m not upset,” she growled and emphasized her words by aiming the gun at me. “I’m pissed.”

“Yes, I can see that,” I said and gestured to the gun. I really didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but I was determined not to let her win. I had to keep her talking until one of us could get the upper hand. “Will you at least tell me why you’re so mad? What did I do to make you hate me so much?”

“Oh, Gabby. Dear sweet, stupid Gabby. I don’t hate you. I’d have to feel something for you in order to hate you, and I have zero feelings for you.”

I didn’t point out that she’d just admitted to being angry. She was clearly in the middle of a psychotic break of some sort.

“Okay, I got it. No feelings for me. So, what’s this all about?”

“I already told you!” she screamed. “I want what’s rightfully mine!”

“And you think I have what’s yours?” I asked. I truly had no idea what she was talking about.

She huffed in frustration. “How do you not know? Look at me!”

At that point, I was just as frustrated as she was, and I was tired of talking in circles. “I am looking at you! Just tell me!”

“I’m your fucking sister!”

“No, you’re not,” I uttered in disbelief. “You can’t be.”

“Why not? Because I didn’t come from some hoity-toity rich bitch like you did? Because politicians are known for their fidelity? Tell me, Gabriella Hastings, why can’t I be your sister?”

I gasped at the sound of my original surname. “I-I,” I stammered while I tried to make sense of her words. My sister? There was only one way that was possible. “Are you saying Lawrence Hastings is your father?”

“You always had so much more than me, and you didn’t even appreciate it. You had a room full of toys you never played with. Everything sat untouched on the shelves while your bedroom was in pristine condition,” she sneered.

Suddenly, realization dawned. She was the kid from my dream. “I remember you,” I breathed. “You used to come over to my house. You would break my toys and destroy my room. I got in trouble every time you came to visit.”

“Oh, boo hoo. Poor little princess Gabby had to clean up after her slovenly sister,” she spat.

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