August came back into the apartment after his failed attempts to contact Kim. He left the mechanic outside who brought him a spare tire as Kimora had slashed his wheel on her way out.

"Fuck!!"
He shouted as he slammed the door behind him

"How the hell did she know my location?"
He questioned as he reached for his phone, but Zontori quickly grabbed it.

"This is no time to play games!!
Give me the phone Z!!"
He uttered.

"Please don't -"
She sentenced as he yanked the phone from her hand.

"You- You invited her here?!!"
He uttered

"Listen I can explain."

"You set me up?
You wanted her to catch me in the act didn't you?
What did you think, she was gonna leave me and I'd be with your raggady ass?!!"

"August!!"

"No zip it Zontori!!
I love Kim!!
I might not portray that with my actions but I love her!!
The last thing I wanna do is have her having to see me like this and break her heart.
I've placed her in so much hurt before and just for her to come by and see her entire life just crumble before her eyes all because of my stupid mistake!!
Naa, she didn't deserve this!!"

"I'm sorry."

"No you're not!!!
And I'm the one to blame!!
Sneaking around with your conniving ass!!
Get the fuck out!!"

"Babe?"

"Don't babe me!!
I said get out!!"

"No!!!!!!
This wasn't supposed to happen!!
This isn't apart of the plan!!"

"What plan are you talking about?"

"Just promise me you'll stay with me?"

"Is there something I should know about?"

"Promise me August!!"

"Okay, be honest with me.
No more lies, no more schemes."

"It was Alex okay!!
He was the one who came up with this plan!!"

"Alex?
As in your brother Alex?
Destiny's Ex?
What is he doing here?
What does he gotta do with all this?"

"He still loves her Aug.
He came up with this immaculate plan to send notes to Destiny making her think Ryan was cheating on her and used his visits to the Crystal Night Club against him in an effort to win her over. And in doing so, we could push Kim to the curb and secure my relationship with you; it worked so perfectly, I just didn't take into account how deep your feelings were for Kim.
I didn't anticipate this reaction from you."

"You did what!!!"

"I'm sorry August.
You must understand, I love you!!"

"You did that to my boy?
My broski?
As much as I hate how ya'll fucked up my life, there's one thing you don't mess with and that's my bro!!
Ryan has been through more hurt than one man needs to endure and you and that suck up had to just dive head first in and mess up his life even more!!"

"I'm sorry."

"Get the fuck off me!!"
He shouted as he left the apartment

"August!! August!!"
She cried as he slammed the door on her.

"Hey, is this ready?"
He asked the mechanic.

"Yup, just need to put in this final bolt."
The mechanic replied

"I'll do without it."
He replied as he jumped in the vehicle and drove straight home to inform Destiny and Kim.

~Meanwhile back at the Apartment~

"What the fuck is going on here?"
Destiny uttered

"Destiny this isn't what it looks like!!"
Kimora assured

"Hey just shut it!!
I wasn't talking to you."
She uttered to Kimora

"So the little slut at the club wasn't enough?
You just had to make things worse than they already are and make advances to my best friend."

"Babe..."

"No, you know what, forget it!!
I'm not having conversation over again.
I've seen all I needed to last night and today doesn't make things any better.
Just get the fuck out!!!"

"What?"
Ryan asked

"You know what."
She replied as she took a deep breath and walked past them and went upstairs.

"Babe!!"

"Ah ah ah ah!!"
She quickly silenced him

Kimora tried explaining that it wasn't what she thought but all her words fell on deaf ears as Destiny was packing herself a bag to leave all while listening to music in here earbuds.
Walking back down stairs, she uttered no a single word to them but the disdain her her eyes was loud enough.

Ryan reached out and held her arm as she was about to go through the door, and she shouted-

"Get your fucking hands off me!!"

Ryan sighed and stood back, visibly giving her the way to go as he had seen that despite his efforts to explain, the damage was already too far gone. She opened the door to go out, but to her surprise, looking directly at her was Alex, who was just about to ring the doorbell.

"Destiny, just hear me out!!"
Alex uttered

"Who the fuck is this?!!"
Ryan exclaimed

"What are you doing here!!"
Destiny grunted

"You really thought I was gonna lose you again!!"
He replied

"Destiny!!
Who is this?"
Ryan asked

"That's Alex
Her ex-boyfriend."
Kimora answered

"Naa, you need to update your files.
Cause the last time I checked, he was the one who got dumped."
Alex replied

"Okay that's it!!"
Ryan uttered as he swung a hefty right hook into his face.

"Get the fuck outta here!!"
Ryan replied

"Ahh, you messed up now!!
Do you have any idea who I am or what you've just gotten yourself into, orphan boy?
I'm drafted for the NFL!!
I start in two weeks, and you know what that means; I have connections.
Connections that can lock you away for a very long time."
Alex threatened as he tasted the blood from his busted lip.

"Fuck you!!"
Ryan replied

"You better get in line
Destiny already did that."
He answered.

"What did you say?"
Ryan questioned

"You fucked him?"
Ryan asked

Destiny stood there silently, looking back and forth at Kim as she slowly shook her head.

"Babe!!
Did you sleep with this prick!!"
Ryan asked

"I'm sorry I-"

"What the fuck!!"
Ryan uttered in pain.

"I guess everybody is just having sex with everyone nowadays, huh?
I'm supposedly cheating on you with a bartender, August is fucking that slut from the mall, and you- you-you're fucking whatever species of a man this is."
Ryan stated

Suddenly Kimora's phone began to ring

"Ummm, Ryan.
It's your parents."
Kimora said

"Tell them I'm at the -
You know what, give me the phone."
Ryan replied

"Ryan honey,
You need to come home, we've been worried sick about you."
Jennifer spoke on the phone

"Worried my ass!!
You only remembered I existed because Shelia didn't get her daily walk."
Ryan replied

"Now Ryan, that's not a nice way to talk to your mother."

"Mother?
You've haven't been nothing more than a manipulative, conniving, abusive and egotistical bitch!!"
Ryan shouted

"Okay that's it, you hear me now boy!!
You get your ass over here right this minute or you know what's good for you!!"
Amir commanded

"If you know what's good for you, I suggest you start looking into some funeral arrangements because for all the pain and trauma you sickheads put me through, 6 feet under would be considered mercy to you both so I suggest you reduce your tone, take that kettle, that puppy chow and that dog Sheila and shove it up your fucking asses!!"
Ryan shouted as he abruptly hangs up the phone.

"What was all that?"
Destiny questioned

Kimora, looking at Ryan knew how much courage that took for him to say, knowing he lived majority of his life silently in fear; she walked over to him and hugged him while looking at Destiny.
Seeing this, she began to realize there was something deeper going on here that she had no clue about.

"Well isn't this just fucking beautiful."
Alex muttered

Suddenly everyone looked up to the sound of tires screeching to a stop.
It was August, he finally arrived on the scene and he wasted no time as she went directly after Alex and began beating the living shit out of him, literally and metaphorically.

"You stay the fuck away from my friends!!"
August uttered as she pressed his boot against Alex's face.

"You'll regret this!!
You all will regret this!!"
Alex shouted as he ran off from the scene, battered and bruised.

"You okay bro?"
August asked Ryan

"I'm good.
Appreciated that!!"

"You know I got you!!
Always!!"

"Kim I -"

"I don't wanna hear it August!!
Today has just been a rollercoaster of events, I just can't deal with this all right now!!"
Kimora interjected

"That's what I'm talking about!!
All this was Alex and Zontori's plan from the beginning."

"Who is Zontori?
Destiny asked

"That bitch from the mall
He's been screwing her!!"
Kimora answered

"Oh shit."

"Yeah, I know I messed up okay, but please, for once, just hear me out!!
Alex is Zontori's brother.
Thay planned to break us apart so she would get me and Alex would get back Destiny.
He's the one that's been slipping Destiny those love notes in the mail giving the illusion that Ryan's been cheating on you."

"That doesn't make any sense, what about the bartender I saw at the club that approached him with the condom wrapper?
How do you explain that?"

"Who knows, he probably paid her off to do that.
How did you even know to go to the club to very moment Ryan was there?"

"I got a call from an unknown number-"

"Come on Destiny!!
They played us.
They played all of us!!"

"Okay but if that's true, it doesn't change the fact that Ryan willingly went to the club every single Friday.
That's all on him.
They couldn't have had any control over that.
So if all that's been happening was all orchestrated, what's the reason Ryan goes to the club if he's not messing with some bitch?"
Destiny questioned

"He's searching for his brother!!"
Kimora uttered

"Kim!!"
Ryan shouted.

"It's time to be transparent Ryan."
She replied

"He wasn't lying, he's has never lied to you because he had no reason to but he hasn't been truly transparent with us.
He's going through a lot, he's been through a lot.
Our suspicions were true, he's being abused at home and his closest thing to a family was a another orphan he met while being in the orphanage.
It turns out Ryan finally found him and he hangs out at the Crystal Night Club every Friday.
But they haven't been in contact for over 5 years now and Ryan hasen't found the courage to approach him because the worse thing he wants to feel right now is the person he holds as family doesn't recognize him."

"So he watches from a distance?
In the crowd, among the shadows, holding onto the memories shared and the uncertainty of that will all be lost if he abandons him again but this time at face value."

"Exactly."

"I didn't know that about you bro.
Why didn't you say something, save D some of her brain cells worrying if you were cheating."

"It's not that easy August.
Not when there's so much trauma involved."

"Why don't you report them?"
Destiny asked

"Yeah, I'll go light their house right now!!"

Ryan chuckled

"Umm, Kim listen, What happened, you shoulldn't have to go through that.
You've been nothing less than a a good girlfriend, the best I could as for and I lost a diamond chasing after a fool's gold.
All I'm saying is I'm sorry and I literally didn't deserve such a kind soul like you."

"I-"

"You don't have to say anything, you didn't deserve this and it's something I gotta live with for the rest of my life but going back with you isn't an option because you deserve better and I won't allow myself to hurt you like that ever again."
He added

"I'll see you around bro."
August stated as he tapped Ryan on the shoulder.

"Where are you going?"
Kimora asked

"Wherever the road takes me."
He replied as he jumped into his truck.

"Hey August!!"
Kimora shouted.

"Good luck out there."
She added

August smiled, started his ignition, and drove off down the street.
Destiny hears out Kim, and they make up as friends as she tells her Ryan's story, and she told her about what happened with her and Alex.

After a long conversation with Kim, Destiny approached Ryan, who was sitting alone by the poolside. She grew sympathetic even more the closer she drew to him.
She felt guilty inside now seeing what was actually going on, and from all these events, she was the one who actually turned out to have cheated on Ryan and not the other way around.
But above all, she felt like a disappointment as her man was actively being abused and mistreated and she knew nothing about it.
He confided in her best friend rather than speaking to her, but she didn't focus on that perspective.
She was just happy he came out and spoke out about what was inside as such repressed trauma and hurt is enough to either kill someone or make someone take their own life and that escape would be considered mercy.
She could only imagine her lying next to him and the tears that would silently pour from her eyes watching him sleep now knowing the amount of pain and hurt this mad had trapped inside.
She wiped her tears, took a deep breath, and sat next to him.

"Hey."
She softly uttered.

"Hey"
He softly replied

"Hectic day huh?"
She asked

"I've had worse."
He replied

Hearing him say that broke her; she couldn't contain her emotions anymore and she completely broke down in his arms.

"Babe!!"
He uttered as he caught her

"I'm sorry Ryan!!"
She cried

"It's okay.
You didn't know, there was nothing you could do."

"But you allowed me to think you were cheating on me, going to bed at nights overthinking on something that wasn't even in the stars. You took all the blame and criticisms that everyone shoved your way and you remained silent and just took it all.
Was that worth more than just telling me the truth?"

"That's the thing babe, I never lied to you.
I might not have been transparent but Iv'e always been honest.
I just believe all of this is just due to lack of communication, understanding your partner and above all knowing the perogative of our mindset.
But I can't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself either.
It's completely reasonable for you to assume that given that I didn't give you any reason to think otherwise.
I still went to the club regardless of the hanging suspicion of me cheating and little to no context to why I visit.
I'm not mad at you, don't for a second think that I'm upset.
Even about what you did with Alex-"

"Babe-"

"No, allow me to talk about it.
Whatever happened happened okay, whether it was in the moment, or you still had underlying feelings sparked when you saw him, whatever the case maybe; you acted out of anger influenced from my actions but in all, I had no control over you opening your legs to that prick.
But what I had control over was how I set my boundaries straight when Kim came onto me.
I knew things had to be nothing but platonic, not because I'm in a relationship and giving in would be me actually cheating but because that's not who I am and I truly love the relationship I have with Kimora.
But you, you slept with that asshole!!
And maybe I'm to blame or maybe I'm not who knows but all I can say is that I never expected things to turn out this way. I thought we had something special, something worth fighting for. Yet, here we are, both hurt and confused and we're both to blame, I'm repressed and that let to you making rash decisions, but I just don't know how I'm gonna move forward from here.

"I know Ry, and I'm sorry. I let my anger and frustration from everything get the best of me and you didn't make it any easier for me either. There might have been alcohol involved but regardless, it was a mistake, and I regret it deeply, influenced by what you did or not. But we need to figure out where we go from here."

"It's hard to see a way forward right now, to be honest. Not based on what happened with Alex but in my life on a whole, I'm broken Destiny, in case you haven't realized, and it's going to take time to rebuild myself, if that's even possible."

"I get that, trust me, I do. Maybe we just need some space to think things through and decide what we really want, or better yet, what's really better for us."

Definitely.
I'm really hurt and confused right now. And any minute now Jennifer and Amir will be looking for me. I need some time to process everything and figure out what I'm gonna do. Maybe some space between us will help us both see things more clearly."

"I think you should stop running, stop hiding in the shadows and make that bold step."

"What are you talking about?"

"I think you should approach your brother."

"Destiny I-"

"Listen,
I'll still be here for you regardless if we're in a relationship or not, but right now in all honesty, I don't believe a girlfriend is what you truly want. You need someone who can give you that genuine love, affection, and a sense of belonging that a million of me cannot provide.
I'm speaking about that familial love and warm embrace, that's what you're missing in your life.

"You believe so?"

"With every ounce of my being."

"What about Jennifer and Amir?

"To hell with them!!
This wouldn't be something I would generally advise to anyone, but babe, I think you should run away.
It's either you do so, or I'll personally report them, and I really don't wanna do that as that would be mercy compared to what they did to you."

"Where will I go?"

"Meet up with your brother, if he can party every Friday night, I'm sure he can facilitate you."

"What about you?"

"Ryan, I'll be fine.
For once in your life, put yourself first.
And no, it's not selfish, so don't give me that excuse.
Go out there, live your life, chart your own path, and I know you'll find what you've been missing.
As for myself and Kim, we've agreed to move back to Lakeshore; coming here was just for the summer, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but summer is over. And it was a rather eventful one."

"I'm gonna miss you."

"We're both gonna miss you !!"
Kim uttered as she walked over

They walked over and gave him a big hug, tears everywhere.
Without a doubt, that was the best group hug that Ryan has ever gotten.
He kissed Kimora on the forehead and gave Destiny one final kiss on the lips, then went inside, grabbed a bag, and got ready to take on the road ahead.

Kimora told him to wait a sec as she went inside and grabbed some of her Aunt's hot chocolate for him to take on the road.

A few days went by, and Alex's NFL opportunities went up in flames as the board of officials received a report from the police of him assaulting a female.
His house was invaded by the police as they took him into custody along with his sister, as they found her guilty as an accomplice.

With Alex now out of the picture, August went on to not only be drafted but also went on to play in the NFL in the place of Alex.

Back in Lakeshore, it has been nothing less than a whirlwind of emotions.
Destiny missed Ryan, but knew he had to take this path on his own.
On the other hand, Kimora missed him because now more than ever she realized that keeping things platonic with Ryan was the very reason she fell in love with him in the first place.
He knew how to speak to her and knew exactly how she felt. He understood her and always tried to help.
She was that big sister he didn't have, and she wanted it to be so much more.
Days went by, and she'd watch the game and see August playing his soul out, but couldn't care less about him.
He could never make her feel the way Ryan made her feel, and that spoke a lot, given that things were platonic.
As much as she tried to take the idea out of her brain, she couldn't escape the fact that she, regardless of him being her best friend's ex, she undeniably had feelings for him.
But that's all they'll ever be - feelings...

As for Ryan, he actually took Destiny's advice and ran away from his foster parents for good.
And after a lot of courage building and self-motivation, he finally made the decision to approach David.

~Exiting the Club~

"Wait a minute;
Slinger?!!"
Ryan muttered

"Slinger!!"
Ryan repeated

David slowly turned around, surprised

"Oh my God!!
It's really you!!"
Ryan gasped

"Ryan?!"
David uttered

"Yeah man!!"

He jumped out of his sleek composure and hugged Ryan.
The connection was so genuine, so innocent.

"Keep your distance from Mr. Delafrente!!"
David's Bodyguard uttered

"Roberto, it's okay, stand down."
David replied

"Mr. Delafrente?
A lot has truly changed."
Ryan replied

"It's been a long while since anyone has referred to me by that Alias.
It's so good to see you man.
Haven't seen you since orphanage days."
David replied

"You haven't been back to the orphanage since you left, no one speaks about you, it's like you never existed there!!
What happened bro?"
Ryan asked

"Walk with me."
David replied

He went on a stroll, and the bodyguard followed behind.
He explained he was the one who supplied the orphanage with pizza, just to show he was kind.
Explained he had a running with his family, although certain information wasn't true,
He wanted to tell him about the Mafia, but it's best if he didn't knew.

"So you own a Pizzeria?"
Ryan asked

"A chain of them actually, 52 to be precise."
David replied

"Wow, and you inherited this from the man who adopted you, who turned out to be your Uncle?"
Ryan asked

"That's right."
David added

"Woah, that's just so much to process right now.
A lot has really changed."
Ryan replied

"Yeah, but enough about me,
What have you been up to?"
David asked

"My life has been good.
Just living, just vibing ..."
He replied

"Really!!
Come on, we both know whenever you say you're living and vibing, you're most definitely not!!
So tell me what's going on."
David replied

"You know what's the difference between an apple and an orphan David?"
Ryan asked

"No."
He replied

"The apple gets picked."
Ryan uttered

David took a deep breath

"But it's okay, I got adopted 5 years after you left."
Ryan stated

"Wow!!
After all you've been through, you deserve a family!!"
David replied

"They were abusive!!
But I guess that's okay when they're providing you with a roof over your head right..."
He uttered

"What did they do to you?"
David asked in a very low tone

" I don't wanna talk about it."
He replied

"Ryan."
David stated

"I was burnt with an iron okay!!
I didn't have it easy like you, flipping pizzas and riding around town delivering them.
I had to stay at that house, cooking, cleaning, doing all I could to get things right!!
I almost didn't survive the last encounter, that's when I finally decided to runaway.
But it's okay, I guess that's how life is, you know."
Ryan uttered

"What's the address!!"
David exclaimed

"Why do you want the address?"
Ryan asked

"I run a pizzeria right; let's just say I'm gonna make a special delivery."
David stated

"Okay.....
Well, it's 12-21 Seaview Ave."
He replied

"Roberto!!
Take him home, house number 3 on lot 24.
Get him acquainted.
I'll be coming in a bit late tonight."
David stated

"Consider it done."
Roberto replied

"Wait, what!! Where are you going?
You're allowing me to stay with you?"
Ryan asked

"No!! Are you nuts? Why would I allow you to stay with me?
I'm just kidding, but I'm actually serious.
The house is yours and all that comes with it.
I'll speak more on this when I get back, so just sit back and relax as I make this final delivery."
David stated as he shut the door.

"Assessment update?"
David enquired

"Still no trace of the target within our borders."
Roberto replied

"Okay, keep me posted on any changes."
David stated

"Will do."
Roberto reassures

And just like that, Ryan was on his way to his very first home,
Where he could have his own freedom and never feel alone.
David, however, had other plans up his sleeve,
Hearing Ryan's story, he could not think to believe.
His heart ached to the point where he got stressed,
How could you burn an orphan with an iron? He isn't some clothes to be pressed.

Without common courtesy, David kicked in the door,
And immediately began beating the father to the floor.
What took place after, no one said a word.
The neighbors called the police, as screams could be heard.

A couple minutes after, David came out through the door,
Wiping blood from his boots since his ride was secure.
He stepped into the vehicle, as Roberto brought him home,
Took a long shower, with increasing foam.

He checked in with Ryan to see how he was settling in,
He explained how he could have faults when all he owned was salvaged from garbage bins.

~On the Television ~

"In the News tonight, we bring you graphic images of a brutal torture of 43 year old, Amir Cortez of 12-21 Seaview Avenue.
It was believed that Mr. Cortez was greeted by an unknown visitor, who is suspected of being responsible for this atrocity.
Neighbors said that at about 1:51 a.m., they heard screams from Mr. Cortez' residence, where a vehicle could be heard speeding off moments after.

Mr. Cortez was found by his wife, Jennifer Cortez, with multiple burn marks all over his body, hanging upside down from the chandelier.
Mr. Cortez suffered from first-degree burns, a broken nose, broken fingers, as well as three broken ribs.
It is confirmed that Mr. Cortez is currently in Intensive Care and his condition is stable.
More about this and other stories, after the break."

Ryan was shocked, but he wasn't hurt,
According to him, a bag of nickels sums up their worth.
His abuse was all over; he no longer had to run.
In the left bedside drawer, he found himself a gun.
He tried to understand how delivering pizza got David the lifestyle he now lives.
From someone who didn't have a home, who now has enough to give.
Why would a simple pizza guy own a gun?
Personal security, maybe just for fun?
From what he had seen, selling pizza really pays a lot,
If this was the lifestyle he could gain, he wanted a spot.

David, on the other hand, took a shower and jumped into bed,
He began to think if he did the right thing by stating the lie he said.
Should he have told Ryan about his true life,
Knowing whatever went down, would he pay the price?

~ Tremar Ivey~

The Storyline continues in "Irresistible -Volume 2: The Return of Amanda Reyes"