Chapter Twenty-Two: Joseph:

I don’t see the point anymore. We’re just going in circles at this point. Nobody remembers seeing ******* in the red light district. Just a bunch hookers and johns looking for action. I don’t think we’re going to find the bride today. Some think that ******* is long gone. I am still on the optimistic side. Even that is starting to fade away. I looked at Amethyst and Hana walking in front of me.

“Say, do you want to go get something to eat?” I asked. Not a single word came out of their mouths.

“Uh…” I said. “Aren’t you going to say something?” Amethyst snorted.

“Why would you want to eat around here?” she asked.

“Good point…” I mumbled.

“Can we go back now?” Hana asked.

“Not until we find *******,” he said.

“What if we don’t find her?”

I put up my hands and shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“This is pointless. I wouldn’t be surprised if the guests went home.”

“But what if she came back on her own?” I stared at them as Amethyst and Hana staring at me. The looks in their eyes told me that I was stupid.

“I’m just saying,” I said.

“You can’t really be serious,” Amethyst said.

“I am.” I replied. She pressed her lips together and shook his head. I dropped my shoulders and sighed.

“What?” I asked. “I just want Ben to be happy for a change.” Amethyst reached up and patted me on the shoulder.

“You don’t get it, do you?” she asked. “She’s out of his league.”

“Yeah,” I said, nodding. “But as long as he’s happy, why should we complain?”

“Then why did she run away from him?”

“Maybe she had some reasons that she didn’t want to tell us.”

Amethyst narrowed her eyes at me. “Like what?”

“Maybe she’s got like ties to the yakuza or something.”

“Did you just pull that out of your ass?”

“No…” I stared at her and Hana as I waited for a reply. Hana covered her mouth as a snicker tried to escape.

“You have such a crazy imagination,” she said.

“But what if it’s true?”

“You’ve been watching too much anime.” Hana walked further ahead of us.

“She’s right, you know?” Amethyst asked. I frowned as she jogged over to catch up to Hana. Maybe I’m being too optimistic. Ben has been ignored and had it rough in life. He used to be so negative and annoying. Ever since ******* came into his life, Ben’s been much happier. More annoying, but happier. If she leaves him, Ben will be crushed and back to his annoying, depressed self. I puffed up my cheeks and hurried to catch up with Amethyst and Hana. Let’s just hope that I am right.

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Meanwhile, the three men in black suits walked around the church. Katie and Brooke made it to the front with their cell phones in hand. It didn’t take long for the message to the TZA Staff.

“Guys, we have big trouble. Loan sharks are here and looking for *******! Watch your backs!”

-Joseph-

We had no idea how right I was.