15. Money makes the world go round
Shaking his head, Roman wished Harley could tone down her own bickering. Her redundant questioning raised his blood count as he couldn't control his temper any longer. He massaged his temples and tried to think of pleasant thoughts to keep his blood pressure down.
Roman used to talk to a therapist about his anger problems and that was where he learned to use this technique. But once the doctor left to become a criminal psychologist in Quantico (the headquarters of the FBI), Roman decided not to see a shrink again.
It shocked Roman once he learned that he told a government official about his deepest secrets. He was a bit weary about what he did, but even if Roman was told that all the personal information he gave would stay confidential, Roman knew that wasn't a guarantee. He didn't trust the gentleman with the genuine smile.
There's always something about quirky gestures.
It made Roman uncomfortable because he hid more information from what his own family knew about him. Thus, he prayed that it wouldn't never reach the tabloids.
That is why his face went stoned once Harley questioned him. And remembering the unfaithful day when he was caught in the casino made Roman feel worse.
What's so wrong about going to a casino was what he'd often ask.
Money, money was what made the world go round. That's what it's all about. A need for greed was the answer!
Roman was guilty of using it as one of his extracurricular activities . Before he and his father left New York for a quaint place in Rhode Island, he had wealthy friends who would gossip about their own luxurious lives. Roman wanted that, but after his mother died, her affluent family disinherited Roman and his father, for their daughter's marriage to Mr. Grendal was a fraud in their eyes. His relatives believed that the only reason their daughter married Roman's father was because he impregnated her during their studies in the university. Not wanting to have her parents learn about their illegitimate child, Roman's mother, Rebecca Cargill did the unthinkable and eloped with Roman's father, Richard. But their secret was soon discovered by an outsider, a Mr.Fitzgerald who was a friend of Rebecca's family. Thus, the Cargill family were dismayed to find out their only daughter took part in such an affair. But despite their hatred of how things were handled, Roman's grandparents took him in; that is until Rebecca died due to cancer.
Sadly, Roman and his father had to leave all they had behind, for they had to move out of state as Mr. Grendel found a new job to support himself and his son.
At first, Rhode Island was a new place for Roman to get used to, but he often missed the city life with his friends. Thus, when he was of age, Roman learned how to drive and inherited his father's truck. Thus, he'd secretly drive to the nearby states to find entertainment.
However, he promised himself that he could handle his gambling habits. Roman assured himself that he wouldn't be like Harley's father either.
Mr. Hal Steiner was an alcoholic and gambler that took things too far. Mr. Steiner was also jailed once someone inside the casino ratted him out to the authorities. Thus, Harley's mother, Aubrey, had to deal with numerous legal troubles her ex-husband left her behind. But with Richard Grendel's help, Aubrey was able to pay back the expenses and get back on her feet again. Therefore, it was a blessing in disguise that the Grendels moved to their new home at the right time. And once the two adults fell in love and secretly wed in Las Vegas, that's when a young Roman and Harley found themselves related. Gradually they learned how to accept each other as brother and sister, but it wasn't easy since both grew up as an only child.
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Beep!
Beep!
The constant sounds irritated Roman, that he was about to let the rage building inside of him out, but as his face went pale, Harley noticed her step-brother's panic attacks.
Patting his back, she apologized for getting him furious.
"Roman, I'm sorry, I don't want you to start yelling. You know what happened last time ... ".
Marti interrupted the two siblings, as she looked at the angry crowd beginning to form.
"Hate to break this touching moment you guys, but Roman, we have to go now as other vehicles are waiting to fill up, " Marti announced. " And by the sight of things, I don't think these impatient drivers are thrilled about waiting in line!"
Marti couldn't figure out why they were being targeted when there were two other empty gas pumps open on the other side. However, she figured that it might be due to how the vehicles were positioned, as if all of them had gas tanks located on the right side in the back. And on the other side of the gas pump that their truck used, a trailer was parked as it was hogging its space. The occupants of that vehicle were inside the mini store and haven't come out yet to move their vehicle.
She placed her hand on her forehead to cover her eyes. Marti couldn't believe this was all happening to her on the same day she left Frankie's condominium.
As if things couldn't get any worse, it just did.
Marti remembered the two hitchhikers who claimed they knew Roman.
"I could see there are more cars coming now than before. Listen, if Bonnie and her boyfriend want to ride with us, I don't see a problem." She looked towards the blonde. "Okay Bonnie, I believe you got a deal, just don't mess it up."
Bonnie nodded, yet she crossed her fingers behind her back which meant that she might not be able to keep that promise. She was asking for God's forgiveness, but couldn't help herself from being a compulsive thief.
Once a liar, always a liar!
Clyde made her who she was now and Bonnie couldn't see herself going back to being the innocent child she once was. Bonnie enjoyed being a rebel; going against the moral traditions she grew up with.
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Harley crossed her arms to retaliate. She didn't like Marti's idea and refused to get in the truck. Looking at how the blonde and the kooky gentleman next to her, made Harley uncomfortable. Instincts told her that taking them along in their truck would be a major inconvenience.
"Look Harley, we don't have much of a choice here. I don't want to leave you here, my love. But right now is not the time to pout." Martina motioned Bonnie and Clyde to both sit in the back seats, while she scooted into the remaining one in the far left.
"Hurry up you two, and get your seat belts on!"
Harley stood in front of the truck in disbelief. Her own girlfriend was going against her wishes. Their first fight!
"Harley! Get inside the truck and stop being such a snob," Roman yelled as he placed his hand on the wheel,
"I don't want to be riding with those strangers inside,"was her reply.
"And why not?" Roman asked.
"I'm sorry Bonnie and Clyde, but you give me a bad vibe," Harley stated.
Roman had enough of this and decided if she didn't want to come aboard, Harley didn't have to. He would just take Clyde and his trampy girlfriend wherever they needed to go and come back.
"I'm giving you a count of three, drama girl, till I turn on the engine".
Afraid of her brother abandoning her, Harley jumped into the passenger seat.
"Knew you'd come back to your senses, sis. Look, we had a long day, don't make this even more frustrating than it is."
Harley smirked and whispered into Roman's ear.
"But if something goes wrong brother, don't blame me!"
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Focusing on the open road, Roman's stomach growled, Hunger pains called, and he needed to find a bite to eat.
"Guys, I need to go to the nearest convenience store and get a few items. Anyone want to come down with me?"
Everyone in the vehicle raised their hands, as they too wanted a bite to eat.
Roman pulled over to the nearest store they saw and once everyone got out, Roman and Clyde went ahead of the crew and entered the store without noticing that a robbery was taking place.
The girls were about to follow the guys inside, but were stopped by a stranger wearing a black ski mask that covered his eyes. Marti believed she knew the stranger due to the shape of his odd nose.
"Frankie? What are you doing?"
A bolt out of the blue came upon the stranger's face once he heard the name.
"Don't go in there, Martina!."
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