Andy 3: Andy's Angels
Andy kept spying on Ryan and his girls. Ellie had left him alone since he had reported the ninja attack to her but she had never explicitly told him to stop, and he couldn't stop.
Some days later, he had seen the whole group leave the house together, and then four days after that, just as he was about to get worried, they all came back. Natalia, Claudia's tall and beautiful secretary, told Andy that the boss was on a business trip but he knew that wasn't true because Ryan and the crew had gone with her.
A few days later Ellie showed up at the cafe and told Andy his gig was officially canceled. She did threaten him a little bit, but something seemed off. It looked like her heart was not quite in it anymore. Andy was angry but there was nothing he could do about it. He tried to stop.
He tried to talk to Annie at work but she didn't want to talk to him about her private life. Annie had changed, too. She was still nice to everyone, but a lot more confident. Andy hated to admit it but she had a glow. She used to be beautiful in a shy, cute, and soft way. Now she was powerful and radiant, and even more beautiful than before. Andy sensed she was still angry at him for having seen her naked. That image would keep warming his soul for a long time to come.
Andy had seen the ninjas, he'd seen seen how all those naked women adored Ryan. He'd seen Ellie fight. This wasn't just about curiosity or jealousy anymore. He had to have some answers.
Unable to let go, Andy found a new confidant.
"Come on. I know you know something is going on. I know you've seen things. You don't need to say anything because I already know you know. I'm just saying, there's a lot more to it than just some... sex scandal. A lot more," Andy said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Natalia said.
"Ryan is holed up in his apartment, and it's not just Annie and Ms. Chandler that go there. He has at least seven women who visit him there, and some of them even live there with him. Annie lives there now, too."
Natalia did not believe him, not totally, but over time, he managed to convince her to meet him at his cafe after work. It was a public place, after all. They sat down together and it was definitely not a date.
Natalia only knew of Annie and Claudia so Andy pointed out the other women to her. They spied on them together for a few nights.
Soon Andy was back to his old routine.
Screw Ellie.
Andy had spied on Ryan's little harem before she had ever caught him.
This is a free country.
Natalia joined him a few more times. Andy was developing feelings for her. She was intelligent and beautiful, tall and slim, and he felt sharing this tangentially sex-related hobby with her was somehow making their relationship a tiny bit intimate, too.
One night Andy was in his usual spot, sipping on a lemon soda, daydreaming about Ellie, and Annie, and...
A young blonde walked in and sat at a table near his. She had her back to him but he recognized her. She was wearing jeans and a shirt, just casual stuff, but she also wore a cap and sunglasses. She kept staring at the door of Ryan's building.
Andy had seen her sneaking around a few times. She had followed Melinda into the building some time ago. Andy hadn't made her that first time but she'd showed up again.
This was the first time Andy had seen her in the cafe, though. He didn't know if he should try and talk to her. He could use a new ally but the subject matter was a bit dubious.
How do you open with a hi, are you spying on the same people I am?
The girl seemed too young to be a cop or a private investigator. She was also too young and beautiful for Andy's comfort. Besides, he wasn't completely sure if she was even really involved in whatever this all was.
The next night the mystery girl came back to the cafe. Andy had thought about it and he was sure he had to at least try and talk to her. He wanted to know who the girl was and what she knew. Deep down, he was excited to have a reason to talk to such a beautiful girl. On the surface, though, he was scared, and felt like a creep.
"Psst, hey, blondie, come over here," he shout-whispered. The girl turned to glare at him but then turned back. "Hey. I just need to talk to you about something."
She didn't react.
"You're spying on Ryan Dobbs, aren't you?" Andy said.
The girl tensed but then turned to look at him.
"Ha, I knew it. Come over here and talk. I promise I won't bite. It's a public place," Andy said.
The girl hesitated, but joined him at his table.
"Hi, I'm Andy. I used to work with Ryan. I've been curious about what he's up to ever since he quit -- or got fired, depending on who you ask." Andy extended his hand and the girl shook it, maybe a little bit reluctantly. She didn't reply.
"I've seen you around here and I know you are spying on them, too. Hey, hey, I'm not one to judge. I'm here, too, right? I thought we might help each other out. You tell me what you know and I'll tell you what I know. Together, we might be able to figure out what they're up to in there. Sound good?"
"Okay, tell me what you know," she finally answered. The girl was scared and nervous. Andy felt bad for her.
"Look, let's do it like this. I'll give you a name and you tell me what you know. Okay?"
"Okay."
"Ryan," Andy said.
"I think he's a drug dealer," the girl said.
"No, I don't think it's drugs. I thought that, too, at first, but so much more is going on. I know the girls seem a bit too happy all the time, but I don't think it's drugs. I hate to say it but I think they really are just happy."
The blonde was surprised.