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.
"Ellie," Andy said.
The girl smiled. "She seems cool. She told me she does private security and martial arts and stuff, and I believe her, kind of. If Ryan is a dealer she might be his bodyguard. I've seen her around, you know, glimpses here and there, like she's been following me, but somehow I'm not scared. For some reason I just feel like she's not there to threaten me," the girl said.
"Okay. I agree she's pretty impressive, and she's a bad-ass. She doesn't work for Ryan, though. She told me she's the boss and I believe her. And again, I'm fairly sure they are not drug dealers," Andy said. He gave the next name, "Annie."
"Who's that?" the girl said.
"Claudia?" Andy continued. The girl said nothing but she looked increasingly perplexed. "Remy? Lizzy? Melinda?" Andy went on.
The girl cracked. "Okay. Okay. My name is Hannah. Melinda is my mom. If you know anything about what she's involved in, please just tell me."
Andy was shocked. He was beginning to realize the girl knew nothing.
And also, she was Melinda's daughter?
"Sorry, how old are you, exactly?" he said.
"I'm eighteen."
"Wow... I mean, wow. Really? And you're Melinda's daughter? I did not see her having an adult kid. Your mom is way too hot to... Uh, sorry. That was creepy. Heh."
Despite all that, Hannah was hooked, and the conversation went on from there.
Andy later introduced Hannah to Natalia. He had had little luck convincing Natalia to come over to his place, to see his investigation board. But now that there were two women, he managed to convince them to come over. Natalia wanted Hannah to come with them because she did actually want to learn more about Andy's investigation. Eventually, Hannah agreed.
Andy really did have a whole wall in his apartment dedicated to Ryan and his girls. He told Natalia and Hannah everything he knew. They were both shocked. They each had only known about some of the women, neither of all seven.
Andy also told them about how Ellie had recruited him to spy on her housemates, but he left out all the sexy details. He did warn Natalia and Hannah that Ellie was a master at lying and manipulating people, though, and maybe a bit of a psycho. Natalia believed him completely. Hannah had a harder time, she still liked Ellie.
Andy insisted he was sure Ryan was having relations with all of the women. Hannah was ready to leave, but Natalia convinced her to stay. Natalia wasn't that comfortable with the situation, either, but she wanted to hear all of it. Natalia could confirm to Hannah that Ryan was having some kind of an affair with Claudia and Annie, at least.
When Andy mentioned that recent trip the whole posse taken, Hannah perked up. She'd been sure her mom was lying when she had told her it was just a work trip.
The three of them spent a few nights together at the cafe, spying. Andy even sent the girls to Lizzy's shop so they could have a look at her.
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Andy stole glances at Natalia and admired the delicate lines of her neck and jaw. She was breathing heavier because of the adrenaline, and her excitement made her look almost aroused.