"Seriously Lucas, you need to explain what happened there?" I ask him in a serious tone. It's very rare when I talk to him like this but tonight his behavior really made me confused.
My perfect brother who never makes any mistake, not even accidentally, tonight he 'accidentally' pushed a guy in the fountain and that too so perfectly that it looks like a nice plan. In fact, I didn't even know Lucas would be there at the party, when I asked him last week, he just declined but tonight I saw him dressed up as a detective
I thought maybe he changed his mind and I didn't try to interfere in his matter but when he pushed the guy who was dancing with Jasmine really took me off guard.
I have known for a while that Lucas and Jasmine are not on good terms, it shocked me more when I was informed they take the same classes. And when Jasmine totally lost her cool after Lucas's stunt that's when I realized that they have some serious issues. I pretended not to be bothered by them in front of Stella because I knew she would be worried for her best friend so I kept my mouth shut
Jasmine even pushed Lucas's shoulder a few times but he didn't react much, obviously he will never react to anyone then why did he push that guy ? Or like Jasmine said he wanted to push her instead
This is really concerning to me and no way I am going to let it slide. I tried to talk to him at the party but he just left, so I had to follow him back home. Now, we are standing in the middle of the living room arguing. Actually, it's only me who's speaking
I rub the bridge of my nose, trying to calm down. I take a deep breath and speak with a calmer tone "Lucas, tell me the truth, why did you push the guy? Or did you actually want to push Jasmine instead?"
"You know me Liam, do you think I would push someone? That too a girl?" He says in a dry tone as if this all was nothing.
"I know you more than anyone, that's why I also know that you don't push someone by accident too!" I empathize with the word accident. We both have been raised to never raise our hand on a woman, unless it's for self defense. Even when Jasmine hit him, Lucas didn't lift a finger so I trust him enough to know he won't hurt her, at least physically
"Does it matter? He was some random guy, I bumped into him accidentally. What should I do when his balance is so unstable" He speaks in a mocking tone, removing the long black coat he wore for his detective look
I sigh and shake my head still trying to process "Okay, I will believe you but don't try something like that again"
He rolls his eyes and scoffs "why do you care? Can't mind your own business? Don't tell me you are worried about that wildcat?" I frown upon his words, they are cold and harsh. He doesn't talk like that, he never did
"She has a name, Lucas" I remind him, where did he even pick up that weird nickname anyways
"Yeah, I know but she started calling me fox first!" He huffs and crosses his arms like a kid whining for something "you threw a cake at her" I reply
"That was an accident! That one was really an accident plus I literally gave her mom's designed dress" He tries to defend himself. I look at him unfazed, Jasmine doesn't care about that honestly and she did do a tick for tack and I know she will take her revenge soon
Lucas groans in frustration and looks up "God! This is so frustrating. I am going to sleep, forget about this!" He says and strides off upstairs back to his room, slamming his door shut
As soon as he goes in Aunt Lia comes out of her room and looks at me from the first floor "What happened to him?" She asks. I shake my head, not ready to explain. She walks downstairs and looks at me concerned "did you both fight?"
"No, it's just a small argument. Nothing serious"
She glances at Lucas's room and looks back at me, clearly not believing me. She knows us too well "come on, explain everything" she orders and sits on the couch. I follow her and sit opposite to her and slowly start to narrate the whole scene which happened an hour ago
She listens to everything carefully and nods before speaking "do you remember what your father used to say about Lucas?" Her words make me look confused. I try to recall about it
She chuckles lightly "He used to say that Lucas is like him, he takes time to express his feelings. Give him time Liam, when he sorts himself out he will be willing to explain his actions" she gives my shoulder an assuring pat
Aunt Lia also raised us. She knows the three of us like the back of her hand. Sometimes I fail to understand my own siblings and even myself but she knows what to say at the right time
"I wish he shares his thoughts with me too. He is always so reserved and keeps everything to himself that it scares me" I say and lean against the seat and close my eyes
He lost his father in his teenage years, he lost his uncle when he was a kid, he went into depression during his highschool years. I tried to bring back my little brother but I failed. He always pushed me away when I tried to comfort him, he cried silently and I stayed out of his room listening. Trying to help him but I couldn't
I failed
As the older brother, I failed to help him
And he got lost, luckily he diverted his mind into painting and it healed his depression. He looked fine but sometimes he goes deep into his own thoughts that it makes me worried
I remembered, dad always said to give Lucas time because as a kid he was an introvert, he had a hard time expressing his feelings
"It will be fine, don't worry" aunt Lia assures me. "Let's cheer you up" she pulls me up and takes me to the kitchen. She opens the refrigerator and takes out a tub of ice cream, and scoops it up and puts them in the bowls and passes me one
I Chuckle "I am not a kid to be happy after receiving ice cream"
"Hush! You are still a kid. Now finish it up and don't tell your mom" she says the same dialogue she used to tell us as kids when she sneaked icecream for us hiding from our mom
She takes two bowls in her hands "let me treat your siblings too!" She says in a cheerful tone and goes upstairs to give the ice cream to Mia and Lucas. I stare at the ice cream, shaking off all the thoughts, I take a spoon and start eating
â The next day
Okay, plane tickets are booked, I thought of booking hotels but with the environment of chiang mai I decided to go with a guest house and I found a perfect place too. It's three days trip for Stella and I want to make it perfect for her
I just need to think about the perfect cake, I scroll through my computer looking for the nearest bakery to our guest house.
What flavor would she like?
Chocolate?
Strawberry?
Both?
I sigh, this is really hard. If it wasn't her birthday I would call her up and make a list for her favorite things. Yeah, I should do those things so I won't be in this situation again. I sit in my cabin just going through everything for the trip during my lunch hour while munching on some sandwiches
Someone knocks at the door "hey Liam!" Adam opens the door and walks in with a parcel in his hand. He put the parcel on my desk "you had a delivery at the reception, I took it for you"
I nod and get up from my seat and check the box, I drab a blade and open the package which reveals a shoe box. I take out the box and put the package away. Adam looks at the box suspiciously "Since when do you wear heels?" He says sarcastically looking at the brand name
"It's for Stella" I reply and open the box to take a glance at the heels. I sigh in relief when I see the same heels, a week ago when Stella broke her heel on the downtown street she looked upset by it. So I searched up and brought the same pair for her. It's one of the gifts for her birthday
"You are totally head over heels for her" He shakes his head with a playful grin as he tries to mock me. I keep the box aside "Go back to your work, now" I demand
He rolls his eyes and leaves the room without arguing.
I take a deep breath and fall back on my chair, as I was about to go back on my research my door swings open again and Jeff walks in
What is he doing here?
His eyes narrowed and bulged, staring deep into my eyes. His mouth is sealed tight and jaw clenched, he doesn't only look angry but also annoyed. He stops in front of me and throws a deck of photos at my face
A small wince escapes my mouth as the sharp edges of photographs hit my face . A drop of blood falls on my hand, I could feel the sensation of the cut on my cheekbone as the warm liquid drips down. I look at my reflection on the glass table. A small scratch covers my right side cheekbone.
I wipe out the blood trail with my finger and glare at the devil in front of me. I could never get him
He slams his palm on the table making it shake "You are dating her? Seriously?" He yells at my falls boiling with anger. I look at the floor which has scattered photographs laying down. I picked up one of the photos which had a picture of me and Stella from the party while we were dancing.
I look at the other photos and realize they all are from the party and with the angel it's clear that someone took it while hiding
I clench the photo in my fist "you are stalking us?" I stand up and face him
"What else am I supposed to do? I told you to stay away from her, her family is trouble! You associating with her will cause a problem, Liam. I am warning you, back off" he lashes out on me almost yelling
My jaw clenches listening to it "I know it very well but I don't care, just stay out of it okay? I will manage "
He scoffs and comes around the table to face me directly "Once her father finds out that you are messing with her, you will be terminated, fool"
"I am not messing with her! Hell! I told you Jeff, I am serious, I am not playing a game, my feelings are genuine and I do not need to explain that to anyone" my voice raises with everyone's word. I try to keep myself calm but I am already losing it
He laughs
He fucking laughs
Right at my face
Like a maniac
"You hear yourself? Have you seriously lost your common sense? Is love actually making you blind?" He glares at me fuming with rage, he points his finger at the door "that girl? Stella. Is the daughter of the man who ruined your life. Or did you forget?"
I didn't
I never forgot
I know everything
Yetâ¦
Yet I pretend to be blind
Year-2010
Liam- 10
ââNews
'Louis Martin, a well known name in the fashion industry. Was accused of plagiarism, netizens ask for boycotting the designer'
ââNews
'It is revealed that Martin was not only a fake designer but also has been charged with sexually assaulting his team members'
ââNews
'The court has canceled Louis Martin's license with 8 years of imprisonment'
"Aunt Lia? Why is uncle louis on the news? Did he win an award?" little Lucas asks aunt Lia as she sits in front of the television , her eyes are lifeless, for past days she is just sitting there not moving, not talking. I have never seen aunt Lia like that
That's not our happy aunt lia
'it has been found out that louis Martin has committed suicide, his body has been found-" dad shuts off the television. The loud cries of aunt Lia is the only sound heard in the house. Mia is crying in Lucas's arms , she doesn't understand what's happening but seeing her favorite person cry is making her cry too
Mom holds aunt Lia, as she is screaming and crying. She looks like a mess
"Dad? What happened to aunt Lia?" I ask my father, looking up at him as he stands beside me. He bends down and pulls me into a hug and pats my back gently. He looks sad "Aunt Lia lost someone special" he replies with moist eyes
________
In 2010, Sebastian Miller was responsible for Louis Martin's case, my uncle's case. He was Aunt lia's fiance, he was our family, my family too. Everything was going well until he was falsely accused of plagiarism, and Sebastian Miller made it worse by putting many dirty allegations on him. In the end, he was imprisoned. But uncle louis couldn't take it and commitment suicide. It took aunt Lia 2 years to prove his innocence but no one cared
He was already gone
He was called a forgotten news
"I remember, but what does that gotta do with her? She doesn't even know about it, she doesn't even know about her goddamn father" I try to sound reasonable, I am right. It doesn't have anything to do with it. She is totally innocent and my feelings for her is despite all odds
Jeff takes a deep breath and tries to calm down. He takes a moment to regain his composure before speaking again "Yeah she has nothing to do with anything, but when Sebastian knows that you are dating his only precious daughter. Do you think he would sit quietly? No way he will trust you with her. And do you think Stella would trust you? You didn't even tell her about your past, what her father did to your family or the fact that you met her 2 years ago!"
I look at the floor feeling guilty, a ting of pain hits my heart realizing how much I am hiding from her , but I can't reveal it just yet. She ain't ready. I look back at him "I am looking for the right time to tell her. I am not gonna hide it from her forever" I reply
"And will she just accept everything? Will she believe you over her own father?" His question makes me pause. My throat feels dry and itchy
Will she believe me?
Did I gain enough of her trust?
Do I deserve her trust after hiding myself?
I grab the glass of water at my table, my hand shakes with anxiety thinking about how she will react. I gulp down the whole glass with one go, my throat feels better but the uneasiness in my heart remains the same
"If she doesn't trust me then I will know that we were never meant to be" I reply with a heavy heart. Letting her go never once crossed my mind, I don't want to-
"Trust is not taken, liam, it's earned" he points out
I take a deep breath "and it will take time for me to gain her full trust. I will not keep it a secret, I will reveal everything to her but when the right time comes"
Jeff turns his gaze away from him, his expressions go back to normal as he looks back at me "Be careful Liam, I don't know about Stella it's between you and her but I must warn you about Sebastian and her brother"
I look at him with a frown "her brother? What do you mean?"
He sighs "the older one, Ethan Miller is the same as his father. He has his men everywhere if he knows about you dating his sister. He is the type to cause conflicts between you two . He is a good manipulator "
I know Ethan, I saw him at their firm's anniversary once, he looked serious but when Stella was missing at the party he was the one who was worried the most. Every brother is protective of their sister, I understand but manipulating? Stella once mentioned she studied law just for her brother's happiness but she never told if she was convinced for it or forced
"Could he know something about his father too?" I ask Jeff. "Maybe or maybe not be, but he's not that useful for it. Only Sebastian knew everything about Martin's case, I doubt he would explain anything to his son, who was a teenager back then" he replies
Her father would probably think that I am dating Stella to avenge my uncle and the same goes for Ethan too. Her other brother may or may not believe me but it's better i don't get in contact with them
Practically speaking I have her whole family against me
ââ â â ââ â© ââ â â ââââ â â ââ â© ââ â â ââ
Author's Note
I just love plot twists, a story is incomplete without them ð«¢
I forgot to post yesterday ð sorry about that. Right now, I am busy with personal stuff that's why
'By love the series'
-scent of love [Liam & Stella]
-Potion of Love [Lucas & Jasmine ]
It will start after sol finishes
Voting target- 120+ votes & 70+ comments
-have a nice day ð