Chapter Twenty-Two- Mr and Mrs Reynold

I dedicate this chapter to my beautiful friend who crazily commented on my chapters and motivated me a lot. Thanks sareena_15 :) Hope you like it.

Chapter Twenty-Two: Mr and Mrs Reynold

What do you do when you find out something that shattering? I had two choices; first I could go home and wait for my parents to return so that we could have a little chat about it. Second, I could go home and cry my eyes out because it was extremely excruciating to even talk about it.

My heart was pounding so fast in my chest, as if it would explode any minute. I couldn't hold it any longer. Marissa gave me a afraid look when I situated myself in the passenger's seat and tied my seat-belt around. But, she didn't say anything for which I was glad.

But, when tears ran down to my cheeks- as those words were reiterating in my mind- a sob left my lips. I looked over to see if Marissa heard me- she did.

Instantly she pulled the car at the side and turned towards me, as she hastily asked, "Why are you crying? Is everything alright, Ms. Michelle?" She asked concerned, with her worried eyes.

I wonder if she knew about it. Did she? If she did, it would mean she lied to me. The one person I trusted so much also had betrayed me....

I looked away, shaking my head. "Nothing."

I didn't want to find out if Marissa knew or not. Because, I wouldn't be able to handle another blow on my face. I will collapse before she could even tell me.

"Is it about that fighting guy?" Abruptly she inquired, probably trying and recalling his name in her head. Her hand grabbed mine in hers and she waited for my reply.

Slightly, I shook my head, "Evan. And no. It's not about him." I informed, turning my attention outside the window.

Quickly, I added not giving her any chance to question me again. "Marissa we're not going home. There's somewhere I need to go first." I said, deadpanned solemnly.

She furrowed her brows at me and when I didn't explain anything, she nodded. "Where do you want me to take you, Ms. Michelle?" Her tone was probably dry and a little hurt because, I had always told her everything- well, I assumed she did too if only she knew- but, that was least of my concerns at the moment.

"To my parents." I told, staring outside the window, avoiding her questionable gaze drilling hole at the side of my head.

I could clearly feel the air thickening around us. She desperately wanted to ask me things but, I wasn't ready yet. I could understand why she was looking at me like that. I had never in my life went to dad's company- not even once. I had sometime searched it on the web but, never really visited it. Even tho' one day it will be mine- not by choice- I hadn't. Dad just never asked me to visit him or go with him like any other father would once in a while.

But, now I am going.

What did I do to make him hate me? I just can't think of any reason that would make the parents avoid their own child's birthday...

My heart was constantly pounding loudly in my ears, as we got closer and closer. I may have never went there but, I could feel it was getting closer.

Oh god! What I'm gonna say to them? I didn't think what I was really gonna say to them? Moreover, How the hell was I going to face them?

Tears ran down. I never felt so alone in my life- even though I had pretty much grown up lonely in my empty house- yet I never felt that miserable in my life.

Even the sunlight felt dark in that moment.

I was holding the urge to scream on top of my lungs and splash everything around me, who wouldn't? I just friking found out that my parents deliberately ditched me on my special day, not once almost every year!!

Marissa stopped the car in front of the huge gate. The guard let us in, once she told who I was. She parked the car and I climbed out, hoping to avoid anymore questions which she had for me.

I started striding towards the main entrance without waiting for her, she sped up beside me, held my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

I looked at her, annoyed. "What?"

She kept quiet long enough for me to realize she was searching for something in my eyes. Her grip on my wrist was firm and strong. I watched her, waiting for her to speak- as she clearly needed some time to say whatever that she wanted to, "You know about it... don't you?" Those words were enough for me to understand that she knew.

OH MY GOD...

SHE KNEW!! All this time she lied to me. She made me think that they didn't have any choice. She kept repeating that they love me and sometimes they need to make difficult choices like going for a meeting on their daughters birthday. And like a fool, I always believed her. Always...

Anger boiling in my veins.

I snatched my hand from her grip, "You knew? You knew...." I trailed off, whispering more to myself.

A tear ran down her always content face. "I'm so sorry-"

"I can take it from here, I don't want you here! Go home. That's me- your boss's daughter speaking." I growled, furiously, glaring at her unbelievably.

She nodded, stepping away. "It's not the right place and time to talk about it, Ms. Michelle. Your parents had a reason-"

"Wow! Great! Even my maid knows the reason but me! Just perfect... Hilarious even! How could they friking do this to me?!" I yelled grabbing almost every unwanted attention around us. I was a mess.

I added, "I never in my life thought you would lie to me! You watched me cry and yet you took their side and saved their asses!"

She shouted back at me, "Language! You're not raised to-"

"You didn't raise me. I did. I don't want to talk to you... Just go away..." I screamed-whispered. My voice completely broke at the end.

She left.

I turned around and the people were staring at me as if I had grown a second head. I don't bloody care...

"Dad! I want to meet my Dad now!" I told the lady sitting behind the desk. She was an old lady in her later forties, with glasses on her nose.

She glared at me with her dark brown eyes, weirdly, and asked who I was talking about. "The one who pays all of you." I smirked, tapping my hand impatiently on the desk. I was losing it.

She gulped and nodded. Immediately, she picked up the receiver and dialed a number before speaking, "Sir, your daughter is here to see you." she nodded to whatever my dad replied, and looked at me with a small weak smile on her wrinkled face.

Putting down the receiver, she told, "11th floor. The door to your right."

Without giving her another glance, I walked into the elevator and pressed 11.

I took few deep breaths. I didn't want to cry in front of them and show myself as a broken person. They feed on weakness- especially my dad.

The small ting sound happened and the doors opened. I walked out taking a right and barged inside the office to my right without a single knock.

Both my parents startled a little but, then mom smiled at me. They were standing beside a glass table. They looked astonished and little aghast. I had expected that.

"Michelle... what a surprise. Come join us, dear." Dad said with a small smile. He was gesturing towards the sitting area- apart from the glass desk with leather chairs resting in the center- where probably he talks to his clients.

I looked around a little for a moment to get amazed by how beautiful and extremely spacious his office was. The walls were white and contradicting the dark colored furniture pieces.

To where he was gesturing was a small sitting area for a cup of coffee maybe. There were snacks already resting on the small round dark brown table along with three mugs on it- of coffee I guessed.

I crossed my arms, "I'm not here to party." I retorted, deadpanned.

Mom furrowed her brows and stepped towards me while I immediately stepped back gesturing her to stop with my hand. "Don't.... Don't you come near me." I barked, glaring at her. No matter how much I was trying to hide my hurt- I was miserably failing in it.

"Michelle! Don't you dare talk like that with your mother. What has gotten into you?" Dad growled stepping beside mom, causing me jump inwardly.

The truth.

I looked at mom, she had a hand to her chest and with the other hand she was holding the top of the chair beside her.

"What do you even think you're doing coming in here like this? Look at you... you look like someone ran a car over you. Go home clean up and we'll talk about whatever that couldn't wait until we got home."

I just stood there numb. Words dried in my sour throat. Tears threatening to barge out.

But, I held it together.

"No..."

Dad's frown deepened. "What?"

"I said I am not going anywhere. There's no home anymore for me."

Both of them blankly glared at me, as if I was suddenly speaking alien to them. Gathering the little audacity I had left in me, I said "I know you two have lied to me. I know where you guys really had been on my birthdays... I know everything..." I finished off stepping back towards the door to clutch the handle in my hands- the sudden desperate need to stand straight.

Dad sighed, taking the chair for his own support and so did mom. Both of them kept quite until dad spoke, "Did Ma-"

I cut him off, "She didn't. Don't worry she is more loyal to you guys than to me. It doesn't matter how I know it, does it? I just wanted to know if it was true." I said, faking a crying-smile.

"And now, I know it is." Tears ran out, uncontrollably.

Dad ran a hand through his hair.

Mom started to cry while Dad tried to soothe her. "You don't know half of it, Michelle. Don't you dare come here accusing us like this!" His voice was heavy.

I relaxed my shoulder, giving up. "I know enough Mr and Mrs Reynold. Thank you for everything! It was nice talking to you. Now, I'll see myself out. And don't expect me to be at your house." I gibbered, with a normal tone- no yelling or crying. And without a glance back, I rushed out.

As soon as I walked a little away from the building, the gate, I knelt down. It was dark. The gloomy sky and not so surprising ice cold breeze howled around me, hitting my skin. I fished out the phone from my handbag and called Kim.

"Hello..." I said, as soon as she picked it up.

"Michelle? You sound- Are you alright?" She asked, anxiously.

"I am not. Just- I'll tell you everything later. I-I need a place to crash for few days." I told hoping she wouldn't say No.

For few seconds she didn't say anything. Then abruptly in very uncertain voice she replied, "I really want you to stay with me... but, it's not the right time. It's the thing with my step-mom. I'm so-"

"It's fine. I'll ask Sophie. Thanks tho'." I ushered and hung up.

Before I could call Soph, I retrieved she was going out of city for few days. I couldn't stay at her place when she's not even there.

Sighing, I called someone else. "Justin?"

"Hey... How are you holding up?" He queried, sounding all worried for me.

"Not so good. Can I crash at your place for few days?"

He immediately replied. "Absolutely. When did you have to ask? Just come rightaway."

I hesitated a little before saying, "I also would need a ride. I don't think I can walk." I spoke, slowly.

"Okay. I'm coming to get you. Where are you?"

"Few meters away from my Dad's company."

"On my way." And he hung up.

I stood up and sat down under a tree, with my knees close to my chest. I was a mess.

I couldn't believe what just happened few minutes ago...

Just then my phone rang and I looked it up. Mister Nobody flashed on it.

Wow! This day is absolutely full of surprises.

I picked it up.

"Hello,"

Silence.

Then came his voice.

"I heard what you did for me at the school today. Troy- the freshman- told me you went to talk to dean because he was going to expel me. Well, he didn't and it's because of you I guess. So, thanks." He said in a firm tone, no hello or sorry I screwed up earlier instead direct to the business. This guy is definitely something.

I sighed. "It's fine. Marcus was lying. He deserved to get expelled not you." I said, with my hoarse voice.

"Michelle?" He trailed softly, as if he heard something in my voice. I was not going to expect anything from him anymore. And I know he doesn't care even if I die.

"Hmm?"

"Are you okay?" he finally asked after a long pause.

"I don't know." I told, resting my head on my knees.

"Where are you?"

"Why?"

"Because something is not right with you." He said almost sounding concerned.

I snorted, "Like you care..."

Silence.

"You're right. I don't but, remember you told me in the hospital that I owed you. Well, I don't like debts. If I can help-"

"You can't." I cut him off and a stray tear slipped down.

"At least tell me you're not alone."

"Justin is coming."

"Okay. Er...I have to go now."

"Yeah." I said and hung up. The last thing I wanted was him to hung up on me.

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