Chapter 77 CAREFUL WHO YOU LOVE

Chapter 77 CAREFUL WHO YOU LOVE
CHAPTER 77

JEREMY'S POV

CAREFUL WHO YOU LOVE

I rehearsed my words on my drive to her place, but when Lana opened the door bare legs, silk robe and gardenia scent I swallowed hard. She looked almost innocent and fragile.

“Jeremy,” she breathed, and stepped aside for me to enter. “What are you doing here?”

I ignored her and entered her house, which smelled like a literal floral garden. Pillows scattered on the floor, glass shattered on the floor nearby, her laptop paused on a video she was watching. She can't deny that.

“Sit,” she said, folding her arms. “You're scaring me, Jeremy, with this silence.”

I didn't sit down. “We need to talk.”

Her eyes were curiously searching mine, slowly drowning into worry. “What happened?”

I inhaled deeply, greatly ashamed of what I'm about to say. There was no easy way to say it. “Richard, uploaded the video.”

She blinked twice like she was trying to process it. “What video, Jay?”

I sighed and gave her a look. “You know what video.”

There was silence as she staggered backward, like I shoved her. “You can't be serious. Richard….he wouldn't. He wouldn't do that to me.”

“He did,” my voice was low and painfully still. “I'm so sorry about that.”

Her face twisted into shock and horror. She grabbed the edge of her robe. “That son of a bitch.” she cut herself off with a sharp intake of air. “I trusted him and he did this.”

“Lana, I'm so sorry….”

“I swear to God,” she hissed, her eyes blazing. “I'll ruin him, Jeremy. I'll destroy him if it's the last thing I'll do.”

I didn't doubt it because her fury burns like acid.

Lana paced muttering curses, threats, plans as her rage bombed on. Then she stopped and looked at me enraged. “You came here because you care about me.”

“I came because you deserve to know.”

She got closer, invading my space. “I need you, Jay. I need you now, you always calm me down. We're good together.”

“No, we don't.”

She flinched and looked at me. “Am I disgusting to you?”

Her breath hitched then, she gave a short laugh, clipped and sharp. “And Grace isn't right? But you were with me all these while. Did you tell her how I sounded when I came too?”

“Just stop.”

“Does she make you groan when you come? Does she open her legs for you, anytime you want too?” Lana barked.

“Lana, stop.” I said clenching my jaw. “it's not about all that. It's about honesty, and I'm not doing this with you.”

She moved closer to me, her fingers tracing my chest. “I know you'll change your mind.”

I stepped back from her. “No, I won't.”

She gave a humourless laugh. “You think you're better than me?” she spat. “You think Grace is better than me? She's just as bad as I am.”

“You don't get to say that about her.”

“Oh please,” her laugh was poisonous. “You really think she loves you? She'll never, Jay. She doesn't love herself.”

Her words hurt me not because I believed them. But because Lana knew how to strike anybody.

“I'm leaving.” I announced.

“You're leaving me like this?” she screeched. “Can't you stay with me, Jay?”

“I'm done talking with you.”

“Coward!” she yelled as I reached for the door. “You're really stupid. You're walking away just like that.”

My hand hovered at the door knob. I didn't look back because if I did. I won't leave so soon.

Reed was already on his second glass, when I walked into the bar. He arched his brow when he saw me. “Hey man, are you okay?”

“I'm much worse,” I said, sliding into a seat nearby.

“Scotch?” the bartender asked.

“Yeah. Blended and straight.”

Reed waited until my drink was in my hand before he began asking me questions. “Have you talked with Lana?”

“Yes,” I nodded and took a sip of my drink.

“And how did it go?” he asked me again.

“She took it badly, she snapped,” I said and exhaled. “Tried to pull me back into her web.” I took a long swallow. “And I declined.”

“I commend you man,” Reed nodded, dropping his glass on the table. “But hey brace yourself, you should drink before you lose it.”

I grinned at his advice. “Thanks man.”

“How's Grace doing?” he asked me.

“I've tried,” I said, glancing at my phone. Didn't see her missed call or text message. “She didn't pick up.”

Reed shrugged. “Then try again tomorrow morning. She'll answer by tomorrow morning.”

“Maybe you're right, Reed.”

But deep down I was worried. Grace not picking up or returning the calls, always means that something's up.

When I got home, it was awfully dark and silent. But dad emerged from his study, like he's been waiting for me.

“You reek of alcohol,” he said with disgust.

“I had a few drinks.” I answered and kept walking.

“Stop!”

I stopped because my father's voice carried authority, even though I'm an adult now.

He walked up to me, his face deep with disappointment. “Do you know you've embarrassed me? My son and heir, stumbling like an unemployed alcoholic.”

I clenched my jaw tight. “Dad, I've worked all week.”

“Work?” he scoffed. “You call your stupidity work. One day your stupidity will land you in trouble."

“Thanks for the pep talk.”

“I'm serious,” dad jabbed a finger at my chest. “Remember this day, better take control or lose it.”

Something in his tone chilled me. It wasn't anger or anything, I feel it was a warning.

“Jeremy, be careful of whom you defend. And whom you love.”

I turned and slowly looked at him, with wide eyes. “Dad, what does that even mean to me?”

He glared at me hard, he didn't answer me. He just watched me, his eyes dark with something he didn't want to share.

I had hot flashes about this, and I don't know why. “Dad, please talk to me.”

He didn't say anything to me, he turned and walked back to his study.

The silence that stretched was long and agonising. Once dad makes up his mind, about not talking to me he keeps his word.