Chapter 32: Chapter Thirty-two

There was nothing else I could do. I thought I had it all understood, but in the end…I assumed it all. Nothing but plain opinions that painted over the wall of facts. I was once again reminded that even if I strive to be perfect, I would never be. You can’t help but be human in this world.

“Do I have to wear this?”

A chuckle from me was enough to make the boy standing in front of the mirror groan. “Yes, Harv. This is the perfect costume for you.” I replied with an encouraging smile. After putting on the skin-tight costume that had a pattern printed all over—like worn out bandages—Harvey stared in horror at himself. It wasn’t extravagant or anything, it wasn’t even a legit costume for a mummy, but it was perfect in hiding his identity. From top to bottom.

“It’s not even real bandages. A mummy costume should have real bandages!” Harvey argued. His words were slightly muffled by the cloth covering his whole face except his eyes. “I don’t look like a mummy, instead, a burrito! You could’ve at least asked me who I wanted to be this Halloween.”

After bidding Chad farewell that day, I went straight to work, and by the time I got home the invitations were all sent. Just like I expected, Mom had invited the Montgomery family. Harvey was soon informed that he could go trick or treating, much to his surprise. Nonetheless, his joy was a bit tampered when I presented his costume. Apparently, his plan was to be a cyborg in a famous movie that seemed to wheeze every time it talked.

“Come on, Harv, I bought this for you.” I pouted, putting on my best sad face to reel him in. “After all, I just thought it would look good on you.” And it hides your face from prying eyes as we go door to door.

Harvey sighed and, to my delight, nodded. “Fine, fine,” he said. “Just don’t start bawling all over me.”

Secretly smirking, I hugged Harvey tightly, causing him to make a face. Even if he wanted it.

“Thank you, Harvey!” I sang. “I knew you couldn’t resist me.”

The boy grumbled under his breath and looked away. In just a few minutes—maybe thirty—we would slip out of the back and into the awaiting car. The plan was to go to the nearest neighborhood and Harvey to have fun. While back at home, Mom would host her party without breaking a sweat, making up an excuse that Harvey was ill and I was taking care of him. However, we didn’t let Harvey know about this. Instead, Mom told him that he and I would be excused from the party.

I softly winced at the pain coming from my lower abdomen, clutching it. Oh, when will this agony end? Images of delicious ice cream waiting for me to devour it filled my mind, making me crave for it. I knew I should’ve bought another tub of ice cream!

“If you want, I can buy you another ice cream. Would you like me to buy?”

Thoughts flying to Chad, I went still. Oh no, if he’s invited, wouldn’t he come looking—demanding—for me? If he comes here, I’m sure that sneaky man will come up to Harvey’s room. Then, he’ll smirk at me before thinking of a way to get me alone. Cheeks putting the reddest thing alive to shame, I shook my thoughts of Chad away and focused on the matter at hand.

Don’t think about him right now, Rachel! Don’t think about that face. Don’t think about that handsome, enthralling face—

“Are you not going to wear something?” Harvey suddenly asked. I turned to him with wide, confused eyes, which made Harvey point to his own costume. “If you’re coming with me, you should at least put on a costume.”

“That won’t be necessary, Harv.” The plan was finalized and I wasn’t told to put on a costume too. “Besides, I didn’t buy a costume of my own,” I added.

Harvey didn’t press on further, already glad to be out and going trick-or-treating. “I hope I get to fill that plastic pumpkin head with all the candies!” His eyes gleamed. “I hope I’ll be able to see some of my classmates too. We’ll have a competition on who gets the most sweets!”

My heart went warm at his happiness and I patted his head. “Yeah, I can see you challenging them.” And, obviously, I’d be rooting for Harvey to win. A knock came from the door and I strode over to open it. Mom, dressed in a black Victorian gown, peered at Harvey and grinned. “Well, just look at that!”

Harvey softly groaned as Mom took pictures of him, complimenting his costume. “But Mom! I wanted to be a robot! Not a man who’s wrapped with toilet paper.”

A hearty laugh erupted from Mom’s throat and she shook her head at her son, tousling his hair afterwards. The two of them continued to talk, Harvey arguing while Mom continued to beam at him. It was then that Dad entered the room clad in a black tuxedo.

“Helen, guests are starting to arrive,” he announced in a grave tone. To Harvey, it was normal for Dad to be serious. But to me and my Mom, it was time to put the plan into action.

I nodded softly and placed both hands on Harvey’s shoulder, leading him out the door. “Let’s go, Harv. Don’t forget to bring your pumpkin head.”

At the mention of the orange plastic bucket shaped like a pumpkin, Harvey moved away to grab it from the nightstand. I went straight to my room and retrieved my jacket sitting on top of my bed, ready to be worn.

“You ready?” Harvey questioned. “I know I am!” Slipping my jacket on, I followed Dad down the stairs with Harvey tailing us. True to Dad’s words, guests were wearing their own state-of-the-art costumes that were either made by velvet or with gold.

“Here.” Dad directed us towards the kitchen. Both of us silently obeyed and slipped out the back door. It wasn’t until we got out, where the cold air hit us, that Harvey tugged on the sleeve of my jacket. Turning to him, I slightly leaned down. “What is it, Harv?”

“Why did we leave through the back door?”

“It’s better if we didn’t run into some guests, Harvey,” I whispered. “They’ll just slow us down. You don’t want that, do you?” It must’ve crossed his mind that if we entertained a curious guest, Halloween would be over before we could even say ‘boo’. He nodded in agreement and continued to follow.

If Dad was uneasy, he didn’t show it. We stopped in front of the awaiting car. There stood Percy and the rest of his men. But what made my eyes go wide and Harvey gasp in awe was them wearing their own costumes. If this was part of the plan, then I must’ve made my mind wander to miss this tidbit.

“Cool!” Under that costume, I could tell Harvey was smiling. “You guys are coming along too?”

Percy cleared his throat before nodding, looking a bit scary in his clown get-up. Images of clowns in the circus and their tricks made me cringe. I hate those clowns.

“Yes, Sir Harvey. We’re tasked to come along.”

Not bothered by this and finding the idea fun, Harvey clapped his hands. “Now, that’s awesome.” Once the car door was swung open, Harvey instantly climbed in, not bothering to turn back, excitement emitting from his whole being. “Let’s go!”

Giving me a knowing stare, Dad waved goodbye but I didn’t miss the emotion in his eyes. I felt my breath get caught up in my throat once I translated what his stare meant.

Take care. Everything will be all right.

“Hey, sis! Are you coming or what?”

Snapping out of my reverie, I gave Dad one last look before climbing into the car as well. Nervousness—or was it fear?—began to eat me away as we drove out of the gates. It was a feeling that made me slightly sick, enough to make me vomit, but I didn’t want to show any weakness. It would just be a strange sight for Harvey, when all I ever displayed around him was me being a strong person. But there were just things, no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be able to stop worrying about.

Especially now.

“I wonder what candies I’ll get tonight!” Harvey wondered aloud. “Maybe I can also get chocolates? Packets of gum and maybe— Sis! Will I be able to get imported sweets? I always wanted to try that chocolate from Japan!”

“Uh…maybe,” I mumbled in reply, too distracted by my own thoughts to give a correct answer. This didn’t bother Harvey and he continued to ramble about his preferred sweets.

It wasn’t until the car slowly turned to a stop that I realized we had finally arrived. Outside, children, wearing either a zombie get-up or a classical villain costume from those cartoons every morning filled the neighborhood, going door to door in groups with huge smiles on their faces. The houses were all decorated, not missing the famous carved pumpkin in their doorstep. All in all, it was indeed a spooky night.

Enough to get the ten-year-old boy beside me to get all hyped up.

“Wow! This is so awesome!” Harvey jumped in his seat and was about to crash against the car door if Percy didn’t open it first.

“Harvey, wait!” I immediately got out and grabbed his arm before he stalked off on his own. “Don’t wander around all alone.”

“I know, I know,” he repeated softly. “I’m just excited, that’s all.”

Grinning down at him, I placed a hand on his shoulder and began to walk towards the first house. It was a bit tiring for me, walking to all the houses that were either filled with people, or the music they were playing loudly inside hit my ears once they opened the door. But Harvey, the eager boy, wasn’t tired at all. In fact, he was enjoying himself. Which was worth it.

“Look at this, sis! The pumpkin’s already full!” He held up the plastic bucket to show me the candies that were close to spilling out. Impressive. Just as I was about to smile at him, Harvey’s eyes went wide and he pointed at someone behind us. “Hey, look! It’s Chad Montgomery, your business partner.”

“Ah, is that so— Wait, what?”

I turned around to see for myself, and there, lo and behold, was Chad Montgomery walking towards us, the same smirk donning his lips. But instead of looking like Prince Charming, he looked like the boogeyman. A devilish man in a black tuxedo. What is he doing here?

“Dad, who do you think is responsible for all of this?” I questioned. The investigator and the chief of police already went out. Mother even went to bed ahead, leaving me and my Dad alone. Not surprised by my question, Dad leaned back in his chair and stared up at the ceiling of his study.

“Are you sure you want to know?” he asked. “I told your mother about it and she was a bit furious, saying that it doesn’t make sense, but I do feel like he did it.”

“He?”

“Chad Montgomery and his parents.”

The thought of Mom’s face red in fury made sense. “Why do you think so, Dad?” Surely, he doesn’t think that the Montgomery family likes to mess with us because of our social status and all. Is it fame they want? Or…something else?

“It just bugs me that they keep showing up wherever we go last time. Max Montgomery is dead set on bringing up that company and I won’t be surprised if he’s trying to get closer to us just so he’ll be able to destroy our company in the end,” he explained. “Rebecca Montgomery is now friends with your mother. Both would meet each other and often have lunch. Much more often than your mother’s friends. I’m thinking she’s trying to befriend your mother so that she’ll be able to ask for money and favors.”

“And Chad?”

Dad sighed. “You don’t like him, do you? You’re not in love with him?”

I immediately shook my head, wanting to know what his thoughts are on Chad. “Nope. Please continue, Dad.” He gave a certain look before continuing.

“This is also what I noticed. Since Rebecca is close to Helen already, she’ll try and coax your mother to bring her son and you together. You know the usual women, playing matchmakers towards their own sons and daughters.”

“Like you and Mom were?”

Dad nodded softly. “Although, I don’t regret marrying your mother since I indeed fell in love with her… But forcing two people together against their will is wrong. At least the woman my mother let me meet is sweet and kind, I can’t say the same towards Chad Montgomery.”

“Wait, Rebecca Montgomery wants me to marry her son?” Now that’s shocking. I thought she didn’t like me in the first place? That woman seemed…cold inside. Dad reached for his glass of whiskey and twirled the glass in his hands, the liquid following the motion.

“I don’t know. But if that’s her motive, I’m guessing she wants to make Chad the next head of our company if you marry him. And these harassments, they are ways to warn us about what they’re going to do. I won’t be shocked if those violators pull a stunt when you and Chad are around.” Dad shook his head in disappointment. “They’ll create a scene and Chad will save you, making him the hero in your eyes.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s a bit silly, Dad. You know I don’t want to marry Chad.”

That’s when he gave me a long hard stare. It made my blood froze at how intent it was. I felt like glass and his eyes could see all the secrets and sins I’d done.

“Dad?”

“Don’t lie, pumpkin. I can see it in your eyes, you have taken a liking towards that man.” He sighed deeply. “Is Chad Montgomery the type of man that young women of today like? He may be a handsome young lad but his personality is a bit…off. I can’t believe you fell for him!”

I shook my head vigorously, not wanting to admit it. “Yes, I do like him…as a friend.” My subconscious was pointing its fingers at me, asking why I was denying my blossoming feelings towards that certain blond man before pushing it away. “Having romantic feelings for him are irrelevant.”

Taking this as an answer, even if he didn’t believe it, Dad took a sip of his alcohol before setting it on the wooden desk again. “I won’t try and do anything to them until they prove their innocence tomorrow evening. But, if they are the masterminds behind all these harassments, I won’t have second thoughts throwing them to jail.”

“Right.” I accepted. There was nothing I could do to change Dad’s mind. In his eyes, the Montgomery family was shifty, no matter what. “I remember you mentioning that Chad had a motive, you found him suspicious too, is this why?”

Dad nodded.

“Hey, Rachel.” Chad waved. “What’s up, Harv? Nice costume.” Thankfully, he didn’t add the part that we both bought together. That would just make Harvey confused. The boy beside me waved in return before I pulled him close to me. I eyed him closely and searched for anyone suspicious behind him. This alarmed Chad a bit and he turned back to see who I was glaring at.

“Hey, plum. What’s wrong?” he questioned. “Is your crazy ex-boyfriend here too?”

Now that would be interesting. If he’s the mastermind of the harassing, then seeing him in jail would just be…delightful. I won’t have to worry about seeing that man and all the memories we shared again. But sadly, the person who’s standing in front of me right now, is none other than but Chad Montgomery.

Half-wishing that it was Nathan instead, I took a small step back. “Hello, Chad, what are you doing here?”

A deep frown etched his face as he walked towards us, looking disturbed. “What’s wrong? I was just on my way to the party when I saw you and Harvey walking.”

“I-is that true?”

Please, don’t lie, Chad.

That only made him stop in his tracks, face confused as ever. “True? Why would I lie to you?” Then, a huge smile graced his lips. “Ah, if you think I was cheating on you with another girl, don’t bother worrying. I was finishing the last-minute paperwork before speeding down here.” I couldn’t tell whether he was lying or not, but the carefree expression his face held made me think.

Is he doing that on purpose so I’d think he’s innocent?

“They’ll create a scene and Chad will save you, making him the hero in your eyes.”

Is this it?

Probably noticing the dressed-up bodyguards surrounding us, Chad raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Was I interrupting a surprise party or something? If I was, I am so sorry.” His blue eyes raked from me to the rest of the men.

“By the way, why are you two out here?” Chad asked. “I thought you guys were throwing a party back at your house?”

“Oh, I’m out here for trick or treat,” Harvey answered with a huge grin. I immediately covered his mouth, not wanting him to speak further. I narrowed my eyes at the man in front of me.

“Why are you here, Chad? If you have an ulterior move, just do it now!”

“What the hell are you talking about, Maxwell?”

It all happened in a flash. Gunshots filled the empty air and children started running. The sound was so piercing that I fell to my knees, clutching Harvey down like a lifesaver. The pumpkin bucket fell to the ground, candies scattered all over. Once I lifted my head, one of the bodyguards was down. Blood slowly painted the sidewalk. Empty eyes stared at the heavens.

My eyes went wide in fear before covering Harvey’s eyes, not wanting him to see the gruesome sight. No, this can’t be happening right now. The next thing I knew Harvey was pulled from my grasp, and my wrist was being crushed by a strong grip. I stared at the man whose face was covered by a black bonnet.

It’s them.

Thrashing around, I tried to release his grip on me as Harvey’s cries reached my ears. “Rachel! Help me!”

“Harvey!” I screamed and kicked the man’s knee, causing him to double back. I was about to punch him in the face when he pulled up a knife, ready to stab me in the face. I dodged just in time but the tip grazed somewhere in my eyebrow and I flinched in pain before landing on the pavement. Percy was groaning in pain a few feet away from me, clutching his left leg in pain. Some of the men were out cold.

Harvey was being pushed into the white van. The burly man stared at me for a few seconds and ran to the vehicle. I frantically stood up, hand reaching out to Harvey. “No, no, no. Harvey!”

Too late, the van sped away into the night, leaving with Harvey. I felt my heart drop to my stomach, the feeling of vomiting stronger now. No, Harvey.

Don’t go!

“Rachel? Are you all right?”

Feeling his hand on my shoulder, I harshly shrugged it off and stood up to face the blond man, who didn’t even have a single scratch on him. This only pissed me off. Big time.

“This is all your fault!” I screamed at him. “Is this your sick plan, huh? Did you find any enjoyment doing it?” I gestured in the direction the van went. “Weren’t you supposed to rescue my brother and act all heroic? Wasn’t that your plan?!”

All Chad did was stare at me in astonishment, before it morphed into anger as well. “What the fuck are you talking about? I have no part in this! Who told you that?” Then, he sighed. “Rachel, you’re bleeding.”

Not minding the stinging pain on my face, I glared at him. “Stop pretending like you care about me!” I yelled, voice slowly dropping to a whisper. “Why did you take Harvey away? What did he ever do to you?”

“Rachel, whoever put that in your head—that I planned all of this—remove it! I would never!”

Even if it was clear to me that Chad didn’t have a part of it as Dad claimed, I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe that Harvey had been kidnapped and was in the hands of dangerous people. It would’ve been better if what Dad said was true, that Chad was just going to rescue me from the very men he hired. Harvey wouldn’t be harmed and would still be here. But no, that’s not the case right now. Chad’s still here, didn’t even try to act ‘heroic’.

But that doesn’t mean he’s off the hook now.

The rest of his words didn’t reach my ears as I ran towards Percy and took the keys from his pocket. He was a second too late in grabbing my wrist to stop me, knowing fully well what I was about to do.

“Rachel! Where are you going!?”

“Miss Maxwell! Don’t go alone! Contact your father first!”

Ignoring their calls, I climbed into the car and started the engine, driving away before anybody could stop me. The plan had gone wrong. Harvey had been kidnapped and the trust I’d established for Chad was crumbling. There’s nobody to trust right now. There’s nobody else to save Harvey but me.

I must correct my mistake.