Chapter 43: Chapter Forty-three

Some things don’t last forever, but we always find ways to make them. In this world, we all fade away into nothing but dust. A skeleton structure that we all share no matter what race, age, color and life we had. I may be with Chad at the moment, experiencing all the bliss of love, but the sun sets, even in paradise.

“Let’s keep it a secret.”

We both didn’t want to, our souls wanting to scream out to the world that we belonged to each other now… But there was a lot to consider if we did; the consequences we would have to face once the whole world knew. We had to listen to people’s opinions about us, we would be in constant battle with life and those who tried to get in our way. Not only that, whatever decision we made would affect the people around us, our families and friends.

Dad…

Chad, sensing my sudden nervousness, glanced up at me and raised his brow. I signaled for him to keep calm and let me handle this. It was, after all, my father. He wouldn’t listen to anyone when it came to these things.

“No, I’m not seeing anyone right now,” I chuckled, finger twirling a stand of my hair anxiously. “It was just a friend and a business partner.” There was no lie in what I just said, but it was still missing some truth.

He is my boyfriend and I already had sex with him. It’s surreal whenever I think about it, but it did happen and I don’t regret any of it. Life is short to delay things.

“Is that so?”

“Yes, Dad. We just met at the restaurant to discuss work, nothing more,” I laughed. “He’s actually married.”

Sprouting lies was something I’d never been good at, I didn’t even know what to say until I decided to rely on my own thoughts. Chad was just watching, listening to the one-sided conversation.

I’m sorry, Dad, I hope you’ll forgive me for lying this time. I’m just trying to consider the impact it would make if I announced it, not to mention, you might even kill Chad. I’m a bit afraid of your prejudice towards him.

Having a relationship with someone is never an easy task, similar to fishing. If you pull too hard, there’s a chance that the person will try and escape you, wanting the freedom they had before. If you don’t make an effort, the person will think you don’t love them at all. Being in a relationship is just testing the waters, especially when it has only just begun. If you become an expert in love, you’ll know when to pull and when to let go. But the thing is…

No one is an expert when it comes to love.

“For now,” Chad added. The room was painted by moonlight, the clock ticking softly on the wall. Only a few more minutes before midnight. The world outside was cold and dark, warmth emitting from our bodies and the fireplace the only things to keep us from freezing. All the staff had gone home and the grounds were guarded by the bodyguards. It was only the two of us here in the living room, enjoying our last few hours together before New York greeted the sun again.

Once the whole city was smiling at the sun, we would return to our lives in Cleveland. Just thinking about it made my headache a little but I didn’t want to make my parents, especially Harvey, sad. Tomorrow was Thanksgiving.

“Chad, why do you love me?”

“Are those what they call ‘two a.m. thoughts’?” He then chuckled. “Well…eleven fifty-five p.m. thoughts, to be exact. What’s the matter? Are you…regretting that you accepted me as your boyfriend?”

Tightening my hold around him, I nuzzled my face further into the crook of his neck to hide my pout. “No, I’m not. Just tell me, Chad. Tell me why you love me.”

He sighed. “Fine, you’re so persistent.” I smiled secretly, enjoying his hand running through my hair as he hummed in thought. “I love your hair, it’s soft.” Then, I felt his fingertips brushing against the skin close to my left eye. “I love your brown, warm eyes and how they light up whenever you’re happy. Especially when you’re angry, they’re just full of fire.”

“Oh? Is that why you love me?”

He hushed me. “I’m not yet finished.” I waited for him to continue. The blond man glanced up the ceiling and let out a small breath. “I…love the way you want the best for your family, even abandoning your wishes to make them happy. It’s just…a bit stupid of you.”

I lifted my head up from his neck and shot him a questioning look. Chad gasped and laughed sheepishly. “Sorry, that’s not what I really meant. But I can’t help feeling sad that you abandoned your dream of becoming a writer to fulfill your parents’ wishes.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Won’t you do the same for yours? Don’t you want to see your mom and dad happy?”

“I do, but when it crosses the line, I know I have to voice my thoughts.” Caressing my cheek, he glanced down at me with those blue eyes. They were filled with pity and it slightly annoyed me. “Why won’t you do the same, Rachel?”

I shot up and put a distance between us, wrapping my arms around myself. “You must’ve forgotten, Chad… I don’t want to let my family down. Not when they’re counting on me.” To be honest, it wasn’t all mine to begin with. The company, to be specific.

It was tranquil for a moment, like water without ripples. Until Chad spoke up.

“I see. Did something happen before?” I visibly flinched and this only confirmed his thoughts. “Tell me, Rachel. What happened?”

Should I tell him? I don’t want to include this with his own problems…

Gazing into those eyes, I could see they were urging me to trust him. That I could tell him anything. Fisting my hands, I lowered my gaze to the ground.

“Denis.”

“Denis? Who is that?”

I nodded softly. “Denis Maxwell, my older brother.” Taken aback, Chad gave me a confused stare. It was an expected reaction, for the death of Denis was covered.

“B-brother? You have another one, besides Harvey?”

“Mom and Dad didn’t want to publicize it, I never knew why but I respected their reasons.” I tucked back a stray bang from my face and heaved a sigh. The memories of the day I heard about the accident came rushing back. “I was young back then, didn’t even know what death was until I saw my parents crying when the doctor said that Denis was gone. He was the rightful heir, the one who should be running the company. I was just his little sister back then, just a girl who was there to bring joy to the family. Nothing more.” A humorless laugh escaped my lips. Even if it was involuntary, it was something I hid inside.

Whatever is hidden will always come out.

“Forgive me, Rachel, if I offend you with this question…” Chad began. “How did he die?”

Returning to the warmth emitting from Chad, I buried my face once again in the crook of his neck. “It was a car accident but…” I trailed off, not knowing if I should say it. Come on, this is Chad! You can trust him! “I…think he was murdered.”

“How come?”

“I found it out myself.” I closed my eyes, wanting to shut out the reality as well. “It was so gruesome that I understood why my parents kept it from me. The murder was done in the criminal’s car. I didn’t believe it at first. He was on his way to school with our driver, but apparently the murderer knew he was in the car and engaged head on.”

“What a sick world we live in…”

Silently, I agreed with his words, but at the same time I couldn’t. Not all people are sick in the mind but not all are also good.

“Denis was Dad’s favorite. When he died, he was completely devastated. Mom included. I was so young, I never knew I would experience the feeling of being unwanted at that age. I mean, the house was just silent. So silent, I could hear my own mind making fun of me.”

“Rachel…”

“I tried to cheer them up again, I really did. Endless nights of hearing my own parents crying in their rooms broke my heart, just hearing it snapped me in two.” Images of Denis’s bloody body on the car seat, the driver’s as well, invaded my mind once again. Clutching my head, I forced myself to smile.

“I was so lonely back then. Just a child who was craving for love. But it wasn’t all in vain! I eventually made them forget, and now they’re focusing on mine and Harvey’s futures. Unlike when Denis was around, everything went to him.”

“Rachel, are you glad that your brother–Denis, is gone?”

I went still, not able to think of any answer like my mind had gone blank. Before I knew it, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I glanced up at Chad, who was staring down at me in concern.

“Rachel…”

“Am I evil?” I whispered. “Am I evil if I used to think that way? Am I evil if I once did triumph that he was gone?”

“Rachel, stop—”

“Tell me, Chad. Am I evil?” I pointed at myself. “Because I feel like I was the one who killed Denis. I killed Denis in my parents’ memories, replacing him with my own. Am I a murderer—?”

“Rachel! Just fucking stop it!” Chad’s booming voice resonated across the room, probably heard by the bodyguards outside. My body felt really cold for a moment, not even the fire dancing in the fireplace made me warm. It was all cold.

Is it my fault he died? I never wanted him to die, I loved him. My sweet brother… I’m sorry. I never wanted the company, which was yours to begin with. I didn’t want to steal what was yours, I never wanted to! You can have the company! I was a mere child! You were, too! We never knew what our future would be. Nobody does.

“Rachel, look at me.” I flinched when hot hands took a hold of my face, gently squeezing my cheeks. This brought me back to the real world, but it was Chad’s hands that snapped me back to reality. The living room was once again warm and full of life. My heart was beating in sync with his, proof that we were still blooming with life.

“Chad,” I mumbled before pressing a chaste kiss on his jaw. “I’m sorry.” He shook his head, tightened his hold around me and kissed me on the forehead. That alone comforted me. “Don’t worry, Rachel. There’s nothing for you to be sorry about anyway.” He took a hold of my shoulders and softly leaned me back to stare into my eyes.

“Just…don’t call yourself a murderer, because you’re not.” He then smiled. “I love you for the way you are. The way you love and the way you continue fighting to live, I love it all. In fact, I love everything about you, so don’t ever change. Okay?”

I teared up once, letting the teardrops flow freely. “C-Chad, thank you. I love you too…” The rest of my words trailed off after Chad pressed his lips against mine. His hands were wandering, roaming once again, and I just let them. Instead of wallowing with our problems, guilt, or whatever was bothering us a minute ago, we just let them go.

Tomorrow, we will be returning to our lives. Tomorrow wouldn’t be the same as today. And tomorrow would mark the day we returned, hand-in-hand.

***

“So, I’ll see you there?” Chad nodded, a tight smile gracing his lips. I heaved a sigh and gestured at the private plane. There are a lot of pros and cons when you have your own private airplane. You don’t have to wait in line and worry about your luggage. I don’t know why Chad would turn down my offer. “You know… We can ride this together. I’ll make sure Dad won’t find out.”

“It’s all right, Rachel. Besides, I have to stop by the office once I return and I’m pretty sure your family is at the airport right now, waiting for you. It’s Thanksgiving, you know.”

“Okay, fine…” I reached up to plant a kiss on his nose and waved lightly at him. “Please take care, boyfriend. Happy Thanksgiving Day.”

“You too, girlfriend. See you at Cleveland in an hour.”

Just as Chad was about to walk away, waiting for his turn to board the plane, I called out his name. “Chad!” Catching this, he turned to face me. I didn’t know what possessed me, but it was something good. And I wouldn’t be able to say these words the second I stepped foot on Cleveland. I might as well say them right now.

“I love you!”

A huge smile painted his pink lips before he winked at me. “I love you too, baby! See you there!” Parting ways, even if it was only for an hour, already made me feel lonely. If I knew Chad would have this kind of impact on me…

The flight to Cleveland was smooth, there were no problems and I had a good nap. Within those three days in New York, all I lacked was sleep, so I was happy to have at least a nap before we landed. Turns out, Chad was right—much to my surprise, my family were indeed waiting at the airport.

“Happy Thanksgiving Day, Sis!” Harvey cheered, arms around my waist. I bent down to kiss his head before greeting my parents with a hug. “Hey, Dad. Hi, Mom.” They both greeted me with the same enthusiasm.

“So, how was your flight? Did you enjoy your time there?”

“Yeah, it was fun, Mom. I’m glad you made me go to New York.” Perhaps it was my bright smile or the way I acted that attracted Mom’s attention. The way she smiled suggestively at me made my eyes widen.

Why is she smiling at me like that? Does she know Chad went to New York? Was it her who set the whole thing up?

“Mom, is there something you want to tell me?”

“Rachel, why do you seem so…happy? It’s not that it’s a bad thing, but I couldn’t help noticing how you’re beaming like you won the lottery. Did something happen in New York?”

Crap, she caught on, huh?

I shrugged in a carefree way. “No. Nothing really happened. I was just happy that I got time to rest and such. I mean, we deserve a break at some point, right?”

“I knew it! You were seeing a guy there!”

I inwardly winced at how Mom pointed her index finger at me, similar to a mother catching her children in an act. “No! Mom, please don’t. Didn’t Dad tell you? I was only meeting with a business partner who is a good friend of mine in a restaurant. Nothing happened between us and that’s all. Plus, he’s married!”

“Helen, just leave Rachel alone when it comes to her love life.” Dad sighed at his wife. “We’ve got a lot of things to worry about and I’m pretty sure your daughter doesn’t want to get a boyfriend again. Let’s just leave her be, okay?”

The subject was dropped instantly and I was thankful for it. One more word about it was sure to send me bursting to the moon. As we headed out of the building, my eyes went straight to the information board so I could check if Chad’s plane already arrived.

“Rachel.” I sharply turned away and smiled at my Mom, who was beckoning me. Giving the crowd one last glance, searching for Chad, I followed my family out of the airport. Once my suitcase was placed in the trunk, we didn’t waste time and sped down the road.

“Oh! I forgot…” Harvey grabbed his backpack that was carelessly thrown on the floor and zipped it open, pulling out a container. I reached out and took it from him, curious to see what was inside. It even had a plastic fork taped to the lid.

“What’s this?”

“Just open it!” Harvey grinned. “I bought it myself yesterday.”

Once I opened it, I grinned ear to ear at the sight of the blueberry cheesecake, my mouth ready to eat and tongue ready to dive into the taste. “Aw, thanks Harv.” I chuckled and pulled the boy close, ruffling his hair. This made my brother wiggle, trying to get away, but I only held him tighter.

“S-sis! I can’t…breathe.”

The ride home was filled with laughter and the exchanging of stories, which was mostly on my part. “You know, Sis… That statue of Lady Liberty is smaller than this animation I just saw yesterday! I mean, this giant is two hundred feet tall!”

“Oh? Well, I wasn’t able to visit Lady Liberty.” I licked the last remains of the cheesecake off the fork, satisfied by it. “I was busy with tons of stuff. I was even lucky to shop for a few things, such as dresses.” Well, to be honest, I was too busy to even go out. Distracted by Chad and his kisses.

Harvey continued on with his story, earning another round of laughter. We soon arrived home, which I’d missed dearly. Henry greeted us at the front door.

“Dear, you can take a nap, and by evening, we can celebrate Thanksgiving with a few friends!” I knew ‘a few’ meant around a hundred people, but I merely smiled at Mom and said yes. As I was climbing the stairs, my phone in the pocket of my coat vibrated. Reading it, I gasped and felt my blood go cold.

From: Unknown You’re a naughty girl, keeping secrets from your parents! You deserve to die!