Chapter 7: Vain Much

I couldn’t have gone downstairs fast enough. I’d been set up, and I knew it. Nellie knew how much I disliked her ‘boss’ just from the night before, and yet she still let me come here. I was curious about so many things now.

“Why do you care about him so much?” was the first thing I asked her when I got downstairs. Instead of her answering me, her mom was the person who spoke.

“I got pregnant when I was fifteen, but my family and I were extremely poor by then, and my child’s father was a rich football jock. His family decided that I wasn’t good enough to raise my son, so they took him from me and I never heard from them again. Two years ago, my son found out that he’d been adopted, and that his biological mother was still alive. He came and found me, and I learned that he was a big movie star, but most importantly, that the people who had taken him away from me, had given him up for adoption just months later. Recently, he was involved in an accident that almost took him away from us. We’ve only just started being a family again. Please help him Beverly,” she pleaded.

I was stunned.

“You mean that Mordecai...” I trailed off.

“Is my son.”

“Is my brother.”

I was numb to the bone. Here were the only other two people who I’d known my entire life, telling me that they had a new family member that I’d known nothing about for two years. They both hid this from me for two whole years, and you can be damn sure that I was hurt about it.

“And you hid it from me?” I asked them both.

“You have to understand that we were dealing with it as a family,” Ms Tedder argued.

“I thought I was your family as well,” I said. We’d grown up as a family with the only thing missing being the same last names.

“Bev, I-”

“You know what? It doesn’t even matter. I’m not doing this in any case,” I said before turning to leave.

“Wait!” someone stopped me. I turned to see Mordecai panting at the top of the stairs, his face twisted as though he were in pain.

“What the hell are you doing?” I asked as I walked up to him. He shouldn’t be putting pressure on anything.

He rolled his eyes as he balanced on his crutches. “Stopping you from leaving.”

“I get that genius, but why?” I sighed as I put his arm around me while carrying the other crutch.

“Because my sister says you’re the only person she knows who will get me back to tip top shape in no time,” he replied as we slowly made our way back to his room.

“Even if I wanted to help, you kept them from telling me the biggest secret ever,” I pointed out.

“I did no such thing. If you’re talking about the imaginary NDA, it’s exactly that – imaginary. Nellie was never my helper either. She just lives with me as my sister,” he explained with much struggle.

“This isn’t making their case better,” I replied as we reached his room. I helped him sit back down on the bed before realizing something.

I am pretty strong for someone with my built.

“I’m honestly not trying to save their skins here. They had their reasons for doing what they did, but I don’t think I should suffer for it. I’m innocent in this picture,” he argued.

I scoffed. “No you’re not!”

“I’m not?” he asked in confusion.

“Are you really just going to carry on like you weren’t the biggest asshole on the planet to me? I don’t even like you. I cannot stand to be in your presence right now, despite you being related to Nell. Quite frankly, at this very moment, I want nothing to do with either of you,” I replied.

“Can you be convinced?” he sighed.

Why was he trying so hard to get me to stay?

“No,” I replied.

He pursed his lips. “Ok.”

“Ok?” I asked.

“I’m sorry, but my knees aren’t in a position to beg – literally,” he said with a small adorable smile.

NO! Do NOT give in!

“Well too bad,” I said before turning to leave.

“Will nothing change your mind?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I highly doubt it.”

“Ok,” he sighed. I left before he could say anything else.

“Are you staying?” Nellie asked me when I got downstairs. I ignored her and headed straight for the door. Perhaps having lunch with my mom would help me understand where my head is at.

“Beverly, please do not make this about us,” Ms Tedder pleaded.

“It’s not entirely about you. I can’t stand your son’s guts and he knows why,” I replied before walking out.

I kept walking, despite Nellie’s incessant calling of my name. I just couldn’t stand to be there. I was surprised when the gate opened, and I looked back to see Mordecai standing at one of the windows. He flashed me the gate remote and I nodded in thanks before leaving.

The ten minute walk back to the Dickson mansion was a quicker one this time since my head was filled with so many thoughts. I arrived at the same time as the twins and got into the car to save myself the walk up the driveway.

“What’s wrong sis?” Jacob asked as we walked into the house.

“I’ll tell you with mom,” I replied.

“Dad’s here too,” Jackson informed.

“You were having a family lunch without me?” I asked, a little hurt.

What’s with the exclusions?

“No, it’s not like that. Dad was talking to Alex about having lunch and Alex told him you’d be unavailable for lunch,” Jacob explained.

“Oh,” I replied.

“We take it your mood has something to do with why you’re suddenly free for lunch?” Jackson asked. I nodded.

“Pumpkin? I thought you weren’t free for lunch,” Dr Dickson frowned when we walked into the lounge.

“It didn’t go well did it?” Mrs Dickson asked when she realized I was close to tears. She opened up her arms and I ran into them and broke down.

The only reason why I was truly so upset is because I realized that despite having the Tedders and the Dicksons, I was, in theory, alone. I didn’t have family of my own. My mother had left me, and God knows that my father is a touchy subject altogether.

I was alone.

“It’s ok sweetheart. Everything is going to be okay,” she comforted.

“Can I ask you guys something stupid?” I said as I wiped away my tears.

“Sure,” Jacob said as he handed me a tissue. I wiped my nose first.

“If you found out something big that concerns your family, would you tell me about it after?” I asked.

“You mean our family, and no, you would know from the very beginning. You’re our daughter pumpkin,” Dr Dickson replied.

That certainly made me feel a whole lot better.

“What is this about?” Jackson asked.

“You know how Nellie wanted me to look after her boss?” I asked him and Jacob. They both nodded.

“Well, it turns out that it’s Mordecai, and that he’s not really her boss, but her half brother. She and her mom found out about this two years ago and they didn’t tell me until today,” I replied.

“Oh darling, I’m so sorry. Now I understand why you would feel so secluded,” my mom hugged me again.

“But don’t you think it was their right to tell you or not?” Jacob argued.

“You don’t understand Jake. It’s been two years. Had Mordecai not been involved in that accident, would they have ever told me? I grew up thinking of Karen as my second mom and Nellie as my sister. For them to hide something this big from me for so long makes me feel like I’m not as important to them as I thought. Perhaps you’re right in that it was their right to tell me or not to tell me, but I at least thought I meant more to them than that,” I explained. He looked like he understood where I was coming from.

“But sweetheart, what about Mordecai?” my mom asked.

“Oh no, I refused him for another reason altogether. He was an asshole to me while he was at the hospital. I can’t stand his guts,” I replied.

“Can I say something that you will probably hate me for?” my dad said. I sighed and nodded.

“Pumpkin, if something happens to Mordecai, you do realize that you’re going to blame yourself for it right? He may have been an asshole to you, but he’s also an injured asshole who has probably had his life turned over from this accident. Have you tried to think about what he must be going through right now? He lost that major movie deal he had going for him, and I’m not excusing his behaviour, but I am pleading with you to be the better person and help him,” he said.

I let myself think about his words. That day when I went to see Mordecai, he did seem pissed off. That must be the day he found out about the movie deal. The rest of the world only found out about a week ago, and the press release made it sound like he was ok with it, but everything about the words that he apparently said were just not Mordecai like.

Don’t ask me how I know that.

“I’m going to do to this either way aren’t I?” I groaned.

The twins chuckled. “Yep!”

“You love your job darling, and you wouldn’t let a man die because he’s an asshole. You’re better than that,” my mom added as she squeezed me a little.

“Argh! I hate being so nice,” I whined, making them laugh.

“Come on! Let’s have lunch so that you can get back to Mordecai,” my dad suggested.

We headed to the dining room while my thoughts lingered in my head. I was still undoubtedly mad at Nellie and her mom, but I couldn’t let Mordecai suffer for it, despite his douche ness in the picture. There’s a lot more to him I’m sure, than the asshole I saw, and I guess it would take saving his life to know what that is.

Lunch with my family was wonderful as always and I realized that while I was upset with the Tedders, with the Dicksons, I was sure of where I stand. I am one of them, and they never fail to remind me.

The walk back to Mordecai’s house was a dreadful one, and I was just about ready to run when I reached the gate. I buzzed the intercom and a guy answered. I told him my name and he opened the gate for me.

I walked into the house and luckily there was no-one around that I didn’t want to see at that moment. I went upstairs, and this time, old school music was blasting from Mordecai’s room. Almost the entire floor was vibrating with the bass coming from his room.

I walked into the room and went straight for the radio. I turned down the volume before switching it off. When I turned to the bed, he was staring at me in shock, but there was amusement dancing in his eyes as well.

“Do I even want to know why you just did that, or who let you into my house for that matter?” he asked.

“I obviously can’t talk over the music genius, and some guy let me in,” I replied.

“Geronimo,” he mumbled.

“Your chef,” I said in realization.

He raised an eyebrow. “You know him?”

“I know of him,” I corrected.

“Oh! And what may I help you with stranger?” he asked.

I frowned. “Stranger? You still don’t know my name?”

“Since I don’t believe that Cecily is your name, then no, I don’t. All I was told about you is that you’re the best at what you do and that you’d get me back on my feet in no time,” he replied.

“Cecily actually is my name, just not the name everyone calls me by,” I pointed out.

“Noted! So what’s the name everyone else uses?” he asked.

“Beverly,” I informed.

His eyes widened. “You’re Nell’s best friend?”

“Why does that shock you?” I asked.

“It’s nothing bad. It’s just that you’re not what I expected,” he replied.

I crossed my arms. “And what is it that you expected exactly?”

"To be honest, I expected a spaz and a prude. Nell is horrible at describing you,” he chuckled.

“Oh God, what has she been telling people?” I whined as I joined him on the bed.

“How she describes your unwillingness to be social or accept any help makes you sound stuck up, that’s all,” he smiled.

“Well, I wouldn’t call myself stuck up and I definitely wouldn’t call myself a spaz. It’s just the way I live my life. I guess people will judge you whichever way you choose to live,” I replied.

“Don’t I know it,” he mumbled.

I nudged him. “Anyway, I came back to tell you that I’ll nurse you. I wouldn’t want your death on my conscience.”

“I highly doubt you’d be blamed for my lifestyle choices,” he smirked.

“Not really, but I would feel guilty knowing that I could’ve helped you and I didn’t,” I pointed out.

“Ok, I guess that makes sense. What exactly does nursing me entail?” he asked.

“It means changing your diet, exercising with you, getting rid of all your alcohol, therapy and getting you to be a nicer person. You’ll also need some physio for that leg,” I explained.

“Therapy? Getting me to be a nicer person?” he asked in confusion.

“I know that you have a spending problem, and yes, you need to be nicer to people, starting with me, because if you’re an asshole, I’m leaving,” I told him.

“Fair enough, but I don’t think I need therapy,” he replied.

I shrugged. “That’s not for you to decide.”

“Oh? And you’re qualified to make that decision?” he challenged.

“I would certainly count as more qualified than you,” I smirked. He looked like he wanted to argue, but couldn’t come up with a valid point to argue.

I laughed. “Exactly.”

“Alright fine! Let’s first see how everything else goes and we’ll save the therapy for last,” he suggested.

“Fine with me as long as you actually get the therapy,” I agreed.

“Are you living in?” he asked.

“Right, that’s another thing! I’m not moving out of my apartment,” I replied.

“The really crappy one?” he smirked.

“Why does everyone say that? I love my apartment,” I defended.

He nudged me. “Maybe if I see it, I might vouch for you.”

“You’re saying you want to see my apartment?” I questioned.

“No actually! I want to eat out because Geronimo feeds me like I live in a restaurant and I’d like to eat normal food for once. I was just saying that passing by your apartment could be a part of the trip,” he chuckled.

“Nice save! How are we getting there though?” I asked.

“Well, you’re going to help me get to my car and then drive us there,” he replied.

“You trust me that much?” I asked, surprised.

“Not even the slightest bit, but I figured you’re a better driver than I am right now,” he joked.

I glared, making him laugh. “Damn you.”

“So? Are you in or what? This house is suffocating me,” he confessed.

“The pure irony,” I stated with a raised eyebrow, playing on the size of the actual house.

“When you’re stuck with your miserable thoughts, a change of scenery is welcome. Trust me,” he mumbled.

“Alright, alright! We can go,” I said, feeling a little sorry for him.

It took quite the effort to get him downstairs, and we had to take a five minute rest before moving off to the garage. Apparently we were travelling to Burger King in his Range Rover Evoque, since it was spacious enough to fit him without him feeling uncomfortable.

Getting him in the car was also another mission, and it actually hurt me to hear him hiss and groan as much as he had. Even though he was supposed to have fairly healed by now, because he spent so much time not moving around at the hospital, he was still going to take a while to come to.

“Are you ok?” I asked before starting the car.

He sent me a tight smile. “I’m fine.”

At least it was a smile.

I even got him to laugh when I asked him to teach me how the car works before I start it. He found it hilarious when I told him what I almost did to Alex’s car. He literally couldn’t stop laughing for a good five minutes.

He was even crying.

“It’s not that funny Kai,” I whined.

“Oh but it is Bev!” he sighed, wiping his tears away.

I pouted. “You’re just a bully.”

“And you’re just a terrible driver, but you don’t hear me complaining. How did you get here anyway?” he asked.

“I took a cab,” I replied, not bothering to mention the Dicksons.

“Don’t you have a car?” he asked.

“Nope!” I responded, not bothering to explain why I don’t have a car either.

“If you could have any car, which car would it be?” he asked.

“A normal functioning car that won’t give me any problems,” I replied.

“Well you’re boring,” he laughed.

“Shut up!” I mumbled as we drove out of the yard.

“Hold on! I just realized something. You said your boyfriend’s name is Alex. That’s that creepy cardiologist right?” he asked.

“Alex isn’t creepy,” I admonished.

“Oh, he’s got high levels of creepiness. Something isn’t right about him,” he told me.

It took me back to the night of the twins’ birthday.

“I can’t believe you actually told him that to his face,” I commented.

“He told you?” he asked, sounding quite chuffed. I nodded.

“What do you mean anyway?” I asked.

“I mean that there’s just something off about him. He gives off a certain vibe beneath the ‘hi I’m your doctor’ shit routine. It’s like there’s a psychopath beneath all the bullshit,” he explained.

“That makes no sense whatsoever! You don’t even know him,” I argued.

“And you do? You’re able to tell me everything about him right now? How long have you guys been together?” he asked.

“Eight months,” I replied.

“And do you know about his past by now?” he asked.

“Well no, but I figured he would tell me at his own time. It’s not like I have told him everything about me either,” I pointed out.

“So, in other words, you don’t trust him?” he poked.

“I do trust him,” I lied.

He scoffed. “And this is me you’re lying to.”

There it was.

And the last person I expected is the one who said it to me!

“I just don’t know if I’m ready to open up to him like that,” I argued.

“Fair enough, but I should warn you. Guys like him will propose even before they tell you about their pasts. He’ll want to trap you into staying with him because he knows you’ll leave if you know what he did in the past,” he advised.

Alex wouldn’t propose would he? I mean, what would I even say? If what Mordecai is saying is correct, then it’s the kind of situation where the woman would say yes out of guilt, and then she’d be trapped with the guy because he wouldn’t let her divorce him.

“Since when are you such a guru on life?” I asked after a while of silence.

“I’m not! I’ve just been in the acting world long enough to know that these kinds of situations are reality without people even realizing it,” he replied as we got to Burger King.

“Well, you’re pretty smart,” I complimented.

“Thanks,” he smiled.

“So, what would you like? We’re obviously not eating here since your presence alone will cause trouble,” I pointed out.

“So we’re eating at your so called apartment then?” he teased.

I mock glared at him while he laughed. “Oh whatever.”

He gave me his order and I headed inside and got our orders, before we were underway to my apartment. Luckily for him, there is an elevator in our building, so he wouldn’t have to take the stairs.

He was wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, while his leg cast was hidden by his large sweatpants. He was barely recognizable, and we agreed that he shouldn’t say anything to anyone for his safety. Getting mobbed by fans in this state is the last thing he needs.

We finally reached the apartment and he was relieved to be sitting faster than he had time to comment on the state of my apartment, but I knew that it was coming sooner or later.

“This place is about as big as my bathroom alone.”

And there it was.

“What the hell do you need a bathroom this big for?” I asked as I gave him his food.

He shrugged. “Luxury.”

“Well that’s just stupid!” I mumbled.

“It’s also comfortable, and you’ll love it,” he smirked.

I rolled my eyes. “Whatever!”

“So, what are we doing while eating?” he asked.

“I don’t know. We could watch TV?” I suggested.

“I don’t really entertain that, but what the hell,” he agreed. I turned it on and flipped through the channels, until I landed on a channel that was playing a movie he was starring in.

“Oh God no!” he groaned.

“What?” I asked.

“This is the worst movie I’ve ever starred in,” he replied.

“So we’re watching it,” I smirked. The channel was having a marathon of his movies running the whole weekend.

“Beverly,” he said in warning.

“I’d like to see you get up and change the channel,” I said as I threw the remote onto the other couch.

“I hate you,” he said as he glared at me. I knew he was too tired and in too much pain to bother.

I shrugged. “You’ll love me soon enough.”

“Vain much?” he smirked.

“Nah! Everyone loves me,” I giggled.

“Sure, sure,” he chuckled.

I stuck my tongue out at him. “Shut up and watch yourself suck.”

He rolled his eyes. “Oh, real mature.”

I smacked him with a cushion. “Kai, shut up!”

“Ok, ok,” he chuckled.

We sat there and watched the entire horrible movie. I learnt that it was his first movie and I could see why he hated it so much. I asked him if he wanted to leave yet, and he said no. He was still in a lot of pain from the moving around we’d done that day, so we spent the rest of the day watching his movies.

And I had the best sleep I hadn’t had in the longest time.