Chapter 67: Go to the main house
Chapter 67: Go to the main house
Gwen sat alone in the private cinema room inside the mansion. She leaned back in the wide leather seat, legs crossed, a bowl of popcorn resting on her lap. The massive screen in front of her played a loud action movie. She laughed out loud when a character slipped and fell. The sound of gunshots from the speakers bounced off the soundproof walls.
The room was dim, lit only by the screen and the faint LED lights along the floor. Gwen looked relaxed. She didn’t look bothered. She didn’t look worried. She ate another handful of popcorn, licking the milk from her fingers.
The door behind her opened. Tennessee walked in. He stood there for a second, watching her laugh at the screen like nothing in the house was wrong. His jaw tightened. His hands balled into fists. He walked forward and stopped beside her seat.
“Are you serious right now?” he asked, voice low. “No, Gwen, really?”
Gwen didn’t look at him. “What?” she said, eyes still glued to the screen. “Save yourself some time.”
“Why are you in here laughing, watching movies, acting normal when Audrey can’t even walk?” Tennessee said. “She might never walk again, Gwen!”
She smirked. “So what do you want me to do?” Gwen asked. “Cry all day?”
He stepped closer to her. “You’ve got no shame? Common! Gwennnn…At least have empathy, sympathy…anything! Where’s your heart?”
“Right here.” She touched her left chest. Then she paused the movie and finally turned her face to him. Her smile dropped. Her eyes were cold.
“You want me to stop walking too?” she asked. “You want me to pretend my legs don’t work so she can feel better?”
Tennessee’s face hardened. “That’s not what I said,” he replied. “That’s not what I mean.”
Gwen leaned back, crossing her arms. “You’ve been acting really strange since this whole thing happened,” she said. “Always around her. Always worried. Always playing hero. What are your intentions, Ten? She’s your father’s bride, I hope you remember?”
He stared at her. “She’s my stepmother,” he said. “She doesn’t deserve everything happening now.”
Gwen laughed quietly. “It’s good you know she’s your stepmother,” she said. “Don’t cross the line.”
“Don’t change the topic.” Tennessee leaned closer. “What is really your problem? What are you not telling me?” he asked.
She stood up slowly, walking around the seat until she was directly in front of him. “You don’t want to know what I know,” she said. “Stay in your lane.”
Silence filled the room. The paused movie reflected off both of their faces.
Tennessee stepped back. “You’re sick,” he said. “Real sick. To sit here and enjoy a movie while Audrey is in pain.”
Gwen shrugged. “Go and be her nurse,” she said. “Step son or whatever. The world doesn’t revolve around her. Life goes on, with or without anyone. After mom, did life end?”
Tennessee turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.
Gwen stared at the blank screen for a few seconds, then pressed play. The movie continued. She sat back down and kept watching, laughing again.
On the farmhouse, Thomas sat on a small wooden bench inside one of the huts. The lights were off. The only light came from his phone screen.
He stared at the wall. He felt something wasn’t right. He couldn’t explain it. His chest felt tight. His head felt heavy. He picked up his phone. A message came in. It was from Scar Face.
{“She still hasn’t come to the farm? Go over to the main house and find out why.”}
Thomas read the message twice. His jaw tightened, he frowned. He typed nothing back. He stood up. He grabbed his jacket. He stepped out of the hut and into the cold night air.
He locked the door behind him. He walked toward the dirt road leading away from the farm. He didn’t look back.
“And where are you going to?” Tennessee asked as Thomas was about to walk past the gate to the main house. “Need something?”
“Hey, Tennessee .” Thomas said, smiling nervously. “Hey man.”
“What are you doing here? Your place is on the farm.” Tennessee snapped. “Now you’re here, who’s looking after the farm?”
“The mansion is very guarded and secured,” Thomas snapped back. “It’s past work hours too.”
Tennessee looked around. “And you came here to unwind?”
Thomas shook his head. “I haven’t seen Audrey for a while, I was worried. Came to check how she’s doing.”
“She is Mrs. Whitmore…” Tennessee took a step closer. “And she is fine.”
“She preferred to be called just Audrey but apologies.” Thomas said. “How is Mrs. Whitmore doing?”
“Very well.” Tennessee answered. “She’s taking a break from the farm, you can go back now.”
“Send my regards please.” Thomas said, almost pleading. “I mean no harm, just genuinely…”
Tennessee interrupted. “It’s best you leave now.”
Thomas nodded. “Sure.” He dipped his hands in his pockets, walking out.
Tennessee leaned on the gate, watching Thomas walk away.