Chapter 168

ALAYNA

One week later

“Senator Donovan Mallory is arrested for child trafficking, distributing child pornography, and the murder of Dr. Richard Hart, the former chair of Lifeline Foundation. The trial for his case will begin in two weeks…”

The report switches the frame over to a desperate old man being hauled by the cops.

“Let me go! This is not over yet! The mayor of Seattle is mentally sick! Do you hear me? I cannot accept this! He is lying!” he yells over the reporters surrounding him in front of the courthouse.

“This is Luis Crawford from AAC News, reporting.”

Cassius shuts off the news. We are now gathered in the living room, silently waiting for someone to speak.

Last week, Cassius and Carmelo visited the senator to let him know Drake abducted me, but he only chased them away and denied his son. He told them he had no business in Drake’s escapades. However, during Drake’s interview, he disclosed everything he knew about his father and apologized to me in public.

“Drake didn’t mention your name, Brandon, or anyone else here. That is good enough for me,” I speak gruffly, breaking the deafening silence. Drake has always been disturbed. He grew up in a dysfunctional family, but I knew he still had his principles despite that. But all that doesn’t mean I already forgave him for everything he did to me.

“It doesn’t matter.” Brandon reaches for my hand and draws it to his mouth. “What’s important is we’re progressing with your dad’s case.”

“Richard.” Mom cries, pounding her fist on her chest. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, my love!”

I pull her into an embrace, and she buries her face into my chest and weeps. I cry with her as pain slithers through my heart. The last time I saw her cry like this in front of everyone was when we buried dad. She didn’t show emotions to her kids, but I knew she was suffering inside. We never found justice for dad’s death anyway, until today when she saw everything. It is time she finally finds peace. Then, at the right time, we’ll tell the younger ones.

“We’ll leave you two to talk. I’ll be in our room,” Brandon tells me. Everyone stands up and heads to the door.

I nod.

“Mom?” I slightly move back to lift her face. “I know how it feels, but it’s over now. We’ll make sure he rots in jail.”

Her shoulders fall. “I knew there was something strange about Donovan. I warned Richard about him, but he convinced me that what they did was for a good cause,” she says quietly. “It was your father’s dream, so I let him. I shouldn’t have let him.” She snivels.

“Don’t blame yourself. Please, Mom. You can always cry to me whenever you want or need to, but you and Dad were the best parents in the world. He only did what he thought was right, and he was.”

She fondly looks at me and lets out a faint smile. “You’ve been so strong and brave, sweetheart.” She touches my face. “I’m sorry, mom wasn’t always with you.”

My eyes swell. “But we’re together now. Forever. We will raise the kids the way Dad would, okay? It still hurts, but we have to be strong for them. We can do this together. I love you.” I kiss her head.

“You’re right.” She wipes her tears with her fingers and exhales. “Your siblings need us, but Alayna, is it really fine with your fiancée that we all live here? I know you both need privacy.”

“As you can see,” I scan my eyes around. “The house is huge, and he likes children. Besides, this is Brandon’s idea, anyway.”

“Right.” Mom holds my hand. “Your wedding day is getting close. Sweetie, how do you feel?”

The pounding in my ribs hastens. It’s only three days left until the wedding. I still have a lot to do with my never-ending checklist.

“Nervous? Excited? I don’t know, Mom. Is it really like this?”

“Yes. When I married your dad, I didn’t know how many times I peed before the ceremony. Imagine how difficult it was with the wedding dress.”

“Oh, gosh.” I slap my face. “That isn’t helping.”

Mom finally grins. The sadness in her eyes is replaced by joy. “You know, when I was finally walking down the aisle, everything around me was just magical. All I could see was your father and nothing else. Until I was finally next to him.”

I can’t help but smile. “That’s so romantic.”

“Yes, my darling girl. That’s the right word for it.” She sighs dreamily. “Oh, the time. You just wouldn’t notice how it passes. I was so in love back then. I hope you are too.”

“Oh, I am.” I chuckle. “Thanks, Mom.” I embrace her and rest my head on her shoulder. “For everything.”

***

I take Mom to her bedroom and kiss her before leaving. However, I run into Cassius.

“Laynie.”

“Hi,” I reply.

“Can we talk?”

We haven’t spoken for weeks, and he only ever talks when we’re in a group. I knew he was avoiding me. I haven’t asked Arianna about what happened to them yet.

I shrug. “Sure. I guess. What is it?”

“Let’s talk outside.”

“Oh, okay,” I say awkwardly. I don’t know what else to say.

We walk down the left wing of the hallway. I already know where we’re going.

Cassius pushes the door open to the veranda by the pool, and cold wind instantly brushes my arms. The night sky is clear and tranquil. Then I watch him walk straight to the railing. I think of sending Brandon a text first.

Alayna: At the veranda. Cassius wants to talk.

Brandon: What did he say?

Alayna: Nothing yet. See you later. Love you.

Brandon: I love you more.

I slip my phone back into my pocket and then approach Cassius.

“The weather is good tonight.”

“Yep. So, how are you?” he asks.

“I’m actually good.” I nod, smiling. “Thank you for what you did back then.”

“About what?”

“You visited the senator.”

“Oh, yeah.” He smirks. “It’s a failed mission.”

“It’s not. Donovan only proved that he cared about nothing but himself.”

“Yes. His behavior will help you win the case.” He set his eyes on the skyline.

“We will win,” I conclude assuredly. “He’s a murderer. Even his only family deserted him,” I say pointedly.

“Of course.”

I blink, watching his troubled expression. I wanted to ask him what happened to him, what was wrong with him and Arianna, or if something bothered him, but I kept the questions to myself. If he wishes to open up, I’ll listen to him wholeheartedly. But we have to stop being awkward first.

“So, what’s up? What do you want to talk about?” I make sure my tone is friendly.

“I just… I just thought we needed to talk.”

“Okay?”

He heaves out a deep breath. “I’m confused.”

“About what?”

“You know, what happened in the past.” He massages the nape of his neck. “At least, between us,” he begins, and I keep my ears open and lips sealed.

“I know I shouldn’t be bothering you, Alayna. You’re happy, and you’re about to be wed in three days. But after facing a dead-end, hitting a hard wall, I finally accepted that there’s no one else I can talk to but you. I’ve been trying to forget what happened, but something keeps pulling me back. Please don’t take this the wrong way. I just wanted to let you know how I feel.”

“I understand. I’m listening.”

“And I have something else to confess.” He shuts his eyes briefly. “I had a one-night stand with Arianna.”

My jaw drops. So that was what happened between them that Arianna refused to disclose. I don’t answer right away, but I meet his gaze. His blue eyes are tormented, confused.

“You what?” I say breathlessly.

“It’s crazy. I was out of my goddamn mind. She came to me one night, Alayna. I know that she likes me and—”

“Stop, stop.” Apparently, this isn’t the Cassius I know. “You know what? I don’t know what happened, but she was crying. She talked to me about what you did. I mean, not this, but you hurt her. Did you have to be such a jerk? Seriously, Cassius? And what does this have to do with me? That was your choice!” I argue furiously.

“I did it because,” he admits, pausing, “I don’t know. I have no particular reason.”

Oh, God. He’s unbelievable. “Okay, but when?”

“It all happened in Athens after realizing you would never choose me. I asked her to drink with me, and then we were drunk, but I knew what was happening. I was sober. I know, that was so cliché. I know I was an asshole, but things have changed…”

“What do you mean changed? I saw you the other day in front of the spa! She was crying again—”

“That has nothing to do with this. That’s a different matter entirely,” he defends sincerely. “I’m only saying that I‘m confused, Alayna.”

I shake my head. “I don’t know, Cass. I can’t understand you anymore. This doesn’t sound like you.”

“Guess what? Maybe I’m really like this.”

“No, you’re not. You won’t be talking to me right now if you are. Maybe, whatever this is you’re going through, it’s a façade of who you truly are. Do you like her?”

He looks at me, surprised.

“You do like her,” I conclude.

“I don’t know if I like her. But I feel some sense of responsibility for her. Maybe because of what I did.”

“You wouldn’t come to that conclusion on that reason alone. How do you truly feel?”

“I know there’s no point in saying this. I’ve let you go and accepted I will never be your choice, but I haven’t gotten over you. That’s the truth.”

Previously, if he’d tell me something like this, I’d be shaken. I had to admit that at some point, I depended on him. I even imagined what my life would have been if I chose him instead of Brandon, but right now, the guilt I felt and the unwanted feelings I had for him are gone. What remains is our friendship.

“Come on, Cass. I know you. Maybe you just thought you hadn’t.”

“You think?”

“Oh, come on.” I roll my eyes. “But anyway, thanks for telling me this.”

“No, I should thank you for listening. She’s your sister. You have every right to be angry.”

“I still am, Cassius, and if you ever hurt her again, I will never let you get near her. It’s either you make up your mind or stay away from her. Your choice,” I warn.

“Yeah.” A ghost smile forms on his lips. “Hey, congratulations. You deserve this. Just so you know, Brandon never looked at anyone but you. You two just have to trust each other more, which I can see now. God, I always wanted to tell you that.”

I bump my fist into his arm with teary eyes. “Thank you, you jerk. And promise me you’ll talk to Arianna whatever your decision is. Fix this, Cass. I mean it.”

“Yeah.” He laughs. “I promise.”

***

After talking with Mom and Cassius, I returned to our room. All the uncertainties I felt in my heart are gone, and my anxiety has diminished. Everything that had fallen into pieces has finally become whole.

Brandon is fixing the bed when I enter. “What happened to your mother?” he asks.

I help him with the comforters. “She let me take her to bed. She’ll be fine.”

“And Cassius?”

“You were right. He’s not acting himself lately.”

“Is something wrong?”

“There is. With Arianna, obviously. He’s confused with his feelings.”

“Why?” He frowns. “Something else happened?”

“You know, I’m not supposed to tell you this, but you’re my husband-to-be, so yes, something happened. I’m just not going to tell you what that is because that is Arianna’s privacy.”

“Ah.” His expression eases, and he shrugs. “But did you speak to him about your concerns?”

I tell Brandon everything his cousin said to me. “We’re finally talking, so I guess we’re still friends. That’s what matters, right? I hate being awkward with him. It’s unnatural. After all, we’re all going to be a family.” I pause after fixing the sheets. “Hey, I need to change.”

“Oh, you don’t need to change.” He pulls my hand gently and pins me over the bed—his weight presses on me. “I’m taking it off anyway,” he murmurs, smiling sexily.

Brandon then captures my mouth in a deep, domineering kiss.