Chapter 32 Chapter 31:
Arya:
“Did you know that Kevin was addicted to alcohol?” Wanda asks me, holding her phone up so I can see Anna’s current post clearly.
I widen my eyes, but focus on my computer in front of me. “I didn’t know when we were together, he didn’t drink, but I guess three years is enough to change someone.”
Sighing, I rub the nape of my neck. It feels foreign to imagine Kevin and I were once together, to everyone, he was this kind, gentle, protective boyfriend, but behind closed doors, he was a bit aggressive, and controlling.
“Weird though, rehab for a year? That seems like a pretty long time to me.” Wanda furrows her brows, still scrolling through her phone. It's almost closing hours and I am already packing up. The office feels so quiet without Axel yapping about his cat, or Wanda and Axel verbally brawling with each other.
“I know, I miss him too. It’s so lonely without him.” Wanda moves over to the counter and pours herself a mug of black coffee. “Clara didn’t come in for work today, weird because she never misses work.”
“Maybe she’s busy.” I shrug.
“Whatever. I am picking up my grandmother’s groceries after work.”
“That’s great.” I say, my mind drifting apart. It’s been days now since Logan Kane has blocked me, I haven’t received any word from him and anxiety is eating me down, Nicole says not to worry but I am. What if Devon never sees his twin brother again?
Why don’t they even talk? My phone rings with a call from Colin, my younger brother who’s in college.
“Hey, sis.” He says the moment I pick up and I can hear the beam in his voice. “What’s up?”
“Nothing really, just tired; I am heading home, what about you?” I ask him as I wave Wanda goodbye, it’s hard to imagine my life without Colin in it, I don’t even remember the countless times I babysat him while mom and dad were out on their dinner dates, though he was a hard nut, always sneaking out.
“Nothing much, just done with a class, graduation is approaching faster.” Colin sighs, and I can feel the tiredness seeping into his voice. In just a few months, Colin will be done with college, but I don’t know of his further plans if he might move to New York or stay with mom and dad.
Either way, I am going to support him no matter what.
“Got to go!” Colin says, disconnecting the phone.
Now, I have to get home.
\--
Liam Brookes:
Arya’s phone call has disturbed me for days to the extent that I brought a business class ticket to New York. The ride had me feeling all jittery. People always say that the heart belongs home, but mine doesn’t. My heart belongs far away from home.
Coming back to where everything happened feels so strange, the moment the pilot announced we were landing, I masked down all the nervous feelings and the anxiety. Breathing in the scent of New York, I feel sick to my stomach. I already had one of my closest friends bring my car, so now I am driving aimlessly in the streets with no particular direction to go.
I consider calling Arya just to let her know that Devon’s twin brother, which is me, is back in New York, but I doubt how she will take this. Personally, I don’t like surprises. My mind drifts to my brother, Devon.
For a moment, I wonder how he is. Of course, I have looked at all his social media, he rarely interacts there, there’s a few awards shows he has attended over the past few years, I do have to say, he grew up much better than I imagined.
My phone rings with a call and I click accept, my hands tightening around the steering wheel. It’s my agent, Lisa and she does not sound happy.
“Hi. Liam. You told me you were going to update me on the progress of your book, well it’s been a month.” She sounds impatient and I don’t blame her, I have been bailing on the progress of my new books, the pressure from the readers is making me almost lose my mind. I have been staring at my blank document for the past two months, either the inspiration won’t come or I am too wounded up with my past.
Maybe that’s why I am finally back, I need to get the weight out of my chest, I want to feel free again.
“Where are you now? Your assistant said you were out of the country, she mentioned New York. Maybe, I should set up meetings with some thriller authors who reside there, get to know them, and pluck some inspiration.” She says, smacking her lips together, “we could also arrange a couple of book signings, I am sure your fans there will love it.”
“I have to go now, Lisa.” Without waiting for her answer, I disconnect the call. I can almost imagine her flared nostrils and flushed face, but I will deal with her later. I come out of the door, slamming the door of the car shut. The evening is busy, a few stores here and there, people walking, coats on their bodies to keep them from the cold.
“Devon Brookes!” I hear a squeaky voice and I stiffen, what the hell? I cast my eyes to the direction of the voice, a brown light skinned woman with full braids makes her way towards me, hauling too many groceries bags on both hands.
Should I turn away? Get in my car and pretend like I don’t know her? Clearly, she must know Devon but not enough to mistake me for him.
When she reaches in front of me, I notice her forehead glistening with sweat, she’s wearing a sleeve top with dark jeans, her braids falling over her forehead.
“Devon, I really need to ask for a favor. I need to get these groceries...” she waves them in front of my face, still rambling on. “To my grandma, she’s old and I don’t want her stressing. Can you give me a lift?”
I furrow my brows in confusion, clearly I don’t know who this woman is, and she won’t seem to shut up.
“You don’t remember me?” Her voice is laced with disappointment, “It’s me, Wanda or Wendy, either way. You know, I babysat Vera the other day.”
Who in the hell is Vera?
“Arya and I pitched a proposal to you.” She keeps on rambling, Arya. Right. I know one thing; this woman knows who Arya is.
“Where is she? Arya?” I ask, my tone cold. She steps forward, gets on her tiptoes and places a warm hand on my forehead, I jerk backward in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Making sure you are okay. Devon...Did you hit your head or something?” She asks, wariness in her deep glossy brown eyes. My eyes drop towards her lips, full and coated in pink lipstick, it feels tempting not to lean in. I have to get as far away from this woman as possible.
“I am not Devon.” I reply calmly, and she widens her eyes, stepping backward in shock.
“Oh, fuck! I am so sorry; you just look so much like him. I feel stupid, rambling to a complete stranger.” Does she not know that I am Devon’s brother? I don’t think so, heck. No one knows I exist.
This woman is the only key to Arya Morris, but can I trust her?
“Take me to Arya though, I need to see her.”
She furrows her brows, her mind running wild. “What are you? Why do you look so much like Devon Brookes? Are you like his identical twin brother or something?” She begins laughing so hard which makes me grow annoyed, she keeps laughing but when she sees my non-smiling face, she pales.
“Oh shit, you are his identical twin brother.” She exclaims, “What the hell? I can’t believe you are Devon’s twin brother, why does no one know this?” She shouts so hard, I have to take her into my arms and clamp my hand over her mouth to keep her still. A few passersby stare at me strangely, and I smile.
“I am not kidnapping her, nothing to worry about, folks.”
I open the car and shove her inside, getting into the driver’s seat. I hit the gas pedal. “Call Arya and let her know I am here.”
“I am texting her instead, she’s like my best-friend, you know.” Wanda or Wendy, whichever she’s called says, angrily brings out her phone and begins texting furiously. “Okay so, Arya’s a bit shocked, but she will meet us at Imperial Restaurant.”
“I still can’t believe this, it’s so weird. Why don’t the media know?”
Her rambles are making my head pound in pain, talking with people has never been my speciality, they annoy me especially when they won’t stop talking, however in this situation, I have to make small talk.
“So, you are from around here...?” I ask, as she gazes out the window.
“Ah, yes. I am half American and half Nigerian, my mother came here when she was a teenager, fell in love with my American father and boom, here I am.”
“What’s your Nigerian name?” I ask calmly.
“Toni.” She beams at me, inching closer. “So, what do you do?”
“I am an author.” I don’t bother elaborating; we descend in a comfortable silence as she shows me the route to Imperial Restaurant. When we reach, she leaves her groceries bags in my car and follows me inside. I see a woman already standing at her door, tapping her feet impatiently, the moment she sees us, she approaches us.
“Logan Kane.” I am guessing she’s Arya Morris, not exactly what I imagined her to be, full jet black hair, gray-blue eyes that sparkles against the light, it’s a surprise my brother is in love, even when we were kids, we were one of those few people who believed love was a scam.
Arya looks over my shoulders and stares at Wanda. “Thank you so much,”
“Right.” Wanda says, “I guess this is my cue to bugger off. I have to get those groceries for my grandma anyways.” She gives me a salute, and walks out. Arya finally turns towards me.
“I already reserved a table.” We walk towards the table and when we are both comfortable, I speak up first.
“Liam. My real name is Liam.” I sigh, keeping my voice low. “Your call had me thinking. You have such an effect on me, Arya.” Her face turns bright red as she mumbles a thank you.
“Did you text Devon already?” I ask, looking around. I actually look forward to seeing my brother.
“Yes, he’s coming soon. However, I didn’t inform him you were here,” I can see the question in her light eyes; she wants to ask why we drifted apart and what caused it. Though, I don’t think it’s my place to tell her. She’s the one dating my brother.
“Heads up, he will be very angry if he sees me.” I say, and she widens her eyes. “Don’t be shocked but you are about to witness his anger, it’s different because he will be calm yet angry, trust me, his silent anger is much worse.”
“What do you mean?” She asks.
“Don’t expect Devon to yell, he rarely raises his voice. Just wait and see how he reacts when he sees his twin brother in New York after so many years.”
Devon and I fought a lot when we were a kid, that was understandable, we- I argued over things that didn’t matter like who got bedtime stories from mother. Devon amazes me, we are different in many aspects, however we are mostly alike.
Arya keeps on studying me. “Wow. I mean, you look like him a lot; Your green eyes are much lighter though, a little bit like Vera.”
She widens her eyes when she says Vera. “Who is Vera?” I ask.
“Oh shit.” She grimaces, “Our daughter.”
“Fuck.” I exhale, Devon has a daughter. “Does that mean I have a niece?”
A shadow looms over us and we snap our eyes to see Devon staring up at us with his darkened green eyes, there’s a clench in his muscle as he glares hardly at me. From here, I can see the blazing fire in his eyes.
I force myself to smile lightly. “Long time no see, brother.”