Chapter 29 A friend indeed

Chapter 29 A friend indeed


Nyx's p.o.v

I saw her right in time as she was walking into the cafeteria, her jaw set tight and her hand folded tight before her. She smiled at the owner, I walked slowly behind her.

When she turned to me, her smile faltered and she marched towards the restroom in a speed I didn't know she possessed, I followed her nonetheless. My heart beating frantically in my chest.

“Lena please wait,” I called out to her but she kept walking only halting when she got into the restroom. When I got to the door, she pulled me in, and slammed the door shut.

“The hell did I just witness Nyx?” She asked, her eyes flaming with what I couldn't call anger but it wasn't a positive emotion either.

“I can explain.” I said.

“Oh go on.,” she threw her hand in the air dramatically. “Please do explain why your uncle was naked before you.”

I glanced around in fear. “Please tone it down Lena,”

“Okay. Explain.”

“Ummm…Matthew ordered me to paint a nude. Says the client or rather investor is too important to turn down.”

She frowned in confusion. “ But you don't do that. No one paints nude in this art house.”

“I said the same thing to him but he wouldn't listen. Says I would lose the job if I don't”

“So he forces you to paint your uncle naked?”

“Well…” I trailed off, looking away.

“What?” She demanded.

“He doesn't know he's my uncle?”

“That's not possible, I mean you both bear the same surname.”

I couldn't divulge further than I have, I don't know what Travis had planned, a third party might endanger him.

So in response I shrugged. “You might want to ask Travis yourself.”

She shook her head almost immediately. “I’m not that bold,” she said, exhaling sharply. “I can barely stand in the same room with your scary-looking uncle, talk less of confronting him.”

I snorted before I could stop myself, the sound brittle and humorless. The restroom fell quiet after that, the kind of silence that presses against your ears.

Then she reached out, her hand closing around my shoulder. She turned me to face her, her eyes searching mine, suddenly serious.

“Nyx,” she asked slowly, carefully, “have you… fucked him?”

My mouth opened, then closed again. Shame sealed my lips. I couldn’t say it out loud. I couldn’t give the words shape. How could I admit that I had let a relation touch me, have me, unravel me?

She didn’t push immediately. She just watched me, and that was worse.

“Nyx,” she continued softly, “is he the man you get wet for? Remember that question you asked me that day you came to my house?”

My throat burned as I nodded, ever so slowly.

She groaned, turning away and dragging a hand down her face. “Jesus… Nyx. I’ve been the one telling you to get a man, live a little, stop hiding.” She paused, then added reluctantly, “And yeah, he’s a fucking handsome man but…” She shook her head hard. “Your uncle? Nah. That’s where I draw the line.”

Tears slipped free before I could stop them. I didn’t want her to say the obvious. I didn’t need to hear it spoken aloud.
“We’re not doing anything again,” I said quickly, desperately. “It’s done.”

She turned back to me, her expression skeptical. “That’s not what I saw.”
More tears fell as I grabbed her hand. “Please, Lena. Don’t tell anyone. I swear it’s over. Please.”

She studied my face for a long moment, then pulled me into her arms. I broke against her, my shoulders shaking.

“I would never rat you out,” she murmured, rubbing my back. “Never. But I hope…really hope your words are true. For your sake.”

I nodded against her shoulder, clinging to her like she was the only solid thing left.



“I don't like this at all,” I heard a scream as I walked into the house, mom and Kent were standing in the sitting room, staring at the hallway above the stairs like they could see what I can't.

Mom glanced towards me and scowled. “Come here young girl, why didn't you come back home last night.”

Oops I had almost forgotten.

“Ummm…ummm.” I stuttered, boldness from yesterday already gone.

Just in time we heard.

“Since you wouldn't answer me, I will ask her,” we all stared at the hallway now where the voice was coming from.

“That bitch your uncle engaged in has been causing a nuisance.” Mom whispered to me, her anger forgotten.

“Why though?” I asked.

“We are about to find out,” Kent replied as he jerked his head to the stairs where Bianca was approaching hastily, Travis hurrying behind her as well.

“Bianca stopped. Don't fucking upset her,”

Bianca marched towards us, my heartbeat picked up. I was confused.

Did Mom upset her while I was away?

She stopped a few inches from me. “Explain to me why you share the top floor with my man. Just you two.”

Oh this was the cause of the ruckus?

Bianca sneered when I only shrugged.
“I asked you a question,” she snapped. “Answer me.”

“I don’t know what you want me to say,” I replied, keeping my voice flat. “Ask your man.”

Her lips curled. “I did. He wouldn’t let me upstairs. He wouldn’t say a damn thing. So now I’m asking you.”

Something hot and sharp flared in my chest. Anger. Humiliation. The familiar ache of being cornered for things I never chose.

“I’m not your problem,” I said, stepping around her. “Whatever arrangement Travis has in his house is between…”

She grabbed my arm.

I gasped, more in shock than pain, twisting instinctively. “Let go of me.”

“I won’t,” she hissed. “Not until that bitch explains herself to me.”

Before I could react, Travis was there.
“Bianca.” His voice was low, dangerous. He caught her wrist and yanked it off me. “Behave yourself.”

She struggled in his hold, heels scraping against the floor. “Don’t touch me! You’re protecting her again. Always her!”

“Enough,” he warned, tightening his grip just enough to still her. “You will not lay your hands on her. Ever.”

I stood frozen, my arm burning where she’d grabbed me, my eyes drifting to Mom and Kent.

They were watching.

Not shocked. Not furious on my behalf. Just… watching. Like spectators waiting for the truth to spill out on its own.

Something inside me cracked.

Bianca’s voice rose, shrill now. “That girl has to explain herself to me! You think I don’t see it?…”
“I said that’s enough,” Travis barked.
But the damage was already done.

I swallowed hard, my throat tight, my heart pounding so loud it drowned out the rest of her words. I felt exposed. Judged. Alone.
“I’m going out for a walk,” I said suddenly.
Mom turned sharply. “Nyx, don’t you dare step out like that…”

I didn’t wait to hear the rest.

I grabbed my jacket and my sketchbook,my hands shaking, and headed fo
r the door. Bianca was still struggling, still shouting, her words blurring into noise.
I yanked the door open and slammed it shut behind me.