Locked in Marriage

Chapter Four

Kayla sat awkwardly on the couch for a few minutes before standing up and running to her bedroom to get away from her father. She could not believe her father was that disrespectful to Colton who obviously did not want to be in their situation anymore than she did. She could hear her parents moving around downstairs and them arguing; a few seconds later she heard her father storm upstairs and slam the bedroom door. She knew it was safe to go back downstairs and have a civil conversation with her mother who seemed to actually like Colton. Kayla tiptoed out of her room and quietly walked down the stairs into the kitchen where her mom was putting away the wine.

"Mom," Kayla said quietly. Jane turned around and smiled quickly at her daughter and then turned back around to continue to clean the kitchen. Kayla knew her mother was not happy with her but she was being more civil then her father. The tension in the air was almost unbearable and Kayla leaned against the kitchen counter as her mother washed the countertop. She came close to Kayla but hesitated and put the cloth down and walked to the opposite side. Kayla felt the sting of her mother's disappointment and wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye. They had to speak; Kayla could not let this get out of hand anymore. She needed to confront her parents and be an adult and figure out this problem on her own.

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened. These things just happen there was nothing we could do about it. Neither one of us remember what happened. And it's not Molly or Finley's fault they were watching me but they can't keep an eye on me all the time. I'm actually surprised dad's secret agent buddies didn't stop us," she said sitting on one of the bar stools by the counter island. Jane laughed awkwardly at the last part obviously wondering the same thing, but she still hadn't made eye contact with her daughter.

"I know. I don't blame either one of you. I guess it's just the excitement of Vegas I get it. I fell under its spell once to you know," Jane said standing across the island from Kayla.

"What? You were secretly married too? Wouldn't dad have known I'm sure he did a background check on you," Kayla said shocked.

"No, I didn't get married. But I almost did, there was a boy I met and he was kind of like Colton. Good looking, wealthy, incredibly kind, we talked about getting married there but after my weekend trip was done and I flew back to Los Angeles we never spoke again so I knew it was never meant to be," Jane said. "Oh, and don't tell your father, he would be incredibly jealous." Kayla nodded. She couldn't believe her mother had almost done the same thing she did. Kayla began playing with a piece of her hair and Jane knew that was a sign that there was something else on her mind.

"What is it dear?" Jane asked finally coming over to the other stool and sitting down.

"I don't know. It's just weird. There are moments where I am so mad and disappointed with myself and I want to divorce him and never speak to him again. But then there are moments, like that moment where he defended himself and me against dad where I could see myself falling in love with him. It's the little things he does, like opening the door for me or holding his hand out while I get out of a car. Its things Nate never did for me that makes me think I could truly love Colton. He is so different from Nate. They come from the same background generally, they were both wealthy, but Colton is just so different," Kayla explained feeling like the world had been lifted on her shoulders. Jane had a tear by her eye and she wiped it as she grabbed a strand of Kayla's hair and put it around her ear. She pulled her in close and Kayla just hugged her mother breathing in her perfume and the alcohol she had consumed that day.

"Just give him a chance. There must be some good in him somewhere. He did come to meet us, that is a huge step," Jane said letting Kayla go and smiling at her encouragingly.