𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐦 | 𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐮

CHAPTER TWO: WELCOME HOME

VERONICA STONE

While Tom was beating the shit out of people, I on the other hand was going back home, the one place I so destined tried to stay away from.

"Do you really have to leave?" my cousin, Anne, asked as we stood in the middle of the chaotic train station on the border of Paris, France.

Her raven black hair laying against her back gently as it perfectly showcased her soft facial features. Anne was a bit older than me as she was twenty-five meanwhile I was barely in my twenties.

"I do. You know how it is, mother is getting older and Reggie has been bitching me to go back. Besides I've been gone long enough, it's time to face my burdens." I reply timidly, looking down at the silver bracelet that vacated my left wrist a gift from my father.

Anne sighs in defeat, 'Well you know you are always welcome to come back if you ever need or want to." she offers kindly, making me smile knowing she was always going to be there for me.

"Yeah, I know that. Thank you." I said, pulling her into a hug.

My face nuzzles into her neck as my arms wrap under hers having my hands place on top of her shoulders. I never wanted to let go of her. I considered Anne more of a sister rather than a relative being there for me since I was a child but really taking me in as her own when I turned sixteen. Now, her family was beginning to grow when she gave birth to her first child and it felt I was intruding.

Though, I never told her the true reasonings for my departure. If I told her the truth I knew it would crush and make her feel guilty, but what was true is that Reggie, my older brother, wanted me to come back home after pleading or forever. I did truly miss him and the feeling of being with family of my own.

Anne steps back from the hug, her hands placing on my shoulders, "How does your mother feel about this whole situation though?" she asks, making my gut drop to my toes by the sudden question.

"I don't know." truly unsure of an answer, "I know she'll be upset that I decided to stay longer from her sent away, but she'll get over it." I look back up into her warm dark brown eyes to prevent her from seeing my nerves.

The only reason I was in Paris in the first place was because of my mother. After, I finished my years in secondary school she had sent me away to attend college to 'further my education' she said. I had wanted to attend school back in London to be closer to home but mother didn't respect my wishes.  Then the time had come where I had finish college, but I decided to further my stay longer than the intended plan. Of course, mother was outraged by my choices and had almost dragged me back home, but Anne stuck up for me like the person she was and offered me her home as long as I would like.

Now, the time was up and allow Anne to live out her life without having me dragging her down. I could see how me being there by her side like a needy toddler was preventing her from doing such things, so it as best to go.

"Ronnie, remember you don't have to do this." Anne said, worry written on her face but mostly in her dark brown eyes.

    Ronnie. A nickname that held so much meaning.

"I'll be fine. I truly want to go." I lie, giving her a warm smile to add onto the act.

Lying was something I mastered over my years of living. You had to lie to prevent people from barging you millions of questions you couldn't answer.

A loud horn invades our ears with its loud announcement that the train was here, "Your train," she points behind me to the big black passenger vehicle as it comes to a halt, "You stay safe, okay?"