The Tables Have Turned

Chapter 39: Tears Beat Me To It

We are now in front of a greyish painted house. 30 mins drive from our town. To be honest, for the duration of the ride my mind was wondering quite on different places. Not because I was looking outside the window and places are literally passing right before my eyes but because of the duffle bag I'm craddling right now.

I honestly thought when Grammy asked if I could help her, I thought it would have something to do with the kitchen, cakes, cupcakes and everything that comes with it but I did not expect packing Lester's clothes and stuffing it on a duffle bag for us to drive 30 mins to a town of multi-millionaire mansions. My definition might not be accurate but it looks like it. Its just modern houses after modern houses. The longer we kept driving the more anxious I get, I don't know why.

We stopped in front of cold looking house, which reminds me of a particular person and again, I don't know why. Wait, actually, I think its the coldness the the house imitate. Its sort of monochrome and the only color visible is the light and dark blue curtains, shutting everything inside from anybody's sight.

I did not notice Grammy walking up the steps to the dark blue gates. Dark blue. This color really suit that person. I thought to myself as I heard steps from the pavement on the other side. Somebody yanked the gates, revealing himself on the process.

I do be having this scenarious. I shouldn't be surprise but I was.

Paul Brook, came into view still in his work clothes, which composed of neatly ironed royal blue buttoned up shirt and a crisp dark brown Uniclo pants. Oh and he's Lester's older half brother. Its complicated. But I love this guy.

"I was about to get you. What took you so long gran?" he said letting out an obvious sighed of relief and proceed to step aside to grandma to walk inside. He clearly didn't notice me yet. I mean why would he, he did not expect me. And neither him to me.

Grammy looked at me for Paul to acknowledge and he did by raising his two thick eyebrows. He then looked at grammy for confirmation I guess and grammy gave him a knowing look. That unfortunately, only both of them understand.

He fixed his eyeglasses on his face and smiled at me "Hey Eliah, its been a while" and proceed to hug me.

"Hey Paul" I received his warmth and the smell of airconditioner of the hospital he works at, that lingers on his polo. "Nice house. Mirrored you perfectly" I complemented since my vocabulary ditch me. I'm still confused as to why I needed to be here. But I don't want to be rude. Plus, I'm still anxious.

I heard both him and grammy laugh but his chuckle sounds like a rumbling echo deep in the well hearing it from his chest. "Yeah? I appreciate that. Glad you like it" he said as he pulled out but still grabbing on my shoulders. He scanned my face, a weak smile playing on his lips. "Its been a while" he commented more to himself.

"Yeah" I still remember how he and papa meets at times to help out Lester. I was too hype up about the idea that Lester might start over a new life for me to get details about the process but eventually I did. And I greatly respect this man. For some unknown reason, he is still single at 33.

"Come inside" he told us and proceed to grab the duffle bag from my hands but I held on to it.

"I'll carry it. I don't mind"

He smiled and shrugged after a moment or two. "Suite yourself. Come on." he let us in first, Grammy on the lead.

"Oh Paul, dear? " Grandma called on to Paul as she proceed to the living room. The inside of the house is much spacious than I thought. The walls are white with a gray graphic line meeting the tiled floor from 1/3 of the wall. Painting are hanged on the walls which is the only thing that makes the house lively than it supposed to. But I guess that's Paul intention from the very first. To make the paintings pop. And I recognize the middle one on the far wall. Its one of my papa's work. And yes, papa paints too. "Where's Fellici at? " grammy continued once Paul was present.

He then proceed to smirk and I never seen this man or expected this man to ever smirk. And they are the same as Lester's. I clutched the duffle bag tighter on my chest. "You just missed her." he said continuing to what I guess is the kitchen. "Make yourself at home Eliah." Lacking knowledge on what to do, I followed him. Also, I needed a glass.

"Who's Fellici?" I asked out of pure curiosity. I don't know what emotions I'm showing but a there's a small tug playing on my lips.

"Aquaintance" his short and an obvious lie for a reply.

"Why would you even lie?" I exasperated.

"Because your giving me a teasing look that says, I thought you're never marrying. Knowing much well I could mingle just as you can. 33 is not old" he gave me a glass of water knowing well I needed one. For him to mention marrying, this girl is probably a keeper. I hope she is. Paul deserves one.

"Who would ever say that to you?" I faked sympathy after I gulped the water.

He rolled his eyes at me, still a smile is playing on his lips. He is so in love. Strangely and achingly, it remind me of what was once a regular sight for me when I was young. Mama and Papa used to smile like that. I miss it.

"Well, I hope she's the one. You deserve to be happy" I meant it.

He looked up at me from gathering snacks. He stared at me for a moment and his eyes soften, its like he's hurt just by looking at me. Not by what I said but about something else and I have a great guess as to what is that. "Thank you, Eliah" he said smiling at me warmly before he continued his work. "You deserve to be happy too.. " he let the words hang in the air before facing me. So I braced myself for his next words. "Both you and Lester"

A lump on my throat started to form and it took all my might to push it down because I am not about to cry again. I looked down and I almost forgot I was still hanging on for dear life on Lester's duffle bag. "Do you think he's okay?" I said caressing the bag. Paul didn't answer. I waited for a few more seconds. I want to lift my head but I'm afraid once I get caught on his eyes and warmth, I might start bawling. But the silence is way too long. I suddenly felt cold and I guess he shifted his gaze from me to something. Or someone. I felt a presence staring at my direction. I risk a glance over my shoulder and I almost lost grip on both the duffle bag and my baggage of emotions.

Lester William Riley Duncan is standing right at the opening of the kitchen. He's wearing a pair of sweat I did not remember he own but judging from the color, I guess he does not. Its Paul's, meaning he's been here. I don't know what to feel. Should I be relieved? Or happy? Or Sad? Mad? All I know is I'm much more confused compared to before I saw him. Especially with the dextrose by his side. Did something happened? I immediately, out of instinct, started walking up to him reaching one hand but he flinched away just by me turning on his direction.

Ashamed, he then pealed his eyes off me and proceed to glare at Paul. Glare? I would understand a playful one but his glare is completely not. If there is, its startling. Unnerving.

"You need to star-"

"We talked about this" Lester immediately cut his brother off. His breathing is ragged.

Suddenly, the air seems to be suffocating.

Paul's jaw tightened from the effort of straining himself.

Are they fighting? Are they on bad terms? What is happening?

No one spoke and the anger is rising by every passing second. I want to understand whats happening. I want them to stop, I don't like it.

"I'm the one who brought her here" Grammy said, standing by the opening as well. Everyone turned to look at her. Then Lester's expression relaxed. Obviously, understanding the situation with grammy in it. Lester already knew this is going to happen, especially with grammy. But why did this have to be a big deal?

Then everything that happens this past few weeks, all the distance that I felt, the hesitations, especially, his mother. All came to complete the unwanted and deceitful puzzle.

Before I could speak, my tears beats me to it and did the honors.

Not again.