SINS (Completed)

MISSING PIECES

The only reasons I say something hateful to Hardin, are to calm my anger down, and for I know he wouldn't be affected. But because he does get affected this time, I end up almost regretting my words.

He looks at me with an inexplicable expression, and I can't say what's going on in his mind. But he doesn't implore me further on the topic of the internship. In fact, he doesn't say anything at all.

It's a strange moment stretching between us. We both know that practically, I am right about what I said, but we both wish it wasn't so. Or at least that it wasn't spoken and put out in the obvious. Because now that it is, it's more hurtful.

His face morphs into sombre one, and for a fleeting second I see sadness flash across it. I sigh.

"Hardin, I didn't mea-" I don't get to finish my sentence, because the louder voice of Charles Hayden on the microphone, echoes all around. I turn to look at him, standing on a raised floor behind a dias, and every member of the press is hyper focused on him.

"Good evening, everyone. And I thank you all immensely for attending this gathering, and sharing in our sheer delight at the recent success the Scott Capital and Renner Industries, together, have achieved. No we have already discussed the figures and once again I would like to extend my gratitude to every employee of both the companies, for making this possible.

Now, for the other important matter that is yet to be talked about, that can't be possible without someone joining me. You all at the Soctt Capital know him all too well, and he is here with us today; Hardin, son can you come here a minute."

Everyone erupts in applause and looks back to where we're standing, or rather where he is standing. I turn to him, only to get appalled that he had not stopped looking at me ever since, including the whole of his father's speech.

My breath catches in my throat at the mere thought of this, and he walks away with one final look, every pair of eyes moving with him. I don't understand what's up with him, especially these looks that keep flashing.

We are supposed to be hating each other. We are supposed to be fighting. We are not supposed to be getting affected by whatever we say to each other.

We are not supposed to look at each other like- like we're something more. But I think, with every passing minute that we spend together, that line between what we're supposed to and what we're not blurs a little.

I walk over to Sean and the others, and his face asks me if I'm okay. I nod reassuringly.

Hardin stood beside his parents currently, the distance and discomfort clear on his face, but he tries to conceal it. I wait anxiously, thinking what next is going to go down between them, and I can't help thinking it's not going to be too good.

"Now, as you are all aware of the, unfortunate and misguided, unpleasantness of our relationship, today I want to make a step to heal that. Today, I start the makings of a new approach to my family, personal and professional. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you, the new 49% shareholder and owner of Scott Capital, Hardin Villamor Scott, and for all the-"

Charles goes on to speak of some formal protocol procedures, numbers and ownership details, but the whole crowd has already gone all excited and lively with murmurings erupting and the press has entered pandemonium, with camera snaps and questions.

I stare at the scene, wide eyed and core shocked, and instantly my attention averts to Hardin, who is staring at his father with the same expression.

"Holy fuck." Sean whispers beside me, and I gasp realising what I just witnessed.

"What just happened?" I ask dumbfounded, still staring ahead.

"Charles, you son of a player." Sean mutters with a mix of disbelief and disapproval.

"You knew about this?"

"Of course not, look at Hardin. Hell, he didnt know, and from the looks of it, that explosion might really happen after all. Charles really thought this was the best way for a truce?"

I look at Hardin, and the disastrous shock on his face is distinctly clear. He licks his lips, and looks ahead, trying to put on a platonic face for the world, but I know he is shook. But then I realize what Sean just said, and I turn to him.

"What do you mea- what truce?" I ask him inquisitively, and he looks back at me with the same expression.

"You don't know?"

He asks me gently, and almost unbelievingly, and I simply look at him, feeling that this isn't something good. He blinks and stares at me like he has deciphered something about me and Hardin, while I just look at him waiting for an answer.

"Tessa, Hardin is fighting a billion dollar case in court. Against his parents."

Every drop of colour fades from my face, and the words fall on my brain like a jolt of lightning. I don't speak for minutes, because I just- just struggle to understand, and accept the thing, and it's just so much, that I can't.

"What?" I whisper, unable to think. Sean is gentle with whole blow, and I hoped his calm tone could have helped with the shock, but it can't. Nothing can.

"Yes. Properties, companies, hotels, accounts, land, shares, every single nickel they've owned, he's out for everything. And he has the Matthews legal team backing him, he's got a strong case."

It all tumbles too quick, and I'm absolutely stunned. There's too many things. Matthews. Trevor, is in on this. And most disturbingly, this is some extent to which Hardin can hate his own parents. He can't possibly- Or worse, what did his parents do that can be so bad that Hardin had to resort to this.

He never even mentioned it once.

"When?"

Sean senses that there's something tragically sad about my and Hardin's history, and that his has somehow hit me too deep.

"Two years ago. It was the biggest business news of the decade. You- you didn't know?" He asks quietly and I shake my head.

"I'm guessing this might be some scheme of Charles, to call it a truce, but honestly, I don't think it's gonna work."

Because the pain of losing family- is- stifling. And I absolutely hated the thought of you having to feel it.

I feel a weird knot in my stomach, disturbed with this whole thing, and I look back at Hardin. He is standing looking out at the world with a strong front, and now I understand how that tough exterior had come into existence.

It's now that I can perfectly make out some lines of masked pain on his face. All those times, when his eyes would turn sad, helpless, calling out for help, I feel this might be one of the pieces of it. And I wonder how many more of these pieces he has in his closet, hidden and locked away.

Author's rant:

Hold on guys, slow and gradual every piece will fit in.

What do you think about this revelation? Any more theories?

Do ignore any typos or errors people. I have proofread but it's literally 4:30 a.m. so I don't trust my eyes, senses or fingers.

And because it's DOUBLE UPDATE FRIDAY-

Scroll on.

Love,
S.