Hiding In Plain Sight: Deception & Lies | Book 1-2 | Vol 1-2 | (Original Series)

Volume 1 Chapter 15: News Years Party!

Previously: It's been a few days since Lucy first celebrated Christmas with Grant and Alex. Now the new year is coming up, and she's planned a party in her new apartment for everyone to come, with one exception her father Henry.

Grant and Alexander came by to help her set up the decorations for the party. They showed up with "snacks" and tasty finger food. Grant set up the trays of food, while Alex helped Lucy hang up the happy new years letters.

Time skip to News Years~

Lucy opened the door and greeted Sarah in and smiled at her choice of alcohol for the party. "Red for us fancy ladies and booze for the men." Lucy gestured towards the two men with slight smiles across their faces. "It's nice to meet you, are you the wonderful woman working with our Lucy?" Alex asked with his charming smile. He reached out and she grabbed his hand. "Oh, what's this? Lucy, you didn't tell me that your friend's were so handsome and charming." Lucy laughed nervously as she looked at her boss. "Yeah, sorry about that. This is…" Alex was pushed aside and Grant greeted Sarah graciously,"It's great to make your acquaintance ma'am. I'm Grant Avery and this is my sly fox of a brother, Alexander Avery. We are old friends of Lucy's biological parents. We didn't mean to worry you a few weeks back. I think I remember seeing you at the airport, or am I mistaken?" Lucy looked at Sarah surprised. She shook her head,"It's all good sir. I'm glad you are taking care of my friend." She shook his hand smiling happily.

He nodded his head and walked towards the kitchen to get the wine opener. "A sweet red huh? I'm curious about how it will taste with our finger food I cooked for us tonight." Sarah set down the wine bottle and smirked slightly intrigued by his insight about wine. "So you are a wine kind of guy and not booze?" He shook his head and went to say something but then he watched Sarah as she placed the chicken nugget in her mouth. She bit down and the juices hit the back of her throat. She made happy sounds as she chewed the food up. She swallowed and then pointed at the tray of food. "You are going to have to give me the recipe on how you made these delicious chicken nuggets." He chuckled softly amused at her reaction and continued to open the wine bottle. "I'm sorry but it's a family trade secret but I can come over some time and show you how to make it personally for dinner?" He grinned widely as he locked eyes with her. She giggled at his forwardness and leaned up against the counter. "Sure thing. I'd love that very much, Grant."

Back to Lucy and Alex: Lucy was shaking slightly with nerves. "Hey, it's going to be alright. He can't reach you here, and if he does I'll protect you." He placed his hand on her shoulder. She looked up at him and nodded her head and made an agreeing sound. "Okay, I'm going to freshen up, will you please take over for me?" He nodded his head and she ran towards the bathroom. He leaned up against the wall near the door and got on his phone. He had full access to Sarah's information, just from being close enough to hack her phone. He smirked slightly and pocketed his phone and nodded at his brother. Grant saw his brother's signal and poured Sarah a glass of wine with a memorizing smile and look in his eyes.

Meanwhile Henry is drinking hard liquor and cleaning his service weapon. His rage regarding Hannibal Lecter was growing even more. "That criminal is winning, what now? I can't believe I care about her well being…" He gulped down his glass of hard liquor and slammed it down on the counter. "She's going to find out, he's going to turn her against me."

Alex heard a faint knock at the door. He walked over, opened the door and greeted the two final guests. "So you're Lucy's mystery friend she mentioned?" Zachary asked curiously with a slight hint of toxicity. He was a little bit wasted. "Sorry about that, when I picked him up he was drinking whiskey. I'm Adam and this drunken mess is Zachary." Alex sighed softly,"Well good thing he has such a great friend looking out for him huh?" Adam nodded his head and smiled genuinely. "Hey Sarah! And old man!" Zachary stumbled towards her drunkenly. She shook her head and sighed heavily with disappointment. "Adam, I thought I told you to bring him here sober." He apologized as he walked towards her with Alex. "Hey where's Lucy?" Adam asked, looking at Sarah. "Oh she's getting changed into some better clothes, I'll go check up on her." Alex  stated while smiling. "How about you relax and eat some homemade snacks. I'll be back with our wonderful host shortly." Alex turned the corner and knocked on the bathroom door softly. He heard faint sounds of whimpering and sniffling. He got worried and opened the door to see her crying and shaking. "Hey there, what's wrong?" She looked up and lunged towards him. His eyes widened slightly at her hugging him so suddenly. "I'm sorry but I'm just not used to being on my own. I'm scared, please don't leave me." He wrapped his arms around her and hushed her concerns. "We both know that this isn't the real reason you are scared." She pulled away and locked eyes with him. "You are scared of them not accepting the truth of what happened with your father. You don't have to worry, Grant and I are here for you. We will tell them what happened together." He hugged her tightly and then took a step back out of the bathroom with a gentle look in his eyes. "Come on, let's go enjoy ourselves. After all it's a new years party, just relax and put your trust in me." He held out his right hand for her to take, she reached out hesitantly and grabbed it smiling happily.

Lucy turned the corner in a fancy red dress but had sneakers on because that's just how she rolls. Alex was casually walking next to her with his classy black dress shirt with black jeans and black boots. He caught Adam's eye, Alex returned an interested glance back at Adam as he cleared his throat and gestured over to Lucy. "Our lovely hostess has returned. What's on the agenda of this party, Miss Lucy?" She was nervous but put her trust in Alex and Grant to help her when needed.

Lucy: "Let's all think over our wishes for the new year and have some fun!"

Everyone: "Yeah!" They all clinked their glasses and drinks together.

Zachary: "Um, where's the big boss?" He said slurring his words.

Lucy: "Oh um about that…" She glanced over at Alex and Grant.

Alex: He wrapped his arm around her and waved off the question. "His invitation was rescinded due to his lack of respect for Lucy moving out on her own." He shook her slightly with a small encouraging smile. "She can tell you about it later, but for now let's watch the ball drop from the TV. Right hostess Lucy?" She hesitantly nodded her head trying her best to keep her spirits up.

As they all waited for the ball to get its countdown. Alex and Grant got to know Lucy's friends a little more. They seemed good enough for her to be around in their minds.

A few minutes later: The ball slowly descended down to the bottom. They all thought about their wish for the next year.

Grant: "I wish to be by my lovely Lucy's side, some more. Before I have to go through my multi-step plan to end this charade and claim you as mine."

Alex: "I wish for the chance to look underneath Sarah's hood. Heh. I actually want to spend more time with my niece."

Sarah: "I wish for better weather, I really hate the rain. I mean it's one of reasons I left the UK. Ugh."

Adam: "I wish to find someone special."

Zachary: "I wish for Lucy to return my feelings."

Lucy: "I wish to get to know everyone a little bit more, and I want to keep them all close."

Henry was staring at the old photograph of Hannibal Lecter that was taken when he was younger. "I don't have to wish for anything, because I'm going to finish this game of chess once and for all. I'm going to make her come back to my side, even if I have to use some unsavoury methods. Damn you, Lecter. I'll make sure she chooses me over you."

To be continued…Next Volume!

(I just wanted to thank everyone for the support! This is my first attempt of writing a crime series. I hope to get better the more I write! If enjoyed this go check out my other works and don't forget to follow me! As well check out my social media!)