Shattered

Brunch

I realise now how lonely living alone is. But I only realised this because I lived in a house filled with people for almost six months.

If those six months were with Jeremy , I wouldnt notice the difference of me being here alone and me being at the house with him.

It was really hard to settle in at first, with how lively the Meyer-Hart house is. With Mrs Hart humming while working on chores and Charlotte pissing Nate off.

It was fun being there. But now I'm here.

I stand and begin making the bed. After dusting the room up, I move to the rest of the house.

Admiring the way Charlotte arranged Ethan's room. I dust off a few things and pull open the rectangular window. I fold some of the clothes that were still on the bed.

And then I clean Charlotte's room.

Right after that, I shower. Remembering that I have brunch with Mr Rickelle.

I pull on a pencil skirt and a red blouse. My hair is into a tight and professional bun.

I drive to Nathan's place. I'm not going  to say it out loud but I really missed this place.  I watch as the gates open for the Rolls Royce I'm in.

I park right near the garage and I go on and knock.

I waddle over to the door, finding the slight autumn air cold. The door opens.

"Gem?" Nathan greets. He looks so good after a night away.

"Hey." I smile and that causes his to return his boyish grin.

"Come in, you might freeze." He says chuckling.

We walk upstairs to the kitchen where he offers me coffee I sip on it gladly before I shoot a text to Mr Rickelle.

Me : Meet me at the coffee shop off Maine at 12.

I look at my wristwatch,  its ten past eleven which gives him enough time to get there.

"Its only been a  night and shes back?" Elizabeth says. Shes carrying her baby in her arms.

She heads to sit on the dinner table and she eats.

A knock sounds on the front door and Nathan heads to get it.

He comes back seconds later with the angriest scowl I've ever seen.

And a man with blonde hair and blue eyes follows behind him.

My mouth is slightly open when I see how beautiful this man is, he doesnt compare to Nathan's beauty but he is beautiful.

Elizabeth seems to notice where my gaze is trailed and she follows it. Her mouth falls gape as well.

I only have enough time or ability to hear her breathe .

"Usher?" She says.

But the man is focused on the little baby in her arms.

"So it is true? You left with my baby? Hell Elizabeth I didnt even know you were pregnant!" He almost yells.

Jas' blue eyes now make sense. They didnt have another colour to choose from those are her parents eye colour.

The man catches a glimpse at me and then he stares. A lustful look passes by his eyes so fast that I find myself pulling Nathan to me.

"You want to go out later tonight?" I ask out of impulse.

He nods and smiles. He is visibly calmer than he was before.

"Let's go. They need their space. Hopefully she'll be out of here after their conversation. " I say and Elizabeth glares at me.

We walk down to the gallery and out of the house.

"I'll see you at eight." He says.

I nod and step into the car.

"It looks good on you!" He yells while chuckling and wolf whistling.

I chuckle. Pulling out of the driveway and past the gate.  I hum to myself as I drive to the  coffee shop. My mind is everywhere but with the man I'd be meeting with.

A part of me is frightened shitless.

When I notice the little store on the main road and I walk in. A little bell chimes to announce my presence. A few people look up, some stare but others look back down at their pastries and coffee.

Mr Rickelle is seated by the window, watching where I parked the car. How creepy can this man get? He was staring?

I sink into the chair adjacent to him and i stare just as deep as he had been staring at my car.

Before I can speak, a young man walks toward us. Asking us what we'd like to order.

"I'll have a chai latte." I speak he nods and turns to Rickelle.

"I'll have a strong black coffee." He states.

The young man leaves. He stares at me, making me inwardly cower at how weird he's acting. I stare deep into his eyes.

"Get to the point Rickelle." I find myself saying. He stares wide eyed before he composes himself.

"You know that Nathan has been my Godson for almost twenty eight years." He begins.

"So you called me here to talk about Nathan?" I find myself getting impatient.

There is nothing I do to hide how much I loath this man. He stares at me.

"He is has been my own son for almost ten. And I know him, I know how he feels and what he deserves." He says.

"Okay–"

"And it's not you. You're not the one for him. You should leave him." He says.

The young man leaves the cups of hot beverages on the table.

"If that's what you think then you clearly dont know your 'son' Richard." I tell him and he smirks.

"And you do?" He asks.

"I have an idea." I say and it somehow causes him to smirk.

"I want you to marry me instead." He says.

I almost choke on the delicious chai latte.

"Excuse me?" I bite out. Anger boiling in me. I'm a bit annoyed with him. I state deeply into his eyes hoping that I intimidate him.

"Marry me." He pushes.

"But you're married... to my friend." I argue.

"You only met her the night before our wedding, she can't matter that much." He tries harder.

"But she matters. I wont do it." I tell him.

"Why won't you do it?" He asks. As if he cant see the reasons piling.

I stare at him indifferently.  Then I move to a reason I know most men would run from.

"I have a child." I say. He stares at him.

His lips fold into a hard line and turn pale. The clocks seem to be turning in his head as he stares deeply at me. I cough uncomfortably, hoping that he'll look away from my breast.

"Oh, he's Nathan's child. You can just leave him there with Nathan." He says indifferently.

"What is wrong with you? What kind of a godfather are you?" I ask suddenly agitated  by this man before me. Hot blood begins to surge through my veins.

"I care about Nathan." He claims.

"How? By taking away the only person that makes him happy? You know what Richard Rickelle, I'm done with you. I'm not marrying you." I grit through angry teeth.

"Not yet." Is all he says before I stomp out of the cafe.