White & Gray

chapter 12 - hotel room

"You son of a..." was the word that woke me up. Heard a laugh followed by food steps. That's when I saw Vince chasing Sam. It was too early for me to figure out what was happening.

A few minutes later, I came to my senses and realized Vince and I fell asleep on the couch while we were talking about my night.

Then I saw the couch Vince was sleeping on was now wet. Sam pulled down water on Vince to wake him up, that's why there was a chase. That made me smile though. It's been a while since I heard the sound of them in the house. As I drank my coffee, they were still running like children.

They both stop when Jason yelled, "Stop you, idiots!". Now their faces both were like little kids who got caught by their father. That made me laugh.

"C'mon Jason. Just one sip and you will be okay." I gave his coffee mug to him. He was not a morning person. He sat down for breakfast as Vince walked upstairs. Sam and Dylan joined him in the kitchen.

Jason finished his coffee and yet he was still sulky. I was mad again. I just want everybody to be happy at the same time, and I really need to know what's bothering him. This was the time I felt like Vince. I had this need to make people happy, at the same time, always and forever. I had the need to control this.

Vince came near us, said "Wait here." and left.

Everybody was frozen till he come back. He gave me car keys, and a hotel card as Maya brought my bag. He told me, "Here is where you are staying for 2 days."

This was familiar. He did not have to say more. Same procedure every time. She is in, I am out.

"Winter is coming," Sam said jokingly and touched my shoulder. That touch gave me a shiver. I didn't know if it was because I'm mad or if I don't know the other reason.

"She-devil is coming," Jamie said laughing. Dylan was looking at me with a completely blank face. "Vince's mom," I said to him. He was even more confused.

'"I take Dylan." I said. Everybody got poisoned by her at least once. This was one of the things that Dylan should stay out of.

"Let's go," I said to Dylan and walked out.

I told him right away when he got into the car and tried to wear his seatbelt, "She hates me." More like letting it out.

"Why?" he asked in a very cute way like no one could hate me. I liked the fact that he thought highly of me.

"Well, I told you my dad used to work for Vince's dad. My dad worked since he was 9 years old on the other hand Vince's father was just like Vince. He took over his dad's job. So apparently my father was the mastermind behind some of his plans. Vince's mom, Sharon blames me for them."

"What?" He said shockingly.

"Not that she blames me, but when she sees me, she thinks of my father. We look alike. So.. but I get her she is mourning for her husband. By the way funny thing, my mom believes that too." I said. My eyes were full now, clearly not a funny thing.

"We are here," he said. We got out of the car and walked into the hotel.

"Cosy," he said.

"Exactly! That's how I like it." I said.

We watched movies and ate. We had already done everything. So he said, "So you miss her."

"Is it obvious?"

He smiled, "Well, you cried when the girl's mother came to the house and stopped the party at the movie. It was not an emotional scene." Tried to make this make less hurtful.

"I miss her less than I thought I would. That is weird. I do not miss her and my dad. Thanks to Vince and me being furious at my mom. It just covers my emotions maybe. I just sometimes miss the dinner tables. That 4 person crowd. Like when I eat at that table I'm more full you know like you just don't only eat but feel good with your family. I do feel that good with Vince too. But I remember the old days... I wish they did not turn into who they are today. But I have to accept the fact that they are just like that. I can't change them."

"Hmm," he said. "I don't think there is white and black in this. It is a gray area when it comes to family."

"Well, it is easy for you I guess to feel that way. Don't get me wrong. You grew up with them. They have a credit on you nice memories, maybe a few pieces of advice. My best life pieces of advice are from Jason. I don't have a lot of good memories of them. I don't remember the last time I was at a big dinner table." I said.

"Hmm," he said again with a smile.

"What?" I questioned.

"My mom having dinner at our place today. I did not go because I came here. Do you want to go?"

"Why am I about to say yes to this?" I questioned as I stood up and got my jacket.

"You have to pretend to be my girlfriend though, I can not explain my job to..." he stopped as a openned the door "... mom."

"Excuse me. She has to do what?" Vince asked being the answer to my question of why Dylan could not finish his sentence.

"What are you doing here Vince?" I asked.

"Am I interrupting something here?" he kept looking at Dylan. He wasn't Vince, he was Mr. Stern.

"No. We were about to go out." I replied.

"If you want to get Dylan fired, there are easier ways Diana." he still did not meet my gaze. "I will be staying Dylan. You may leave."

His tone made me feel like either Dylan leaves or he dies. Of course, he obeyed the order. I followed him to the elevator knowing that I will be hearing about this from Vince.

"I am sorry Dylan. Thank you for your offer by the way."

"That's okay." he responded.