The FIRE in You

Chapter 35: Family dinner

Lawrence's POV

"You finally decided to show up. You even have hickies to show off. Huh!", Hellen said making me rush to the restroom and look in the mirror. I straightened my collar making sure it covered the hickies then went to the kitchen.

"Finally! I was starving", Penelope said then rolled her eyes at me. I haven't changed my mind. I still like to keep my distance from relatives. This was the only family dinner that was mandatory for everyone. It happened once a month and Mother would kill any who didn't show up so, here I was.

"Ok everyone dinner time!", Mother shouted when she saw me. We went to the dining room and started eating. Normal chats were going around about Penelope's college stuff then Hellen's quest for getting pregnant, Lloyd being the perfect husband, he comforted her.

"So, Lawrence, what's this I hear about you and Aubrey's little sister?", Mother finally asked. I was waiting for my turn. This was going to get messy, she loved Aubrey.

It wasn't surprising, they both loved keeping people close. Mother praised her every time I brought her to a family dinner because she took care of her sisters after their parents died. Coming to think of it, they were always laughing at something when she was around.

"Honey, there's nothing to it. They got drunk and had sex", father beat me to it. "I take that the conference was your idea then?", she asked her father who looked uncomfortable. "Yes, it is for his business. Come one Lawrence tell you Mother how much your business has grown because of it", Father said, desperately asking for support. "I hear that sales have tripled over the last week", Lloyd said making me nod. He is such an ass-kisser, I bet if Father told him to kill someone he would. That's how dedicated he is to Father.

"You see?", "So it was all about publicity then", Mother asked. "Of course my love,"  Father said looking relieved. "And what of Aubrey's feelings? Did she consent to such a strategy?", Mother pressed making Father swallow hard.

"To think that you're the adult in this matter. I'm very disappointed in you Elias. Excuse me, I think I've lost my appetite", she said then stood up and left the dining room. "Fuck! Crystal wait", Father called her as he rushed to follow her.

"Well I guess it's not a Columbus family dinner without some type of drama", Hellen said then reached for a glass of wine that was in front of her. I remained quiet.

"Lawrence, that was not right. You shouldn't have gone there", Penelope said and for the first time, I was speechless. I always had a comeback for her but this time. I had nothing.

What was I supposed to say when I just came from having sex with Maya again? The fact that it was just sex makes me feel even more guilty.

"She's an adult Penelope, she could have said no. Why are men always to blame in these situations? It's not like he forced her. What if she's the one who seduced him? Did you ever think of that?", Lloyd said making me turn to look at him. Did he just defend me? He never did.

"Huh! So you would sleep with Penelope to get back at me?", Hellen asked with a raised brow. "Of course not. All I'm saying is, they're both at fault. We should stop blaming Lawrence alone and blame both of them", he said and went back to finishing his food.

"Have you reached out to her?", Mother asked almost giving me a heart attack. "How did you know I was in here?", I asked, it always surprised me that whenever I tried hiding, Mother would find me without a fuss. "You always hide in your father's office when you want to be alone", she said making me smile. "Now answer the question", she said then leaned on the console that was right next to where I was sitting. "No, she already hated me for trying to ruin her relationship with her dumb firefighter", I said feeling like I was being choked.

The thought of that idiot putting his hands all over my Aubrey made me want to end him.

What did he have that I didn't? He was a nobody, a poor bastard who was way below her standards. He had a one-bedroom apartment for fuck sake.

How do I know this?

I had my PI dig him up and give me all the details, that was when I found out that he had nothing and had no right to be in my Aubrey's life.

"So you still love her?", mother asked. "More than anything. I know that I have done some stupid things and said things that hurt her but I have never not even once stopped loving her", I said baring my heart out. "Are you sure son?", "What does that mean?", I asked feeling confused.

She decided to sit on one of the visitor chairs and look me in the eyes. "My sweet boy. You have always been like this. I guess I thought that Aubrey could help you change somehow but even she wasn't enough", she said the tears falling from her eyes.

"Lawrence, when you love someone, you do not cheat on them. You crave only them. They become the center of everything you do and your only wish becomes to make sure that a smile does not leave their faces", "I know that, that's why I gave her everything she wanted", I defended but she raised her hand and I stopped.

"Lawrence, Aubrey only had one source of happiness. Her sisters. You wanted her to leave them. When she refused, you found comfort in other women instead of talking to her to find a solution that would suit you both. She loved you Lawrence, she was there for you when none of us could. Why would you do such a thing to her?", my mother asked and I was speechless.

"If you really loved her you would have been at her home right now begging her to forgive you instead of coming to my house with hickies", she said the last part and stood up. She left me to my thoughts.

I was about to follow her when Father walked in looking pissed and switched the TV on.

It was the business news.

《《《The news anchor reporting》》》》

"Today marks the beginning of a new era in the renewable energy industry where Netherenes Corporation and Fiducia launch the sustainability campaign known as '#abrighterfuture' that aims to revolutionize solar energy around the world. The campaign is said to feature the most advanced technology that will be made affordable to all call citizens. On other news th-",

《《《The news anchor reporting》》》》

"This is what Philip was saying. It didn't take long huh!", Father said too calmly. "It's ok Father, I can handle this from here", I said and he nodded.