Beneath The Rain (18+)

Chapter 17 : Deception

The Light

 I can tell she's tense. I don't really know what about but, she is. I know I kind of sprung this on her and it's a big allegation. Ashley is a mystery, if Brandon couldn't find everything on her gives me every reason to be concerned and suspicious about who she truly is. I won't tell Serena about my true thoughts yet. First we are going to ask Ashley's parents if anything has happened since the last time Serena talked to them. I believe it was around three years ago. Which is completely insane. Ashley and Serena are supposed to be best friends. What's worrisome is if they were that close the parents would have stayed by Serena's side while she was going crazy looking for Ashley. Honestly, Serena deserves the truth if there is an alternate reason for her friend just up and disappearing.

She's been silent basically the whole ride here. Besides frequently questioning herself and saying she loved the views Denver had to offer. We're pulling into Evelyn and Helmer's driveway. It's a huge house. I see where the money came from. It's beautiful but a bit cliché with the huge windows, dark stained wood accented with dark stone. It's pretty old fashioned though as if it's been around a century.

"Owen, I'm ready." Serena speaks up, her voice can only be described as empty but, I can hear the slight trembling slipping from her lips. Getting out I head over to her side and helping her out of the car like I always do.

As we walk, my arm absently leaves my side and wrapping around her waist with my hand resting on her hip. She looks over to me nodding a bit when we get closer to the door. This woman never ceases to amaze me one bit. Her arm reaches out gripping the large metal embroidered piece hanging on the door. She takes a deep breath before pulling it up and hitting the door twice. The loud bangs echoing through the building, loud enough to feel slight vibrations bouncing off the outside walls.

Her hand falls away from the door before shuffling appears from inside the house. Her face falls a bit but quickly straightens up into a forced smile as the door starts to open. Standing there is a spitting image of Enzo Lovius who is the father of Christian Lovius in which Brandon does his side work for. His eyes scan over me with a scowl then to Serena, they widen as if utterly shocked that she's standing before him.

"Serena? Is that really you?" His voice is low and shaken. His arms open wide to her. A big grin showing on his face. She moves away from me giving him a longer than necessary hug. When she pulls away. Evelyn pops out from behind who I'm assuming is Helmer.

"I had to come see for myself. Serena, I can't believe my eyes." Her voice cracking as she speaks her name. Serena moves from Helmer to Evelyn. Giving her a way longer hug. She pulls back, moving back to my side. Her eyes full of tears that won't be falling today. She won't let them, to her they show weakness.

Bet she wouldn't believe me if I were to say she looks absolutely stunning when she does let them fall.

"I thought that since I'm in town to see my mom. I'd come see you two." She speaks confidently, while giving them a big grin as she wraps her arms around my forearm.

"Oh dear, we have so much to catch up on. But first who might this young man be?" Evelyn speaks up, her sweet eyes crinkling when she smiles between us.

"This is Owen. My par- boyfriend. My boyfriend." She stumbles over her words, looking down at her I see the pinkish flush consuming her face.

Cute.

"Hello ma'am" I nod towards her "and hello to you too sir." I state, offering him my free hand. He stares me down a bit but, eventually shakes it.

"Helmer stop being so intimidating" she pats him on the shoulder which makes him move from the doorway as his eyes are still on me "don't just stand there. Come in. Come in." Evelyn says hastily, waving her hand inward and moving out of the way.

Leading us into a well decorated kitchen. The high ceiling. The color of everything matching perfectly. I like these people. My type of taste.

Does that make me cliché?

"Owen sweetheart sit wherever. If you need the restroom or anything to drink ask Serena. She knows this house like it's her own." Evelyn informs, slowly sitting down at the end of the table.

I follow Serena as she sits near Evelyn and I take a seat right next to her. If my allegation is correct, I hope these people are innocent. Helmer walks back in, taking a seat in front of me.

"I believe I know you." Helmer states, rubbing his hands together under his chin.

"Sir considering I live in the U.K, I doubt we've met." I glance over from Serena to him. Giving him a nod afterwards.

"Must be my age catching up to me." He laughs a bit, bringing his hand to his head.

"I'd love to catch up but, there's an actual reason I'm here today." Serena speaks up, placing her hand over Evelyn's. Which has the both of them tensing up a bit.

"Now I know it's kind of all a sudden. I need to know anything you might have found about Ashley since she's been gone." Her voice barely falters as she stares both of them down. They're looking at her like she's the crazy one. Which is not a good sign.

"Darling Ashley is fine. She's was just here a few months ago." As Evelyn finishes. Serena stands out of her seat.

"You didn't think to call me. I have been looking for her for almost FIVE FUCKING YEARS AND YOU DON'T EVEN THINK TO CALL?" She screams at them, her voice bouncing off the walls. I stand placing my hand on her shoulder.

"Little flame, sit. Maybe they have a reason." I whisper, before letting go and sitting back down as she does right after although she isn't calming down.

"It's not our place to air out Myia's business." Helmer speaks up. Did he just say Myia?

"Question if I'm aloud sir. Who is Myia?" I squint at him. His demeanor completely changes as he leans back with his eyes widening.

"Can't keep it forever I guess. Myia Ashley Lovius. That is her full name." Serena turns to me, her brows furrowed and tears swelling in her eyes.

"Serena, say your goodbyes we have to go. Sir, tell Enzo I said hi. He should know who I am. Ma'am, I have a question. Did she ever bring or speak of a man named David?"

"David? I do believe that's her boyfriend." She informs. I shake my head in disbelief. Ashley is a Lovius. We need to question her when we do find her.

"I apologize for the intrusion. Now I know why you two stopped looking. She was never missing." Serena stands, giving them both a disgusted glare. She grabs my arm heading to the door.

"Wait, Serena" she stops at Helmers voice coming from behind us "She was missing the first two years. I will only say this, when she came back. Myia wasn't herself, it was as if she was replaced with an empty void of the person she once was." He states softly, before turning and walking back to Evelyn.

Slipping into the car, I grab my phone to call Bray but Serena's hand stops me. "We still have to see my mom. We will deal with this later. It's not about finding her anymore." I nod at her demands, pocketing my phone while leaning over to her placing a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Yes, boss but, only because I am such a good 'boyfriend'." I glance over at her one last time before starting the engine.

I am slightly terrified to meet her mother.