Between Us

Chapter 7

Alianna

The heavily guarded gates at the Lim mansion swing open as I drive toward it, my license plate registering automatically. I haven't been able to get myself out of the funk I'm in, and I'm hoping that Mackenzie can distract me.

All I've been able to think about all week is Max. I keep thinking of the way she smiled at me when she gave me my new tablet, and the happiness I saw in her eyes when she saw how much I loved it. I hate that she keeps giving me hope without even realizing it. It's in every thoughtful move, every moment we share. My thoughts have been tormenting me lately, my mind conjuring images of her in my parent's house with Crystal, the two of them reciting their vows, her kissing her in bed in the bedroom next to mine. My mind in intent on torturing me, and there's nothing I can do about it.

I just want to forget.

I can't even remember the last time I stayed at home when Max was there. I run a hand through my hair and sigh. No, that's a lie. I can vividly remember the sounds coming from Crystal's bedroom. Our rooms are right next to each other, and both of our beds are pressed against the same wall. I heard them together, all night.

It was years ago, yet I still can't get myself to stay at my parent's when I know Max will be staying over. I can't do it.

"Alianna, sweetheart," Abuela Lim says when I walk in.

I smile when she holds her arms out and walk straight into her embrace, "Abuela," I murmur, hugging her tightly.

She strokes my back soothingly, and I smile as I breathe in her distinct lavender scent, "Rough day, huh?"

"Rough week," I tell her.

"Come on. I'll have the staff bring out some chocolate cookies that I baked earlier Today."

"Wow," I murmur, "It's true love. You love me, don't you, Abuela? I always knew that I was secretly your favorite."

She chuckles as she leads me to her sitting room in the main house. I'd been planning to walk straight through toward Mackenzie's house, but I can't resist Abuela lim's cookies. Abuela's home is at the centre of the compound, and it connects directly to each Lim's siblings house through elaborate hallways. Whenever I come here, I always stop by Abuela's instead of driving straight to Mackenzie.

Abuela sits down and pats her legs. A soft chuckle escapes my lips as I lie down on the sofa, my head on her lap. She massages my head for me, and my eyes fall Closed.

"Your heart is aching," she says, her voice soft.

I tense, unsure what to say. I'm worried that she'll see straight through me. Abuela lim has this uncanny ability to read people, to uncover secrets. It's taken all of me to keep mine.

"Just tired, Abuela. I think I've just been working too hard."

"You've been running too hard," she corrects me.

I fall silent, scared I'll betray myself if I speak. I inhale deeply as I focus on Abuela's hands. She's always been able to soothe my worries with such ease. She's always provided me with the home and the love I lacked, never asking for anything in return.

Once again, I find myself wishing it was me who'd marrying into this family. I love my sister, but I can't help the resentment I feel. It's not just our parents and Max's love that she has...soon it'll be all of the Lims. She'll be Mackenzie's sister-in-law, Max's wife. They might be used to me coming here, but I'll never belong here the way she Does.

"Ali! You Abuela-stealing little bitch!"

I smile at the sound of Mackenzie's voice and throw my arms around Abuela Lim, hugging her waist as she chuckles and continues to massage me.

"I thought you came over to hang out with me, but really, you're here for Abuela. How rude."

I hear her chew on something crunchy and sit up, shocked, "Those are mine!" I shout, "They're my cookies!"

I lunge at her, but she lifts the place out of reach, "Kenzie, I swear to God. Give me the Cookies!"

She chuckles as she stuffs three of them into her mouth, emptying the plate, "You stole my Abuela, so I get your cookies."

I turn toward Abuela Lim with wide eyes, looking at her for support,

"Abuela!" I shout, but she merely shakes her head and chuckles, her gaze moving past us.

I turn around to find Max standing in the corner, her phone pointed at Mackenzie and me, "How much do you think I'll get paid if I sell this footage of a supermodel fighting for cookies?"

"Oh,no, you don't!" I say through gritted teeth as I stalk toward her. She smirks and holds her phone above her head. I might be tall, but Max is 5'11 and towers above me - not that'll stop me.

I jump up and reach for her phone, annoyed when I can't reach it, "Give me that phone," I snap, "Or what?" She says, laughing.

I narrow my eyes at her and grab her shoulders before jumping up, wrapping my legs around her waist as I reach for her phone. She's caught off guard and turns us around, pushing me against the wall roughly, her eyes on mine.

I blink slowly, suddenly realizing what I did, "I got it," I say, acting nonchalant as I delete the video from her phone. My smile melts off my face when the next photo in her gallery pops up. It's a photo of Crystal in bed, most of her body hidden behind the covers, and a bright smile on her face. I recognized the room she's in instantly. This photo was taken at my parent's house, probably on her birthday.

I push against Max, and she lets me down carefully, "Sorry," I tell her as I hand back her phone.

 She frowns in confusion, "What's wrong?" I shake my head and walk past her, towards Mackenzie's house. She follows me quietly. For a moment, it felt like we were back in our childhood, before Crystal and Max started dating. It felt easy and uncomplicated, but reality is anything but that.

"What did you see on her phone?" Mackenzie asks, her voice soft.

"A photo of Crystal. In bed."

She grabs my hand and entwines our fingers as we walk to her house, "I'm Sorry, babe."

I shake my head," It's my own fault."

"You know what you need?" She asks, "You need to just get wasted. Let's go out and trash talk my dumb sister until you feel better. How about that?"

I nod and tighten my grip on her hand. With the wedding approaching so rapidly, perhaps that's exactly what I need. One night to let loose and force myself to put an end to this.