Babysitters

Chapter 37

THEODORE NOTT

I watched as Veronica stormed past me with negative feelings radiating around her surroundings, yet her strides were determined and meaningful. I knew she might get mad.
Not might, I knew she'd obviously get mad.
But it still hurt. She hadn't spared me even a glance. I just wanted to keep her safe, and I admit, my methods were terrible and leaving the phone number I knew I wouldn't be able to answer was an awful thing to do, but I didn't know of what else to do. I hadn't been thinking, and now I was paying the price.
I never wanted to hurt her.
I knew there was a big chance she wouldn't want anything romantic with me anymore. The thought scared me, more than anything.

Suddenly, I felt a sense of deja vú. I remember thinking of this a while ago.
I hoped more than anything we'd find the artifact quickly. I missed her. Just as things were starting to get more real, I had to leave. A silent prayer left my lips in the form of a heavy sigh. A pray that things wouldn't get ruined my me. By this.
If she'd left me without saying a word, I'd be mad too.
A hypocrite.

I moved my gaze from the floor to Enzo who'd came back from wherever him and my girl went. My face developed a questioning look towards him. I was dying to know what they talked about.
"It's bad," Enzo finally let out.
I looked at him blankly while Mattheo cringed, looking down.
"She's like, really, really upset," Enzo continued, letting out a sigh. "I promised I'd explain everything to her."
Mattheo's head snapped towards him. "What is your idea of 'everything'?"
"Jesus Christ," Enzo groaned. "I won't tell her that."
"You better not," Mattheo replied bitterly. "If you do, I will beat you up."

I understood where Mattheo was coming from, but keeping the marriage from Veronica felt so incredibly wrong. Not to mention, the word itself triggered something dark in me. When I thought about it, I could feel the suppressed feelings bubble up to the surface. Every time I closed my eyes, I could see Veronica in a beautiful wedding dress, walking to the altar where Tom was waiting for her. Waiting to claim her for life.
Not. Going. To. Happen.

LORENZO BERKSHIRE

Oh, if only Mattheo knew...

Veronica had been aware of the marriage for a long time, and seeing the threat in Mattheo's expression made me, to be honest, a little bit nervous. But I had to trust her to keep her mouth shut. If she won't, well, fuck me.
"I'm going to go to her room. She's waiting for me," I said out loud, shooting a apologetic expression to Theo who had a frown so deep on his face I almost feared it'd get stuck like that. For Mattheo, I didn't bother, because he looked more like a rabid dog.
"Maybe I should—I don't know, join you," Theo replied, the hopefulness evident in his voice. I understood very well why he was trying to worm his way into Veronica's room, but I understood even better V wouldn't want to see him right now.
"Yeah, uh, no," I huffed out a strained laugh. "I don't think that's a good idea."
"Why not?" Theo asked, his frown deepening even more if possible. "I mean, yeah, I know why not, but I think it'd be good if I—"
"Nope," I cut him off. "Maybe later, loverboy, but right now I think she needs space—"
"You were there too!" Theo snapped. "You didn't say a word of our mission to her either, so if I can't see her, it's only fair—"
Mattheo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before gently pushing Theo against a wall. "You," he pat his cheek, "are acting like a child. If she says she only wants to see Enzo, then that's how it's gonna be."
"But—" Theo began, but was cut off yet again.
"Why do you think she's more hurt by you not saying anything, huh? One plus one. Use your brain," Mattheo taunted, patting his cheek again, this time a bit harder.
"I—"
"Because—"
"Let me speak, goddammit!"
"No," Mattheo continued, his voice so low and calm it sounded like a therapist speaking to a client. I burst out laughing.
"Because," Mattheo inhaled deeply, "she has romantic feelings towards you."
I pretended not to hear the 'at least I hope so' that he muttered under his breath.
Theo shot a murderous look at both of us, before pushing off from between the wall and Mattheo. "I swear, I'll kill you both."
Mattheo smirked at him, while I was still fighting off the cackles escaping my mouth. I left the two best friends there as I began walking to the direction Veronica had just minutes ago.

I understood Theo was on edge. His crush was promised to someone else, to his friend, and he was expected to just watch from the side. I'd be mad too. I could also see why Veronica is pissed.
How could everything be so complicated? I wished I could've just pushed the two of them in a wardrobe where they'd forget all about the expectations and rules. Where they'd only see each other and would go for it.
Okay, that sounded so wrong. I think I just gagged.
But still—they were so close and yet so far from each other. It was almost irritating to be watching from an outsiders perspective. Both sides have romantic feeling but refuse to act on them. Of course, the circumstances seemed to be against them—I wonder why that is. God, if you can hear me, please let these two lovebirds get together without putting, like, a million obstacles between friendzone and relationship—and I think it's the biggest factor for their situation. If the starting point wasn't what it was, would they already be dating?
Yes, they would.

______________________________________
A/N:
Hello loves
Another update is here for you! :)
I hope you've had a lovely week and done things you enjoy.
I apologize for this chapter was so short, I've had a lot of things to do recently. I'm also having anxiety since summer break's over soon and school is starting. Social anxiety is a very real thing 🙃
Love u all x