Chocolate love

Chapter 10

I try to say this with a strong voice but instead it comes out a whisper "don't".
A tear falls on the ground and it takes me a second to realize it's mine, i'm crying. Not sobbing, i'm not making a sound but the tears are running down my face and I am suddenly embarrassed. I wipe my face and clear my throat.
Chen is still kind of holding Danny up the wall. He let's him go slowly. "Chen, can you give us a minute?"
He looks at me confused. "No I don't trust that he won't hurt-"
"He's my brother Chen he's not gonna hurt me."
When Danny speaks again with his cold voice I shiver.
"Funny that you say that aus, the way you hurt mom and ruined this family. The fact that were family doesn't guarantee that we love each other"
"Stop it Danny, leave me the hell alone"
He raises an eyebrows and then turns to Chen. "Can you give me a minute with my sister please?" He says it with such a mocking mean expression that Chen looks at me worried and asks "are you sure it's ok?" And I assure him it is.
He walks to the front door and is about to leave when I realize I don't want him to leave. The door almost closes when I yell out "Chen wait" he turns around and looks at me.
"Can you wait for me outside? Il only be a sec?"
He seems happy that I've said this because he's smiling. Not in a happy mood way, but in a i'm worried about you and I want to make sure you're okay way. I can't believe how sweet he is. I met him yesterday and he's caring about me like crazy. I feel so close
To him. But I can't get close to him because once he'll know the truth he's not gonna want to talk to me anymore. Not even see me.

Chen walks out and I see him sitting down on a bench next to the French doors.

I'm snapped back into reality when Danny speaks.
"I'm assuming you know what's in the letter?"
"You're trying to get full custody of Aaron, but Danny don't you get it? Aaron doesn't want u! He's happy with me and c'mon you don't want Aaron and-"
"Stop it!" He shouts at me. "Just stop it! We can't trust you! All that you've done! And on top of that you're 19! You work in a cafe and you live in a one room apartment! And Aaron's autistic! I mean he's a sweet kid and he gets along with about anyone but he can't have this kind of unstable home and you know it! Don't you want what's best for him?"
I feel a lump in my throat and try to talk without crying but I fail.
"Danny no don't do this, he loves me and I love him and he's happy, i'm saving money and-"
I'm interrupted by the whisper "Austen"
It scared me the way he said it.
Now he spoke louder again. "By the time this goes to court we'll be further a couple weeks so calm down." He took the letter from the counter behind me and shoved it in my hand.
As he walks towards the door I hear him say "next week is your week with him so i would bring him over but i'm gonna be in Taiwan so you better pick him up from boarding school."
I let out a laugh. "You're kidding me! That's 2 hours away! Do you know how much gas that's gonna take I don't have that kind of money"
He just keeps walking. "That proved my point even more. Goodbye Austen."
The door slams behind him.
I let out a couple sobs. Hard core crying sobs. Then walk to the sink and wash my face. I'm calm and I feel stronger.

Now I need to face Chen. I should tell him as little as possible, I don't want him to, oh I don't even know.
He's so sweet for waiting for me.
I walk out the door and look at the bench where I saw him sitting earlier. He's not there.
"Ouch" I say out loud.
"No, i'm the one who should say ouch" Chen says from behind me.
"You thought I would bail on you?" He says smilingly.
I look down to the ground. "I'm so sorry Chen."
The picks up my face with his hand and then let's go of it immediately. God I wish his Hand was on my face again.
"Don't say sorry Austen, just tell me what's wrong? What's happened?"
I stare him In the eyes and am about to pour my heart out. But then I remember I can't and shouldn't. I look down again. "It's been a long night, i'm not in the mood to talk I should go home" I look back up and take a step back in the direction of my place.
"Austen, c'mon, I just, I thought.."
"Chen listen, he's my brother, one of them. He just came to drop some papers off about something he wants that I sort of have"
He looks at me confused. "Like money?"
I laugh at that. "No not money. It's a long story and i'm tired"
He stares into my eyes. His eyes are dark green. I'm melting.
"I'm here for you Austen" he squeezes my shoulders.
I can tell he's hurting about something, something deep and scary. I want it to go away so he can smile all the time and be happy. He deserves it. He's such a sweet guy. I keep thinking that but it's true. "I'm here for you too" I say with certainty
"How do you know I need-"
"I'm not an idiot Chen, you're hurting About something. And i'm here"
He smiles at me and I could swear his eyes are a tiny bit watery but it's also windy so I could be wrong.
We both lean in at the same time for a hug. It's a friend zone hug, I think. It's a hug and a pat on the back. I feel his hand patting my back and then We both sort of fall in the hug and hold on tight. We let go slowly and our faces are looking at each other again, he looks at me lips and I panic. "I have to go don't be late tomorrow, see ya!" I say fast and turn around and start to cross the street. Owkay, goodnight?" I hear him say, a little hurt.
I know this is rude, but I can't fall for him. Not now. He doesn't want me, all this mess I bring with me. And I can't deal with boy problems now. I run home and look back across the street. I can still see Chen standing from here. He doesn't see me. He's walking slowly and looking up at the sky. He looks hurt and alone. I feel hurt and alone.

Maybe we should both feel better and together. Or maybe that will backfire and blow up in our faces.