How Not To Fall In Love

Chapter 12: Dark Past

One

"Are you messing with me right now?"

Two

"You have gone the wrong path boy. And you're still reckless, stupid - still no future."

Three

"Who gave you the authority over my properties? Just so you know that Jared guy is fired earlier this morning."

Four

"I heard your landlady is very disappointed of your delayed payments. Can you even buy a train ticket on your way home? Oh right, I think you can. You can even show it off treating some girl in that island using MY PLANE, MY CAR, and MY DAMN HELICOPTER. And what else?! MY MONEY, MY FREAKING MONEY your mom is secretly depositing on your account. She still thinks I didn't know."

Five

"Cut the crap Ashton. Now work your part of the deal."

I know why I'm here. Why those guys in black suit with black shades on took me here. I know exactly why. I'm sorry for Jared who was fired because of me and I don't think I can bear the guilt of it.

"I want you gone in Venheighs or I will make you be in Venheighs. You know what I mean."

"No."

"No?" He glares at me with his dark eyes that were no longer similar with mine. He winced. He stepped forward and bends down in front of me. Now I can see his wrinkled face.

"You cannot make me give up my career." I clench my fist.

"The last time we had this kind of conversation I'm sure it didn't end well with who was that again?" He glanced to one of his men whom I barely recognize. And for all I know they were his bodyguards.

I strangled at the memory during uni when my dorm mate, Martin. He was the first one to save me from Garvin's wrath early in freshman. And now he's thrown back in our hometown at Marpphasen working as a gasoline boy. He can't get a decent job because he was accused of trespassing and theft which actually isn't true. But because Garvin can, he did tear poor Martin's life apart. Because of me.

"Why is it so hard for you to understand what I'm doing- what I have been doing for you?" One of his bodyguards pulled me up in the arm and cut the tie.

"I'm not your kid anymore. I'm not part of your family why bother about my life?" Both his men were still behind me. I swear if anything could go wrong in this meeting no one would even know, no one will ever speak about anything. Garvin is their king. He speak, they listen. He commands they follow. At home it was, is, the same. He's never a father but a boss. I loathe him for that.

"You stepped at the boundary kid. Don't you remember?"

"I can't leave the studio. I still have clients pending." I reply. I sound so pathetic, so weak. I must've drained all my energy trying to fight those men in black earlier. I couldn't think straight. I'm a mess. Still a mess.

"It's not my problem. Leave unnoticed or I'll make a reason for you to." His voice is unthreatening. But I know he means his threats. "I know where that girl is working right now. In fact my company is supplying most of their materials. Do you want me to take care of her?"

I hate you. I really hate your guts and your damn money. I hate how you broke all my relationships even with mom. You're not even a father, my father, to me. You stole me precious things that you think we're all useless and a waste of time. But Lily, especially Lily. You cannot make me give her up. Not her.

"I'll take care of it." I can feel all my nerves shaking.

Screw you! Screw the deal! SCREW THE FREAKING DEAL!

Garvin's face lit up. And I know that look on his face. He's surprise I didn't fight him this time. No, not this time.

"I know you will." Without more words I allow myself move. His men stepped aside and watch me leave my spot. I held my wrist. Even from the tight rope tied I can't feel its pain.

"Your mother had her treatment earlier." Mother.

I stop for a moment and breathe deeply. My eyes are burning. But I held back the tears. I keep moving and closed the door behind me. I stared at the white marble tiles. There was something else from Garvin's voice when he said it. I don't know what that is exactly.

~

This day is, maybe, my last day here in Venheighs. But I don't want to leave. But I know I have to because if I wouldn't... I can't do this.

"You're life sucks Ash." Eric said. And he sips in his drink. I sip on mine but it's empty. I didn't realize. But whatever. Neither this empty glass sucks or my life, I'm still under Garvin's hands.

"I don't know what can make him understand that I love photography and all stuff he calls trash that I do. My life revolves in art and that's all that it's ever gonna be." I'm infuriated. The bartender placed another glass in front of us. I took one.

"He can keep all his possessions I don't want any of it." The cold hard drink burns through my throat. I know I just needed more. It feels better not to think of thinking. But the words out of my lips won't stop. "You know you have to leave Ash. You made a deal with the devil." Eric's voice is sad, but I don't need his pity. But he's the only one who has been there for me in roughest of times, not just with Garvin. "But mom..." Oh mom.

I remember the glow in her face when she makes me chocolate chip cookies and the smile that cheers me up when Garvin gets angry at me for breaking things at home. She's always sweet. And I miss her. I watch Eric typing on his phone. I can sense his sorry for me but we both know we can't do anything about it. "I think you had enough Ash. Let me take you home." I know he's lying. I just had 3 glasses. I can still count. But I shrug and drank the remain in the glass. "No I still have to go somewhere. You can go ahead." I lie. I have nowhere to go. Venheighs is all I ever want to be.

This is where I belong.