Family. (Wattpad Version)

Chapter Five.

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I'm putting up two chapters to make up for last week. I hope you'll be appeased. :-)

Now enjoy!!

*Flashback*

"Hey there Hale?" A voice I had always imagined saying my name called out from behind my locker door. I paused before pulling it closed and stared into his hazel eyes.

"He..... hey t.. th.... there.... J.... Ju..... Justin." I stammered, a first for me.

I was never a popular kid in high school. With a thousand A.P classes, a thousand extra extra credit papers (as my sister called them) and Business Managenent tutors plus working part time with dad at the Hale Scott's hotel and restaurant franchise Main office in L.A., I never really had time to socialize.

....... but that didn't mean I was inhuman for I had the biggest crush on Justin Long, the high school heartthrob. He was the most sort after guy in school and here he is in dark wash jeans, a dark blue t-shirt and the basketball team's varsity jacket talking to a nobody like me.

"I was wondering if the oh great Reece Hale could spare some of her time for a mere knight like myself." He said with a slight bow and I was gobsmacked.

What the hell is going on?

"Y.... you....... you're ask..... asking me..... out?" I stammered almost inaudibly this time but he heard me anyway.

"Yes yes, if you'll be so gracious as to grant me your time." He replied.

"Uuuh....... su..... sure. Why........why not!"

"Great! I'll text you then you'll lemme know when you're free."

"You...... you have my ...... number?" I queried.

"Of course. I always get what I want."

"Yo, Long!" One of his teammates called as he was tagged along for practice.

"Later beautiful!" He called as he winked at me before turning to go.

I almost crumbled to the ground. Oh Justin!

*Present day*

"Justin? Justin Long?" I muttered.

"Mr. Long? Justin? Uuh...... come in, come in!" I finally ushered them when I got over my initial shock.

It had been years since I had seen the Long family. At a time when their family business was at an all time high.

"You seem surprised to see us dear." Mr. Long snr said as he gave me a firm handshake.

"Forgive me but it's been a long while. I'm glad you came. Please, make yourself at home."

"Thank you dear. I'll let you and Justin here catch up while I make rounds among my fellow guests." Mr. Long said before disappearing into the group of guests closest to the door.

"You look more beautiful than when I last saw you." Justin whispered in my ear and once again I felt like a teenager.

"Y....you don't look too bad yourself." I managed as I turned to him.

He hadn't changed much but his boyish good looks had taken on a slightly manliness to its form. Even his body looked like it had been put to some work.

He looked good, I had to admit.

"How have you been?" He simply asked but I could almost read the underlying questions.

"Where did you go? What happened between us? Why did we drift apart?"

How I would love to answer those questions but there was no point in digging up the past. Or at least I didn't see the point of it.

"Got hooked to work I guess. Especially after the accident." I replied nervously just as Riley walked up to us.

"Well if it ain't the two love birds!" She whisper yelled so as not to get the attention of those around us but it was enough to have my cheeks take on a pink tint. She hugged Justin and I thought I saw more in the gesture than I had expected.

I shook away the thoughts and caught up on all the questions Riley was throwing at Justin.

"We were actually talking about you recently. Wondering what could've been." She said and I couldn't help but notice her voice had grown mildly seductive while his eyes had darkened before she added. "You know, with you and Reece here."

I didn't think much of her actions as I blushed under Justin's gaze.

"I guess I missed out on a lot. She's beautiful." He said his gaze on me but my brain telling me he's words are a double entendre.

I ignored it when a servant walked up to me and slipped me a small note. I left Riley with Justin and moving to an empty corner, I read the note.

Be wary of those closest to you my child.

It read.

It was a handwriting I was highly familiar with. As if sensing it, I looked up only to catch Fran gazing right at me from behind a door in one of the studies. She withdrew and I felt compelled to find out what she meant by the note especially right when I was in the middle of a very interesting conversation.

I walked into the study to find an anxious Fran and impassive Shem. 

"Fran? What's wrong?"

"Forgive me my child. I should've told you before."

"Told me what?"

She grew silent and even more anxious as though debating on whether to tell me or not.

"Fran tell her. She deserves to know." Shem put in calmly.

"What if she finds out? We'll never hear the end of it!" Fran reiterated.

"So we should stand by and watch as she destroys what's left of this family?"

This family? And who is 'she'?

"What are you talking about? Who is 'she' and why would she destroy this family?" I asked, making Fran look even more frantic.

"What did you mean by the note Fran? What do I deserve to know?"

"Yes Fran! What is it that you think my sister needs to know?" Riley's voice called from the door and we all turned towards her.

"Its nothing Riley. I'll handle this." I said as I turned back towards Fran and Shem.

Shem now had his head bowed and so was Fran but she almost looked scared.

"It didn't sound like nothing to me." Riley replied stepping forward  her gaze on falling on Fran causing her to wince as if she'd been physically struck.

Any ideas on who wants to destroy Reece's family?
Stay tuned to find out.
LOL!