Invisible

Chapter 60

After what felt like a lifetime, Parry sounded convinced with everything that has happened. Jersey said she'll accept everything that is going on, as soon as Darren proves himself to them. Grace, however, felt like she was as convinced as Parry, but I have the feeling that she's just as happy because soon enough, she'll get Athena in her grasp.

Athena... shit.

Right after packing everything and saying goodbye to every single person in the orphanage, Darren and I went in my car, Parry deciding she'll join the twins and Hannah in the van. Although it was obvious that she did that to give me and Darren some privacy and she was being too obvious at it, I just allowed her to do so.

Darren gets in the car; his hair gelled to perfection as usual. Some of the little things I grew fond of just don't change. He sits in the shot gun and I was in the driver's despite his attempt to try to drive for me. Well, having this as my own car gives me some perks.

Having him sit beside me made me feel small. Here I was, eyebags and zombie-replica all in all, sitting beside someone who seemed to be like an Adonis imitation.

"So," I start to speak, "Are we like... together again?"

It's been almost three hours since our breakdown in the playground, but none of the two of us really clarified if we're back in the relationship or not. I wanted to know, I want to be as blunt as possible. I want to make him as vocal as possible, so he can say everything to me. It was some sort of a mental plan to hopefully not make history repeat itself.

He looks at me. "Well, no," he says and I sucked a deep breath in. He notices the weird reaction and gets to his persuasive side. "No, it's not what you think." He says and runs a hand through his hair. "I mean, I have to deal with things, you know. The only thing that I have to deal with is, well, your sister."

"Half sister," I correct him.

"Half sister, yes," he chuckles lowly. "We're in some sort of mess right now, but I promise to fix this so we can settle with everything soon." He says and caresses my cheek. The feeling of his warm palm against my palm ignites something inside me. Some spark that faded a long time ago, but now it was fully lit. "I hope you don't mind being in some mess for a while, that is."

I lean my cheek to his palm to press it harder on my cheek. Something about his warmth relaxes me in the best ways. "I don't mind being in a mess, as long as I would be in that mess with you." I told him and meant it. It's been a long time since I said something cheesy to someone, so I guess to mean every word to him is a good thing.

"Way to go in trying to mimic Marvin Gaye," he chuckles.

"Charlie Puth knows his way to my heart," I played along.

"But seriously speaking," Darren says after his laughter subsided, "I will fix this. I will settle everything so we can live as peacefully as possible. It won't take too much of an effort to talk to the management and all."

"Wait," I said as I push him back slightly. "I... I don't understand. I thought you were going to deal with Athena?" I asked him and he nods. "Well, why are you going to talk to the management instead of to her?"

"We aren't really together, Nic... I can call you that again, right?" he asks with a smile. Why do I feel like this is the first time I saw Darren smile? Or is it because his smile at this moment is a real one and not a forced?

I laugh lowly as I held his hand in mine. "Sure," I said, "Well, okay, continue explaining, by the way."

"Okay, so the truth is that we aren't really together. I mean, me and Athena." He tells me with an assuring smile. "Everything is just a public stunt,"