20 Days In His Bedroom

Chapter Thirty

Today, Kyle's leaving this place. Me too, of course—but to where?

Today, I'm going to the harbor. It's my last chance.

Oh my God. I still can't believe everything that's happened.
Where's Mom?
Mom, please come back. I'll clean my room, I'll never upset you again.
Dad, please come. I need your hug.
God, help me.
If I don't find them today, maybe I'd rather not go on at all.
God, please... help me.

"Hey."
Kyle knocks on the bathroom door.

"Yes."
I wipe my tears quickly before opening it.

"Do you want the bathroom?" I ask. My voice still sounds raw—I'm tired, and I know it shows.

"Nah. I came to check on you. You know we're heading to the harbor, then..." he trails off.

"Then I'll... I'll figure something out. Maybe I'll talk to the old woman I met here," I say hopelessly.

"Twyla, you've got nowhere to go. Unless you're planning to ask that bastard for help. But I didn't keep my hands off you all this time just to hand you over to him," he shrugs.

"What the hell? Watch your mouth! And don't flatter yourself—you didn't choose not to touch me. I wouldn't have let you. Not you, not anyone," I snap. He always knows how to push my buttons.

"What the hell—are you crazy?" he says, touching my shoulder.

"Don't ever think I'm weak. Yes, I'm broken, but that doesn't mean I'm stupid." I throw his hand off me and breathe deeply.

"Stupid? You'll figure out soon who's being stupid, because what you're doing now is just that—fucking stupid, chick." He rubs my cheek.

Why would I think I'm stupid? I'm not like his dirty girls.

"I'm gonna finish some things here at the hotel. When I come back, you should be ready," he says before walking away.

I don't reply. His words drive me crazy.
I need to pack my few clothes... and I should give him back those two outfits he bought me.

I switch on the television—it's become a habit lately. I always check the news at this time, hoping they'll mention something about us. They never do.

"A father-daughter date," the headline reads.

Another headline flashes: The Lost Airplane.

"Oh my God... is it about us?" I whisper. "I hope so. Finally."
I jump up, heart pounding. At least there's some hope.

I turn up the volume so loud, the whole hallway might hear it.

"I'm not letting this go. You know who I am. My son will be found, and soon. That's better for everyone," a man declares on TV.

He must be the father of one of the lost passengers.
Please, let him do something.

"You haven't done anything! You'll all regret this," he shouts again.

Who is he? I don't know, but I hope he changes something.
Maybe they'll talk about the others who haven't been found yet.

Something deep inside me believes my parents landed elsewhere.
I just hope they're okay.
I hope I find them today.

But what if I do?
I won't see Kyle again?

Twi, what are you even thinking? Are you crazy?
You want to find your parents and leave... but take Kyle with you?

God, I'm desperate.
He doesn't even care about me, and I'm already falling for him.

Suddenly, he appears out of nowhere.
I don't know when he came back.

"Aren't you ready yet? I've still got stuff to take care of," he says.

"I'm almost ready. I'm... sorry," I mumble, still scattered.

"Sorry for what?" He shakes his head. "It's fine."

"They were talking about us on TV," I say.

"About us? Like how I haven't touched you yet?" he smirks.

"Kyle, I'm not joking! I didn't mean us like that—I meant they talked about the accident."
I turn away from him to avoid those dangerous eyes of his.

"Yes. He's my only son," the same man says, his voice thick with emotion.

"That guy's been talking since I turned on the TV. I don't know who he is, but he seems important. He lost his son in the crash. I hope he can make something happen," I tell Kyle.

"What the fuck!"
Kyle chuckles and claps his hands suddenly.

"What?"
Is this man someone famous?

"Hush."
He waves his hand, eyes glued to the screen.

"He's been talking non-stop, but there's still no update on the other missing people."

"He won't stop. He lost his only son. But don't worry—he'll do what's needed," Kyle says, nodding and chuckling. His hands rest on his narrow waist.

"Crazy," he mutters to himself, still watching.

"Why are you so sure? Do you... know him?"

"Not really," he says with a familiar grin, finally looking at me.

"Not really?" I narrow my eyes.

"Well... that man's Charley Jennif. My dad."

His... dad? My God.

I knew Kyle came from a wealthy family, but that man on TV looked like a billionaire. No wonder he's on a talk show yelling at the world.

Now that I look closer, Kyle does resemble him—those breathtaking eyes, the small pink mouth. Only difference is the hair—his dad's is brown, Kyle's is blonde.

"Are you kidding me?" I shake my head in disbelief.

"Nah."
He presses his lips into a hard line. He's serious.

"He seemed so worried. You should talk to him—tell him you're alive."

"You stupid? That's your business, not mine. If he keeps searching for me, it helps you. Maybe he'll call some of those important fuckers he knows to find the rest of the lost people—maybe even your parents."

He's right.

But I can't do that—not just for me.
That man deserves to know Kyle is alive. He's suffering.

"Kyle, I can't let this go on."

"I'm better off this way."
He raises both hands in surrender.

"No, you're not. You think this is strength, but you're just suffering—and you don't even realize it."

I step closer until I'm just ten centimeters from him.

"I want to understand you. I want to know how your heart keeps beating while you're this lost. Who are you, Kyle? Who are those girls you bring to your bed? How are you living like this—chasing every wrong thing, ignoring the parents who raised you? No matter what they did, they're still your family. Stop being selfish. Wake up from this mess."

I breathe hard, tears at the edge of my voice.
He looks at me, eyes narrow, shocked.

I don't even know why I said all that.
But for the first time, I feel like I'm facing him—really facing him.

⸻

Author's Note:
Hey guys, I'm sorry for the slow updates. I hope you keep supporting this book—it means the world to me. It takes time to write each chapter, but your love and support give me so much happiness. Thank you! 💛