Mr West

Chapter 12

Eliza

I moved my mouth, open and closed, open and closed. But no words came out. I was utterly speechless, at a complete loss for words. What did one even reply to that? It got me thinking that I was sure glad it wasn't Dylan who had told me himself. What kind of reply would he have been expecting?

"Yeah, it's quite something isn't it," Nate lightly chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

I nodded, still unable to form a coherent sentence.

"Let's get back to unpacking, hey," he decided, patting my leg.

He stood and stretched out his long limbs, letting out an almighty yawn. I shook my head in disbelief and got to my feet, my muscles aching from sitting still for so long. I stretched, pointing out my toes like a ballet dancer and reaching high above my head, my fingers wiggling. When suddenly I felt another burning question forming on the tip of my tongue.

"Wait," I said. "I have one more question."

I held up one finger to show I only wanted to ask a single question more. He sighed but nodded, allowing me to enquire.

"What is Mr West's problem with Marcel?"

If I only had one more opportunity, and Nathan was being very forthcoming right now, I knew I had to ask before it was too late.

"He hates him," he stated simply, with a shrug of his shoulders.

Unboxing my books, his back was to me and he didn't care to elaborate. My attention to detail became sloppy and Nate began picking up my slack. Where I would usually be ahead of the game, precise and neat, I had become slow, disorderly and careless. With other things on my mind my natural instincts seemed to vanish. Almost becoming none existent. Failing to comment further on the enquiry I realised the discussion was over. I had gathered together as much information as one possibly could, especially on such a secret matter, but the one burning question still continued to be unanswered. However, it niggled at me too much and I had to try one last lame attempt.

"But why?"

Trying to make my tone as casual as possible I didn't even look at him.

"They don't have a good history. I suggest you stay away from Marcel."

Ordering me to not do something made me want to disobey him. I felt like a child again. Mum hardly told me what to do, we were more like best friends than mother & daughter, and yet here I was being ordered around by two men. Careless men. They had no right to even tell me who I could or couldn't speak to. It wasn't fair. Nathan waltzed around my apartment putting the finishing touches to our work and I watched with arms folded.

"I need more details Nate," I demanded.

He whipped his head around and squinted his eyes.

I huffed. "Today I was talking to him, Marcel, in the staff room." My hands dropped to my sides. "And Dylan just came charging in there and demanded he leave!"

He inhaled sharply through his teeth. Running his lips through his teeth he sighed.

"Why did he do that?"

He shrugged and stared at me with hard, cold eyes. Dead eyes seared through mine and I gulped, knowing this conversation was officially over. He'd said his piece and there was nothing left of it.

"Stay away from Marcel."

He walked with heavy, determined steps and headed for the door. Dusting his hands off on his jeans he cursed under his breath. And then his tone was soft and gentle and his eyes, back on mine were sad. "I need to go. Sorry. See you tomorrow."

Gripping the door handle he tugged it open. His voice was monotone as he bade me goodbye. He exited the apartment quickly. What was all that about? What was happening in that damn club? I felt like I'd walked into a cult. Or even more precise a flipping high school! The amount of drama that circulated that place was mad! I'd never seen such flippant behaviour, such immaturity and ridiculous hatred from anyone since my high school days. And these people were grown men and women. To be fair the women weren't much of a problem. Aside from the very obvious flirting with the older gentlemen, begging for tips, and the very sickening flirting aimed at Mr West, they were fairly unproblematic. The men however, very dramatic and problematic. Reminder to myself: don't bother trying to hook up with any of the men in that damn club. Over sensitive, pathetic and childish. Those were the words I'd use to describe them all. Plus very secretive. What had I gotten myself into?

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