Marriage By Contract

Chapter 35: Nostalgia

My heart pounded at the thought of going back to my old house. What will mom and dad think? What will Alex think? What is Jason thinking?

The faster the limo moved, the faster my heart paced. We rounded into my old driveway, and Nick stopped the car.

Don't cry, don't cry....

I continued to tell myself. Once I stepped out of the car, Nick was already outside waiting for me, bags and luggage in hand. 

"I'll be carrying these in for you," Nick said. I gave an appreciative nod and lead the way with Nick trailing after me. My hands shook as I brought it up to ring the bell. Moments later, a disembodied head popped out. Alex furrowed his brow.

"Lola?" he asked.

I gave a fake laugh. "It's as if you don't want to see me."

Alex opened the door wider. Still, I couldn't comprehend how swiftly he opened it with no ease. The door is huge yet, Alex handles it like a feather. No doubt it's because of the packed muscles he has in his arms.

"No, that's not it at all. I'm  happy to see you, it's just that I wasn't expecting you here."

I opened my arms wide, wanting him to shut up and hug me already. As Alex embraced me, I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than his comfort. He pulled away and eyed me, then his gaze traveled over to Nick and the bags in his hands.

"I;m moving back in, " I said quickly. "Just for a little while."

Alex beckoned me and Nick into the house. Once we were inside, he closed the door.

"What's wrong what happened?" he asked, pulling me a little far from Nick.

I shrugged. "What do you mean? Nothing's wrong." I lied.

Alex's eyes narrowed. "Don't give me that BS Lola. I know something is wrong, now what is it?"

I couldn't lie to him. Alex is my brother. It felt so wrong not telling him the truth.

"Jason and I got into a fight over who was supposed to um... walk the dog. Things escalated and I just needed a break away from him so we both decided it would be good if we took a break from each other."

Alex rolled his eyes then laughed. "You must think I'm an idiot."

I gave him a questioning look.

"Who's supposed to load the dish washer, Lola? Really? I expected more from you. I believe there's a reason why you guys have maids and besides, knowing you, you wouldn't leave if you and Jason had a war. You'd probably think to leave meant losing or giving Jason some kind of satisfactory."

I gasped at how well Alex knew me. He was right. I wouldn't have left if what I said was the true situation. Leaving would've meant Jason won. What exactly? I don't know. But it just didn't feel like me.

I wasn't going to tell Alex that Jason was a father now and the mother of his child has moved in into 'our' house and I couldn't stand living under the same roof with the two of them just because I'm beginning to develop feelings for the man I'm legally married to.

I'm beginning to develop feelings for the man I'm legally married to.

Is that true? Do I really have some kind of affection towards Jason? Yes, it has to be. Why else would I be so fired up knowing that his ex-girlfriend is the mother of his child? I shook away the thoughts, hoping Alex will have some kind of understanding and not push me to talk. Admitting the truth would just send me into a total meltdown.

Alex sighed as he checked his watch. "Well, I'm happy that you're here. You don't have to talk if you don't want to. I'm happy to have you back and I'm sure mom and dad will be too."

I looked around in search for our parents. "Where is mom and dad?" I asked.

"Business trip," Alex said. "They'll be back tomorrow."

I nodded, not knowing what else to say. "I'll be upstairs." 

I motioned for Nick to follow me. We trailed up the stairs in silence. I found the way to my old room and stepped in. It looked so vacant and dry. As if some kind of hope was lost. The faint smell of mints drifted in the air, not yet faded. There was nothing but the bed and dresser an empty bathroom in the corner. Nick entered and placed my bags beside my bed. He walked towards the door and stopped.

"I know it's none of my business, but may I ask when you'll be coming back?"

I looked at the floor. I wasn't planning to come back. "I don't know, time will tell."

Nick stared at me for a while before bowing. "Until we meet again Miss."

He left the room and I couldn't help but question his past. I also took into recognition the fact that he called me Miss.

I closed the room door and sat quietly, listening to the faint sound of the limo as it drove off. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. I stood up and opened the door not expecting to come face to face with a smiling Mary and an eager Richard.

"Oh, my Darling!" Mary gushed. "It's been so long." She said as she squeezed me in her arms.

"Only a couple of months," I mumbled. Mary smelled like the amazing pastries she baked. She smelled like home.

"Miss, can I get a hug too?" Richard asked. 

I opened my arms to embrace him. "Of course."

His beautiful accent was music to my airs. A warm sense of nostalgia washed over me.

"So," Mary started. "Tell me all about you and Jason. I'm sure you both are deeply in love with each other!"

I noticed how Mary's eyes shifted over to Richard when she said deeply in love. Richard looked at her as if she was a million bucks. A pang of jealousy flew over me, nevertheless, I was very happy for the two of them.

"Um no, we're taking a break right now."

Mary looked concerned while Richard looked confused. "Why dear, what happened? What's wrong?"

I didn't notice a few tears had slipped out until Mary wiped them away. "Nothing," I lied and smiled. "Nothing's wrong."

I sniffed and looked down. "Look I really don't feel like talking about this right now. Perhaps later. For now, I just want to sleep."

Mary poked my face. "Yes dear. You do need to rest. Those bags under your eyes are big enough to carry groceries!" 

I chuckled. "Whatever you need Miss, we're always here for you," Richard said. That made me smile. 

They soon left and I knew immdiately Mary was going downstairs to cook a feast. It was something she did. I went over to the bed and wrapped myself in the soft blanket. My old bed was nothing compared to the bed I slept on at my other house. This one felt small and a bit stiff. It was almost hard to imagine I loved sleeping on it. I sighed as I closed my eyes. If only things could go back to the way they used to be.

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Another chapter down, a bajillion more to go, jk.

Here's another sorry chapter. Most of you guys will probably hate it. I guess I'm just feeling lazy. I promise the next chapter will be better.

I blame school. Anyway, comment down and vote my fellow ghost readers.

Until I see you all again...bye