Beastly Beautiful (On Hold)

| Chapter 10- Laney |

| March 19, 2018 |

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| Chapter 10- Laney |

*The life I knew, the people I've met...they're all from another lifetime ago.*

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It's been three weeks. Three weeks in the Wallace's household and whereas everything looked the same, everything was completely different. For one, I was like a puzzle piece being forced in an area where I didn't fit. I did once upon a time but I've been reshaped and reformed into a piece that couldn't be placed in the same spot anymore.

I scrolled through my phone, on a lazy summer afternoon here, while the boys were in the pool swimming. I heard their laughter and splashes, missing the moments where I would've been with them whenever I visited.

Sabrina would lounge on the chairs, soaking in the sun and sometimes joining us once we splashed her enough. Harry would find us all playing and he'd strip off his gadgets and jump in with us still in his work suit.

I smiled ruefully. This was why I never came back once Jace and I stopped talking. Memories I tried to forget or hide away came resurfacing. Memories that hurt to think about. Because the life I knew, the people I've met...they're all from a lifetime ago. Or so it feels.

My phone pinged, drawing me out of those painful memories. I frowned as I saw Daniel's name appear in text form. I scowled. It's been three weeks and he's barely now messaging me. Curiosity and anger caused me to open up the message and I couldn't stop the growl that rose from my throat.

Daniel- Hey baby. I miss u. Where you @?

How dare he 'hey baby' me and tell me he missed me when he was the reason for my disappearance in the first place! People still talked about my sudden disappearance and have created rumors about me being in a rehab institution, me being fired, me being so embarrassed I decided to move to another country with a new identity and profile.

Daniel- Laney. I know ur reading this.

Daniel- Pick up the phone, now!

Daniel- I'm calling u...

And he did. The phone rang and I watched it ring. It went to voicemail. He called again. It went to voicemail. The third time it rang I picked up. "What?" I snapped.

"Did you not see my texts babe?" he asked sweetly and I clenched my jaw. "Lanes?" he asked.

"Do not call me that. You don't have permission to," I told him cooly. I heard him growl.

"What's your problem?!" he shouted.

"My problem?! Are you being for real now Daniel?!" I sneered as I sat up and glared at the door, picturing his face instead. A hand ran through my hair angrily.

"My problem is that you put me in a bad light because your dumb butt thought it was a wise idea to introduce me to cocaine! You took advantage of me while I was drunk and ditched me as soon as flashes went off! Those people you were with took me away from there before I managed to get inside the club. But the damage was done. I'm on the cover of every tabloid. My career could be ruined!" I exploded as I seethed.

The line remained quiet and I scoffed. "Oh you got nothing to say?" I mocked.

"I'm sorry, what? I had to zone you out when you started blaming me," he drawled out and my mouth dropped open. "Look, I understand you're upset but baby, it's not my fault. I understand this is a huge deal and you need to get it out of your system so you're blaming me but I forgive you. Now, wanna meet up for lunch and do some...catching up?" he told me in a suggestive tone and I blinked, unable to comprehend what the heck was going on. "Laney?"

"You know what, Daniel? It's over. I'm sick of always putting up with your terms without you even thinking about me for once. I'm sick of you only thinking about yourself and not about us! I'm sick of myself for throwing myself at you when I heard the rumors! But you know what? I believed them false. I thought there was good in you since you were good to me at first but looking at it now, you're nothing but an egotistical, self-serving jerk of a boyfriend who doesn't deserve me any longer. Goodbye Daniel and never contact me again," I spat as I hung up and blocked his number.

I huffed and leaned my head back down before growing restless and standing up. I ran to my borrowed closet and pulled out jean shorts, a green top, and my white toms before marching to the bathroom and changing into them.

I was going to put my hair up in a ponytail when I dropped it, watching it hang down in a frizzy mess thanks to the humidity. It was losing its gloss and I frowned. I needed to change that. Running a brush through it, I took out the tangles and then went back to my room with my previous clothes. I dumped those on the bed, promising to put it away, and then grabbed my phone and purse before going towards the backyard.

I took a deep breath, dreading this part, but I put on my Hollywood persona and went out, silently cursing the blast of humidity that hit me. The sun glared off the deck and water but the sounds were louder here than in my room.

"Laney! You're not a vampire!" shouted Jace with a laugh as he hopped out of the water, water trailing down his chiseled chest and down towards the 'v' line before disappearing beneath his blue trunks. My eyes snapped up to his quickly so the blush wouldn't form.

"You don't say," I drawled out and he chuckled before approaching me.

"What brings you out here? Did your curiosity to see me half naked become too much for you?" he teased with a wink and I rolled my eyes and scrunched my nose. I'll admit though, he looked even better now than two years ago.

"No, I wanted to go out and explore a bit," I said, straight to the point. He looked taken aback, so did Philip and Sabrina who were now watching our exchange.

"R-really?" Jace stammered as he got over his shock.

"Yup. And first stop, a hair salon. I need to fix my hair," I commanded. "I'll be on the porch. Don't keep me waiting," I added as I twirled on my feet, my hair whipping his chest, before marching back inside and through the front door. 

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Oiya? What's this? Trouble in paradise (Laney and Daniel)? Or are you glad she dumped his butt? xD Also, what could Laney be planning now? How much longer will she last away from the spotlight? 

Tell me what you think and leave votes and plenty of comments! Thanks!