Unrequited Love

Chapter 19 - Old Faces

"Welcome home," Nathaniel said, giving me a kiss.

"You were waiting for me?" I asked.

"I didn't want to have dinner alone."

"I'm sorry, but I won't eat tonight."

"Why? Did you eat already?"

"Sort of."

"Where did you go? It's already six."

"I went to the café."

"Again?"

"Ashton, John, and Lucas wanted to talk to me. Everything's all right."

"You're all friends now?"

"Nope."

"So, what's going to happen?"

"They're most likely going to avoid me, but I'm okay with that."

"I'm sure you didn't stay at the café for that long. Where did you go afterwards?"

"I went to the local library to finish homework."

"Next time, just come home."

"Yes, I'm sorry."

"Go shower. You must be tired."

"Thanks."

I realized that whenever Nathaniel and I are together, we just seem to be living in a whole different world.

After showering, I went on my laptop. I wanted to book a flight to Boston for three weeks. Because of the amount of money I saved up, I had more than enough to buy a ticket.

I've always hated California, but I'm actually excited to go to Boston. What am I going to tell Nathaniel, though? I'd feel awful just leaving him alone with Thomas. Thomas is my responsibility. What if Mike isn't even living in Boston anymore? I'll need more information before I could go.

"Lucie!" Nathaniel called.

I ran out to the living room.

Nathaniel was standing at the door. There was a silhouette of a woman next to him. Coming into the light, the stranger showed her face.

"Stephanie?" I gasped.

"Hello, Lucie." she greeted.

"H-Hello. Can I help you?"

"You look like you've seen a ghost. Are you not even going to invite your [step]-sister-in-law into your home?"

"Oops. Did I miss the wedding? That's too bad. You must've looked absolutely gorgeous in your funeral gown," I sarcastically smirked.

"No, we haven't had the wedding yet. But when we do, you're not invited."

"That's fine. I'd just burn everything down anyway. Come in and take a seat. I'll make tea."

"I'll do it," Nathaniel volunteered, leaving the room.

"Yes, Lucie. Let your butler do all your work. You've always been so useless."

Stephanie sat down on the couch, and I stood near the front door.

"It seems that my step-brother has poisoned your good nature. What do you want?"

"I'm here to pick up Michael's worthless son. Where is he?"

"Why are you acting this way? You've never been so bitchy before."

"What harsh words, young lady! How dare you speak to me in that tone?"

"Last time I checked, you are in my home. No one invited you to come here. You're basically trespassing. If you're looking for Thomas, he isn't here."

"It isn't like you to just leave a weeping child alone, so I'm sure Thomas is here. Bring him to me, you little slut."

"What exactly are you going to do if I don't?"

"I'll have to ask Michael to do something about this."

"What do you need Thomas for? Didn't Michael disown him?"

"Stay out of our business. This has nothing to do with you. Though I must compliment you for taking care of him so well."

"Tell me what you need him for."

"You don't need to know anything."

"I will not hesitate to punch you in your stupid fucking face, you skank. Tell me what you need Thomas for."

"Those are fighting words, Lucie. It'd be a shame if you were to get into major trouble."

"If that's the case, I might as well kill you."

"I would like to see you try."

"I won't, but I could. If you aren't going to tell me what you need Thomas for, leave."

"If I do, will you give him to me?"

I said nothing and glared at her. Stephanie sighed and crossed her legs.

"We're planning to trade him for five million dollars. There is a family that is willing to take him, and they are incredibly wealthy. What's surprising is that they only want Thomas, so we can't give them a different child. Thomas is the key to our fortune."

"Are you fucking stupid?! I would NEVER give Thomas to you!"

"I told you what we needed him for, so give him to me!"

The room was silent.

"Get out."

"Excuse me?"

"Get out."

"I am not leaving without Thomas."

"If you do not leave, I will kill you."

"Don't be selfish."

"ME? SELFISH? YOU MUST BE JOKING."

"Nonetheless, I'm not leaving."

I turned around and saw Nathaniel stare at the floor. I stomped into the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and returned to the living room. I tightened my grip on the handle.

"Are you going to leave?" I asked.

"L-Lucie, put that away," she stuttered, getting up from the couch.

"I'm going to ask you one more time. Are you going to leave?"

"You're fucking mad!"

"Oh, am I?"

I began to approach her, and she stepped back. Nathaniel grabbed my hand and pulled me back.

"Nathaniel, let go of me!" I ordered.

"You are NOT going to kill her, Lucie!"

"MAKE HER LEAVE OR ELSE I WILL KILL HER."

Nathaniel released me and walked towards Stephanie. He forcefully dragged her out of the living room and into the street.