Project Runaway ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Lunchtime was beyond the worst I have ever experienced. I sat in front of Peach, who no matter how long I stared at her with laser beam eyes, couldn't read my mind, and it was swirling with thoughts to reach over and choke her for cheating on my uncle. Ryan sat beside me and Tanner to my right, sandwiching me in. Tanner's legs were as far away from me as possible, and his body language was telling me to scoot farther away from him, so much so I was almost on Ryan's lap. I couldn't remember a time Tanner and I were truly in a fight, and maybe that's why he didn't want us to be together in the first place.

I fiddled with the napkin on my lap, wondering why in the world Peach was making us use these when I could easily make a mess on my jeans regardless of the tiny napkin on me.

"We have exciting news. Today, we're signing the papers to rent a beautiful building in town for our yoga studio! Isn't that marvelous? We out it off for a while, but our dreams are finally coming true." Her dreams.

I might have left that part out to my mother. As my mother attempted to fix her face from splitting in two, Ryan rubbed her back caringly. It was unusual for my mother to act out, or to even remotely appear disgruntled, but hearing of an affair and a business that would be paid for by Uncle Rudolph all in one day had caused her to break. I feel terrible for even mentioning the affair to her, but like Ryan said, we needed to tell our mom.

"Tell me more about this studio, Rudolph. I haven't seen you work out in my lifetime, or at least nothing that didn't involve outside labor. Care to explain?'

"Well, it's..." Peach was undoubtedly put to silence when my mom placed her hand in the air to shush her. We were all stunned, but I couldn't say I wouldn't do the same thing if my brother was about to ruin his life for a cheater.

"I'm talking to Rudolph, hon. So what's the benefits to this studio besides putting money in the bedazzled pockets of Peach? That's if you even make a profit because she might invite all of her rich friends for free, which means in you're in the gutter, Rudolph."

"That's enough, Caroline." Uncle Rudolph snapped, wondering where Mom's abrasive behavior came from.

"That's what you'll be saying when Peach needs more money to keep her yoga studio open." I stared wide-eyed, afraid to stay at the table but too afraid to leave. Tanner and I exchanged glances, the first time we looked at each other since the fight.

"Alright, if you can't accept my decisions, Caroline, then you can leave this table and uninvite yourself to the wedding?"

"What wedding? The one with you or the one she's cheating on you with?" My brother, who was Uncle Rudolph's best pal, confidante, right-hand man had spilled the beans. I guess he had enough hearing the two bicker without the cause being known.

I took this time to speak up.

"The three of us saw her with another man holding his hand. We were all afraid to tell you."

"Sweet, I would never lie." The bubbly blonde denied.

"But you would. You lied about quitting to smoke, you lied about cheating, and you're lying about your true intentions to open a yoga studio with him, when you want it all to yourself. You want all of my uncle's money, point blank."

My uncle didn't question us, unlike most men in love would do. He believed us, he really believed us, but what he said next was worse than denial.

"We can work through this."

"It was only once, I swear." Liar.

"Rudolph."

"Caroline, stop. Our wedding is upcoming, and I am in love with her. Mistakes happen."

"Mistakes? Uncle Rudolph, a mistake is going to a bachelorette party and having a male stripper give you a lap dance for an extra five minutes and regretting it afterward. This, holding a man's hand during a romantic dinner - and by the looks of it, multiple times - was not a mistake. She's using you!"

But that's when I realized it didn't matter if she was using him; he didn't care. He wanted her because he was in love and that's all that mattered.

I saw it in his eyes, and I saw it in my own reflection. We were much the same, both in love and whether it be reciprocated or not, we couldn't stop how we felt.

I felt so sorry for him, and I knew there was nothing I could do to help.

"It's his decision to make, but I'll tell you both something. You, Peach, will never be happy with a man who would do anything for you. And Uncle Rudolph, you will never be happy with a woman who doesn't want you no matter what you do for her, while she eats away at you just for your money. You'll live a miserable life, eating brussel sprouts and cabbage for the rest of your life while she's smoking a joint outside. You will be miserable, and as much as it shouldn't be my business, it is. I saw her betray you with my own two eyes, and you may not be able to see it now, but one day you will. I just hope that day isn't after the wedding." With that, I decided I would see myself out. I couldn't tell my uncle what to do, and as much as I will support him no matter what he chooses, I will not hold back on what I think on the situation.

On my way to my room, no one spoke a word and no one moved to eat, as it stayed silent after what was the worst meal I have ever had, and that's saying a lot because I love to eat.