Chapter 42 - Informing The Hawthornes
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"Ashley. You're back." Lina stated her voice croaky, with no emotion in her words as her eyes found mine, they were pools of sadness.
"I am. You don't seem alright, do you want to talk about it?" I asked her as I sat down on my couch and rubbed soothing circles on her back, "You smell like a brewery," I added.
"I was out... drinking at the bar. I couldn't handle Matteo's death anymore. Today's his fourth year." She sighed slurring her words slightly.
"It'll be alright. I've got you," I whispered as I pulled her into a hug, her tears falling heavily as she sobbed.
"Thank you for being here. I'm sorry I showed up unannounced. I guess living in our old apartment that we shared was too much for me. I'm sorry for barging in like this." She apologized and pulled her long hair into a bun.
"You're okay. I don't mind you coming in, and I understand why. Haven't you thought of selling the place and moving out? Maybe it will help." I suggested.
"I can't lose all my memories of Matteo. We lived together in that place for goodness sake!" She gasped her eyes bloodshot and puffy.
Just then the door rang and Lina looked quite startled and afraid.
"Oh no! Your visitor is going to see me like this." Lina gasped looking remorseful at her appearance.
"Don't worry. I'll send them away it's nearly one am anyways," I said glancing at the clock on the wall and went to the door to open it.
I saw Brandon sopping wet from the rain, "Hey," He grinned.
His blue eyes glittered as he spotted the ring on my finger, as though he thought I was going to remove it.
"What are you doing here, Brandon?" I asked him as wet water droplets fell from his disheveled black hair and onto his Armani suit that he had been wearing for our date.
"You left this in the car." He said and pushed my cell phone towards me.
"Oh!" I gasped, I hadn't even noticed I had missed it, "Thank you."
"You're welcome," He said just as three loud thunderbolts hit the earth in quick succession. I nearly jumped from fright.
"I guess I'm going home," He said looking at his watch, and began to turn to walk out.
"Brandon! Wait!" I called after him and he turned to look at me, his eyebrows raised with expectancy.
"Stay here. I don't want you to drive in this weather." I said.
"Nah, I'll go." He said.
"Brandon, I want to stay here. It is much safer for you," I commanded.
He sighed, "Fine." He agreed.
We both walked back into the apartment and I shut the door behind us and locked it.
"Who was it, Ash?" Lina called from the living room.
"My boyfriend!" I called back and Brandon raised an eyebrow before he gestured to my ring with his chin.
"She doesn't know," I whispered and he nodded in understanding.
"Is he here?" She called back.
I sighed, "He's spending the night. I can't let him drive home in this weather. There's a bad storm raging on outside," I yelled to her.
Lina didn't respond. Brandon and I walked into the living room, our hands were still clasped tightly together. We found Lina curled on the couch, tears streaming from her eyes again.
"Hey Lee," Brandon greeted her with a small smile.
"Brandon," She smiled weakly and tried to wipe her tears away with the back of her hand, "I'm sorry I'm intruding on your couple time." She apologized.
"No, you're good. We spent quite a bit of time together tonight." Brandon told her.
"Great," Lina forced a smile.
"Is there anything I can help you with?" Brandon asked politely.
She shook her head, "I've been like this on the same day for four years."
"I'm sorry, I don't quite understand. Could you explain?" Brandon asked.
I frowned, "Really Brandon?" I asked quite frustrated.
"What?" He said.
Lina choked out a laugh, "It's okay Ashley. I'll tell him about Matteo."
***
"Welcome, dear!" Evelyn smiled happily and pulled me into a hug.
"Hello son, Miss Hayes." Richard Hawthorne said.
"You can call me, Ashley, Mr. Hawthorne." I smiled at him kindly.
"Honey!" Evelyn said and nudged him with her elbow.
"Nice to see you, Ashley," Richard said, his tone bored and made me feel unwanted but I was used to it.
Richard Hawthorne was a hard man to impress. I always did wonder how he and Evelyn ended up happily in love and married especially when Evelyn was like a ray of sunshine and he was... well his heart was a stone. A very cold stone. They probably accidentally placed a stone instead of a heart when he was being made.
"We come bearing news!" Brandon said happily as he grabbed and clutched my hand tightly.
"Did you lose the business?" Richard said gruffly, his eyes cold and calculating.
I sometimes hated this man. Brandon literally did all he could to please his father but he never seemed to ever notice it. It was so unfair to Brandon. I get why he hated me, but why did he hate his own son? His own flesh and blood?
"Don't be a pessimist, Richard!" Evelyn said, warning evident in her tone.
"Of course not, father," Brandon said.
"Well great," Richard stated coldly.
"Anyways come on inside! We're both very excited to hear the news you're going to share." Evelyn said.
I smiled at her, she really was a ray of sunshine in the midst of all this darkness.
Brandon hooked our elbows together and we walked into the Hawthorne palace, the same place where I had met Brandon's parents the first time.
We sat in the living room which probably cost more than two million dollars. The room looked different from the last time I had been there. The chandelier was still hanging from the ceiling but the couches were a creamy white color. Richard and Evelyn shared a couch, I was surprised to see Richard slip a hand around Evelyn's waist. He did not seem to be the affectionate kind.
"So what news do you two have for us?" Evelyn asked clapping her hands together.
Brandon looked at me and I nodded.
"Go ahead," I mouthed to him.
I didn't want to be the one to break the news to them. I was most likely too nervous for their reaction, probably the reason that my throat had clogged up. If I tried to talk, no sound would come out.
I looked at Brandon as he cleared his throat, and got ready to sprout the truth of our engagement. On the drive here, he appeared to be very confident about both of their reactions. I'd also spent most of my time nagging him to know who the mysterious Anna was - but all he did was change the topic and return it back to the fact we were informing the Hawthornes. He had assured me that all was going to be okay but watching as his mouth getting ready to move, I began to sweat profusely.
"Well?" Richard said, "She isn't pregnant is she?" He asked.
I shook my head vigorously.
"No father. I proposed last night and we're engaged." Brandon said.
Hey Guys
*Gulps* Don't murder me for not revealing who Anna is yet... I promise you that it will come soon.
I have to admit writing Richard's character is quite hard, he's such a cold human being.
Richard: It's Mr. Hawthorne to you, Author
Author: Shut up! I control your life.
Anyways I hope you enjoyed this chapter and don't forget to vote and comment.
Thanks for reading, see you next update!
Brandon: Our after-the-show business has returned, by request!
Ashley: Yay! Now you can see how much of a jerk Brandon is behind the scenes!
Alessio: Oh yeah! I definitely agree!
Ashley: *highfives Alessio*
Brandon: *frowning* You both are rude!
Ashley: Oh we know
Alessio: Oh how you wound me!
Brandon: Good
Alessio: *rolls eyes* I think you should close the curtains now, Author. *Whispers* Before I beat Brandon up and then his female fans will have to witness his weakness.
Brandon: I heard it all!
Alessio: You were supposed to!
Melissa: Okay, calm your testosterone boys
Alessio: Tell Brandon to!
Brandon: Yeah sure, blame the innocent
Alessio: I highly doubt your innocent.
Brandon: You-
Author: Okay guys see you next update for real! Bye!