Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Back To the House Mom breaks down in fresh tears again when she sees me. I can’t get her to stop crying. Eventually, Mr. Ramirez comes forward and try to soothe her. But mom immediately turns against him, “What do you mean everything is OK?

This is my only daughter! And your son took her out and injured her on our anniversary party!”

I sit awkwardly on the bed twisting fingers in anxiety and don’t know what to say. I hate that mom is accusing Eason of my injury. She didn’t know that Eason did everything he could to save my ass. But nor can I tell her the truth now…since a man’s life was involved.

Amidst the silence, Ms. Griswold speaks up in an expressionless voice, “My son has nothing to do with this.”

Mom’s face turns an ugly purple. She jumps up like a furious hen trying to project her baby chicks and points a finger at Ms. Griswold, “How dare you! It’s him who took her out and we haven’t even heard a single word of explanation from him yet! How can you be so sure that he’s not involved?”

Ms. Griswold gives her a short, derisive smile, “Why don’t you ask your daughter? She’s right here and I bet she can tell a more credible story than Eason.”

Mom snaps her head at me and asks harshly, “Nat? Tell her the truth. It’s Eason, isn’t it! What was he trying to do to you?”

Three pairs of eyes fix on me at the same time and the pressure is crushing me down.

Should I say it? Should I tell them the truth? I open my mouth slightly and suddenly notice that Mr.

Ramirez slightly shakes his head at me. I immediately swallow back everything I was about to say.

“What?” mom notices my hesitation and snaps. “What were you trying to say?” Mr. Ramirez places her hand on my mom’s shoulder and says, “Let’s give her a break. Natalia has had a long day.”

Mom sighs deeply and lapses into silence. But I can tell that she’s disappointed. From her perspective, she is probably thinking that I’m ganging up with Eason to keep her in the dark.

“Mom, I’ll be fine,” I take a quick look at Ms. Griswold and turn to mom again.” You should just focus on your anniversary for now. Didn’t you book a trip with Mr. Ramirez earlier? Go on that trip and enjoy yourself, OK?”

I was trying to remind her that the last thing she needs to do is to keep fighting with Mr. Ramirez, especially since Ms. Griswold is back into the picture now. But mom clearly doesn’t get my hint. She gives me a gloomy look and whispers,” …just worry about yourself for now.” Then she turns around and leaves the room with Mr. Ramirez and Ms. Griswold.

I fall back to my bed and let out a long sigh.

I want to tell her the truth, but I also want to protect Eason. There seems to be no way to achieve both at the same time. I’m so torn.

After a while, Eason is back again. He seems to be in a much better mood now. “Where have you been?” I ask. “Out making a phone call,” he sits beside my bed and holds my hands. “Has your trial finished?”

“For now, yes. But how can you leave me alone to face this?” I complaint. “I don’t know what to tell them. Do they know about…Zack?” I lower my voice at the mention of Zack’s name, afraid that I might disturb a ghost.

Eason notices the look on my face and laughs, “Don’t worry. He’s not dead…well, not yet.”

“No?”

“No. He’s in a deep coma right now. He hurt his spine in the car crash, and they say he’ll probably never wake up again.” I don’t know if I should be glad or worried. The good thing is that Zack will probably never be able tell our secret to anyone; but if the police find out that Eason is behind this, Eason will definitely go to jail. “Does anyone know?” I ask urgently. “Does Mr. Ramirez know?” “Dad didn’t ask me directly, but I think he knows,” he studies my face. “You are not feeling sorry for that bastard, are you? Because it could have been you, if I didn’t stop him. He was going to kill you.” “I know…but, I just think that you didn’t need to get your hands dirty.” Eason smiles. He takes my hand in his palm and gently squeezes it, “We get our hands dirty, and we are not ashamed of it. It’s like a family motto. You should get use to this if you are to be part of this family.” My heart skips a beat, “I thought I’m already part of this family.”

“No… I was talking about a smaller kind of family. The family that belongs to you and me,” he clears his throat and his cheeks become pink.

I giggle and lean in to hug him. I feel so happy right now. I doubt there is anything in the world that can ruin my happiness. “Hey,” I rest my head on his chest and whisper. “I have a close friend, Jenna. I want to introduce her to you and James. That’s fine with him, is it?” “Of course. There’s no way he’d say no to meeting a girl,” he kisses me on the forehead.

***

I check out of the hospital a few days later and go back to school. Life has gone back to normal again.

But mom and Mr. Ramirez seem to be having a silent war with each other, while Ms. Griswold decides to stay a bit longer in the city. “Why on earth is she staying?” I complaint to Eason. “Sorry I know she’s your mom, but I just can’t help but wonder why?” “Don’t worry. She won’t stay long. She’s just here to talk business with dad’s company.” “I know, but…” I shake my head, feeling even more anxious. “Mom cancelled their anniversary trip to Barbuda. And they are barely talking these days. I’m just worried that…”

“That dad will come back to my mom?” Eason laughs out loud. He seems to find this idea very amusing. “Don’t worry. My mother is a total control freak. Dad won’t come back to her in a million years.” His words sound very reassuring, but I still can’t dispel the heavy cloud in my heart.

“You know what?” Eason whispers to my ears. “Why don’t we go back to the country house again this weekend?” “What? No! I don’t want to set foot into that dreadful place ever again in my whole life!” I quiver in fear and can’t stop thinking about Zack and the kidnap at the mention of that house.

“Hey, don’t blame the house. You just need some happy memories to replace the sad ones,” he suggests. “And we can bring Jenna and James. The four of us can have the entire house to our own.”

Speaking of which, things have developed rapidly between Jenna and James. I introduced them a week ago and they are practically unseparated now. I do want to have a good talk with Jenna about what happened for the past week.

“Well… I guess so. Yeah?” I nod and agree.

So on that weekend, the four of us drive back to the country house again.

The house and garden remains exactly the same as the day of the party, with all the decoration, flowers and lights. I was a bit curious why they haven’t taken down everything yet. But it’s not my place to question that either.

James and Eason go into the room to settle our luggage, while I take the time to show Jenna around and have a private talk with her.

“Wow, what kind of a family are you marrying into?” she gasps while admiring the house.

“A difficult one, I guess? And don’t say the word ‘marry’ just yet, it creeps me out,” I lower my voice and ask her. “So what’s the deal between you and James? You are not using yourself to lure him out, aren’t you?” She rolls her eyes and snorts, “That dude is so plain and simple. A little cleavage and he is ready to wag his tail like a puppy dog. I can get him to come running towards me with a whistle.”

I let out a hearty laugh. This is what I love about her, so energetic and charming and full of girl’s power.

“So, did you find anything?” I ask. “Not yet. But he stutters and sweats a lot when I ask him about you guys. Something hideous is buried really deep. But don’t worry. We’ll dig it out.” I have no doubt of that, of course.

We are all a bit wore out after the house tour, so we head back to our room to rest. I take a good afternoon nap and when I wake up, it’s already 7:00 p.m.

I sit up at once and grab my phone.

No calls. No texts.

Where is everyone?!

I go out of my room and run into a maid on the way, “Excuse me. Have you seen Eason and my friends?”

“Mr. Ramirez is expecting you in the garden,” she smiles.

In the garden? But’s dinner time and I’m starving. I try calling them again but none of them answer.

What’s the matter with everybody! I rush downstairs and into the garden. It’s dark already. I can’t hardly see a thing without the lights..

“Eason!” I raise my voice and shout his name. “Where are you? Stop this game and just come out!”

And the next second, the entire garden lights up. A thousand small lanterns are glowing on the tree and among the flowers, making the whole garden like a fairyland. A trio starts playing and I immediately recognize it’s a song I’ve heard on mom’s anniversary party.

…What the I’m so shocked that I literally freeze.

And then I see Eason, who is standing on the other side of the garden and wearing the same suit that he wore on that day of the party. With the music playing in the background, he makes his way to me with an easy grace. When he eventually stops in front of me, he puts out a hand to me. “Miss Moore, may I have the honor?” he smiles.