Chapter 16

Kanan spoke with Ayana about helping Emily with her hair and makeup, and she happily agreed. Over the years, Kanan observed Ayana's progress through YouTube tutorials and continuous practice. They exchanged numbers and discussed the details, and their conversation extended beyond beauty topics. It was evident that Emily valued that female presence in her life. While she valued Nathaniel, Ayana offered a different perspective on life. They instantly clicked. Emily opened up in ways she hadn't before, Ayana offering support that Emily had been missing.

The days went by smoothly, with Emily's photoshoot being the main focus. The day finally arrived, and Kanan woke up with a tingling sensation in the pit of his stomach. He couldn't pinpoint the sense of unease that crept over him. It made him curious and urged him to pay attention, as life tends to be an unfolding mystery. As he drove to Nathaniel's house, his senses were on high alert.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Kaelan asked as he exited the car, staring at the house before him.

"I've been here plenty of times," Kanan said. "I know my boyfriend's house,"

"I don't know what I expected, but I didn't expect this," Ayana remarked. Kanan remembered how he was once in their shoes when Nathaniel invited him over for the first time. He was surprised by the sight of his house. Both the interior and exterior still exuded a luxury that was pleasing to the eyes.

Nathaniel greeted them by the front door, and while Emily led Ayana to her room, they remained in the living room. Nathaniel offered refreshments as they waited for Emily to get ready for the photoshoot to begin. Kanan meticulously checked his camera, ensuring everything was okay.

"How did you guys meet?" Kaelan broke the silence.

"I ended up buying him ice cream," Nathaniel chuckled, resulting in a puzzled look from Kaelan. "He was drunk when we first met, trying to buy ice cream but falling short on cash. So, I offered to pay." He explained.

"That day you got drunk after such a long time," Kaelan observed, connecting the dots.

"He was so insistent on repaying me that I couldn't refuse," Nathaniel continued with a smile. "Even holding my hand."

"Once I sobered up, I realized how embarrassing it was," Kanan interjected. "I wanted to dig a hole and bury myself."

"And now, here we are," Nathaniel said fondly. "I'd buy you that ice cream a million times over if it led to the love of my life." The start of their story was rather comical, and though it might have been embarrassing for Kanan, it resulted in something beautiful.

"A story I'm sure you'll laugh about years from now as you tell your grandkids," Kaelan added.

Kanan and Nathaniel exchanged a glance, their thoughts mirroring each other. The idea of children, much less grandchildren, loomed in the distant future. They hadn't broached the topic with one another, unsure of each other stance on the matter, uncertain if children would be a part of their lives. It was a conversation they needed to have to establish their views on parenthood.

"How about you and Ayana?" Nathaniel inquired.

"We have the classic high school sweetheart story," Kaelan replied, adjusting himself on the couch. "We met in high school. I asked her out, and the rest is history. Six years strong and counting."

"That's a long time," Nathaniel said, glancing at Kanan, his eyes reflecting a shared hope for their relationship to endure for years.

"To think my troublemaker of a brother would settle down," Kanan said. "Thank you, Ayana, for putting up with this short-tempered fool."

"What can I say? I love her beyond words," Kaelan chuckled. "Love does wonders,"

"It does," Nathaniel agreed.

After what felt like hours, Ayana and Emily finally emerged. They erupted into applause and cheerful chatter at the sight of Emily. She looked stunning, dressed in a short white dress with dropped sleeves. Her curls cascaded down her back, adorned with small, delicate flowers. Her makeup was subtle yet enhanced her natural beauty. They made their way to the backyard for the first shoot. In the enchanting backdrop of the backyard, bathed in the soft glow of the sun, the photoshoot began to take shape. A rainbow of flowers adorned the area Emily had created, turning a simple outdoor setting into a botanical wonderland. As the camera clicked, Emily, the focal point, gracefully moved through the small garden, her movements fluid and effortless. With each pose, she exuded an ethereal aura. The gentle breeze played with her curls, adding a touch of whimsy to the scene.

As Kanan captured the magic, Emily's effortless embodiment of her theme required little guidance. As they gathered to review the pictures, Kanan passed his camera around, each person admiring his work.

"These look great," Ayana complimented.

Kanan waited with anticipation as he awaited Emily's verdict. Her approval was crucial; after all, it was her moment to shine.

"I love them," Emily declared with satisfaction. Relief flooded Kanan as she expressed her delight. She eagerly showcased her favorite shots, her enthusiasm spreading among them. They retreated to the living room, and Emily began touching up her makeup with the help of Ayana. Kanan plugged his SD card into his nearby laptop to better review the pictures captured so far.

"For a hobby, you're quite good at this," Kaelan said, taking a drink from his bottle of water, feeling the effects of the sun.

"I even surprised myself," Kanan admitted, scrolling through the pictures. Despite the day's smooth progress, that nagging gut feeling resurfaced. Everything was going fine, leaving him confused by its persistence.

"Kaelan, can you look in my bag? I should have some hairpins inside," Ayana interjected. Kaelan scanned the area, but there was no sign of her bag.

Ayana recalled that she left the bag in Emily's room. "I'll go get it," Nathaniel volunteered. He returned, bag in hand, passing it to Kaelan.

"Are you sure you brought it with you? Kaelan asked, shifting through the contents of the bag.

"I did," Ayana confirmed. "I saw it this morning." Growing impatient, she asked Nathaniel to assist with the search, but the hairpins remained hard to find. "Kanan, can you hold this for me?" She requested, handing him a section of Emily's hair that she didn't want to be amongst the rest. Kanan complied, taking the lock of hair in hand.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself," Kanan observed.

"Thanks to everyone here," Emily replied warmly.

"What's this?" Ayana exclaimed, holding up the box of hairpins hidden among the items Kaelan had taken from the bag. "This is why-" She trailed off as she realized the source of confusion on everyone's face.

All eyes turned toward the noise from the front door, causing tension to spread through the room. Emily's sudden leap from her seat sent a jolt of panic through everyone. "Emily," Nathaniel said with concern, causing Kanan to feel a surge of worry. The excitement in Emily's eyes gave way to fear and panic. Whether it was instinct or Nathaniel's words from previous conversations that surged him into action, Kanan gently guided her behind him, refusing to release her trembling hand. Ayana and Kaelan exchanged puzzled glances, unsure of what was unfolding.

Encountering someone for the first time after hearing negative things about them can be a tense experience. Learning about someone through hearsay is one experience, but witnessing it firsthand is another, as Kanan quickly realized. What had been mere descriptions for him was now a reality as he witnessed Nathaniel and Emily's struggle. A man with salt and pepper hair burst in, radiating confidence and fury with each stride. He moved like a storm, shouting and disregarding anything in its path, heedless of the consequences.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" He shouted, his voice filled with rage. "Is this your idea of revenge? Letting this low-life trash take advantage of my daughter. Manipulating her and keeping her here." The man jumped to conclusions, misinterpreting Kanan's physical contact with Emily. "You f*cking piece of shit. I warned you, didn't I? To stay away from my daughter. And you," He barked, his attention shifting to Emily as he advanced towards her. "You don't learn, do you? What bullshit is he filling your head with this time?"

As the scene unfolded before him, it became evident to Kanan that this was the feeling he couldn't shake. His sole focus shifted to protecting Emily, who trembled behind him. Suddenly, a punch landed squarely on his jaw, causing him to stumble. "Move," The man's voice pierced through the chaos, commanding Kanan to move. He tasted the metallic tang of blood in his mouth, accompanied by the throbbing pain in his jaw. He heard the muffled voices behind him, but his senses were overwhelmed. Kanan knew he had to stand his ground.

Collecting himself, Kanan remembered the presence of his overprotective younger brother, whose temper was already at its peak. As the tense situation unfolded before him, Kaelan had already thrown a punch, sending the man sprawling to the ground. "I dare you to hit him again," Kaelan had briefly practiced boxing, a skill he had honed, retaining what he practiced but ultimately deciding not to continue. It was a dangerous combination when mixed with his hot temper.

Ayana struggled to restrain him, not out of concern for the man but for Kaelan, knowing how violent he could get. She had every reason to be concerned. It wouldn't be the first time Kaelan was involved in a fight that landed him in trouble. But who could blame him? His beloved brother was getting assaulted in front of him. Kanan's eyes darted around the room, searching for Nathaniel. If anyone could defuse the situation, it was him. However, Kanan couldn't be more mistaken. The scene unfolding on the floor was beyond anything he imagined.

The gentle and kind-hearted Nathaniel was gone. Without thinking, he clenched his fist tightly, knuckles turning white. Nathaniel lunged forward, his actions fueled by an overwhelming surge of anger. His rationality seemed to vanish as he unleashed a barrage of punches, his usual gentle hands now striking out a force that surprised everyone.

"I should've done this a long time ago." He spat out, the force behind his strikes intensifying with each hit. The anger in his voice was evident, ringed with a hidden sadness for all that had happened. Kanan, taken aback, flinched slightly, his eyes widening in surprise. He had never seen Nathaniel lose control like that. At most, he had shown signs of being upset, but this was an entirely different level than being upset. Nathaniel's bloody hand didn't stop. The onlookers stood frozen in shock. It was a bloody mess. His eyes were unlike anything Kanan had seen before. It was a one-sided attack, fueled by his pent-up anger and frustration, leaving behind a trail of devastation.

Kanan approached Nathaniel, his hands trembling as he spoke, "That's enough," His voice barely above a whisper. Nathaniel seemed to snap out of his rage, his eyes darting around the room, taking in the scene before him and the damage he caused. He looked at Emily, tears streaming down her face, and then back at his bloodied hand. Emotions swirled in his eyes. With a heavy heart, Nathaniel collapsed to the side, overwhelmed by what had transpired. Kanan wrapped his arms around him, offering comfort as Nathaniel's muffled sobs filled the room. Ayana quickly moved to comfort Emily. She gently embraced her, murmuring soothing words to calm her.

What had been a promising day descended into an unfortunate event. In the end, it left everyone feeling disheartened. Little did they know that this was the beginning of the challenges that loomed over the horizon. But first, they had to get the man at the root of Nathaniel's and Emily's problem to the hospital.