Chapter 12 - Sugarcoated Truth

Lilly's POV

My gaze flickered from the passport in my hand and anxiously, I glanced at the long wooden door separating us from the footsteps nearing and the voices getting closer by the second.

"I think someone is in the house," Chase mumbled from my side, stating the obvious.

Anxiety retched me one degree higher at the possible ways this could go wrong. I immediately placed the passport back in its place and grabbed the phone inside and shoved it down my pocket. I don't know how I managed to close the box and push it inside the safe this fast.

The moment I returned my attention to the door, the knob was being twisted from the outside. Knowing for sure there is no escape from this now, I did the first thing on my mind, the one thing that could divert their attention away from what I was actually doing.

I turned around so fast, my fingers wrapped over Chase's shirt and I pulled him down, pressing my lips against his.

Only one second later, I heard the door open before their footsteps halted to a stop. The nerves rocking through my inside had my hand tightening over Chase's shirt, as if it could protect me from all of this.

"What the fuck-"

"Alex, you didn't bring us here to do that, did you?" Uncle Roman said, wincing.

I pulled away from Chase as fast as I could, and my eyes fell first on my dad's shocked brown eyes. The shock waves died down in one flat second, and the furious look that took over had me gulping down.

"Hide the gun," Chase whispered from beside me making me send him one hell of a glare. This is not the time for humor. Although from the look in my dad's eyes, I can tell Chase is not joking. Dad really looked ready to kill.

"You son of a bitch, I am gonna kill you,"

He angrily marched forward but thankfully, uncle Ashton was behind him, he immediately held him back, "Don't you dare," He stressed out, his grip over dad's arm tightening.

I stood in front of Chase, almost protecting him, "He didn't do anything. It's not his fault."

"Oh, you don't get to talk," Dad pointed his finger at me, accusingly, "I'll have my talk with you later, now go to your room," He ordered before his gaze went to Chase, the muscles of his jaw worked, "I am gonna have my fun with this boy first."

"I am not gonna let you hurt him," I stressed out.

"Don't worry, he is not laying a finger on him," Ashton said, his eyes on dad, just waiting for him to try and make a move.

God, it suddenly feels like a war-zone here.

"Lilly, get out, now." Dad stressed out, his patience wearing thin.

"I am not." I said, faking strength. I gotta admit, I am scared shit. I really don't like it when he is angry.

"It's okay, go." Chase said, his hand on my arm to grab my attention. I turned to him, he gave me a small smile and leaned a bit closer, "I can handle your dad." He whispered.

I am not quite sure he can.

I gulped down all the anxious feelings eating at my inside before I circled my way around the desk and slowly made my way out.

I gave uncle Roman my puppy eyes, silently begging him to control dad. He understood that and nodded, assuringly.

"Oh come on, not on my desk too," I heard dad whine as I closed the door behind me, "I am gonna have to burn it now and buy a new one!"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Always a drama-queen.

I paused my steps and pulled the phone I stole from the box and eyed it. I am gonna find a way to crack it open and once I do, I will figure out what the hell my parents are hiding from us.

**********

Chase's POV

"You two are planning on staying here?" Alex asked, his eyes flickering between dad and Roman.

"Yes," they both answered at the same time, making him roll his eyes at them.

"Actually, could you please leave us alone." I said, circling my way around the desk and stopped a few inches away from them.

My dad's eyebrows pulled together, "You sure?" He asked, his eyes warily drifting between me and Alex.

I nodded. As far as we are away from that gun, I think I can handle this.

Alex turned to them, "You heard the kid, now scurry away."

Giving us one last glance, Dad and Roman walked out of the room, leaving us alone.

Alex kept his eyes on the door till it closed. He turned to me and crossed his arms over his chest, "Now, back to you."

The muscles of his jaw tightened, "I am gonna make it simple and short. I don't like the thought of you and my daughter one bit. I don't approve it. I never did, I never will. And to add to all of that, you come and-" His anger doubled and he stepped forward, "You freaking kiss her in my office," His fingers wrapped around the neck of my shirt and he shoved me backward till my back came in contact with the desk's edge, "You've really got some nerve on you."

"If I didn't love you, I would've gladly smashed your head against that wall." He added and I resisted the urge to smile.

I placed my hand over his and tried to gently remove it. There is no way in hell I am going to disrespect him, not verbally nor physically. He is like a second father to me and I kind of get where his anger is coming from.

"You're breaking this up," He said, more like ordered, "I am not gonna sit around and witness more of it. I don't care how, you go now and break it up."

I shook my head, "I am sorry, but I can't do that."

His eyes grew wide a bit, "I am not taking your opinion, you will do it, whether you like it or not!"

I shook my head again, "I won't."

"Why?" He said through clenched teeth.

I blinked and the words effortlessly made it out, "Because I love her." And I finally got her. There is no way I am letting her go now.

He blinked, assessing my words, his lips parted to say something but he stopped himself. He shook his head, "No, you don't, how old are you, huh?" He asked mockingly, "What the hell do you know about love?"

"I know that I'd do anything for her."

He scoffed, "No, I know what you want from her. You are just a teenager, you think with your dick." He said, "I was your age once, I know how it is."

Lilly is definitely his daughter...

"You really don't believe me?" I asked.

He shook his head so I carried on, "You know that even if I didn't love her, I care about Lilly, a lot, I mean we practically grew up together, so I would never hurt her." I added and meant it.

"I won't break it up," I assured him, "As long as she doesn't, I am not giving up on her."

Alex looked unsatisfied, "I am never gonna accept this." He sounded so sure, "I don't care if you love her or not, I'll never get accustomed to the idea of you and my daughter together."

"Why is that?"

"Because-"

"Because what?"

"Just because." He said angrily.

"What do you plan on doing anyway?" He asked, his eyebrows pulling together, "You're leaving for college this summer, what do you think gonna happen then?"

I gulped down the nervous feeling this subject brought up, "I...I don't know."

"Does she know you're leaving?" He asked and I shook my head. I have to tell her soon, but I can't deny that I am scared of her reaction.

"See, you're both too young for this still." He said, "Maybe deep down I know that you would never hurt my daughter, because true, I know you, you grew up in front of my eyes but," He took into a deep breath, "She's is still my little girl. She is way too young, maybe it's just in my eyes but she is."

"I know my daughter, she is so curious, she is reckless, maybe you won't hurt her but Chase," He gave me a knowing look, "She could easily hurt you."

***********

Two days later...

Lilly's POV

"When are you coming back?" I asked, for the billionth time since he left as I stared at his handsome face through the phone.

He smiled and his eyebrow raised, "In four days."

"I miss you," I mumbled, holding the phone a bit higher, exposing more of my chest area. It also helped that I am wearing a low cut shirt. Maybe if he saw what he's missing on, he'll come faster.

"Me too," He said with a low longing sigh.

"You guys make me wanna throw up," I heard Conner's annoyed voice from the back.

"Believe me, I am dying over here as well." Sally screamed from beside me, for him to hear.

I took the pillow from my side and threw at her. It landed at her head before it fell down beside the chair.

"Why did Conner go with you, anyway?" I asked with a roll of my eyes.

He came into view behind Chase and placed his hand over his shoulder, "Because he loves me, he can't live without me."

"Go away, I wanna talk with my boyfriend."

"You've been talking non-stop since he came here, it's enough!" He snapped, annoyed, "I don't like sharing my friend."

"Yeah same," Sally remarked, "I came here like two hours ago yet still she didn't even ask if I want a coffee or if I am hungry or if I need water or if-" the second pillow slamming against her mouth had her shutting up.

"Yes, I've had enough of you two love bugs, give me the phone," Conner said as he snatched the phone from Chase's grip.

The screen went black for a couple of seconds and I heard some cursing in the back and things falling and Conner laughing before Chase took a hold of his phone again.

He ran his hand in his hair, "I will call you later, after I kill him."

I smiled and nodded, "Okay, I will be waiting."

"Also, FYI, when you get back here," I lowered my voice so Conner won't hear, "I am getting the ding-dong, whether you like it or not."

The corner of his beautiful lips pulled up teasingly, "Believe me, you are getting more."

Oh damn, come back already.

My eyebrow raised, "Like what exactly?Explain, details."

"Yes, details please," Conner said, more like shouted from somewhere in the room.

Chase huffed out, "I will call you later." He mumbled.

I bid my goodbye and turned off the video call. I placed the phone on the pillow beside me and let out a happy relieved sigh.

Since he left, we talk everyday, more than once a day even. I think my heart might explode sometimes from how strong it's beating for this guy. I never knew he would make from me such a girl, who's way too clingy and selfish and wants him only for herself.

"You are so in love." Sally commented from my side.

Only when she talked that I realized the stupid big-ass smile plastered on my face. Well yes, Chase's effect.

"I am scared I might just be." I mumbled, covering my face from the embarrassment.

Sally squealed and jumped off the chair and sat beside me on the bed, "But don't you feel it's going a bit too fast?"

I nodded, "It is."

"But maybe it's because I already know him." It's not like we started from zero, " I already cared about him long before, I was just too blinded by my crush on Zack, I couldn't see it."

"Ahh, thank god that phase is over," Sally said as she laid down beside me, "You really forgot all about Zack?"

I nodded, "I don't think about him at all. I don't even want to be in his presence anymore." I smiled, "I just want Chase."

The knock on my door interrupted our conversation. My mother opened the door, "Hey Sally," She greeted her before she placed the box in her hand over my desk, "A shipment for you arrived."

Her words had me jumping from the bed so fast. Finally. "Thanks mom!" I immediately tore the box open as she left the room and pulled what I have been waiting for.

A charger. Suitable for the phone I have found in dad's office.

"I hope the phone is still working," I mumbled as I tucked the charger in and waited.

"Yes!" I said in accomplishment when the screen showed the battery sign, proving that it's charging.

"What if it is locked?" Sally asked.

"There are places to fix that." I will open this phone, no matter what. Nothing is stopping me.

"As much as I wanna stay and hear you and Chase being all lovey dovey, I have to go now, I promised dad that I will be back before dinner," Sally said as she grabbed her coat and bag, "Tell me what happens, okay?"

"Yes sure," I said, waving her goodbye as she exited the room, "Love you."

I immediately took my phone and dialed Chase again. He opened after a couple of rings, his hair more messed up from before, proving they had their fight.

I chuckled, "Did you kill Conner?"

He nodded, "Kind of."

I flipped the camera and showed him the phone, "The charger came, I can't wait for it to open."

"What to do you think you will find inside?"

"I don't know, but if it wasn't valuable, dad would've not hidden it there."

"True. But still, I have a bad feeling about this." Chase mumbled but the apple icon showing on the screen proving that it's opening had me shushing him.

"I hope it doesn't have a passcode." I mumbled as I held it in my hand.

"What will you do if it has? Actually you can..." I didn't hear the rest of his words as I stared at the now opened phone in my hand.

I didn't need a passcode, no. The wallpaper was enough.

"That's me." I mumbled, my eyes glued to the screen.

"What? Where?" Chase asked, cluelessly.

Blood thundered in my veins and I felt my pulse pounding so hard I couldn't see.

"With whoever this Nikolas person is." I mumbled as I showed him the wallpaper, the one that included me, baby me, maybe two years old. I was wrapped up between the arms of the man I saw his picture in the passport.

"I should talk with my parents." I said and he nodded, " I will call you later, okay?" I said before I hung up.

I took the phone off the charger and exited my room, determined to finally get some answers.

I stormed into the living room. Mom and uncle Roman were sitting on the couch, talking. Dad was standing, Max by his side discussing something.

Mom's eyes spotted me first, she ushered me to come inside, "Lilly, come here."

I didn't answer her. My eyes on dad's back only as I fired my question, "Who is Nikolas?"

My question was enough to silence everyone in the room.

I saw how the muscles bunched up in dad's shoulders. His entire being ticked at my question and I could feel the tension radiating from him in waves.

He slowly turned around, his arm left Max and his eyes fell on me. He stared at me like he didn't understand. Like he couldn't wrap his mind about it.

"Where..." Uncle Roman cleared his throat, his eyebrows furrowing together in confusion as he walked closer to me, "Where did you hear that name?"

"Who is he?" I asked again, my eyes focused on dad. I lifted the phone and waved it in front of them, "This is me, this is me when I was just a baby with a man I've never seen before, so who is he?"

He blinked, once, twice. His eyes on the phone in my hand, still trying to process it. His lips parted and I waited for my answers but instead, he pressed them shut again. He stayed silent. He didn't mutter a single word.

"I am not gonna ask again, who is he?" I asked again, my patience wearing thin.

"He is your uncle." Mom said as she came to a stop by my side.

"What?" My eyebrows pulled together and shock lanced lines into my forehead.

Mom's eyes drifted from my dad then back to me, as if she was taking his permission before she dropped the new on me.

"He is...was your father's brother."

Was?

"We have an uncle?" Max asked, his gaze pure clueless.

"How come no one ever mentioned him?" I asked but she didn't give me an answer.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Max asked, confusion tipped his head to the side as he glanced at our parents.

"Yeah why?" I still don't get it, "You lied to us, why is that?"

The sound the made it out of dad's throat was of pure frustration. He raked his fingers through his hair, "I can't deal with this right now." He mumbled lowly before he walked away, leaving the room and running away from me and my questions.

Mom's gaze followed him before she looked back at us, "Yeah, you're right, we should've not hidden it from you but this...it's all very complicated."

"Still-"

"Lilly, listen to me." She said, her tone demanding, "Yes, you had an uncle. He died," She looked at Max, "Right before you were born."

After her words, I tried to catch my lost breath and slow my thundering heart.

"It's all a very sensitive subject, of who he was and how he died, that's why we kept that part hidden from you two." She added.

"How...how did he die?" I asked.

She pulled into a deep breath but before she could talk, uncle Roman answered on her behalf, "He was killed."

Something pulled at my heart, a feeling I couldn't decipher.

"You knew him?" I asked uncle Roman.

He nodded, "Yeah, knew him for quite a long time actually."

My fingers tightened over the phone in my hand and my gaze dropped down. The information I got was as far as it could get from what I have expected.

"I should go talk with dad," I mumbled before I scurried out of the room. I went up the stairs and stopped by the opened door of their bedroom.

At my footsteps, he lifted his eyes up, "Can I come in?" I asked and he nodded.

When I sat down by his side, without introductions, I immediately let my words flow out, "I am sorry, I really am, I didn't mean to say that you lied to us." I shook my head and felt my chest tightening, "I just...I was shocked, I jumped to conclusions without thinking." I placed my hand over his, "I know that you would never lie to me."

He stared at me and I felt my heart break at the look in his eyes. His chest rose up and down as he sucked into a deep breath.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked.

A small smile came to his lips and he shook his head, "No, you just took me off-guard, that's all."

"I know," I looked down at my lap, embarrassed, "I acted on impulse, as usual."

I felt his arm wrap around my shoulder before he pulled me closer, "You didn't do anything wrong," He sighed, "You're right, I lied."

I lifted my head up as he carried on, "But believe me, if I ever lie, it's only to protect you and your brother." I believed in those words.

Still, there was that sad look still lurking in his eyes, "I made you sad." I said as a breath of sorrow flowed from my mouth.

"I reminded you of his death, didn't I?" Guilt and shame rolled out between my words.

He shook his head, "It's not like I ever forgot it."

My chest jerked with a weird painful feeling, "Were you two close?"

His gaze left me for a second before he nodded, "In a weird way, yes, we were."

I shook my head, "I can only imagine how hard it must've been." I mumbled, more to myself, "If something would happen to Max, I don't think I am capable of handling that."

He tightened his arm around my body, "You and your brother are everything to me, I would never let anything happen to either of you, you get that?"

I nodded as I leaned into his embrace, "I know."

I should've known that if he was hiding things from me, it was for my own good.

"Hey," Max's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. He was standing by the doorframe, looking at us, "Can I interrupt you two?"

Dad smiled and ushered him to come sit beside him.

"Dad," He said as he pressed his palms against the mattress, "Can you tell us more about him?"

He turned to him and nodded, "Yeah sure, what do you want to know?"

Max shrugged, "Like, was he married? Do we have secret cousins we don't know about?"

I chuckled at his tone while dad didn't seem to get the humor in his question. He just shook his head, "No, you don't."

His lips pursed up, thinking, "Did you two fight?" He asked, glancing at me.

Dad chuckle was low, "Oh yeah, we had our share of fights."

Max looked at me and smiled, "So, we are normal."

"Lilly, to be honest, if you died," He said, "I think I would be sad for a couple of days."

He smiled and I rolled my eyes at him. The tightness over my chest started to fade after having this conversation with dad.

I turned my attention to the phone I am still holding in my hand. I stared back at the picture and smiled, "Looks like I was used to him a lot."

Dad's gaze went to the phone and he nodded, "You loved him." He smiled, a small one, as if remembering, "He loved you too, a lot."

I only wish I could remember him.

He turned to Max, "Even though you weren't born yet, he still cared about you a lot," Max smiled, "He loved you even before he saw you."

Max smile widened before he looked back at me, "Can I see him?" He asked and I handed him the phone.

He looked at the picture before he turned to dad, then looked back at the picture, then back at dad, "I am just seeing who was more good looking."

"Hey!" Dad said, offended, "Of course, it's me."

We laughed and the conversation went on and on, we asked a lot of questions and dad answered each one of them.

By the end, a weird sense of relief rushed back to my chest. Maybe it wasn't so bad to figure all of this out.

I mean, finally, I know something about dad's family.

"Can I ask one last thing?" Max said, his tone losing the playfulness it had.

Dad nodded so he went for it, "Who killed him?" He asked, "The man who killed him, was he ever caught?"

I wanted to ask that from the beginning too but it only felt that I would open old wounds back again.

Dad's throat bobbed and he silently shook his head.

It still felt that more secrets lay within this subject, but I wasn't planning to dig any deeper.

The last thing I'd want is to hurt dad, and this subject seems to hurt him like nothing else.

*******************

Hey! How are you all doing?

Today, as I was laying down on the beach, I scribbled a few words and somehow this small chapter was made!

Anyways, do you think it's better that they got to know this sugarcoated truth?

Some people asked me to include more of Chase's POV and more of him and his interaction with his parents. That for sure, I will include. Do you guys have any other suggestions? Anything that you'd like to read in this story? Any specific POV?

See ya next chapter! Love ya all!