Twenty-Three.......Distant

Flashback....... Ansel's POV

I was in my room surfing the internet for available jobs. It had been two weeks since my stepfather died and my mum still hadn't gotten over it. My sisters were really sad. Anika was coping better but Angel was distraught. She was the closest to him.

I had to find a job so I would be able to earn some money and assist my mum with the fees and bills she would now be paying alone.

I finally found one, a cafe. It had good pay so I decided I would go there this afternoon since it was still early.

I went down to have breakfast. My mum had just finished making pancakes and she was getting ready for a delivery. She normally baked cakes and sweets. She was saving money to start up a sweet shop.

"Ansel honey, how you doing?", she asked.

"Fine.", I mumbled and put some pancakes on my plate.

Neither of us said anything and I sat down in the dining.

"You're eating here?", she asked sounding surprised.

Since my stepdad died, I've stopped eating with them I kinda distanced myself from them. Funny as it seems, I didn't want to break down in front of them, 'cause they were all looking up to me as the only man in the house.

"Yeah?"

"Well, you just, you just stopped hanging around. I hardly see you around the house. Even Anika complained. She said you hardly talk to her and Angel these days.", she paused.

"Ansel, I know what you're trying to do. You're trying to be strong for us and I appreciate that. Everyone has their ways of dealing with grief but please don't push us, don't push people away, especially at this time. You need us as much as we need you to be here for us. So talk to us, talk to me, talk to Jamie or somebody but please don't push us away.", she said and rubbed my shoulders.

And as she left I could feel the tears welling in my eyes.

Present Day

RILEY'S POV

I woke up very angry. Ansel hadn't come back home. I checked my phone and there were no texts, no calls. I wasn't expected to come to work till Wednesday so I stayed home today.

I had just finished eating breakfast and was on the couch when my phone rang. I rushed to get it.

Thinking it was Ansel I spoke, "Ansel where have you...."

"Uhm it's Paloma.", I heard.

"Oh. Sorry, I thought.", I started sounding disappointed. Even if I was angry I would have been relieved if it was him.

"Never mind, what's up?", I asked.

"Nothing, I just wanted to call and check up on you.", she said.

I know Paloma, she never calls just to check up on anyone. She always has a reason.

"That's sweet and all but I know it's a lie."

"What?", she asked.

"You never just check up on somebody especially me, so again, what's up?", I said.

"Fine, you've caught me. I need help. So you know I and Parker are no longer an item."

"Yeah and last I remember you said you were cool with it so...", I trailed on.

"Well. He says he's seeing this girl."

"Who?"

"A girl.", she snapped. "Sorry, it's just she's so nice and beautiful and even has a wonderful name."

"What's her name?", I asked.

"Blaire something. And he's always talking about her.", she complained.

"You both are back on talking terms.", I said.

"Yes, how would I know her if we didn't talk.", she said flatly.

"Well, I didn't know that. How do you know she's nice?", I asked.

"Because she now works at the office. Riley, I know you're gonna laugh at my expense, but I think I...."

"Like Parker.", I completed for her. "Gosh, you're..."

"I know, I know.", she interrupted.

"So are they dating?", I asked.

"I dunno, I couldn't ask. I hope not, I would die if...."

"Paloma, I told you not to play with his feelings, now you...Okay just keep talking to him and when I come on Wednesday I'll see what I can do.", I said.

"Oh thank you, Riley, it means so much to let all these out. And I'm very sorry for how I have behaved.", she said.

"Don't worry, it's fine.", I said.

"So how are you and your husband?", she asked.

"We're fine.", I said but my voice didn't sound like it.

"That didn't sound convincing to me, is something wrong?"

"Well.", I started. "We went to a birthday party, his best friend's, and before that, we were actually close. If we were not married one would say we were dating."

"Okay."

"But then, he just left."

"Left?"

"Yeah. He just left, he didn't call or text and that was last night and I've been waiting for a call. I just don't want to think that something bad has happened to him.", I explained.

"No, don't think that way. Maybe something came up and he hasn't been able to contact you. Don't worry, wait till tomorrow and if he hasn't come home, you can contact the police.", she advised.

"Police, you just made me more scared.", I said.

"Oh, no...I mean...Gosh. I don't know what to tell you but, just keep calm I'm sure he'll be fine.", she said.

"Yeah, I'll try. Thanks though.", I said.

"You're welcome, well I gotta go now so bye."

"Yeah, bye.", I said and she hung up.

I took my drugs and later fell asleep. I woke up and it was evening. I went down and saw CJ.

"Oh ma'am, I was just coming to call you for dinner.", she said.

"Thank you.", I said and sat down to start eating. "Has Ansel come home?", I asked.

"No ma'am.", she said. "Might I ask, did he go on a trip because I haven't seen him since yesterday.", she said.

"I don't know where he is either.", I said more to myself.

"Oh. Well, you shouldn't worry I'm sure he's fine.", she said before excusing herself.

I sat there worried. A whole day and I didn't know what had happened to him or where he was. I left the food and went upstairs. I wanted I cry. What if something had happened to him?

A while later, the door opened and it was Ansel.

"Ansel!!", I said and jumped up from the bed. "Where were you all day?", I asked as he started taking off his clothes slowly. You just left me at the party.

"Well you seemed to be having fun, especially with that guy.", he said coldly.

Having fun, a guy, what was he talking about?

"What are you talking about?", I asked.

"The guy you were with at the bar, the one flirting with you.", he said.

"What do you mean, I wasn't flirting with anyone."

"So you're just gonna deny it.", he said and sat down to take his shoes off.

Who, was he..... "Allister.", I blurted.

"Oh but you remember his name.", he said.

"What, he wasn't flirting with me, we were simply talking and the reason I was with him in the first place was because I was looking for you.", I said my tone rising.

"You didn't seem like you were looking for me.", he spat.

"Okay, what is wrong with you? You leave me at a party with no ride back home. I had to wait till May was ready so she could drop me off. Then you don't come home for a day, you leave no call or text to say where you are and you come back with this ridiculous attitude.", I yelled.

"Ridiculous!", he started but stopped and sighed. "You know what, I can't do this right now.", he said and stood up.

"Do what? Where are you going?", I asked as he headed out of the room.

"The guest room.", he said and slammed the door, leaving me stunned.

Did he just... walk out on me?

The next day I woke up beyond angry. I didn't go to the guest room to see if he was still asleep. I headed downstairs after dressing up. I went down and CJ served my breakfast.

"The young master came home last night, looking very tired.", she said.

"Yeah, I saw him. Apparently, he was angry with me."

"Angry? Did he say that was why he didn't come back?", she asked.

"Well no. He didn't even say the reason, then he went to sleep in the guest room.", I said.

"That's not good. You both should resolve whatever issue is going on. It's not good to sleep in separate rooms.", she said and I saw reason in what she was saying.

"Yeah, you're right. I'll go talk to him now.", I said and stood up.

"Uhm ma'am.", CJ called and I turned around. "The young master has already left."

"What?"

"He left very early when I was just waking up.", she said.

"Oh.", I said as my face fell. "Well thank you.", I said and turned to head upstairs.

"Ma'am what of your breakfast?", she asked.

"I'm okay.", I said without turning around and just heading upstairs.

And so I spent another day waiting. Waiting for Ansel. On the bright side of it all, nothing bad had happened to him and I didn't need to contact the police. But then, he was angry with me.

There was something about the way he spoke to me yesterday, he felt different. His voice was so distant. I could sense he was tired, something was wearing him out, but what?

It wasn't the fact that he thought I was flirting with Allister. I refuse to believe that. There was something more. I took my phone and dialled his number but it went straight to voicemail. I decided to check his location, but I couldn't find him on the map.

He must have turned it off, but why?

"All this thinking is very stressful.", I muttered to myself. I decided I had to do something. I didn't want to call Paloma 'cause we would end up discussing the Ansel issue, and that's how it'll also end up if I call May.

I tried sleeping but it didn't work, so I decided to take some fresh air while taking a stroll. And that was how I ended up spending my whole day with Cory. He was good company and I appreciated him for that.

I went in and freshened up before eating. I didn't feel like watching TV so I did some work on my laptop. I was working when I heard the door slam. It was the guest room, meaning Ansel was back. I checked the time and it was some minutes to twelve. It was very late.

I wanted to go and barge in very angry, but I decided against that. After a lot of debating, I decided I was going to apologize. I went and knocked before opening the door.

"Can I come in?", I asked.

"Yeah.", he mumbled. If the room wasn't so silent I wouldn't have heard him. He was using his laptop and sitting on the side of the bed.

"So first, I want to say I'm sorry. Even though I didn't flirt with that guy, I'm sorry I made you think that. I didn't mean it.", I said and climbed the bed before I positioned myself to kneel behind him.

My hands went round his neck.

"I was just waiting for you, I even went out to see if the car was still parked but it wasn't. I didn't mean to make you angry.", I paused. "Are you even listening to me?", I asked.

He sighed and closed the laptop. "Yes Riley I'm listening to you.", he said tiredly. I went back when he adjusted to rest his back on the headboard and stretched his legs forward.

I smiled and climbed on top of him so I was straddling him. "So are we good now.", I said as my hands circled his neck. He nodded.

"Good. Cause I really mi.."

"My mum had a heart attack.", he said and I froze. It took me some time before I said anything.

"How... how did it... what happened, how is she?", I asked and removed my hands.

"She had this huge argument with Angel.", he started. "Of course Angel, she was everything but an angel. I didn't even understand what it was about. So Angel left and some minutes after the house help said she heard something crashing and rushed to see my mum on the floor.", he paused.

"She had called me while I was at the party and I'm sorry I didn't text or call. I was just so...."

"It's okay. It's okay.", I stopped him. "So how is she now?", I asked.

"The doctor was able to stabilize her but now she's in a coma, they say she'll be out of it soon, I hope.", he said.

"Don't worry she'll be fine.", I said. "Why didn't you tell me yesterday instead of just leaving.", I said but he didn't answer.

"Come. You should come to the bedroom where...."

"It's too far, I'm very tired.", he said.

"That's no problem. I can sleep here.", I said and got off him.

"Riley, I... I need some privacy.", he said without looking at me.

Was he telling me to leave him alone?

"Uhm, you sure you don't..."

"I'm fine Riley, I just need to be alone.", he said.

"Oh. Okay. I understand.", I said and stood up. "I'll just be, you know, in our room, in case you... Need anything.", I said and closed the door.

I understand, it's just that I thought he would at least tell me something or talk to me.

I didn't want to continue in this chapter because if I did, it would end up very long. So I moved the initial ending of this chapter to the next. So yes, that means a double update.

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The Sparkling Authoress

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