As soon as he shut the door, dad asked me to choose between Ethan and school.
I... I chose school.
I know my priorities....
But then, why am I feeling a need to cry?
I felt hurt. Very hurt. But I don't know wether it's because of Ethan or dad. I know whatever Ethan did was, because I asked him to do so. He did everything he could, to keep his promise. But then, I also understand the reason of dad's anger....
All in all, I'm the one at fault here.
I promised dad I won't see Ethan again. Won't contact him, won't reply to his messages, and as a result of that, my phone kept ringing every now and then.
Around midnight, my phone was still ringing on my bed, while I kept looking at it hopelessly. Then there was a knock on my door. Dad stood there. He gestured me to answer the call and said,
"Tell him what we've decided. He cannot contact you from tomorrow."
As I picked up the call, dad left to give me some privacy.
My throat felt heavy. Ethan has become the closest person to me after my parents. The thought of telling him to stay away was killing me from inside. While I was collecting strength to utter something, Ethan started asking in a worried voice.
"G-Grace? Are you there? Was your Dad too strict with you? Should I come over and try talking to him?"
"No Ethan.... You can't come here anymore."
He very well understood what I meant by that, but just like me, his heart won't believe this so easily.
"Grace, whatever your dad said was just like a reflex action. He was very displeased at that moment. Wait for some time, everything will be fine again."
"I know my dad Ethan... That won't happen."
There was silence for a few seconds and then he asked,
"What has he asked you to do?"
"He gave me a choice. To choose between you and the life I've always wanted."
"Am I not a part of the life you've always wanted?"
"Ethan, this is hard enough already. Don't Make it harder for me."
"I know... I'm sorry.. but, we can still meet, right? We'll make sure your father never finds out. You won't actually leave me forever for him..."
"I respect my dad's decision, Ethan. And I'm not doing anything against his will."
There was silence again. This time when he spoke, his voice felt ghostly. Angry, sad, distant, whatever he was, but I can sense him turning back to the Ethan I first met. And I hated being the reason for that.
"So, you'll listen to your dad and never see me again?"
"......yes"
"And everything is over from your side? You just don't care anymore? Not even a bit?"
I'm sorry for what I'm going to say next, but it's necessary.
"Ethan, stop overreacting. It wasn't even an entire week."
"... Yeah. You're right. If you can get over it so easily, I can at least give it a try. I'm sorry for taking so much of your time Miss Holland, and send my apologies to your father."
He hung up with that.
He called me Miss Holland...
This really might be the last time we were talking.
The next day, I felt numb during school. I had no expression, emotion, or reaction to anything around me. Even Jason wasn't being the regular jerk head and tried to check if I'm doing okay.
But not everyone can be understanding at the same time.
Even though she is no longer a part of this school,. Natalie came driving inside the school parking lot. Maybe she was allowed to come as the school was over, but if I were the guard, I'd have never allowed anyone to come inside with the murderous expression Natalie had right now.
Natalie got out of her car, took a baseball bat and started walking towards us. Assuming what might happen next, Noah and Kyle stood in front, blocking me, Ave, and Abby. Before she was close enough to do any harm, she was swept off of her feet. Jason lifted her from behind, stopping her from coming any further.
She started shouting.
"Let me GO! My mom got arrested because of that B***H!! She has ruined my everything!!"
"Calm down Natalie.. stop creating a scene."
Jason said as he put her down. Slowly releasing her out of his grip as she stopped swinging her bat.
So her last name is Brooke?
I stepped forward and said,
"I'm really sorry that this happened Natalie. I had no idea that she was your mother."
"Like that would have stopped you. You knew I was dating Jason, but you still kept hanging out with him, and you want me to believe that you didn't do this to my mom on purpose?"
She said as she started marching towards me again. Jason stopped her by holding one of her arm, but unfortunately, she was close enough to make a move. Using her free hand, she hit me on my head with a baseball bat. The impact wasn't skull crushing, but was hard enough to form a bulge with mild bleeding on my forehead.
"Natalie! Have you lost it?!"
Jason shouted as he pushed Natalie towards her car and ran in my direction.
Satisfied with what she did, Natalie left after saying that this still wasn't over. Noah and Kyle rushed inside school, looking for ice, cold water, faculty, or anything useful. Abby was shooing away the audience we had. Ave held a napkin to my forehead as I sat on the ground in pain, and Jason sat beside me. His one hand supporting my head and with other hand he was holding mine.
Since I had compromised on a huge topic recently, dad agreed to not sue Natalie for what she did. Everyone was concerned about me, so I didn't go to school the next day.
I went to a nearby park. It was almost empty at this time of the day. I sat on a bench under a tree, looking at the clear sky above. It reminded me of Ethan. The tree reminded me of our visit to the orphanage. The bench reminded me of the time we spent in his balcony. The soft grass under my feet, that reminded me of our long drive to the abandoned park. I wonder if he's aware of what happened in school yesterday. Should I still be expecting him to care?
My thinking was interrupted as two voices neared me. Well, one voice and the other one was bark.
"Trying to relax?"
Reyansh said as he sat beside me. He passed me a tennis ball and gestured me to throw it and play with Watson. Watson had his focus completely on the ball. As I threw it, he ran with lightening speed to bring it back.
"You didn't answer."
"Yeah. I'm trying to relax."
"And what's forcing you to relax all of a sudden?"
"Nothing is forcing me to relax. I just decided to take it easy today."
"Oh yeah? The mark on your forehead is telling me otherwise."
Watson came back with the ball. This time Reyansh threw the ball for Watson.
"You are a detective, right? Try guessing the answer."
"I don't have to guess. I know it already."
"Then go on. Enlighten me."
"Natalie, Martha's daughter, she used to go to the same school as you. She's the reason of you taking leave from school today. But she isn't the reason you are feeling down."
"No? You don't think I'll feel bad for sending someone's parent to prison?"
"I'd like to believe you are mature than that. You feeling down has something to do with Ethan."
Watson came back again. Reyansh didn't throw the ball this time and gestured Watson to rest. Watson took a few circles at the same spot, and then laid on the grass near Reyansh's feet.
"Why do you think this has something to do with Ethan?"
I said, trying to keep my strong facade intact.
"You are both acting weird at the same time. Too good of a coincidence to be left unnoticed."
That means Ethan still isn't over it. But I'm not sure if I should feel happy that he remembers me, or should I feel bad that he isn't in his best elements because of me.
For quite some time, we sat there in complete silence. The only sound being the silent rustling of leaves and very few car horns, which were far away from here.
And then, Reyansh spoke.
"You must have noticed that my parents aren't exactly the same age. Ever wondered why?"
"I did wonder that, but thought it would be plain rude to ask."
He gave a laugh as pleasant as wind chimes and said,
"Thanks for sparing me. The thing is, that dad used to be very traditional. He was all set to marry a girl he had known his entire childhood and knew that one day he'll marry her. He was in Paris, and was to be wed in five days. He went to a jewellery store to buy gift for her bride, and then mom entered the store, and his life. She came there with nanu, her dad, to buy a graduation present for herself."
"Wait. Graduation present? That means she was eighteen. How old was your dad?"
"Twenty nine."
"..... I have to say your dad has some great genes. I would have never guessed the exact gap."
"I'll make sure the flattery reaches his ears. So, after seeing mom, dad cancelled his marriage at once. It took him two months to find out who mom was, and he followed her all the way to India. He was rejected by nanu on his very first visit."
"What? But why?"
" You know, the usual. Different religion and all those things. But Dad had decided that either he'll marry mom, or will ever remain single. After an entire year of trying hard, and series of gifts and letters, which represented both the French and Indian cultures, nanu finally agreed, and my parents were married. They were wed according to both the traditions and dad promised nanu that he'll always let their culture spread side by side with his own."
Even though I had no role in it, and I wasn't involved in it in any way, I was so relieved that they finally got married. I mean, what the heck? Of course they got married. That's the reason Reyansh is sitting beside me. But still, I took a sigh of relief and Reyansh gave me a brilliant smile.
"Okay. That was quite a fairy tale. But why bring this up now?"
"I wanted to lift your spirits, it worked. Other than that, I wanted you to understand, that no matter how correct you are, it's impossible to have everyone's support. Sometimes even your parent's."
Now that he has said the last line, I'll never doubt his detective skills.
"Did Ethan tell you about it?"
"Nah. He didn't. I have some sources you know."
"Sources?"
"I do am a detective. Remember?"
"Yeah. I do. So, is that how your sister was married too? If I'm not wrong, your brother in law is from Australia."
"Angela is a totally different story for some other day. Right now, I want to ask you something."
"What is it?"
"I know it's a little straight forward, and a bit..... Creepy. But, do you love Ethan?"
"... I can't believe you just asked that."
"I can't believe I asked that either. But I'm not talking about like, care, or any other thing. I'm asking, do you love Ethan?"
"I.... I-I don't know.."
Reyansh was diappointed by my answer. His eyes lost the shine they had few minutes ago. He said he has to be somewhere soon and left with Watson. While going, he wispered to me,
"Every 'I do', was once an 'I don't know'."
Confused then ever, I went back home.
Soon enough, it was weekend again.
My parents were busy. Again. Mom might be out for another week, but Dad should be back by tomorrow.
It was around seven in the evening. Ave would be here in an hour. She'll be staying here entire night with me, so that dad doesn't do rash driving in a hurry to reach home.
I was watching TV when I received a phone call. Not taking my eyes off of the TV screen, I answered the call.
"Yeah?"
"Hey there Holland! You ready to play?"
My breathing unconsciously stopped and my hands started to tremble.
"Stop this nonsense or I'll call the cops!"
"Do whatever you want.. the preparation has been done and you have to play. This is going to be one hilarious thing!"
Frustrated with this, I went to the main door and tried opening it but to vain. It was locked from outside. I tried the same with a few windows but failed as well. In rage of my failure, as I was walking towards the couch, there came a sound. A 'Quack-Quack' to be more specific. Startled and in a little frenzy, I tripped over the carpet...
Never have I ever felt so lucky, falling on my face..
I have no idea that from where, or how, but guns were fired in my direction. Had I not tripped and fallen, the bullets would have gone straight through my head. The mural on the wall broke and pointed pieces of glass were flying everywhere. This made me lose my phone as well. The only landline we have is in dad's office, and it's locked.
I felt myself getting out of options, so I started looking for the spare handgun dad hides in the drawers. As I took out the gun from the last drawer, there was again a 'QUACK-QUACK'. This time I dodged it by ducking down.
Wait.. ducking down? The ugly... Duckling?
I know this isn't the time, but this mystery serial killer of mine has a sick sence of humor.
My plan now was to either find my phone, or break into dad's office and call the cops and Ave. After five minutes and three series of firing, I was still unable to find my phone so I decided to break into dad's office. As I was heading there, I heard gunshots, just outside the main door. Someone was trying to break in and they have a gun.
I hid behind a wall from where I could peek and shoot if necessary. The person shot the door open and hurried inside, calling my name. I walked out at once, seeing him there.
"Ethan? What are you doing here?"
Seeing me, he released the breath he has been holding, lowered his gun and murmured something under his breath.
"And why do you have a gun?"
I asked again, pointing towards his hand.
"I received a call from you and all I heard was gunshots. What else do you expect me to come with? Popcorn?"
"But I didn't call you."
"Then I'm even more offended that you called me by mistake. Seriously Grace, how long will it take you to understand that your life is more important than your little adventures, or the senseless promises you made to your father?!"
"You should have rather let the police handle this."
"I've already informed them. They should be here any moment. Now, let's get out of here."
I followed him outside. First and foremost, I called Ave and told her to stay at her home.
The cops arrived soon. They checked the house, in case the culprit was still there and once it was confirmed that no one was inside, they sealed it. They advised me to stay somewhere else for the night. Ethan offered me to help me and we got inside his car.
"Where are we going?"
I asked as the driver started.
"My place."
"I can't stay there."
"Don't worry. We won't even be on the same floor. I can't let you stay somewhere alone right now, it won't be safe. And I can't stay out all night either. Someone is waiting for me at home."
Did.... Did I heard it right? Did he say someone is waiting for him at home? Why am I feeling shattered all of a sudden?
Noticing the sudden gloom on my face, Ethan answered before I could ask.
"It's that little girl 'Grace' you saved that day. Reyansh and I looked into the records of the orphanage and found that many children were sent to people who never existed. The staff is under custody. And all the children are sent to different orphanage till a better staff is assigned. Grace was too scared to open up with anyone, so I signed some papers and brought her home. She'll be sent back to her friends once she feels alright again."
I looked outside the window to hide the smile now formed on my face. But I think I was busted, as the window wasn't down and my reflection could be seen on it.
As we reached the Reyes' mansion, Ethan showed me my room and told me to use room service if I needed something. He then headed to a different direction which wasn't towards his room. I think he went to see Grace.
Some time later, as I was laying on the bed, reading a book I found on the shelf, there was a knock at the door, following Which a red head peeked inside.
"May I come in?"
The little girl asked in her Candy voice.
"Sure! Come in!"
I sat a little straighter and patted the space beside me, asking her to sit. She shook her head in denial and said,
"It's time for me to sleep. Ethan told me you are here, so I came as I wanted to say hello..."
Damm... This girl is so cute.
She then gave me a stuffed rabbit she has been holding and said,
"She's cookie. She'll protect you from monsters when you are asleep."
"Don't you need her too?"
"I have her sisters. They don't know judo like cookie does, but they are many in number so they'll be able to save me..... Good night."
And she hopped back to her room.
She wasn't this happy, even in the orphanage. Ethan sure has taken nice care of her.
Holding, cookie the stuffed bunny, close to me, I fell into a deep slumber.
Next morning I woke up completely rested. It was eight in the morning. Dad should be back in an hour or two, so I went outside my room, looking for Ethan. As I was headed towards the stairs, a voice stopped me.
"Who are you, young lady?"
I turned to see a woman in her mid forties, sharply dressed and walking towards me. Her heels were making the perfect sound. Her hairs and eyes were screaming her identify. They were exactly like her son's.
"I'm Grace. Sorry, but I don't think we've been introduced.."
A smile formed on her lips as she said,
"So you are Grace.. I've heard so much about you, I feel like I already know you.. but I have to say, you are even more beautiful than I imagined you to be. Oh just look at me.. getting so excited that I forgot to introduce myself.... Ahem.. I am Carol Reyes. Jason's mother."