"Aww, look at them they are so cute," was the statement that woke me from my slumber and my gaze immediately landed on the male holding me in his arms as the sleep dissipated from my eyes and I lifted my head to find Alice looking at us with that 'knowing' look in her eyes. You know the one here eyes sparkled as if they were filled with stars and pink hearts seemed to be floated out of her head probably because she romanticized the idea of us together than anyone I've ever met.
As soon as she saw, I was awake the phone in her hand immediately disappeared behind her back and I rolled my eyes. It seemed I might have to hack into her phone to regain the pictures she took.
"What time is it?" I asked clutching at my head.
"Almost noon," she answered and I let out a sigh before looking at the place I was currently trapped. Hands palming me over my cami, legs tangled under the sheets and cocooned in his embrace. It seemed the fact that we were in a hospital couldn't change the sleeping habits. For a moment, I was glad that this was actually a queen sized bed, otherwise I'd have probably dragged him out of bed, if he didn't hold me down. After all I get restless if I get too warm in my sleep. He must have taken it off sometime while I was still asleep.
"He said not to wake you until you had enough sleep," she added giving a smirk and I pretended not to see it as I sat up.
It was at that moment my stomach grumbled and I winced. I'd not eaten for more than twelve hours the last time being an early supper before I slept. That was at least one hour after Ryder took me home. I woke up nearly 6 hours later when he called. That said, I was immensely hungry.
"Come on, we should make it back to the house just in time for lunch," she said and I looked at her confused. "Wilder is taking care of lunch before he comes back here. Cody will stay here with him and you honey, need to freshen up. You don't want to look like a hilly billy now do you?"
She asked narrowing her eyes at me and I wisely keep my mouth shut. She looked really ready to nag. I didn't hate her for that as a matter of fact I didn't mind her endless chatter but I wasn't in the mood. Nodding, I got out of bed slipping on my shoes and grabbing my hoodie before kissing his forehead before nodding to Cody who had been leaning against the door watching our interaction.
"Go get some proper rest," she said ruffling my head. After a while I got used to him acting affectionately despite the fact that he seemed well-versed in maintaining a poker face than any of us. And their ruffling my hair, given of all of us I was the youngest, I could only take it silently after I tried to dissuade them with no avail.
"I am properly rested."
"No you're not. One can hear the gears in your head turning from a mile away. Stay out of trouble," he said before looking towards Alice.
To anyone else, it would be a guy asking his girl friend to take care of his little sister, but to me, he might as well have said I really want to fuck you. That said and done, I'm pretty sure I gave her a lot of more credit than I intended to about that night. The more I thought about, even though I didn't exactly want to, the physique was more or less Cody's compared to her ex, Christian, Cody was a whole head taller, lean and slim, not excessively ripped. But if I could notice it, why couldn't she? I mean is it normal for a girl to be mostly unaware of a guy's feelings for her at least 80% of the time. Even I do remember questioning if Ryder had ulterior motives for approaching me. I mean I still wonder if he knew something about me. He didn't get surprised when he found out I was heterochromic, he didn't even question the fact that I have secret bodyguards around me 24/7 no matter where I am, he didn't even eye me skeptically when he found out I spend some of my days at the fighting club. And most of all he didn't question the fact that Jaime and I were friends other than warning me repeatedly that he had feelings for me, which I already knew by the way and after that event at the club he hadn't dared to contact me again when he figured that there might be a possibility I might share feelings for Ryder.
Anyway, it didn't matter. I could have as well read much into it. After all even if they were to look particularly matched I couldn't conclude they shared what Ryder and I had. If I was needed I would have to confirm they shared the same feelings. With that we left the hospital, taking our separate cars since Kai had driven my car here from the station with a change of bodyguards after the ones that watched me all night were done with their shift, despite the fact that Alice was against it. While I knew she really did want the best for me, I preferred some peace and quiet to put my thoughts together. For example, the more they told me to let this incident go, I wasn't willing to concede. Any shift in the stabbing, could have been life threatening. I would have wanted to consider it petty fighting like they wanted me to but if the person brought a knife to the fight this time, who's today they wouldn't bring a gun next time? I was going to sweep everything under the rug after I found out what I needed to. And they had given me their first clue. They were at a house party. Like every other random week day they decide the really have to get drunk.
Alice had been having dinner with her dad last night otherwise she would have called me at the first sign of trouble. Given she's here only today, she probably didn't know about it until this morning. And so, I had to settle for someone else. Someone trusted by Ryder, not necessarily tight and within their group or someone with mindless loyalty but always in the loop and not merely muscle. But the little adventure was delayed when we found ourselves intruding on a family war, at least because I could feel killing intent flying all over the place. The main reason being future second Mrs Stone wanted to prepare some food for Ryder which ended up with Wilder and her arguing which later involved Mr Stone leaving Alfred and the maids to watch on helpless. Though I wasn't involved I could pretty much guess this had to do with the fact that she had brought about around many changes this heavily included the many maids around the house which led to the current atmosphere as we walked in when Wilder yelled he was going to move out with his elder brother who was Ryder and currently lying on a hospital bed.
Honestly I had no idea he planned to move out at all or not, but for the week Wilder and I spent close, I had an idea that the only reason Ryder was here and not in University already was for his little brother. I wasn't aware of the details but as far as I knew he was going to stick around for another year even though he should have been going to campus. It made me question his relationship with Cody and Ethan though as reality hit me hard when I realized I didn't exactly know Ryder as much as I thought I did, which was somewhat particularly embarrassing and confusing. Now that I think about it, he rarely talks about himself, leave alone the past two weeks, when I got to know about him from his grandma, who was practically 'selling' him to me, he seemed to prefer not discussing himself unless the need came about. Or maybe I hadn't been making enough an effort. Anyway....
When I figured his statement was about to bring about more arguing, I stepped into the kitchen calling him and his expression softened slightly.
"How is he?" Both males asked and I pursed my lips.
"He was asleep when I left. What are you making?" I asked my eyes darting on the ingredients spread on the counter. He might act like he's mostly stupid but at least Wilder had the sense to avoid the spices and add vegetables. I had a feeling Ryder would definitely hate this new diet.
"Alfred was about to help me," he said shooting a nasty glare at her who in turn glared at me. Why is it that I suddenly felt I was going to be blamed
"Do you need any help?"
"Nope it's okay," he said and I raised my hand, ruffling his hair making him grin widely that his dimples pop out and I smiled in return at this cute pup before turning away. "Are you coming back with us?"
"I'll follow. I have some things to take care of first," I said and he nodded making me chuckle before I went to find Alice who for sure was definitely in her own world thinking she was in Wonderland. Alice in Wonderland? I've never thought about that one before, I thought about that before (literally). Eventually, I found her in the basement, right at home, seated in front of a big TV screen watching ..Tom & Jerry? At that I merely left the room silently planning to take that long delayed shower when I realized it would wait some more.
"Diana," an all too familiar voice called and I furrowed my eyebrows slightly before turning around to face him.
"Mr Stone," I responded and he seemed to freeze for a brief moment before he gave me a brief smile.
"Can we talk in the study for a moment?" He asked and my gaze trailed from him to the place his other half was peeking.
"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to go into rooms with strange men," I said and I saw that familiar twitch of lips as he narrowed his eyes at me but I wasn't in the least remorseful. "If you'll excuse me Mr Stone, I have a busy afternoon my way before I go back to the hospital and between school and my part time job, it begs to emphasize not all of us can take a break merely because we can live the rest of our lives on our savings or because we are our own bosses."
"Is that why you are preying on this family? So that you can poke and have a share of what's in our wallets!?" A loud screeching voice came from behind him and I raised an eyebrow at her.
Our? Seems like someone had already gotten to settled in her position. Putting on airs merely because Ryder wasn't around, it almost made me laugh.
"You came up with that yourself!? You're so smart. And yes, I'm going to poke ...no drill a very big hole in your pockets that you wouldn't be able to sew them back," I mocked with a look that definitely said 'are you an idiot?'.
Without another word, I excused myself and disappeared to my room, rather his given that he'd been pulling all sorts of strings to stick to me when it proved that it was way too easy to drive a wedge between us. Well it was on me but he aimed to make sure that wouldn't happen again. The fact that he rendered me speechless every time I tried to tell him otherwise I had to consider the fact that I got him to get my name off the apartment lease a small win and I couldn't be sure he really took it off. With another sigh, I stripped and got in the shower to get rid of that sticky feeling and to wash off that smell of medicine and blood. I knew better than anyone my aversion of hospitals. I hated them more than I hated lies, I thought running a hand through my hair. Looks like I need another haircut. In the end, I got dressed less than half the time I got showered and that too in time for lunch that Wilder had set aside us and left before we did.
"So where are we going?" Alice asked as I picked up my keys.
"Out," I said with a deadpan expression as I got into the car.
"You can't be doing what I really think you're doing?"
"Coming?"
"Maybe it was for our own good you know. We shouldn't trouble ourselves," she said but nevertheless entered the car and strapped herself in.
"I don't really care but I'm going to get answers. It doesn't matter if I have to beat the answers out of them."
"Damn, you are scary when you're mad," she said but I didn't reply when I felt her hand on mine. "You know he's okay, right? He's not leaving you any time soon."
She said and a ripple passed under my calm facade. Though close to the point, it seemed like she didn't really understand why I was insistent on this. Taking my hand away, I pushed the stray locks of my hair from my face as I hummed in response.
"Hey, where are we going?" She asked after a few moments of silence, the chatterbox in her undoubtedly restless. "You didn't even use the savnat."
"That's because I have a good sense of direction after seeing it once."
"Didn't you say you almost got lost on the first?"
"I'll admit I was slightly disoriented after I bumped into Ryder but I didn't lose my way."
"Sure," she said chuckling and I rolled my eyes at her as she turned to look at her.
"Jared's?"
"He should know about what happened yesterday."
"How sure are you he is home? And do you seriously think he's going to tell you that easily? I mean even his closest friends kept mum."
"As I said, I doesn't matter if I have to beat it out of him. I find out what I want," I said driving up to the said person's house relieved to find his car on the driveway and made for the door without a second thought with Alice hot on my trail.
"Slow down, will you? Seriously, one would think they have a loan shark or something on their porch," she exclaimed and I rolled my eyes at her.
"Stop being so dramatic," I mumbled stopping the rapid knocks aware I may have overdid it in my agitation.
"Diana..?" I heard Jared's voice in surprise and a second later the fumbling of the lock as he opened the door shouting his dad he had it. "I didn't think you'd get here so fast."
'Technically, she texted you merely seconds before she drove up so you wouldn't have the chance to call either of the three.' Not to mention I actually had Kai track him down earlier given I was well aware he was among the students who went out of school for lunch. I definitely didn't expect he came home.
Clearly this was what Alice and I thought but I wasn't going to say it out loud.
"I was in the area," I said and Alice snorted beside me and I shot her a dirty look. "It's about last night."
"Diana...?"
"I just want to know why they were fighting."
"I'm not supposed to say anything," he said awkwardly and I cursed under my breath. Looks like they had already beat me to it, but I wasn't giving up yet.
"I don't care for details. I just want to know why they were fighting. I'm pretty sure I'm entitled to know. It's like the news won't get around anyway."
"Yes but I can assure you it's nothing serious. Montgomery and Stone get into this types of fights all the time at these parties. Honestly everyone is already used to it."
Kyle.. I wondered feeling my body stiffen. While I could have guessed it beforehand, I was surprised to figure out that I had crossed his name out of my mind not suspecting he'd go through all these lengths. Feeling like a big bucket of ice water had been dumped over my head, I tried not to show the shock that came with finding out that Kyle really stabbed Ryder.
"A knife was involved. It's pretty serious don't you think?" I said coolly and he looked surprised for a moment before he nodded.
"I suppose."
"So why were they fighting?"
"Well, because of you," he said and I pulled back shocked and he seemed to realized he had said too much.
"Me? Why? I mean I can guess but I already clarified things between us. Why were they fighting again?" I shot rapidly and he gave me a look that I could only describe as pitying and I felt myself tremble for a moment as I stepped back. I definitely didn't like that look.
"I'm sorry. I've already said too much. And if I were you, I'd stop looking into this already," he said and I looked up at him surprised.
"Why not?"
"Trust me. It's better if you don't. It's for your own good."
Looking at his serious expression, I knew he was telling the truth and I could do nothing more but fall into the seat on the porch feeling remarkably exhausted. It was only now that I seemed to figure that if they had to go all these lengths to hide it from me, it was probably for my own good. At the thought, I rubbed my temple staring at the ground in a trance.
"Don't beat yourself up about it. It's not your fault."
"But..?"
"He's right, babe," Alice said pulling me into a hug as she sat beside me. "No matter what happened he got into a fight on his own accord. And besides it goes to say he believes you're totally worth it."
Unknowingly, a faint trace of a smile ghosted my face and she smiled in return.
"Good girl," she said patting my cheek and I rolled my eyes before turning to Jared who was watching us silently.
"Okay, I won't ask about it anymore," I said and he nodded visibly relieved and I pursed my lips.
Regardless of it all, I wasn't going to let him off that easily. Kyle hurt someone I cared about. While thinking that everything Ryder does is right might be hypocritical, I knew that this wasn't merely a jealousy driven misadventure. After chatting a little longer, we left.
"You know he likes you right?"
"No he doesn't."
"How would you know? I doubt you even truly believe Ryder is serious about you. How could you figure out where Jared is crushing on you or not?"
My EQ is not as low as you make it out okay, I thought but I didn't say anything. I'm pretty sure I could tell between fawning and wooing. The way he acted was the same way people back home did when they figured either me or Dylan might inherit the family business after all other family showed absolute disregard. Neither of us wanted it either but running away too was easier said than done. That said given the relationship between Jared and Ryder and the fact that Kai found out he was one of the kids sponsored by the few programmes under the Stone family and company. I'd definitely be surprised if he didn't time and again try to put Ryder in my good graces while putting himself in my mine. He was a nice kid, and a smart one too for that matter. Nevertheless, I didn't explain it to her.
"Should I drive you back to school?"
"Yeah. Unlike other people we don't need to read once to remember something? Must be good to have a photographic memory huh?" She said and I sneered inwardly.
Photographic memory, my foot. The ability took years to get honed to the level I was in now. It wasn't perfect but I could remember most things that I've read, leaving out the fact that I sometimes forgot names of unimportant persons, was all because my grandfather insisted on trusting my brain more. Leave alone the event of forgetting due to deteriorating mental health which no doubt he prayed never to happen, technology wasn't all that reliable. He didn't even trust Dylan's abilities even after he, himself, facilitated the network built for the benefit of the whole family. I'll admit I understood his fears but upto now no one had figured out how to hack into the network. Sure it's been a year but for a 16 year old who has always had a way with machines for as long as I can remember, it's really more than impressive. That said it's easy to guess where his interests like unlike me who dabbled in everything. As far as I was concerned, even the most average and simplest of skills could take you along way. But it was said it made me look unfocused and willful, definitely not suitable to take over the business. That was why they could afford to have me leave home. But it didn't change the fact that I received the same amount of resources my brother did. Only I chose to actually go to school to experience it and take the finals even if I didn't necessary have to. Drawn from these facts, there was only one conclusion drawn up. I had already gone over all these and it was just a matter of when I'd choose to be done with my studies.
It really wasn't as easy as she made it seem and I didn't think I was as cooler as she made me out to be. So I did what any other person would do? Fake it and avoid the humongous migraine and awkwardness that would come with explaining all that.
"Are you going back to the hospital?"
"I still have to go back to...my house?"
She raised an eyebrow in question but didn't ask. Not long after, I dropped her outside school and left after promising to get someone to take her car at hers and I finally drove up to the Wallaces.
"I didn't think you were going to show up," Tony said as soon as he opened the door.
"Well, I'll admit, I could be taking care of other important things but I'd like to get this over with," I said and his lips thinned as he led me into the house.
"Right. Kate will be happy to see you," he said quietly but I didn't answer.
It wasn't that I hated her or anything but she had pushed a lot more buttons than I knew I had. From trying to set me up on dates after that failure with Kyle when she brought in the paparazzi to getting involved a lot more I my life that anyone had, I eventually developed a dislike for her. It made me wonder if she just didn't know how to read a situation or she merely played dumb with the intentions to make me leave since according to Kai she hadn't known of mine and Eve's existence till a week before I moved here. He also found out she had raised hell in her own house that she left the house only coming a day before I came. This had gone to make me apprehensive of her and I took the 'burglar' a lucky coincidence. Although, I wouldn't be all that surprised if she staged it. But I didn't care for her petty schemes. With that in mind, I shrugged her off as soon as she attempted to stick to me like a caring foster mother.
"Do you really have to have to act like that with her?" He asked as I sat in his study like I pretty much owned the place.
"We both know she doesn't like me," I said and surprise flashed in his eyes.
"Still?"
"I want to move out," I said and he froze looking at me.
"If this is about Kate I can assure you, you just need to give her some time..."
"No," I said raising my hand. "I could care less about what she thinks about me. We both know I wasn't supposed to stay here in the first place."
"I promised to take care of you."
"No, you promised to keep an eye on me and honestly I don't have to be in the same house as you."
"If it's only about Kate..."
"No it's not," I said narrowing my eyes at him and he rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
"Okay but you can't be staying at your... boyfriend's house," he said distastefully and I frowned.
"I'm not in the habit to take advantage of courtesy extended to me."
"Then leave your address. I have to know where you are at all times," he said and I pursed my lips before taking the notebook he slide over and scribbled an address on it.
I might despise this attempt but I wasn't one to not the hand that fed me. After all, I was using his name to salvage a little bit of security here for myself. It wasn't much but it wouldn't really raise questions given they took in at least two per year. They were not choosy and as long as they were underage they'd stay in their care. If one chose to leave, they didn't stop them. The only downside to this was being put in the spotlight. After all no one would want to leave being so high. That's why they signed a contract earlier on to make sure no one would kick a fuss and as compensation they worked in their company. Though it's been at least 8 years, leave alone Tess and Logan who had been with them earlier on, the rest were mostly moulded for at least a year to work in the company. It was safe to say they had more than a dozen personally cultivated foster kids. Having one less this year shouldn't have them mind so much. But the fact that they are actually being paid to take me in, why would they want me out. And so I did the only thing I could do, scribble the address of an apartment two floors below Ryder's. That way, I wouldn't be taking advantage of Ryder or lying to Tony.
It was dumb, I'll admit. And a waste of money too, but it was definitely a better idea than agreeing to my brother and father on getting a house in one of the most expensive villa complex merely because I could afford it. But while I was new to these relationship stuff, I was well aware that nothing good came from sharing a house with a male, even if I had convinced Ryder to let me stay in my own room. With my mindless playfulness and the impulsive urge to keep pushing his buttons, I knew that it might not necessarily take to long before either of us worked on the attraction between us. While I might trust myself with him, I wasn't going to give anyone ammunition to destroy any of us. I have never wanted to grow up so fast like I wanted to now. After a little more negotiating, I agreed to drop by twice a week for dinner, but only because of Darius. I liked that little rascal. As for Tony trying to put himself in my good graces, I chose to turn a blind eye. The only impression I had of him was that he had risen to glory really fast. And there are only two reasons to explain how he got the money real fast and without leaving a trace behind. One either he was part of the Underworld or he got the money from there. Both points emphasize that he has had his fair share of dealings. Of course I could question why my father entrusted me to him, but I didn't want to know any part of it. Afterwards, I went to the hospital to find a grumpy boyfriend who had been hoping to have lunch with me.
***********
For the next two days that had followed, I alternated between taking my personal stuff from the Wallaces to the new apartment, accompanying Ryder and school alongside things on Kai's end and the cafe Alteir. Honestly the long nights should be catching up to me but once my eyes landed on the little dumpling in my hands, a jolt of rejuvenating energy hit me. I'd just been entering the hospital when I found the small family and couldn't resist reaching out for the little girl.
"Are you sure it won't much trouble?"
"Not at all. I'll be here for a while anyway," I said and her gaze landed on the bag slung over my shoulder and she raised an eyebrow in question, amusement in her eyes.
"I suppose you two are really together then. Ethan has a lot to say about you," she said and I gave her a small smile. I'd almost forgotten Lisa and Ethan were cousins. "How is he?"
"Good enough to leave." Even if he was, I knew well enough that he'd compromised to leave after two days, 12 hours after surgery. Something about feeling klaustaphobic.
"Hmm, we won't be long now. I'll call you when I'm done," she said with a smile before handing me Alyson's bag before we parted ways and I headed straight for the elevator and to his room.
"Ray?" I called with a knock before pushing the door open and I raised an eyebrow in question the chatter before dying down as I entered.
From the looks on their face, I was interrupting and I couldn't help but feel like the four males in the room were watching me a little pensively and I paused.
"Am I interrupting?"
"Of course not," Cody cleared his throat before Ethan got to his feet.
"Sunshine, what did we say about kidnapping my little niece?" He said taking Alyson from my arms.
"I really wonder what you really think of me. Lisa and Alex have an appointment downstairs," I explained walking over and pressing my lips to Ryder's cheek, to which he was quick to put his hands around my waist and I slapped them away making him pout.
"You have to be the meanest girlfriend I've ever had."
"Oh, how many have you had before?"
"None," he answered quickly and expressionlessly that I couldn't tell if he was really lying to my face or that he was just that sincere about it. Nevertheless, I rolled my eyes before taking back Alyson and sat on the bed.
"For someone so invested in getting out of here, I'm surprised you're still in bed."
"That's because I was waiting for you," he said immediately clinging onto my waist and I felt my eyes twitch. If I could push him off I would but instead I chose to ignore him knowing he'd at least have the sense not to touch me inappropriately in front of his friends, otherwise I'd really break his arms, I thought before turning my gaze to Wilder who'd been looking at me strangely ever since I entered.
"Are you wearing a wig?" He asked and everyone's attention turned to the mop of dark hair snug into a messy bun and my eyes twitched once more.
They really didn't notice until he pointed out?!! I wondered with a frown.
"You underestimate just how your family is known. Paparazzi have been trying to get something about you guys since your father let out a press conference about Ryder getting into an accident," I said and the arms around me stiffened.
"Have they been harassing you?"
"I'm pretty sure I'd be doing the harassing, but no. They have tried to follow me more than once but you know they haven't succeeded."
"Hmm, good."
"Hey did you hear? They arrested Kyle last night," Wilder said suddenly and I frowned.
"I thought he was going to work around getting bail."
"You wanted him to get away with it."
"I'm pretty sure I'm not suppose to be in support of someone who was probably going something along the lines of premeditated murder," I said and narrowing my eyes at Ethan who immediately tensed looking at me or rather the person hugging me from behind.
"That's not what I was implying," he said and I pursed my lips before nodding. I knew what he met but I took an offense in the fact that he really didn't know me well enough to make assumptions about me. After all, all the times we went out were due to me being set up with him and I found I merely did it out of courtesy.
"It doesn't matter whether he makes bail or not. That will be a stain for life on his record. It really has nothing to with me," I said with a shrug as Ryder wrapped his arms over mine where they held Alyson close to my chest and I flushed red in embarrassment.
But in case it served to put an end to conversation that had me suspecting that they thought I had something to with the sudden arrest given Mr Montgomery had pulled strings to make sure this news wouldn't affect his road to success. As far as I knew, he was planning to send Kyle out of the country as soon as he convinced Mr Stone to drop the charges. This must have been a great setback and he was definitely not getting that seat no matter how much he tried to control the damage. Despite not having much of a reaction, the questioning had definitely rippled out a tsunami of chaos. Ryder stopping the conversation was definitely something to feel relief over.