(Luke pov)
"Do you have a plan?", I asked.
"I'm blocked. Why don't we discuss it together?", said Jack.
"We will meet at my residence this evening", he said.
"Will there be another false birthday celebration?", I said.
"A fake double date", he said.
The door swung open.
"Your dad needs you in his workroom", Seth interrupted.
"Don't you know the etiquette of knocking?" I asked.
"I'm your uncle. I don't need to rap on your door." said Seth.
"It follows that, even if I'm in intercourse with my wife, you'll do the same, don't you?", I said.
"You know what? You're the nephew I hate the most! I don't understand why your father insists on having me call you when he knows we never get along.", said Seth.
"Idiot!", he stormed out.
"Did he claim that for himself?", sneered Jack.
"Doubtless" I said.
"Do you think he eavesdrops on us?" he asked.
"I guess not," I said.
"I sometimes feel as though, every time we discuss important stuff, your father always jumps in at the last minute," he said.
"Is he a witch? Does he set up a camera somewhere in this room?" said Jack.
"Might be. Because I talk to the most crafty man in the office", I said.
"A blacklisted male on your dad's list", he said.
"I wonder why your dad did not fire me after 'The Past' ?" he said.
"To monitor you," I said.
"It is easy for him to observe our movements if we are in the same office. You're aware enough of his intellect," I said.
"And wise enough to locate your hiding place," he sneered.
"My life's destructor!" I exclaimed.
"Okay, then see you at my place." said Jack.
"See you," I said.
He returned to his room when we split ways, and I went into my father's office.
"What do you need me for?", I asked.
"I've got together tonight with my pals. I'd like it if you joined us", said Silas.
"I'm not available tonight. Sarah and I are going to spend the evening at Jack's house," I said.
"Can't you put it off?" asked Silas.
"Why don't you postpone your get-together" I said.
"This is highly important to me, son," he said.
"A relaxing evening is vital to me as well," I said.
"Why are you so hard on me? I'm your father"
"Why are you such hot-headed?" I said.
"Son, give in to your dad today, please." he begged.
"Am I not giving in enough to you?" I said.
"If you want me to come, you know what to do", I said.
I walked out.
"The man is obviously a witch. He invited me to join his get-together with his pals." I texted Jack.
"Your father truly understands when to interrupt our crucial meeting," said Jack.
"Not this time. I outwitted him to cave to my demands."
"That's tight!" Jack laughed.
"I've regained my spirit! I can't wait to bring you guys together." he said in joy.
Don't remind me of that, Jack, you remind me of Sarah.
(Sarah Pov)
I returned to my room.
Their conversation was quite strange.
What does their retaliation have to do with the police? At most, they scold me and lash me. Did they realize that they would be punished for domestic violence or something else?
It will be a long journey to discover the truth.
My phone rang, it was mom.
"Mom?"
"Sarah!" said Sarah's mom (Arabella).
"It's been a while since I spoke with you. How have you been?"
"I'm great, how about you and dad?"
"We're doing well."
"How's everything with you and your husband? All okay?"
Is this what we call mother intuition? I wish I could tell you everything.
"We're fantastic."
"I'm happy to hear that."
"What about your in-laws? Are they nice to you?"
No, mom! They are hideous!
"They adore me a lot."
"You're a lucky gal. You've got a wonderful family."
Extremely lucky! I have a husband who will soon be separated from me, and abusive in-laws.
"Is dad there?"
"He's here, I'll give it to him."
"Sarah, my baby girl, we miss you!" said Sarah's father (Marc Rhodes).
"I missed you a lot, dad, how are you?"
I want to go home, spend my entire life in my parents' arms.
"I'm fit as always! You?"
"Fitter than you" I said.
"Can't describe how lively it is to hear your laughter," said dad.
This is all I can do to disguise my misery.
"When do you and Luke drop by?"
"Really soon"
"Dad?"
"Yes?"
"May I stay at your house?"
"Lord! This is your home! You don't need to ask for permission."
"Are we strangers to you?"
"No, I'm sorry, dad"
"Well, make sure you stay here with your husband. You wanna talk to mom?"
"Yes"
"So, any exciting news?" asked mom.
"I didn't catch you, mom."
"Baby...?"
The question struck me deeply when I realized it was hope that wouldn't come true.
"We are eager to play with our grandchild" said mom.,
Mom, dad, sorry, I can't fulfill your wish. I cinch my belly.
"Soon"
"Oh my God! We're going to become grandparents!" shouted mom.
"Relax mom, we're still waiting for the result"
How will I face you when the truth comes out?
"It'll be positive," said mom.
"Don't get your hopes up. What if negative?"
"Keep trying, until it gets positive."
"I pray for it."
We ended the call.
I rubbed my face, guilt gnawed at me.
The pain devoured my heart when I could no longer be together with Luke. On the other hand, I deceived my parents, destroying their hopes and happiness.
I lay on the couch. A poor woman.
"Sarah"
I rolled off the couch.
"Sorry I fell asleep in your room." I rubbed my eyes.
"This is your room too."
"Not anymore."
We remained silent while gazing at each other. We fight, we close, we apart.
"What's with you?" asked Luke.
"Nothing, I'm fine" I said.
"It doesn't seem that way."
"Do I have to laugh out loud to prove it?"
"Yes, do it."
"I don't have to explain every detail to you."
"Why not? Am I a stranger to you?"
"I'd like to keep it to myself, please."
He sighed.
"You arrived early today." I said.
"My work is done for the day" he said.
"I met Jack. We're going to his place tonight," he said.
"Does he have a plan?" I asked.
"No, he proposed we talk over it together."
"Not a bad idea, I have plenty of information to share."
"Plenty? Are you hiding something from me?"
"Sort of"
"You should share all of your knowledge with me before telling others! You enjoy stuffing yourself with a bunch of secrets."
"You were in a place where you refused to believe any of my statements," I said.
"I've a clear head now. Say what you got."
"Later at Jack's house. I don't want to reiterate the story.", I said.
"Seems like you want to rest. I'll be in my room, I mean your study room." I said.
He grabbed my arm just as I was about to enter his study.
"I wish to lie next to you"
I wish to be held and have my head rest on your chest.
"Let's keep our distance. For our sake" I said.
He loosened his grip.
I retracted my arm and stepped into his study room.
I dropped myself onto the mat.
Why is he still doing that? When he knows he will return to Isabella.
It was evening, so I rushed to get ready.
"Sarah, are you ready?" said Luke.
"Yep, let's go" I said.
We descended the stairs. We passed the ladies lounging in the living room.
"Where are you off to?" asked Delores.
He rolled his eyes. He turned back to his mom, "Jack's"
"Is he throwing a party?"
"Dinner"
"At what time will you be back home?"
"We stay at Jack's"
I glanced at Luke with a question mark.
"Anything else?" asked Luke.
"No, you can go." said Delores.
We got in the car.
"You didn't mention us staying at Jack's," I said.
"We didn't stay there," said Luke.
"I don't get it"
"We toured the town after Jack's. You're coming, right?"
"Yes! I'm up for a night drive"
As the car moved along, the whole space is bagged with stillness.
"Do you and Isabella often have dinner with Jack and Emma?"
"Just a few times, somehow Emma and Isabella grew close, like best friends." he smiled.
"I can tell it was the finest moment for the four of you," I said.
"Best memories" he said.
"Would you have the best time by having me there?" I asked.
He braked the car, he turned to me, "What makes you say that?"
"Since your love story, I find it uneasy being around you. It makes me awful, like..., taking on Isabella's role" I said, feeling sad.
"Will they be pleased if I'm around?"
He squeezed my hand. "You don't take anything from anyone."
"Jack and Emma are good people. They will be glad to have you at their place."
"Glad or forced?" I asked back.
"You're overthinking it. They're not who you believe they are." he said.
He revved up the engine again.
We quickly made it to Jack and Emma's home.
"Welcome!", Emma and Jack walked up to us while flashing big smiles.
She encircled me in her arms.
"Buddy, it's been a long time since we've had you here," Jack said.
They hugged each other.
"Come on in", said Jack.
He ushered us in.
"Straight to the dining room, guys" said Emma.
I settled in beside Emma.
"No more waiting, let's dig in" said Jack.
The dining table is already covered in a variety of foods. We stuck the spoon into our meal.
"How's the food?" asked Emma.
"Delicious!" I answered in amazement.
"Did you prepare each dish on your own?" I asked.
"Yes! I learned it from my grandma. She's a good cook", said Emma.
"I'd say a chef! Where's she now?" I said.
"She passed away due to a brain tumor" she said.
"I'm sorry to hear that," I said.
"It's been a long time," she said.
"How do you feel now?"
"Better than ever"
"I was close to my grandma, I spent more time there than with my parents. When she passed away, I found it difficult to move on.", she said.
"How about you? Who's your closest family?" she asked.
"I'm close to myself."
"Your parents?"
"We got along nicely. But, I don't feel that closeness."
"Some part of you didn't click with them"
"Could be"
"Do you think closeness is important?", she asked.
"Depends on the people" I said.
"For you?" she asked.
"Why close if only to be left out?" I said.
Luke choked.
"Bro, you okay?" Jack was panicky.
He patted his head while Jack gave him water. He gulped it.
"Did I say something wrong?", I asked.
"Nope, you're totally right", said Luke.
Emma and Jack shared a look.
"Let's keep eating guys", said Emma.
"What led you to Jack?" I asked.
"Several days after my grandmother's death. I was at the bar, trying to take my mind off her," she said.
"Jack came up to me. I recall being irritable at the time, and having really unstable emotions."
"I mildly yelled at him. I rue it every time I think back on the incident. Will you forgive me, Jack?" she expressed my sadness.
"I've forgiven you, Emma. You don't need to keep apologizing," said Jack.
"I know, I still feel bad," said Emma.
"Forget it, and move on", said Jack.
"You're not upset at all?", I asked.
"Nothing will arouse my anger when I'm in tipsy mode", said Jack.
"You're the complete opposite of your best friend," I said.
"When he gets home drunk, I questioned him, he glared and snapped at me right away", I said.
"I've stopped doing that", asked Luke.
"I'm delighted you're back to your senses.", I said.
Emma and Jack chuckled.
We finished our meal. While the men chatted in the living room, Emma and I cleaned the dining table.
"How are things between you and Luke?" asked Emma.
"Good, I suppose," I said.
"Somewhat awkward" I said.
"I'm sure it is," she said.
She looked at me, "What's your future plan?"
"Move Out"
"And?"
"I don't know"
"Back at your parents' house?"
I shook my head, "The last thing I need is for my parents to find me another groom", I giggled.
She maintained her solemn face.
"I'm considering moving to another city."
"Which city?"
I scratched my head. "Erm..."
"What you gonna do there?"
"Find a job maybe, live in my little apartment."
She held my arms, "We're here for you. Let us know if you need help in the future"
"Thanks"
She gave me a hug while patting my shoulder.
"Come on, they're waiting for us in the living room."
We left the kitchen and joined the men.
"At last!" said Jack.
"Have you finished your girl's talk?" said Jack.
"We have" said Emma.
"Sit down, the meeting is about to begin," said Luke.
Jack and Emma were seated close to one another. I sat across Luke.
"You're not sitting there?", He gestured to the empty seat beside Luke.
"Can't I sit here?", I said.
Jack shared a look with Luke.
"Why don't we start the discussion?", said Luke, brushing off the awkwardness.
"Sure" said Jack.
"We'll start with Sarah. You're the newbie in Abrams. What's your opinion about them?" asked Jack.
"Malevolent" I said.
"Where did you get her? She is incredibly frank," Jack laughed.
"That's her" said Luke.
Emma humorously questioned, "Is he also malevolent?"
"Yes, the moment I became his wife, he placed the blame squarely on me," I said.
"Dude, you're a mean one," said Jack.
"Not any longer! I'm feeling fantastic now", said Luke.
"Back to the topic", said Jack.
"One night, I discovered the Abrams assembled in a downstairs room without Luke," I said.
"What are you doing downstairs, where am I?", asked Luke.
"You slept like a baby. I wanna have a fresh night and find that out." I said.
"When was that?", asked Jack.
"A couple of days following the attack" I said.
"Who's got attacked?", he turned to Luke.
"You don't know?", I asked.
He turned to me. "I'm clueless."
"I was attacked by a man in the restroom at the Abrams Home."
"Good lord!" said Jack.
"He's been stalking me since my wedding day" I said.
"You keep that hidden from me!", said Luke.
"I've informed the police," I said.
"THIS IS MASSIVE!" said Jack.
"Wait! What made him attack you?", Emma
"Vengeance. He wants me to die, to hurt the people who are close to me," I said.
"Dude, what's up with your family? It's spooky!" said Jack.
"He could be some of your family, your parents' enemy?" said Luke.
"No. After I heard Abrams' conversations, without doubt, he's their enemy." I said.
"Delores was pretty shaken up from the incident, she kept rehashing the attack", I said.