Aunt Kay hesitated as she stared down at her phone, having mixed feelings about dialing the number.
After a few minutes of deciding, she exhaled sharply and dialed the number.
"Kat… hi, I was not expecting your call, you are usually out at the bar at this time of the day".
Aunt Kat felt the insult in Uncle Robb's words but she ignored it and went straight to the point of the call.
"I am calling for two reasons… so listen up, Nancy isn't home right now and I don't want her to know I am making this call".
Uncle Robb remained quiet as the lady continued.
"I am running out of money and Nancy's college fair is fast approaching which means I would need to have some money for her fees when she got in I would love it if you get her dad's money out of bank since you are the only one in New York who could, so you can send it to us… I…".
"For Nancy or for you Kat?", he interrupted.
Aunt Kat scoffs in annoyance, "Nancy will be going to college very soon and you know how bad my work is right now, she needs her father's money, at least it is for her… unless you are trying to take it all to yourself and apart from that, I saw her dad's car on one of your son's post… I hope it is not what I am thinking about because that would be so bad Robb".
"And I can't help but think you are keeping Nancy from returning because you have all her dad's stuff with you, including the house".
Uncle Robb could feel the intensity in her voice throughout the call, he kept quiet for a while before clearing his throat and answering in a more serious tone.
"Look here Kat, this is my brother we are talking about and he works for everything he owns, your sister didn't do a thing in all this which means she owned nothing in his share, so don't talk to me like this belongs to you… and about Nancy, I would look into the money in the bank and let you know about it… and", he paused then continued again.
"I hope you still remember what I said about her not coming back here, it is not going to be fun for her… the house is gone and there is nowhere to stay".
"YOU TOOK OVER HIS POSITION AT WORK AND USE ALL HIS CARS? And to be honest, I don't believe the house was on sale before their death, you are up to something isn't it Robb? I have noticed ever since you acted strange to that poor girl! HER PARENT ARE DEAD FOR CRYING OUT LOUD, MUST YOU BE AN A****HOLE".
Uncle Robb let out a deep sigh.
"You know… no one understands Nancy better than I do and that is why she preferred to stay with me than with you… so just do your job by taking care of her and I will solve the money issue, I am her dad's brother and I am next heir to the company, in case you forgot…
"And If there is nothing else to say… well I guess that is it, you know better Kat, do your part and stay out of the way".
Aunt Kay remained speechless till he ended the call, she scoffed in disbelief and dropped her phone on the sofa angrily.
She folded her arms and rested her back.
"Robb is acting pretty sneaky, or am I the only one that thinks that… this isn't even about my overthinking problem, he is definitely up to no good and I would figure it out, this is about Nancy and I would do anything for that poor girl".
Nancy's half attention was on the movie while the other was on Nolan, they both kept stealing glances at each other and blushing hard with their hands locked together.
Suddenly her phone beeped, she took her hand from him and reached for it.
The name appearing on her phone made her frown, she shook her head and ignored it. Immediately it rang again, she sighed softly and stared at her phone.
Nolan saw the name on her phone and how she reacted to the call, he shifted his gaze back to the screen and acted like he didn't notice.
Nancy turned to Nolan, "I would be back, urgent call". She said and he nodded with a soft smile on his face.
She stood up and this caught her friend's attention, Nancy told them she was going to make call before stepping out into the hallway.
"Uncle," she said with a straight face.
"Hey isn't it my favorite girl, listen I am so sorry for how I acted towards you that day. I just never wanted you to be sad and you know how much I wanted you to be happy, I am sorry if I come off harsh and inconsiderate. I hope you will forgive me my little Nance Nance".
Nancy remembered how he always called her Nance Nance right from a young age, Uncle Robb never visited without bringing gifts for her, they were so close that Nancy's father got jealous of her brother for getting most of his daughter's attention.
"It is fine… I understand", Nancy answered and she immediately heard her uncle's chuckle through the phone, she let out a soft smile.
"Is that why you called? Because I am out with my friends and I don't want to miss out on the movie, I can call you later when I am home okay uncle?".
"Oh of course my sweet girl, just let me know if anything is wrong or if you need anything I will make sure to be there for you, just anything, mention it... You know I always got you, talk later nance nance".
Nancy smiled and answered "Later Uncle".
The call ended and her making up with her uncle brought a satisfying smile to her face, she inhaled sharply and turned to go back to the movies.
"Oh God!", Nancy exclaimed, startled by the presence of Jay a few feet from her.
The hall was empty and they were the only two standing.
"I am sorry, didn't mean to startle you… and I promise I was also trying not to be creepy.. I might look creepy with my new haircut though". He said and chuckled along with Nancy.
She looked around and asked, "Why are you out here? Are you going to the bathroom, if you are, the bathroom is just along the hallway, the first room by your left".
Jay remained quiet while watching Nancy as she described the bathroom, he chuckled softly and this caught Nancy's attention, she turned to him and raised her eyebrows at him.
"What was that? Why are you laughing?", she asked.
Jay cleared his throat and shook his head, "Nothing… I just think you are so cute". He answered, this time with a piercing look.
Nancy chuckled nervously, she gently hit his arm and chuckled even louder.
"So funny, let us go back to the movies, it is too good and we should not miss that… I bet Jada has eaten some of my popcorn too, her eyes have been on it so bad". Nancy said and was about to walk when Jay held her hand.
Nancy stopped, she looked down at his hand holding hers firmly, she looked up at him and saw his intense stare, filled with undeniable emotions. Even though she always knew Jay might have a little crush on her, Nancy always ignored it from getting bigger than it was.
"Nancy… I..", he hesitated and quickly licked his lower lip while his eyes shifted from hers down to their hands locking.
"Jay don't…", Nancy interrupted without hesitation.
He looked at her in surprise, "Please don't do that… I can't deny how I feel towards you and I have shown it to you so many times, even though you have ignored it and made it obvious you were ignoring me, I still didn't stop, can't you see it Nancy…", he reached for her second hand and held them firmly.
"Jay… it cannot…".
"It could if you want it to… I like you Nancy, I really do and I want us to…", he continued while staring at her indifferent reaction and head shaking in rejection. "Please… or is it because of him?".
Nancy looked up at him, she knew her relationship with Nolan was a secret and no one including Jay, knew which could lead to Tara knowing, she scoffed and took her hand forcefully from his.
She scowled, "Jay, we are friends and that is what we would be… if Tara saw us or heard us right now, do you know how bad she would feel? This cannot happen between us and you know it… I am sorry but it just cannot happen and you should have caught that with how I ignore all the signs".
"But it is you I like Nancy, please".
She sighed, "Please, let this not ruin our friendship, you are such a good friend to me and…", she paused and stared at his sulking expression.
"We should get back to the movie, I should…". Nancy stuttered and took a last glance at him before walking away from him.
Her arms wrapped around her as she walked slowly away from him while feeling awful and bad for Jay.
The instant she raised her head, her eyes met Tara who had been standing a few feet from them all this while.
Nancy stopped walking, she stared at her friend and judging from her sad eyes, she must have heard all the conversation between her and Jay.
"T… Tara". Nancy stuttered