Chapter thirty-eight: Something good, something bad

O L I V I A

I woke up early that day, my body not quite accustomed to sleeping late. It was almost seven but I didn't feel sleepy in the least. My hand touched the bed beside me and it was cold. I sighed as I let my head wander and I stared at the ceiling.

Last night had gone well. Kai had called us when he was almost there and we had barely waited for a minute before he'd shown up. He had greeted me with a kiss. Then Kai and Gabe stood there and talked for a while while I leaned against the car and just smiled. Before leaving, Gabe and I had hugged shortly.

And that was it. I hadn't checked what the new articles said but I was in no mood to open them and see either. After a while passed I registered the faint sound of utensils in the kitchen. I pushed myself up, threw back my covers, and quickly made my bed. I threw my hair up in a bun and brushed my teeth.

"Morning, sugar!" Sam sang when I came out of my room. I blinked up at my best friend in wonder.

"Morning," I managed. "You look . . . well."

"Yes. I feel it too!" She twirled. I gaped at her.

"Samantha, be careful!" I chided.

"You're just like Josh," she complained. "Coffee?"

"Sounds lovely," I agreed. "So the pills work?"

She had visited the gynecologist last afternoon with Josh and by the looks of it, the doctor had given her the right advice.

"Fuck yes!" She jumped. "I wanted to kill her when she told me to drink more fluids and eat my vitamins, but it's actually working! I'm not feeling miserable!"

"I see that." I chuckled. "Where's your lover?"

"Olivia," she said disapprovingly.

"Boyfriend," I corrected with a teasing grin, leaning forward on the kitchen island.

"He's sleeping," she replied. "He was awake with me for an hour this morning but when no morning sickness appeared I told him to go back to sleep."

"Ah, ni-"

Ring.

"-I think that's mine," I resumed, pushing myself up. My legs moved to my room on their own account. "Probably Kai. Be right back."

"Don't take too long. The coffee will go cold," Sam called after me.

"I'm sure it'll be fine," I yelled over my shoulder, closing the door and picking it up. "Heyyy, Hotshot," I sang into it, pressing my back to the door with a silly grin.

"Hello, Olivia."

I froze, removing the phone from my ear and glancing at the caller ID. I winced, slowly bringing it back.

I really need to start looking at the damned ID.

"Hello?" They called again.

Why? Oh, why?

"Hello? Is someone there? Can you hear me?"

"Hey-" I stopped when it came out like a squeak. I cleared my throat, steeled myself, and tried again. This time it came out normal.

"Hey, Shailey."

"So you are there," she remarked. "Why wouldn't you answer before? Couldn't you hear me?"

I sighed. "I could."

"Were you ignoring me?" She demanded.

Yeah, that explains why I am talking to you.

I rubbed a hand on my forehead tiredly. "No, Shailey. I wasn't."

"You have just worsened. You're exactly like your mom," she said disapprovingly. "I'm so glad I got Craig away from you or God knows what-"

I bristled at the mention of my father. "Is there a reason why you called or did you just want to insult me and rub salt in my wounds?"

"Give that tongue of yours a rest," she snapped. "Don't you know how you should talk to your elders?"

I do. Father stealing whores though? I have a completely another set of vocabulary and respect for the likes of you.

"Why did you call me?" I barked back.

"You father had a fucking heart attack because of you, that's why!" She exploded through the line.

I paused, letting that sink in.

"What?" I asked numbly. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah, no thanks to you!" She scoffed.

"What happened?" I asked her. "Did something trigger him or was it cholesterol?"

"You," she hissed. "You triggered him. You know your father never liked that Kaison guy and you just had to go get pregnant by him and not tell us, didn't you?"

Pregnant what? Pregnant who?

I recoiled. "Excuse me, what?"

"Oh, don't act so innocent!" She snarled. "He still loves American football. He's goddammed obsessed. I've tried countless times to hook him up on soccer but he's as stubborn as they come. He found the quarterback of his favorite team missing and ran a google search to find out why his substitute was playing only to find out that he had impregnated his daughter."

"No one is pregnant!" I interrupted her indignantly, sputtering. "Why would they even--?"

"I don't effing know!" She hissed. "All I know is that my husband is in the hospital because of you!"

I blanched. "You can't say th--"

"Can't I?" She laughed humorlessly. "You are literally like poison in his life. Even when you don't stay in contact with him and don't see him, you still find a way to ruin our happy lives."

"Shut up!" I snapped at her. "He's my father. I'm his daughter. We share our blood. Nothing you could ever say would change that."

"No," she snapped back. "You and Liana were two of the biggest mistakes he ever made in his life. I beg you, just try not to make things worse."

"It's not even my-"

"It is!" She insisted.

I shook my head, reeling. "What did the doctor say?"

"He's still in the OT. He better come out fine, Olivia, or I--" She broke off, leaving her threat hanging.

A moment of silence passed. "Let me know how he is when he gets out, will you?"

"You know," she said, ignoring my plea. "For someone who hates me for taking your father away from you and your mother, you did a pretty good job of turning into a lesser version of me. You took him away from his girlfriend. Maybe if you hadn't meddled, they would've ended up getting happily married. Your mother calls me her homewrecker, but turns out she birthed someone else's too."

Without waiting for a reply, she cut the call. My stomach churned. I dropped down to the floor against the door, putting my head between my knees as darkness clouded my vision.

This is not happening.

* * * * *

"Livvy?" Kai knocked on my door once before he let himself in. "Why is it so dark in here?"

I heard him walk to the switchboard and I closed my eyes, burying my face into my pillow before he could turn the lights on. His footsteps approached and then the bed beside me dipped twice as he plopped down on it.

He nudged me gently. "Hey."

"Go away," I whispered.

"No," he said.

I didn't reply and I didn't have to. He silently got up and switched the lights off again before climbing on the bed beside me.

"Can I get in, too?" He asked, tugging at the covers.

I stopped resisting at the plea and he settled in, his arms going around my waist as he spooned me. He didn't say anything, letting me have my silence. He probably knew what all that was about.

"He will be fine," I muttered hoarsely through the storm in me.

Kai kissed my shoulder. "Yes."

"He had a heart attack, Kaison." My voice broke.

"I know, mon amour," he said softly.

A sob broke out of my throat. "I haven't seen him in years!"

"Hey, he'll be okay," he shushed me, rubbing his hand up and down my arm soothingly. He squeezed my middle and kissed my shoulder again. My hand went up to my face and he prompted me to turn around slowly. With the darkness as my cloak, I flipped over and buried my face into his chest.

He tangled our legs together, resting his chin against my head. His hands rubbed my back as I cried silently.

"She said it was my fault," I mumbled. He stiffened.

"What?" He asked sharply.

"She said he was reading an article about us when it happened," I confessed, leaving out the false allegation about him getting me pregnant. I doubted it would help. "She blamed me, Kai."

"I will kill her," he sizzled.

"What if it's true?" I whispered.

"It most definitely is not," he said fiercely. "Don't you dare blame yourself, Livvy."

"But-"

"He's had an angioplasty before," he reminded me gently. "It's not like his heart had been healthy. I'm sure it's not your fault. He must've missed some medicine or it was probably a coincidence."

"He's my father-"

"Don't blame yourself," he repeated, his finger going under my chin and pulling it up so I would look at him. In the dark and through tear-filled eyes, I probably looked pathetic. "Stop that," he frowned. "You're beautiful."

"Did I just say that out loud?" I asked, mortified.

"You might as well have," he muttered, kissing me softly. "I love you, Livvy. And it's not your fault."

"Did you love Chelsea?" The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop them. 

"No," his answer was sure and steady. I felt myself relax a little more. "Never. Not the way I love you."

I tensed at the last part again. "What does that mean?"

"I love you in a sense that I can't live without you," he muttered softly, his voice thoughtful. "Life feels incomplete when you're not around or in it, you know? Like there is always something missing. If I don't see you all day, I feel like it was a waste. Every night all I want to do is tell you every last detail of my day went. I want to hold you when I sleep and wake up with you too. 

"With Chelsea . . . I don't know. She's just a friend. There was physical attraction, but it faded of really quickly. It was an arrangement of sorts, made mutually. It's over now. We've been purely platonic ever since the better part of first year."

"Oh." I bit my lip.

"Did she say something abo-"

"She did." I cut him off. "But I'm good now."

"I'm here, and I love you, okay?" 

"Okay." I closed my eyes, touching my forehead to his. The storm inside me had died down considerably. "Thank you," I managed to whisper.

"Always," he said assuringly.

The grumble of my stomach broke the silence between us. Kai chuckled.

"When was the last time you ate?" He asked.

"Lunch," I said after a thought. 

"Well, that was a long time ago," he replied. "Let's get you something to eat."

"Is Sam home?" I asked him as we sat up.

"Yeah, last time I checked." He nodded.

"Please tell me she whipped something up," I keened, opening the door. My nose detected nothing. 

"I don't think so, babe." Kai laughed, looking at the empty kitchen.

"Yeah." I sighed. She was probably passed out in her room. I quickly walked over to check and bam! I was right. "She's sleeping," I told Kaison.

"Okay."

We looked at each other questionngly.

"I really don't want to cook," I confessed.

"Me neither," he admitted.

My lips twitched upwards. "Cereal?"

"Fruit loops!" We chorused together, laughing.

Ten minutes later we were sitting in front of the TV, watching Sherlock the series. I was lusting over Benedict Cumberbatch and Kai was teasing me, taking full advantage of that. 

"What are you eating?" Sam mumbled, padding over to us sleepily with a yawn. I paused the episode.

"Fruit loops," I answered. 

She scowled at us slightly. "That is breakfast."

"Meh." I shrugged shamelessly. "How was your nap?"

She stretched her neck left then right. "Fine," she grunted. She took in our arrangement, more aware now. "Why are you still here?"

"Cause I live here?" I suggested, taking a bite out of my cereal.

"No, not like that." She shook her head, plopping down on the loveseat. "I meant, didn't you have this thing with the team today?"

It took a second for that to sink in. My eyes widened and I turned to Kai. "Fuck, it's today?"

He nodded ruefully, smiling. "It's Wednesday."

"Already?" I groaned. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"You seemed like you could use a you-night." He shrugged.

"I think she should go," Sam declared, yawning again. "It will be a good distraction. Didn't you say Milo likes her?"

He nodded. "Yeah."

"See?" She turned to me. "You need some good vibes. Go catch yourself some."

I bit my lip skeptically.

"You don't have to," Kai told me. "It's completely up to you."

"I know," I muttered. "It's just, meeting new people, you know?"

"We can stay in," he assured.

"Go out," Sam said. "You keep holing yourself up in your room everytime you get hit by depression or anxiety and it just makes things worse for you. Dress up and mingle out a bit. It will do you good."

"I guess."

"Yeah. And Kaison will be with you all the time, anyways," she spoke. "You can always come back early if you want to."

All the right arguments.

"What about you," I inquired. "Will you be okay alone?"

"I'll call Josh over," she declared airily. "Or show up at his place. Don't worry about me. I'm twenty four. I can look after myself."

I shrugged. "Okay, then. Let's do this."

Kaison's answering smile was worth it.

* * * * *

"Are you sure?" Kai asked for the millionth time.

Although I had agreed to come, he was very hesitant. For a minute I worried if he was afraid to introduce me to his friends but I dismissed that thought as soon as it formed. I had to stop sabotaging my own relationship. 

He was just worried about me after the afternoon I had had. It took some convincing to tell him I was fine before he had agreed to leave. Although I could feel the excitement he was trying to contain, I could also feel his apprehension and concern.

"Yeah," I replied confidently. "I am."

I couldn't understand how and why I had let Shailey talk me into thinking I was the reason my father had collapsed. I wasn't even in London, for God's sake! And then to accuse me of so many other things without even knowing the entire context was just out of the line. I think I was just in shock and she caught me vulnerable. Kai definitely got me out of that pit of self-blame and insecurity. 

I hadn't done anything wrong. I needed to remember that.

I had agreed to come because Sam was right, I needed a distraction. It was easy for me to feel bad, but feeling good either needed stimulation or an incentive. I was there for my stimulation. I had learned over the years -- thanks to Sam -- that when life fucks you up, there is a perfect pick-me-up in a glass.

"Alright," Kai sighed, revving the engine when the light turned green. Less than a minute later he changed lanes and took a right turn, driving along the secluded road. Both sides of the path were decorated with fancy bushes. As we got closer, we spotted fairy lights strewn all over them. Further up ahead, the road diverged around a fountain and we drove around it, stopping in front of a massive building with huge gates. They were open.

"Whoa," I muttered looking up. A guy came around and opened the door for me. Beside me, Kaison stepped out, too. He handed the keys to another person standing in a uniform and he got in, driving the car away.

Kai offered me his arm. "Shall we?"

I looked at him, still having to crane my neck despite the heels. I cocked my head to the side.

"You didn't tell me we were coming to a ball," I accused.

"It's not a ball," he defended.

"A fountain, fairy lights, valet parking, and a great mansion," I listed.

"Garry just likes to show off." Kai rolled his eyes. "Look at me, I'm wearing jeans and a hoodie!"

"You'd wear that to a wedding if you could," I pointed out.

"Fair enough," he conceded with a laugh. "Trust me, it's gonna be fine. You're perfect."

I shook my head with a smile, wrapping my arm around his bicep nonetheless. "That's not the point."

"It'll be fine." He chuckled. "You'll love them. Especially Milo and Grace."

"Okay," I replied skimpily.

He was right. Inside was the exact opposite of what we saw outside. It was cozy, homey, and packed with a bunch of people in causals and dresses. My nerves dissipated slowly.

"That's a lot of tension to build for serving something so comfortable," I muttered.

"That's Garry for you," Kai said. "Let's go find Milo and Grace so that I can introduce you guys again. Properly, this time. And then I'll just pop by and say hello to our host."

"Sounds good." I nodded, trying to spot Milo as well. I didn't remember him much, but I believed I could recognize him maybe if I saw him.

"There they are," Kai said, bobbing his head to our right. And sure enough, they were there. I recognized Milo's platinum blonde hair. Beside him were a dark-skinned, stern-looking man and a petite lady with a protruding belly and a glowing face.

"He's expecting?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Kai replied as we made our way to them. "Next month. That's why I couldn't stay with him that night. Grace gets moody very quickly. I was surprised to hear that they were both attending, actually."

My eyes widened as I took that in. "Ohh."

 Must be one of the better days, then.

"Yeah," he exhaled. "Don't worry, I'm sure she'll lo-"

"Jennings! There you are!" A figure popped out of the crowd in front of us. I started and Kai tightened his grip on my hand. I recognized him. 

I didn't like him.

"Karl," Kaison greeted in distaste. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"How's the arm doing?" Karl grinned. "Shouldn't you be resting?"

"And shouldn't you be in a zoo?" Kai retorted. I looked at him in amusement, surprised to see him acting out of character. That was a middle-school insult. The Kai I knew didn't lose a handle on his temper this easily. Karl must really be a jerk to bring this out of him.

"That's used." Karl laughed, unperturbed. "Now, who might this be?"

"You ask a lot of questions," I said dryly. 

His eyebrows went up with intrigue. "What can I do, beauty? I seldom get any answers."

I shrugged uncaringly, repulsed by everything about him. From his nickname for me to his aura in general. He struck me as one of those people who would raise a million red flags in half the population's mind. "Not really surprising."

He opened his mouth again. "I-"

"Bye," Kai interrupted, pulling me away. I went with him but Karl blocked our way again. I groaned.

"Rude," he reproached Kaison patronizingly. "We were talking."

"And now we're leaving," Kai said at the same time I mumbled, "You were."

Our gazes met and we smiled faintly.

"I know you," Karl continued talking, unbothered. "You're the one he's being linked to these days!"

Bingo.

"Mind your effing business, Martinez," Kai replied, his voice adopting a hard edge that made goosebumps rise even on my skin. "And I will say this only once. Stay the fuck away from her if you know what is good for you." 

Karl's smile faltered but he recovered quickly, rolling his eyes.

"Whatever, loser." He pushed past Kai. Kai closed his eyes, stiff. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

"Sorry about that," he muttered.

"Isn't he-" I began.

"Yeah." Kai gritted his teeth. "I need a drink."

I frowned. "You drove here, are you sure-"

"Let's just introduce to Milo and Grace," he cut me off again, his expression clouding over.

"Kai," I placed a hand on his chest to stop him from moving, "What is it?"

"Later, Livvy," he emphasized. 

For some reason, that stung.

"Fine," I dropped it.

What just happened?

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A/N:-

I hate Martinez. Effing hate him.

QOTD: What's your favorite flower?

That's the double update, I hope you liked it!

All my love,
xoxo.