~•~

Chapter 5 | Their Betrayal

Jason Braverman sat underneath a tall willow tree, near a pond located with the town's local park. He had been watching the sway of the willow tree from where he sat allowing it too lull his mind. Olivia's diary sat in his lap, having read it some time ago, his body slumped back and his head tilted backwards, as exhaustion washes over him like waves crashing on a shore and Jason Braverman could not seem to bring himself to get up, His thoughts seeming to way him down.

His thoughts went back to what he had read of her nightmare, while it had been a brief paragraph Jason couldn't bring himself to ignore it, after all he related to it. He Understood the pain of falling asleep only to fall into a nightmare, a past trauma or an all too real fear.

And all Jason could think about was how much more real Olivia's dreams must have felt compared to his. His little sister had been there, had been seated right next to his mother when they crashed, and had witnessed their mother's death. It must have been horrific.

Jason could only sigh, as he rested his eyes. Unaware of the world around him.

"You look like shit" Jason Braverman heard a boy say from next to him, Caught off guard Jason shot up into a sitting position having gotten a fright by the voice of the boy.

Jason looked to his side, to see a teenage boy sitting next to him on the bench, Jason was unsure of how long the boy had been seated there.

Not wanting to be rude and not respond Jason answered "I feel like it too"

"Rough day then?" The boy asked with a wry smile.

"More like rough week" Jason responded with a bitter smile.

The boy spoke with raised eyes brows as he asked "That bad huh?"

Jason shrugged his shoulders in response.

"My name's Tyler" Tyler introduced himself, while offering his outstretched hand for the Braverman boy to take.

Jason took hold of Tyler's outstretched hand, giving it a firm shake "Jason"

Tyler Froze upon hearing the name of the boy he had been conversing with all this time, it was a name he found familiar.

"Are you a Braverman?" Tyler asked looking as if he were in denial.

The question took Jason by surprise, Having not expected to be asked that, however Jason found Tyler's reaction to his name far more baffling than the question itself.

"... Yes I am" Jason hesitated answering the boy, however he saw no reason as too why he shouldn't tell Tyler his name.

"How did you know I was a Braverman?"Jason fired back his own question, after the boy had paled at his answer. Suspicion started gnawing at Jason's mind.

"Who doesn't know the Braverman family" Tyler answered, looking straight forward, still looking a little pale. "Especially after ..."

Tyler didn't need to finish his sentence, Jason understood. After the accident four years back, the news paper had done a local news coverage of the accident. Article's about their family and their mother's death were read weekly for a month. It had pissed Jason off, having found the whole thing in poor taste; after all it was just a weekly reminder for the family of what they had lost.

Despite this, Jason did not think the boy was telling the entire truth, but Jason decided to let it go. Uncertain of himself.

Letting go of the unease, Jason and Tyler continued to converse until late into the afternoon, when Jason returned home in order to inform his family of what had happened that day, and what had been written in their younger sister's Diary.

Once again the Braverman family went to bed with heavy hearts, Ian Braverman more so than the others.

~*~

Jonathan Braverman sat in the dining room Brooding. Having received a call in the early hours of the morning, waking him from much needed sleep, Jonathan had been informed by his business partner, whom he left in charge due to his leave, that an executive within his law firm had Fucked up.

The employee in question was given an important case, for a high class client, however a day before the client is too appear in court important documents were discovered missing having not been filed correctly. It is due to this employee that Jonathan Braverman found himself sitting at the dining room table with himself, his second eldest Jake, and his youngest Matt.

To say that Jonathan was angry would have been an understatement and a fatal mistake, because Jonathan was furious.

He had specifically informed his partner, and his employees that he was not to be disturbed, that he had family matters to deal with and would be absent until it was resolved and that if they were to fuck up, to fix it themselves. They were after all grown men/ women, he did not expect perfection from them that thought having never crossed his mind, however Jonathan had expected competency from his employees.

Jonathan believed it too be a reasonable expectation.

The situation was then made worse for the father of five due to the fact he was expected to bring his son, The acting CEO, Jake with him in order to please the clients involved. His son didn't need to be worried about work, when he was so worried for his younger sister.

Jonathan Braverman did not want to go to work while his little girl was missing. He felt as if he was once again abandoning his family, abandoning little Livy, as if he was once again prioritizing work over his family and their needs, a feeling made worse because he would have to drag Jake with him. An immense feeling of guilt swelled within the man's heart.

Jonathan Braverman had spent years building his firm, having spent many late nights in his home office, and having spent countless weekends away from his wife and his children. It had been an investment for Jonathan, his wife having just given birth to his second eldest when he started.

Jonathan Braverman hadn't started his business to be an investment into his own future, but rather Jonathan had started his business to be an investment for his children's future. So they would be able to become anything they so pleased, even if he was no longer alive to see them shine.

Jonathan Braverman had insured that they would be well taken care of if anything were to happen to himself or his late wife.

It was for this reason that Jonathan Braverman could not ignore the crisis at work; He could not afford to lose any high end clients over something so trivial. He would not let his children's future crumble because of an employee's incompetence.

Jonathan was not the only one brooding, Jake Braverman too was stewing in his anger. Having heard about Olivia's nightmares only the night before, Jake had hoped to be out and about looking for his little sister. He did not know what state his sister was in and worry was eating at his heart.

Jake Braverman was ready to raise hell at the office, he would make those working for his father understand the error of involving he and his father in their mistakes, during such an important time.

Matter Braverman sat eating his breakfast with his father and older brother. He watched as the two brooding men mumbled to them selves word such as 'regret', 'hell', incompetent fools' and 'work overtime'. And Matter knew the employees of Braverman and partners would be begging for mercy by the end of the day.

Matter Braverman ate for a few more minutes before he watched Jonathan and Jake leave out the front door, looking like hellions. It had been an amusing sight to Matter, his usually stone faced brother, and his usually calm father had been so obviously pissed. They had looked so unbelievably terrifying that Matter only wished he could be a fly on the wall at his father's company.

Matter Braverman was still eating when Ian Braverman walked into the Dining room, having dressed casually in a pair of shorts and a sleeveless T-shirt. Matter raised his eyebrows at the sour expression Ian wore, as if he had swallowed a bitter pill.

"What's up with you?"Matt asked, genuinely curious. Jake may be the most expressionless however Ian usually wore a 'I-don't- give- a- F' expression.

Ian glared at his younger brother, having been in a foul mood all morning. "Where is everyone?" Ian asked Matter, ignoring his brother's earlier question.

"Dad and Jake had to go into the office for some work, and Jason's still asleep in his room" Matter answered, shrugging off his brother's glare. Matter took another bite or his pancakes, savoring the sweet taste.

Matt had a huge sweet tooth, something he shared with Olivia.

"It's good Jason's sleeping, I don't think his gotten a lot of it lately with the Livy situation" Ian nodded, Ian wished he could help his younger brother however the problem was bigger than he was, All he could do was be there for his brother if or when he needed someone to talk too.

"I don't think he will be getting much sleep until we find her" Matter Replied to Ian who nodded in agreement.

The situation was unavoidable considering Jason's condition, making it a serious and concerning situation.

"Why are you up? Ian asked. It was unusual to see Matter awake so early when University was out on break, even with Olivia's disappearance Ian found it odd to see his younger brother not asleep in his bed. Matter lived in his room after all.

"I'm paying someone a surprise visit and don't wanna miss them" Matter answered, thinking about the time. He would have to leave soon.

Ian nodded the table falling into silence as both brothers ate in silence.

"Are you going out today?" Matter asked after a while, having finished his breakfast.

"I'm meeting with old friends" Ian replies sourly avoiding eye contact. His face scrunching up in disgust.

Matter froze, his face paling after hearing his brother's reply. His distaste clearly showing on his face as he asked "Is that wise?" Disdain clear in his voice.

Ian understood his brothers disdain, however he still felt displeased at it. A frown formed on his face.

"They messaged me last night, wanted to meet, hey said it was important" Ian tries to defend himself. Falling short of any good reasoning as too why he would want to associate himself with the likes of his past friends.

"Don't worry Matt, I don't plan on going down the same twisted road twice, I still have the emotional scars from the first time" Ian assured his youngest brother, knowing how traumatizing his past had been for him and his family. Ian meant it too, especially with his younger sister might need him to be at a hundred percent.

"If you need me to beat them up for you, just call" Matter said seriously. After all the Braverman brother's has a score to settle on behalf of their older brother, one they would be more than happy to settle for their Brother.

"Will do little bro" Ian smiled at his youngest brother.

Matter Glared at being called 'little bro' before saying his farewell's to leave, Ian leaving soon after.

~*~

Matter reached Melvin McCaw's house earlier than expected, A feeling of Déjà vu washing over him as he looked toward the man sitting on his porch. However the difference between then and now is that a Woman sat next to him laughing as they ate breakfast.

Matter felt as if he shouldn't disturb the scene that was unfolding before his eyes, but before he could take a step to leave the woman took notice of him.

The woman pointed Matter out to Melvin who looked up, fork half way to his open mouth. Matter found the sight of Melvin frozen in that position comical.

The woman laughed at her husband before signaling for Matt to come to them. Matter made his way up the driveway greeting the both of them.

"... Hey Matt" Melvin greeted awkwardly having not expecting to see another Braverman so soon after having received a visit from Jonathan Braverman only a few days prior.

"What brings you by?"Melvin asked.

The woman looked up surprised "Matter? As in Liv's brother?" She asked in astonishment.

"Yes love, he is one of Liv's many brothers" Melvin chuckled at his wife's reaction, while Matter stood there awkwardly as they talked about him.

"... Um..."Matter scoffed to get their attention.

The woman blushed, and Melvin apologized while laughing.

"This is my wife, Alisha McCaw" Melvin introduced his wife to Matter.

"It's good to meet you" Matter answered honestly. Matter had thought Melvin and Alisha made a cute couple, "You know my sister as well?"

Alisha smiled at Matter's question "Your sister was my bridesmaid, she's like a little sister too me"

Matter smiled bitterly at Alisha's reply, having been joyful at knowing Olivia had a girl friend growing up, but couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart as he realized a stranger had seen his sister as their own family when he, her own brother, had not.

"Why don't you come in?" Melvin asks Matter, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he wondered what Matter's reaction would be.

"Yes, thank you" Matter says and he follows Melvin and Alisha into the house only to halt at the sight of a field of sunflowers.

Matter had entered the house, and walked into a hallway that had painted butterflies; flying toward the farthest wall that had been painted shades of yellow, in front of the wall sat a table with vases full of sunflowers on either end. And on the table sat pictures of Melvin and his wife, some with what looked to be their family. But the frame that caught his attention was the one with Melvin, his wife and Olivia that looks to have been taken on Melvin and Alisha's wedding day.

The sight was awe inspiring.

"Your sister helped me paint and decorate the house" Alisha spoke up, drawing Matter's attention.

Matter was surprised to hear that Olivia helped to paint and decorate, the girl having never been interested in those things growing up. Olivia having been surrounded by boys, had grown up to be quite tomboyish, she loved helping Jonathan when he would fix Marcia's car, or playing soccer with her older brothers.

Unless she were playing with Emma, Olivia rarely played with her dolls and would rather play with Matter and his toys instead.

Matter knew this was not like Livy, but the image of the room had brought an Image of Olivia playing in sunflowers when they were little to the forefront of his mind.

Matter was lead to a small living room, where he was told to sit wherever he wanted. Alisha disappeared into the kitchen to fetch drinks for everyone and Matter and Melvin where left to themselves.

"So what brings you here?" Melvin asks Matter. Knowing the boy hadn't come all the way just to greet him and his wife.

"Last time you said 'when you find her' I thought nothing of it, but looking back I don't recall ever telling you Livy was missing" Matter had been so worried, and angry that he hadn't noticed it before. But during their interaction that day, Melvin had only talked briefly about the night of the accident and how this man before him knew his sister.

It had only been when Matter had returned home and explained what was said between the two that realization had dawned on Matter.

"Ask what you want to ask Matter" Melvin told the boy clearly a hard edge to his voice. Matter had noted this change in Melvin, it seemed that anything to do with Olivia made the man somewhat defensive.

Or more protective Matter Braverman thought to himself.

Again a bitter sweet feeling came over Matter, he was happy to know there were people looking out for the girl, however Matter couldn't help but think that, that had been his job, his responsibility as Olivia had been his little sister.

"Where is she?" Matter Braverman asked bluntly, having been encouraged not to beat around the bush.

"I refuse to answer that" Melvin said plainly, his smile cruel but his eyes sad. Melvin would not betray the trust Olivia had placed in him. Not even for her father, Jonathan Braverman or for her brother Matter.

Matter Braverman faltered for only a second, having heard the conviction Melvin had to keep whatever secret Olivia was hiding, he had somewhat understood it himself. However the anger he felt at having been denied the information of his sister's whereabouts where more overwhelming than his understanding. His sister could be hurt, could be suffering.

Matter opened his mouth, determined to get the information even by force. However Melvin spoke up once again before he could "Olivia has gotten to where she is with great difficulties, and she did it on her own. So instead of asking where she is, you should be asking how SHE got herself there, because you won't fix your broken relationship by forcing answers out of me" Melvin spoke truthfully.

Matter Braverman understood the words Melvin spoke, although he didn't want to. Finding Olivia was only the destination, because discovering who she was, what she went through is their journey. And fixing their relationship started only after all of it.

Simply putting it, Olivia wouldn't be happy with a half assed attempt at making it up to her.

Matter frowned, as he slumped back into the chair, but at least Matter was assured, through Melvin's words, that Olivia was safe. Because Melvin and his wife would not be sitting around if Olivia were in trouble.

Alisha returned from the kitchen with freshly brewed coffee and the three started sharing stories of Olivia, the atmosphere becoming warmer as they shared both funny and sad moments in the young girl's life.

~*~

Ian Braverman sat in a small café, in downtown Devendor, alone, the quiet and peaceful café putting Ian at ease, if only slightly. Ian had arrived at the café before his old acquaintances had, having not trusted the two to not bring him somewhere dodgy, his two ex-best friends having done so in the past.

Ian Braverman had requested the waiter bring him to a seat near the entrance, in case he needed to leave and they tried to stop him. Ian had no faith left in the boys who he had been so close too. Not after what they had done to him.

Ian Braverman had not seen the two boys in a little over two years, a fact he had considered a blessing then and now, considering the hell he was put through and the suffering his family had gone through.

Ian Braverman didn't have to wait long as his friends arrived only twenty minutes after he himself had arrived.

Dax and Justin had changed since the last time he had seen the two. Dax no longer looked rugged, with baggy clothes and a hippy attitude, instead his hair was much shorter and was styled back, his eyes no longer had dark circles underneath them and he wore a professional suit. But the biggest change Ian noticed was that the man looked a lot healthier than he had two years ago.

It was the same for Justin, who had shaved his hair all of, and now wore an army uniform, he too looked a lot healthier.

"Hey Ian! How have you been?!" Dax exclaimed, however his enthusiasm was received with a glare from the Braverman boy. The two frowned but where quick to take their seats in front of Ian.

"What do you both want?" Ian asked with an edge in his voice that made the boys flinch. Ian was not to make small talk, so he would not allow these men to try and attempt it.

Justin sighed, having expected this reaction from Ian, so he would not take up any more of the mans time than what was necessary. "We know what we did was fucked u-"

"It wasn't just Fucked up Jason!"Ian sneered in rage, he was angry at the boys an anger that festered for many too many years "You fucking took advantage of me, over my grief when my mom died, you introduced me to drugs, used me as a bank account to feed your own addiction and when I got addicted, what did you do?"

Both boys looked down, guilt, shame and regret washing over them in waves.

"Can't answer, can you?" Ian asked upset "Well then let me tell you, you fucking left me on the side of the road half fucking dead, and a needle in my arm!"

Ian wasn't shouting, not wanting to draw too much attention to himself. However his words had impacted them more as he said it quietly, than if he were to shout it for all too hear.

Ian Braverman was angry, but more than that he was ashamed. Ashamed at himself for turning to drugs to deal with the loss of his mother, and his crumbling family. Ian knew the blame was not solely theirs, had come to terms with the role he had in it all. Had accepted that it was his choice, having been heavily influenced by the boys seated in front of him.

Ian had been in a dark place at the time, grieving over the loss of his mother, worried about his father who was never home and his brothers whom were drifting apart. It had been during that time where he was encouraged by his two best friends to take a small little pill, they had said it would make him feel better, that it would be good for him.

Ian was a fool, for he hadn't realized that his best friends hadn't wanted to help him, they needed easy cash, an ATM, and he was an easy target.

However Dax and Justin hadn't counted on Ian himself getting addicted to the drugs they fed him, so when he had it had become a problem for the two.

So they ditched him, so that he wouldn't become a liability to them.

The day Dax and Justin decided to leave him stranded on the side of the road, Ian had been getting high on which ever drug he could get a hold of, It just so happened to be that he had been driving around with his friends in their car while they hit up whichever druggie would deal too them.

But Ian had taken so much shit that day, so when he put the needle in his arm and further drugged himself up and passed out his two friends panicked. With Ian seeming to have OD on drugs the two boys decided to toss Ian out of their car, in the shadiest part of town, seemingly dead or close enough to it, alone without ever having called anyone for help or actually having driven him somewhere he could get help.

He was lucky to have survived.

After that Dax and Justin got clean, not that Ian had cared after that. Ian Braverman continued his downward spiral into addiction going as far as bringing the drugs into the Braverman Mansion.

Ian then started getting high at home, his behavior going unnoticed for months before anyone realized what was going on with the boy.

The Braverman family had only noticed what had been going on with Ian the day Ian had taken a new drug at home. The drug itself had caused vivid, and terrifying hallucinations, Ian who was high as a kite on the drug went ramped, wrecking everything inside. When his father and brothers came to investigate what was going on, Ian had attacked his own father in front of his brothers. A sight Ian knew would haunt his brothers for the rest of their lives and he was glad Olivia hadn't been home to witness the sight herself.

The maids that had been home that day had, had no choice but to call law enforcement.

Ian himself couldn't remember much of what had happened. However Ian wouldn't let himself forget the looks on his younger brother's faces, as he came down from his high, the image would forever be engrained into his mind a reminder of what he stood to lose if he ever took that path again.

Justin and Dax still refused to meet Ian Braverman's eyes, as their heads hanged low. Ian saw it for what it was, guilt and shame.

They had known what they had done was wrong, yet that only enraged Ian more.

"We Know what we did" Justin muttered, pain lacing his voice.

He looked pale, almost sick at Ian's words.

"After that day Justin and I, we got clean, we made amends we-" Dax began but he too was interrupted by Ian who seemed visibly upset at what the man was saying.

"Yet you ignored me, not one of my phone calls did you answer, no you'll fix up your own life before you fix the life you helped ruin" Perhaps that was what pissed Ian off the most, what hurt the most, was that he tried reaching out. He was ready to forgive but they never asked for forgiveness, they never even showed up.

"Look man, we were just getting clean, we couldn't get involved" Dax said.

"My parents threw me out when they found out, I didn't even have a home at the time" Justin spoke up for himself.

But Ian heard it for what it was, they were making excuses.

"We wanted to apologize, but how could we? What could we say? Sorry we left you for dead, no hard feelings?" Dax said desperately "I will live with the guilt, the regret for the rest of my life"

Ian said nothing waiting for them to continue.

"I started a family, me and my wife welcomed our first child to the world earlier this year, it's a girl by the way, and all I could think holding that bundle of joy was what if someone did what I did to my little girl? And it killed me, and I realized I was a coward, all this time I had been shrugging off what I did, not owning up too it

So Ian I want to apologize, not just for that day, but for running away as well, for getting you addicted and then just hanging you out to dry" Dax voice had started cracking during his speech, and by the end of it he had tears streaming down his face.

Ian listened to what Dax had said, listened to Justin after words, and yet Ian didn't care.

Even as he watched the two boys cry, he had no sympathy for them. Ian Braverman still thought the men sitting in front of him were assholes.

Because there was no sincerity, they were apologizing not because it would help Ian but because it would help them and their conscious. They were still the same selfish people from before.

"Honestly ..."Ian began in a monotone voice "You can both go shove that pathetic attempt of an apology up your asses from which it came"

Ian got up from his chair and took a step forward that he was standing beside Dax, he looked down at the two and said "I wish you both the best in life, the same for your families, and I hope to never see either of you again" and Ian left.

Leaving behind two, guilt stricken, men with heavy hearts.

Ian Braverman didn't care if his words had been cruel, because he had been honest.

~*~

Matter Braverman had enjoyed speaking with Melvin and his wife. Matter knew he owe the man a lot, he having been there for Olivia when seemingly no one else was. Through each story told, Matter could hear the love the couple had for the young girl they both considered family. It had been so obvious that they adored Olivia, that they still adore her.

And it was through those stories that Matter knew a new Olivia, an Olivia unlike the one he had known and so much unlike the girl he and his brothers were reading about in her own diary.

And Matter knew, that whatever happened that night four long years ago, hadn't been enough to crush the girl who lived so fiercely.

And it was with that knowledge that Matter Braverman could read Olivia's diary without the weight of her words crushing him and his heart.

It was the knowledge that Olivia was more of a fighter, than any of her brothers could ever imagine, that made him understand she was alive and she was thriving.

~•~
Word Count: [4 835]

Hey guys!,

I'm two days late, this was supposed to be up on the 31st of Jan.

It was biotch to write, especially the first scene that wasn't actually meant to be part of the story but gives it an extra oomf in my opinion!

I love Ian's scene, and I love that he didn't forgive his ex best friends, but what did you guys think?

Don't forget to :

Bye guys, hope you enjoyed and stay awesome!
Until the next update!
Bye!