Chapter 41

Slamming my phone back in place I felt every cell in my body tremble with rage at the audacity of my bitch of my a sister. Not only did she have the nerve to lie to me for two years about dating Greg and purposely humiliate me by going along with the charade Greg cooked up but she had to create a fabricated story that I hit her because I was jealous. Jealous of a bullshit relationship that was based on money and greed, not likely.

My mother however believed the baldfaced lie and automatically turned to scold me, not bothering to ask my side so I didn't listen to her and hung up. Pushing off the couch I made a bee line for the fridge, hugging a container of caramel swirl ice cream I fetched a spoon intending on skipping into a ice cream coma when a knock sounded at the door. Who would be visiting at this hour? No one usually visits me other than-Wes.

My heart skipped a beat as I dropped the ice cream on the table, immediately patting my hair for any fly aways. Dressed in grey striped pajama bottoms and a black tank top I didn't look to horrible but still not a sexy look either. Regardless of my own opinion I ran across the room a goofy smile spreading on my face as I pulled the door open, expecting a certain italian hunk that I was secretly hoping for to stop by but received a tall, lanky blonde who hours ago fücked Greg.

The corners of my lips dropped, disappointed it wasn't Wes. I was aware that when I do see him we would discuss our last conversation and I'd be told yet again to 'figure out what I want' yet I yearned for Wes right now more than I need ice cream and a tacky romance movie.

"What do you want Aaron?" I sighed exhausted from both earlier encounters with two different men I loathed for years

He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes darting to different areas of my face "We didn't really discuss what happened at your parent's house and I wanted to explain myself."

"It's fine, A."

"I know he was your ex and it was wrong of me to continue with what we were doing. You're my best friend and no amount of sêx could-wait what?" he gaped in disbelief, his thin pink lips parting "We're okay?"

I nodded and stepped aside allowing him in to my apartment. Pressing his mouth shut he silent entered although the confusion etched on his face was loud enough. Gesturing to the soft green sofa I retrieved a spoon for him recalling his obsession with ice cream in high school was worse than mine. Like the young teen I knew then he brightened instantly as I sat the container on the coffee table, I smiled watching his soft brown eyes sparkle like a child's on Christmas.

"I actually want to thank you for today." I said as I pulled the lid off

He shot a trimmed brow up in silent questioning as he placed a generous amount of ice cream in his mouth.

Scraping my spoon across the untouched frozen treat I found it difficult to meet Aaron's gaze as I spoke the truth out loud "I never really liked Greg, our relationship was...." I paused, searching for a word the fit the twisted relationship we had "For show. I agreed to date him to please my father who I still foolishly try pleasing and Greg's intentions were never a secret." I laughed humorlessly

That's how this whole situation felt like, a humorless joke that life evilly tossed my way.

Swallowing I felt the sting of embarrassment hit me hard as I thought of the months I wasted on the bastard, persuading myself that I could be happy if I tried but I never was happy. Obviously neither was Greg but I tried hoping to finally settle down just because I had my father's stamp of approval but the more weeks passed the more I felt trapped in the emotionless relationship.

"I wanted so bad to be happy that I took the crap he gave me and I didn't even like the guy!" I exclaimed with a shake of my head "I allowed him to make me feel like a failure of a woman and it took two years for me to realize there isn't anything wrong with me. The asshole likes dícks and so do I." I laughed softly finding the whole ordeal quite humoring in a twisted way

Aaron placed a hand on my back "I'm sorry, K." he said gently as he rubbed my back

Shaking the pesky memories away I pressed the edge of my spoon into the container "I wasn't upset because you slept with him but because the fücker made me believe for too long that I was a failure with man. That I couldn't please men physically. That what Tyler said was true." I added the last part in a low whisper

Tears stung my eyes as I spoke the truth of my anger towards Greg out loud. I did feel betrayed by my sister and the sting of rejection did hurt but it wasn't what cut me deep. Tyler's wound struck deep a long time ago. When he showed his true colors after coaxing me into giving him my virginity he didn't just rob me of my innocence but also my self esteem, ability to trust, dignity, the hopes I had of falling in love and the dream that one day I'd be loved for me. Not my family name or the money and power that came with it.

He robbed me of the part of me that had dreams and hope for a better tomorrow.

Sniffling, I felt the hallow ache in my chest at the young girl that was pushed into the cruel world too soon. The dull pain of the heartache I suffered nearly ten years ago and the part of me that died then. Setting the spoon down I swiped my fingers across my cheekbones, catching the tears as they slid down my cheeks.

"Come here, baby." Aaron cooed

His long arms snaked around my trembling shoulders and pressed me against him. Like old times I melted in his arms seeking refuge from the crumbling world around me. Clutching onto his shoulders I felt my body slump in momentarily defeat, I needed a brief moment to drop the act and bawl my eyes out and Aaron was offering a shoulder to cry on.

"I saw him." I hiccuped, my voice muffled by the front of his shirt "I was leaving when Tyler showed up."

His body tensed at the mention of his jackass of a cousin "Why didn't you call me?" he asked, his arms tightening around me

Nuzzling further into his chest I shrugged "He came out of no where and I handled it pretty well." I admitted proudly "But he spoke of patching things up between us."

He pulled back, his eyes widening "What did you say?"

"No, of course." I said fiercely finding my tears drying "He said he misses me."

Aaron released a sigh of relief, did he really think I'd take the conniving ass back? Dropping his arms to his side Aaron turned to the side, his features furrowed in concerned "He's never mentioned you till this wedding came up so that's bullshit." he mumbled to himself

I snorted at the obvious fact, one trait that I'm confident hasn't changed about Tyler is his ability to love himself and no one else. The man would sell his own mother if it benefited him in some way.

"Do you know what this project is that my father wanted you both to join?"

"It's just a charity program that helps boost his image to the media." he answered with a roll of his eyes

Pursing my lips I reached for my spoon needing the creamy cold comfort. Knowing my father might have a hand in this saddened me, he saw first hand how I suffered after Tyler's interview hit stands. My father and I don't have your typical father daughter relationship but he is still my father and that means something, doesn't it?

Mimicking my movements Aaron placed a dollop in his mouth like the pig he was and the sight brought a faint smile to my lips.

"This is really good." he moaned as he searched for the label

The corners of my lips quirked up not because Aaron was trying to store the name for later references but because of the man who provided the treat. There was a small pang in my chest thinking of Wes and our situation. With today's events I didn't have time to think over what happened this morning and I'm positive Wes will want an answer.

It's not that I didn't know what I want, I want Wes that was for sure. He made his intentions clear and I know being with him would mean giving part of me to him and that was the part the scared me most. He would have no problem jumping into this with both feet but I can't say that I'd do the same. I've protected my heart for years and to suddenly tear the walls down and let him in was going against everything I knew. It meant leaving my heart unguarded and the thought petrified me.

"Where did you get this from?" Aaron asked oblivious to the frown marring my lips

"A great guy." I answered wondering where the said man was.

Wes's POV

"Dad, please." I pleaded

He shook his head like a rebellious child, his soft gray brows dipping down as he pouted his thinning lips. It was amazingly scary how he had aged in the last ten years since he looked so young before my mom died. He always appeared young and well taken care of you couldn't tell he was nearing fifty but now he looked close to eighty. His full head of jet black hair held a soft gray hue that he once dyed, the wrinkles by his eyes deepened as did the ones around his mouth as a reminder of the man he use to be. The worry lines marring his forehead dominated his face, the hollowness of his cheeks added more attention to his cheekbones. He lost a third of his weight in the last five years, his once straight posture and healthy figure now a slumped and frail body of an early aging man.

"Dad."

He folded his trembling arms over his chest and shook his head, his mental state turning into one of a five year olds "I don't want to." he pouted

Lowering the two yellow tablets I sighed as I watched my sixty year old dad turn his back in refusal.

"The medicine will make the headaches better."

"Then give them to your mom you know she's head a horrible headache for days." he shrugged

My shoulders slumped at yet another reminder of my mom "I'll give her some later, these are for you." I tried again

Ever so slowly he walked towards the large window occupying most of the far right wall in his room, his expression turning somber as he watched the cars drive by. "She hasn't called all day, I'm worried."

"She should be coming home soon." I lied, hating myself for it

He raised a thin arm above his head, the skin hanging from his triceps as he kept his gaze outside "She's never been late like this, the kids must miss her as well especially little Anna."

Shutting my eyes for a brief moment I felt lower than a bug under a boot as I realized he was no longer with me in the present. Recovering I had to swallow a few times before speaking "Yeah, they miss her but they're glad you're here."

He remained silent and I knew he hadn't heard me as his mind attempted to piece together whichever next memory was currently flashing in his mind.

"Can you call her?"

I was taken back by his request, luckily he was occupied with the window to notice my reaction. "I'll do it in a moment but first come take your medicine."

"First call my wife." he said as he turned to face me

"She's driving right now, I'll call her in a minute." I responded in the attempt to delay the dreaded 'phone call' incident

His lips pressed firmly together making his thin lips nearly invisible "You said she was at the restaurant with Marbella."

Shit!

"Yes, she is." I nodded, forgetting the lie I told him "They're getting the cheesecake you love from the bakery on fifty-second street."

The same grayish blue eyes that I saw in the mirror everyday narrowed "How exactly do you know where my wife and daughter are?" he asked as he took a step forward, meaning to intimidate me

I drew a blank, unsure how to answer him and I didn't have the opportunity to either.

"Anna, call the cops there's a strange in the house!" he shouted

"No, I'm not a stranger."

Ignoring me he started forward, his frame trembling but still he continued on determined to take care of the threat which in this case was me. Lip curled above his teeth he pressed his frail hands against my chest and pushed, the movement pointless as I remained in the same position.

"I'm Wes, your son." I said hoping it would strike a memory that would pull out of the past

"My son is only fourteen you crazy bastard." he hissed and without warning slapped me

The stinging of my cheek from the assault had nothing to do with my state of shock but because my dad hit me, something he's never done since the accident when I was a teen. It was merely a slap then but at the time I thought he would kill me and I knew I deserved it.

"Dad please listen to me, I am your son. I'm Wes."

"Liar." he barked and took a step back, his eyes saucer like as he scanned me from head to toe.

I had similar features to my dad; his eyes, dark hair and even his built but the rest of my features were exact replicas of my mom. Her skin tone, lips, nose even her smile. It wasn't difficult to see the features of my parents in my face and when his eyes widened further I knew he realized this as well.

"I want to speak to my wife." he croaked while taking another cautious step back

"In a moment but first-"

"I WANT TO SPEAK TO MY WIFE!"

His chest heaved heavily as he struggled to steady his breathing. A pang of worry jolted in my chest at the sight of my father as his labored breaths echoed in the room, he has had a history of episodes but the way he snapped so quickly frightened me.

"Alright." I nodded and took a cautious step forward "I'll call her just relax."

"Get away from Me!" he shouted and stumbled backwards nearly falling on his ass in his attempt to put some distance between us

The glint of fear in his dull eyes sent a pang in my chest, he was afraid of me. His thin fingers rose up to his chest, his gaze never lowering from mine.

"I want to speak to Maria. I want to see my wife." he demanded

"I told she isn't here." I sighed finding it difficult to push the subject of my mom aside

"Where is she?" he asked, his features growing hard "What have you done to my Maria you son of a bitch?!"

The faint hue of red in his face alarmed me since he has heart problems as it is and high blood pressure. "Dad please calm down."

"Maria! Maria!" he shouted desperate for an answer that was never going to come

My heart broke for my dad in that moment watching him shout at the top of his lungs in hopes of hearing a reply from a woman he -deep down- knew couldn't answer. The love of his life that in moments he would remember was buried long ago along with his heart. Swallowing past the lump lodged in my throat I reached for him but he slapped my hands away and started forward his expression filled with fury and confusion.

"If you hurt her I'll kill you." he seethed

Too late, I thought bitterly.

Raising his index finger up he swayed on his feet, the action striking me unexpectedly. He was a very thin man but never has he swayed even at the worst of his sickness we made sure to keep him fed and well even when he neglected his body, we didn't.

"Dad, are you-"

I paused mid sentence as my dad's frail figure teetered to the left and like a brick he dropped smack down on his side, the impact shaking the floor. Racing forward with my heart in my throat I heard footsteps pounding below but I couldn't think of anything but my dad laying on the ground.

Lifting him into my arms I noticed his body trembling tremendously, his eyes unfocused as he lifted his right hand up grazing my chin he twisted in my arms. The furrow between his brows indicating the torture he felt internally.

"Ellie! Ellie!" I yelled hoping my niece arrived quickly

"Uncle Wes what's.... oh my God."

Her audible gasp came from behind me "I'll call for an ambulance." she muttered the sound of tears behind the simple sentence evident

"Hurry!" I shouted as my dad squirmed in my arms

"M-mar..." he stuttered struggling to pronounce my mom's name

"Sshh. You're going to be okay." I said in a soft whisper

His fingers dragged down my neck and clutched the front of my shirt, his eyes rolling upwards as the tremors racking his body increased. Dread settled in my chest as Ellie shouted that the paramedics were on their way, wondering if my dad would last that long.

"Mar-ria." he croaked

Tightening my arms around his smaller body, I pressed him against my own shaking form an invisible hand gripping my heart "You're going to be okay." I repeated, unsure if I was trying to convince him or myself

Dragging my tear filled eyes up to the ceiling I prayed that my dad wouldn't join my mom so soon. I couldn't watch another one of my parents die because of me, not again.

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I don't think this chapter needs any questions or nudges -blows nose- I cried while writing the end of this chapter so don't be embarrassed if you did too :'(