Chapter Twenty-one

Days have passed but we still have no idea on how and where the Hadleys are. I still can't figure out that Dawn is one of them. Of course, that's his parents and I'm just a girlfriend. Why would he stay by my side when I'm just a nobody for him?

It's like, everyone's playing me. Daddy said he can't replace my Mom but what the heck is this? Having a love affair with my boyfriend's Mom?

Daddy didn't let me use my phone. It's been days since I last called Shannie and Yulla. They already heard the news the day it happened. They're probably worried about me now. How sad, I can't go to school anymore.

After washing myself, I grabbed a pair of pajamas from my closet. I am not feeling well actually but I don't want Daddy to worry about me so I chose to stay silent. I don't know but I always suddenly feel chills out of nowhere.

I've been homeschooled these days. After my lecturer got home, I took a nap.

I was stepping onto our grand staircase when I heard a voice. Maybe from our family's lawyer.

“I'm going. Let's discuss this again at the next meeting.”

I saw a man who's probably in his mid-'30s in a formal suit. His hair was on a clean haircut and he looks so fine. I can say that he is handsome. Our eyes met so I avoided his gaze immediately. I felt embarrassed.

“Thank you.” That was almost a whisper from my Dad.

I still don't know how the investigation went. It's because Daddy doesn't want me to worry about it and also for me to stay away from stressing things.

My footsteps echoed to the whole house and made their head turn to me but didn't bother to approach me. The lawyer already left the mansion. Probably going home.

“So, that's it for today. Unfortunately, we can't still track the Hadleys.” I saw sir Richard Gladstone leave a heavy sigh in despair.

“They're hiding well, eh.” Ethann is on the other side.

“Indeed, they are.”

Daddy is walking around in their direction feeling uneasy. I went to them and sat beside Ethann. He immediately smiled at me so I did the same.

“The police still haven't seen any footprints from them?”

“Kind of,” Richard responded.

The things are still unsolved. I still can't feel relieved. I hate to admit but my family is not in a safe condition. Anytime now, the culprit might attack us again.

“That's impossible. We had CCTV in the parking lot. Why the hell they can't catch them?!” Daddy furiously hissed. Losing his temper.

“I told you, they're hiding so well. Probably, they are starting to pack their things now.”

“Fuck those Hadleys, they're getting into my nerves.” He clenched his jaws out of the furiousness. I swallowed hard.

“All of these won't happen because of you, sir Timothy. Don't forget to blame yourself too. Without you and Bricianna together, your daughter wouldn't be homeschooled now.”

I immediately turn my head to Ethann and raised my eyebrows at him. What the heck is he saying? How dare he? Yes, my Daddy was at fault because in the first place, he was the love affair of Dawn's mom but they can't pull all the blame on Dad. “Stop talking to my Dad like that, Ethann! You can't disrespect my Dad! Fuck you all for accusing him wrongly!”

“Stop Helly, it's my fault though.” I felt Daddy's hand holding mine.

“No Dad—”

“Stop shouting nonsense things, Helly. We have our evidence of how your Dad flirted with Mrs. Hadley.”

I gave Ethann a dark and cold gaze. I hate his terms. I clenched my jaws and was ready to slap him anytime now.

“Show me, then. Don't just talk, Ethann. Show your evidence to us.” I told him emotionlessly.

The atmosphere immediately changed into cold. I can sense the tension between me and Ethann. Where the heck is the evidence that he's talking about now? He can't even show it to me. Eh, liars.

“Enough Helleon! Off to your room and rest there. You can't be here.”

I gulped at what Daddy shouted. I looked at him with disappointment in my eyes. Don't tell me he is slowly admitting it? If he will admit it then I won't be asking for evidence. Dad can't lie to me. Unfortunately, he already did.

“I pity your innocence, kid. We're here not to accuse your Dad wrongly and for ridiculous things. We're here to help the police in investigating and tracking the Hadleys. And Ethann,” He turned his head to his jerk son. “Hold your temper.”

On the other hand, Richard was there to stop and to lessen the cold atmosphere. I gritted my teeth, glaring at all of them, and walked away. I am heading to my room.

I don't know where to put my trust anymore. There's no one to trust now. As usual, I'll be crying with myself again.

How I wish that Shannie and Yulla were here. My best friends are here. I want to feel the warmth of our friendship again. I miss them all. I didn't expect that that kiss on Shannie's cheeks would be the last time. Of course, I also miss Suneast University.

I picked one of my Mom's pictures from my picture frames. I hugged it tight while my tears were falling. I put my hands to my chest as I started to sob. I miss everyone I lose. If Mommy's here, I know Daddy won't do these things.

I always embraced myself to feel the warmth. Plus these shitty chills I'm feeling all the time. I want to call Daddy to take care of me but they are busy with the case.

My lecturer got home. I sighed when I felt that I did well today.

“I won't be hard on you today, miss Addingston. You're sick. After this, you have to take a rest.”

I secretly smiled when I remembered what my lecturer said to me recently. She's already in her late 20s and she also said that she still doesn't have a boyfriend. I know she's just my lecturer but I want to befriend her too. Funny me for being so lonely.

***

“Helly, the Gladstones are here already!”

I heard Daddy from outside. “Coming, Dad!” I exclaimed.

Daddy asked them to have dinner with us and for our safety, they decided to have it just here. That was completely fine for me though, I don't have the appetite for going out.

“Beautiful as always, Helly,” Ethann whispered to me.

I just smiled. Hopefully, he wasn't expecting any compliments from me.

He grabbed a seat for me and I just smiled again. I almost gasped in the air when I saw Dymieyle Gladstone's eyes dart at me and his son. Still so intimidating.

“You two look so good together.” I gazed at Richard Gladstone who was in front of us. On where we are sitting.

“Of course, that's because they are meant to be with each other, honey.” Dymieyle held his husband's hand and glared at us. His eyes sent shivers down to my spine so I looked away.

“Yeah, I'm agreeing with that.”

I harshly turned at Dad. I can't believe what he just said. What are they doing? I thought Dad wanted me to choose someone that I love and not this someone beside me who showed him disrespect.

“Dad, stop it.” I hissed and knotted my brows to him.

I heard Ethann chuckling beside me “Mom, Dad. Stop it. Don't pressure Helly. Let's just wait 'til this chaos is over and by that time, I'm confident that Helly will give me her sweetest 'yes'.” I immediately felt uncomfortable when he held my hand and caressed it softly. I couldn't stop my mouth to form an ‘O’. What the hell is going on?! Why everyone's being like this all of a sudden?!

“Uh, so what's the plan for the two, Richard?”

I gritted my teeth at Daddy. What the heck is this?

“Oh, Tim. They can still marry each other even though we're still fixing the case. Then let's give them a grand celebration after solving it.”

“Hmm, that's a good idea Dad. What are your thoughts about it, Helly? What can you say about it?”

I swallowed hard. “I'm not getting married, Dad. I'm still young!”I hissed. Why are they making things hard for me? Are they having fun controlling my life? Why are they didn't bother to ask if it's just fine for me to get married to their annoying heir? And the last time I checked, Dad disagrees about me marrying for convenience. He knows that all this time, I didn't grow any feelings for Ethann.

“No, you're already at your legal age, Helly. And if you marry Ethann, you will be safe and secure.”

I sighed and breathed harshly. My eyes are getting ready to drop a bucket of tears. I swallowed hard at what they said.

“I've already secured Dad. We have a lot of bodyguards with intimidating muscles.”

“Y-Your Dad is right Helly. I will make sure that you are safe as long as you're with me. You know, I can risk my life just for you and for our future family. ”

I turned my head on Ethann and showed him my jaws clenching. I am now mad. They made me mad. I hope Daddy's aware of what he's doing. Probably, these Gladstones are brainwashing them.

My tears almost fell so I stood up and started to walk away. I know I'm being rude.

“Where are you going?”

I heard Daddy called me from behind but I didn't turn my head to them as my tears began falling. I simply wiped it without them seeing.

“I'm not feeling well, Dad. My head is spinning.

“Helly, are you okay? I can walk you to your room.”

“No need, Ethann. I can walk alone. I'm sorry, it's just I'm not feeling well. Let's just talk about this once I'm okay...”

I ran towards my room and collapsed myself on the bed. There I started crying again. I don't know what to do anymore. Everyone's starting on controlling me. Of course, that's possible. We're in a world where everyone loves to stop you and control you as if you're a robot.

I buried my face in my pillow so I won't make any sound. Hopefully, I will be able to talk with someone now.

Out of nowhere, an idea popped up in my mind. I grabbed my phone and immediately dialed Dawn's number.

I know Daddy will be furious once he'll knows about this but I don't care anymore. I'll just talk to him and won't mention this mess to him.