Trust Issues #5
My phone beeped. I smiled seeing it was Keaton. I frowned and the song in my head turned sad when I read that he might not take me to school. Why not? I began to get anxious. What was going on? Was he ok? Was he sick? Should I check on him?
I was about to go see if I could catch Chase when Immy came in. My friend commented, “Wow, you work fast!” I nodded. She asked, “What’s wrong?” I sighed, “Keaton said he might not be able to pick me up for school. I was just hoping he’s ok.”
Immy’s phone beeped. My friend checked her messages then promptly dropped her phone. She looked at me then picked up her phone. Immy began texting rapid fire. I asked, “What? Is Key ok?” Immy held up one finger.
My friend gaped at me, “Damn girl. You’ve got some magical juju about you. That’s what you have.” I asked, “Huh?” Immy laughed, “Keaton’s fine.” The song in my head and I were not settled by that comment. Immy urged, “Now, let’s go pick out your date outfit.” I nodded, “Alright.”
We locked up and left the bookstore. We were walking when I got bumped into. I took a step back and looked into the face of a man I didn’t recognize. The hissing sounded in my head. I didn’t say anything but moved around him quickly and kept moving.
Immy asked, “Uh what are we doing? You don’t….” I whispered, “Shhh.” I led us to a different apartment complex and walked in. Immy whispered, “You don’t live here. You know that right?” She didn’t see the guy we bumped into take a picture of the place and keep walking.
I answered, “Yes, I know. That guy just gave me the creeps.” Immy said, “He’s a creep for sure. That guy has a bad aura.” We doubled back to my apartment. I was looking over my shoulder every so often, but the guy never came back. Kenneth frowned at us but didn’t say anything.
When we got up to my apartment Immy disappeared into my closet while I yanked all the blinds shut. My friend came back out with a maroon fitted V neck sweater dress with white stripes. I gasped, “Immy! It’s an ice skating date, I can’t wear a dress! He’ll see my underwear when I fall.”
Immy snorted, “Keaton won’t let you fall. Trust me.” She put out knee high stockings with black ankle boots. I stared at her incredulously while she added a long green jacket with a white fur lining. Immy insisted, “Trust me.”
I snorted, “When I fall on my ass, I’m calling you.
You will have to share in my shame of showing my underwear to Keaton.
Then you’ll have to kiss the bruise on my ass.
” Immy cackled, “Ohh come on, you’ll show your underwear to Keaton sooner or later.
I heard you guys were humping in his truck.
” I gasped and threw a pillow at her. My friend laughed as she caught it.
I yelled, “We were not humping, we were making out! That’s totally different.” Immy snickered, “It’s not really that different. You were in his lap. I’m just helping you get him all hot and bothered with the outfit.”
I snorted, “I’m still saying when I fall….” Immy cut me off, “Keaton has excellent reflexes, he won’t let you fall.” We hung out for a bit longer before she left. Which unfortunately meant I was left alone with all my thoughts.
I changed into sweats and went to the other room where my computer sat. Don’t look, Odette. Which started me on wondering where Keaton was again. Was he ok? What was he doing? To avoid those thoughts, I sat down at my computer.
I sighed and opened it. I reasoned with myself that talking to Lux Vennox was better than worrying about Keaton. I saw his reply right away. I clicked on it.
Odette,
That’s such a beautiful name and it suits you. Now that I think about it, you do resemble the last member of the family with that name. We are in fact family,. I’m your second cousin. The relationship our family has with your mother is complicated.
In truth, it’s not exactly email sharing content. We need to meet in person. The sound both of us made when we touched is normal, I assure you. Who did you trust, Odette? What place are you talking about? Did someone hurt you?
You heard a song? A beautiful song that calls to you and someone else?
I know quite a bit about that. We should discuss that more.
Hissing could mean a few things. Anger causes the hissing, but, and this is important, if you hear hissing and you are not angry, or there is no reason you should be angry, you need to get somewhere you know is safe.
When the hissing stops you are safe, that’s very important, Odette.
All of this is not hypothetical, I’m very serious. Please meet me at my office again. We need to talk, you’re not safe. We, your family, can help keep you safe. I do not know what your mother is up to, but it’s not good.
Do not trust her, Odette. If you take anything from what I’m saying, take that and the hissing part to heart. It’s important. DO NOT TRUST MORGANA!
Who is your father?
Lux Vennox
I sat back and stared at the email. I hadn’t trusted my mother for years. Curiosity was nagging at me. I had no proof this man was family. That weird whistle happened, but that wasn’t proof. He did nail my mother and her personality on the head though.
I heard the hissing when Lisa hit Keaton, I was angry. When Luke attacked, I was in danger. The men I’d run into I’d heard hissing. So, he was dangerous. What if Lux V sent them? I replied.
Lux,
That’s a lovely story, but you have no way of proving any of that. I trusted my (now) ex-boyfriend. I’m sure you can figure out the place I referred to. They locked me up and no one would help me. I won’t go back there.
Honestly, a lot of people have hurt me, but I’m stronger now. I made friends who taught me how to fight back. It came naturally to me really. I don’t even know why I’m telling you this. I shouldn’t even be talking to you.
My ex is probably testing me again and I’m failing. If this is his idea of some other way to teach me a lesson all I’m learning is I’m lonely, and I knew that already.
Hypothetically, the song I hear is beautiful. I don’t know if it calls to someone else, it’s only around this one guy. I hummed it around him once and he definitely liked it. My voice is pretty good though. People say that a lot.
So, I’m sure he just liked my voice or the song. He didn’t say if it called to him. I know when he’s around though because of the song and he smells good.
The hypothetical hissing. Did you send those two guys after me? They knew my real name and no one should. If we are family, you haven’t done anything for me except leave me to my lonely existence. Don’t worry though, I haven’t trusted my mom since I was four.
She’s never mentioned having a family before. I’m pretty sure she’d pawn me off on anyone she could. Since mom’s pawned me off on her boyfriend’s dime to my own apartment so I’m not around them.
I don’t know who my father is. My mom doesn’t talk about him.
Other than to say she got exactly what she wanted from him, and he didn’t want anything to do with me.
My friends think she’s lying and that my dad might not know about me.
The only thing I know is that I have a blood disorder from him. Do you know my dad?
Odette
I looked through my other emails. I frowned spotting an email address I didn’t know. The title was Why, Hello. I clicked on it.
Odette,
You and I have many things to discuss. Do not be upset with Lux Vennox.
He had to give me your email once he told me of your existence.
He is, let’s say, beneath me in the chain of command.
I understand there are many things you do not know, I want to explain them to you.
For that you need to come home. I am worried about you as you are young and susceptible.
There are things about this world, our world. you do not understand. That is not your fault, but in our family there are many politics that are being played. I fear you have been entered into that game, and you have no idea what is going on.
I do not know what mother is playing at here, but I will not forgive her for keeping two of my siblings away from me. Come home, Odette. I know there is very big part of you that longs to. I will keep you safe, and we can find Lux together.
Caspian
I read the email six times. Mother? Siblings? This Caspian guy is saying he’s my brother? I stood and paced. Was my mom part of some wealthy family? Oh god. Is my family the mob? Is that still a thing? Is that why we moved all the time? Oh my god!
Did I stumble into the mob? My mom thinks arranged marriage is cool and in the romantic books I read about the mob that was how they do things. Oh my god. Oh my god. I was suddenly finding myself in the plot of my favorite mob boss series: The Future Don and His Hidden Princess.
Except Luke was no Liam, that’s for sure.
The male lead in that book found fate in loving Connie, which I loved because it was a human book series.
Liam happened to hire Connie as his secretary, and she ended up being a Don’s daughter he didn’t know about.
Liam and Connie were destined to be together. Like me and Keaton. UGH! FOCUS, ODETTE!
Would my family hurt Keaton if they found me?
I wasn’t surprised when I heard hissing this time.
The thought of anyone hurting Keaton pissed us both off.
What annoyed me was the song in my head did want to go home, where Caspian was.
The song felt accepted by him. Great. Perfect. Wonderful. UGH! I sat down and replied.
Caspian,
Ok, I feel like this all has gotten out of hand.
I don’t want any part of the mob or anything.
I really didn’t mean to start this. I don’t know anything about the family business, or whatever politics you guys are into.
Mom has mentioned an arranged marriage and doesn’t seem to care what year it is.