Chapter 8
CHAPTER EIGHT
“Certain people will do anything to manipulate your reality to lead you to your downfall.
And even with all the knowledge in the world, you’ll still end up facing consequences you never expected.”
Lavender
Lavender
“This is heaven,” I mutter as I jump on the bed, my wet hair sending water droplets flying onto the white satin sheets that bring relief to my heated skin. A silky emerald nightgown hugs my body, flushed from the shower I just took.
Even if no one sees it, I still know something beautiful covers me and that brings me joy. After spending my adult life in flannels and cotton, I cannot stand the material and get nauseous just seeing it.
I remember how I splurged in the lingerie shop, and Rafael asked me if my card had been stolen. I’ve never seen my brother struggling to find words. From that moment on, he never asked me any questions about my purchases again.
My smile slips away, and anxiety pushes to the surface. I grab my phone from the nightstand and read the reply to my earlier message, which I had done my best to avoid by spending an hour in the bathroom.
I’m happy to hear you want to proceed. It should be an easy process as long as everyone acts like adults. Let me know if your brothers bother you about it.
Her message just fills me with more anxiety, after typing Thank you, I put my phone away and pick up my strawberry bowl instead, my stomach grumbling at the sight.
My favorite berry is my addiction because I need to eat it every day. Maybe I can use my inheritance to grow fields and fields of strawberries. And then share it with everyone for free.
Something dings on my laptop, since it is open. I usually watch some docuseries before going to bed, and I click on the notepad, smiling at the chat that pops up in my notification bar.
Hi.
Excitement zips through me. I’ve done my best to resist checking my notifications since coming home. Munching on a strawberry and welcoming the fresh taste on my tongue, I tear a tissue up, wiping my hands and quickly typing my reply.
Hi.
I saw something you might like today.
I click the attachment, and the black, thick book’s cover comes into view. It has runes carved on it, indicating its age and value, because such pieces were created back in the eighteenth century. If not earlier.
That’s antique.
It better be. I paid a lot of money for it.
It’s about Norse mythology, right?
Well, overall, yes. But it focuses more on one specific god.
On Thor. I recognize his rune.
I didn’t know you liked myths.
My interests are vast. They aren’t focused only on people who commit crimes.
Putting more strawberries in my mouth, I prop my back against the pillow and place my laptop on my knees, thinking about what to reply next to my virtual friend.
A few weeks back, after watching a documentary, I felt this deep need to discuss it with someone, but no one in the family wanted to.
They had this weird look on their faces whenever I brought it up, especially Aileen and Rush, and they changed the subject every single time.
I mean, I know my brothers aren’t saints and have some questionable methods when it comes to doing stuff…but it’s not like they go around killing people, right?
Either way, my desire to share was too strong, so I stumbled on a forum where people discuss all kinds of things, and one was about the documentary.
I connected with a specific user, and we started messaging privately, just talking about shows and sending each other recommendations.
The interactions remained impersonal, as none of us shared our private lives or real names.
Still, the idea of having this connection with someone made me feel good.
I have no friends, and Lev is the first person I connected with all on my own in this new world of mine.
And he knows what I really like and doesn’t judge me for it. Sometimes I’m afraid to talk about my interests with my family, for fear they’ll twist it in their heads, which would put me back in a white room.
No needles. No needles. No needles.
So you’re rich.
I am.
I burst out laughing at his arrogant reply.
How do you know I like Norse mythology?
You told me you read a book about Vikings the other day, so I assumed you must like their mythology as well.
Oh, I forgot about that.
It’s my gift for you.
My eyes widen, because what the hell?
I can’t accept it.
Why not?
Two reasons. First, it’s expensive, and we’re virtual strangers. And second, we’re virtual strangers, and I can’t give you my address.
I can leave it somewhere for you to pick up later.
No.
Online chatting is great and all, however, the guy likes shows about serial killers!
Granted it’s more about vigilantes and not true serial killers who hurt innocent people, because I do not enjoy watching or discussing those.
Still…what if he’s a stalker or something?
I know I’m unattractive to most men, but I’m a Wright.
I can’t act recklessly with strangers just because I’m hungry for human connections.
He must be one of your favorite gods. And you haven’t read this book. Aren’t you at least a little bit curious what’s in it?
And why would you assume that?
Thor is loyal to Odin, and he always keeps his word. He’s the best protector.
As long as you’re loyal to Odin. He protects those who suit Odin’s idea of life.
His protection is instant. He doesn’t care about the past or future, only about the present, and the enemy would be destroyed one way or the other.
We’re all loyal to someone because, without loyalty, we have no moral compass of what’s wrong or right.
Rubbing my forehead at this explanation because it goes deeper than the usual passages about Thor and his part of Norse mythology, I realize maybe Lev, whoever they are, knows way more than I do on the subject.
Seems to me like he’s your favorite too.
Protecting those who matter to me and punishing those who betray me is something I live by. So of course I admire Thor.
Yeah, I should have expected that this day would end with an odd note as well. Even my online buddy became weird as fuck.
I love Thor, but I still won’t agree to such a gift.
I’ll find a way.
Better don’t, or I’ll assume you’re a stalker.
I plead the fifth.
Oh…so they must be from around here?
Although what else was the person supposed to say after I called them a stalker for wanting to send me a gift? It’s not their fault I have a fucked-up upbringing and have a hard time trusting anyone, let alone strangers.
I’m sorry if I sounded rude.
You don’t need to apologize. Ever.
I eat some more strawberries and can’t shake the feeling that these words sound really harsh.
The people-pleaser in me, though, who is afraid to lose a so-called friend with whom I can talk about something other than my miserable life, wishes to soothe the damage my curt replies might have caused, so I type again.
I had an eventful day.
Did someone hurt you?
It’s…more complicated than that.
How complicated?
I’m not sure you want to know all the details.
I never do what I do not want to do. So I wouldn’t have asked if I hadn’t been interested in knowing.
It sounds like something my brothers would have said, and although I had suspicions before, I’m almost ninety-nine percent sure my friend is a guy.
Polishing off my strawberries, I put the bowl on the nightstand and muster the courage to open up a little to get an outsider’s perspective.
I have no one else to ask, because no way in hell am I bringing it up with Dr. King. Besides, I can share enough to explain my situation, but he’ll never guess who I am. I’ve seen a lot of stories about relationship problems on the website, so it’s not even that suspicious coming from me.
There is this guy…
I freeze as the blond-haired man comes to mind, his piercing blue eyes tempting me with their existence alone and urging me to succumb to the temptation to find what hides behind his carefully crafted facade.
He makes my life unbearable.
Exhaustion hits me, and I slide down the bed because for the first time ever, I’m talking about Levi Scott and my feelings toward him. Every single time I see him, I push thoughts of him away, but how much can one run before it’s impossible to hide?
My heart’s dirty secret has slowly grown into an unhealthy obsession.
What do you mean by unbearable?
It’s complicated.
You seem to love that word.
His sarcasm is valid since I’m the one who raised the subject in the first place.
My brother is engaged to his sister, and they’re in love. But their story started…complicated.
From now on, you aren’t allowed to use that word.
I laugh, and some of my nervousness vanishes. I’m starting to see the appeal of this friendship.
I think he still holds a grudge against my brother about the past and hates me by association. He’s been rude, cruel, and…well, there was an incident that embarrassed me, and I’m still shying away from public gatherings because of it.
I prefer not to share what happened right now, as it might be too personal and, as such, make me easily recognizable should this story ever see the light of day.
Sounds like an asshole to me.
A smile curves my mouth.
Yeah.
I understand his resentment, though, and I hate it.
Why?
Because he put his hands on me today to draw a point, and while the action didn’t pain me…it scared me and confused me even more. I should hate his guts and speak about this with my brother.
It’s normal to be scared when someone wants to physically hurt you. If you can’t retaliate yourself, you should let your brother handle it.
I rub my throat, remembering Levi’s touch.
They have a good relationship. I think he hides his resentment well from his sister, who he loves very much, and I admire him for it. I don’t want to ruin their relationship.