There’s Something #4
Grandpa Alon all but pouted, “I’m Morgana’s father. I’m supposed to save her. I took Morosa away for therapy and came back for the wedding day. Morosa stayed away because she knew Morgana wouldn’t want her here.”
“My wife, Morosa, feels like this is all her fault for returning. I just don’t understand. I asked Morgana if it was ok, and she said it was fine. So many years had passed, I was a fool to think we could all just move on.” Yes, he was. Mom could hold a grudge better than anyone else I knew.
Alon ran a hand through his hair, “I’m her dad, it’s my job to protect her.” I shrugged, “I wouldn’t know, I don’t have a dad.” Grandpa Alon winced, “You do have a dad, and he’ll be a powerful man. You actually have two dads. Noxus and one who doesn’t know about you.”
I admitted, “That’s the going theory. There’s a chance my dad does know and doesn’t want me.
” Grandpa Alon muttered, “I doubt it.” I admitted, “For a long time, I thought there was something fundamentally unlovable about me. Lux left and never looked back. I was shuffled around, and when someone finally paid attention to me; I let myself fall into an abusive relationship. Which is exactly what you and my mother wanted.”
Grandpa Alon interrupted, “I don’t. I said things I didn’t mean because I feel like a failure as a father.
” I studied him and in truth, I nearly believed him.
I think if I hadn’t started talking to Caspian and my brothers, if I hadn't felt accepted and loved by someone; I’d have fallen for that speech.
I stood, “I don’t believe you.” Alon looked like I’d slapped him. I reasoned, “You still want to save mom. Maybe you regret that I heard you and your plans, but I don’t believe you regret anything but that. I don’t trust you one bit.”
“Maybe my brothers do because they grew up with you. I tend to believe people these days when they show me who they are. I’ve been naive long enough. I’ll just ask that you let me be happy. I’m not trying to come here and ruin whatever fantasy you have of being reunited with your daughter.”
“I’m sorry that grandma rejected you or whatever. You could just say she divorced you, that feels like an option. Letting people believe she was dead is kind of terrible. I just don’t believe that you miraculously changed your view on me.”
“There’s a chance you are genuine, but there’s a very large part of me that thinks this is bullshit. You merely want my trust so you can hand me over to Luke. You don’t know me, and you made it clear you don’t want to.”
Grandpa Alon stood, “Odette, please just….” I cut him off, “Please, what? Let you explain? Explain how my entire life all people have wanted is to use me for some mob war purpose. Yeah, I got that.” Grandpa Alon disagreed, “Yes and no. I think Morgana plans to use you to get what she wants, then she’d be her happy self again. ”
I scoffed, “Ah, there it is. You want to help Morgana with her plan because of what you believe will happen. You want to hand me over, so mom gets what she wants. I’m rescued, and everyone lives happily ever after. Except me.”
“Because I don’t live in a fairytale. I live in the real world where your precious, happy daughter has neglected and abused me. Mom has allowed me to be locked up and terrified. She doesn’t care that Luke is stalking me, but then again neither do you.”
“You just think you’ll have this happy ever after situation here.
Let me tell you, there’s no happy ever after with my mom.
She takes and she takes. Maybe mom was this happy woman in those pictures once, but she hasn’t been my entire life.
I probably would’ve died when I was little if my brother didn’t take care of me. ”
A knock at the door stopped my tirade. Noxus was in the doorway and he didn’t look happy.
My stepfather asked, “What’s going on here?
” Grandpa Alon answered, “A difference of opinion. She doesn’t trust me.
” Sassy huffed in my head, but the answer told me a lot.
Noxus and my brothers didn’t agree with Grandpa’s plan still to this day.
Noxus laughed, “Then she’s a smart girl.
” My jaw dropped. Grandpa Alon turned, “Noxus.” Noxus retorted, “I of all people know your guilt in the situation with Morgana. It was so long ago, Alon. You have to stop punishing yourself.” Well, Noxus had read that wrong.
It was about punishing himself. It was the appearance the man was a bad father.
Alon didn’t notice his wife was mistreating his own daughter.
No one would convince me that Alon cared about anything but the image of having a wayward daughter.
Noxus continued, “My sons have had enough betrayal from their mother. Have your thoughts and ideas but keep them to that Alon. You enact a single plan, and you’ll go against me. She’s my daughter.”
Noxus was pointing at me. “We will find her biological father, then you’ll have us both to contend with.” Grandpa Alon asked, “What if she agreed?” I snorted, “She who? Agreed to what?” Grandpa Alon explained, “I think we should discuss an option where you willingly go to Luke.”
I laughed humorlessly, “I thought I had it before, but I didn’t.
There’s the truth of it. You don’t care about me.
You care about the plan you have. It’s still about mom and not me.
Forget that she’s an adult who made the choices that affected my life.
You still want to trade mine for hers.” Sassy was now practically depressed.
Noxus hissed, “ALON!” Grandpa Alon held his hands up, “Hear me out. We get the girl inside, and we go in. She won’t even be there an hour. We could save Delana and the girl.” He still called me the girl. I did feel bad about Delana though. I knew she needed to get out of there.
Noxus snorted, “We can’t get there in an hour.” Grandpa Alon frowned, “The girl could still be out shortly.” I interjected, “My name is Odette.” Noxus yelled, “That is OUT of the question, Alon.” Grandpa Alon argued, “It’s the best way.”
Noxus disagreed, “It’s not the best way. You have no guarantee the Merrick’s won’t hurt my daughter. Or that Luke won’t rape Odette. You’re not handing over my daughter or guilting her into thinking this is the best way.”
He turned to me, “Delana is ok. She was raised in this life and she’s a fighter. I’ve met her multiple times. Delana’s her mother’s daughter through and through. I know for a fact Delana would not want you there. I promise you that, Odette.”
No sane person could want someone in that place, so I could agree with that.
Noxus insisted, “We will get her out, that’s not on you.
This is not your fight, and you are not a pawn.
” I smiled, “Are you playing chess? I studied that game. It’s easy to play by yourself and I was a lot.
” Melanie also played with me, and no one played chess like her. I learned a lot.
Noxus said, “Good. Then you’ll understand. You are not a pawn, you’re the Queen. No one deserves what would happen to you if you gave yourself up.” Grandpa Alon argued, “Sometimes you do what you have to do for the greater good.” This prick was so evil it was crazy.
Noxus asked, “She is SIXTEEN years old, Alon! SIXTEEN! Do you want her to be beaten and raped? Do you want her to have to decide what to do if she gets pregnant? Do you want to put her song through that?” I recoiled at the thought of Keaton being hurt because of me.
Sassy was angry and sad, which pissed me off even more. Noxus shouted, “Even if she wasn’t sixteen, the answer would be no, not my child. Not while there is breath in my lungs. I’m sorry for the pain you are in, Alon. I’m sorry you can’t forgive yourself, but Morgana’s choices aren’t on you.”
I snorted, “He’s the one who lied about getting divorced. I think he’s a lot like my mom. Mom has always said she was cunning and I’m thinking she got it from him.” Noxus frowned, “Divorce?” I snorted, “His first wife is alive.”
Noxus looked stunned admitting, “I can’t believe he told you that.” Grandpa Alon asked, “You knew?” Noxus replied, “Of course I did. You know who I used to be here. I knew and still know a lot of things.”
I laughed, “Then mom knows too. You got out manipulated by your daughter. So maybe mom is great mix of you and grandma. Joy.” Grandpa Alon looked rather pale.
Caspian walked in next. My brother looked like he was reaching for a weapon when he asked, “What’s going on?
Dad, you never come in here.” I felt myself being pulled.
I said, “Well, I look forward to hearing how this is explained. Email me, mob boss brother reaching for your gun. I totally saw that.” Caspian snorted as I was pulled away. I opened my eyes to Keaton gently waking me up.
My boyfriend announced, “We are about to land.” I smiled. He asked, “What happened? You seem upset.” I sighed, “Oh ya know, just the usual family subconscious drama. Your grandpa seems great. Of course, my subconscious comes up with a grandpa who is a dick.” Keaton snorted.
I asked, “What about your other grandpa?” Keaton told me, “My mom’s dad was murdered when she was a child.” I gasped, “I’m so sorry.” Keaton shrugged, “I never met him. My great uncle Jordan tells me stories about Grandpa James though.”
I rubbed his back as he led me back to our seats. When we landed Keaton took me to my apartment, where Ken was waiting with two of his brothers. They were an intimating group of men when they wanted to be.
Keaton saw me up to my apartment then kissed me.
He said, “I’ll go find out what’s going on.
” I hugged him, “Please be safe.” Keaton smiled, “I will be. If you need anything Ken’s brother, Kevin, will be in the hallway.
” I quickly assured him, “That’s not necessary.
” Keaton disagreed, “Yes, it really is.” My boyfriend gave me a kiss like he couldn’t resist then left.