Four

NELLY HAD TROUBLE sleeping last night. The new guy, whose name turned out to be Collins Cross occupied her thoughts. She had asked around after she went home because she knew Nate would not tell her what she wanted to know. But people, mostly the girls who hung out around their boyfriends knew about the new hottest guy, and some were curious to know if she was interested in him.

Nelly was surely interested, but not in the way they all were thinking.

The only thing she could find out about Collins Cross was that he was always angry when he was around people, quiet if he wanted to be. None of the girls knew where he lived, nor did their boyfriends knew that information. It was so frustrating. She had googled him but came out with nothing.

This morning, she was ignoring Lucy's calls and text messages, switching off her phone altogether when she wouldn't stop. Nelly's parents went on a business trip two days ago, leaving her all alone with the staff and her grandma. After grandpa Sili had died, her parents thought it was a good idea to shift Nana Rose to their house so that she wouldn't feel lonely. Nelly liked Nana Rose because the woman didn't care about what Nelly does. She was always in her room or sitting in the garden.

She proceeded down the wide double stairs that led down to the hallway. Nelly's house had been standing for hundreds of years, built by her great, great grandfather with his own sweat and blood, but with every passing year, the interior designs always changed. The mansion had high ceilings, marble floors and expensive paintings and oak furnitures. It was the most breathtaking house in Moondale town, but it was always quiet and lacked the warmth most houses did.

Nelly had just reached the last step when she heard laughter coming from the dining area. She was mostly confused because her parents were supposed to be back in three days and Nana Rose had her breakfast in her room, and the staff was at the other wing. This was the main area. It was only Nelly and Nana Rose in it.

When she walked into the dining area, she was surprised to see someone familiar having breakfast on the table. Nelly could not hide her uneasy as brown eyes descended on her.

"Nells!" The girl exclaimed with a wide grin.

"What are you doing here?" Nelly asked as she placed her hand on the chair, not attempting to draw it back and sit. Her eyes were focused on the purple-haired girl, tall and slim. Her lips were painted with dark lipstick, her eyes with black eyes and liner. She was wearing a tight black dress with a corset and her wrists were covered with bracelets.

"Do I need a reason to come see my cousin?"

Nelly's eyes narrowed.

"You don't sound happy to see me, cuz."

Yes, I'm not happy. "I'm always happy to see you," she lied. "It's just that you should have called. I hate surprises."

"Sorry, I forgot you hate surprises. Come sit." The girl said, tapping on the chair next to her. "Let's have breakfast together. It's been a while."

She couldn't resist not snorting at her words, but Nelly still sat down, careful of how she was looking at her with a secretive smile. "What are you doing here in Moondale, Maria? Last time I checked, you made a promise to stay away."

"Promises are meant to be broken, Nells. Besides, I love this town and it loves me. I couldn't stay away for too long."

"It's only been a year," Nelly fired with a fit of hidden anger.

"Months, years, what does it matter?"

Nelly paused from putting the fork in her mouth, glaring at Maria. "You know what happened the last time you were here. People still remember it. You think they would be happy you're back?"

Maria peeked up with a grin. "I don't give a fuck what they think. If I have moved on, so can they, right?"

Nelly didn't say anything else. She didn't trust Maria. The girl was unstable. What had happened last year was too fresh on everyone's mind, and being back here, she only felt like Maria was going to stir trouble again. Nelly knew people were going to be mad, they would rage and she would bear the brunt of it. It wasn't like she could send her cousin packing when she knew where Maria would go straight to. She would rather have her stay here where she could keep an eye on her.

"So, how's everybody?"

"Don't," Nelly warned with a strong voice. Maria wanted to poke at old wounds, and Nelly wouldn't let her.

"Fuck, Nells. I'm only messing with you."

"It's not something to joke about," she said, defensive now, realizing that Maria had no trouble discussing what had occurred last year, and to even make a joke about it only pissed Nelly more. "Seriously? What are you doing here? And don't tell me it's because you missed me cause that's bullshit." Maria just stared, so Nelly added, "I haven't heard from you in a year, and you just showed up out of nowhere...." Her expression turned instantly wary.

"What do you want me to say? Last time we saw each other, you weren't talking to me. I didn't bother calling or texting you, because I know you'd only give me the cold shoulder. That's what you're good at, anyway."

Nelly shook her head in frustration, then pushed her hands through her curls. "So, why the hell are you here?"

"If you must know, I came back to clear things with the people I hurt. My therapist said it would help me a lot."

Bewildered, she wrinkled her brow as a doubt crossed her mind. "Therapist? You're seeing a therapist?" For as long as she had known Maria, her cousin hated shrinks because one of them didn't help her father enough to stop him from killing himself when she was ten. So it came as a surprise to Nelly and almost hard to believe it.

"For six months now. I'm also clean, Nells," she responded in a hurry. "Been to rehab for three months."

"You're not lying?"

"Do you need the number to my therapist to confirm it?" she said with a playful grin, but it didn't sound as playful as she made it out to be. "Listen, I need to see Ben, to talk to him. Can you help me with that?"

This surprise rendered her momentarily incapable of a response. Perhaps there were many things that were still able to surprise her, after all. Maria is going to be a problem, she reflected while watching her furtively. Coming back to town after what she had done and wanting to see Ben? Really, the girl had some nerve. She couldn't wonder about it for very long, because Maria said the exact words she hoped she would not utter.

"I'm just going to apologize to him." Her face dropped unexpectedly, then she proceeded to roll her eyes. "You can go with me if it would ease your mind. It's not like I'm going to attack the guy."

When she lifted her face inquiringly, Nelly replied in a calm, matter-of-fact voice, "I still can't. He and his parents left town shortly after you left. No one knows where they are now and they changed their numbers."

"Well, damn. And Max?"

Her eyes narrowed, her face grim. "Don't even go there. Stay away from Max, Maria," she warned with a pointed stare. "I don't care if you're going to apologize to him. You can write it on paper and I would give it to him."

Maria's sharp crack of laughter exploded in the room, throwing her head back until she managed to drag enough air into her lungs to say, "Look how defensive and possessive you just got there. Are you two dating? I've always known he had the hots for you."

"That's none of your business. Just stay away from him. He's not the same guy you know, trust me." For a fact she knew Max wasn't the same guy he was last year, and Maria wouldn't know what hit her. She almost wanted to see how it would play out when she came face to face with him, but seeing as Maria might be doing this out of the goodness of her heart, Nelly wanted to help her atone her mistakes before she leaves Moondale. And she planned to get her to leave first thing tomorrow.

"That piqued my interest. Has he gotten hotter?"

"Maria."

"Fine." She released a huff. "At least you can take me to Conteou, right?"

Nelly felt her muscle tensed and her blood rise to a quick boil. It was one thing to come back to town, it was another to ask her to take her to Conteou, Moondale's most exclusive members club. It was where the rich kids of the town hung out, and if your name wasn't on the list, you would not be allowed in.

"I'm not taking you to Conteou. Why do you need to go there?" she ordered, suddenly suspicious and wanting her suspicions confirmed. "You screwed up with two of its members. You think you're allowed to go back there?"

Maria smiled, for it was exactly what she would expect Nelly to say. "You're one of the elites there. I'm sure no one can say no to you, Nells. Would you rather I make a scene outside the club until I'm allowed in? Or until everyone in town knows I'm back."

"What makes you think everyone doesn't know you're back?"

"I got in yesterday. You would have known."

She was right. Nelly's phone would have bombarded with calls from everyone, demanding to know why Maria was back. Right now, Nelly didn't need to deal with this drama again. She had drama already with Kyle, Lucy, and that Collins Cross, and now, her cousin was back in town. It was too much for her.

Nelly gave in. She called Lucy and asked to meet up with her. This was bigger than their fight last night. She had to sit with her and discuss Maria's presence in town, and how much it was going to affect everyone. She couldn't do it alone and needed her best friend's input. Was Nelly doing the right thing? Letting Maria stay with her and giving in to her requests? Did she not feel like her cousin might be up to something? But she had seemed so genuine. Exactly how she made us believe last year, she thought. She could be falling for her lies, after all, Maria was a pathological liar.

She was worked up about it, contemplated on what to do, whether she was doing the right thing or not, but Nelly was not sure, and she damn well wasn't sure whether her car would get to Lucy's house because it was starting to slow down and a weird sound had been coming from the engine. Maybe that should have warned her not to take the car in the first place.

She spared a glance at her way, then looked at the street she was in. The auto repair shop was just five minutes away from where she was, and if she was lucky, she would get the car there before it broke down.

When she parked her car outside the repair shop, she stepped down and removed her glasses, looking around the shop. It was quiet and empty. Had the garage door not been opened, she would have been convinced there was no one there. She closed the door quietly and decided to look around.

Where the hell was everyone? What kind of a careless owner leaves his repair shop unprotected like this? Someone could come and steal something, and he wouldn't know about it. Then, she heard something scrape from behind two cars. Her heels clicked on concrete as she approached the sound, looking down at a beat-up car, finding someone under it. The only thing she could see was the grease jeans and the beat-up converse.

"Hello," she called in a small voice. "Sorry to disturb you, but my car is making weird noises. Do you mind checking it out? I'm really in a hurry."

The man grunted before she heard him drop something on the ground, then he was pushing himself from under the car. She turned around to where she kept her car, hearing his footsteps follow behind her.

She turned to acknowledge him. "I really don't know what's–" But the words died in her throat when her eyes fell on familiar blue eyes. He didn't react, although his muscles had twitched. He stared at Nelly hard, his expression unreadable and guarded. His look could almost cut through glass. It was icy.

By the time the shock left her, she released the loudest laugh that one could call evil, of someone who had caught a mouse. Still, it was melodic. His jaw clenched when she continued to laugh, then she clamped her lips together.

Nelly could hear Nate's warning to stay clear of Cole, it was ringing loud in her ears, but she never listened to warnings. If she did, she wouldn't be who she was right now. Nelly White did not cower and did not submit to anyone.

She crossed her arms in her chest and leaned back against her car, smirking at the guy in front of her. "Hello, Collins," she greeted sweetly. "A mechanic, huh?" She surveyed him before she scrunched her face. "Could you take a step back, please? You reek."

His face darkened like a black smoke, his eyes dark with unfathomable emotion. But he didn't move an inch, just continued to stare at her like he wanted to strangle her.

"No? Okay, then. My car," She nudged her thumb to her black Porsche. "check it right now. And be quick about it if you want me to give you a fat tip." Nelly could kiss the ground if she could right now. The guy who had insulted her had been handed to her on a silver plate, for her to toy and ridicule. This was the revenge she never asked for, but never knew she needed. She had been thinking of ways to get back at him, and this was honestly the best revenge.

Cole held her gaze a moment longer. Nelly held her breath, for though his eyes did not free her, his expression betrayed no hint of his thoughts.

"Nelly, dear, is that you?" The owner of the shop, Jerry exclaimed as he walked over to where they stood.

"Hello, Mr. Blane."

He glanced behind her. "Is something wrong with your car? You should have called me. You didn't have to come all the way down yourself. Let me see what the problem is."

"No! Um...I don't want to be a bother, Mr. Blane. And this boy works for you, right?" She arched a brow towards Cole, her voice flat. "Let him check the car. That's his job, after all." There was no change in his expression. Just a faint shadowing of his dark eyes, a tightening of his lips.

"Oh, this is Cole," Jerry replied, slapping his hand on Cole's shoulder. "He just started working here a few days ago. Cole, dear, do you mind checking Nelly's car?"

He stared at her grinning face distastefully. She would have liked to pretend ignorance of what he must be going through his mind, but she couldn't. His look was explanatory in itself. He may have had power over her last night, but she had power over him right now. He wouldn't dare do anything to risk his job, something she had clearly seen written on his face. He had a weakness, she didn't. Even if she did have a weakness, Nelly didn't let anyone know. Part of the lessons her grandfather had taught her was 'Never admit you have a weakness. Kill that weakness if you must.'

Cole zoomed past her, and she quickly moved away from the car with a chuckle, knowing his intention was to knock her away from it to release some of his anger, but she didn't let him do that. He opened the bonnet roughly, not giving her the glance she so desperately wanted. Nelly didn't think he had seen the satisfaction on her face more. He needed to see it until it implanted on his mind and her evil grin would be what he sees for the next two days.

"Be careful with the car, Collins. It's not the one you have problems with. Take it easy."

He finally snapped his head up and angrily gripped the side of the bonnet and glared at her, but he couldn't do anything, not while his boss was standing close to her, staring at her affectionately and eager to please her.

A thought crossed her mind, a laugh almost slipping from her lips if she hadn't caught herself. "Ah! It's so hot today," she complained, fanning her face and neck with her hands.

"Let me get you something to drink." Mr. Blane straightened to leave.

Before he could leave, she interrupted, "Don't worry about that." She angled her head towards Cole, who was looking through her engine and shouted, "Collins!" There was no response, despite him being close enough to hear her. She was aware of Mr. Blane's retreating form when a phone rang in his office.

"Collins!"

It took two seconds before he glanced up, and she took in his brows that burrowed into a deep frown, to his full lips set in an implacable line, to his strong jaw clenched tightly shut. She peered into his stoic face.

"Can you get me something to drink? I'm thirsty," she replied in an annoyingly sweet voice.

Cole did not answer right away, but blatantly studied her, his frown deepening all the while, and his anger visible to the eyes. "No."

She repressed a smile. If the glint of anger in his eyes were any indication, she would have worried he was not affected. "Did you just say no? Have you not been taught how to treat customers? Do I need to complain about you to your boss?"

Anger was vivid in his face as he stalked over with menacing grace. "I will–"

She stood straight and her chin climbed high, glaring as she met him halfway. "You will what, Collins?" she challenged, then rolled her eyes. "Save your threats. If you want to keep your job here, which I know you desperately want to, you don't argue with me, understand? Now, go get me something to drink before you force me to complain. I'm sure you don't want to annoy your boss when you just started working here."

"I'm not one of your ass kissers and I don't work for you. You can't order me around." The mildness of his tone did not hide his anger. "You watch how you speak to me."

"I see you talking, but you're not moving. But let's wait here until Jerry comes back. We can decide who has more power."

"You may have the upper hand here, but out there, you're not invincible and untouchable."

"And?"

His eyes darkened. "And then," he stated grimly, "you would wish that you were."

A chill ran through her. Nelly did not doubt it. His tone, like his expression, was utterly unyielding. In that instant, she hated him as she had never hated anyone. For someone who came from nothing, had nothing, he acted like he was the one with the power in Moondale.

But Nelly was going to keep reminding him who had the power and money.