Chapter 22: I Found Mom.

CALEB.

Dark hair. Big brown eyes that could melt me. A fiery passion that could drown out any negativity. I watched her as she ran across the street, to Gelio's. For bacon, I presumed. She always loved bacon. My heart thudded painfully. Fresh adrenaline, which I hadn't felt in a long time, surged through my veins. I wanted to go to her. Hold her. Kiss her. Apologize for my mistakes.

Not yet, I had to control my emotions. Her long hair bounced loosely on her shoulders and her eyes were wide with anticipation as she walked in, happy. I stared at the entrance to the store, waiting to catch a glimpse of her green sweatshirt.

After what seemed like forever, she walked out, holding a large paper bag. God I missed this woman. She paused abruptly, and swiveled around. She felt the heat of my gaze, I knew it. I kept it steady, to see if she'd find it. Her eyes scanned over my car, but she couldn't see me through the tinted shades. She shrugged and walked off, her speed increased. She really didn't love me anymore. I had followed her yesterday, from where Brielle claimed she saw her. She was staying at her old house, just on the southside. She had guests staying with her, that's for sure. But I didn't understand one thing. What was she doing in Hulvey?

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"It seems Veronica had an accident. I saw Helena going to the hospital with her in a wheelchair." Brielle said over the phone.

Veronica, Helena's best friend. That feisty little human. Probably explains it. I sighed and got off the phone with Brielle. She might as well be my private spy. She loved spying on people, prying into their business like it was nothing. It would land her in trouble one day, I told her. She saw it as a hobby, and she was mad good at it too.

I stared at the paperweight on my desk. Helena got it for me as a birthday present after our first year of relationship. I picked it up, rolling it between my fingers. I got to see her again. I got to be within 10 feet of her even. I felt excited, ecstatic, I felt….good.

Even Margaret noticed my mood."Finally decided to lighten up, didn't we?" She said, her voice filled with amusement. I was practically dancing through the hallways. I chuckled at her remark, then remembered how I spoke to her two days ago.

"Yeah.. I'm sorry for how I spoke to you the other day. I was just–"

"Shhh, it's okay mi amorcito. Love is a painful thing. So tell me, who's this new beauty who's taken your little grouchy self and turned it into this?" She pulled me by the arm.

I smiled, and said "You'll meet her soon."

A few hours later, and I instantly regretted my response. Because Margaret kept an eye on me, looking out for any "females" entering my office. I groaned.

I put on my coat and clocked out, as I headed to The Castle Hotel, on the Eastside of Hulvey. It was 6pm, so I figured I'd get an early start before Kyle arrived. I was a little more curious about what he had to say. After he left here, he went all the way to America to study. He never called, and most times I'd be worried sick. When he did call, he'd just annoy me. I loved him, but he was a pain in the ass. This was the first time he was actually serious.

I strolled into the hotel, and took the room he reserved. 3C, third floor. Everyone cast me wary glances, but I was indifferent. I was used to the attention. A few women were huddled up and giggling in my direction, and I gave them a flirtatious wink. They giggled even louder.

Damn, I really was happy today.

Kyle showed up two hours later, after I had eaten a three course meal. He was not particularly happy, but he didn't grumble either. He was unnaturally serious. He was clad in a gray suit, similar trousers and a white button down shirt with the first two buttons undone. His hair was tousled, like he had been running his hands through it. Worry lines were forming in his forehead and there was a faint purple discoloration underneath his eyes.

Weird.

He walked over to the sofa in the middle of the hotel room and placed his cup on the armrest. He began pacing the room.

"What's wrong Kyle? You know I don't have all the time." I was beginning to feel uneasy.

"It's 8pm, you want to head to the office?" He retorted, sarcasm dripping from his voice. I glared at him and he flinched, realizing his tone. He shut his eyes and exhaled.

"There's some crazy shit happening. But first off, I found mom."

It felt like I was being poured a bucket of ice water. I froze in my seat, and I could hear my heart rate increase rapidly. The food from earlier threatened to make a reappearance.

I found mom. The phrase resounded in my ears, blocking out every other sound.

Mom had left us when we were teens, and we all knew it was because she had had enough of dad's abuse. She walked into our room that night, telling us that we would be fine. I asked her where she was going, but she smiled and kissed my forehead. I didn't run after her. I didn't beg her to stay. I didn't tell her that I loved her because she would fold. I knew it was for the best. Dad died a few years later, and we couldn't be happier.

"Where?" I asked, my eyes filled with flickering emotions from the past.

"Washington."

"What the-"

"I know, I was surprised when I saw her too. She doesn't wanna be bothered, but we have to go see her. Me, you and Brielle."

It all made sense now, why he couldn't say it over the phone. You don't say news like this over the phone.

"Why didn't you call Brielle?" It was odd he wasn't here. She needed to hear this.

"I wanted to tell you first. You handle your emotions better. But, she'll be here soon." He poured some wine into a glass.

"When are we going to see her?" I leaned back into the sofa, squeezing my eyes shut.

"I don't know, you're the one to decide. There's two other things you need to know though."

I sat up straight, waiting for what other news he had to share.

"Go on."

"You might not like this, but dad…"

"Dad what?" I was already pissed.

"Chill, but he left us some properties in East Asia. Turns out he had a lot more money than we knew." He said, watching my expression.

Of course he did. He was 'dad'. The man was fucking unpredictable, and extremely annoying. He was a huge narcissist, so he probably thought it was right to keep it hidden. I wondered what other shit he had locked away from us.

"Burn it." I said, sipping my wine.

"No. I'll sell it off. I'm surprised you don't want to expand your territory." His voice filled with certainty.

"I would, but not with 'his' property." I snarled. He laughed.

"I assure you, the hatred for him is mutual. But I like to take advantage. You just need to sign off your rights on the property." He passed some papers to me and a pen.

"Gladly." I signed it off and shoved it back to him. Just then, Brielle walked into the room, clutching her bag and phone, looking flushed. She scanned the room, narrowing her eyes.

She jumped on Kyle.

"Kyle!!! You're here omg I can't believe it! We're finally together again! Why did you wait until now to call meeeee!" She whined, and made a big show of kissing his cheeks, and Kyle hugged her. I wasn't the touchy type, so Brielle settled for a brief hug instead.

"So, what's going on here? Why the sudden meeting? We should plan things like this more often. You guys know I have college and coming all the way here wasn't easy…." Brielle continued, and me and Kyle exchanged glances. Translation: He was right. Brielle wasn't ready, but she had to know.

"Brielle.." Kyle called, softening his gaze on her. She turned to him.

"We found mom."

She gasped audibly, eyes wide in surprise and disbelief. She zoned out, and I wondered where her mind went. I could see a faint mist forming in her eyes.

"Okay."

That was all she said.

We stared at her in disbelief. That was it?

"You're not saying anything else?" Kyle asked, cautious in his question.

She looked at him and said, "What else is there to say? We're gonna go see her." She took a seat on the opposite couch from me.

"Alright then. And the third one, now this will be a little absurd."

"Just get it over with, Kyle." I had heard enough absurd things already.

"Okay, I'm a werewolf."