Chapter Forty Four

"What the hell were you thinking Paige?!"Sandra yelled at me the next morning. "Taking my boyfriend behind my back. Do you really think you can get through with that?!"

Did she just say "boyfriend"? They must have seen us together after the concert. How on earth do I explain to her?! I've had a long night already. I was taunted with dreams and then this? 

"Who are you talking about?"I asked, as if lost. I should be lost. The guy in question is not her "boyfriend". What's up with girls nowadays? Wasn't it just a crush? Did he ever notice her? I'm sure he hasn't because if he had, she'd be calling him "husband" by now.

Sandra clenched her fists. Lisa helped her speak.

"You didn't tell us that he asked you out, did you? I mean Henry."

I sighed. Where is this coming from, oh Good Lord?

"Well, he didn't. And where did you get your information from?"

"You were at the concert to see him, weren't you?"

"I'm not Sandra."

"Then why did you attend?"

"Why did you attend?"I said, non-chalantly.

 Then a slap landed on my cheek. It burned. Sandra stormed out of the room. Did she just slap me?

Lisa moved closer to me. "Paige, don't be..."She swallowed. "She overreacted just now. I'm sorry for that."

"It's..."It would be the first time I got slapped that month, just the first from an outsider. I never really expected it. "It's okay. Just know I wasn't there for him. He asked me to come watch the show and have fun. There's nothing between us. I barely know who he is. You know I'm not the boy's type. Try to explain to your friend, okay?"

"I believe you, Paige."

I took my guitar and left. This is getting out of hand. I shouldn't have been there. I'm going crazy, I need to see Damien's family. Maybe that would clear my head a little.

I didn't have a chance to see them after the incident. And my poor little self was too scared to step onto the estate when I had the chance. I will go see them.

But when?!

For now, I have school exams. But I will, someday. Before I finally go crazy. My mind needs to be reassured that he's gone. Gone forever. And there can't be any like him. No one can replace him. Understood?!

Oh my my...

*

"I saw her today."Henry said as he walked into the 10 by 10 inch living room, where his godfather, Brainne Hooke sat by the TV. Brianne Hooke was likely to be in his fifties though he looked more older. His bald head only made matters worse. Henry despised him though he stayed with him. He just doesn't have a choice. Or haven't found one.

"Saw her? Or met her?"Brainne said, picking his yellow teeth with a toothpick. Sometimes Henry wonders how a rich man could be so ugly.

"Both."He made his way to his room to freshen up. When he was done, he went down to have a little talk.

"Isn't there another way?"He asked.

"Another way what?"The old man croaked. "Are you trying to defile me? Or have suddenly fallen in love with her?"

"God knows I won't defile you. At least for now,"Henry said. "But your plan is just too cruel and quick. And I think, in the end, you'd gain nothing from it."

"What do you know about politics? Huh? Tell me. What do you know about business?"

"My father is a business man. I don't know exactly what you're planning but the way I see it. It's gonna be a waste of time."

"Shut up!"Brainne snapped. "What exactly are you talking about?"

"I'd like to make a request."

"Let's hear it."

"Can you send her out of this town for a while? I know there's nothing you can't do."

"You're crazy aren't you?"Brainne yelled. "I thought you said you didn't drink. Or have you finally renounced your God? Really, you should have done that a long time ago."

"I haven't."Henry grinned. "I only drank water today."

"Then you must have lost your brain somewhere. Why did I keep you an idiot?! What's your job here if she's gone?!"

"Don't you get it!"Henry exclaimed. " Do you think you're the only ambitious person in this state?! You have to be observant while taking risks. And you have to listen to me."

"No I don't."Brainne shook his head. "If you have met her. Then get to it. Do your damn job and don't complain."

"I can't!"

"How dare you?!"Brainne wailed. "You're in love with that shank, huh?"

Henry clenched his fist.

"Not a shank!" he gasped.

"You don't know who she is. I'm her father's closest friend and I know everything! She is nothing but an empty shank and you should better take your damn eyes off her, to save your damn soul."

"And what if I don't?!"

"I'll kill you both!"

Henry was quiet. He had regrets, his conscience tortured him. He was stuck. When the tensed atmosphere was eased away he spoke.

"Okay, what if..."

"I'm done talking with you."

"I'm not in love with her!"He spat. "She's really a shank. I believe you, okay?"

"So... Get to work buddy."Brianne cackled.

"Her details. Hostel number. Do you have one?"

Brianne smiled. "Sure, I'll give them to you."

"I need a house. Of my own."

"I've made preparations for that already. The key and address are in your email. I sent them last night. It's a computerized passcode to open the house. It works with a robot and only your fingerprint can open it."He said. "And mine anyway."

"Okay. That's good"Henry smiled. "I will not defile you. Just keep to your promise."

"Good boy."Brianne laughed as he walked away.

With a house, a car, a good life, what else does he deserve from a godfather? He'd do whatever it takes to keep that life.