VIII
He took deep breaths in and out,
in
and
out
The sensation of her hand on his caused him to turn to look at her as he felt his heart beating quickly. She smiled at him as she asked,
"Why do you look so scared to go to your own home?"
"You don't know what my parents are like," he said to her.
"Are they monsters or something? Wait--" she gasped, "don't tell me you're secretly a vampire and your family is going to chase me for my blood."
He chuckled as he rolled his eyes. He noticed as the smile on her lips widened.
"There it is," she said as she pointed to his lips, "that beautiful smile you were hiding."
But as soon as he heard her say that, something clicked in his mind and caused his smile to disappear.
She's not your girlfriend, she already rejected you once, his mind reminded him.
He unbuckled his seat belt and got out of the car, walking over to her side and opening the door for her. She reached out as he reached out a hand to her, making it look as if she was his girlfriend if his mother was looking.
He passed the key to the valet before they walked towards the entrance of the house, her arm wrapped around one of his.
"If anyone asks, just say you're my girlfriend," he told her.
"What? Why?" she asked, still looking ahead of her as they entered the house.
"My parents think I'm bringing my girlfriend."
"You want me to lie?" she asked, suddenly attempting to let go of his arm. But he stopped her.
"Trust me, I have a good reason so just go along with it--"
"But that's not what I agreed to do."
"Just go along with it--"
"Marc!" his mother said as she walked to them with a large smile on her face.
"And who's this beautiful lady?" she asked.
"Mom, this is Catherine. Catherine, this is my mom."
And before he could even finish his sentence, his mother pulled her into a tight hug.
"It's really nice to finally meet you, sweetie. I can see why Marc was keeping you all to himself," his mother teased, causing her to giggle.
"It's really nice to meet you too."
"Come with me, I have some people I'd like you to meet. Marc," she turned her attention to him, "go and see your father; he's in the study."
He nodded as he looked at Catherine and said,
"I'll see you later."
A large smile appeared on her face, causing him to smile as well as she nodded before they went their separate ways.
- - -
He walked to the balcony outside his room after speaking with his father and placed his elbows on the baluster before resting his head on his hands. He closed his eyes as a cool breeze surrounded him. And as he closed his eyes, he felt a tear fall against his cheek. He sniffled and quickly wiped it away just as he heard the sound of high heels on the floor. He turned his head to find her opening the door and walking onto the balcony.
"Hey, I got you a drink--what's wrong?" she asked as she looked at his expression. He sniffled once again.
"It's nothing."
"Clearly it's something. What's going on?"
"I said it's nothing--"
"Marc--"
"I said it's nothing! Why are you trying to prod when I said it's nothing?!"
"I was just worried," she said in a quiet voice. But for some reason, hearing those words annoyed him, causing him to laugh mirthlessly.
"Worried? You're worried about me?" he asked sarcastically. But his sarcasm was not apparent to her as she nodded her head.
"No, you're not allowed to worry about me. You don't get that satisfaction."
"Marc," she said as she reached out to him but he pushed her hand away.
"Don't pretend as if you're my girlfriend, not after what you did all those years ago. Do you think I forgave you and that's why I brought you here? Don't kid yourself. I only brought you here because I had no choice."
She couldn't say anything as she looked at him, her bottom lip suddenly trembling. He breathed a laugh.
"You're going to cry? Now you know how I felt all those years ago when you rejected me and embarrassed me in front of everyone.
I'll never forgive you. I'll take my hatred for you to my grave if I have to."
And with those words, he stormed away, leaving her where she stood. He didn't spare a glance back at her, not wanting to see her reaction.
Because if he knew her, she would be laughing at him.
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