《DEALS》 The Wedding Deal Peyton Griffin''s POV Have you ever wondered why people say that weddings are so memorable? The Rev. spoke thickly into the microphone, "You may now kiss the Groom," I guess you could say the one I''m attending is. "You may now gouge out your eyes." Charlie, my bestie snickered from beside me. The congregation cheered as my father swapped spit with a man named Joey Torent. I''ll have you know that I was against this union from the start, not because of the genders but because of the purpose this marriage plays. A silent chuckle leaves my mouth as I watch the scene, strongly resembling a drug deal gone wrong. You know that feeling when you are watching something with your friends; all of you know that you are supposed to gouge out your eyes as Charlie kindly put it, but my friends that is a task easier said than done. "But seriously though, can I please gouge out my eyes?" My twin sister Lola asked from beside me. "Lola, now that you, me, and Peyton are siblings, allowing you to remove your eyes and leaving me to sit through this alone is quite unfair don''t you think?" Danny taunted. "You lost me after the word siblings." Lola snorted. Charlie tilted her head to the side, "They look cute in a way." "What is your definition of cute?" Danny mocked Charlie. The priest directed the two men in suits away from the altar and toward a table that held the wedding documents; the moment Joey signed them, Danny became my stepbrother. An Usher tapped on our pew and signalled us to come out. Lola and I took the lead while Danny tried his charms on Charlie by offering his elbow to her. We were the only bridal train they had, and like tradition, we marched out of the church with the new married coupled on our trail. Rice grains and confetti covered the floor as we stepped out of the church and made our way to the reception. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. "When will this torture end so I can devour that lovely redhead?" Danny sipped his drink as he ogled a girl that passed by us. "Is there any good thing coming out of this?" I ignored him and turned to my sister. "I have no idea. If we survive this, remind me to tune the speakers in my room to full blast." She replied. She doesn''t have to tell me twice. Soon the eventful day ended. After dropping Charlie in her apartment, Lola, Danny and I met our fathers in the parlour. "Is this the part where you tell us not to expect an extra sibling?" "No, I believe it''s when I remind you to show the manners I have taught you." My sperm donor shot daggers my way. "Right, did you teach me them when I drew my first breath or when you forced yourself on my mother?" I say to spite him His nostrils flared as he took a threatening step toward me, but his new bed mate held him back. He hates it when I bring her up and can''t help his actions when I do. "Troy, let me." I turned to Joey Torent, my new stepfather, "We have good news," If I''m being honest, I don''t think he would fit the father figure role either. "You''ve decided who stays up and who stays down?" Danny said as he sipped his beer while standing across the room. Just because we were nice enough to work as members of the Bridal train didn''t mean we were good kids. Swiftly, Joey walked to his son and slapped the drink out of his hands. Danny shrugged and sat down by a nearby seat. "As I was saying," Joey began talking whilst still glaring at Danny, "Peyton and Danny are getting married. It is not up for discussion." Danny and I stood up and looked at these two men in front of us with disbelief and horror. "You''re joking, right?" Danny did a double-take at his father. "No, son I''m not." Joey nonchalantly replied, "We need an heir. I am not ready for another idiot to join this family." He grasped my father''s hand and kissed his knuckles. "You have both gone mad." I seethed. My father rubbed his forehead and began walking away, "Peyton, it''s not a choice. You better get used to your brother because you will see more of him. And I don''t mean in clothes." Before I could say a snarky comment, Father dearest slapped Joey''s ass and pulled him out of the room. Lola stood up, "Weddings always bring the best out of families, don''t they?" "If you think I will marry you, the world must have flipped its axis." Danny spat in my direction. "The feeling is mutual, brother." I grabbed my purse from my seat and went towards the front door. "I''m going back to my redhead." I heard Danny storm away. "While I am getting partially deaf and the house will be full of moans, where are you going?" My twin inquired with a frown. "I am going to visit Jordan," I answered before I slammed the front door shut. I climbed into the nearest car in the garage and drove off to the Kendall Mansion. Looking forward to the reassurance only my boyfriend could give me but little did I know that I was in for another shock. Chapter 2 - A new year Sometimes when we never choose the people we call family, we get confused about who to call family. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 3 - A Deal on marriage Peyton Griffin''s POV Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 4 - So what do you say, Caleb? There is always a silver stripe in the grey clouds. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Chapter 5 - A Dealers graduation Peyton Griffin¡¯s POV Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Chapter 6 - 鈥楢nd you can sleep on the couch till Marcis funeral! Keep calm, you''ll find the right people for you. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Chapter 7 - Never take Deals for granted Peyton Griffin''s POV If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 8 - The start of the end I can safely say that with family comes a whole lot of drama. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Chapter 9 - A Dealer with blackmail Peyton Griffin''s POV If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Chapter 10 - Brother There is always that one person that when you meet them, you can''t just help but want to know more about them than what meets the eye. -THEO Caleb parks'' POV Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. Chapter 11 - Once a Dealer forever a babysitter Peyton Griffin''s POV If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 12 - The worst decision of my life If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Chapter 13 - Dealer on a run Peyton Griffin''s POV The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Chapter 14 - For a musician, your breath sure stinks. Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more. Chapter 15 - Seven Cruel Hours Of Our Lives Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Chapter 16 - Dealing moments Peyton Griffin''s POV This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Chapter 17 - Keep it up and Ill give your arm a twin with one of your legs. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 18 - Lets make a deal. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 19 - A Dealer doesnt want to make a deal You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Chapter 20 - A black grand piano Like the keys on the piano, the world is either black or white. -THEO. Caleb Parks'' POV When I turned seventeen, my dad saved a lot of money to get me a gift for my birthday. A black grand piano. Believe it or not, but seventeen-year-old me liked to be sung to sleep by that same black grand piano. I didn''t know how to play it. So every night my mom and I would sit down, and she would teach me how to play it. Her favourite composer was Beethoven. Thanks to her, I know all of his works by heart. I guess that''s why it''s both my favourite and worst instrument. It''s my favourite because the person who taught me how to play it is among the few people I treasure. It''s my worst because said person is dead. Regardless I avoid playing it, but when I played it last night, It was like I got to connect with her one more time. - Breathe in, breathe out. With one final push; my leg makes contact with the wall, and I double over in the water. I used my weight to push myself in the opposite direction and take another lap. I see a pebble land in front of me from the surface. Only one person knows where to find me when I am in such a foul mood. I come up for air and face a frowning Marci. I swim towards the edge of the pool and look at her. "Great weather we have here, eh?" I grinned at her, and the frown on her face deepened. "Fine, you caught me. I know I''d say I''ll show up to teach you and Nate something new before the show, but I got sidetracked." Marci rolled her eyes and sat down on the pool''s edge, her legs dangling into the water. "What went down when you and Peyton went into the music room last night? The guys and I were considerate to give some space, but I still wanna know." She says without missing a beat. I avoided eye contact, "I have no idea what you are talking about." "Right. Since we''re playing the ignoramus game. You should know I''m losing my virginity to Nate tonight." I narrowed my eyes at her, "If I get my hands on that ginger, I will be the last thing he sees before he goes into the light." "Chill out, but on a more serious note, Nate, me, and some of our friends are eating out tonight after the talent show." "I don''t know. You must at least be thirty before you go on your first date. That''s what Marcel and I concluded." I grin. "First of all. It''s a gathering of friends, not a date. Second of all, my dad is fine. But I know you do not now spill it." She goes on with her interrogation. I sighed, "I played the piano last night." I resorted to resting at the edge beside her and turning my face away. "I asked Peyton to pick an instrument, and she picked the piano. Sure, I know that I hate the instrument, but..." I trailed off. While I played it last night, I felt closer to my mom, and when Peyton tried to cheer me up, it made everything perfect. I know fake people like Miss Beatrice will be a constant reminder that no girl would ever be interested in me. Not Caleb the musician, not Caleb the orphan. Just me, Caleb Parks, the guy like Drake who started from the bottom. It''s a painful reminder that I''ll never have the family I''ve always wanted. But it''s the small price I have to pay for trying to realize a passion for music that I had. In other words, I have a family because each person I allow to get close brings out a side of me that I never knew was there. Marci rested a hand on my shoulder, "It''s okay if you feel confused about her but don''t worry. I already told her that if she messed with your head, she would have me to deal with later." "Well, I''ll be. Tell me, Marcella, what are you up to?" I pulled myself out of the water and sat down next to her. "Please don''t." She grimaced, "It took me the whole of junior year to get people to stop calling me that." "But your mom gave you that name. Speaking of which, how did the dinner with them go?" "Let''s just say I could literally kiss Jacob for lending me his headphones." She shrugs. "That bad, huh?" I nudged her shoulders. She slumps hers, "They were talking about getting back together and maybe having another kid, my mom kicked a fit that I was just enough, but dad said he wanted more people around. Long story short, they had sex on the dining room table." It''s my turn to grimace, "Remind me not to eat there when next we visit." "You don''t have to tell me twice." She snorts. The door bursts open, and Abigail walks in. "Are we still going to the talent show?" She asks as she sits down beside me. I rest my hands on their shoulders, "As a family, we have to support each other, don''t we?" "Good, Marcella, aren''t you supposed to be in the music room?" Gail stretched her neck to look at Marci. "If you keep calling me Marcella, I''ll start calling you Squirt." Marci threatens with narrowed eyes. Gail''s eyes turned into slits, "At least I''m cute, and you look like an old hag." "That''s it!" Marci was about to lunge at Gail, but I made a split-second decision. I tightened my hold on their shoulders and jumped into the pool, "Geronimo!" We all fell and resurfaced soon after, "Caleb!" Both of my sisters screamed while staring death in my direction. I smirked at them, "See ya later, suckers." I made a beeline for the steps closest to me and got out of the pool. I was lucky that I didn''t fall on my face with how slippery the floors were and how fast I was running on them. I bumped into the remaining occupants of the penthouse in the kitchen. I ran behind Peyton, who was cleaning a bowl with a rag. "Hide me!" I gripped her shoulders and felt her tense beneath my hold. "Caleb Parks!" Marci and Gail walked in, soaked from head to toe. "Did it ever occur to you guys to take off your clothes when you want to go for a swim?" Jacob did nothing to hide his laugh. "He did this." Marci pointed an accusing finger in my direction, "I found him in the pool, and he thought it would be fun to play duck, duck, goose in the water!" Through his laughing, Jack made eye contact with me, a message in his eyes ''we will talk about this later''. I nodded in reply. "Well, Marci, I suggest you go dry off." Peyton grinned and shook me off her, "You have an interesting young man behind you." Marci turned to face a red-faced Nathan, who tried to hide his laugh. "This means war Caleb Parks." Marci turned on her heel and walked out of the room while Gail looked confused about what had happened. "Come on, Abigail, let''s dry you off." Peyton put down the bowl and led Gail out of the room. "You can wait in the music room." Shawn politely told Nathan. When he was out of earshot, Jacob asked, "Are we still going to the school for the talent show tonight?" "Yep." I replied, "Jack, have you heard from Marcel yet?" Jack shook his head, and the elevator doors opened. Speak of the devil, and he shall appear. We left the kitchen to join him by the stairs. "Boy, the presses are asking for a new song," Marcel stated, straight to the point as usual. "Oh, I forgot." I cringed. I''ve been caught up with Peyton that I forgot; I was a musician. Seems like she did become a distraction after all. "Well, better get to writing, boy. We have an interview with Ken in a few weeks asking about your progress," Marcel said more like commanded. "Don''t you need the inspiration to come up with new stuff," Jack muttered thoughtfully, "I mean, we have been on the same routine for a while now. Why don''t we shake it up a bit?" "He has a point. Caleb needs some spice in his life, and no worries, I have the salt-covered." Marcel ignores one of Jacob''s horrible jokes, "What are you lot getting at here?" With a raised brow and a hand in his beard, Marcel was scrutinizing us. Like a hound searching for extra blood. "You two are hopeless." Shawn said, "They want Caleb to ask Peyton out for dinner." "Who was Peyton again?" Marcel asked. Jack and Jacob glared at Shawn. "Guys, I said nothing was going on between us." I looked heavenwards. They asked me this a few nights ago. I denied having any feelings. After last night I''m not one hundred on that statement. I will remind myself again, ''The last thing I need is someone who was only here for the money. Nothing more, nothing less.'' "If you think we believe that, you, my friend are higher in the clouds than a fly." Jacob waves his hand dismissively. "Seriously though, Marcel considers the kind of inspiration Caleb here will get if he and Peyton have a night under the stars." As always, Jacob speaks with a double meaning in his words. "Just so we''re on the same page, the only sheets that will be there will be the ones on the table." Marcel looked as if he was agreeing with this plan. "And one of you will be there with him?" He glances at Shawn and Jacob, who nods in the affirmative. "Just one catch," Jack pointed to the top of the stairs with a smirk, "That''s her right there." At the top of the steps were Abigail and Peyton; Gail ran down the stairs and jumped on Marcel to get a big hug. "Looks like the beauty company called; they want their mirrors back." Jack snorted a laugh at Peyton''s comment as she came down the stairs. "Seems like they would rack up a fortune." Jacob and Shawn let out a snicker. Am I missing something here? Marcel rolled his eyes and proceeded to facepalm, "She''s Peyton, isn''t she?" "Correctamundo." Jacob grinned. "Dad!" Marci raced down the stairs and launched herself at Marcel. When they pulled apart, "Are you coming for my talent show?" She asked with hopeful eyes. "Sweetie, I.." Marci''s face fell. I knew Marcel was busy working on me. But that didn''t mean he should neglect his daughter. "It''s okay. I get it you''re busy; I''ll have mom come over. You clearly need more." Marci began making her way to the music room, most likely to meet up with Nathan. The last part of her statement was a low blow, nothing else. She is okay with her parents having more children after her since he would prefer to spend more time with them than with her. "I''ll call Dinah," I say while putting a hand on Marcel''s shoulder. "I feel like a horrible dad." He rubs his hand on his face. "Trust me, you aren''t," Peyton says as we stare at Marci''s retreating figure. - Marcel and Jack had to head to the studio to organize my next concert. Meanwhile, Dinah came to help Marci get ready in the outfit aspect. Marci and Nathan swept the floor with their opponents, and in my opinion, they should have won first place, but they came in second. When the show ended, Marci came to me with big eyes and a pout. "You can go, only if Shawn comes along." I offer. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. She was about to complain, but I beat her to it, "We both know that being my sister and Marcel''s daughter comes at a cost. I won''t forgive myself if anything happened to you." After seeing what bad things happen to the people you care about, I am very protective of my family, especially Abigail and Marci. Marci nodded and left with Shawn to the group. I also had Shawn suggest they eat at Dinah''s place. "Don''t worry, I''ll keep an eye on her." Dinah shrugged as she unlocked her car. "Your kids will be alright?" She gazed at Peyton and me. "We''re not ten, Dinah." Peyton rolled her eyes. "Yes, ten-year-olds are not oblivious to the truth." "Am I missing something?" I asked. "Nothing. You guys should get some rest." Dinah winked at Peyton as she got into her car and drove away. Jacob nudged me, "So Peyton wanna have dinner with me?" I asked. Not surprisingly, she didn''t even bother to answer and turned her attention to Jacob. I''m guessing she may be angry about last night. "Jacob, do you like Chinese?" Jacob shrugged, "Yea, why?" "There is a restaurant near the house. Wanna come?" It''s like she was having a conversation while pretending that I wasn''t here. "Sounds good, but I can''t leave Caleb here," Jacob says, trying to be a wingman. "I''m sure the ghost you speak of can find his way home." She replied offhandedly with a wave of her hands. I grabbed her hand and made her look at me, "If we can get through this dinner, I won''t bother getting to know you, and you do your job and leave. Deal?" I wanted to take it back when I saw her pale, but for all I know, she might just be here for the money, and I don''t need any more fake people around me. She returned the stare, "Deal." - Jacob decided to get a separate table to give us some privacy. Thankfully everyone here was most likely a Chinese descendant or too focused on their meals, so safe to say I will not get mobbed tonight. "So, what is it that made you decide to act like a caring employer tonight?" Peyton asked, disdain in her voice. "Favorite colour?" I begin. They say peoples'' taste in the aspects of life defines them. "Black, is this an interrogation?" She raises a brow. "Interrogation, a conversation. Potato Potatoe." "I never knew you knew such big words, Caleb." She gushed, "Seriously though, if you wanted to get to know me, just ask. Don''t be acting like that. A word of advice, don''t go all over the place, acting up on people who will up and go very soon." She has no clue how close her words hit near home, but I sucked it all in. I might as well let curiosity kill the cat as he walked down the park. (No pun intended.) "I get it. You''re angry. In my defence, playing the piano brings back stuff." I winced because the last thing I wanted was to let her in. What I know about her is the fact that she has a strange connection with that book under her pillow. Her eyes softened, and she reached across the table to rest her hand on mine, "If it made you feel so damn uncomfortable, why didn''t you just play another instrument. You could have just said no." She asked as her silver-blue eyes bore into mine. I let out a breathy chuckle, ''Because I wanted to let someone in. Someone that wouldn''t judge me, someone that would love me more than a friend, someone I would call family.'' "Apart from babysitting, what else do you do for a living?" She hesitated as her eyes darted around. "I am a Pediatrician, but I don''t like hospitals." She avoided eye contact. "A doctor who doesn''t like hospitals, that''s new. Why?" That''s not something you see every day. "Favorite food?" Well played, Peyton Griffin, well played. "It''s cereal, Frosties to be exact," I answered without missing a beat. "Why Frosties?" "Is that a question? Who seriously doesn''t like Frosties?" I ask with a look. Peyton grinned, "Okay, mister sugar rush. I prefer none." "How can someone not have a favourite food?" I raise a brow at her. "When all the idiots I live with have come very close to burning the house one too many times. I learnt to eat whatever I could get out of the kitchen. I never got to pick a favourite." She shrugged. I feel her family is a touchy subject, so I stirred clear from that, "If you could go anywhere, where would it be?" "Anywhere as far as I had my friends with me," She replied, "But if I were being realistic, I would pick Egypt. I wonder if I could piss off some mummies." I laughed. "I would go to Paris..." She cut me off and said the reason, "Just because it''s the city of love doesn''t necessarily mean that you can be Cinderella and fall in love with the first person you see in that city." I don''t know why but my hand itched to be near hers, and its wish was my command. I laid my hands on hers, looking into her eyes, "You might be surprised, Peyton. You may find what you truly desire if you go there." Love and family. Two things that are connected; you can''t enjoy one without having a grasp of the other. "Okay, what about your favourite brand?" I asked. The atmosphere was getting kind of tense there for a second. "Comfort over anything. Favourite anime?" "Anime?" That sounds like the kind of thing that Jacob would watch. "An anime is the adult version of cartoons; all hormonal teenage boys watch it." She explained with a smug smile. I sputtered, "I am twenty-five. I''m a grown man." I have never been so insulted. I mean, come on, I''m a grown man. "Yes, only grown-ups need to prove how old they are." She grins. Her grin melts off her face as her eyes hone in on something behind us. "You okay?" I''m about to follow her line of sight, but she stops me. She giggled slightly, "Peachy, can you please get the check. I left my purse at home." I grinned, got up and began making my way toward the paying counter after I spared her one last look. I knew something was up, but if she wanted me to know. She would have told me. After I had paid for our meal, I made my way back to the table. I bumped into Jacob''s table, where he was already deep in someone''s throat. "Are you ready to head home?" I rolled my eyes at his behaviour. At least he should have waited a bit before he decided to have some fun. "Sure. Call me." He said that last part to the random girl behind us. We walked up to Peyton, who held her hands on her throat; her breathing was erratic. I knew how fast her pulse was racing, and the uneven look in her eyes and her knuckles had the table cloth in a death grip were white. She had a panic attack. - I looked down at the sleeping girl on my chest. Her hair was fading from brown to gold as it spread out from her sleeping form onto my chest. She had a neutral expression. There''s nothing left to surprise her. At least that''s what I thought. Seeing Peyton so scared last night had me apprehended; this girl has more and the same timeless traits in common with Taryn. The way she handles herself, she only allows her cold exterior to crack just for a bit, but when you get a peek, she closes it up back again. Her grip on my hand had lessened during the night, but I still felt surprised that she would hold me the way she did last night. I even thought she would have my head if I were to step foot into her room again, after how I had acted towards her in the music room. I still felt guilty about that. I didn''t want to wake her up, so I quietly slid off the bed; I was a foot away from the door; she groaned and whimpered. She started muttering about different things that I couldn''t make out. I knew she would not allow me to hear this. I surprised myself by walking back to her and removing the hair from her face. She seemed to calm down as I held her hair away and rested my hand on her cheek. I couldn''t help but admire how peaceful she now looked, her face free from the wicked smirks she would send to Jacob or the witty smile she shared with Shawn when they thought no one was watching. It felt like a primal instinct. I pressed my lips on her forehead; it felt right. I wonder if she were to be awake, I am sure she would have ripped my tongue away if it came within a five-square radius of her face. She stopped moving around and cracked a slight smile when I raised my head. With a sigh, I walked out of the room. I was drenched as soon as I came out of the room. I stared at the culprits. My very sisters high-fived each other. "Touch¨¦," With one evil grin on her face, Marci strutted away while Gail giggled. I decided that the wet cloth outfit wasn''t my style. With that in mind, I made my way to my room. Jacob and Shawn were nowhere in sight while I found Jack waiting for me as he rested on my room door. I opened the door, and we both walked in. He went towards my bed while I walked into the closet to change. "So, did you get any inspiration to write a new song?" Jack grilled me as I ripped off my wet shirt. "Sort of; last night was interesting," I said and came out of the closet in a yellow hoodie and dark green jeans. "Did you two share a passionate kiss to end the night?" There is no end to the teasing, is there?. "What is this twilight?" I knew my amused expression made my angry fa?ade look fake; as I glared at my best friend. "Okay, I''ll stop it," Jack took my unamused expression to heart, "for now." It was too good to be true. "So why did you play the piano last night?" He asked as he looked at me. I knew this was coming. If I said I had an answer, that would be a lie. "Honestly, I don''t know." Jack tilted his head to the side, obviously not believing me and waiting for me to explain further. "I felt like I had been bottling up more than normal recently. And I felt like I should tell someone that she can be a total bitch, but she knows what to say despite the turn of events." Jack''s eyes bulged out of their sockets, "Did Caleb Parks just swear?" I confess my feelings for a girl, and he cares about my diction. I sure have the best, best friend in the world, don''t I? He snickered, "I get it. This is the exact same way Trisha makes me feel at times. The one thing I want you to be prepared for is when the sheets get dragged down." I scrunched up my face, "Is there a point you are getting to?" I say while resting on the comfy chair beside the window. "What I am trying to say is, it''s okay to feel confused about your feelings about her. If anything, you need a woman who will actually love you no matter where Marcel drags you to perform." He gives me a sincere smile, "But if you liked this girl, are you sure you''re ready to unlock your demons for her?" I knew the demons he was talking about, and I was nowhere ready to face them. I will have to face it alone as I had been doing all these years. It''s funny how one day could make you cry out in joy and sorrow, how just the thought makes your want to wrap your head around it. A series of what-ifs make a campsite in your brain, but pity is the last thing you need. So what do you do? You put up a brave front and smile all through the year until that dreadful day comes around the corner, and as any wise man would say; ''When we get to that bridge, we''ll cross it.'' "Remember, bro. As your best friend, I''m here for you. You know, right?" I nodded. I may have two, but they get me as no one would. "Has Marcel called you yet?" I changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on it further. Jack knows me like the back of his hand and decides to let the topic slide for now. He also gives me a sad smile, but I don''t need pity for something that was my fault. "Yes, he said to get to the studio ASAP. Seeing as it''s near noon, we should start heading out." Jack gives me a reassuring smile before walking out. I follow him out. We go down the stairs and head to the kitchen. The evil grin was still on Marci''s face as she ate her bowl of cereal while Gail had a toasted sandwich. "Who wants pancakes?" Jack asked as he made his way to the stove. Before my best friend could end our lives, Jacob stood in his way. "Ed, bro. I know chicks dig the whole man who can cook clich¨¦, but some of us are getting laid tonight. And we would like to have all our parts complete by then." Shawn snorted at his brother''s attempt to get Jack to stay away from the stove. Don''t get me wrong, Jack is a lot of things. Such as a loyal friend and even better brother. But amidst all those traits, cooking is not among them. "You know what I''ll cook. You should text Marcel that we are on our way to the studio." Jack pouted as I took the pan from his hand, stood in front of the stove and started making pancakes. "So we know what you two are doing today? what about us?" Marci asked as she dropped her plate in the sink. And turned around to leave it there, but Shawn had other plans. She gave him a defiant look, but he remained unfazed. Sighing, Marci turned around and washed up her bowl. We still hadn''t found a maid, so we had to pick up after ourselves. "Shawn, Jacob, which of you is coming with us to the studio?" Jack asked as he sat on the counter and played with Gail''s hair. "I''ll go." Shawn declared. "I''ll stay with the girls," Jacob replied. "Marci, you can spend your Sunday at home or with Dinah, your choice." I place a stack of pancakes on the counter. Jack hops off the counter, picks one from the stack, and eats it with his bare hands. Abigail squeezes her face at Jack, "How come I have to use a plate while he doesn''t?" "Because Gail, you''re not a caveman," Marci told her sister. "Haha, very funny." Jack rolled his eyes and proceeded to eat his pancake. "If I have to stay with mom, is the squirt coming along?" Marci jutted her finger at Abigail. Abigail proceeded to pinch Marci''s hand. The latter sent the former a glare that could make hell freeze over. "I would strangle you, but there are too many people watching," Marci muttered at the shorter sister. "Here''s what," I swallow my juice in one gulp, "Marci, you hang out with your mom. Gail, you stay here with Peyton and Jacob." I looked around to see if everyone agreed. Jack''s phone chirped, "I''d say we leave now before Marcel leaps out of the phone and bites our heads off for delaying." I dropped my plate in the sink and quickly washed it; I turned around and kissed Marci''s head. "Try not to kill our sister while I''m gone." Then I kissed Gail''s head, "Be good." "And Jacob, please try not to end up dead before we get back," I smirk in his direction while thinking about the spitfire upstairs. With a final grin, I made my way out of the room with Jack and Shawn. If I recall, the weekends are meant for someone to rest, but clearly, the paparazzi didn''t get the memo. They crowded the hobby immediately we stepped out of the elevator. I could have sworn I died and gone to heaven. The flashes coming from their cameras were very bright. The uber that Marcel sent to get us was already waiting on the road in front of the building. Shawn and Jack were able to fend off the press as we made our way to the Uber. "Mr Parks, when is your next album coming out?" "Caleb Parks, any love interest in mind?" "Mr Caleb Parks, Is it true that you have dyslexia?" "Parks, Mr Parks, and how many towns do you plan on visiting as your tour goes on?" "Mr Caleb, do you think tt the Parks orphanage will strive?" "Caleb, how many kids do you plan on having?" "Parks, at what age do you plan on ending your music career?" "Mr Caleb, where do you see yourself a few years from now?" "Mr Parks, apart from music, do you have anything else going on?" I wonder who gives these people this information because as long as I''m concerned, my love life is as lively as a party in a graveyard. And they are mixing up my business life with my personal life together, but I try not to show how much their personal question affected me. I plaster a cool gaze on my face as we fought our way through the crowd. Finally, we made it to the Uber, and traffic was slow. Luckily we arrived at Wellington records in due time. To say Marcel was furious when we arrived would be an understatement. We arrived in front of Wellington records; Marcel came out of the building as we pulled up in front of it. After cursing his fair share of the press, he made it to us in a foul mood. Jack and I took over the role from Shawn and stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. The car ride was awkward, to say the least, but I broke the silence when we pulled up in front of a family townhouse in midtown. "Mind sharing the secrets with the rest of us?" I observed Marcel. "You see," Marcel rubbed his thumbs and avoided eye contact with the rest of us. "I have a niece; today is her quincea?era. I promised her an incredible gift..." He didn''t need to continue the sentence because I already knew where this was heading. I rubbed my forehead, "Please let this be the last time I have to be your gift to your family members." Marcel replied gruffly, "I can''t promise that." "How about I write a new song for the upcoming Halloween party in your house, and you start remembering your relative''s birthdays?" I bargain. After my performance on Marci''s birthday years ago, I became Marcel''s gift to some of his family members more often than I would like. "Deal, but if you are coming, bring that Peyton girl with you," Marcel says. "I thought you hated her after she compared you to the beast from beauty and the beast?" Jack cocked his head to the side. "When did she say that?" Marcel glared at Jack as if he was the one who said it. Shawn and I let out a laugh. "Trust me, you don''t wanna know," Jack muttered as we stepped out of the car. The house looked pretty homey as we bounded up the porch steps; I admired the little garden at the side of it. Marcel knocked on the door; a woman who looked in her early fifties opened it. Her eyes widened with glee as she took in Marcel''s frame. She pulled Marcel in her arms and kissed his cheeks. "There''s no better thing than having blackmail on the big man," Jack laughed as he took a photo of Marcel up in the air with a grimace. After Marcel had finally pried himself from the woman''s grasp, she narrowed her eyes at us. She had no clue who we were and why we stood on her porch. "Abuela, this is Caleb, Jack and Shawn." Marcel briefly introduced us, and she nodded and moved out of the way for us to enter the home. I never knew that Marcel was part Mexican; I made a mental note to ask him about it later. Designs of Paris littered all over the house, accompanied by loud Spanish music. The birthday girl came bounding to me, and I found myself in Marcel''s earlier compromising position. When she finally let me down. She wore a sweetheart off-shoulder gown with blue and silver sequences. "I can''t believe my uncle Marcel got Caleb Parks to come to my quincea?era and perform for me." Neither can I girl, neither can I. "I think I''m gonna have a heart attack with you just being here." I steadied her by her midsection. Someone dying because of my presence? Now that''s not something you see every day. "Calm down..." I had no idea what her name was. "Gi¨¢," "Am I supposed to say happy birthday or happy quincea?era?" Before she could reply, the older woman slammed a fork into a glass cup to get everyone''s attention. She stood in the middle of the room and spoke fluent Spanish. I could pick up that she was thanking everyone for coming. Then I think she introduced me as the final entertainment for the night. As guessed, everyone turned their attention to me. I walked into the middle of the room and was handed a brown Vihuela and a Sombrero. I had the perfect song for the occasion. When I wanted to learn how to speak Spanish, I learnt the basics of their culture. A quincea?era is a party where the whole family gets together to celebrate a girl who has come of age. As I played the Vihuela, Gi¨¢ and her dad started to slow dance in the middle of the room, and I felt myself choking up as I imagined that to be Gail and her dad, my adoptive father. I robbed her of enjoying her family. She got one year while I got more than half of a decade. I tried my best to hold the flood gates, but they started, and there was no stopping them. No one seemed to notice that I had stopped playing and had placed the Vihuela on the floor. I approached the makeshift bar at the corner of the room. I ordered a strong drink and took it in one full gulp. "Keep ''em coming." Getting drunk was not my intention today, but the memories of Gail, our parents and me flooded my mind. I felt overwhelmed. From the day they adopted me to that day of the crash. I felt more tears slip out of my eyes as I watched the crowded dance floor. Relatives who were happy while sharing a happy and glorious day with each other. It should have been me. Chapter 21 - A Dealer on a date A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Chapter 22 - A Dealers calling If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 23 - Meet your sister. Warning things are about to get depressing. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 24 - A Deal to regret Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Chapter 25 - Im the taker of souls. Sometimes we have to make choices that are bigger than just us. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV "I''m such an idiot." I dive into the water and relish the coolness it brings. As much as I would love to continue to stay under here, the nagging in my chest reminds me that I need oxygen. Not wanting things to escalate, I swim upwards. "No arguments here." Jack greets my reappearance with a sly smile. "In hind''s sight, this might be a blessing in disguise," He continues, "Look at this way; if you act on your feelings and she doesn''t return them, you will be crushed. I don''t know about you, but there is only one room for one whipped idiot in this relationship." He motions his index finger between the space between us. I swim closer to him and rest my forehands on the ledge, "So you are finally agreeing with Taryn and me that you are an idiot?" A smirk tugs at my lips. Jack regards me with an unamused gaze, "My point is, even if you like her and let''s say you do. And she feels the same way. Are you ready to risk your heart for another crack because you will let go of the people you love?" He gives me a knowing look filled with my most hated emotion. Pity. I huff and turn back towards the water and start a lap. I try to keep my emotions in check, but if you remember those warnings that zookeepers tell the people that visit, like ''don''t poke the bear'' or ''don''t feed the lions''. Well, that should be written on my forehead because when Peyton dared to ask; I blew up at her. I didn''t know I had struck a nerve by comparing her to the girls that like to flock around me. Yes, my bad. I felt even worse when during her rant, she started crying. I agree I deserve the low blow she threw at me regarding my parents. I guess I could have kept my self-restraint above water, but it''s not that simple. I wanted Peyton to feel part of the hurt she gave me, but I took it too far. All I want now is to apologize. And if I''m lucky, maybe I could pull her into a hug. But I''m pretty sure that she would not only castrate me if I even came as close as five feet near her. It''s been about two weeks since the little incident in Dinah''s office; she avoids me like the plague. There was that awkward part when Gail asked if she and I could read her a story when she claimed to be ill. Yup, I''m a complete idiot. I do more laps around the pool and get out of the water. Jack throws a towel at me, and I catch it. "Where are Jacob and Shawn?" I ask while we make our way out of the pool room. "Jacob is in the kitchen charming the pants off Peyton," He catches my glare and continues with a sly smile, "Shawn is doing some laps on the treadmill." This is weird because Shawn only exercises in the early hours of the morning. In this household, we all deal with our stress in different ways. I turn into a literal merman and spend my time in the pool. Shawn runs at odd hours; Jacob tries to pick up his brother''s silent fa?ade. Marci locks herself in her room, Gail clings to my side for support, and Taryn becomes more bitchy than usual while Jack eats the food he cooks. Weird right? But that''s how we cope without hurting each other. I walk straight out of the pool and into the gym. Our silent friend is running down on the mill with a big frown. I walk towards him and turn the machine off. It stops with Shawn panting as he leans on it for support. "You okay big guy?" How ironic that I ask the same question that I hate being asked. He grunts and steps off the machine, "I''m just feeling off, that''s all." He answers. "You sure?" Jack steps closer to Shawn. Shawn looks heaven-wards before saying in a stiff tone, "My mom''s birthday is coming up, and it would mean the world to her for Jacob to show up with a girl that he is ready to settle down with." I don''t know whether to be jealous of how easily he could speak his mind being the reserved one among us or to be shocked that Jacob and settle down could be used in the same sentence. "I''m sure Peyton could help in that department." I turn my head sharply in Jack''s direction. Shawn dismissively waves his hand, "Not happening. Caleb would fire us both in a heartbeat." I felt my jaw drop. "I don''t know, Shawn. Caleb may like her, but he clearly is too scared to say it out loud. And if I''m being honest, Peyton has been spending an unreasonable amount of time with Jacob lately." Jack touches his chin thoughtfully. "It could work. And if Caleb fires us, I''m sure Peyton will allow Jacob to return with her. Maybe I could tag along and play the best man at their wedding." Okay, I am shutting this conversation down. "You remember me?" I say with heavy sarcasm in my tone, "You know the musician you work for? The one that likes the girl that you are planning her wedding with another person in front of me." "Are you seeing someone over there?" Jack flicks his head to the side where I am standing. "No, you are seeing things, Ed," Shawn smirked knowingly. They are doing this to get a rise out of me, and I hate to admit it, but it may actually be working. I pinch Jack''s bicep and softly kick Shawn''s shin, "That''s real enough for you, Dimwits." Shawn gasped loudly, almost obnoxious, "Did you feel that?" Jack mirrors his expression, "This place is haunted. Let''s get out of here." They both scrambled to their feet and rushed out the door. What they said got me thinking, and as much as I hated to say it, I was literally jealous. Yes, I saw Jacob as one of my brothers. Yes, I had developed an attraction for Peyton even though I said from the beginning that I only wanted one kind of relationship between us. A business-related one. I guessed since we aren''t on speaking terms, she decided to entertain Jacob''s jokes. Did I hurt her so bad that she subjected herself to such torture? Don''t get me wrong, Jacob can tell a good joke when he wants to. Sometimes I feel the jokes are too mediocre for my taste. Now that I thought more about the conversation between Jack and Shawn, I couldn''t help but want the picture of Peyton''s wedding embedded in my head but with another groom, me. I feel like I should just tell her about my conflicting feelings, but I know the only way she would want to talk to me is as if she was hanging me off a cliff. As weird as it sounds, I like her fiery attitude, but her curiosity is what makes me nervous. I am in no shape or form to bear my heart to her, and as much as the nagging feeling in my head won''t go away. She might just laugh at my face and be crueller than the orphanage children. I walked out of the gym and saw Peyton having a good laugh with Jacob at the dining table. All other thoughts were out the window. Screw it! Peyton must have heard me approaching because Jacob said something to her, but she simply shook her head in a negative motion as she stood up from the table and walked towards the kitchen. Marci sat at the counter while examining her fresh coat of black nail polish on her hand while Gail was talking a mile a minute. "Hey, brother," Gail grinned at me as she jumped off the stool and hugged me. "Um... Girls, can you give Peyton and me a minute alone together?" I glance at the said person with nervousness. Peyton rolled her eyes and made to leave the room, but Marci got up from her seat and blocked her way. There was a quick exchange between the two before Marci walked out with Gail, a wicked smile etched onto her face. Whatever the two talked about made Peyton look at me as if I had killed her pet dog. "I''ll assume you have something other than squirrel nuts in your head, so start talking before I lose my senses to Father Time." I release a heavy breath, "No matter how I word this, you will still not look at me differently." Her arms crossed above her chest, a silent dare or threat. It''s hard to understand what she is getting at unless you focus on her eyes. The most beautiful silver blues were narrowed into slits as she looked me up and down. "Have lunch with me today." I blurt out. There was no way I would have a heart-to-heart with Jack and Marci''s ears pressed onto the wall when they clearly should be in the studio and school. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. "I don''t think you are as charming as people paint you as; because even the prince from Snow White had more lines than you." She rolls her eyes. Her hatred that she once had for me was back in full swing, and it hurt that I had made her feel that way. It''s ironic that when we first met, we were more friendly towards each other, but that would mostly be because I was a customer, and she had no choice but to show hospitality at some point. "How about a deal?" I take a leaf out of her book. "That''s rich," She scoffs, making to bypass me, but I block her path, making us stand inches away from each other. I want nothing more than to pull her closer to me, hug her and relive some of the pain I feel inside. But I know better than not. "You can request anything of your choice, and I will give you, given that you go to lunch with me." I could hear the pleading in my tone. I thought that would make her resolve crumble, but I was wrong. I didn''t think it was possible, but her eyes narrowed even further, "And what makes you think a poor girl wants something for you? I am not one of your desperate fangirls looking for a quick lay." With one brow up, she glared at me. "Last time I checked, the only thing needed is my paycheck for when I leave here." With that said, she walked away. I don''t know why but her walking away now made me feel more hurt than her walking away in Dinah''s office. Jack walked in, and I couldn''t read his expression. "Caleb, we have an interview in two hours. And by we, I mean you." Just what I needed. - I changed out of my trunks and wore what my hand first grabbed; a red Balenciaga hoodie, black slightly ripped jeans and Nike Air Force 1''s. I didn''t see Peyton when we left; I''m guessing this is how our relationship will be until she leaves. It is kind of disheartening, but as Jack said, maybe it''s for the best. ''So much for following your heart.'' I scoff. "Good day America!" Ken greeted the live audience with enthusiasm, something that I was lacking in the department of being on air. After a quick pep talk from Marcel and a debriefing, I knew what Ken wanted to ask about. Marcel also reminded me that my career started before this girl came into my life and if I was stupid enough to end... Yea, this is not helping my self-esteem, but you get the gist. Marcel was not won over by Peyton just yet, but that doesn''t mean he would be happy if I threw all that I worked for out the window. "I''m sure you all know Caleb Parks by now," Ken grinned as he gestured towards me, "Caleb, how''s the tour going?" I put on my million-dollar watt smile for the cameras, "It''s been going great, Ken. How have you been?" Ken rolled his eyes at my wit, "You know the usual. So tell me, where is your next visit?" "Not sure yet, but I''ll be going a week after Thanksgiving. What are your plans for that day?" I smile slyly. "Not sure yet, but it will be along the lines of eating and hanging out with family." "So have you found a girl to kiss on New Year''s Eve? I''m sure it will be one hell of a kiss." He wiggled his brows. Only if he knew that the girl I was interested in wanted me far deeper in the ground than six feet. I bit my lip because now I wanted to lie to the whole world, and I was not an in-breed liar. My eyes darted into the crowd, quickly going through rows to find the person I was looking for. One glare from Marcel and I was back on track. "Nope, I might surprise you by then." I wiggled my brows back at him because I''m pretty sure that if I had said her name here, I would have my fans trying to kill her, and she''ll try to kill me. Sorry but live-action horror movies are not my go-to for stress relieving, especially when I play the kid who should be dead. Soon the interview ended, and I was slipped into the back room where Marcel, Jack and Shawn were waiting for me. Surprise, surprise, Jacob stayed back in the Penthouse to keep Peyton company. Marcel broke into a smile, and I saw myself hiding behind Jack and Shawn. "Relax, boy, you did great." Then he turned to Jack, "Be a good manager and fix this emotional splat that he is having. I''ll see you all tonight, and I expect a song." With one more pat on the back, he was gone. "I have good news," Jack said as he looked up from his phone, "Peyton agreed to have lunch with you, but where you guys eat; your fans should be far away, and it must have a casual setting." I don''t know why but I felt relieved, but then it dawned on me. This was the second time I forced her to eat with me, and I mentally facepalmed. I have no idea how this works. "Any suggestions?" I ask. "What about that pizza restaurant around the corner from here?" Jack suggested while typing away on his phone, "I''ll get the owner to keep down the groupies so that you can have a date." He stresses the word date, but it would be more of me apologizing than hands holding and sparks flying. When we came out of the studio, there stood different girls. Ranging from first graders to married women, all lined up waiting and pushing for a chance to feel me up or maybe do something that was not PG-13 related. Oh, good lord! "Don''t worry, bud. If things with Peyton don''t work out, you have a whole new set of fishes to pick from." Shawn snickered at Jack''s jibe while my best friend found it funny to hug one of the fans. I make a mental note to return the favour when Taryn gets back. We had to enter the uber unless they were planning on stripping every cloth off my body. We got in and circled around the area so we could lose them. That took longer than I thought it would. After I had walked in and sat down at a booth by the side, I began twiddling my thumbs: while Jack went to talk this with the owner. Not gonna lie; I was half thinking that she would not come and go back on her word, or I would get fan mobbed while I sat here. Not sure which one I would prefer if I was being honest. "If I have to sit through this and lose another decade from my life, I want one of my friends back home to join us for thanksgiving." She didn''t sit down yet, but she was already making deals. Peyton never ceases to amaze me. "Deal." She seemed surprised that I agreed to her demand. I am more inclined to listen to her rant, but her time to shine has passed. "I know if I apologize one more time, you will literally leave an imprint with your foot on my face," I know this because she almost did the same thing to Jack when he pissed her off the other day. "Do you know that we are very similar?" She said out of the blue, allowing my intended comment on her anger tendencies to go over her hair. "What makes you say that?" I gave her an intrigued look. "Tell me, what''s that one thing you are willing to protect at all costs?" She raised a brow; as her silver-blue eyes observed me. "Family," I answer without missing a beat, "Where are you going with this Peyton?" "Caleb, our individual demons will always haunt us. And deep within us, we want to share it with the people we love, but we are scared that we might scare them away. So we carry our demons everywhere we go to prevent the reparations from affecting our loved ones." Her eyes seemed glassy; it was as if she was speaking from experience. I felt a sudden spark of false bravado and reached across the table to rest my hand on hers. Peyton tried to redraw her hand, but I held it. "You''re right about that, Peyton, but maybe we need the right people to be by our sides when confronting our demons. The people we hold dear will be swallowed up if they even were to get a glimpse of it." A knowing look passed between us, and I knew I was falling hard for the girl across from me. The raw emotions in her eyes reminded me of the car crash those years ago in the alley. Peyton broke the spell by focusing her gaze on the menu before us, "So are we going to eat? Because talking about depressing issues works up an appetite." And she changes the subject before I could even get to know her, but it''s a tit-for-tat situation whenever it comes to her. If I want to know what bothers her so much, I''d have to say the same and like she said. We need the right person by our side to face our individual demons. We both decided to share a large meat lover''s pizza. "You look as if you are being pleasured." Peyton throws me a cocky look, her sad expression now gone. I felt my ears tinge pink, "It''s just... a ..very good pizza." I managed to get out. I felt like a high school student having a first date. Cue a groan, and it''s not a sexually frustrated one. Get your heads out of the gutter. She snickered, "Don''t worry. I know firsthand how hard it is to keep a groan from spilling out." Instinctively, I get a picture of Jacob and Peyton getting steamy, and I feel my hands tighten on the table cloth. "You can release your grip; the tablecloth is not your opening act." She rolled her eyes at my behaviour. Heaven forbid I tell her why I just did that. I say, "Do you have a best friend?" The question took her off guard, and she schooled her expression into one of ignorance. "Surprisingly, yes, her name is Charlie." "What is she like?" I might as well get her to open up, even if it''s just for a bit. "She is like a sister to me, but she has more similarities with my twin." "You''re a twin?" I felt my eyes bulge out of their sockets. "Yea, her name is Lola." Not surprised that she is giving me one-sentence answers, but I''ll work with it. "Do you have any other siblings?" I continue my prying. "I have a step-brother, Danny." "Are you guys close?" I mentally facepalm for like a third time today. Peyton didn''t seem to notice my inner argument because if she did, she didn''t bring it up. "Very, you can even say they are the cause I hated you in the first place." She replied and took a sip of her drink. I feel my ear twitching on that, and I find myself leaning forward in my seat, "How so?" "Well, Charlie and Lola are among your fan group. You could say I spent more than half of my college years forced to listen to your songs and see your posters, my version of hell." I mock hurt as I touch my chest, "Gosh, I never knew you loved me that much before you even met me." The sarcasm in my tone was heavy. "Don''t feel so special, Babe Ruth. I even preferred listening to Donald duck sing than you." She sent a dig my way with her signature eye roll. "Point is I got tired of hearing them hype you. One day almost deleted all the songs they had of you, but I rethought my strategy." She smiled wistfully as the memory replayed in her head. "Why is that?" I found myself smiling along with her. "Because I knew those two idiots would shave my head in my sleep." She said with a smirk. "Speaking of hair, are you a brunette or a blonde?" I noticed that her brown hair with golden tips now had yellow roots. She sighed, "I dyed my hair brown, and I''m not caught out to be a blonde." I tighten her hand again as a sign of comfort. It''s my turn to roll my eyes at her, "This might sound cheesy, but as Bruno Mars would say, you are amazing just the way you are." She gave me a sincere smile. There was no evil glint in her eyes, her dimples showed a bit, and I think that compliment of mine didn''t only help her self-esteem. I wanted to reach across the table, pull her close to me, hug and kiss her. Some dreams are better left as dreams. "Marcel requested that you come for his Halloween party tonight." I took a glance at the clock; it was already four pm. "Sounds fun, but I''m already going to Marci and Gail''s school Halloween party." "Too bad, I was looking forward to singing my new song," I say. "As I said before; I like my ears very much without blood coming out of them." We both started laughing as she said that. It felt nice to have an actual conversation with Peyton and not to have an insult splat where she would clearly wipe the floor with me. Peyton had to go home and get Gail and herself ready for the school Halloween party. I stood in front of three idiots. "How did it go?" They asked at once. If I didn''t know any better, I would think they placed bets on this. But I do; Jack is holding his credit card. Even my own best friend doesn''t have faith in me. "Interesting," I take another leaf from Peyton''s book and give them a one-word answer. Were they, not my bodyguards; I swear that Jacob was about to punch me in the face. Funny how I wanted to do the same thing to him this morning. "I''ll tell you a lot of the hungry deets that you are stressing for later. At least let''s get to Marcel''s Halloween party?" I offer to get them off my tail. They didn''t buy my new direction of where I wanted this conversation to be headed, but they went with it anyway. By the time we got back to the Penthouse, the girls were about to leave. I found it funny how their outfits were all in black. "What are you guys supposed to be?" Jack asked. "I''m a Shadow," Peyton replies as she starts putting their dinner plates in the sink. "What are you, Marci?" Shawn asked as he took in her costume. Marci wore a mid-high black dress, long dropping sleeves and an attached hood. The hood had the famous reaper''s stick embroidered into it. A black pantyhose with black boots to pair. "I''m the taker of souls aka, Pesta." She gave a mock curtsy while I turned my gaze to Gail, who was quietly watching us. I picked her up and tickled her, and she started giggling. "What are you supposed to be a munchkin?" "I''m the black tomcat from Tom and Jerry." She grinned ruefully at me as she adjusted her plastic cat ears. "Now that I think about it. We haven''t even set up for Halloween." Jacob brought our attention to him. "It''s not like any of us haven''t been preoccupied lately," Peyton told him while wiping her hand on a dishcloth. "Yes, busy." The two dived headfirst into a staring match. Peyton was glaring while Jacob was smirking. I sighed and put Gail down. "You guys should get going. Shawn, can you keep an eye on Gail for me?" Peyton asked him after she broke out of her match. Shawn nodded, and the four of them made their way to the elevator. Jack and I started walking toward the stairs. - Like every other man present, Jack and I wore suits while Jacob, who loved attention, went with a classic blazer and a dress shirt tucked into it, some slacks and a nice pair of shoes. "Let''s get this show on the road." The three of us nodded in agreement and went our separate ways, each of us having matters to tackle tonight. Chapter 26 - A Dealers walls If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Chapter 27 - A Dealers literature The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Chapter 28 - Sibling Dealership The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Chapter 29 - Tomorrow Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. Chapter 30 - Dealing with the brother Peyton Griffin''s POV "You are the world''s most horrible brother!" Correct me if I''m wrong but when you take someone to the airport, say someone that means a lot to you and there is a slight chance of you guys not seeing them again for a long time. Wasn''t it supposed to be a day of snort and tears? Clearly, I got that part down, obviously not the part of me crying because if that ever happens again, I''d be damned if it were in public. I was one glass slipper missing from throttling my brother and posing a theory. If I buried him in a pyramid would he have a mummy or would the afterlife deem him too stupid and send him back here for me to kill again. That''s how angry I am. I had just convinced him that Miami was safe and him dragging my ass back to the Bahamas was going to do more harm than good. When he said that my thinking was redundant, I told him that I had a deal with the employer that I could have sworn was the one that carried me to my bed last night. I even had to pinch myself in my sleep to be sure that he walked out of the room and not into bed with me. I am a true dealer. This means that I will complete my end of the deal as far as he completes his and my bank account hasn''t been this full since my fresher year in college. Marcel and Dinah chose that exact moment to drag our attention from bickering in the middle of an airport, to a small coffee shop that looked very quaint. "If I didn''t know any better, I would think that you are both stalking us," I say when Danny and I put our argument on hold and sit in front of them. "Have you told him?" Marcel demanded because if I said that he asked I would just be sugar coating things. I knew my face was a pale white with how fast my blood ran cold and my eyes were squinted to glare at Marcel. If you can face my grandfather with a gun in his hand to your head, you can pretty much become unfazed by things like death glares. "Told me what?" Following Marcel''s questioning look. Danny was looking at me as if I just told him Charlie was gay. Believable? No. Plausible? No. But funny? Yes. "Peyton you have to at least let someone in." Dinah tried to coax me but it felt as if my mouth had been glued together. Marcel looked heavenwards, "You haven''t opened it yet." They were met by my silence once again. "Can someone who still has their motor neurons functioning, tell me what is going on?" Danny asked. The tone he was using was taking deadly calm to a whole new level. Danny has always been the hot-headed one and I think that just seeing him act differently after a long time was enough to snap me out of my temporary muteness. "Marcel here is the long-lost Wellington runaway. The one that got away from the British Empire; he and my mother had a thing and she left a letter for me but I haven''t opened it yet. You remember Dinah; a very close friend to Mrs Sandel. Mother of the girl that you were between her legs before you came here." I couldn''t even suppress a smirk even if I tried. I''m sure that shut down any future questions he was going to ask me. "Is she sick?" Dinah asked nobody in particular as the trio were watching me as if I was a mental case waiting to happen. "No, but I am facing facts. If I open that letter before I''m ready it won''t end well and furthermore, everything''s under control. Once Taryn comes back," I forced myself to swallow, "I will go back to the Empire to face my father and grandfather." I finish with ice clipped into my tone. Dinah squeezed my hand while she looked me in the eye, "You are a very brave and selfless girl." "Smart and dedicated," I almost fell out of my chair as I realized that Marcel just complimented me. "But incredibly stupid." If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Ah, there it is, the Danny Torent anger that I knew all too well because most times I was on the receiving end of it. "Penny, if you think that I will allow you to stay here while I get on that plane, you''re denser than I give you credit for." "Espera Hermano." I turn to face Dinah and Marcel, "I think we all are familiar with how deals work and I have to complete mine before I leave. And I still have some loose ends to tie up." (Hold on brother) Like finding out why the six-year-old I take care of has no memory of her parents. "Are you sure it''s not because of a blonde singer?" Dinah smiled slyly at me. "I think my sister can last a few more weeks before I return." I swallowed. I know I have said it one too many times but even I have yet to come to face the facts. As soon as Taryn comes back, I have to leave and even though Caleb has slightly confessed that he doesn''t want me to leave. It''s not about what he wants or what I want, it''s all about the people I love. Sad that I just finally feel liked or maybe loved by someone who has no clue who I am and I can''t be selfish and enjoy it. I guess even the selfless can''t be selfish as well. "So I am going back without you?" I gave Danny a look that had my simple reply ''Do you really want us to go through this again?'' We argued the whole car ride here and I didn''t want my brother and me to leave things like this. "On another unrelated note, Caleb''s birthday is coming." Marcel changed the topic and brought Danny and me out of an intense staring match. "So what are we looking at here, party balloons and cotton candy or strippers and alcohol?" I asked even though that last option was not leaving a good taste in my mouth. Dinah said, "Peyton, Caleb hates his birthday." I furrowed my brows, "Why?" "It has something to do with his parents." She said and avoided eye contact. Finally, after Shawn had given me a cryptic version of what happened to his parents, I narrowed it down to that they were either dead or were too cowardly to tackle the reins of venturing into adulthood. "Look it''s not our secret to share and we have been trying to keep him from remembering it," Marcel told me. "That bad," I looked from Marcel to Dinah. "Very, so if you could be a dear and help him that day it would be nice," Marcel said. "When is it?" I found myself asking and a plan forming in my head. "A day from now, Tuesday." It was at that exact moment that Marcel got a text; he looked down at his phone and sighed. "The plane is ready for you to leave." He looked at Danny and it looked like they were passing messages to each other cryptically. Seems like Dinah picked on my thoughts because she joined me in looking from her husband to my brother. We stood up from the table and walked Danny to the airstrip. The steps were already set up and the crew was waiting for him to board. I put a hand on his shoulder to make him stop in his steps. He turns around to face me and I surprise everyone as I wrap my hands around him and pull him into a hug. He hugged me back as tightly and it felt good to know that home was not only where the heart is, It''s where the soul is too, and it''s where people we call family are as well. "Promise me that at least give me a heads up when you decide to come home," Danny mumbled into my shoulder. "That''s if you also return a favour by telling me how I should approach things when I get back." After a few more minutes, Danny kissed my forehead and said, "If he hurts you I''ll..." "I''m not too sure you can go through with that threat dear brother. Lola and Charlie will have your head and the rest of your body parts in a very interesting sculpture." Danny raised his brows with a rueful smile, "And you wouldn''t get in on the action?" I wave my hand dismissively, "It''s not my concern on what happens to the musician." Danny rolled his eyes and began climbing the steps, "Keep telling yourself that and I''ll believe it when you come home with a body part intact." I calmly inhale and remind myself that there are people here. So if I were to get away with fratricide, I might want to rethink my strategy. - The day that was dreaded in this household had finally come and no matter how everyone tried to act normal. The air was still tinged with sadness. The birthday boy had locked himself in his room since yesterday when he came back from the Wellington records. Jack refused to tell me what happened even after we played a very friendly game on who has the faster reflexives. Jacob and Shawn volunteered to take care of Gail, Marci and the orphanage and Jack went to meet up with Marcel leaving me at the penthouse alone with Caleb. Not gonna lie, I am a bit nervous about how I should approach this. I mean I never actually got to properly grieve my mother mostly because to me she was not dead and as for father dearest, I didn''t even consider him that. So as I made my way to his room, I kept replaying scenarios of how this could crash and burn or how it will be rainbows and sunshine by the time I am done talking to the musician to get out of bed and celebrate the day that he joined us here. I was about to knock when I heard sobbing and I threw all caution into the window. I opened the door and walked into the room which was surprisingly dark and had the strange smell of death. Yup, something died here. My other senses went numb as my eyes honed in on my employer, Caleb bloody Parks. He was bawling his eyes out but he still managed to look pretty while doing it. I closed the distance between us and dragged the pillow from under his head and he raised it to give me a look of indifference. I wasn''t sure if he wanted me to stay or leave but I was shocked that he gripped the front of my top and dragged me down onto the bed and used my chest to replace the pillow that I took from him. It felt more like instinct as I started stroking his hair and kept whispering things among the lines of ''it''s okay'' and ''please stop crying''. I felt my blood run cold as the first words that Caleb said since I came in here were, "I killed them today." Chapter 31 - My birthday We all have demons inside who wait for the perfect moment to come out. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV Twenty-five years ago, I was born. Twenty-five years ago, I was abandoned in an orphanage home with no last name. Twelve years ago, I was adopted and taught the real meaning of family. Eight years ago, I got the chance to be a big brother to Abigail. Seven years ago, I watched the people who gave me their last name, who took me in, who showed me what it''s like to be in a place where you are loved, die right in front of me on my graduation day. On my birthday. I was never supposed to be happy. The world has done nothing but constantly remind me that there is no happy ending in my future. But I hate to admit that the world did pity me. It was by chance that Marcel found me that day. By choice, he took me in and offered me a deal that led me up to where I am now. Pity. An emotion that I''ve come to hate with every fibre in my body. It is the only thing people offer me when they hear my back story. That America''s favourite pop musician was indeed abandoned at birth, got bullied and almost killed many times. He had to watch the people who adopted him die before his eyes. It''s a good thing to be me. At least I forget; I''m also selfish. I want someone to know me and not pity me but see me as a person. A guy who wants the happiness he sees in the families around him. But that''s just too good to be true. If I have learned one thing as a musician, it''s that when you let strangers into your life, they break you down. Piece by piece, they come closer to seeing what makes you, you. And when they do, they leave you to continue living your life as if the two of you never met. And the ones who dare to stay still have, that look at the deepest depths of their eyes when they look at you. Since I can remember, my birthday is always spent with me locked away in my room. The people I call family come to check up on me every hour to ensure; that I am still breathing. Not that I blame them, there was that one year that I almost slit my wrists. Gail walked in at that moment, demanding I sing her a song. Gail has been the only reason I keep going. I have come to accept that I can never have a family of my own, so I can at least enjoy the one I have now. I don''t know how long I''ve been here. Since the crack of dawn, I have been crying my eyes out. No one has come to check up on me yet and I think it''s for the best. No need to hold a party in a room that reeks of sadness. Memories of my stay in the orphanage home and that of my adoptive parents flee into my mind. Forcing sobs out of my mouth that rocks me to my core. I hear the door open and don''t bother to look up. Before I knew it, the pillow I was crying into was removed from under my head. I glared at the person and felt the breath leave my lungs as I saw Peyton standing there. She looked at me with a mixture of emotions, pity being the dominant one. I felt my heart clench as waves of sadness washed over me. I was falling for the girl before me. It sucked even more because I knew I could never be with her the way I wanted to be. And it just broke me apart even more. Before I could make sense of my actions, I dragged her closer to me, rested my head on her chest and continued to cry. I knew my tears were ruining her shirt. I want to hold her close to me, even if it''s just for today. Even if after today, we would go back to strangers. Even if I never get to experience true happiness, I want to have a taste of it. It might make me look desperate, but you can''t hold out bread to a hungry man and expect him not to eat. She stroked my hair and whispered comforting words. The tears flowing from my eyes didn''t ease up one bit. I knew that if I wanted to be more selfish, I would keep her here and not care that the world may rip her away from me. I might as well tell her what''s been eating up at me. Rip the bandage off and start the tradition that occurs on this very day, bringing a feeling that''s my second favourite. Loss. "I killed them today," I say quietly. She abruptly stopped running her hands through my hair. "Who did you kill, Caleb?" She whispers towards me. "My parents, that''s who," I say with a sniffle. Peyton doesn''t believe me because the next thing she says shocks me. "How exactly did that happen?" "It just did." I press myself closer to her chest to hide my face from her ever-so-piercing gaze. She sighs, "You were just a child; there was no way you could be responsible for their death. Even if you were, I''m sure it was an accident." I felt rage boil up in me as I heard the unmistakable tone in her voice. Pity. I rip my head away from her and scowl at her furiously. "It''s true! They did die in front of me. They didn''t want me. I''m just a screwup." I say. Peyton rolls her eyes at me, "That''s not true. If you think that then, how are you where you are now?" I turned my gaze away from her, unable to meet her gaze, "You don''t understand! No one does!" She doesn''t reply until she does something that surprises us both. She gets up from the bed and walks out the door. There she goes, my only other beacon of hope that maybe there is hope for me to have a happy future. It was too good to be true. I flop back on my bed exhausted; the tears refuse to come back as I still feel empty and broken. The door opens once more. I resist the urge to throw my pillow at the intruder when I see who it is. "Get up!" I sit up and look at Peyton as she gives me a dirty look. "Peyton, it''s okay," I say with exhaustion coating my tone. "If you so much as tell me crap, Black helps me so that I don''t get the buzzes up here." She spits. "I don''t see how any of this concerns you anyway! I don''t see how any of this concerns you anyway! You said it yourself. You''re only here to help us with Abigail, then you leave. Leave me be and if the press decides they want to have a go in my life then let them." Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. I fall back on the bed, exhaustion flooding into my veins. I knew what I just said might hurt. I know it was a lie. She may not hate me as much as a few months ago, but Peyton doesn''t care. "How about this? If you get your bummed ass from that bed and follow me to where I go, I''ll answer that question you''ve been dying to ask." Not this again. "Don''t you think that is getting a bit old?" I am still facing the ceiling, "You just want to sell yourself short to get me to open up and when I do, what happens next?" I sit up and look her dead in the eye, "What happens next, Peyton? You don''t just make a decade of grief vanish as if it never existed, it''s not a curable disease and you''re not Doc Phil." I feel my tone flatten as a determined look takes over her features. She comes closer to me and gives me one of her hands. "Where are we even going anyway?" I look at her hand sceptically. "It''s a surprise birthday boy," She gives me a cheeky grin. I''m surprised that her sailor-like personality has not made itself known yet. It''s not like Peyton to let digs thrown at her roll off her back. "What if I choose not to go?" I take her hand and still don''t let up my critical eye. "Then I will allow the hoards of strippers waiting outside this building into your room and I will lock you up in here with them." There was a deadly glint in her eyes, it told me that she would go through with that threat if need be. "Fine, I''m up." Ever since that incident in the supermarket, getting groped by a bunch of girls or in this case, sexually dressed women is the last thing on my bucket list. She grins, "Thank heavens you agreed. There are clothes in your bathroom, go take a quick shower and change." Before I could respond, she was already pushing me into the bathroom. One quick shower later, I was donning on a black hoodie, blue skinny jeans and a pair of converse. I come out and meet her texting on her phone. She sits up and smiles. "Now, you look more like a twenty-six-year-old. Come on." She slipped her hand into mine. It felt good like it was supposed to be there. She pulls me out of the room, into the hallway, onto the stairs and into the elevator. The house looked deserted. "I feel obliged to ask, where is everyone?" Her cheeks redden as she shrugs off the question, "Busy doing stuff." The elevator dings as we walk into the roof. This place houses Jacob''s secret garden. The flowers looked well cared for as a subtle smell of honey wafted past my nostrils. The most eye-catching thing was the blanket and pillows spread on the floor. "Is this some sort of intervention?" I sent an amused brow in her direction. "Intervention, counselling, shoulder cry session. Whatever you want to call it suits me perfectly. Now sit." Peyton instructs and pushes me towards the blankets. I sit on one and cross my legs while I wait for her to join me. I hear her footsteps getting closer to me, "Not sure what was the drink people used in this situation, so a bottle of apple juice will have to do just fine." She grins as she sits down across from me, mirroring my position. She set down a bottle of apple juice with two shot glasses. "Dare I ask why we are drinking juice from alcohol-deemed glasses?" I stifle a laugh. "Because Jack said something about it being appropriate for the occasion," She twirls her fingers in the air, "Enough about that; you owe me an explanation." "And someone needs to teach you the prospects of being subtle." If I have to relive this moment I would prefer to be numb. "You are going to make me keep drinking until you get a valid answer, aren''t you?" I looked at her. She gasped dramatically, "Me, force people to do stuff? Never." Then she grinned, "Just so, we''re clear, I still have a dozen more bottles and no bathroom breaks." She just doesn''t take no for an answer, does she? "I never knew that you had skills in terms of blackmail." I gulp a glass of juice. She wastes no time in topping it off. "And I never knew that your stalling skills have gotten better." She rolls her eyes and looks at me expectantly. "You''re too smart for your good," I turn away from her and inhale, "You''re not gonna look at me the same way after this." "Try me," She nudges my shoulder. "The Parks orphanage was my first home for the first thirteen years of my life. After spending a couple of hours in the world, the people who gave me life abandoned me in the hospital. No one claimed me. I was placed on the doorstep of the home with just my first name attached to the basket. I don''t even know who named me but I think it may have been a random nurse in the hospital. The other occupants in the home didn''t like me that much so I was insulted, bullied and hit by the adults and kids alike. I still kept pushing on that one day a couple would adopt me. Mr Peter and Mrs Carol Parks had been married for half a decade and still didn''t have a child. They took me in and showed me the true meaning of family. Things got a little better; life seemed less horrible. A year before I graduated from high school, they had Abigail. I thought that maybe, just maybe, I was finally getting the happy family that I had longed for. It was my graduation day which was my birthday. Since the note that was on my basket only had my first name. The adults of the orphanage made that day my birthday, the same day there was a car crash. My adoptive parents, Gail''s real parents, didn''t make it out. Only she and I did. So the day that everyone believes is the day that I was born was the day, I lost not one but two sets of parents." My throat felt dry and my eyes hurt because no matter how badly I thought that I would cry no tears came out. Peyton remained motionless beside me but her mouth still managed to move, "Then how did you meet Marcel?" "On that same day of the car crash, I was left to fend for Gail and myself. The catch was the Parks weren''t all that well-rounded to take me off to college and handle Gail. Since I was trying my best to think of a solution while trying to calm down Gail, he showed up and offered me a deal. He takes me in and helps Gail and me financially while I sing for Marci on her birthday and become a musician for Wellington records." I let out a breath and look at her, "Now that you know why I hate this day so much, can you please let me go back to my room and forget whatever is going on and that the day should just come to an end." I see a change in her face as her gaze hardens, "Over my favourite black dress!" She yells. I sigh, feeling depleted about relieving the events that happened on this day. "Peyton, if it''s about giving me a gift. I''m pretty sure that being left alone in my room is better." I look at her. She gets up and starts pacing, "You want to be left alone?" She clarifies. I nod not even bothering to hide the sadness I try to hide from everyone around me. "Good, if you just go with me to this last place. I promise to leave you alone from today till I leave. No awkward run-ins, no stress on both parts, just a mutual friendship that hopefully will last." I see her swallow as if it physically hurts her to say it. I look heavenwards because I know I am not getting out of this one. "Deal." - We pull up in a graveyard I haven''t stepped into since the burial. "Why on earth are we here?" I look at her from the passenger seat. She replies to my question with a cool gaze on her face, "Remember when I said that we are both similar yet different." I frown but nod, not knowing where she was going with this conversation. "I killed my mom when I was younger. Not in literal terms, there was a problem and the blood left in her system was only going to be enough for one of us to make it. She chose to kill herself and let me live. My father was partially good at the beginning but as the years rolled by; he would get violent toward me and always preferred my sister. I tried my best not to allow her to go through the horrors I went through. Here I am still doing it and I can''t help but feel that I am failing miserably. I do regret one thing though," She turns to look at me after telling me a bit about her past. "I never got closure to grieve for her because I never met her. Even though Dinah and my best friend''s mother tried to fill the void, it was never enough. I''m giving you the one thing you need today, the chance to say goodbye to people who made you into who you are now and embrace what you have become. It takes a lot of courage to fight off your demons. I should know I''m still in the battle." I nod at her and she nods back. At this moment, I feel like she is the only one that understands me. She knows what it''s like to want a family but to have it ripped out from your palms before you even enjoy the feeling. She knows we can''t be selfish and keep sacrificing for the people we love. She cuts off the engine, we walk into the graveyard. As we near the headstones, the weather starts growing colder and more for her benefit. I drag Peyton closer to me and intertwine our hands. We reach the headstones and for some odd reason, I see them. I see Peter and Carol standing before their dead bodies. I feel Peyton squeeze my hands once again and step away. I miss her warmth but I know it''s for the best. I have to get over my demons. ''You need the right person beside you, to get over your demons.'' I fall to my knees, let all the tears out and start talking. "Thank you. Thank you for everything. From putting up with me when you brought me home till that day of graduation. I know that I might be a screwup but I know that you guys are watching both Gail and me. I will always protect her and will tell her when the time comes. Someone once told me that I needed to face the facts sooner than later and let the pain go. I just needed the right person with me for when I eventually did. I hope one day I''ll be able to have a family of my own that could have the same amount of love that you both gave me. Maybe when all of this is over, I would see you on the other side." I press my fingers to my lips and kiss them, and then I press them to the gravestones. I turn around to face Peyton to see her shivering from the rain and the cold. I wrap my hand around her and pull her closer to me as light tears cover my face despite the rain. The rain drenches us and I welcome it. I feel light after saying all that but I feel better that I did it with someone ready to catch me when I fell. The rain was getting heavier, but that didn''t stop Peyton and me. She wrapped her hands around me and squeezed me back with just as much force, letting me know she is here for me. I pull away a bit and look down at her; I tilt her chin and look into her eyes. Her eyes glistened with tears in the rain. The rain was not letting up as I saw two white figures standing at the entrance of the graveyard. I recognized them. Peter and Carol. Hand in hand, they waved at me and walked out of the gates and into thin air. Chapter 32 - Mixing deals with pleasure Peyton Griffin''s POV While my employer was busy crying his eyes out, I was wearing out the carpet in the hallway. If he thinks he killed his parents; what would that make of me? My mother gave up her life to save me, if it weren''t for me being born, she would be here. I shake my head furiously, now is not the time to dwell on my upbringing. I have to help him get over it. The question is how? One can only handle so much before they become hollow of themselves. How have I never noticed this before? "If you keep pacing like that, we''re going to need a new carpet before you leave," Marci said with an amused grin as she leaned on the bannister while watching. "Don''t mind me, just worrying about your brother," I say with anger in my tone. Marci rolled her eyes, "If you think that none of us cared about him then you''re not as bright as you look." That was fast, "Excuse me?" If my hearing was not filling me, it was as if she just insulted me. Marci started walking towards me with caution, not that I would blame her. Anyone who has been on the receiving end of my glare would. "Caleb doesn''t let any of us be near him on his birthday and we figured that you would be the one to help him." "Why me? I got here just three months ago?" I look at her incredulously. "For the love of everything holy!" I jumped back frightened. Dinah marched toward us with resolve in her eyes. "Young lady, if you don''t get your butt back in there and help my son, so help me if I don''t..." Marci put a hand over her mother''s mouth, effectively shushing her. Dinah and I both sent confused looks her way. Marci sighed, "Peyton, even if you don''t feel anything for my brother. Are you going to leave him by himself at the moment he needs someone the most?" I knew what I had to do, even if Marci had no clue. I did like her brother, maybe not enough to want to forfeit my family but enough to know that seeing him crying was hurting me. I glance at the door five feet away and glare at it. Caleb bloody Parks, I have not known you for long, but I do know one thing. With that in mind, I head over to his door, open it and slam it shut with only one thing in mind. "Get up!" I command as soon as the door closes behind me. I flip on the lights and inhale sharply. Caleb was sitting up in his bed, looking horrible. From his bloodshot eyes with bags under them to the distressed vibe that rolled off him. A new wave of determination surged through me. "Peyton, it''s okay." He sighs. "If you so much as tell me crap, Black helps me so that I don''t get the buzzes up here." I might as well get the ball rolling. "I don''t see how any of this concerns you anyway! You said it yourself. You''re only here to help us with Abigail, then you leave. Leave me be and if the press decides they want to have a go in my life, then let them." He falls back on the bed with a scoff. I swallowed to keep my emotions at bay. Hearing it from his mouth was not part of the plan. I made a deal with Dinah that I would help Caleb through this day. "How about this? If you get your bummed ass from that bed and follow me to where I go, I''ll answer that question you''ve been dying to ask." I play my favourite card. A deal. "Don''t you think that is getting a bit old?" He scoffs, "You just want to sell yourself short to get me to open up and when I do, what happens next?" I have already thought that far. As a dealer, you should always know the buttons to push to make things happen. As a member of the British Empire, you should be ready to make things happen so that the outcome will work in your favour. "What happens next, Peyton? You don''t just make a decade of grief vanish as if it never existed, it''s not a curable disease and you''re not Doc Phil." He sits up and stares at me. His hazel orbs were dead and empty. I walk to him and stretch out a hand. I''m not surprised that he eyed it. "Where are we even going anyway?" "It''s a surprise birthday boy," I grin and try another tactic. He still looks at it as if trying to decipher what I am playing at. He would have to look deeper if that were the case. "What if I choose not to go?" He raises a suspicious brow. "Then I will allow the hoards of strippers waiting outside this building, into your room and I will lock you up in here with them." A lie. Not a full one though. Some strippers roam the streets around here but they are not there for Caleb. Maybe. "Fine, I''m up" He agrees and latches onto my hand. I pull him up. "Thank heavens you agreed. There are clothes in your bathroom, go take a quick shower and change." I use that same hand to push him into the bathroom while I sit on his bed. A sickening feeling crawls up my spine as I mentally go over my plan. I texted Jack to rent a car and get everyone out of the penthouse for the evening. It will only work if no one is here to witness it. He came out, he looked better but the dead look in his eyes was still present. "Now, you look more like a twenty-six-year-old. Come on." I grab his hand and pull him out of the room. I grab the keys that hung on the bannister when Caleb was not watching and pull him towards the elevator. "I feel obliged to ask, where is everyone?" He asks. "Busy doing stuff." I lie quickly. We arrived at the roof, and Jacob seemed to have taken my words to heart. The place was looking better than it was the last time I was here with Dinah. I pushed Caleb to the blankets I had Jack set up while I grabbed the bottle of apple juice from a bucket of ice. "Not sure what was the drink people used in this situation, so a bottle of apple juice will have to do just fine." I sit across from him on the blankets and drop the glasses and drink between us. "Dare I ask why we are drinking juice from alcohol-deemed glasses?" He asks with a chuckle. I wave dismissively, "Because Jack said something about it being appropriate for the occasion. Enough about that; you owe me an explanation." "And someone needs to teach you the prospects of being subtle." He dodges my question. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. I already knew how this was going to go. My way. "You are going to make me keep drinking until you get a valid answer, aren''t you?" He gives me a sceptical look. I pretend to gasp, "Me, force people to do stuff? Never." A sly smile coats my face, "Just so we''re clear. I still have a dozen more bottles and no bathroom breaks." I clarify so he knows that he is not getting out of this. "I never knew that you had skills in terms of blackmail." He takes a shot of the apple juice. I waste no time refilling it. "And I never knew that your stalling skills have gotten better." I roll my eyes. "You''re too smart for your good," Never forget it. He looks away from me, "You''re not gonna look at me the same way after this." I''ve heard many gruesome stories while growing up in the empire; most were of my grandpa being the bad guy. What happened to his parents? "Try me," I push his shoulder lightly. "The Parks orphanage was my first home for the first thirteen years of my life. After spending a couple of hours in the world, the people who gave me life abandoned me in the hospital. No one claimed me. I was placed on the doorstep of the home with just my first name attached to the basket. I don''t even know who named me but I think it may have been a random nurse in the hospital. The other occupants in the home didn''t like me that much so I was insulted, bullied and hit by the adults and kids alike. I still kept pushing on that one day a couple would adopt me. Mr Peter and Mrs Carol Parks had been married for half a decade and still didn''t have a child. They took me in and showed me the true meaning of family. Things got a little better; life seemed less horrible. A year before I graduated from high school, they had Abigail. I thought that maybe, just maybe, I was finally getting the happy family that I had longed for. It was my graduation day which was my birthday. Since the note that was on my basket only had my first name. The adults of the orphanage made that day my birthday, the same day there was a car crash. My adoptive parents, Gail''s real parents, didn''t make it out. Only she and I did. So the day that everyone believes is the day that I was born was the day, I lost not one but two sets of parents." I was expecting a lot of things but not this. I even thought that he would keep crying, but he proved me wrong. This explains a lot and this is what makes me go on with the plan I had in mind. "Then how did you meet Marcel?" I get my facts straight before I ask. "On that same day of the car crash, I was left to fend for Gail and myself. The catch was the Parks weren''t all that well rounded, so to take me off to college and handle Gail. Since I was trying my best to think of a solution while trying to calm down Gail, he showed up and offered me a deal. He takes me in and helps Gail and me financially while I sing for Marci on her birthday and become a musician for Wellington records." A lot to process things are falling in place piece by piece. He looks at me with a broken expression and it tugs on my heart strings, "Now that you know why I hate this day so much, can you please let me go back to my room and forget whatever is going on and that the day should just come to an end." Oh hell no! I made a deal. That I would help Dinah''s son be happy. That I would help Marci''s brother be happier. And I make a deal for myself. I may like him a lot more than before now. All the more reason that he has to face this now. "Over my favourite black dress!" My mouth speaks before my brain processes its thoughts. "Peyton, if it''s about giving me a gift. I''m pretty sure that being left alone in my room is better." He sighs. It''s a gift alright and a damn good one. "You want to be left alone?" I stand up and start pacing, deep in thought. "Good, if you just go with me to this last place. I promise to leave you alone from today till I leave. No awkward run-ins, no stress on both parts, just a mutual friendship that hopefully will last." It hurts to say this, but if this is going to work, he has to believe that I care for him. "Deal." He answers while I feel a smile grow on my face. - Jack sent me the address as I drove Caleb and myself to the cemetery. "Why on earth are we here?" I feel him staring at me. I school my expression and look forward. "Remember when I said that we are both similar yet different." I begin opening a hardened wound that won''t agree to heal already. "I killed my mom when I was younger. Not in literal terms, there was a problem and the blood left in her system was only going to be enough for one of us to make it. She chose to kill herself and let me live. My father was partially good at the beginning but as the years rolled by; he would get violent toward me and always preferred my sister. I tried my best not to allow her to go through the horrors I went through. Here I am still doing it and I can''t help but feel that I am failing miserably. I do regret one thing though," I turn to look at him. "I never got closure to grieve her because I never met her. Even though Dinah and my best friend''s mother tried to fill the void, it was never enough. I''m giving you the one thing you need today, the chance to say goodbye to people who made you into who you are now and embrace what you have become. It takes a lot of courage to fight off your demons. I should know I''m still in the battle." I tell him. You can''t miss what you never had. I could never feel completely sad about her death. Caleb got to meet his parents before they left him. Therefore his pain went far deeper than mine. I''ll do him the favour; no one ever thought to do for me or Lola. A secret message passes between us as we tilt our heads. An understanding that I never thought that I would have with Caleb bloody Parks of all people. On our walk from the car to the tombstones, I grip his hands for him to know. A friend is with him. A friend that will be both selfless and selfish when it comes to him. ''You need the right person beside you, to get over your demons.'' Caleb falls to his knees in front of the graves and starts weeping. I stop myself from going closer to him but can''t help the few tears that slip out of my eyes. The clouds that have been dreary all day now look darker as the wind picks up. The rain starts during Caleb''s goodbye and it feels like heavy ice on my skin. I stay rooted to my spot, knowing that I will be sick to my bone the next day but I refuse to move. When Caleb finishes, he turns around and wraps his hands around me. As if to shield me from the rain or to say thank you but either way I hug him back with just as much force. He pulled away and stared at me, allowing me to look into his eyes. Relief covered his features, and his eyes shone with sad tears but there was still the glimmer of hope that I could see. The rain goes on for a while but we stand there. Just holding each other and enjoying it. - After a bit, the rain stops. The dark clouds give way to the stars to shine. They say that when little lights show after a storm, it''s considered a good omen. Damn is. As I take in the glow on Caleb''s face, I want to say I should not be held accountable for my next course of action. My mouth works faster than my brain as I lean upward and kiss his cheek. Caleb freezes up but grins back at me. "We should go before one of us catches a cold." He smiles. I know he still has more to tell me. I won''t argue with him on it. I allow him to lead us to the car and drive us away. We go into the penthouse quietly, careful not to wake up the rest of the household. Surprisingly, this scenario reminds me of all the times I''ve seen Danny sneak into the house with a redhead dripping off his arm. I start making my way to my room as Caleb grips my hand, "Can you stay with me tonight. I''m not sure I can fall asleep after all of this." I hide a smirk because the plan worked. I feel the tugging of my lip. "I''ll be right there." He squeezes my hand and leaves while I go into my room. Freshly showered and in one of Danny''s hoodies and shorts, I was on my way to the almost over birthday boy. I knocked on the door and walked in. He sat on the window''s ledge with a book and pen while I swore quietly. "Why is the long-lost pirate of the Caribbean here?" He looked at me with an amused expression. I rolled my eyes while walking toward him, taking the book and pen out of his hands. I said, "You should be in bed." I dragged him up, making him stand very close to me. He was so close that I could feel him breathing on my face. If it had been someone else, I would be demanding some personal space but with Caleb, it felt so right. "So should you." He replied with a slight grin. "What''s it gonna take?" I huff. If you want something done, you have to get another thing done first. "You''re staying the night right?" Even though his tone came out cocky, I could still hear the hesitation in it. "This isn''t the first time that we have slept on the same bed," He goes on, "if I can recall the first time, you were begging me to stay." He had a cocky smile on his face. Was he making fun of me? "Don''t worry, it won''t be hard to adjust; I have only ever shared a bed with Taryn. I had a pissed-off, Jack, to deal with the next day." Definitely, making fun of me. "Just get into the damn bed," I demand and look away. I know that Taryn was Jack''s girl but hearing that they slept on the same bed together was doing things to me. Things I''m not ready to admit out loud. Caleb dove into the bed and dragged me along. He landed on top of me, using his elbows to hold himself up. We looked at each other. I''m sure how my face looked as I held my breath. "We should sleep," I said when I noticed his face was inches away from mine. "Or we could talk," He proposed after he rolled to the side. "If my mind doesn''t fail me, I believe you said you wanted to talk about yourself tonight." He looked at me expectantly. I was hoping he would forget about that. I will tell him but not too much because when I do get to leave here. I''m not sure he would be pleased to know that I may or may not get married the moment I step back into the British Empire. I sigh and move as far away as the bed will let me. "Caleb, the place I come from can eat you alive like a pack of wild dogs or make you grow like a moon flower in the night," I say. Caleb looks at me. I still keep a pointed gaze at the door. "If it''s not all that peachy there, why don''t you just stay. When Taryn comes back, you''re free to stay here with us. I''m sure you guys will get along fine and..." I cut him off before he could paint a picture that would have no place in my future. "It''s not that simple," I replied, my tone clipped. Caleb sighs and drags me closer to him. Cupping my face, he says, "It would be if you tried." I have an inkling of where this is going. But the consequences will be dire if I let it go on. "Caleb, we had a deal. I take care of Gail and you pay me. No need to complicate things." I remind him. Caleb looks as if he wants to say more but sighs and looks away. "Goodnight." He murmurs and pulls away from me and lies on his side away from me. A part of me wanted him to demand answers or at least try and coax me more. But another part of me, the sensible part, reminds me that being selfish is not possible. I hold a tear from spilling out. It''s for the best anyway. If I want everyone around me to have their happy endings, I can''t let Caleb know too much about my past or what will happen in my future. I turn around and lie on the bed. "Goodnight." Before I slip into unconsciousness, a hand wraps around my stomach and pulls me backwards. "I''m going to convince you one way or another: Even if I have to make a deal with the devil." Caleb kisses my hair. And that''s the last thing that I remember. Chapter 33 - From Parks to Parks. There is always a heart waiting to be stitched back together. -THEO Caleb Parks POV I feel lighter today. I don''t have to put on a fake smile. I feel like I can be free from my demons because I finally faced them. I look beside me and see the person that helped me overcome them. I remember spooning Peyton last night, but now she has half her body thrown on me. So I''m sure if I wanted to leave before, which I don''t, she would wake up. I can''t stop my hands from lightly feeling her face. Starting from the crown of her head, my hands slide down between her eyes and rest lightly on the lids. Then I run it down the slope of her nose and finally settle it on her lips. How badly I want to replace my hands with my mouth. Seeing her this peaceful must be a two-for-two thing because she gave me peace. I hum my old lullaby, the first song in the empat¨ªa album. I let out a small sigh as I rest my hands on her hair and play with the golden tips. "That was a nice song. You wrote it?" I hear her say. I looked down and noticed something different about her, and it didn''t take me long to figure it out. Her sliver-blue eyes were warm blue with no hint of silver in them. "I''m guessing my morning breath isn''t scaring you away, so about that song?" She asked obliviously to my inquisitive stare honing in her eyes. "It was my mom, an adoptive one. She would sing to Gail and me to sleep." I answer, and my hands caress her face. "Thank you," Her cheeks tinged pink, "It was no problem. Just helping out a friend." She moved away, and my hand fell from her cheek. "Is it okay if I ask what your mom was like?" She avoids looking at me. "She was a one-of-a-kind woman. She wasn''t a pushover. She was the shoulder my dad and I leaned on. If anything, I would want my wife to possess similar qualities." I grin. Knowing Peyton, she would have understood my silent message but chose to ignore it and nodded wordlessly. "I like your eyes," I say. Peyton swore, "Son of a biscuit!" Then she got up from the bed and made a straight line for the door. "Have a good day Caleb." She called over her shoulder and slammed the door. Before I could get a word out, she left me in her wake. I decided to corner her later and ask her about her eyes. Meanwhile, I have a life to get back to with a smile on my face. A real one. I took a shower, dressed in a pair of joggers and a wife beater. I plan to spend my day practising with the backup dancers for the concert in NYC next week. I need to get back in great shape. Jack and Jacob were in the kitchen, with Shawn handling the stove. "Where are the girls?" I ask as I sit on the counter and try to steal a piece of bacon from the plate, but Shawn swatted my hand away with the spatula. "Gone to school with your girl," Jacob gave me a knowing look while Jack smiled slyly. "So, how was your birthday Caleb?" My best friend asked me. "Honestly, it was good, really good," I answer truthfully. "Nice. So how long will we wait before you knock her up?" Jack helped me reply to Jacob''s question with a smack at the back of his head. "Very funny," I laughed sarcastically. Then a thought popped into my head. "Isn''t one of you meant to be in the school with the girls?" I look from Jacob to Shawn. Both brothers had guilty grins on their faces. "About that, Peyton said she wanted to stay longer in the school to talk with Miss Beatrice, so we decided to have a late breakfast," Shawn explained. Jack snorted, "After we get to the studio, Shawn and I will flip for who has to stay in the school." "Meanwhile, Caleb, have you seen the tabloids today?" Jack said as Shawn placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of us and sat next to me. "I think I know what you''re talking about." I said with a mouth full, "On the eve of thanksgiving dinner, I saw a billboard that had a picture of Peyton and me at the pizza place. I thought there were no buzzes around." I sigh. "You''re not that hard to get passed. Either way, Marcel wants to talk. Heads up in case you guys have the altered version of the birds and the bees." Jack gulped down some juice. "It will be the musician and the babysitter." Jacob joked. We all groaned and threw pieces of bacon at him. - "Five, six, seven, eight," I counted off as the deep bass sounded around the hall. The backup dancer started moving slowly yet incisively; I was still hooked in place as two girls came to stand beside me. They began to drag my hands towards each other as an electric tempo began; the routine was swift but slow, aggressive yet graceful, powerful yet gentle. The lyrics were missing from this son. It is an instrumental that I have been working on with Jack. The dancers all fell to the floor, leaving me standing when the song stopped. Marcel clapped thrice and commended the dancers. "Good work, guys, take five. Caleb, a word." He was already turning around and heading out of the dance room without my reply. I followed close behind him to the elevator and into his office. Dinah was sitting at his table; her hair looked dishevelled, but I didn''t point it out. "How was your birthday?" He asked with concern. I should have known. These two care for me as if I was theirs. And I couldn''t have asked for better and had been more grateful. "Good, great, awesome." I grinned at them. "Can you be more descriptive?" Dinah probed further. "Peyton helped me a lot, and I am very grateful: Though I haven''t shown her yet." I already had a plan for that in my head. Dinah smiled as she turned her focus from me to Marcel. "Don''t you dare!" Marcel glared at his wife. "Pay up," Dinah stretched out a hand towards Marcel, "I called it." Marcel grumbled as he put his hands into his pocket and placed some notes in Dinah''s palm. My eyes bulged out of their sockets, "Did you guys bet on my love life?" Marcel said, "Bet, set stakes, make gambles, bring wagers. There are better words to describe it, but for your brain''s capacity, we''ll settle on a bet." "Either way, we''re happy that you have started dating." Dinah smiled, "But keep it in your pants, young man. I''m too young to be a grandmother." I facepalmed as I felt my cheeks getting warmer. I felt mortified, "We only slept. The PG version of what you two always do in here." I lift my face from my hand and shoot the stellar couple a sly grin. Marcel looked tongue-tied while Dinah''s smug look fell. "But, Caleb, have you talked to her about, you know..." She drifted off and avoided looking me in the eye. Marcel looked heavenward, "Sugar coating things can get you as far as it took Jack and Taryn to admit their feelings to each other without us having to lock them in the same room." The sarcasm was heavy in his tone. I chuckled. Getting Jack and Taryn to admit their feelings for each other took longer than I expected. "But Caleb, you made a deal with Peyton. As soon as Taryn returns, she gets to leave. I''m assuming that you''ve paid her already?" Dinah asked. "Yea, I had Jack do that the first week of her stay. I know she is bent on leaving, but I am bent on her staying." I answered firmly. "May the force be with you." Dinah and I both turned to Marcel as whiplashed, "Did you just quote Star Wars?" We both asked, having incredulous looks on our faces. It''s good to have a caramel-kissed complexion because I would have sworn that Marcel was blushing, "Maybe. It was a good show." He smiled sheepishly. "On a more serious note, you''ll need it." He continued. "Oh don''t I know it," I said. After Dinah and Marcel stopped gushing about my upcoming relationship with Peyton, I returned to the dance room to continue practising with the backup dancers; until Jack came up to me and gestured for me to come closer. "Take five guys." They groaned with happiness. And some of them slumped on the floor with tired expressions. I jumped down from the stage and walked towards Jack. He was wringing his thumbs. A tell-tale sign that what he was about to tell me was not good news. "Here''s the thing, Ken wants to talk with you before you go to NYC, but I told him your schedule is full this week. So he requested a viewing immediately after you get back." He said. "Okay. But how exactly is this supposed to be bad news?" I scrunched my brows together in confusion. "The bad news is that the Press and Ken think that something is going on with you and Peyton," He bit his lip as if he didn''t want to say more. "Go on, I know there''s more to it." I sigh, not likely the way my day was turning out. "They think that the place where she''s from will blow their tops if they find out, so I advise that we keep things under the wraps for now." He concluded. Among the prices to pay with the cost of being famous. I had to strive to have a relationship without having the presses muddle things up. But since it was already out there, I was going to make amends. There is no way I will allow a bunch of aggravating fools to come between me and my happiness. Never again. Not this time, not ever again. Now that I think of it, Peyton is part of the reason, I have been in a good mood all day. Despite hearing this, I was still keeping my cool. And I wouldn''t have it any other way. Jack and I joined Jacob in an uber towards the school after I had a quick shower and a change of clothes. Students were milling around on the premises, but I could see Marci far off as she chatted with some of her friends. Nate''s hand draped around her shoulder as she talked animately. Jack and I walked towards them with Jacob trailing behind us with a disgruntled look on his face. "Are you done here?" I broke them apart while nudging my chin around. Marci rolled her eyes at us and kissed Nate on the cheek before coming toward us. "I thought we agreed I could take the bus this week." She voiced her complaint as we walked toward Gail''s class. "Yes, but I felt like fulfilling my role as a good older brother today." I draped a hand around her and gave her a cheeky grin. She rolled her eyes at me, "So what''s the plan?" "What do you mean?" I ask her. "I mean, aren''t you and Peyton dating now?" It''s as if the Wellingtons are ready to ship me off with any opportunity. I didn''t reply when the sight before us held us both tongues tied. Miss Beatrice was at her desk with Gail sitting beside her. It looked like she was explaining things to her. Gail looked up when she heard us come in and grinned. "Are we interrupting something?" Jack spoke for us. "Nope, we''re already wrapping up." Miss Beatrice replied as Gail packed up her books and made her way to us. "Mr Parks?" I turned around, "A word." I nodded at the others to keep going. If it were two months ago, I would have run for the hills when she tried to get me alone with her. But there was something about her that seemed off today. She would have insisted on making physical contact, but she was standing a respectable distance away from me. "I want to apologize for my previous advances towards you in the past. It was way past formal, and the only relationship between us is Guardian and Teacher." She paused and looked at me to gauge my expression. I clenched my teeth shut to prevent my jaw from falling. "I was hoping we could put it past us and tackle a friendship not close to anything informal if you''re up for it?" She stretched a hand to me, and I shook it without a moment''s doubt. I''m guessing something happened to her during Thanksgiving, but I was not going to question it. "Fine by me," Came my solemn reply. - "Remind me why we''re here again?" Marci whined again as we all walked into the orphanage. Shawn and Jacob decided to go into the kitchen, claiming to be starving. Jack and Gail flagged my sides while Marci was grumbling behind us. "Cause..." I had no valid reason for her, but I had one either way. This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. I passed the playroom where the kids were leaving Marci with Jack and Gail to entertain themselves. The kids were already gathering around Gail, so I was in the clear to get to the office. A couple exited the office with a happy girl between them, heading towards the doors. I felt a smile tug at my lips; families were formed in this building, and I would love to keep it that way. I knocked and walked in. There sat Peyton skimming through a few documents. "Parks'' orphanage, how may I help you?" Exhaustion coated her tone, but the determined look on her face told me; she was ready to tackle the next client. She hadn''t looked up yet, so I took the time to admire her. Her hair was in a knot on top of her head. My jaw tickled as I examined the masculine sweater that draped her form but rolled to the elbows. It''s not like I could voice out my distaste. I liked her a lot; that didn''t mean she liked me back. She wouldn''t find it weird if I commented on it. "I was wondering if I could have a chat with the manager," I say grimly. Peyton freezes up; but doesn''t look up at me as she replies, "You''re speaking to him." I rolled my eyes at her behaviour but decided to hit the nail on the head. "What''s your favourite colour again?" She frowned but replied, "As black as the night sky." "Interesting, I can''t decide between silver-blue or brilliant blue. Can you help me decide?" I faked a pout. She looked up at me; her brows scrunched as her patience wore thin. "Fine, my eye colour is blue!" Even though she made herself look indifferent about my constant pestering, I knew something was off. The silver in her eyes was back, and they steeled with the blue, giving out the stormy effect whenever she got angry. But I could still see the vulnerability in her eyes, and she looked like she regretted telling me. "Why are you ashamed of your eye colour? Because if you think they would classify you into the dumb blonde with blue eyes category, you''re not as smart as you give out." I mocked her with the intent of getting her to smile, but the vulnerability in her eyes deepened, and she turned away. "You wouldn''t understand." She muttered. "Try me," I edged closer to her and went to stand next to her around the desk. I cupped her face to look at me. She sighed and tried to look away, but I wouldn''t let her. "In the empire, people always preferred my sister to me. We looked so alike that most didn''t even bother to know my name. They called me hers." "Is that why you dyed your hair?" "Same intentions, different reasons." She replied vaguely. "So if I were to see you both, would you still be the hotter one or..." I trailed off. I needed another reaction from her, but she wouldn''t give me. No one should have to change their physical features to suit the views of others. "I think I prefer blue; they make silver-blue look like wannabes." I grinned at her and began stroking her chin. I wanted nothing more than to drag her out from the chair and kiss her insecurities away. Something she said earlier caught my curiosity, "You said that people of the empire treat you like that. What empire are you talking about? Is that where you are from?" She had the deer caught in headlights look but decided to play it off. "It''s like a branch of a country that gets a say in whatever goes on. It''s more for people who come from the same race or religion. And yes, that''s where I''m from." At least she was opening up, and I was gladly going to probe further. "Are you happy at the empire?" I ask, still trying to gauge her expression. "Sort of, but it doesn''t matter." She shook her head firmly and turned away from me, making my hand fall away from her face. "You know you''re free to stay, right?" I raise the offer again. "Caleb, deals have to remain deals." She graced me with a small smile. "Come on. I promised the kids; I''ll tell them a story before I leave." She nudged her head at the door. Without waiting for an answer, she stood up from her seat and was already out the door. I followed closely behind. We walked out of the office and into the playroom. The kids huddled around Gail as they played while Jacob, Shawn and Jack sat at the dining table nursing cups of drinks. Marci was nowhere in sight. "Where''s Marci?" I asked, getting everyone''s attention. I vaguely heard Jack say something about how her dad came for her and that she was spending the night with him and Dinah. The kids scrambled around and came towards me with a force to be reckoned with me. n One of them crashed into my legs while some were tugging at my hands, and another jumped on my back. Peyton tipped her head and laughed as she had Lucy straddled on her waist. Lucy had her hands coming out of her flowing Hijab, trying to reach up at the paper in Peyton''s grasp while trying to hide the slight reddening of her cheeks. I thought of her holding a child who was a striking resemblance to her and me. A lopsided grin took over my face. Even though I knew the possibilities of that happening were very close to nil, a boy could hope. "From Parks to Parks." I laughed at her comment. I turned my attention to the children, unknowingly at the end of her jab. "Guys, if you stop climbing me like a mountain. I''ll join Peyton to tell you guys a story," I suggest. Excited squeals filled the room as they went to sit on the floor. Lucy sat on Peyton''s lap while Peyton and I sat on chairs facing the children. "There once was a boy named Mowgli. Abandoned by his parents after an accident, he was supposed to have lived in a human village. But he grew up with a pack of wolves." I felt myself go stiff at the beginning of the story, but I''m pretty sure that the former occupants of this orphanage home were humans with fur. "With time, the head male and female wolves decided that he should be on his way to join his people. So they not only sent him away to find his people but to also find himself and to avoid the tiger that wanted him dead. Shere Khan. "He ventures deeper into the forest and stumbles upon a black panther named Bagheera and a bear named Baloo. "They help him on his journey, and Mowgli proves his worth to the duo he is capable of when he protects Baloo from Shere Khan. "In time Bagheera decides that Mowgli should be with his people and agrees with the wolves to try and help him find them. Baloo strongly opposed it, saying Mowgli was better off staying in the jungle. "But when Bagheera reminds Baloo of the incident with Shere Khan, Baloo sees reason. They can''t protect Mowgli from everything. "Mowgli ends up being drawn to the town by a beautiful girl who happened to be fetching water from the river." Lucy put her hand near Peyton''s hand and scrunched up her nose, "What is the moral of the story?" I look from the kids to Peyton with a smirk, "The moral is to be brave. You can''t run away from your problems and hide in fear; you can be like Mowgli and face them head-on and find yourself. Or you could be like Shere Khan and fight your battles by being a bully." - "I have arrived to make sure you''re still breathing," Jack announces his presence as he walks into my room and lands on the bed. I drop my pencil and lean on the window plane, "Oh goody." I gush. Jack sends a pillow my way, and I return a favour. "You seemed happy today. What''s up?" He asked. "I guess I''m glad that I am finally over Peter and Carol''s death, over my Shere Khan-like parents," I reply as I shrug my shoulders. "Did you relate your birth parents to an aggressive Tiger?" He asked with a smug look. "Have I mentioned that we should go to the hospital and check your ears?" I roll my eyes at my best friend. "Or we could go there and make sure your heart hasn''t broken your rib cage from the erratic beating it does whenever you''re near a certain blonde girl." He smiles. I think Peyton is rubbing off on me because I roll my eyes at him again, "And he thinks he''s the smart one." "So, what are we doing tomorrow?" I ask. "You and Marcel are spending your day with the old dudes from the retirement centre while I make sure everything is ready in NYC for our departure." He informs me. I raised a brow haughtily in his direction, "Dare I ask why you''re not coming with us to make sure that I still speak current English after the performance?" "Cause buddy, I like my balls more than watching old women swoon over you. Plus, Marcel and I need some space." He said the last part quietly and avoided eye contact. "What did you do?" I narrowed my eyes at him. It wouldn''t be the first time I have seen Jack and Marcel piss each other off, but the last thing I need is a falling out between my manager and producer. "Nothing. We just had different opinions about the women in our lives when one of the backup dancers made a pass at Marcel while you were in the showers." I don''t even want to know what happened next. "Long story short, I think we both should cool off for a while without having to be in the same proximity." I nodded because he was not only right but also Marcel needed a reminder to know when he was in the wrong. And I planned to be that reminder. As I stepped out of my room, I made a beeline for Peyton''s room but made a pitstop in the kitchen first. My courage was on shaky grounds, so I made sure to down a quick shot. I knocked twice, and I heard a muffled ''come in''. I walked in and saw that she sat on her bed, legs crossed on her bed in an indie style while facing the door. "Am I interrupting something?" I ask, feeling the alcohol taking in its effects. She yawned, "Nothing. Just having a chat with my imaginary friends." I felt my lips tip upwards, "Very funny, but don''t you think you''re too old for that?" I tease her. She yawned further and waved at me dismissively. I frowned, "Didn''t get enough sleep?" "I did get too much if I might say." "So, what are you doing today?" I venture head first. "Last time I checked, an employee was supposed to do the job her employer employed her for." She raised a brow hauntingly. I internally facepalmed. I made such a big deal about me being her employer when she arrived, and now she threw it back at me. "Right, what time do you normally leave the orphanage?" "Supposed to be at six, but if the clients are so adamant, I stay till seven or eight." How have I never noticed that? "Could you stop by the zoo before you come home?" That last word felt right and wrong as it left my lips. Right, because that was what I wanted with this girl. I can''t even explain how I fell for this girl in a short span of three months, but if I had my way, I would want her in my home. Our home. That would not be this penthouse. Even though having a family is a touching subject for me. I always wanted a family in a large family home, and I''d be damned if I didn''t make that happen. Wrong, because a small part of me still reminded me that my happy ending would never happen. "Caleb Parks, are you asking me out on a date? Again?" She was grinning like a Cheshire cat as she gave me a double-take. "Please don''t tell me; I have to make a deal to get you to come?" I groaned. Peyton chuckled, "As fun as that would be, I think I''ll save that deal for a later note. I''ll be there." - Nothing could damper my good mood. When Jacob launched a series of dry jokes my way during practice, I found myself smiling and replying. When Jack wrote a whole poem about his infatuation with superwoman and how Taryn reminded him of her, I remained unfazed. Not even when I confronted Marcel about his supposed infidelity to Dinah, and he gave me an answer that had more alphabet than the ones that Abigail had learnt. Nada. Nothing. Zilch. Zero. Nil. Nought. I was in a good mood. And I would like to keep it that way. As Marcel pulled up in front of the zoo, he put up the child lock before I could get out. The dread built up in me that what we were about to talk about would affect my mood. "Caleb, Son?" Marcel sighed when I gave him a curt nod. A backup dancer had made a flippant comment on whether Marcel would want to see how flexible she could be outside the dance floor. This statement did not sit well with me and was an understatement. Marcel sighed and cut the engine, giving me his full attention. "I know this looks bad but hear me out," He began, "The only reason I considered this was because I caught wind of Dinah''s new bedmate a couple of days ago. I felt angry at first, but the hurt was soon to come in long after. I felt lost and confused. I came to personally pick Marci from the orphanage last night, to test Dinah. To see if she still wanted what Marci and I had to offer." "Why won''t I like where this conversation is going?" I finally turned to look at him, and the sight I saw had me tongue-tied. Marcel Wellington. The founder and current owner of Wellington records, the man who helped me to where I am today. The one person I knew could get away with intra-racisms, even though his banter with Jack and Jacob seems real at times: The one who hardly dishes out compliments. I could go on; about why what I see before me makes no sense. Marcel''s eyes were bloodshot, and tears fell from his eyes. "When dinner ended, Dinah said she wanted the divorce to be final. She said that Marci could decide who she wanted to stay with. I don''t even know what was more upsetting; my daughter became emotionless and walked back to the penthouse, or Dinah got up from the dinner table, slapped me hard and kissed me. To make matters worse, she apologized and ran away." I still held onto the fact that the only other person in this world who was like a beacon of hope was on her way, and I refused to allow my mood to plummet. "I don''t know what to say." I breathed. "I can tell." Marcel sniffed and looked me dead in the eye, "Whenever you decided to tie the knot with Peyton. I advise you to make a deal that might change everything. If not a happy ending would be the least of your problems." - I kept pacing as my mind kept showing me the outcome of how everything I planned was going down the drain. All the secrets buried under carpets seemed to break free. I mean, what more could Dinah want for her to want to leave her marriage? Is love so far-fetched that even people who are married get theirs shattered? Could I build myself a family when the ones I grew up in crumbled before my eyes? Dare I agree with Marcel? Is a happy ending for me sound so absurd that I find myself doubting; what was it that I felt for Peyton? "Last time I checked, this was an aquarium, not a runway." I felt my heart beat fast as Peyton made her way toward me. I couldn''t stop myself and met her halfway and engulfed her in a hug. Peyton was quiet while I hugged her as if this was my last. She rubbed my back as if she knew I needed the comfort that only she could provide. "Wanna talk about it?" "Not yet." I moved back so that I could look at her face. A pair of bright blue eyes searched my face. A grin made its way to my face. "There is something I want to show you." I take her hand and lead her deeper into the aquarium. "Is the part where I ask if Freddy Krueger is here?" "I never knew you were into kinky stuff." I bite back. "How do blood and claw-like hands become a turn-on?" She asked with disbelief. "Trust me; you don''t want to know." I chuckle. The memory of Jacob going down on one of the maids while Krueger was chasing kids on TV comes to mind. And I exploded into full-blown laughter when Taryn used a knife to hit him in the back. I finally reach the chairs in front of the biggest fish tank and make Peyton sit with me. "What do you see?" I motion towards the tank. Peyton looks at me and back at the fish tank, "I see fish: Fish-eating fish, fish going down on fish, fish acting like Dora, fish playing temple run. Need I go on?" She grinned as she finished her observation. "Don''t tell me you brought me here to reenact Ariel?!" She smirked. I chuckle, "Actually, I brought you here because this place means a lot to me." I felt her stiffen next to me, but I continued anyway. "My dad, Peter Parks. He brought me here on my first birthday with them. He showed me that the fishes resemble how life is." I look at her and cup her cheek, "I know that you''re not going to stay, no matter how much I ask you, but could I at least make a deal with you before you go?" I promise that was not how I saw this conversation going. It just came out on the spur of the moment. I''m not sure if Peyton knows she is not mute because she chooses to nod. "If I let you go, promise me that I''ll get to see you again?" I wanted to take her in my hands and kiss her, but as always, such dreams remained farfetched. She sighed and looked away, "Caleb. I can''t make that deal. Who''s to say that the next time we meet won''t be in a wheelchair or worse in a casket?" She looked back at me, and I could finally read into her eyes. Where the silver would have blocked out, I could see the worry in her face, fear of the unknown. Something I never thought that she was capable of feeling. "If you let me go, you continue with your music. You continue being yourself, the happy version, not the brooding one. And don''t forget me." That was my breaking point because I pulled her closer and rested our foreheads together. Our breaths mingle in the small space between us; I wanted so badly to close. "Caleb?" She whispered. "Yea?" "I think the fishes aren''t old enough to witness something, not PG." She still managed to joke about the situation. I needed no blind man to tell me that kissing her would do more harm than good. With a reluctant mind, I kissed her forehead and dragged her up with me. "I think I can point out that if you keep treating me like a rag doll, the outcome would be very far from being PG." She remarked. "I''d believe that when I see it," I said. I led her through the back, where a small restaurant sat. I already had Jack arrange it to remain open but empty till a little after ten. We got in, and I felt a homey feeling overwhelm me, but I shrugged it off. I led Peyton to a table, and we both ordered our dinner. "How ironic," I say out of the blue. Peyton freezes with the spoon still in her mouth as she looks at me. She swallows. "What?" "I don''t know my employee that well." I humour her, and she instantly flushes. "I think we boarded a train and left that station long ago." She adds. I say, "How about a game?" She rolls her eyes at me, "Can we just get to the part where you subtly but determinedly try and find my inner secrets." She mocks me. "Touch¨¦," I narrowed my eyes playfully at her. "If you were to marry Jacob and Shawn, who would you pick?" I begin. "I can''t pick. I''ve gotten used to seeing them as friends." She answers honestly. "Abigail or Marci?" "Depends on the given situation." "Interesting, dare I ask Jack and me?" I grin. "I think Taryn would have my head if I pinned over her man, so you win by default." She snorts. "Good choice. If you had to carter for dozens of dogs or ten smaller versions of Gail, which would you pick?" "Gladly, Abigail, turn on some SpongeBob or Mulan, and she''s as mobile as a stationary bike. And dogs can get vicious if need be." The conversation ended there as the waiter came to give us the bill and I paid, and we came out of the restaurant. "So, how do we get home? Without getting mobbed, raped or worse ravished by your crazed fans?" She has a point; even though the moon was already near its peak, the streets of Miami were still crowded and let''s not forget that the wind was picking up with winter around the corner. I shrugged off my jacket and draped it around Peyton''s shoulders to that she raised a questioning brow. I give her an eye roll, "I think we both know that if I offered it to you and you were on the verge of having frostbite, you still wouldn''t take it." "You know me so well." She smiled and slipped her hand into the holes. I was about to recommend walking home despite the disadvantages until a car pulled up in front of us. The passenger window went down, and my best friend came into view. "Are you guys going to get in? Or are you guys going to get it on the sidewalk? Because if so, Jacob gave me his camera." Jack sported a grin as he looked from Peyton to me. His eyes honed in on the jacket around her shoulders, and I smirked. In an orderly Peyton behaviour, she walked up to the door, opened it and got in. "If both of you are mind-linking each other, I would like to get home and have a shower. It has been a long day." She called out. "Oh shoot! I even forgot to ask, how was your day?" I asked her with concern after I had stepped in and the driver had started the car. "It was entertaining, to say the least; I never pegged Shawn to be a fan of dirty dancing." Laughter flooded the car. I found myself inching my hand closer to hers. When it touched hers, I slipped our little fingers together. Peyton looked at me, and I saw warmth cross her features. That was the only confirmation I needed to grab her hand in mine and rub the back of her hand. The fight through the press in the lobby was more wrecking since Jacob and Shawn were not here. The buzzes had a field day, with the lack of bodyguards and the extra clothing on Peyton that was not hers. The elevator doors closed, Peyton snickered, and Jacob and I followed. "I never thought I''d say this, but I wish I could have another look on their faces when they saw us walk in." I breathed through laughter. "You and I are both, brother," Jack said. The elevator doors opened, and Jack made his way to the kitchen to most likely get some dinner in his system. Peyton was about to walk up the stairs, but I stopped her. "Would it be inappropriate if I wanted to spend the night with you again?" I couldn''t help the huskiness of my voice. I saw a blush creeping up her neck, "Tell you what, let me check up on Gail and Marci, and I''ll get back to you on that." She wasted no time creating distance between us and went to the hallway under the stairs. I sighed at her retreating back. I knew I was in for heartbreak. I wanted her in my arms till she wouldn''t be there anymore. I felt something thump on my head. I reached into my hair and picked up a piece of popcorn. I looked up and saw a sly-looking Jack on the stairs. "If you''re lusting on her behind, we have a call to make." I followed him up the stairs. "Who are we talking to?" "I don''t know. Why don''t you guess?" He said as we walked into his and Taryn''s room. I would have sworn that this place would be messy, but it seems like my best friend proved me wrong. Jack turned on his computer, and after typing on the keyboard for a few minutes, Taryn''s frizzled face came to view. "Hey, girlfriend," I chirped and pushed Jack away from the screen. Taryn smirked and puckered her lips towards me, "I miss you too, bestie." "There is nothing more hurtful to a man''s ego than being friend-zoned," Jack announced with a matter-of-fact tone before shoving me to make room for himself in front of the camera. "Guys, I have good news." She smiled brightly. "Your hymen grew back." Jack smiled. "Again, how did I ever sleep with that?" She pointed at Jack as she looked at me. "Don''t look at me. You were the one that said you had good taste in men, but I would beg to differ." I got a pinch from Jack for that. "Anyway, the burial was a success, and the borders are open. I''m coming home tomorrow." Chapter 34 - Dealing with Selfish or Selfless This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Chapter 35 - A Dealers cons This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Chapter 36 - Just stay Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Chapter 37 - A Dealers Goodbye Peyton Griffin''s POV When everything is perfect, a euphoric feeling courses through our veins. From the tips of our toes to the crown of our heads. Nerve endings will go haywire, but that''s only the tip of the iceberg. It gets so perfect that you want to pinch yourself to ensure it''s not a dream. That Ladies and Gents is the feeling of kissing Caleb Parks. As the tears pour down our faces, I kiss him as hard as he kisses me, but we don''t fight for dominance. I allow him to explore every corner of my mouth and return the favour. If I''m being honest, it''s the best kiss I have ever had because I can''t explain it. A seed of doubt plants itself in my mind; if Caleb was a novice as everyone claims him to be, how is it possible he is this skilled with his mouth? It''s a shame that the person giving me such a euphoric feeling will never see me again, and this kiss will remain a memory. As the kiss progressed, I chose this moment to answer the question I had asked myself earlier tonight. Jordan may have been the man I thought was for me a few months ago, but little did I know how wrong I was. And I am hardly ever wrong. If it was Jordan that wanted something from me, and if he got fed up with asking, he would forget about it and pretend I didn''t exist for a couple of weeks. I know it sounds like a toxic relationship, but hey, could you blame me? Look at the man that raised me and how my concept of love is as appealing as watching a rat trying to do doggie style with a snake. I won''t point fingers because I know we are all at fault for our downfalls, but sometimes I think about where it all started. Now I don''t mean my Grand Papi or Father dearest. I''m talking about the sole reason for my practical existence. The reason I don''t have a woman to call a mother. The reason why I am who I am today. The British Empire. The rightful heir to it would be my sister and me. But after experiencing how my life could be without it, I find myself thinking, was it all worth it? Could I still stay selfish and still be selfless? Could I continue living here, push the consequences aside and just enjoy my life for a moment? How ironic that even the woman who birthed me knew that I would know little to no joy in this life yet. I was still forced to live in it. I do what I do for the people I love. For the people, I live for. For the people who deserve so much more than the life, they had been dealt with since birth. Most importantly, I do what I do because I know deep within me, I don''t deserve the happiness I want for these people. I would gladly squash all chances of getting it if they got a chance to have theirs through that. So without further ado, I pull out of the kiss and look into hazel mirrors. Time slows down. The broken girl I see in his eyes is far from the picture I depict myself as. He softly rubs his hand on my face. Our laboured breaths and the crunching of Jack''s chewed popcorn can be heard in the room. "If you let me go tonight, I promise I will be there when you get your happy ending. Deal?" I say, still keeping eye contact. Caleb sighs, "You''re not going to stay to meet her, are you?" I looked at him because he already knew my answer, "What if I say you are my happy ending, that you are the person that should never leave? Because the ending is already here." I gave him a small laugh at his attempt at humour, but I cut it short. I know what he is doing. I''ve done it countless times to get out of sticky situations. "Do we have a deal, Parks?" I try to keep my voice monotone as I look anywhere, but his eyes, afraid to see who will look back at me. My eyes land on Jack in the background. His eyes harden as he chews the white snack. I presume he has put his gift of computers to use. He must have found out why I couldn''t stay, but no matter how good he is at hacking the net, he''ll never know the secret Marcel told me on Halloween night. "Deal." I surprise us both and lean upwards. I peck Caleb at the corner of his lips, not wanting to make it too memorable because it might just be our last. "Goodbye, Caleb." Now that his hands were no longer cradling my face, I felt naked, but I was not going to give in to my desire; to go up to him and hug him one last time. With one last smile, I walked out of the music room and looked at Jack with a sombre expression on my face. "Do me a favour and call the pilot to the private jet." I was on autopilot after that; I packed up my shit and slipped his jacket back on. I didn''t even register when the guys put my luggage into the car. To keep this goodbye short and prevent my resolve from crumbling, I only allowed Jack, Jacob and Shawn to come along. I doubted Caleb would have come, and I''m not sure I can face him again. We stood in front of the private jet on the airstrip. The charcoal colour of the machine reminded me of how bleak my future would be. "And to think I was this close to having my way with you," Jacob says. His attempt at humour makes a sad smile grace my face. "I would be lying if I said that you haven''t grown on me over the last few months," I say, "You all are aware of what would happen if I stayed here any longer." "Yes, but isn''t your happiness worth the aftermath?" Jack asks. "If you looked at it that way, I would be selfish. The people I left back in the British Empire are waiting, and I am wanted, dead or alive but still wanted the least." I reply when Shawn sighs loudly. "Before you leave, I have a deal to offer you." He looks me in the eye to gauge my expression, but my features are already schooled. "If you promise that when all the heat in the Empire blows over and you are still alive and kicking, what happens next?" He cocks a brow. "How exactly is that a deal? You do know how deals work, brother?" Jacob looked at Shawn with a pessimistic eye. "He''s right, but I don''t think you want to make this deal, Shawn. Things might get messy, and I don''t mean in the Empire," I advise him, but I know it''s in vain. This is my fate, and I have no other option but to follow through despite the drastic consequences. "When everything blows over, and no one wants your head on a silver platter, promise me one thing?" "What?" "You come back to him." - I stared out the window as the clouds passed. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. My brain chose this moment to show me all the memories I had made here, especially the ones with Caleb. It started from our little episode in the kitchen, our dates, our moment in the orphanage, and the talent show. It just kept playing in randomly, and it chose to torment me more when it showed the broken look on Caleb''s face when I still insisted on leaving. I found myself pressing a hand to the lips where Caleb had placed his not too long ago, and I felt it all slip. No one was here to see me at such a breaking point in my life, all the more reason to let myself do the one thing I have wanted to do for a long time. I cried. I allowed it to flow, knowing that there would be no one to comfort me, knowing that this was my entire fault. On the inside, I always had this paranoia that my loyalties to people would one day get compromised, and these people are just the beginning. I vowed to protect my sister, but she had sleepless nights with her new bedmate. My stepbrother and best friend would at least admit their feelings to each other and stop playing keep-away, but as far as I know, that wouldn''t last as long as Father dearest had a say in the matter. I came here to hide, to buy myself some time to think. I never knew the list would get longer. But now I have other people to worry about. When I left and refused to comply with my father''s wishes, he would likely use them as leverage against me. Knowing fully well that nothing would faze Charlie, Lola and Danny, not after all we have been through. It''s funny how something else came out of this. I vowed to know why the six-year-old I didn''t say goodbye to; didn''t have her parents, and I found something more drastic than I ever hoped for. Caleb Parks, America''s number one sweetheart and rising Artiste was broken, but not beyond repair. I fixed him, or at least tried to, and then broke him beyond repair. I will go back and ensure he got his happy ending, even though I wouldn''t be in it because I wouldn''t stay for long. I would fix him back up so that whoever he chooses to spend the rest of his life with wouldn''t have to deal with all the baggage that came with him. At the end of it all, I would be alone, and everyone around me would be happy. That''s how it''s meant to be. - The civilians of the Bahamas looked surprised and concluded to do a double-take at me as I walked through the airport searching for my stepbrother. Not that I would blame them, it''s not every day you see a Griffin walking alone in broad daylight without any security detail. Soon people put two and two together, and the press made a beeline toward me. On plan, I wiped out a large hat and my phone. "I thought I asked you to pick me up from the airport and not have a quickie with Charlie, then come pick me up?" I rant while making a sharp turn. The woman who took note of the wandering Griffin had whipped out a camera and was hot on my heels while I ran into people to lose her. Danny groans and a moan comes out of the phone, "I swear on all that is holy. If you do not get your ass here, you will be missing an important organ by nightfall." I say through gritted teeth and duck under a conveyor belt. Turning back sharply, the woman was not giving up. And now she has a couple of friends holding cameras and notepads hot on my heels. Just when I thought things would get better, the announcer says, "Is anyone seeing this? There is a Griffin in the building, I repeat a freakin GRIFFIN!" Thanks, lady. Get back to fucking the pilot. Note the sarcasm. With a huff, I roll my eyes and look for the nearest exit. It is still far from here unless I take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. Today is not my day as I tackle the stairs two at a time. The people in the airport are jumping out of my way on impulse while others hold their loved ones closer to them. What has the Empire been up to since I left? The frightened look of civilians looks paler than before. I finally finished going down the stairs and ran out of the building to face a mob of paparazzi coming my way. This does not look good. A car drives from around them and skids to a halt in front of me. The glass dips, and I see a familiar face. "Are you gonna get in? Or are you going to explain to the public why you are here in broad daylight?" Sarcasm drips from his tone while he repositions the sunglasses on his face. Not needing to be told twice, I open the passenger door, dump my suitcase in the back seat and get into the car. Shane pulls the car in reverse, narrowly missing a photographer by a hair''s breadth before he puts it in drive, and we hightail it out of there. I have no idea where my phone is, and I can''t even be bothered because there are bigger things to handle. "What the hell is going on?" I voice out as he makes three sharp turns, nearly making me swing right out of the car window, but we thank Walt for the Einstein that created seatbelts. "As much as I would love to answer that question, Peyton. We need to get out of this situation first." He grits out when he drifts and runs over a stop sign, nearly running over a cat and a dog having a field day with a rat. "What are you talking about?" My eyebrows furrow. Ignoring my question, he changes gears. We speed down the highway avoiding different kinds of cars. "Check if we''ve lost the cars." "What cars?" My frown deepens. "The three black cars that are following us." I look behind me and see no cars. "No cars are behind us." He exhales in relief, "Good." Shane takes the next exit and enters the rundown part of town. A blanket of darkness rests on us as he drives in an alley, and we park at the very edge of it. Twilight was making an appearance which made me wonder; how long have we been driving? "Now you can play, Curious Cassie." Shane stops the car and gives me his attention. I narrow my eyes at the stupid nickname that he just gave me but decide not to comment on it just yet. "What the hell was that hot wheel chase about?" I start my interrogation. He grins, "Well, we kind of pissed off a couple of people while you were gone." He scratches the back of his neck and avoids eye contact, making me narrow my eyes further. "Who''s this ''we''?" "The Empire and I. Since you left, things have been shaky. Your father fell sick, and Joey took over. He has successfully made us look like tyrants. The Civilians are scared to come to a five-mile radius of the Griffin Estate." "I don''t get it. Last time I checked, you weren''t a part of the Empire." Shane widens his eyes and acknowledges his slip up, but I''m not done. "If Father was sick, why not hand it over to Lola to handle this; since she is his favourite daughter? Not forgetting that if the Empire was a threat to the public, you wouldn''t be affected in any way. Besides, I''m pretty sure the UK and USA became allies because we are here. And we are tyrants, but we get jobs done in the form of deals and only result in killing off people when the deal is not kept." In case you''ve forgotten, Shane Li is the first and only boy of Mrs Sandel and let me tell you this, he''s part Chinese. And to jog up your memory further, the people of the British Empire can behave like a bunch of spineless pricks that can''t get along with anyone who isn''t exactly a hundred per cent British. If you''re like Charlie, who is a descendant of a member of the British Empire, and they didn''t let you into our wonderful family, then you could say we were being Racists. "Care to explain, Shane?" I make sure that my gaze hones in on his face so that I can tell if he''s lying or not. Shane sighs and looks away, "I ran a deal for Joey which went south, so not only am I wanted here, but China has revoked my citizenship. Long story short, I''m a wanted fugitive, and that asshat called Joey can''t help me. Since he is not the rightful leader of the Empire. I figured that if I could persuade you to take over, maybe you could clear my name and stop the Empire from crumbling to pieces." I expected many things to happen while I was gone, but that was not one of them. I mull over what he just said, and something else clicks, "Why on earth will I want to run the Empire? Those people don''t see me as a person fit to be around, not to talk off being their leader." "Did it ever occur to you that maybe Troy told them to act that way towards you to make sure that you feel inadequate to lead?" It''s his turn to interrogate me. I roll my eyes, "Regardless of not wanting to cross their boss, what happened to Lola or I don''t know Torent?" "You know the etiquette; it must stay in the family, no matter what happens." I run my hands through my hair and take steady breaths. I left Caleb for this. I don''t know whether to be happy that he would never know the kind of baggage I carry around with me or to be sad. I threw away my only shot at happiness to ensure that the people I call family get theirs. My life, everybody. "Would this be a bad time to ask about your trip?" He has a guilty smile on his lips. I shot him a look that said, ''really, you want to go down this lane.'' "I am known for my impeccable timing, aren''t I?" He grins at me. "It went better than I thought it would. In fact, it went so well that I have a question for you, Li. Was your father a lawyer?" Shane doesn''t trust his words because he nods. "Interesting. You wouldn''t happen to know where my mother''s will is, would you?" I grin sweetly at him. "Unfortunately, I do. But Peyton, I want to make a deal with you." He inquired, "If we make it out alive, I want you to clear my name in China." I nod, "Wouldn''t I need to clear up your name here first?" He gives me a look that tells me he is wondering about my sanity levels, "When you become the leader of the empire, don''t you automatically get a say in what goes and stays in the political affairs?" "Obviously, but that rule stopped surviving since the Empire partially moved here from the UK." Shane tsks, "You have a lot to remember and even more so if you are to set things right." "Now that we''ve gotten the status update about the Empire and you, what happened to Charlie?" Shane smiles at the mention of his younger sister, "I left her in the hands of Torent, so I''m allowed to assume that they are both fine." "By fine, you mean that they both forgot to come to pick me up because they were blowing out their minds, then yes." I can already imagine the look on Charlie''s face when I get my hands on those two. I blow a stubborn curl of blonde hair from my face. My hair is now back to its natural blonde state, and I didn''t bother to wear my contacts today, so it''s not a wonder for people to have quickly recognized me. "As for Lola and Kendall?" His name alone left a bad taste in my mouth, but I should at least have a heads up before I walk back into the Griffin Estate. "Kendall has been shady lately, and Lola and I are not on speaking terms as of late." His eyes darken slightly, a clear sign for me that I have entered a very touchy subject. You win this round, Shane, but if you want my help, I suggest you make honesty your best policy unless your loyalty may be compromised. Chapter 38 - My baby is all grown up, falling in love and whatnot. You are never truly alone till the last light in your life gets sucked away. -Peter Parks. Caleb Parks'' POV They say the first of everything is always deemed magical, and I couldn''t agree more. I never saw the need to establish a romantic connection with anyone. The world clearly didn''t agree with my logic because it threw a blonde girl with blue eyes my way, and she turned my whole life upside down. I don''t know what came over me, but I had to kiss her even if I''ll keep replaying it in my head till thy kingdom come. It was totally worth it. Although I don''t regret taking Jack up on his offer on how to kiss a girl. Never thought kissing a sack of popcorn would become a life skill. I wouldn''t be surprised if Peyton has been in previous relationships and compared us. I know I won''t be able to hold a candle to them, but a guy can hope, can''t he? I guess Ken''s wish came true; America''s sweetheart finally had a girl rock his world. Not surprisingly, she was the one to break the kiss. Her striking blue eyes filled with regret. Was I really that bad? I brush her cheeks, hoping it''s not a dream. She''s going to reconsider her choices and stay. Please give us a chance. Everything blurs as I focus on the amazing girl standing before me. She did what I was too much of a Coward to do all these years. I guess you can say that I''m making a mountain out of a molehill, hoping against hope that she will stay despite the deal we made. What could be so dire that she wants to leave at all costs? "If you let me go tonight, I promise I will be there when you get your happy ending, Deal?" We share a passionate kiss, and the first that leaves her mouth is a deal that I can''t make. "You''re not going to stay to meet her, are you?" I say, but it was of no use. As usual, she had already figured me out. "What if I say you are my happy ending, that you are the person that should never leave? Because the ending is already here." I go for the grovelling approach because it''s true. I can''t imagine connecting with anyone else like this girl has done for me, and to say that I want to keep her here would be the understatement of the year. "Do we have a deal, Parks?" She attempts to look nonchalant, but I see right through it. Her gaze takes me in as if it''s the last time that we will meet. She looks pained as if this decision is out of her hands, and I can''t begin to fathom why. If this Empire; she speaks of prevents her from being happy, I''ll help her leave one way or the other. "Deal," I say. All I wanted to do was kiss her, again and again. I want to do that and much more, but Carol and Dinah raised me to be a gentleman. The lady''s consent and her happiness have to be accounted for. But can she say she''s not happy here, with me? I''m pulled out of my doubting thoughts when I feel a warm pair of lips near my mouth. "Goodbye, Caleb." She gives me a pained smile and walks out of the room, where I hear her tell Jack to call the pilot. I stand there and allow the last beacon of light to leave my life. - I don''t know how long I''ve stood here and watched the door she used to walk out of the music room, out of my life. But Jacob walks in and shakes his head at my transfixed state. "I''m not even going to comment on this now," He says, "Jacob and Shawn with me are driving Peyton to the airport, and we''ll wait for the private plane to leave there and head to Africa and pick up Trish." He gives me a bro hug, and before he leaves the room, he turns back and offers me a sly smile, "We will work with those unkissable lips later." He winks and walks out. I allow my thoughts to remind me of the moments we spent together. I''m supposedly used to people leaving me; I lost two sets of parents now I lost the girl I wanted to have kids with. Life is cruel. Knowing that I won''t be getting a good sleep after all that''s happened today, I walk out of the music room and head to the corridor under the steps. I stop by Abigail''s room and open the door quietly. She is lying on her back with a mischievous smile on her lips. The thought of explaining what happened to her parents crosses my mind, and I shake my head. I guess some heartbreaks are postponed. One hurdle for another time. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. I kissed her forehead and ruffled her head slightly. I head over to my other sister''s room, expecting her to be asleep under the covers but imagine my surprise when I walk into her monochrome room that is dimly lit. She sat on her bed facing the window that showed the slowly descending moon. Her voice freezes my hand as I reach for the light switch. "If you came here to check up on me, I''m fine, but I know you''re not." She hasn''t even turned her face to look at me, but I know Marci is hurt. "Why are you still up?" I mutter and close the door behind me and rest on it. "Just thinking," She hums, "So she''s gone, huh?" I close the distance between us and sit on the bed. "Yea," "I remember telling her not to break your heart; she did just that." "Why so little faith in me?" I drawled with fake disappointment in my tone. Marci snorts, "Oh please, you looked like a lost puppy, and she was stringing you on a leash. But I know she still felt something for you but was conflicted." "I wonder why," I say matter of factly. "I really wanted to keep going with..." "Please tell me you did not sleep with her in the music room?!" Marci looks appalled by the idea. I sigh, "Only if things were that easy." "I am never going into that room ever again, jeez! Did you at least clean up the place afterwards?" "Marcella, all we did was share a kiss. And for the love of coconuts, what would make you think that?" I say mortified. Marci looks at me, but her complexion makes it hard for me to read her expression. I know without a doubt that she is glaring at me for using her full name. "Never mind." For the first time in a long while, an awkward silence happens between us. "Would it be a bad time to say I know how to use dad''s shotgun?" Marci shrugs and says without warning. I chuckled humorlessly, "I''m not sure if I want to know how that went down." She raises her hands in mock surrender, "Just saying, you never know when it can come in handy." Our laughter filled the air, but it lacked mirth. "So, how do we go about our lives that are currently falling apart?" I do a double-take at my little sister. It''s fair to say that mine is; Peyton walked out of this house with not only my first kiss, my heart, and my last hope of finding happiness but with my happily ever after. "Peyton and I shared a kiss while crying, and she left me in her dust with more questions about herself than when we first met." Marci gave me a pat on my shoulder, "Hate to say it, brother, but I told you so." Spoken like a Wellington. I sigh. "And I agree. It does beg the question of what is this Empire, even capable of for her to leave like this." All I know about Peyton Griffin is that she lives to not only please the people that are close to her but to protect them by making deals. She knows how to make deals as if she were a gangster and don''t even get me started on her attitude. I could go on and on about what makes this girl intrigue me, but I prefer to focus on my little sister, who is slowly becoming a shell of herself. Marci would never stay up this late unless Nate was involved, but you can never be sure with teenagers. "You didn''t answer my question." I glance around her dimly lit room. "Can I say I was testing out the theory of twilight?" She grinned at me. I scowl, "Out with it." "Just for the record, your nosiness will get you killed one day." She huffed. I take a leaf out of Peyton''s book and do an eye roll, "You''re stalling." Marci focuses her attention on the picturesque view of sunrise. "Did my dad tell you what went down in the mansion a few nights ago?" She says with no emotion in her voice. Marcel did say that the dinner was a disaster earlier this evening, "He did, but according to him, you were numb." "I still am. It''s not every day your mom tells you that she wants to walk out of your life because she wanted to give you siblings." At that moment, I knew that Marci was crushed, and I had little to no idea how to help her. As she said; it''s not every day that you find out the perfect family you are used to is about to fall apart in front of your very eyes. I pull her closer and hug her against my chest, and she wraps her hands around my neck. The waterworks begin, and I allow her to cry it out while I hold her against me. I let a few tears slip from my eyes. The last thing I remember is that things don''t always go the way we plan when it comes to the people close to us. - Marci was the first to wake up from our uncomfortable position on the bed. Her face was puffy, and her eyes were swollen and red. I hope Marcel and Dinah work out their issues and realise that the effects it will have on Marci will be more drastic than they think. "What time is it?" Marci rubs her eyes with her knuckles. I dread how her emo look would make her look dead, but there is only so much I could do. "We will get through this, okay?" I hold her face and look into her lifeless light chocolate orbs. Why do I have the sickening feeling that the last time Marci would show any emotion was last night? She doesn''t even grace me with a response because she nods. I kiss her forehead and leave her to her own antics. I walk into my room and instantly regret it. "I can see that the homecoming is going according to plan." I snort as I continue to take the scene before me. I walked in to see Taryn straddling Jack while they sucked each other''s face''s off with his back to me and his other senses dull. Taryn was the one among the duo that heard and saw me first. So in a true Taryn fashion, she pushes Jack away, rushes up to me and jumps. She wrapped her hand around my neck and legs around my waist as a bright smile graced her lips. "My favourite best friend," She grins before hugging me while hanging on me like a Koala. Jack let out the famous attention-gaining cough, which makes Taryn throw a wink his way. "I heard that you are finally whipped, and she left. I am not even going to convince you to forget about her. If you tell me that you will give up on love again because of what went down while I left, I''ll have you know that I have a new pair of heels. They are sharp and pointy." She finishes her rant while raising one of her hands to pinch my cheeks. I didn''t even get to respond to her rant because she cooed at me, "My baby is all grown up, falling in love and whatnot." I grimaced because she most likely had done her nails recently. She did have a point because I was already leaning towards the ''no more love'' zone again, but now that I had a taste of it, I wanted more. But there were many things to take into consideration. If you think about it, there was actually a lot to consider. Apart from the Empire, the press was already spreading rumours about us, and Ken is still trying to get another interview before we leave for NYC. Safe to say that if the Empire didn''t rip us apart, then the press most likely would, but I would never allow that. Jack sighed dramatically and threw his hands up in the air, "We''ve established that you are happy for him. Can you please get down and finish what you started?" I do a double-take at them, "Not in my room." "So he speaks." Taryn grins at me with mischief. "I missed you too." I kiss her cheek as she slides down from my body. Jack narrows his eyes at her, "When we met in the airport, the first thing you did was slap my youth off my face." Taryn snorts, "What youth? Last time I checked, your hair dye finished before I left, and your roots look slicker with the grey outlines, Babe." She throws a seductive but sarcastic wink at Jack as she starts moving closer to the door. "As fun as this reunion is, I must continue what I was doing with Jacob. Peace!" She raises two fingers and dashes out of the room while yelling for Jacob. Jack looks upward and curses before going after her. I missed this, but I missed Peyton more. I miss how she always wanted to put me in my place at the smallest of opportunities. I miss how she inspired me to move on from the previous hurt. What''s more, is that I miss how it felt to have someone to connect in a level entirely foreign to me, and I crave the feeling. I crave it so bad it hurts my heart to think she is miles away. I will have my happy ending. Empire and Paparazzi be damned. Chapter 39 - Are you familiar with the Empire, the British empire? Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Chapter 40 - A Deal with Devils Keeper Peyton Griffin''s POV "So, where to now?" Shane asks as we pull out of the alleyway and drive down the back roads to avoid attention. I turn to him and smirk, "I think it''s time I made my presence home known. Take me to the Griffin estate." The Griffin estate. Where I spent most of my teenage years when my grandfather shipped both Lola and me here with Father Dearest. We own this land, and since we play a vital role in not only the politics of the UK but America as well, the people have no choice but to let us be and allow us to get away with anything we please. Since this is not our mother soil, the structures here are still magnificent yet temporary, at least that''s what I believe. Sooner or later, Lola and I have to take the power of the Empire, and I plan on doing it in my home town at least. During my stay in Miami, I realized that no matter how much you fight it, you can''t run from destiny or fate, as some people call it. Nature will still take its course, and all you can do is not be caught off guard. We pull up to the largest building in the estate that sits in the middle, taunting people with how white it looks. If you ask me, it bears a striking resemblance to the white house. Shane cuts the engine off and looks at me, "I think this is the part where I ask if you want to go through with this?" I sigh and look around. The guards are walking around with dogs by their side since it''s already curfew. The streets are illuminated by the lonely lamp posts. The tension in this place was always there, but today it felt thicker. "It''s now or never, Li." I offer a small-hearted grin, and we walk out of the car. The guards look at us with raised brows, and their hands tighten on their guns, not that I blame them. I am the runaway heiress while my friend beside me is a wanted man; my sitcom life never has a dull moment, does it? I roll my eyes at their antics; they dare not hurt one of their own. Heiress or not, my grandfather is the only one allowed to kill people. Even though he isn''t here, killing his granddaughter is not a good idea. It''s like they tattooed ''untouchable'' on my forehead. Runaway or not, it''s time I do what I was born to do. Shane and I walk towards the building I grew up in; so much has happened, but I refuse to go down memory lane. Now is not the time. I lead the way as the two of us walk to the office where the Devil in sheep''s clothing sits. "It''s about time the prodigal daughter returned home, but if you think I will welcome you with open arms, then you, my dear, are denser than I thought." I scoff and walk deeper into the office while Shane closes the door after us. "I think we should finally have that talk which was brewing, don''t you?" I say with a grim tone. He smirks, "Oh, do tell Peyton, what could you and I have in common to want to discuss?" "Let''s start with what you did with my father?" My Father and I haven''t had a good relationship, but I''d pick him over the Devil before me. If I wanted him dead, which I partially do, I''d kill him myself. "He''s been indisposed." He waved off dismissively. "Is that the term you use when you give him a mind-blowing orgasm, and he falls into a coma?" I say in a sugar-sweet tone. He grits his teeth while pinching the bridge of his nose, "Get to the point of this whole meeting." "I want to get married tomorrow." I can already picture the confused and shocked look on Shane''s face. I would love to wipe that smirk off Joey''s face, but I''m not in the position to do so, at least not now. "You''ve been in town in less than twenty-four hours, surely you''d want to give my son a heads up that he is no longer a bachelor, but I''m not too sure Chloe''s youngest spawn will be happy about it." I shake my head firmly, "By noon, I will wed Danny, but I want something in return." "And why would I strike a deal with you?" He cocks a brow as if to try and see my inner motive. "Because Torent, I know something. Something you want to stay in the wraps till the day you die. You didn''t think I went on a vacation to Miami, did you?" I fake a pout. I have him where I want him. "And what is it that you know, Griffin?" He spits my last name in anger. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. I nudge my head to the side, "I''m not sure that you want me saying it in a place that is clearly not sound proof and we are not alone." "If you do get married to my son tomorrow, what do you want in return?" "You drop the charges against Shane to allow him to leave the country, and his Chinese citizenship should be returned. Do that, and I will gladly do nuptials with your son." "Deal." I nod, not trusting my mouth to not say something stupid. But before I could leave, Joey said something that made me stop in my tracks. "Remember Griffin," "What?" "You know how deals work. Cross me, and everyone you hold dear will be gone. The bluff that you hold over my head would be worthless." "Then I guess now is the time I tell you that your beauty has grown to be a carbon copy of Yzma." - The ride out of the British estate is a silent one. Shane pulls up in a duplex at the corner of town but still near the estate. It has twenty-four-hour surveillance, barbed wires, electric fences and land mines. It looked more like a Government prison than a house, but the occupants were valuable. "Why did you do that?" Shane cuts the engine and gives me his full attention. "I said I would clear your name, and I did, didn''t I?" I look out the window and admire the ducks in the pond nearby. "If I know you as well as I do, there''s a catch. What is it?" "I''ve sacrificed enough to ensure that Lola gets to be happy when all this blows over. I suggest that you do the same when the time comes." I smile slyly and turn to face him. He scoffs at my statement, "Since you''ve been off the grid for the last three months, let me fill you in finally. Lola hasn''t acknowledged my existence since her wedding night." "I won''t assume who''s at fault and take sides but remember, family comes first. Get your priorities in order unless you want to decide who you want to be loyal to right this minute." I glare at him when he takes longer to reply. "I''m not sure what game you''re playing, Peyton, but if someone dies because of your need to act like a Martyr, then I want no part of this!" Can people not know how to remain loyal after the deal is done? I raise an unamused brow in Shane''s direction, "Say that again, and I''ll make sure I help Jordan end your life. Now I''m going to sleep, and I suggest you do the same. Tomorrow will be a long day." Without another word, I walk out of the car and into the Sandel Mansion. Not much is known about Charlie''s father, but he was a rich man with ties to ruthless people. There is a rumour that he was part of the Empire, he was killed, and the issue was swept under the rug. I never bothered to find out because there were certain parts of the Empire records I wasn''t allowed to look through. Speaking of Mrs Sandel, as soon as I walk into the Mansion, she walks in with frizzy bed hair and a butcher knife in hand. "If you are here for my son''s head, you will have to get through me first bitches!" She sends the knife through the air, and it lands close to the top of my head. If I were Peter Pan, I can bet on the fairies of Neverland that my shadow would have run away. "Nice to see you again, Mrs Sandel," I wave with a smile despite the large blade that hangs above my head. Mrs Sandel''s features change from pissed off to excited in seconds as she runs to me, pulls me into a bone-crushing hug then proceeds to kiss every inch of my face. "I missed you, young lady." With one more kiss on my forehead, she holds me to herself. "Are you okay?" She whispers. Am I okay? I walked away from probably my Mr Right. I am about to get married to my best friend''s boyfriend, who is also my stepbrother, and they are both blissfully ignorant of my whereabouts. My sister is still married, as far as I know, and her knight in shining armour just finished having an argument with me. I am okay indeed. I allow only a tear slip from my eye that wets her shoulder. This will be the last one I will ever shed. I am ready to face Nature fully prepared. Mrs Sandel pulls back and wipes away the trail that the tear left as if she knows the mantra that I just ranted in my head. A shit grin takes over her face. "Dinah called, and we can continue our reunion in my study." Like mother, like daughter, Mrs Sandel pulls me through the house covered in pictures and antics from different places. We enter her study, sketch pads and cloth materials littered everywhere. "So Caleb Parks?" She smirks as we sit on the fur couch across from each other. "Jezz, you kiss a guy and never hear the end of it." I fake a gag and fight off the blush taking over my face as the memory of us kissing comes to mind. "Your face tells me otherwise," Like a drama queen, she decides to sip her water as if it were tea. "Don''t worry. I''m pretty sure the talk I had with you is still vivid in your memory, but if not, I am more than ready to be a grandma." If I were drinking water, I would have spat it out. I sigh. "What''s eating you up, doll? Judging by the screaming match you and Shane had, it must be something big." She raises her brows expectantly. "I am getting married to Danny tomorrow," "Not surprised, but is Jordan aware?" Not gonna lie. That question took me off guard. I almost forgot about the current Don of Spanish Mafia, that will stop at nothing to have me as his once again. "Nope, but if he is, I highly doubt he would crash the wedding." I snort. She cocks a brow, "It''s like you''ve forgotten that love can drive the sanest of people to the brink of mental unbalance." "Oh, don''t I know it. If by chance he does, there is only so much and yet so little he could do. By coming unannounced and with malicious intent, I''m very sure that my father and Joey would raise hell. After all, this wedding has been anticipated for a long time now." "But if he comes, what is supposed to happen?" I turn to face Shane. He still has a scowl, clearly not happy with how everything is going. Get in line, bud, because nothing goes as we plan. "For starters, if things go south, I need you to keep Lola out of harm''s way. What better way to end matrimony than a bullet war." I smirk. "What use am I there?" I turn my attention back to Mrs Sandel. "Mrs Sandel, I never pictured you as a fan of blood and gruesome murder?" I say with surprise. She snorts, "Then dearie, you have much to learn about me then. I''ll come to make sure that you make it out alive." I sigh and look away, "Were it not for my life, we wouldn''t be here, and my mom would have set the records straight." I feel a grip on my shoulder, "I once told you that your martyr act will get you killed one day. My theory may come to pass sooner than we know it." "Shane Li!" Mrs Sandel glared at her son, "I''ve told you to call me Chloe already. I may have been married, but I''m not that old." I shrug off her request, but she''s not having any of it. Chloe moves closer to me, "I hope you know that your mother does not regret having you." I snort; I find that hard to believe. "Now that we are done with the bedtime stories, I believe we have to sleep. I have a wedding tomorrow, and I don''t wanna walk down that aisle while bearing a striking resemblance to Ursula." I try to make light of the matter and divert the spotlight from myself. Shane snorts, but Chloe sees right through me and shakes her head stiffly while giving my shoulder a firm squeeze. Chapter 41 - A Dealers Wedding Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! Chapter 42 - What is it with these people and deals? Some people are better known as strangers. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV "Remind me again, why do we have to wear tuxedos?" Jacob groaned as we stepped out of the plane. The weather was sizzling hot, not that I would blame him for his constant nagging. The temperature in Miami has already dropped since Christmas is approaching at a fast pace. After another show given to us by Jack and Taryn, who did the deed in the cockpit, again. I doubt the pilot will be overjoyed to sit in there and fly us back to Miami. According to Marcel, we are walking into a wedding, and the best bet that we would have is to stay hidden in plain sight. ''If the Empire wanted their heir to stay, then they would eliminate all her distractions regardless of the repercussions.'' I''m still not clear about the capabilities of these people, so I''ll leave it to Peyton to explain when we find her. Meanwhile, all of us were in crisp black suits apart from Taryn. She chose to wear a bright red maxi dress. It was mid-high with a cold shoulder, ruffles at the bottom and two slits at the edges. Marcel said his friend would pick us up from the airport, and head over to the Empire. "If I knew that you would look this scrumptious in suits, then I would have made an invitation." Taryn had a Cheshire grin as she worked her hair-do like a pro. Jack climbs down the stairs and stands with us on the airstrip. Jacob lets out a wolf whistle, and we all look where his eyes are set. A woman in leather pants, black high-heeled boots with a black tank and a leather jacket walk our way with her hair in a tight ponytail and shades on her face. When she is within hearing distance, she slips her glasses to the top of her dark hair and does a double-take. "When Marcel said he had a deal to call for, I was expecting something challenging." What is it with these people and deals? "Well then, love, I can show you how challenging I can be if you point us to the nearest wall." Jacob closes the distance between him and her and covers her frame with his shoulders. The woman smiles slightly before using one hand to grip his wrist and flip him over. Jacob lands on his back with a thud, but she spares him no glance as she walks closer to us. "If you want to go into the Empire and make it out of there alive, I suggest that none of you tries something like this Idiot and be on your guard." She came up to me and looked into my eyes like those cynical cops on NCIS, "My daughter sure knows how to pick them." I furrowed my brows, isn''t Peyton''s mother late? Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. A hand clapped, and we saw Taryn grinning at the woman. "Long time no see." The woman gave her a nod, "Likewise," Then she turned to look at us, "We best be going. The wedding begins a bit before noon." She walked towards Jacob, and with only one hand, she helped him up and said harshly. "I would be careful if I were you unless you plan on losing the only thing that proves you to be a man when we get there." We trailed behind her as Jacob was now sulking and grumbling under his breath. Jack and I were walking the sides of Taryn while Jacob and Shawn flanked our sides. "Mind filling us with who the chick is?" Jack asked his girlfriend. She snorted, "I''d rather not say till later." "So is anyone going to get him some pain meds? Or are we going to put up with his groaning for the rest of the day?" She directed our attention to Jacob, who held his shoulder as if it were sprained. The woman that was apparently leading us stopped in front of a sleek black minivan. She placed her hand on the windshield, and it glowed bright green before the sound of doors being unlocked was heard. She opened the driver''s side, pulled out a bag of small pills, and threw them at Jacob. He was lucky that his brother caught it for him. "You will need those. Now let''s get going; we have a wedding to catch." We piled into the car, but she made me get in shotgun as she started the car and revved it once before we pulled out of the airstrip and took a road that was suddenly surrounded by trees. "I think this is the part where I ask who you are." She looked at the rearview mirror and made eye contact with Jack. "All you need to know is that I am a friend of Marcel. I know my daughter would kill me, but I think you should know that when we walk into the Empire; you won''t walk out on the same person." The air in the car dropped, but she still continued speaking. "The people of the Empire have a funny way of doing things. The most ideal thing is to make deals. The Empire is solely for people with white asses and a straight British background. Furthermore, if you think you can convince Peyton to go with you, may the force be with you." Why did this all seem familiar? "Okay, I have a question," We focused our attention on Shawn. "If you think Peyton wouldn''t walk out with us, then why are you helping us get to her?" She chuckled humorlessly, "I would say not to bite the hand that fed you, but after shit hits the fan, I think Popstar over here will be her best bet at remaining sane." She jutted her nose in my direction. I rolled my eyes, "And why would that be?" She looked at me for a split second before her eyes returned to the road, "Wait and see for yourself." I internally scoffed. I would have gladly done that outside, but she did just hurt one of my bodyguards, and she was in control of the car that we were in. I knew when to exchange personalities with Shawn. The car was silent as we approached a big white mansion. Many men in black suits walked around it, holding different weapons. "I don''t suppose you have an invitation card somewhere?" Taryn asked the woman. The woman smirked as she looked over her shoulder and locked eyes with Taryn, "I think you''re familiar with the situation." They both nodded as a silent message passed between them. "What the hell are we walking into?" Jack asked the question that was in my head. "Watch and learn, boys." With those words, both girls came down from the car and stood back to back as they took out the few men in black suits without breaking a sweat. Using moves that I never knew Taryn possessed, I knew she was flexible, but I didn''t think she was that flexible. I''m starting to doubt if I knew Taryn as well as I thought I did. They opened the car doors and handed us small guns that looked loaded, but not that I would know. "Stay hidden." Taryn directed Shawn and Jacob as the woman led them to the edge of the building. "I''ll ask one more time. What is going on?"Jack grabbed her waist and held eye contact with her as if daring her to lie to him. She sighed and pulled him into a swift kiss, "I''m gonna have to ask you to trust me." Jack looked uncertain but nodded his head regardless. She looked at me and nodded as we walked wordlessly to the mansion. With a smirk, she kicked the doors down and raised one of her heels in the air, "I suggest you bitches remain sited unless you want me to use my heel to give you a freaking new hole." It was like time stopped as I looked at the girl who stole my heart being held at gunpoint by two different men, and my eyes honed in on her outfit. She was in a white dress. Chapter 43 - Guilt of a Dealer This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Chapter 44 - A Dealers Battle cry Peyton Griffin''s POV The moment I stepped into my former home, the sight of the members of the British Empire stole my interest. From the ones that sit on the pews -the grand foyer a church vibe- to the bulky men clad in suits with wires on their necks who guard the perimeter to ensure everything goes according to plan. Before I can examine the place for escape routes, a sight that looks oddly familiar comes into view. "Welcome back, sister." I take in my other half''s appearance. Lola''s blonde hair which resembled the sun was now deathly pale. Her blue orbs had an icy look in them. I also didn''t miss how she sneered at the word sister. I pulled her into a hug but she was stiff in my arms and deathly thin. What the hell happened? I pulled away from the hug to take in the damage of the situation. Never thought that I would think of my sister that way, but as Marci would say, there is a first time for everything. "Now that you are back, the world can continue revolving around you like a fucking princess," She spat. I did a double-take; the Lola I know would never curse, much less at me. "Pardon?" I looked her over. I felt a pair of hands place a veil on my head, but I swatted them away. It seems like I should have interrogated Shane more if I knew I would get this kind of reception from my own sister. "You heard me, right dearie. You think that I don''t see what has been happening. You said that going to Miami was a journey you had to take alone so that you could find us a way to be free from our father dearest, but little did I know that you went there to seduce Caleb Parks." I felt my jaw drop lower than Ariel''s home floor. Did she just? I felt anger boil in my veins. Only one person confronted me in Miami and could preach such idiocy, but I blame myself for once dating such a moron. Lola rolled her eyes as she took in my jaw-slacked reaction to her claim. "I think our reunion is over, have a nice marital life. I know I have. See you around. Sis," There she goes again with saying that endearment like a curse word. She walked past me and brushed me harshly. I could have sworn that I would have fallen if Danny wasn''t standing nearby. I moved to go after her, but Danny was two steps ahead of me because he grabbed my wrist and tugged me closer to himself while he whispered in my ear. "You can save her later. The important thing is that we make it out of here alive. Shane went after her immediately she walked past you, so just know that she is in good hands." He held my cheeks and placed the veil on my hair, "Now I believe we have a marriage to attend. Remember, if you lose your cool too soon, our lives might just meet again in hell." He pecked my cheek and walked towards the altar, leaving me with my thoughts in a jumbled mess. I sighed and tried to hold back the tear that threatened to come out of my eye. "I believe it''s bad luck for the bride to cry on her wedding day until she and the groom share a dance." A familiar voice says and wraps a hand around my shoulders. I look back down and come into eye contact with Mr Rogers. I reel in my emotions and give him a bear hug. At that moment, the clich¨¦ bridal march song started playing in the background, and the younger members of the empire began walking as they made up the groom''s men and bride''s maid. "I would have come sooner, but Chloe made sure to prep me up and not get shot, reminding me that I have four women to return to." He grinned as he pulled back from the hug. "I would ask you what is eating you up, but Chloe has already filled me in. Dare I ask, are you sure that black wouldn''t have suited you more than the traditional white gown." I laughed. As a man who is old enough to be my father, Mr Rogers always knew how to comfort and scold me like a true father. Hence when I had two fathers at my disposal, I chose him to walk me down the aisle. "Shall we?" He stretched out his elbow, and I took it. We began walking down the aisle. I didn''t miss the sneers and mostly quiet jabs thrown my way. I have my sperm donor to thank for that. "You know, I always thought of you as a spring wedding kind of gal." He spoke, trying to lighten the tense mood around us as the people stared us down like petulant children. Truth be told, Mr Rogers is already aware of this place for some time now. He walked into the store to pick up his girls, and I was having a mini-mental breakdown because the day was my birthday, and I wanted to be left alone. Danny and Charlie spent the day with Lola as my request as the birthday girl, and Mr Rogers gave me a listening ear that day. Since then, I''ve never been more grateful that a bar is across the street from Kid''s Paradise. "I want you to know that you are not only the selfless woman you paint yourself as. You deserve the happiness you want for the close people around you, and that does not make you selfish in any way. And if it helps, my wife has decided to clear up the guest room of our house. In case you want to get away from the world once in a while." I nodded because I could not trust my mouth not to blurt out anything sensible. We reached the end, and he kissed my cheek before handing me over to Danny and whispered harshly. "We may not be related by blood, but if you hurt her, this empire would be the least of your worries." It was hard to take the sweet man seriously because he was naturally born with childish features, but regardless Danny upheld the act and kept his features neutral. I climbed the step while the priest in question motioned for everyone to sit. I tuned out the beginning part of whatever speech he was giving because I like Danny, had better things to cover. We were on the lookout for my father, but he surprisingly was nowhere in sight. You would have thought that the person who wanted this matrimony would be here, but I stand corrected. Charlie nodded subtly at us as she started making her way to the flowering plant at the corner of the room that led to a secret door. It would give way to the hallway in front of my father''s study, where I met with Joey the night I returned. I was snapped out of my trance by the words I was waiting for. "If you object to this matrimony, speak up or forever hold your peace." The priest said. And on cue, the nincompoop I dated pointed a gun at me as he stood up from the edge of the congregation where he sat. "I fucking object!" Jordan yelled as his face took an interesting shade of red. As if it were practised, all the men in suits who were supposedly guards of the Empire, pointed their guns at him, but in doing so, they did not see the other men who were pretending to be them but were really part of the Spanish Mafia. They put the guns on their heads, making the guns at Jordan lower until only Jordan was the only man with a gun pointed at his target. "Mi Amore, if memory serves me right, we made a deal that you would marry me, no?" He was seething as his words came out with a force to be reckoned with, and his accent was thick. I rolled my eyes; he always was one for the dramatics. "That was if you brought me the book, but you didn''t," I state. The people were looking from me to Jordan to see who was telling the truth, but some were leaning towards Jordan''s side of things with the dirty expressions they were giving me. It was one thing to make a deal with an outsider, and it was another thing to not fulfil your end of the bargain. After all, the Empire operated solely on the Deals; that the Griffin family made. "Ah yes, the book, your mother''s journal to be exact." He chuckled darkly, "You sent me on a wild goose chase because, by the time I checked for it and didn''t find it, you were already miles away." You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Before I could retort to his accusation, which was actually spot on, he shouted. "Joey! Get your estupido culo out here and explain yourself. This was not the deal we made." Translation: stupid ass After a silence that could be cut by one of the knives from Captain Hook''s crew, the man of the hour graced us with his presence. He came in through the main entrance and closed it after himself. He had a wild smile that could rival Joker and a gun in hand. "You''re one to talk about deals not being upheld; you wanted to give me money so that the Mafia that you hold so dear to your heart doesn''t know that you are not its rightful leader," Joey commented with a snide tone. If it were more possible, the vein on Jordan''s head swelled and throbbed faster. "But we will get to you later," Joey dismissively nodded his head at Jordan before facing the priest. "By all means, go on with the ceremony." He declared. Jordan clearly wasn''t having it as he stalked closer to where Danny and I stood and aimed his gun at Danny? Am I missing something here? Joey cocked his gun, thereby removing the safety setting on it, "If you take a step closer, I promise that your remains will be buried next to your poor excuse of a Mafia." He warned. The irony was that his gun was pointed at me and Jordan redirected his gun from Danny to me. "If I may, what the hell is wrong with you lot?" I screeched, getting tired of this version of a Texas shot out where I was now the target. I think someone up there just wanted this day to be more memorable than it already is, because Caleb, Jack and another girl burst through the closed door at that moment. "I suggest you bitches remain sited unless you want me to use my heel to give you a freaking new hole." The girl with them had a very sharp high heel raised in the air as she commanded one of the most feared sets of people. On further scrutinizing, I came up with the conclusion that this was Taryn. The girl who apparently had Jack''s heart captive. I saw Caleb visibly gulp as he took in my appearance, and I have never wanted to hide in a hole in the ground more than this. "I see that I am right on time." A female voice spoke. All heads turned to the figure in a black cloak; she stood on the railing overlooking the room. She wiped out two guns, "You know what they say; a wedding is never complete without a burial following right after." I could see her dark smile underneath her cloak as she shot at the men on either side of her, effectively killing both men from the British Empire and the Spanish Mafia. And that my friends, was when all hell broke loose. The congregation scattered as people took cover from the shootout that was happening. Danny and I ducked as a stray bullet came our way. I saw from my peripheral when Joey left the room through the same door that Charlie went through, and I visibly gulped. Seems like my stepbrother saw it as well because he was about to make his way there, but I stopped him. Knowing him, he would make matters worse. He would charge in there with his emotions in charge of his actions, and Charlie would suffer the brunt of it. I can''t have that on my consciousness. After all, it was my fight, not theirs. "I''ll get Charlie; you go make sure that Caleb and his posse make it out of here alive." Danny nodded wordlessly. He got up and made his way through the crowd fighting them off. He was flexible to dodge the bullets and the weapons that were partly aimed at him. Meanwhile, I removed the train of my dress and shrugged off my veil. I went to the private door at the other end of the room. It opened to a corridor, and I found myself at the other end of the house. I cursed at myself quietly and decided to take the shortest route I knew. I opened the door next to me and walked into the man; I would contemplate if they told me I could finally get rid of him. My father, Troy Reynold Griffin. He looked like a mess even though I wanted to hate him. The child in me that longed for a parent spoke volumes. She clawed at my insides, demanding an audience with her sperm donor. "Peyton?" He questioned as if he was struggling to breathe. I glared at him suspiciously, "Father." I found it almost coincidental that he just happened to be here when chaos happens under his own roof. I contemplated walking away and put the plan into action, but he stopped me. "Can you listen to me for a moment?" I turned my head back to him so fast that I would have been whiplashed. When did my father start using polite words; to not just anyone but the daughter he despised the most because I killed the love of his life. I chuckled humouredly; I can''t waste a second because I have a best friend to save. "I would say yes, but you once told me not to tell a lie." I spat with venom and tried to storm out of the room again. Keyword: Tried. "You didn''t kill your mother. I did." I felt my breath get caught in my throat. But Father dearest did not give me the privilege of trying to understand what he was saying. "It was planned at the hospital that night. I was too proud to actually take a good look at the nurses that they stationed that day. One thing led to another, and Faith lost so much blood." I felt as if someone was trying to claw away my throat as I tried to speak. My voice was very hoarse, but the silence in the room allowed him to hear what I had to say. "What are you trying to say?" "I''m trying to say I made a deal that went horribly wrong." Again the being up there had a knack for timing today. Because at that moment, the door I was supposed to use to leave this room opened. In walked Jack, Taryn, Caleb and Danny with angry expressions on their faces. I felt my throat clog for the second time today as Joey walked in after them. He had Charlie pressed against his front with his gun chucked up against her head. His other hand was in a vice-like grip on her throat. "What a wonderful surprise, darling." Joey acknowledged my father. The endearment he used was laced with malice that didn''t go unnoticed by Danny and me as we looked to and fro at the two men who apparently raised us. My father snorted and spat out blood. He couldn''t be dying, right? "I would say that your timing was as impeccable as always, but I don''t fancy lying to my daughter." My father retorted. Joey rolled his eyes at him, "You claim her as your blood now? What happened to the last decade and a half of revolting against her?" He hit a sensitive spot, and I winced at his choice of words which made everyone in the room take a glance in my direction. "Ah, the bride of the hour, if you give me a minute or two, I''ll call the priest, and we continue from where we left off, hmm?" He suggested. Danny and I threw him a dirty look, and he chuckled at what must look like the funniest joke in the fucking year. "Now, don''t get snappy, kids. Your honeymoon will have to wait, but the wedding will still hold whether you like it or not." "Not so fast," Joey cocked his head to the side as he looked me over, "You said that if I get married to your son, you will clear Shane''s name?" I questioned him. "Ah yes, the china man. See, as you said, that was the agreement, but you never speculated a particular time exactly. All you said was that I do it, and in return, you and Danny tied the knot." Danny released a string of curse words. I agree that was wrong thinking on my part, but I did not see the day going like this. Joey waved the hand with the gun dismissively in the air, "Now that you know that it wasn''t completely your fault that your mother died. I think it''s time that your father joined her, hmm?" He pointed the gun at my father. Like a reflexive action, I moved to stand in front of him. I may not be over the moon that he had made his way into my good books, but if I wanted the man who raised me dead, I would have done it myself long ago. I can compare all I want, but the difference between Klaus Mikaelson and me has never been transparent. Sure we are ready to do what it takes to protect one of our own, but I draw the line at watching my father die before me. "Not gonna happen." I declared as I stared my stepfather down. "Ah, so now you have a backbone. What happened to the little you who wanted her father to shower her with love every time he hit her? Or when he chose to spend his time with your sister and not you." Joey did know how to play his cards right; he hoped that if he poked at my weakness more and more. I would lose my cool and act irrationally, but I think someone should tell this man or remind him that stubbornness runs in the veins of Griffins. My father coughed out more blood, putting the attention back on him, "You do know that if you kill me, Sam will have your head, and you will be more wanted than the China man that you used as your sacrificial pig." "I think I''ll take my chances." Joey declared, "Step aside, child," He addressed me, "This doesn''t concern you." "Neither does it you!" Danny''s anger decided to make an appearance. "I think you should learn not to leave your office open after you meet with your staff. I know what you plan on doing with my grandmother, and I think we both know that has to be the most absurd idea that you two have come up with in a while." I''ll ask again for the third time this morning, what am I missing? Joey rolled his eyes, not the least bothered by his son''s words. "As I said before, I''ll take my chances." Charlie struggled against his hold and kicked his shin, but the man remained unmoving. "If you wanted me to give you attention, then all you had to do was ask, Charlie. I''m sure my son wouldn''t mind sharing." He used the gun to rub the end of Charlie''s chin, and I saw the fear of what was the outcome of her position in her eyes. "Okay, that''s it." The girl, who I presumed to be Taryn, finally spoke up. "I think it''s clear to everyone here," She gestured at us, "That you have some serious mental issues, and it''s obvious that you have a bone to pick with these people." "Way to have a go at it, captain obvious," Charlie spoke as she tried in vain to get out of Joey''s hold on her. "Do you two know each other?" Jack asked as he looked from his girlfriend to my best friend, and I found myself asking that same question. "Shoot me for trying to buy some time so that you make it out of this alive." Taryn glared at Charlie, and the latter returned a favour tenfold. Is it just me or do they look scarily alike right now? "If it comes down to it, you have no reason to even have a bone to pick anyway?" I took over from Taryn and tried to distract the psychotic man that held my second sister at gunpoint. "You haven''t figured out my motive yet?" He asked as a dark expression took over his face. He turned to face Caleb, "He''s a part of the reason. I''m sure you''re still clueless about it." I hate to admit it, but he was right. I have no idea why he is doing this, but thanks to Danny. I''m just gonna go on a hunch that he is doing it because of Danny''s grandmother. "It seems like your trip to Miami was a waste if it never occurred to you what my alibi was." He said in a condescending tone. Not gonna lie, I only knew half of the reason he acted like a maniac. I never got to find out the full story. "Would you stop speaking in tongues and get to the point, damn it, old man!" Taryn cried out, frustration in her tone. "Patience, little girl," At that comment, Taryn narrowed her eyes into slits. "I know that I''m not that tall, but I think I''d like to say that your dick is the size of the world''s largest ant." She said with satisfaction in her voice. Charlie rolled her eyes and beat Joey to the punch, "Would you stop provoking the dude! In case you''ve forgotten, he has a pistol pointed at my brain." "Enough! Joey, this madness has gone long enough."My father began. For a second, I forgot that he was there. "It''s me that has the information you want, but I''ll give it to you if you let the children go." He surprises me once again. He wants to tell a secret that will be crucial just so that I may live? "Ah, where''s the fun in that." Joey turned to me, "You said that you found out my biggest secret. Mind sharing it with everyone, especially your little boyfriend?" He gestures at Caleb. Caleb looked at me with furrowed brows, and I looked away. There was no way I would allow him to know the answer to the question I once heard him mumble in his sleep. With how far he has come, I''m not sure I want to know what will happen if he goes down that road. "Penny, what is he talking about?" I looked around the people in the room and wondered if now was the time to be selfless or selfish. Joey scoffed when he knew that I was hesitating. If he says the secret I planned to keep over his head till eternity, no one will leave this room without getting damaged. "I think I''ll do the honours. Danny, are you aware that you have a sibling? A brother to be exact." Joey drawled while smirking. He was enjoying this too much. "Joey, for fuck''s sake! Now is not the time for you to behave like a fucking saint and pretend that what you are about to say won''t have a lasting effect on them." My father grunted and spat out another dose of blood. "What are you getting at, old man?" Danny stared his father down. "Peyton''s boyfriend over here is your long-lost sibling." Chapter 45 - Father Never be caught off guard, even if the future is inevitable and unpredictable. -THEO Caleb Park''s POV She was in a white dress. Time slowed down as I struggled to grasp what was happening. The girl who stole my heart wore a white dress in front of a priest, standing with someone who claimed to be her brother. She had not one but two different men pointing guns at her. I might not know how marriage works, but I''m pretty sure that guns are not meant to make an appearance. "I see that I am right on time." I look up to see a girl in a cloak covering her whole body. "You know what they say; a wedding is never complete without a burial following right after." She pulled two guns out of her pockets and shot the two men beside her. Then the people sitting in the pews stood and started running for their lives while others fought with weapons they pulled from thin air. Taryn didn''t surprise me when she pushedJack and me to the floor while she used her heel to fight off a man who was about to put a knife through her head. I looked at Jack and saw a dreamy smile on his face. I scoffed and smacked the back of his head. "Leave it to you to be turned on in the middle of a shootout." He glared at me, but before he could retort, Taryn grabbed both of us by our ties and pushed us out the door that we walked through and barricaded them with her other heel. "I think that should hold them off for a while. We need to come up with a plan to get Peyton and get out of here." She muttered to herself. The mention of the girl made my heart skip a beat. I looked down to try and keep a strong fa?ade like I had been doing all this time. She left me to get married to her brother. I don''t know whether to be surprised or disappointed that a girl would prefer to be hitched by her family member than me. I came out of my thoughts when the door that Taryn supposedly locked started moving forward forcefully. It made the heel that was holding it starts breaking into half. Taryn took a step back. Jack and I copied her as the door kept pushing. The heel gave way to the groom of the day. I resisted the urge to punch him in the face because the reason for such an action was never mine in the first place. Everyone leaves me in the end, and I''ll end up alone. "Are you guys okay?" He asked with concern in his tone. Taryn looked him over with suspicion as if he was going to harm us at any moment. "Relax, Peyton said to make sure you guys get to safety, but I have to ask why you are here in the first place." He asked and began walking away from the show to a long hallway. As soon as we walked into it, a bunch of men in suits passed by us with grim looks and guns in hand. She wasn''t joking when she said her origin is not a place to be messed with, was she? "You know, just the newer version of Romeo and Juliet without the death of the main characters." Taryn shrugged as she dropped her guard down a bit, seeing that Danny wouldn''t hurt us. Danny snorted at her reply, "That''s nice and all, but we have to get to Charlie and Peyton. Come on." He urged us, and we began running through the halls. Taking different turns and walking through rooms that looked almost as big as the entire Penthouse. We neared a wide-open door, where a dark-skinned girl was fighting with one of the men that held Peyton at gunpoint earlier. She stuffed a flash drive into her bra and ducked when he sent a chair towards her. He decided to jump over the table, but she was fast enough to duck and slide under. The table now served as a barrier between them again. She kept going in the same direction as the man to tire him out. "Father," Danny held a stone-cold gaze at the man who now turned around to us. A small smirk overtook his features, and he moved faster than I could blink. He took a left, and Charlie went left, seeing it as an easy pass. But he was smart because he suddenly changed course, jumped over the table, wrapped his hands on her throat and placed her back on the table. He reached into her cleavage, pulled out the flashed drive, and slipped it into his pocket. Danny saw red after witnessing the contact between his father and Charlie. She must be something important to him. Before he took a step forward, the man he called father surprised me again. He brought Charlie closer to himself and turned around so that now she was facing us and his gun was on her temple. She thrashed around for a bit. It made him press the gun harder onto her skull. "I''m only going to be nice once and ask where Peyton is." He declared, taking on a demanding tone. Danny rolled his eyes, but his gaze was unwavering as he stared his father down, "Like the fuck should I know! You have no business with her. Let her go!" "Ah Ah, son, that''s no way to talk to your father, and you should know better than to think that you can demand something from me." He remarked. "If I take you to her, you let Charlie go." I looked at him incredulously. Was he going to sell Peyton out so easily? The man grinned, "Lead the way, son." With enough curse words to write a new song, Danny led us to a door where we walked in, and Joey followed us right after us. Peyton had lost the train of her dress as she stood close to a man. He sat in a chair and was not looking healthy. My heart clenched at the guilty expression on her face, and she avoided looking at me. "What a wonderful surprise, darling." The man who held Charlie at gunpoint said to the man that sat next to Peyton. The return man snorted and spat out blood. "I would say that your timing was as impeccable as always, but I don''t fancy lying to my daughter." He directed his gaze to the blonde in a white dress. That''s her father? "You claim her as your blood now? What happened to the last decade and a half of revolting against her?" Danny''s father rolled his eyes. I heard a wince from Peyton, and I turned to look at her. As much as this will make me look like a fool. I hate to admit that she looks very beautiful, but it''s a shame that I will never get the pleasure of being the one that stands next to her in a tux while she is in a white dress. "Ah, the bride of the hour, if you give me a minute or two, I''ll call the priest, and we continue from where we left off, hmm?" Danny''s father spoke, and he got dirty looks from the intended groom and bride. "Now, don''t get snappy, kids. Your honeymoon will have to wait but the wedding will still hold whether you like it or not." He continued with his taunting. "Not so fast," Peyton said, "You said that if I get married to your son, you will clear Shane''s name?" Was she really considering this? "Ah yes, the china man. See, as you said, that was the agreement, but you never speculated a particular time exactly. All you said was that I do it, and in return, you and Danny tied the knot." I''m getting lost here, but I know that if I voiced out my curiosity, I might be at the other end of his gun. While Danny went on to continue his song which consisted of curse words. Danny''s father waved the hand with the gun dismissively in the air, "Now that you know that it wasn''t completely your fault that your mother died. I think it''s time that your father joined her, hmm?" He pointed the gun at Peyton''s father. And like the brave girl I knew her to be, she stood in the gun''s path. Protecting the ones she holds dear; too bad that I am not in that category. "Not gonna happen." She stated with determination. "Ah, so now you have a backbone. What happened to the little you who wanted her father to shower her with love every time he hit her? Or when he chose to spend his time with your sister and not you." How exactly is Danny related to this man again? Because they act and look nothing alike. Troy coughed out more blood, stealing the attention from the room, "You do know that if you kill me, Sam will have your head, and you will be more wanted than the China man that you used as your sacrificial pig." Isn''t Sam the current ruler of the Empire and Peyton''s grandfather? "I think I''ll take my chances." He snorted, "Step aside, child," He then looked at Peyton and said, "This doesn''t concern you." "Neither does it you!" Danny barked out. "I think you should learn not to leave your office open after you meet with your staff. I know what you plan on doing with my grandmother, and I think we both know that has to be the most absurd idea that you two have come up with in a while." He continued. The man with the gun gave us all a dramatic eye roll, "As I said before, I''ll take my chances." Charlie struggled against his hold and kicked his shin, but the man remained unmoving. "If you wanted me to give you attention, then all you had to do was ask, Charlie. I''m sure my son wouldn''t mind sharing." Her eyes flashed with fear at his words "Okay, that''s it," Taryn said. "I think it''s clear to everyone here," She gestured at us, "That you have some serious mental issues, and it''s obvious that you have a bone to pick with these people." "Way to have a go at it, captain obvious," Charlie spoke as she tried in vain to get out of the dangerous situation that she was in. "Do you two know each other?" Jack asked as he looked from Taryn to Charlie. "Shoot me for trying to buy some time so that you make it out of this alive." Taryn glared at Charlie. "If it comes down to it, you have no reason to even have a bone to pick anyway?" Peyton said. "You haven''t figured out my motive yet?" He asked with a grin, clearly knowing something that we didn''t. He turned to look at me, "He''s a part of the reason. I''m sure you''re still clueless about it." How am I the reason why he apparently wants to kill his son''s girlfriend? The last time I checked, I have never made contact with someone who was currently missing a few screws. "It seems like your trip to Miami was a waste if it never occurred to you what my alibi was." He directed to Peyton. I''m not completely surprised that she had another reason to come; she never did allow me to see all of her. "Would you stop speaking in tongues and get to the point, damn it, old man!" Taryn said. "Patience, little girl," Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. "I know that I''m not that tall, but I think I''d like to say that your dick is the size of the world''s largest ant." She said with narrowed eyes. "Would you stop provoking the dude! In case you''ve forgotten, he has a pistol pointed at my brain." Charlie muttered in frustration. "Enough! Joey, this madness has gone long enough." Troy said. So that''s his name, he didn''t look like Joey, more like a Max to me, but I''m not judging. "It''s me that has the information you want but I''ll give it to you if you let the children go," Troy says, and I wonder what he is talking about. "Ah, where''s the fun in that." Joey turned to Peyton, "You said that you found out my biggest secret. Mind sharing it with everyone, especially your little boyfriend?" He gestures at me. I take on a confused expression and turn to look at Peyton but no surprise when she refuses to look at me. "Penny, what is he talking about?" Danny asked as he sent a piercing look at the girl in the white dress. Joey scoffed when he saw that Peyton went mute. "I think I''ll do the honours. Danny, are you aware that you have a sibling? A brother to be exact." Joey drawled while smirking. "Joey, for fuck''s sake! Now is not the time for you to behave like a fucking saint and pretend that what you are about to say won''t have a lasting effect on them." Troy grunted and spat out more blood. I''m going to assume that there is something wrong with him, but the way tension is high in the room, I''m not sure anyone cares about his health at the moment. "What are you getting at, old man?" Danny stared his father down. "Peyton''s boyfriend over here is your long-lost sibling." I felt time stop for the third time today as what he said processed in my brain. If Danny was my brother, does that make the man he called father mine or am I the adopted one? "You are my son but a mistake all the same. You''re the reason why Danny''s mother wants nothing to do with me. You weren''t supposed to be alive, I made sure of it when I sent that hit man to you and your adoptive parents, but like an itch you can''t reach, you can''t go away, now can you?" He poked at me. I was abandoned on the doorstep of an orphanage home. And grew up believing that my birth parents didn''t want me, but it turned out that I was right. But that means, "Did you know about this?" I asked the girl who knew how badly I wanted to know about my birth parents no matter how much I played the subject off. She finally looked at me and her blue eyes brimmed with an unknown emotion, "I wanted to tell you, but I didn''t want to upset the perfect balance..." I cut her off and yelled, "For how long were you going to pretend that I didn''t want to know what happened to them?! For how long are you going to watch me cry about the fact of not knowing them?!" She winced at my raised voice, but I was too upset to care. She lied to me. She used me. She made me fall in love with her with the hope that maybe, just maybe, we would have a family together. How wrong and gullible was I? Before Peyton could respond, Joey yawned and coked his gun, "As fun as this is, I would like to get on with my life without further ado." He took us by surprise and threw Charlie towards Peyton, successfully catching her off balance, and they both fell to the floor. Now that the path to Troy was not blocked, he sent a bullet to the man''s arm and one to his stomach. Troy cried out in pain while Joey dropped his gun and tried to run out of the room, but another burst of men in suits walked in and subdued him while a man who looked to be in his early sixties walked in after them with an air of confidence surrounding him. I tuned out their conversation. The blonde girl had her hands on her father. He had fallen to the floor because of the impact of the bullet in his body. She placed his head on her lap, stroked his hair and whispered words, most likely to make it seem that they would both make it out of this alive. I felt my heart reach out for her. Her mom was dead, and now she would watch her father die before her eyes. Life was cruel. No matter how much we fight it, fate has a way of making the worst moments in our life be the most lasting. "You kids okay?" The man in his sixties said as he looked us over. His eyes stayed on Danny and me the longest. "What do you think?" The woman who brought us from the airport snapped at him. The room went critically quiet, and it was then that I noticed that the whispers between father and daughter had stopped. One remained unmoving while the other looked like her whole life flashed before her eyes. "Peyton?" The older man called out to her, but she didn''t look up. She simply got up from the floor and went towards the other door on the other side of the room but stopped in her tracks. She turned her head to the side. It was hard to read what was going through her mind. "If Jordan and Joey sit in the cells, I''ll be more than willing to talk to you later." She said in a cold voice. "You have yourself a deal. But remember Peyton; it was bound to happen sometime, just not in the best circumstances." Peyton nodded wordlessly and walked out of the room. "So what happens now?" Jack asked, looking at no one in particular. The older man sighed and rubbed his brows, "What happens is that you lot, are welcome to stay for a while. My granddaughter clearly is not in the right mind to stay alone, but I suggest that only the popstar should talk to her." So this is the infamous Sam Griffin. That explains the all-black outfit; a bulletproof vest strapped over a black tee, tucked into black cargo pants and a holster belt strapped onto it, his feet clad in boots. "It''s going to be one long night." He murmured. - "If you keep doing that, we might just have to buy these people a new carpet before we leave." Taryn reprimanded me. "Aren''t your legs tired yet?" Charlie shot at Danny. After we walked out of that room, we were made to sit in a large living room. Danny and I had been pacing the carpet, trying to come to terms with what happened. "Okay, since you two are acting as if you are diagnosed with ADHD, I''m just going t say it," Jack announced while taking in an over-exaggerated breath to prove the point of how long his rant will going to be. "Let''s get this straight; you two are brothers by sharing the same sperm donor?" He directed it at Danny and me. We both looked at each other, and I think that''s when I saw the familiarity that Jack was hinting at. Apart from the different styles we cut our hair, it was still the same shade of dirty blonde, and our bone structure was similar, but since he was older, his were more prominent. "And my mother was the reason your mom left our father?" I asked Danny. He shrugged, "I would prefer the term sperm donor but yes. My parents broke off ties a long time ago, and the last time I heard about my mother, she had remarried in Las Vegas." He declared. Another thought popped into mind, "Did you know about this?" He avoided eye contact, "I mean, I did suspect that the marriage dissolved because of an illegitimate child, but when I did some digging. I was led to a dead-end, and so I gave up." The last part of his statement came out apologetic. It was for the best he hadn''t found out about me earlier. I''m pretty sure he would not be able to take custody of me, and at least I forget I''m content with how I ended up. "Now that we have cleared that up, how do you two know each other?" Jack motioned from Taryn to Charlie. "I think that''s another story for another day, don''t you think?" Taryn told her boyfriend sweetly through clenched teeth. Charlie huffed, "Now that we have come to an understanding. Which one of us is going to talk to Peyton?" She gestured her head to the hallway that led to Peyton''s room. "I mean, I am her best friend and all, but I think the person she would be better off talking to is you." She looked me straight in the eye. Not gonna lie; her brown orbs looked familiar as if they held a sense of mischief like another brown-eyed girl I knew. "I know that you think that she lied to you but hear her out," I turn my attention to Danny. "Peyton has her reasons for doing what she does, and even though most times they are for the benefit of the people around her, I think that you should hear what exactly was her motive behind not telling you; that you had a family who abandoned you." He winced at the end of that statement because ironically, he was a part of that family. "While you do that, I''ll show myself to the kitchen." Jack stood up, but Taryn dragged him down and gave him a shake of her head. "If you think I have some diabolical death trap for your boyfriend, you are in it over your head." Charlie snorted. "You do not want to go there," Taryn said with a dark expression. Charlie mirrored, "I''d like to see you do something about it." "Are you sure you ladies wouldn''t like to talk this out like I don''t know, ladies?" Jack asked, trying to ease the tension that just lit itself. "Butt out of it." Both girls barked at him and faced each other squarely. Danny put a hand on my shoulder, and I turned to look at him, "Just keep an open mind to what she tells you. It might sound a bit far-fetched but just know that it was coming from a good place." I joined him and looked at the hallway. I sighed, "I just hope you''re right." - They say that beauty lies within the eyes of the beholder, and I strongly agree with that theory. It was the early hours of the morning. I spent part of it gazing at the sleeping beauty on top of me. This is how I want to wake up for the remaining part of my life on earth. I want to wake up with Peyton in my arms, in our bed, in our home surrounded by our children. It may seem a bit far-fetched but if there''s one thing that I have learnt from her, is that the term give up, is not in her vocabulary. Peyton chooses that moment to wake up from her slumber. Her blue orbs look innocent and unguarded, but it doesn''t take long for her eyes to return to their unguarded state. I smile slightly, "You okay?" She nods, probably not wanting to bless me with her morning breath. "Good." A sly smile takes over my face as I switch our positions, and we end up spooning. I made sure to be the bigger spoon and be her rock through this. "Can I finally get the answer you have withheld from me?" I say softly, not sure how this conversation will go. She sighs and rests her hands on mine. "Where do I even begin?" It feels like she is asking herself that question as much as she is asking me. I encourage her by placing a small kiss on her neck. "Take your time. We have all day." She turns her head slightly to look at me. "Are you sure about that?" I roll my eyes, already remembering the pep talk that Jack and Taryn gave me before I walked in here last night. "As sure as I''ll ever be," I muttered and tightened my arms around her. "Ever since I could remember, I was taught I was the cause of everyone''s problems." Her voice starts to shake, but I know there is only so much that I would do. We have to have the right people by our side to face our demons, even though most times it''s best if we are left alone. "This is the place that I call home. Where things are never what they seem to be. Many lives have been made and lost, and we are not even on solid ground." "Yea, why is the British Empire in America, anyway?" I ask. "That Caleb is something even I haven''t figured out. My problems run deeper than just what you saw yesterday. From the beginning, Charlie, Danny, Lola and I have had our share of moments of grief, sadness, happiness and peace when it comes to the Empire." Now I feel she is talking in code. "I get that the place is fucked up and all, but I don''t get why don''t you guys just up and leave?" That''s one thing I know has been bugging me for a while. I mean, if this place is as horrid as everyone paints it as. Why not just leave? "The book I got mad at you was actually my mom''s journal, but what my father told me contradicts everything I read. She said that she died because of loss of blood which was true, but it was not a pregnancy complication. She told the nurse to end her life so that I may live. It was because one of the nurses cut her veins in that room. According to my father, I feel it''s either she was forced to do it because of the circumstances or the circumstances were forced to happen. But if you look at it clearly and I was not born, maybe my mother would have lived, and Lola would get the motherly care she craves. And this forsaken place that I call home wouldn''t be as soulless as it is now." It never ceases to amaze how her mood changes from sad and hurt to pissed off in a matter of seconds. "I still believe that none of this would have happened if the Empire didn''t exist. If that was possible, maybe my mother would be alive, my father would not have died, and my sister would not be God knows where." She untangles herself from me and hides her face in her arms. "Now that you know about most of my baggage. I''m sure you''re ready to run for the hills. Any sane person would." This girl thinks so lowly of me, and it hurts that I came all this way to get her to come back to me, but I am not taking no for an answer. With determination coursing through my veins, I sit up and remove her hands from her face. Her blue eyes look unguarded just like when she first woke up. I know that Peyton is not scared of what the Empire is capable of or what may happen to herself from now onwards; she''s afraid of what would happen to us. "I already told you, I will help you through your demons just like you helped me through mine. And that''s not only a promise. It''s a deal." A small smile creeps up on her lips, but it goes away as fast as it comes. "Caleb, there is so much that you don''t know, and I can''t be selfish and dump all my problems on you without thinking about the reparations it will have on not only you but your career and those around you." As stubborn as always. "Peyton, if I cared so much about how our relationship would affect my future, I wouldn''t be here, now would I?" At my rhetorical question, her jaw drops. Not that I blame her, we have crossed the line of friendship. We might just throw caution into the wind and live in the moment. She shakes her head firmly, "You wouldn''t be saying that if you knew about what I''ve been through." I''m trying not to get frustrated, but she is not making this easy at all. I grip her shoulders firmly but not hard enough to hurt her. I look her straight in the eye to show her how serious I''m being right now. "Peyton, I know it''s going to take me time to adjust to your world. It obviously won''t be all rainbows and sunshine. I know that you feel like you are the reason everything is so messed up, but for once, can you see things the way I do? I know that I like you a lot and you like me too. Who''s to say that we can''t be together? It''s not the Empire, it''s none of our friends, and it certainly is not the Spanish Mafia. Peyton, the only person who thinks us being together is a natural disaster waiting to happen is you. Now I don''t care how long it takes, but I will stay by your side and help you from here on out." I feel my emotions getting the best of me, so I rest our foreheads on each other, "You don''t have to have your guard up when you''re around me. You don''t have to act like a heartless Dealer; there is so much more to you than that. And I''d be a fool not to value you for who you are, flaws and all. You helped me. Let me return the favour." She releases a shaky breath, unsure how to respond to my rant. And if I''m being honest, neither would I if the tables were turned. "A couple of weeks before I came to Miami, I had an aunt. She may have been a devil or an angel, depending on how you put it. My ex killed her in cold blood; I still don''t know why. I knew my father made it look like my ex slept with my sister, and she became pregnant." She lets out a shaky breath; she''s opening up to me. Just what I wanted for a while now. "It didn''t sit too well with my father at the time, so they shipped her off to my aunt, who was a drug addict. Lola lost the child because my aunt physically abused her. I''m not gonna throw a pity party and say that it''s because they were hell-bent on Danny and me getting married. They made my boyfriend the bad guy by making it look like he got her pregnant. Long story short, I ended up moving in with my sister and my bitch of an aunt. We faced her together, but she still took more of the pain; she already had a head start." "I''m guessing that experience left a lasting scar on your memory?" I asked, not sure how to tread the situation. She snorts and moves away from me. She stands on the floor beside the bed, facing me. "More than you know it." She doesn''t give me time to process what she just said because she took off the shirt from last night and stands bare before me. As naked as the day that she is born, she places her hands on her hip. "When we walk out of this room, everything we once knew won''t make as much sense as they did. I''m willing to risk it if you are ready to see the scars of my past. My aunt gave me these." She motions to herself. The scars take various colours, but they start below her collar bone and end at her mid-thighs. I hate to admit it, but her aunt knew where to give the bruises. I stand up from the bed and walk toward her. I grip her waist and bring her closer to me. "I know this might sound cheesy, but you are beautiful just the way you are." She giggles despite the tension between us, "Flaws, baggage and demons, we''ve all got them, and I think it''s time we showed them who''s boss." I kiss all the scars I could find on her body while rubbing my arms around her sides. I finish assaulting her body with my kisses and allow my head to be at eye level with where her heart is beating. "One day, I''ll make you know how much you mean to me, emotionally, physically, and every other way possible." I place a light kiss on her heart and feel something drop on my head. I look up to see Peyton holding back tears, but she is doing a horrible job. My stubborn dealer. She wraps her hands in my hair and tugs me upward, "I trust you a lot, no matter what happens. Promise me that we will be okay?" As if I would ever let that happen. "Deal." She smashes her lips on mine. Chapter 46 - Dealing with the truth Peyton Griffin''s POV "Peyton''s boyfriend over here is your long-lost sibling." There goes my last chance to try and protect Caleb. I could already picture the look he was giving me, but I refused to see it. I have been given the look of disappointment before, and now is not the time to ponder about it. I heard Joey chuckle darkly, "You are my son but a mistake all the same. You''re the reason why Danny''s mother wants nothing to do with me. You weren''t supposed to be alive, I made sure of it when I sent that hit man to you and your adoptive parents, but like an itch you can''t reach, you can''t go away, now can you?" The least he could do was be remorseful, but when people like Joey remove the blinds that they cast upon your eyes, it''s hard to even think of them being that. I should have known that he wouldn''t allow me to hold this secret over his head. He must have figured out that I never told his illegitimate child his identity. Although I''m pretty sure I was not interested in destroying Caleb''s self-esteem further. I helped him find himself, and I planned on lying to his face to endure he didn''t lose himself, but I guess that plan is out the window. "Did you know about this?" Here comes the dreaded question that I would make any deal to not answer, but luck really had a thing for me. I decided to look at him, and an expression filled with slight disgust greeted me. I felt tears coming to the surface of my eyes. "I wanted to tell you, but I didn''t want to upset the perfect balance..." But he cut me off with annoyance, but I knew that as I looked at him, he was hurt by what I kept from him. "For how long were you going to pretend that I didn''t want to know what happened to them?! For how long were you going to watch me cry about the fact of not knowing them?!" For as long as it was needed for you to completely move on from your past. A wince left me as he yelled, but there was nothing I could do about it now. I was the only person to blame for his anger. "As fun as this is, I would like to get on with my life without further ado," Joey said, and I turned my attention back to him. His gun was cocked towards my father, and I felt my gaze harden. I have no idea what I or anyone in this room did that made him resort to drastic measures. If it was up to me and my best friend was not held in his grasp, I would have gladly taken him on, but there was too much at stake at the moment. Out of the blue, he threw Charlie at me, and I caught her, but the girl had the same weight as a small country, so we both fell to the ground. Before I had time to regain myself, I heard the gunshots. My father let out a sharp breath and moved to fall out of the chair that he was in. I was quick to untangle myself from Charlie and soften his fall. I cradled his head on my lap. I used one of my hands to press against the hole on his stomach while the other slapped him silly. Crimson coated my dress and the floor, but that was the least of my problems. The voices in the background faded. The child in me clawed her way out and tried to make an appearance. My windpipe closed, and my vision became hazy. Blood rushed everywhere in my body except my heart which kept beating faster than a running Bunny. "Peyton?" He called in a raspy voice, and I shushed him. Even though I knew I wasn''t particularly liked by him, I didn''t want my last memory to be tainted by him insulting all the mistakes I made, but what left his lips stunned me to the extent that tears flowed down my face. "I''m sorry. For everything. I''m to blame for all that has happened, from the moment you were born. I knew that people would stop at nothing to kill both you and your sister." "But why? Why couldn''t you love me as much as you loved Lola? Why did you always have to single me out and make me feel like an outcast?" I asked the question that burned the most in my subconscious. "That''s a lie, and you know it," Even on the verge of death, he still manages to scold me. "I made a mistake which cost us a lot. A deal to be precise. I tried to play Joey at his own game, but he made the saying ''it takes two to tango'' more meaningful than it already was. The day that you were born, there was another woman there who felt like the world had turned its back on her and to prove herself to her forsaken lover, she cut one of your mother''s major veins, and that was when she made a choice for you to stay alive and carry out her legacy while she died." He coughed violently. Blood tainted his lips and dripped to his chin. "I can''t explain everything now, but promise me that you will listen to what your grandfather says. Protect your sister till your dying breath. She''s all you have left." He cupped my face and cleaned the tears on my face, but it was of no use. They still kept coming. "I did what I did to protect you. As children, you always showed promising signs of being the tougher of you two, so I harden you so that when the time would be right, you would right my wrongs and set things straight." He brought his other hand and used it to cup my other cheek. "You''re a Griffin, we show no weakness, and we definitely are a stubborn lot. We make deals, not for selfish gain but to protect the ones we love. If it means we have to be the villain in someone''s story, then so be it. We do what we do for the greater good, for the bigger picture, and most importantly, we do it because some things are better done the hard way. Never forget that Peyton, you are my daughter and not once did I ever regret having you, but it''s a shame that I never got to share the memories that I always wanted to." I had so many things running through my mind. What happened on the day of Lola and I''s birth? Who was the Nurse? What were the mistakes that I had to make right? What did he say to Lola to make her get married to that old man? Like clockwork, my father managed to sit up slightly, plant a small kiss on my forehead and lay back down. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. His chest heaved up once again and moved no more. It was then I realized I had a battle larger than anything I had ever seen, coming my way. Whether I liked it or not. My father''s enemies were now mine and Lola''s. I stood up and allowed my face to take on the neutral expression that it usually did when I wanted no one to take note of my moment of weakness. The room was dangerously quiet, everyone wondering what my next course of action was. Only if they knew. "Peyton?" Someone called out, but at this point, I felt my senses numb to the world. I walked away from my father''s corpse towards the door I used to enter this room. A thought crossed my mind, and I knew that I still had some loose strings to tie up. And with that in mind, I turned my head sideways so I could look at the people in the room but still prevent them from finding a way to the gateway of my mind. I knew from his outfit that my grandfather had finally decided to grace me with his presence but now was not the time to fully acknowledge it. "If Jordan and Joey sit in the cells, I''ll be more than willing to talk to you later." I kept my voice cold and void of any emotion. "You have yourself a deal. But remember Peyton; it was bound to happen sometime, just not in the best circumstances." I was at a loss by his show of compassion but nodded nothingness and walked out of the room. - People say that I deserve everything that happened to me. And sometimes I find what they say right. I mean, just take a look at my life. My twin sister obviously hates me and walked out on me on my supposed wedding day. My stepfather is a sociopath; I have a perfect excuse for an ex who wants me back. Let''s not forget that both of my parents died because of the deals they had no control over, but I like to think of it as a problem that they knew next to little about. Nothing adds up now because if my mom was bound to die that night, who wrote her journal? Whose will was stated in that book? Or her letter that I am yet to read but don''t want my other half to either? I save the worst for the last, Caleb''s bloody Parks. I don''t know how he did it, but he wormed his way into my heart, set up a camp there in three months and showed me that maybe, just maybe I deserve the happiness I wanted for the people dear to my heart. And what did I do in return? That''s right, I led him on and fell for him hard and fast, much worse when I finally put two and two together to figure out what happened to his birth parents. To add the cherry on top of the fucking sundae, he walked in on my marriage to my stepbrother. Someone get me an award, I don''t know what for, but I think I deserve one right now. I buried my head into my pillow. The sound of footsteps had me narrowing my eyes at my room door. The uninvited visitor closed the door after them and locked it. "If this is Jordan, do me a favour and make my last moments quick, but if this is anyone else, then this is not my last moment." The person walked closer to me, sat on the bed beside me and forced me to look at them. Before I could operate my voice box, he slammed his lips onto mine. I could have sworn that he nibbled on my lower lip as he moved swiftly on mine and sucked all the breath out of my system. "You were saying?" Caleb threw a cocky smirk at me and trailed his eyes down my figure in concern. I was still trying to control my breathing as I looked at him. I would have thought that when we finally got ourselves alone, it would happen differently. When Caleb saw that I was still not responding to his question, he sighed and got up. He stuck his hand out to me, "As much as I want us to talk about what has happened today, you need a shower and a shoulder to cry on. As tempting as it is to join you, I think it''s better you went in alone." Still speechless, I took his hand, and he helped me up. I was about to walk numbly into the shower, but Caleb was two steps ahead as he quickly spun me around and zipped my dress down. It pooled at my feet, leaving me in the lingerie that came with it. His gaze was unwavering as he looked me in the eye and thrust one of his shirts into my hands. He cupped my cheek, "Try not to think about it while you''re there, okay?" He pecked my lips and ushered me toward the bathroom. I closed the door behind me with a small sigh and winced when I took in my reflection. My bruises were already healed, but they still had scars. My hair was matted with my father''s blood, and don''t even get me started on how the makeup looks on my face with the crying that I just did. I entered the shower box and scrubbed myself clean, and came out. I towelled myself dry, wore his shirt and walked out. The wedding dress that I left on the floor was nowhere to be seen while Caleb lay with his back down on my bed, his gaze trained on the bathroom door. He smiled at me and motioned for me to come closer to him. I did just that, and he surprised me again. He grabbed onto my waist and made me straddle his waist while he leaned forward and rested on the headboard. He brushed my hair to the side, "Now that you don''t look like an extra from the set of suicide squad, we need to talk." "You''re right," I say with a shaky breath. "I had a hunch that Joey had a secret that he didn''t want anyone to know. Like every normal person, he would go to any cost to make sure that it remained a secret no matter what happened. The night of your concert here in the Bahamas, Danny and I paid him a visit in his office to blackmail him, to tell us who got Lola pregnant. After speaking gibberish, he said that it was my father. I knew it was a bloody lie, even when Lola confirmed it. I still knew it didn''t add up, so I decided to leave it for now. Before we left, I noticed that most of his files were in disarray, and a pair of names caught my attention. ''Death of the Parks'' I didn''t think much about why he would have a newspaper of their death and brushed it off as Joey being his usual creepy self. That was until I got to Miami, and we got closer. You told me about your adoptive parents, and things started to add up. Your biological parents obviously didn''t want you. That''s why, they abandoned you in that orphanage home, hoping you would die. But as luck would have it, you got adopted, and they made sure that your time on earth was cut short, all thanks to your father, Joey freaking Torent." I finished the quick summary of what I knew concerning his parents. "Now that we have that out of the way, can I ask why you didn''t tell me?" I turned my face away from him, not wanting to see his expression. "You made a lot of progress, and I wanted to be selfish and allow you not to go into a dark place again, even if I had to lie to your face to do it." Caleb pushed my face back to face him with his thumb and index finger, "Dare I ask what this was about?" "As you might have guessed or been told, my sister and I are the heiresses to the British empire. The thing is, I always thought that I was the one that killed my mom. I vowed that I would protect those I hold dear to my heart or die trying, make sure that they got happy in the long run even if it cost me my happiness. I could go on about how today has been planned for a long time, but if I''m being honest, I have no idea how it led up to this, and I would just want to get this over with." "Get over with what?" He furrowed his brows. I sighed and avoided eye contact again, "When you say you don''t want anything to do with me, and we end our fairytale relationship right here, right now." For some reason, this situation seemed to amuse Caleb because he started laughing, full-blown laughter. I looked at him expectantly, waiting for him to sober up. "Peyton, if I wanted nothing to do with you, I would have been on the next flight back to Miami; the moment I walked in to see you on the altar. I want you in more ways than one. I want to wake up every morning with you in my arms. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy since you''ve already made it your life''s mission to do that for the people around you." This boy clearly wasn''t seeing the point, the larger picture of the downside of this relationship of ours. I fisted my hands at my side, "Don''t you think I want that?! Don''t you think I want to be happy one day?! If I deserved it, I would fight for it. I can''t afford to be selfish right now when everything has gotten worse than it already was. Even if you want us to work. What happens to the rest of your world tour? I can''t just come along when my place is here with these people who would stop at nothing to make sure that my family''s legacy is nothing but ashes on the ground. I have so much more to do and worry about. My happiness can never be a priority of its own." A stubborn tear slid down my cheek, and I didn''t bother to wipe it off. Caleb''s gaze hardened as he followed the tear from my eye to my cheek and dropped to my lap. "I can''t keep you here and tie you down to the madness which is my future, I can''t-" The rest of my rant was lodged in my throat. Caleb closed the distance around us and placed his lips on mine. He cupped both of my cheeks and tried to deepen the kiss. My hands held onto him and kissed him back with as much passion. Why does this feel like a goodbye kiss? At that thought, the waterworks began again, and there was no stopping them. Caleb tasted my tears and withdrew from the kiss, and frowned. He used his hands to clean my cheeks, "When we walk out of that door, we''ll worry about the future then and decide whether or not we get to be happy but, for now, I would like to live in the present and the peace we bring to each other." He gave me a sincere smile and placed a small kiss on my cheek. He lay back down on the bed and pulled me to lie on top of him as his hands slid onto my waist to hold me tight to him. I allowed my hands to run through his hair, and he hummed in approval. He was right; I slept in peace with my worries fading into darkness for now. Chapter 47 - ...cause this is the best deal that I have ever made. When with friends and family, there is never a dull moment. -THEO Caleb Parks'' POV Hand in hand, Peyton and I walk into the living room to a sight that I never knew was possible. Shawn and Jacob were watching a movie, while Jack and Danny held Charlie and Taryn from tearing each other apart. "You see the resemblance, right?" Peyton whispers to me while gesturing to the two girls who want to have a go at each other. "Yep," I decide to speak up before I witness another beat down in less than forty-eight hours, but Jacob beats me to it. "So, how was the all-day sex extravaganza?" He wiggles his brows. Talk about awkwardness. Everyone turns to look at us, and Peyton decides now is the time to cuddle. She shuffles closer to me, and I tighten my arms around her. If I were, to be honest, she is the stronger of us two, but you know what they say, chivalry isn''t dead yet. "Fucking finally," Taryn frees herself from Jack''s grip and approaches us. Peyton squirms under her questioning gaze but relaxes when Taryn smirks, her brows connecting with her hairline. "How''s your voice box?" She asks, and I have to keep myself from laughing. "Uh... Good?" Then a glare is thrown my way, "I thought we went over this. If she is still capable of walking and talking, you did a piss poor job, even I could do better, and I don''t even own a dick." Her rant is cut short when Jack decides to be a good best friend and help a brother out. He wraps his hands around her waist from behind and rests his head on her shoulder. "If it makes you feel better, you can show me your expertise." He grins when she looks over her shoulder and shoots him a glare. "I always wonder what possessed me to sleep with you." With a playful scoff, Jack matches their usual banter, "Whatever you say, Trish, whatever you say." Then Taryn decides to bless my eyes. She turns around in his hold and lands a quick kiss on his face. "My eyes! My sweet innocent eyes." Jacob whines from the couch and covers his face with one of his hands but still peeks through them. "The only thing right about that statement is that there are eyes on your face." Peyton sends a jab in his direction. Jacob scoffs and holds his chest to feign hurt, "Peyton, not you too." Taryn and Jack moved away to the other side of the room, most likely for Taryn''s expertise to be shown. I internally shudder from just the thought of it. Danny comes up to us with a grim expression. He looks from Peyton to me, but his eyes hone in on my hand wrapped around her waist. "If you hurt her," He gestures to Peyton as if she is not here and gives me a piercing gaze. "Brother or not, I will make you fall off the face of the earth." I never knew I would feel shaken up by a sibling before, but I never did think I had a blood-related sibling. Then he turns his gaze to Peyton, and they soften, "You okay?" She looks at me, "I think I will be." Danny pulls her from my grasp, wraps his hands around her, and she reciprocates the hug. Call me crazy, but I am dating my half-brother''s stepsister. Am I the only one seeing the double meaning of this? Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Charlie comes barreling my way and jumps. I put my hands up to shield two of my money makers, but she simply lands on me. I fell like a log of wood while she straddled my waist and held a wooden comb to my throat with a murderous expression on her face. "What are your intentions with my best friend, mister?" Her eyes harden when she sees my hesitancy. Can you blame me? She has a comb aimed at my throat, and since I have been in this same situation with Taryn but a high-heeled shoe. I can promise you that thing is as sharp as nails. "Chars!" Peyton groans but makes no move to help me. Danny sighs and whispers to Peyton but loud enough for all of us to hear, especially the crazy girl on top of me. "Remind me again, why do I love this girl again?" Charlie''s murderous expression wavers, but only for a second before it returns tenfold. She inched the comb closer to my throat, "I suggest you answer unless you want us to make a deal and trust me when I say that it won''t be pretty." I let out a dry cough, "I want to spend the rest of my life with her. That''s if she lets me." I look at the topic of our conversation, and she is hiding her blush-stained cheeks in Danny''s chest. "Interesting. I hope you won''t ever make her cry?" "Never," When I saw Peyton break down last night. I swore to keep her happy. A promise that I am willing to keep till heaven knows when. "You will stand with her through thick and thin?" I nod. Jacob releases a snort from his place on the couch. "What is this, a wedding?" Without moving her gaze from me or the comb from the base of my throat, Charlie uses her free hand to fling a comb towards Jacob. My jaw drops. She didn''t even look back to take aim. It hits him square on the forehead, and "As we were saying?" She flips her hair to the other side of her shoulder to closely look at me. Dismissing the words that Jacob was swearing in her direction. "I promise Charlie, I''ll take good care of your best friend." I look the said person in the eye with a sincere expression on my face. Charlie lowers her weapon and looks thoughtful for a moment, "Well then, I''ll allow you to continue to sleep in her room if I get a copy of your empat¨ªa album?" I smirk, "Deal." "So I am worth a CD filled with music? I thought we were friends, Charlie?" Peyton pretends to be hurt, but the wicked smirk on her face gives her away. Charlie helps me up whilst ignoring her best friend. "I expect the CD by noon tomorrow." Then she turns to Peyton, "You get to have all of him to yourself. I never pegged you for being a selfish bestie." At the playful insult, Peyton grins, but before she could make a comeback, Jack beats her to the punch. "Now that we are over the fact that they spent the night together, can we finally get to eating dinner?" He whines. "Shawn made his famous chocolate souffl¨¦; I''ve been craving it all day." "Correction Ed, the only thing you have been craving is to get Taryn in a corner," Jacob says before turning to Shawn. "You heard him, brother. Let''s get this show on the road." Shawn grunts and slams a pillow at Jacob''s face before getting up from the couch and walking towards the kitchen while we trail after him. "You two are brothers?" Charlie gestures her pointer finger from Jacob to Shawn. "Yup, but he''s too grouchy for my taste." Jacob groans, but we both know that''s a lie. If I know those two as well as I do, they are sort of like how Peyton behaves when it comes to her sister Lola ready to protect at all costs. We walked into a room which had a dining table that could hold a small country. "You wouldn''t happen to have a smaller dining table, now would you?" Taryn asks. "Yea, it''s over here." Peyton unwraps my hand from her midsection and leads us through another door. There is a small round table with enough chairs for each of us. Since it''s a round table, everyone can be seen. We all sit, but Danny and Jack strategically sit between Taryn and Charlie. Shawn walks in with some women and men dressed in formal outfits that set the table for us. After they finish, Shawn lays a feast to feed a nation. Does he think we all have the same stomach capacity as Jack? He lays down chicken confit, Salmon en papillote with Quinche Lorraine. I''m guessing the chocolate souffl¨¦ is dessert. Jack lets out a loud smacking of his lips which causes all the women at the table to glare death in his direction. "You can glare all you want, but when it comes to food, I have as many manners as a pig when he sees a mud puddle." He waves his hand dismissively. Taryn rolls her eyes, "So that makes you a pig ninety-two per cent of the time." She says as if it''s a statement and not a question. "Speaking of which, I spend that percentage making you scream my name. You have as many manners as I do." Jacob groans, "Keep it in the bedroom. We are trying to eat over here." Shawn takes the last empty seat, and we all join hands to say a small grace. Jack reaches for the serving spoon, but Shawn uses his knife to hit him. "Dude, what gives?" Never get in the way of Jack and food; it only leads to a reenactment of world war two. "The chef serves the people present, and as etiquette dictates, ladies first." He then spoons some of the main dishes into Peyton''s plate before doing the same to Taryn and Charlie. "You can talk?" Charlie asks, still yet to recover from her shock of hearing Shawn speak for a while now. "Did you think I was mute?" Shawn spares her a warm grin. "Well, you don''t talk much, now do you?" In reply, Shawn gestures for her to eat her dinner. Immediately the fork makes contact with Charlie''s mouth, and she groans. "This is fucking good." We all hum in agreement which makes our quiet friend smirk with pride. "Would it be bad if I asked you to stay and make Danny go back with you guys?" She directs at Shawn and me. Danny scoffs at her request, "Just because he can cook, Chars doesn''t make him a fucking..." "Language, I''m trying to eat." Jack interferes with annoyance as he looks up from his meal to Danny. "Oh, that''s rich. You can tempt your girlfriend with innuendos, and I can''t do the same to mine?" Danny cocks his head to the side as if sizing Jack up. The testosterone level in this room just keeps rising. "I suggest you guys don''t start a fight unless you want us girls to kick your asses." Peyton waves her fork in a circle meeting the glares from Danny and Jack with an amused smile. "Damn straight, sister," Taryn smirks and raises her glass of water. "While we are on the topic of ass-whooping, which one of you lovely ladies has the largest because you are making me dizzy?" Jacob waves his eyebrows suggestively. "Ooo, can you give us some dry jokes? Danny said you are really good?" Charlie says. "Please do not get him started." I groan while looking at Jacob with pleading eyes. But like the Devil he is. He sends a wink in my direction and begins throwing dry jokes and picking up lines left and right. "If I had known I would perform tonight, I would have asked Caleb to be my opening act." I groan and sink further in my seat, knowing he is about to begin. "Have you heard the rumour about butter? Never mind, I shouldn''t be spreading it." "How was heaven when you left?" "What do you call a fly without wings? A walk." "Like a cat, I have nine hearts, but you stole them all." "Did you see the documentary about Beavers? It was the best damn show I ever saw." "Let''s get a burger, you be the buns, and I''ll be the patty." I feel a tug on my hand; I look to my right and see Peyton gazing at me with a small smile. She gestured for me to come closer. "What do you see?" She motions to the view before us. Jacob continues with his skilful talent with words. Charlie and Taryn are trying their best not to fall out of their seats while laughing. Jack and Danny hold onto their grimacing looks while Shawn is giving his brother a look of disapproval, but the slight tug of his lips lets me know that it''s all a fa?ade. "I see a room full of people who are connected in more ways than one," I grab her hand and squeeze it affectionately. "Even though one person is missing. It''s still a happy occasion." "You''re not wrong, but do you want to know where my mind was on the lines of?" She smiles slightly. "What?" "I''ve made a lot of shitty deals but for what it''s worth. I wouldn''t change this moment for anything ''cause this is the best deal that I have ever made." I find myself grinning like a loon when I kiss the side of her head. And we watch the people we call family bicker and take cheap shots at each other. Chapter 48 - Dealer against Dealer Peyton Griffin''s POV I close the door of my room softly behind me and sigh. Nothing can ever make sense. I made my bed and now lie on it. I gave in to the moment and showed Caleb my scars. He kissed every single one of them and held me as I cried. He plans on helping me overcome my demons, but it''s not as simple as it seems. I start making my way through the mansion to one of them. My grandfather, Sam Griffin. Danny joins me in one corridor. Quietly we walk towards the end of the mansion. When we are a corridor away from the meeting point my grandfather chose for us, Danny stops and holds onto my wrist, making me stop alongside him. "Penny, I want to make a deal." I don''t look at him but nod slightly to show him that I am listening. "You know that what lies behind that door will change our outlook on what has happened to us thus far. I want us to promise each other that no matter what happens, we remain loyal to each other; till the end." I look at him and smile fondly. Never in my life would I have thought that Danny Torent, one of the biggest manwhore I have ever met with an affinity for women with red hair, turned out to be one of the few people I am ready to protect till my last breath. "Deal," I say and rest my head on his chest. The mansion crawled with men in black suits who posed as the security detail. They are more in number because the Empire''s current ruler is under the same roof as us. He wraps his hands around my shoulders and leans downs to whisper in my ear. "You can lie to everyone through your teeth, but I know that you and Caleb didn''t have sex." I fight the blush which furiously takes over my face. I look at him with a murderous glare. He matches my stare with amusement, and I end up rolling my eyes at his antics. "I mean, you both are virgins. I thought you guys would have spent a week in your room." He states his reason. I managed to ask, "What gave it away?" He hums, "For starters, you had no hickeys on your neck, and he looked completely calm when you both walked in." I shrug my shoulders at his observation. He''s not wrong. After I showed Caleb my scars, he held me as I cried, and we spent the rest of the day sleeping in my bed. One of the best slumbers I have ever had, knowing that I lay in the arms of someone I could trust and love. "Now that that bridge is out of the way. Let''s keep moving." I nod in agreement with him. We walk towards the dreaded room that might just change our lives as we know it. I knock, and the door opens. The sight of our grandfather''s back greets us. He stared at the starry night from the big glass windows. "Children," You can hear the amusement in his voice. "Have your seats." We walk to the two chairs that are set aside from each other but yet face each other. Two men in black suits stand by the door we just walked through. Danny and I make our way to the chairs and slump into them. "I''m not going to beat around the bush. We leave for Britain at noon tomorrow." Danny and I shot up from our seats and looked at my grandfather as if he escaped the nut house recently. But when he finally turns to face us, the theory is not too far-fetched with the smile he is sporting. "Have your seats. No need to be barbaric." I held my tongue for many reasons. The most important one is that I have no idea what he could do. We are left at his mercy. Think about it people. He married my mother, his only daughter to Troy. I think that reason speaks loud enough for itself. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Danny sighs, and we both take our seats once again. I feel slightly agitated as the pin-drop silence engulfs the room. My grandfather motions for the two other men in the room to leave, but they hesitate while eyeing us. When he sees it, he gives them a glare that makes them cooperate. "It''s simple, really," He shrugs and comes to stand between us but still has full view of us. "You get onto a plane, and it moves. Doesn''t require much logic if you ask me." I inhale deeply, "Grandfather, Can you tell us what is going on?" "It seems like my enemies are catching up to me, and I would like to be on mother''s soil for us to act." "Us?" Danny questions with uncertainty. Grandpapi sighs and turns his back to us. He walks towards the window. "I see I have to start from the beginning." I am literally at the edge of my seat now, wondering what story he wants to whip up. "It was the winter of the year that I was supposed to take over the year of the Empire. My parents got into a fight that split our family apart; mother with daughter against father and son. My father drove away from the Empire, which you could say was his biggest mistake and where all our problems started from. My mother wanted my sister to take over. It was impossible, I was the firstborn and the first and only son of both of them, but she wasn''t having any of it. She and my younger sister Kasie promised that they would bring the Empire to our knees one way or another. Which brings me to your existence," He directs his gaze from the window and turns around swiftly. His eyes hone in on Danny. "Kasie couldn''t have a kid, so she adopted. The unlucky child was your father, Joey. She couldn''t stand the fact that we were related and I had the one thing she wanted. She changed her last name to Torent. She went off the grid the day when Troy and Joey decided to tie the knot." "Wow," I say, trying to process the information that I was being given. "Wow indeed, but that''s not where the madness stops. You see, Danny''s mother left Joey because he slept with Valent¨ªa. Valent¨ªa was or rather is a nurse, the same nurse in the labour room with my daughter the day that she was to give birth." I feel my heart stop breathing. If she was the nurse, does that mean... "Valent¨ªa is Caleb''s blood mother, but she was a pawn in my sister''s plan to take me down. I''m not sure what actually happened in that room because the footage was deleted before I could get my hands on it, and that was the last time that Valent¨ªa was ever seen." My mother may have been killed by the mother of the man that I am falling in love with, just great. Does anybody want some popcorn? Because I sure do. "So what now?" Danny asks. "I want you two to help me with taking them both down. Kasie was last spotted somewhere in Mexico where she is hiding, or so my source says. Then as for Valent¨ªa, I want her here for questioning, and if she so happened to have been the sole reason my baby girl died, then I would like her head on a stake." He clenches his hands into a fist, and the most feared man in the whole Empire decides to make an appearance. His grey eyes take a new intensity as they look at the door with a heated glance, already picturing the head without a body. "I''m just going to go on a hunch and say," I begin eyeing him in caution. "Your sister is a crazy bitch who wants to rule the Empire while Joey''s lover may have a hand in my mother''s death." I summarize the points of this story of his. He nods. "Then what exactly has that got to do with us?" I motion to Danny and me. "Silly girl, if my sister wishes, she could come after you, him and everything else I have worked for or care about." He says in a discerning tone. "Wait a minute, why would you care about me?" My grandfather turns his head to look at Danny. "Because child, believe it or not. You are my grand nephew, which makes both of you second cousins. You''re a Griffin logically, even though your father was adopted by my sister." We look at each other in shock, "Regardless, my enemies and that of Troy''s are now yours," He points at me. "And yours." He points at Danny. "They will come after you both in different ways and forms. Try to take you both off guard and get to you through the people and things you love the most and when you''re at your weakest. They will strike till you finally meet your downfall." It never gets easier, does it? "On unrelated news, I am set to retire, and Peyton will reign after me," I narrowed my eyes at him, "And why on earth would I want to be the leader of a bunch of narcissist asses who don''t know when to get the sticks stuck up their asses out." He chuckles dryly, "You don''t have a choice. If I die now, my will is read to not only the people of the Empire but the government. You would be hunted down and be forced to take over to prevent the terror that roams the streets." I huff out a shaky breath. No matter how much I try to fight it. This Empire, the British Empire, just comes back to me with a force like no other. Forcing its way into my life and giving me a burden I never asked for. He continues as if he did not just drop a bomb on Danny and me. "Or they could get Lola if you prove stubborn, but I''m pretty sure you do not want that to happen." He smirks because he knows he has me where he wants me. It must be a family trait, trying to prove who is more stubborn. "As for you," He motions to Danny. "Your mother may be out of the picture, but I wouldn''t say the same for your stepmom. I can bet all of my money that she is feasting on anger. She gave away her son while you lived with your family for some time. If I was her and couldn''t come after the man that threw me into this mess, I would go after the next best thing. Which would be?" Danny sinks into his chair, "Me or the people I care about." "As you can see, we are in a difficult position, but since we are family, I''m going to speak the language that we both are fluent with. I have a deal to make." Danny and I both sit up in our seats simultaneously. My grandfather chuckles at our enthusiasm. "One year. One year to set things right. Danny gets my sister and his stepmother for me. I mentor Peyton to handle the Empire, and if things go according to plan and the year ends. I get my revenge. I''ll let you two off the hook. I''ll find a new successor, and you two get to walk away from the Empire, unscathed. Do we have a deal?" He looks at us expectantly. Not gonna lie. I did not know that was going to be the outcome of tonight. But at the promise of freedom and a way to fully redeem myself to the people I hold dear to my heart. I know what I have to do. Danny and I looked sideways, keeping eye contact before we looked back at our grandfather. We shared a knowing look because we both knew we would go down either way. "Deal." One last Deal. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.