Chapter Twenty-Six

Alina’s POV

 

“Did you fix it yet?” Charles eyes were boring into mine, and so were those of Vanessa.

“Not yet, grandfather but I am on it” I tried to pacify them both.

They looked at each other with an unreadable expression in their eyes. It was strange, but the way they looked, it reminded me of how Grandfather looked when he first told me that was his favourite granddaughter. His face was blank as usual, his gaze almost emotionless, but somehow that made him look more approachable than anything else.

“How long is it going to take?” Vanessa whined , and her words seemed directed only at me now.

I couldn't say, I resolved to bow my head in shame.

“You see why you shouldn't have left her in charge? She doesn't deserve it. Everyone knows I am the better granddaughter.” she continued as if talking to herself.

“It's too late for that. There's nothing we can do now.” Vanessa said in an attempt to console her.

She rolled her eyes “That's bullshit grandfather. Are you going to sit here and pretend like you don't know Alina did this to support her husband's company?  Everyone is aware of how far she can go for men. Especially the ones she is married to.”

Her words hit me hard, and I felt tears begin to form in my eyes. But I didn't show any reaction to her, even though deep down inside I was a wreck.  

Charles noticed too, and took Vanessa by the shoulders and turned her around to face him “Vanessa you are not supposed to say that to your sister!”

He put a strong hand on her shoulder and squeezed it, causing her to flinch slightly.

“We all know it's the truth! You baby her too much!” she exclaimed angrily, turning away from him. “Even I know that.”

“Don't be ridiculous!” He replied angrily back. “I baby both of you.” he repeated, pointing towards himself with the index finger of his left hand.

“But not in this way!  You love Alina way too much,” Vanessa spat out.

“You never let her do anything by herself! If you could,  you would run into fire for her, always her, not me!” She continued,  sounding as furious as ever.

Charles closed his eyes, clenching his fist so tightly, his fingernails started to dig deeply into the skin of his palm. His knuckles had gone pale.

“Stop this madness!”  he shouted suddenly. “Both of you. This argument is over and done with.”

Vanessa threw up her hands in frustration as Charles stood there looking down at her with an expressionless mask on his face. They were staring at each other, waiting for either one of them to make a move. But neither of them moved or spoke. I knew they weren' t ready to come to terms with what had just happened between them.

Vanessa broke the eye contact and stormed off toward the living room.

I sat there.

It was me, always me. I was the cause of everything.

I left for Sebastian’s. At that point it didn't seem like a bad idea to jump on his father’s offer but how do I do that? How could I get Sebastian off my back?.

“Where have you been?” Sebastian asked as soon as I walked through the door. He was looking at his watch and then back to  me before I answered.

“Home” I walked past him and began taking off my jewelry . He was right behind me now, asking again,  “Why aren't you wearing your ring?”

This time I ignored him and kept moving until I stood on the other side of the bed. “I want to sleep.” I said without turning around. He followed me with his eyes as I climbed under the sheets and pulled the blankets over my body.  

Then he leaned against the wall next to the bed.“Where have you been, Alina?” He asked again as if he had not heard me the first time.

I stayed quiet for a few seconds. “I went to visit Charles and Vanessa. I went home.” I whispered, trying to sound nonchalant about it.

“This is also your home, you should have called me.”

“This is not my home Sebastian! A home is supposed to bring you peace and  happiness, and not the opposite!” I snapped, sitting up on the pillows.

“A home is not built among people who  hate each other. Your family hates me, you hate me, and now your father wants to bring me down!”The words escaped my lips before I could stop them. My mouth was dry, the walls closing in on me, leaving me trapped on the edge. I needed air. “You need to leave.” I added after a while, looking down again, “And don't tell anyone I told you.”

He stood there for another couple of seconds. “I don't hate you” his voice was calm, steady and reassuring.  I looked back at him. “What?” my mouth hung opened

“I don't hate you.” He repeated firmly.

We stared at each other  for a moment and the tension melted from around my heart.

I was sure he could feel it too because he moved closer to me and wrapped his arms around me.

It was unexpected, strange yet familiar

I relaxed against his chest and rested my head on his chest, hearing his heartbeat.

His breath was soft and calming on the nape of my neck. The smell of  his expensive cologne filled my nostrils as I slowly breathed him in, feeling his fingers stroke my hair.

He pulled back and lifted my chin  with his thumb to meet his blue eyes.

What was he searching for? Don't breathe too loudly Alina, I cautioned myself.

My tongue involuntarily  wetted my lower lip. His eyes were dark with passion and hunger, his mouth parted slightly as if he wanted to kiss me.

I wanted him to.

Just as he reached for my face again, there was the sudden ringing of my phone.

I jumped out of bed so quickly that he almost fell backwards.

He stared at me with disbelief.