11

JEREMY

I let out a frustrated sigh, running my fingers through my hair in an agitated manner. It was always like this with dad.

We always argued whenever the topic of my career path came up. I wanted to be a musician, but the problem was that dad wanted me to pursue business, just like him.

He wanted me to take over his business someday, and I wanted nothing to do with that. It was Aaron’s thing, not mine.

“Come on, dad.” I groaned as I felt myself lose my appetite.

Dad shook his head, dropping his fork with a clank as his expression grew even sterner. “No, you’re not listening to me. This music thing of yours is just a pipe dream. It’s not sustainable. You need to grow up and be more like your brother. He understands how important the business is.”

I glanced at Aaron, who looked unperturbed, eating elegantly as usual, and I couldn’t help the scoff, which escaped my lips.

“How did you even find out about the wedding?” I asked dad with a huge frown on my face.

“Your brother told me.” He said, sipping a bit of water, and my head instantly shot towards Aaron with a look of disdain on my face.

He simply shrugged as he continued eating his meal like all was right in the world.

“How the hell did you find out about the wedding gig?” I scowled although there was a note of incredulity in my tone.

“It was all over social media,” Aaron said, still focusing on his meal. “Apparently, your little performance was a big deal.”

I didn’t miss the condescending undertone in his voice, and I had no idea when a bitter growl escaped my lips.

I opened my mouth to speak, but dad beat me to it. “That’s enough gigs from you, Jeremy. There will be no talk of music anymore in this house. Do you understand me?”

I stared at him with an incredulous look in my eyes as my eyes hung wide open with disbelief. I quickly shook my head with conviction.

“Dad, I’ve done everything you asked of me in the past, but right now, this is where I draw the line. I’m sorry.” I said before shooting up from my seat and rushing out of the dining hall.

“Jeremy, get back here. Jeremy!” I heard dad call, but I didn’t answer as I rushed straight to my room.

I was too pissed and wound up to stay in my room, so I wasted no time, grabbing my keys before rushing out of the house.

I was unsurprised that dinner with dad and Jeremy ended this way. It always ended with me storming out of the house most of the time, and it would even be worse if mom was here.

She was just like the two of them.

Thinking of mom put me in an even worse mood, and I quickened my steps before finally reaching my car.

I started the engine and drove straight out of the garage into the street. My mood was horrible, and I needed to let out some steam.

I drove around aimlessly for a few minutes, but unfortunately, my mood did not get better. I contemplated going to any of my friends' places, but I quickly decided against it.

It was getting late, and I didn’t want to bother them. I decided to drive down to a restaurant instead. Specifically the one I had seen Lucia just a few days ago.

The urge to see her was strong, and I hoped I would bump into her again. I knew that just the sight of her would make my mood much better.

I drove down the highway, and after a few minutes, I finally arrived at the restaurant. I shut off the engine before heading straight into the restaurant, muttering profanities under my breath as I was still pissed off at dad and Aaron.

Once I entered the restaurant, the first thing I did was scan the interior for any sign of Lucia. My eyes darted around with my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

I couldn’t help the disappointment which rose up my insides when I caught no sign of her. I should have known that she wouldn’t come back here since she had seen me here once.

With a loud, disappointed sigh, I ordered my food and dug into it, feeling miserable and not better in the slightest.

Halfway into my food, I raised my head, and I blinked in ultimate surprise when my eyes landed on none other than Lucia, walking into the restaurant.

A small gasp escaped my lips as a fluttery feeling filled my stomach. I couldn’t believe it. She was here. She was really here.

I wanted to call her name to grab her attention, but at that moment, her eyes met mine. They instantly turned dismissive, and she turned away, heading to her table.

My heart sank low in my chest as I blinked in surprise. It probably hurt more because I was already in a bad mood.

I could take her being cold and harsh, but dismissive? That was another level of hurtful.

I shook my head, letting out a huge sigh as I continued eating my food. What was I thinking anyway?

It was clear that she wanted nothing to do with me? What in the world was I expecting anyway? It was not like she would turn warm and friendly overnight.

I let out another sigh, and I was almost finishing up with my food when I heard someone sit in front of me.

I raised my head, and I was surprised to see a face I recognized. I was sure she was a girl in my class. I had no clue what her name was as I barely spoke to anyone else apart from my four best friends.

“Hi.” She said chirpily, exposing her perfect and pearly white teeth, and I couldn’t help but raise a brow.

“What do you want?” I blurted out.

We never spoke in class, so what was she doing sitting at my table?

She rolled her eyes, that amiable smile still playing at her lips. “I’m Amber. You’re Jeremy Hale, right?” She said, extending her hand for a handshake.

I stared at her hands before looking back at her face, my brows rising even higher. “How do you know—”

“Everyone knows who you are, Jeremy.” She answered in a quieter tone, and I shrugged.

She had a point there. I was pretty popular on campus, and I wasn’t surprised that most of the students knew who I was.

“What do you want?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, a frown making its way onto my face.

I was still pissed off because of my father and Jeremy, and I was honestly not comfortable in the presence of anyone who was not Lucia or my friends.

“I just wanted to say hi, I promise. I hate eating alone, and I thought I’d eat here since you are a familiar face.” She said, and her words made my frown deepen even more.

I didn’t want to eat with her. I didn’t want to eat with anyone who was not Lucia.

I opened my mouth to protest, but Amber already had her food brought over to my table, and I could only watch with my mouth open as the waiter set the food down and walked away.

“What in the world? I didn’t even ask you to stay?” I protested, my eyebrows scrunched together with annoyance.

The smile on Amber’s face fell, and she looked slightly upset. “Do you want me to leave then?”

I let out a sigh, running my fingers through my hair in an exasperated manner. Now I felt bad. I didn’t have the heart to tell her to leave. Not when she looked like that.

“Fine. Do whatever you want.” I grumbled before digging into the rest of my food.

“Yay! Thanks!” Amber exclaimed, and the smile was now back on her lips as she dug into her meal. I shook my head as I finished up my food.

When I was done, Amber was still eating. I wanted to leave, but then she said she hated eating alone and it would not be right if I left just like that.

I glanced at Lucia’s table and saw that she was still eating, and my heart sank at the fact that she did not even spare me a glance.

I let out a loud sigh before turning back to Amber. She was really pretty with long, straight dark hair and bright green eyes.

Her skin was pale and so clear that there was not a spot or blemish in sight. She was pretty, but she was not Lucia.

That made me let out another sigh as I reclined in my seat, my eyes darting back to Lucia. She still didn’t look at me. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe she was just not as into me as I thought she was.