“I’m not leaving.” I push my shoulders back and try to collect the meager courage that I feel within me.
“Clem, it’s for your own safety.” When Oscar shakes his head, I realize all my family is on board with Mom’s plan.
“Listen to me, Clementine, and listen good this time. I won’t let you put the Hawthorne name in jeopardy. Do you know how many people are working at this very moment to ensure that the news of your abduction stays under wraps? If I have to drag you home, I’ll do just that. I—”
A loud knock on the door interrupts my mother.
When Oscar opens the door, Keith and Merida are standing on the other side.
God, were they listening? Did they hear what my family thinks of me?
“I think it’s better if everyone leaves. My daughter and especially yours had a rough day yesterday.” Keith’s barely restrained voice makes me look up at him. His fists are clenched. His cotton T-shirt is stretched over his heaving chest, showing all his bunched muscles. His raw, angry face has never looked more beautiful.
“You’re asking us to leave? Without Clementine?” Mom jerks her head back in surprise.
“I think that’ll be best for everyone.” His lips pinch together. “What happened last night was not Clementine’s fault. I know this is your family matter. But I would like to mention your daughter was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
Hearing him take my side in front of my mother, my family, shoots my heartbeat over the roof.
“Yes. This is indeed our family matter.” Mom has recovered from her initial shock. “By the way, why didn’t you call me about my daughter’s kidnapping? We could have helped you.”
“I would have if I needed help. But I didn’t.” I can tell Keith doesn’t like being questioned. His irritated gaze softens when it lands on me. “Do you want to go?”
I shake my head and plead with him with my eyes to let me stay. If I go today, I’ll never be able to explore this life, which has only given me a peek yesterday, if I can ignore the abominable events.
It’s also about my work, but more of what happened between Keith and me, and what will happen next.
“Clementine isn’t leaving.”
I notice my brother standing tall, irritated with Keith’s high-handed move. Oscar is about to interrupt when I lightly shake my head. He looks at me for a brief second before stepping back. I know giving up control isn’t his style, but I’m so thankful that he acquiesced this time for me.
But there’s no stopping Mom. “It’s better if you stay out of our family matter, Mr. Adams.”
All the muscles in my body tighten.
Will he let me go?
Any other day, I’d have fought with my mother tooth and nail, but today she’s not alone against me. My dear brother, my lovely gram, all think her choice is right for me.
“This became my matter when Oscar rented my loft for your daughter. She’s my tenant, and she signed a rental contract for the next three months. She’ll stay here, pay the rent.”
My mother pries open her handbag when Keith snaps, “Don’t you dare open that purse, Mrs. Hawthorne.”
Thick silence stretches in the room, and for several seconds, I only hear my labored breathing until Gram’s soft voice cuts the ice.
“Let it go, Irene. Clementine wants to work and we agreed to it.”
Thank you. Thank you, Gram!
I want to squeeze her small, soft frame in a tight hug but she takes a few small steps toward Keith. “Mr. Adams, can you please make sure that what happened yesterday doesn’t happen again?”
Keith regards me with an unwavering gaze. “I can promise you, as long as Clementine is under my roof, I’ll keep her safe.”
His gaze shifts away from my face only when Gram’s wrinkled hands pat his arm affectionately.
“And who are you, Cupcake?” Gram turns to Merida. Leave it to her to call everyone by baked goods.
Mere giggles shyly. “I’m Merida.”