Chapter 2

BASH My attention snaps to Lizzy's boyfriend, Dean. I don't like him so much, but who am I to judge? He seems to make my sister happy. But if he ever hurts my sister, I won't hesitate to break his face.  Dean marches in my direction. As a golden boy, I give him a smile I have mastered since I was a kid. "Good to see you again, man." I extend my hand, and he grips it tightly with a manly hug. "Welcome back, Bash." "Thanks, Dean. So, how's the new lawyer?"  His face lights up. He gets the look that he can be the future senator, built like a soccer player and a brain that could pass laws for the country's future. Honestly, he's perfect for my sister. "Thanks for asking, Bash. Just got a case yesterday. A starting-up company files a lawsuit against your Dad's company. I shouldn't discuss this with you, but I know Liz is filling you in somehow. It's not a big deal. Your company will surely win this case. It's nonsense. They're wasting their money and time." He seems so confident about what he does for a living. He has the privilege of graduating magna cum laude at Harvard Law School. "So, are you going to start your master's here?"  I take a breath. "That's the plan. Mom won't let me go back again. Dad wants me to start working with him. So, I guess I don't have an escape plan this time." Lizzy marches in. She grabs Dean's head and kisses him like I'm not around. I'm not used to seeing my sister locking lips with her boyfriend.  I fake a cough. "What? Can't I kiss my boyfriend?" she asks mischievously.  I roll my eyes, which makes Dean chuckle and lick his lips.  "It's really not my business, but that's my sister who just kissed in front of me. Gross." I wrinkle my nose. "I think I need to set you up for a date." Her eyes glint. I shake my head. "Not happening, Lizzy. I didn't come back to date." She rolls her eyes. "You're no fun. You can't just lock yourself up in your penthouse after your classes and your training in the company."  "Lizzy, I'll date when I want to, and don't worry, I just came out from a relationship." She snorts. "I told you I don't like that slag." I groan. "Liz, stop it, and we're over." I throw her a warning look. "Fine." She doesn't like Dana at all. I dated Dana for a year, but Lizzy never even talked to her or said hi. I can't blame my sister, though.  Dana and I may have dated, but it didn't get to the point of going into a deeper relationship. The sex was good, but the longer we were together, the sex was just like part of the routine. Dana didn't even mention coming here with me. So our relationship ended up in London. *** "Mom, I got to get going. It's almost six in the morning." I yawn as I rub mom's back.  She is sitting on the barstool while I'm still standing in front of her.  "Can I come and see you?" She runs her fingers through the black hair I inherited from Dad's DNA.  I laugh. "Of course. I know you've got my penthouse keys. You don't have to ask me, you know." She looks at my gray eyes longer, which makes me feel uneasy.  "What?" I stare back at her beautiful green one. "Are you happy to be back?" I nod, releasing a sigh. I can't help but run my fingers through my hair.  My heart still is broken, and I don't know how to fix it. The scars are still fresh, a constant reminder that I have never moved on. "Bash, did you expect her to be here tonight?"  I look away, shrugging my shoulders. I take a deep breath when my eyes start to sting. I know it will only worsen the pain if I lie to her. I bite my lip and nod slowly.  "I didn't expect her to be here, but I was hoping that maybe, she would." My voice is low, but Mom can feel my emotion in those words.  Mom holds my hands and squeezes them. "You two need to talk. You both need closure."  I shake my head. "Got to go, Mom. Where's Dad?" "Here, son." Dad raises his hand. He's sitting with Lizzy and Dean.  After bidding goodbye to my family, I get in the car waiting for me. Edmund quickly closes the door after me and runs toward the driver's seat. He starts the engine without a word when he notices the expression I wear on my face. He plays another song. This time it's from Lifehouse.  I glare and give him a what-the-fuck-look? He only gives me an innocent shrug. The two-floor penthouse is on the fifty-eighth floor. It has a triple-height living room with views of the most iconic skyscrapers. Its perks include a large copper brown kitchen, a balcony, a floor wine cellar, built-in High-tech appliances, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows.  Mom sent me pictures if I liked the interior designs, but these are nothing but dull black and white for me now. "Thanks, Edmund. I can take it from here," I thank him, grabbing my two travel bags with my Bottega Veneta messenger bag. I throw myself onto the couch. Exhaustion starts to take over me.  "Did you talk to your mom about coming with me to college?" I ask Trinity as I lie on my bed with my arms under my head.  She is on her abdomen with her elbows propped on the mattress, scribbling something on her sketchpad and biting her lip in concentration.  "Not yet, but as long as I receive my acceptance letter, they can't say anything."  I sit on the bed and cross my arms over my chest. A small smile spread across my face as I look at what Trinity has been scribbling for almost twenty minutes. She's having fun sketching my face. "We already talked about this many times, Tri." It starts to piss me off with her excuses every time I mention this topic. "Why aren't you listening to me?"  "Bash, I said I'm coming to college with you. Whether Mom and Dad agree on my plan, I'm still coming with you. Who can say no to free housing and free food?" she responds, grinning at me, showing her perfect teeth. I grin back. "I will talk to your Mom and Dad." She hits me with her sketchpad, and she accidentally hits me there.  My hands quickly cup my throbbing crotch as I curl into a ball. I feel the most excruciating pain I've ever felt in my entire life, and my forehead starts to sweat.