Chapter 39

**Angela’s POV**

“Why didn’t you tell me what was happening at school?” I sat next to Harvey. His features schooled in perfect indifference. He averted his gaze.

“It wasn’t your problem.” He shrugged.

“Not my—“I replied incredulously. “Harvey, you are my responsibility, your problems are automatically my own!”

“No, it’s not.” He replied defiantly.

“Harvey don’t be stubborn!” My voice grew stern.

“That isn’t what I am doing. My own mother wouldn’t care about this; you can’t expect me to believe that you would. A woman with no ties to me.” He jutted out as if his words were a reflection of reality.

I couldn’t help but feel hurt. Is that what he thought? That I didn’t care?

I sucked in an exasperated breath. “Harvey...” my voice cracked. I paused and tried to compose my emotions.

“After everything, you really don’t think I care?” I choked out, waiting for a reply. His gaze found mine and he sighed, closed his eyes, and then lifted his lids.

“I see.” I whispered. “It’s late, why don’t you get some sleep.” I soothed and stood up. He positioned himself on his bed and lay his head down.

I gathered the covers and pulled it over him, then I bent my head and laid a kiss on his forehead. “Contrary to what you might think Harvey, I do care and I know that deep down you know that. I just hope one day you will see the futility of pushing me away. I am not going anywhere.” I breathed, my emotions causing my voice to sound raspy.

I walked to the door, flipped the switch, bathing the room in subtle darkness that was battling with the light easing in through the open door. I pulled the door slightly leaving it agape like I always did.

I was so sullen I hadn’t truly noticed the time, it was around nine. Brad was yet to arrive home. I began to fidget. Where in the devil could he be?

I ran my fingers through my hair, a deep sigh evoked as a result. Caught up with the day’s events I had forgotten to bind my free hair, the thought seeming worthless. I couldn’t care about my appearance now, I was too wrapped up in thinking of ways to fix the Harvey situation. What could I possibly do to convince him? I felt hopeless as if I should be doing more!

But this was not my area of expertise and now more than ever I cursed the fates for taking my mother away from me all those years ago. I have no example to follow. No idea how a teenager should be assured of his acceptance.

My thoughts were shattered by the sound of the front door being pushed open. My legs carried me towards the sound, my brain’s protest being overridden until I was halted midway, my mind filled with images of Brad. He’d stopped midway too as if he hadn’t expected to see me.

His expression calmed and all traces of surprise was removed instantly, making me question if it was ever there.

“What were you doing all this time? I was worried.” I blurted before I can filter the words in my mind. I bit my tongue as soon as the words escaped.

I had no right asking about his whereabouts.

Didn’t you though?

My conscious contradicted, like always and it set me thinking. Am I now given some right over him?

“You were worried about me?” His smugness made me want to bury my face until he forgot I ever said that.

I swallowed, time for damage control. “I was, I didn’t have any idea of how your meeting with Blandwell went. What did he say, did he agree to talk some sense into his son?”

Brad stared at me. I was sure the emotion circulating in his eyes was need. Pure, unadulterated need. My breath stuck in my throat. I wasn’t aware that I was holding my breath until he finally broke the tension and the air flew out rapidly.

Clearing his throat, Brad responded, “You could say that.” He was vague.

“What do you mean?” I wanted specifics and I would be damned if I was denied.

“He agreed to keep his brat away from Harvey.” He responded and I didn’t believe him. There was something more.

“He did?” I probed, my eyes attuned to every muscle in his face. A smile tried to force itself on his features but he brushed it off, not before I saw it though.

“Eventually.” He was even vaguer and I wanted to groan in exasperation.

Deciding to stop beating around the bush I was frank. “What did you do?”

He gave me the most innocent of expressions. “I talked to him.”

“Brad.” My voice was low, laced with an underlying warning.

“Before I punched him.” He replied as if it was of no consequence. He sounded almost bored.

“Brad!” My voice pitched an octave higher from pure astonishment.

He shrugged, “I had no choice. He made it clear that he didn’t care who his kid punched around so I used my own counter. All I did was give him a reason to keep his kid in check.” He replied disinterestedly.

I stared open mouthed at him.

“I see.” I replied. I knew Brad would be in no trouble at all. He was respected and in some circles, feared. But I didn’t know how I felt about him putting himself at risk. I liked it just as much as I liked the fact that Harvey was taken advantage of. This scared me. Did my emotions towards Harvey and Brad have some equality?

“And I can’t imagine this taking up so much off your time. Where were you?” Again, I wasn’t able to filter when the words rushed out. I stifled a curse.

“I am sorry. I have no right to ask—” I began disregarding my question.

He raised a hand to silence me. “You have every right, Angela.” I furrowed my brows; this cannot be the same man I knew.

“I have never allowed other women to do this, but I want you to stake your claim on me because I assure you, I will stake mine on you. It is rather exhilarating having you checking up on me, makes me feel as if you care.” His eyes bore the intensity of the sun! I felt heated and something else I didn’t want to analyse.

“Until you decide otherwise,” I whispered to myself but the words were clear and he heard them.

“What?” He asked, his voice hardened and I winced.

“I was—I have every right temporarily, until you...er...decide otherwise,” I spoke the one truth I knew. He would soon tire of me and be after another. I think I came to terms with it.

Ha! What’s in your oxygen supply? Delusion?

My inner devil replied and in that moment I decided I hated my subconscious. Always with the bloody contradictory statements! Can’t my entire mind, body and soul be in agreement for just once?

My eyes focused to the present and Brad appeared furious. What the hell did I do? I stared at him evenly.

“If I could have it my way Angela, you would only belong to me.” His words sounded harsh but I instantly stilled. My respiratory system, along with my blood circulation ceased. I was sure my heart was starving for oxygen now but I was blank.

Wait. ‘if I could have it my way...’ what the hell does that mean?

I parted my lips but he hurried on, blocking off my attempt.

“As for my whereabouts, which I believe was your initial object of curiosity.” He began, “I paid a visit to Harvey’s principal.”

“You did?” I was shocked. Since when did he become so...

“Yes.” A smile formed on his features, eradicating the anger he was just faced with. “I didn’t know it was a woman. That made it a lot easier.” He chuckled and I wonder what was made easier.

Did he flirt with her, did she find him attractive? Who was I kidding! The woman had to be brain dead not to be affected by him. Jealousy surged and I waited for the rest.

“She was very easy to intimidate. I threatened to have her fired and well that did it. It was pretty easy. So after a flurry of sorry’s and promises to keep harm from befalling Harvey, I left.” He was obviously proud of his intimidation and all my worries faded.

I smiled with him and noticed that his grin was almost boyish. I stared in awe.

“So how is Harvey?” He pried, his eyes piercing and I stiffened.