Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Back in Sunbury, I was feeling a great state of turmoil. After having that little argument with Cyrus, it really changed my perspective on this whole thing. I knew coming into this as the oddball out was going to be hard. The one person who I didn't think would think so little of me was him. We were working so diligently to build a relationship with each other that having a falling out with him felt so abnormal. The things I was used to like bothering me or planning to meet him later tonight were no more. It felt so out of place that I began to feel a sense of loneliness. I wasn't completely sure if that was a good thing or not. Sure, there was Bradyn and Twila but my connection with them doesn't even compare to what I feel around Cyrus. Too bad he's a money hungry asshole.

Not in the greatest of moods, I made my way to the kitchen surprised to see Jeremy there so early. It was about seven o'clock on a Monday morning. I knew he worked for the family but this early. Come to think of it, does he ever get a break? Since I've been here, he's been the one to drive the girls and I places, he's always serving someone, especially Farah. Jeremy was head of the servers so that's why he was always so busy around here. Still, there were like ten other guys doing the same job. I'm sure they could take over sometimes. However, Jeremy never complained about it. He was always poised, collected, and had a smile on his face. Even if it was forced at times. His work ethic was truly unmatched.

Sitting down, he handed me a cup of coffee that smelled delicious. The silence overtaking the room was peaceful. Jeremy and I barely had any conversations with each other and didn't really need to. Apart from him working for them, he was the closest person I could relate to. He wasn't from this life; he was just getting paid by them. A lot more than I'd ever get paid but regardless he knew what it was like fighting to make a decent living. Something the Hadid's couldn't relate to.

I took my chances going over to him trying to figure out what to say. There wasn't anyone else for me to vent to about the events that happened except for Jeremy. He knew we were sneaking around seeing each other. Well, at least he knows about that one time where I can be open and honest without sugarcoating anything. There was also the possibility that he wouldn't want to hear it, but Jeremy was a kind man. Even though he looked uptight in my opinion.

Looking at me, he gave me a soft smile reading the room quite well. "May I help you Ms. Monet? You seem down." He was right about that. There was a downness about me today.

I sighed, thankful that he was willing to listen to me. "He ate me up and spit me out." That was all I said, and he got it immediately.

Stopping what he was doing, he turned around grabbing a plate putting a freshly baked blueberry muffin on it. "It's not the sweetest thing we have but it should make you feel a little better. It's nice and warm." He handed the plate to me understanding how I was feeling. "I told you to be careful. These people don't play around. Though I didn't really expect this from Cyrus." He admitted.

I didn't expect it from him either and now here I am contemplating whether anything he showed me was real. Like was he ever being his genuine self? Apart from the lust that would always be there between us, were his moments of softness real? The way he spoke so highly of me and wanted nothing more than to be near me, was that all real? The way he talked on our date felt so off. Then again, wolves raised him. It shouldn't come as much of a shock that deep down he was just like them. The only sane one was Saida, that poor girl. Surrounded by a sea of idiots.

"I guess I was in way over my head." I reluctantly state. "Arghh! Everything is a confusing mess now." I pouted feeling bad for myself ironically.

"Do you mind if I ask what happened?" He queried hopefully bearing good advice.

Sighing, I told him feeling angry inside all over again. "Basically, he talked shit about my job and people who aren't fortunate enough to have money like he does. He also pretty much thinks that throwing money at me is going to keep me on his good side when in fact I never cared about that." I was ranting at this point. "I wanted to get to know him as a person not him because he has money."

The disappointment lingering in my voice wasn't even the beginning of what I was feeling. Being so angry really wasn't fun and I wanted to stay curled up in my bed the rest of my time here. Why keep giving attention to someone who doesn't even deserve it? If he'd thought for a second before opening his big mouth, we wouldn't even be in this position. Granted, it was safe that I saw the true him now before getting buried too deep into him. So why do I still feel like I miss him? After everything he said, I still wanted to be in his presence. In his embrace. There was nothing more that I wanted and yet I also hated him at the same time. I need to get a grip.

Understanding the situation, Jeremy gave me another muffin and that's when I realized he thought comforting a woman was through food. It made me laugh but also made me think. Did Jeremy have a family? Did he have a wife or a daughter? Possibly a son and that is why he understood Cyrus so much. It would make sense being that night he caught us in the fountain he scolded Cyrus as if that were his child. Then again, he has known them for a while so he could be like a child to him from that perspective. Either way, I was curious to know more about Jeremy and not the server Jeremy. He was a person too.

Not being able to stop my curiousness, I decided to ask him some questions. It was no harm in getting to know him. Especially not when he was holding such a huge secret for me.

"Do you have a family, Jeremy?" I was direct. No sense in beating around the bush.

That startled him as his face turned red. I wasn't sure if it was from embarrassment or if it was because of how direct I was with him. "Um, no not exactly." He said not really answering my question.

"So, you aren't married?" I continued pestering him.

He shook his head. "Nope, I've never been married either now that you mention it. I was more of a stud if you will."

That made me burst out laughing. The fact that he referred to himself as a stud was quite charming. Looking at him now, he didn't give me stud vibes. Not that he was bad looking quite the contrary. For an older man, he was attractive. In the prime of his life for sure. But a stud? I don't think. His demeanor was too laid back yet uptight. If there were ladies falling for him, they must have been less than stellar themselves. However, that isn't to say he was lying. Despite his uptightness, he seemed like a good guy. Like he could be a family-oriented person if he were ever granted that chance.

I contained my laughter not agreeing with anything he just said. "Jeremy, there's no way you're a ladies' man." I utter. "Do you ever think about having a family?"

He pondered for a minute before shrugging slightly. "Sure, but you can't have a family when you don't have the right woman." He says confidently and it's true.

This was a long shot, but I had the perfect woman for him. There's a chance it won't work, however that wasn't going to stop me from trying. After all this time, I think she would be ready to get out there in the dating world. She also might get mad at me for even suggesting it. Though it was getting tiring looking at her not having any fun. Trust me, I get why she isn't, and it would be hard for Summer to digest but my mom needs to get back out there. She's forty-five for crying out loud! Jeremy was a great guy as well and I know he would think my mom is a catch. My dad truly did.

I started scheming because this was going to be great! "Jeremy, you're lucky that you know someone like me I tell you!" I said excitedly, not giving too much information away.

He didn't look so happy about what was happening. He looked scared even. "Ms. Monet, whatever you're thinking stop it right now." He was nervous.

"Don't you worry, Jer, you'll love me for this." I smiled excitedly about my very weird plan.

Sadly, that was interrupted by Jenna coming in ruining my mood. She always knew when I was having a fun time and wanted to squash that any chance she got. Looking at her made my blood boil, but to be fair we haven't had much communication all weekend. The way she was coming up to me so urgently was really leaving a bad taste in my mouth. The look on her face frightened me. Nothing could come to mind about anything I recently did to her. Aside from my usual snide remarks, what exactly did I do? Whatever it was, she insisted that we talk now, and I mean right now.

"Autumn, we need to talk. Now!" She was stern and angry when she spoke to me. That's nothing new.

I scoffed eating my muffin and was not really in the mood to talk to her. "Eh, I don't think we do." I kindly toss her aside. There was nothing we needed to talk about.

She frowned, leaning down towards me, getting close to my face. "No, we do. I have some information that I think you'd like to know." That caught my interest.

Sighing, I pushed my muffin to the side, getting up following her through the back door. This had better be something worth my while she wanted to talk about. I really would rather be doing anything else than standing here with Jenna of all people. She said it was urgent, so I was going to listen to her no matter how badly my ears bled. Something about this time told me she was serious though. It was the way she spoke to me. Usually, she's rude but confident. This time she was an angry rude meaning I did something to really piss her off. But what could it be?

Getting outside, she crossed her arms looking at me up and down in her floral print dress. Looking into her eyes, I could tell she was fuming with anger. You could feel the heat radiating off her body the more I stood in front of her like this. It's good to know that even when I don't bother her, I can somehow piss her off. It was a grand ordeal if I do say so myself. Regardless, this is a serious moment and should be treated as such.

Jenna looked at me with this evil glint in her eye. "I know your secret." She simply states causing my stomach to drop.

"What secret?" I asked nervously. Could it be the secret?

She smiles, knowing she's got my number. "I know you've been sneaking around with Cyrus when you're not supposed to." She dropped the bomb on me.

Shit!