Chapter 44

Chapter 44

The next day I was sitting in the kitchen talking to Jeremy. Everything has been going well since I patched things up with my favorite people. Cyrus and I had a good night as well. I told Bradyn everything the other night and she was happy for me. A little jealous but who wouldn't be? I had her support the more I spoke about my feelings for him. She understood why there was no communication on my part with her and we were back to normal. Things were going so well; it almost felt a little too good.

Though Jeremy had nothing to do with that. Instead, we were talking about the person I was setting him up with as soon as I could. That person being my mom, Iridessa. The way they both acted reminded me of a certain someone. My mom would love Jemery's company and his take on life. Not only that, but she could stop relying so much on me if anything were to happen. It seems like this is all to help my case, but that's only a fraction of it. I really want my mom to find happiness again. Jeremy was someone I could see making her happy and vice versa.

He laughed as he prepared breakfast for everyone. They were taking forever to come down, so we were chatting it up beforehand.

"Are you mad, Autumn? Why on earth would you think that's a clever idea?" He questioned my motives, and I didn't blame him.

"Because my mom is a catch, and don't you want to get out there again?" I asked him confused about what the issue is.

He frowned slightly, not looking me in the eye. "Well yes but it's your mom." He spoke confused about what to do or even say for that matter.

I rolled my eyes at his refusal to agree. "Jer, it's a date. I know my mom she'll say yes after a little convincing and that'll be it." There was no arguing this.

There wasn't going to be a no as an answer. He was going to take the opportunity to go out on a date with my mom once this was over. He's been drowning himself in his work without finding the proper happiness once it's over. The man looks like he hasn't had a night out in who knows how long. Hell, I'll even cover a shift for him as much as I don't want to be around Farah. Anything to get him to say yes. I know that they'll hit it off and more dating could commence.

Sighing, he shook his head trying to fight this some more. "Isn't your mom married?" He was reaching for any excuse not to take it clearly.

"No and hasn't been for nine years." I say as my voice grew softer.

He noticed this and stopped what he was doing. "May I ask what happened? You look sad when you say that."

I was. "I'm sure my mom will tell you once you go on a date. I don't really like to talk about it." I smile as I think back on precious memories. "So, do you agree?"

"I'm guessing I don't have a choice." He said through gritted teeth.

I cheered spinning around in the chair. This was going to be perfect. Summer would be happy because mom will be out of the house for a little bit and mom would be grateful just to spend time with someone other than her kids for a change. This was going to be great! I couldn't wait for this to be over so I can set them up. Jeremy doesn't know, but when he sees my mom, it'll be like he's seeing the world for the first time. At least that's what I was told it was like just staring at the woman. The look on their faces when they saw each other was going to be magnificent.

My excitement was short lived when a certain someone walked in. Did I say things were going well? I forgot to mention that Jenna was still on my case about Cyrus. We didn't know what she was up to with the information she had but something told me it would be revealed soon. We only had two weeks left after this one. What better time than to use it against me right?

All the girls came in as it was breakfast time and time for Farah to tell us what we're doing this week. Of course, Farah was always excited about things like this, and it always showed in her voice. It was the only thing I liked about her, to be honest.

"Ok ladies, this week you'll have one on one dates with Cyrus again but this time more sophisticated but casual." She said and it sounds great to everyone. Especially me.

We did the same thing we did when we chose the order last time. Picking numbers out of a hat. This time Twila was first, followed by Sienna, then me, Ocean, Jenna, and Bradyn last. I was never lucky with these things, but it didn't matter as I had an advantage over all of them. Though anything could happen, and I needed to stop being so comfortable. However, he made me this way.

Everyone clapped as always while she kept explaining what would happen.

"Please, keep in mind we have two more weeks left after this. This date counts so put all your effort into it." She mentioned.

The room fell silent as we realized the time we had left to spend here. To think I didn't want to be here a week ago and now I didn't want to leave. Despite the negatives, there were so many positive things to come out of this experience for me. Like meeting Twila and Bradyn. Getting to know little Saida. Sienna was cool too and not to mention, I met someone who means the world to me. Everything I said wouldn't happen, happened. It was going to be hard saying goodbye to everyone. Even the less than stellar people.

Farah bids her goodbyes as we continue to eat breakfast. Afterwards, I decided to take a walk to the gazebo again admiring the scenery. This may be the last time I get to do this. It made me emotional, but I've been emotional all week so that's nothing new. To my surprise, Twila and Bradyn followed me out here admiring the scenery as well. The silence was comfortable as we stood with each other. Our feet are rubbing against the wet grass with a cool sensation running through my body. This was and short lived again thanks to Jenna.

"Still mingling with them I see." She said talking to Bradyn. She walked over to us crossing her arms.

We all turned around to look at her uninterested in anything she had to say. She tried to ruin our friendship last time but not again. She will not be getting into any of our heads.

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want?" I say exhausted.

"To talk." She said looking at Bradyn and Twila. "Alone!" She shouted.

Twila and Bradyn looked at me to see if it was ok and I nodded. Jenna didn't scare me like they think she did. She caused problems but not something I couldn't handle on my own. Besides, if she wanted to talk alone, we could. There wasn't anything she would say that would get under my skin this time. I've dealt with weeks of her shit. Today was no different and I wasn't afraid. I've never been afraid of her though. Not like she thinks anyway.

They left us alone as we stared at each other down. I'm not sure what she wanted from me this time, but I know it wasn't anything good. This girl disliked me for something that was out of my control. Cyrus was his own man, and I couldn't control his actions. That didn't mean she could automatically assume that I wasn't worth getting to know. That was her loss.

Making sure they were gone; she uncrossed her arms looking me straight in the eye. "You're still seeing him huh?" She asked me. Of course she wants to talk about Cyrus.

I nodded. "Yes, I am. Nothing is going to stop me." I tell her so she knows I don't care.

She chuckled not believing what I was saying. "Don't you get it? I'm trying to avoid hurting you." She said to my shock. "It'll be a low blow, but I have to do what I must." She started getting emotional.

She wasn't showing me, but I saw the tears in her eyes, and I knew she meant what she said. However, I didn't care what she did. There wasn't anything she could do to stop me from feeling the way I do about Cyrus. If he was choosing, then I knew for certain he was going to pick me. There was no doubt about it.

Still, I felt bad seeing her cry like this. Mainly because I knew how she felt. They had known each other for so long. The affection she had for him was probably bigger than mine. That didn't mean I was just going to hand him over. We share the same feelings for him and regardless of time, I wanted him for myself as well. There was nothing she could do to change what was already going to happen. So why was she still trying?

Sighing, I walked past her not sparing her another glance. "There's nothing you could do to hurt me, Jenna. I've already been hurt before." I say, "whatever it is you're planning to do, do it. I'm the end, I know what's going to happen. It's time you just accepted it."

I started to walk away but she spoke again. "I can't accept it!" She shouted. "God, you think you could just walk in here and steal his affection? Do you even know the first thing about him?" She was frustrated but I wasn't going to let it phase me.

Smiling, I turned my head towards her, giving her nothing but graciousness. "I know more about him than you think I do. Believe me." I say, staring at her with a newfound confidence. "Again, do what you will but know this...the bond Cyrus and I share is something you just can't come between."

She gasped as I left her there alone. There wasn't anything more to say to her that I hadn't already. Besides, I was confident, and she couldn't do anything about it. Not this time.