48

Gnawing discomfort begins to grow in me, fueled by the awareness that we are at the police station and the people inside there have nothing but hate. I am overwhelmed by Quinn's confession, I find it confusing and the timing doesn't give me any peace of mind. Is it a ploy to get back at me? I want to believe that he honestly feels something for me, the problem is that I can only reciprocate it with distrust and fear.



"Stay with me." He says as we step out and the cameras turn to us.



We push through the crowd of reporters that shove their microphones, phones, recorders to our face with endless questions. Quinn stands to face them when we get to the police entry.


"Rumor has it that you are divorcing your wife for your lover." One reporter says

"I want to make it clear, Cara is not the reason for my broken marriage." He takes my hand to lead me inside.


"Is it true that your father killed Cooper?" A male reporter from the back asks.


"We leave that for the court to determine."

I am disappointed.


It is his father despite everything, it is primal for him to feel the need to defend him.

Quinn ignores the rest of the questions and he holds my hand as we walk in. His sister runs to him and hugs him which at first he freezes before he hugs her back.

"They arrested him." She sobs.

I take a step back, I am the intruder. She disentangles from him. "Hi, Cara?"


"Hi," I respond and start to look around.


"You have the guts to show up here," I turn to find Courtney and Quinn's mother.

"She's with me." Quinn says.

"This is a family matter you shouldn't be here." His mother says.

"I can't believe you would bring her here." Courtney says to Quinn and storms off.

I can see the guilt he feels. She's his best friend. After what Andre did to me I should know about betrayal.

"Maybe I should leave." I tell Quinn.

"It will be wise of you." His mother agrees.

"Mother. .." Quinn turns to her.


"We are in the middle of a crisis, someone is out to destroy your father, he is innocent."


"How can you believe that? He killed and ruined people's lives. He is exactly where he should be." I bitterly say.


Quinn's mother is left speechless with her mouth wide open.


"You are the devil that came to ruin my family." She snaps.


Quinn gets angry, "Come, I will ask Anthony to take you home." He takes my hand.


"I am sorry, she said that to you." He apologies.


I wish I can see Mr. Nickel in the cell. It is the greatest satisfaction I would get. The walk back to the car isn't easy but we manage. Quinn finally confesses to the reporter that we are together. He gives me light kiss and instructions to Anthony.



********
I barely sleep through the night, I miss Quinn. Did I just think that?

He said the next day he will bring my documents and flight tickets. My stomach is full of butterflies. Who would have imagined I would one day elope with Quinn, or would have thought Quinn had this other side of him, sweet? I find myself smiling.


"Don't do it." Kelly speaks her doubts. "Why are you running?" She asks.


I haven't yet told her about my recent discovery.


"We are in love." It is a good enough reason.


"You or him?"


"Does it matter?"


"Very much. What about your brother, his family?"


"My brother will be here in a short while, I will explain. As per his family, Theo is coming with us."


"His father is facing a lifetime imprisonment."


"He is paying for his evil doing. Quinn can't save him and if he can he will choose right over him."


"What about your father's legacy, you will just give up?"


"No. It is my brother's legacy I will find a way he gets it back." I say.


"How?" She sits upright on the bed. "Don't tell me you intend to go public, please do." Her face has a huge smile.



"I don't know but i will find a way and no, i have no intention of going public."



I hear the door bell ring and I can feel my heart beating. It is either my brother or Quinn. Kelly offer to open.


Am I doing the right thing? Quinn deserves someone who can love him back but the thought of him with another girl sends me over the edge.


I alight from the bed to go see who it is. It is my brother, he doesn't look well. His state is alarming.


"Your text sounded like an emergency." He says.


"I will be in the bedroom." Kelly says.



Where do I start? How will he respond to it?


He looks restless.


"Are you okay? I sit next to him.


"I am fine just this school that Is stressing me out." He relaxes and spreads out his arms and I lay on his embrace.

"You are glowing, new skin care routine?" He asks.

"You haven't heard about the Nickel and our treacherous uncle?"
I am also treacherous for still identifying as a Cooper, i think but don't say that out loud.

"No."


"I finally did it, he was arrested last night."

"Mmh.." He doesn't pretend to be interested. i don't expect him to be

"And Quinn and I are going away." I say and add, " I would love for you to come with us." I offer.

"Did I hear you correct? You plan to go away with Quinn? Where? For how long?" I can see him panicking.


"I don't know and that is why I am asking you to come with me." I careful say.


"I can't just leave, my entire life is here, school, Nimo...you get it."


I nod even though I don't understand, am I not part of his life?


He speaks again, "If being with Quinn is what you want, and he makes you happy as Nimo does. I am happy for you and you should go with him."


"She does make you happy ?" I ask.


He nods, "She does."


My interest for Nimo piques, "Do you trust her?"


"Yes, what is love without trust?" He replies.


"Have you had anything this morning?" I ask changing the topic.


"A cup of coffee." He shrugs.


I stand to prepare breakfast, "You never told me how you met Nimo." I say.


"Andre introduced us. " He stands to join me in the kitchen. " He has been helpful for the last couple of months, he got me a job."


I am dumbfolded, it smells rotten.
I just have to find out.


What are you planning Andre?