Chapter 99: Liar's Truth Be Told

My breath was caught in my throat when the same question from last night was being pushed upon me again except this time she was hinting that I’ve been keeping a secret. My mother was one of the few people who could read me like a book. My tired eyes and stressed bags beneath them were enough proof to show that there was more than just brother-sister affection.

Subconsciously I hung my head but my mother gently lifted it back up with her hand under my chin. “You can tell me, love. You can tell me anything and everything, you know that.”

*Of course, I know that… I’ve known that my whole life! That’s why I…!*

I still couldn’t make eye contact with her as I mumbled under my breath. “...We just had an argument. You know how I am. I got pissed off over something stupid and… well, yeah. It’s embarrassing and I’m still pretty pissed about it.”

Mom watched me carefully before resting her hands on my shoulders. “Julian will forgive you. It sounds like he already has.”

*Of course, he does…*

“I know stress does a number on your body too.” her smile was crooked to the side. “Your body gets frailer than mine when you don’t sleep.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” my grouchy grumble ended with a wince when she poked my nose. I expected her to disapprove of my sass again but her expression darkened instead.

“It’s known of my business, you’ve always been an independent girl but… about that Liam man. You both haven’t been, um–” this time it was her turn to struggle with eye contact as she awkwardly tried to find the right words. “You’ve both been using protection, right?”

“EH?!” my bewilderment echoed throughout the whole mansion like somebody shouting in a cave. Did Mom seriously just ask me that question?! “No– I mean, it’s not like that! We never–!!” I couldn’t even get the proper words to come out because I was so flustered.

“Ok! Ok.” she lifted her hands in defense. “I believe you, I just wanted to make sure.” her worried look relaxed into that familiar undying love as she watched me. “You should get some rest. I’ll come bring you some food when it’s ready.”

“Alright. Thanks, Mom.” my smile was forced but still grateful.

*Rest my ass… there’s no way in hell that I’m sleeping now.*

Once my mom went back to the kitchen to finish cooking the soup for everyone–that was originally supposed to just be meant for me–I walked in the opposite direction with my hand on my abdomen. That was the first time Mom had ever asked me if I was pregnant. She’s known me to be a wild card all of my life, but that? The memory of the last few times I and Julian had intercourse crossed my mind and I remembered my uncertainty about whether or not he pulled out at the last second.

*There’s no fucking way in hell that I’m pregnant. Just no fucking way. I’m just stressed the fuck out from last night. Julian’s split personality ass has been driving me mad.*

That’s what I told myself. I refused to believe such a thing, so much so that I had no intention of buying a pregnancy test. Something like that isn’t possible for people like *me.*

I checked my phone again to see if Jack had responded to me yet.

Nothing.

A heavy sigh escaped me and I felt that familiar twist in my heart, a feeling that made me clutch the shirt on my chest. Why is he ignoring me? Is there something I did wrong? I was still determined to get out of the house and get some fresh air, even if I did have to use my own pair of wheels. The thought of visiting Liam did cross my mind but I needed mental relief. Apart from my mom, there was one other person who could give me peace and tranquility to the chaotic storm always thundering inside of me.

I made certain that everybody was in the kitchen and focused on each other before making my getaway to the garage. I think one of the maids saw my ‘sneaky escape’ but I doubted she would be much of an issue. I hope.

Each time I got into my black Tesla I felt a surge of satisfaction and glee. Never in my life had I owned something so exquisite, no matter how extravagant it was. Best part? I didn’t even have to steal it. Granted, the expensive car being gifted to me just made me feel worse…

What should’ve been a long drive from the east-side to the west of the city should’ve taken some time but with my impatient ass? I was moving at the speed of light! Or at least attempting. One thing was for sure; this baby was fast. As. Fuck. I was zooming so fast that the police didn’t even notice me when their backs were turned. I had an experienced knack for that. The city looked like the ‘light’ was turning into the ‘dark’ the closer I got to the place I had called home for so many years.

My hair wildly whipped in the strong wind and fell to my shoulder when my drive came to a stop in the parking lot of an apartment I had been coming to for, shit, I lost count of how many years. The drive was ten minutes too long, Julian was on my mind the whole time.

*Julian… Julian. Fucking JuLiAN!*

I repeatedly bounced my forehead on the steering wheel. Now, more than ever, the man was on my mind like a poison. Like a hacker who stamped a virus in my skull with not a firewall in the world can block out.

My flight up the stairs only took a few moments after doing it thousands of times. My impatient knock already told Amy who it was out of all the knocks that ever come on her door. And yet she still beamed when she swung open the door and saw my face. “Suki!” the young woman embraced me tightly meanwhile my arms dangled like a grumpy cat not wanting to be handled.

When she released me, a single look in my eyes was enough to tell her that something was wrong. I was an open book with a pretty cover and dirty pages after all. She didn’t ask me what was wrong, only looked around warily behind me before taking me into her apartment.

“You don’t look so good, Suki.” her brows knitted together as she looked me up and down. “Are you alright? Are you getting sick?”

“I wish everybody would stop asking me that damn question!” another unintentional snap slipped past my lips but Amy didn’t look too jarred. Instead, she gestured for me to join her on the sofa but instead, I made my way into her kitchen and looked through her fridge. I may not have wanted my mom’s soup at the time but I was starting to have regrets, I felt like I was dying of starvation. “Just stress, suffocation, and another rough, sleepless night. The usual… just worst in a stuffy mansion.”

“And Julian?” Amy gave that cute little tilt of her head when thoughts popped up in her mind. “Is he the root of all of it?”

“Yeah–” my attention was caught by something that looked appetizing enough. Amy’s brown eyes widened when she watched me pull out a jar of green liquid and use a fork to eat the pickles out of it. “There’s something not right, here. There’s seriously something fucking weird going on.” I grumbled through stuffed cheeks. “It’s like he’s got a split personality! I’m really fucking convinced that he’s more fucked up than I am! Last night he was fine then suddenly he started fucking freaking out when he heard I’ve been texting another man!”

Amy’s eyes were still wide while staring at me. “I… uh, not really surprised. No offense, Suki, but you got a knack for attracting the weird ones, but…” she pointed at the jar of pickles I had just half eaten in seconds. “Are you sure you’re alright?”

Before I could respond, my phone rattled a rhythmed vibration in my pocket. When I looked at the lit-up screen I saw a name that I didn’t expect to be calling me.

My mouth is still half full when I answer the phone. “Mason? What’s up, man?”

At first, the other side of the line was silent and his voice cracked when he finally spoke, “Listen, SuSu… uh… it’s about Jack…”