Chapter 16

AMBER'S POV
"Amber, surely you remember my brother, Peter" Pauline's voice ran a chill down my spine as I tried to muster up another smile. It wasn't easy to forget any of the Harley siblings most especially Peter.
"Hi, peter" He leaned closer and wrapped me in a bear hug that lasted almost 10 seconds and when he released me, I took a good look at his face. The boyish Peter I remembered was nowhere to be found, this was a grown up man standing in front of me. Pauline broke the silence,
"Lets have a seat, Amber. We have lots of catching up to do" The offer was scary and I quickly declined,
"I'm sorry, Pauline. I have to rush home to prepare something for the kids" Peter gave me a surprised look but Pauline smiled instead,
"That's fine, Amber. Go settle your kids, we'd definitely catch up at the reunion. You're attending right?" They both looked at me expectantly and I nodded. I was going to attend the reunion even if it would take every fiber in my body to will myself there.
Peter's eyes didn't leave me for a second as I said my goodbyes and hurried out the door to my car. It took almost five minutes but eventually I was able to calm my racing heart. The anniversary reunion was bringing back so many people into my life and it hadn't even held yet. It was only a matter of time before I ended up meeting Jay Harley and I was dreading it.
Taylor swift's shake it off sounded from my bag and I reached in to pick out my phone. The kids always complained about how weird my ringtone was but who was a fan of Taylor swift? The lady makes amazing music and I am a proud fan. I answered without checking the caller's ID cause I had a feeling it was going to be Mel, it was.
"Amber, it's been over two hours since you drove the kids to school. Did something happen? Are you alright?" It was typical of Mel to be worried over the littlest things, it is one of those things that accompany motherhood.
I turned on the ignition as I answered her, "Everything is fine, Mel. I stopped at Alfred's to get us some breakfast, I don't think either of us is in any shape to cook" I heard her laugh a little and was glad I was able to make her feel better.
The whole deal with Ken was taking a toll on her and I badly wanted to help but she was right, it is her marriage, she'd deal with it. I placed the phone on the passenger side as I attempted to reverse and almost collided with an oncoming vehicle.
"Watch where you're going!" The driver yelled and I yelled my apologies back to him as I drove out of the parking lot. My mind was hazy with everything going on and more than anything, I needed sleep and to find a way to make the uniform fit once again.
JAY'S POV
Mr Davis bounced into the office a few minutes after Noah called for him through the intercom. The man looked like he would be in his late 40's with a beard that looked unkept in a neat way, I know it doesn't make much sense. His smile was oddly contagious,
"How may I help you, Mr Harley?" I was still getting used to being called Mr Harley but it seemed like I wasn't going to totally ease up to it. Back at California, they all called me Mr Jay or after much corrections and persuasion, Jay.
Noah looked up from the folder he was skimming through, "Is there any nice restaurant nearby? We would like to get something to eat"
Davis smiled broadly, "Alfred is your go to guy, he makes the most delicious Mac and cheese you've ever tasted" The look on Davis face was enough to assure me of the Alfred's capability.
"Where is this Alfred located?" Noah asked with the usual grace of a butler.
I didn't think it was possible for Davis's smile to get wider than it already was but at that moment, it spread across his face so badly it reminded me of the movie, Truth or Dare. I knew what he was going to say even before he said it,
"I'd be glad to take you there" there it is. Noah cast a wary glance at me and I nodded in approval. What was the harm in entertaining a man who could as well be a spy for the twins? I really needed to eat something, disadvantages of waking up late and missing out on Doris's amazing cooking.
Noah voiced out my thoughts, "Alright, let's get going"
I could have sworn I had visited Alfred's before but it most definitely wasn't the same place. The old diner had been renovated and in place of it stood a massive and if I'd admit, beautiful restaurant. It was quite full with people unlike back in the days when it was usually just me, Danny and Melissa who frequented the place. Oh, I almost forgot, Amber was a huge fan of Alfred's Mac and cheese.
"Watch where you're going!" Davis leaned out of his window and yelled at the vehicle that was reversing in front of us. Whoever was driving the car was either not concentrating or they just really sucked at driving. The woman yelled back apologies and sped past us on her way out. It was always the women that drove wildly.
"Hey, Alfred. Remember Jay?!" Davis yelled at the top of his voice as we took a seat at the far end of the restaurant and I could swear I wanted to pass out. I shot him daggers with my eyes but he clearly ignored them,
"Jay Harley?" Someone else called out from the other side and I groaned inaudibly. Apparently, Davis had succeeded in attracting more than Alfred's attention. I steadied myself for a moment of pretence and fake enthusiasm when the people I least expected to see, walked up to our table. And with a smile I had grown to hate more than anything, my sister greeted me,
"Jay, mum said you were around but we didn't know we were going to run into you here of all places" Great. The evil twins, together in one place. What a perfect day I was having.