Victoria's pov
I woke up extra early so that I could leave for work before anyone else woke up. Of course, I'll need to get a ride from Luka given that I don't have my car yet, and I would definitely get lost in the woods. But I decided to let him get some more rest first.
After applying my lipstick and tightening my hair, I made my way downstairs to grab something to eat. I tiptoed passed Luka's room as I went to get breakfast before waking him.
It took me a while to actually find the kitchen.. The house was too big for its own good. To my surprise, everyone except Luka and Caleb was already in the kitchen eating and talking.
Great.
"Good morning" I greeted, expecting a little manners, but of course, no one answered.
"Not too many at once please" I muttered sarcastically and actually received a chuckle from Lincoln.
I got myself a sandwich and went to the farthest end of the kitchen to eat alone. I noticed Twinkle's bowl was full and I thought it must've been Luka who filled it.
The scraping of a chair caught my attention and I noticed Lincoln was making his way towards me. For more tormenting I suppose.
"Hi" he said with a small smile. Okayyyy?
"What's the prank? I'm really not up for any games." I retorted unamusingly. He held up his hands in mock surrender with a light chuckle.
"I'm not messing with you" He looked genuine, but I still didn't believe him. "I'm just trying to make amends. I was being an ass last night"
I was silent for a moment but decided to answer.
"Yes you were " I muttered and he laughed loudly. It was contagious and I found myself chuckling too.
He was silent for a while before he spoke again. "I'm sorry for the way I acted last night. It's just that we don't have pleasant history with outsiders and it's literally in my nature to be overprotective of my people" I nodded in understanding.
" I get it. I would too if I had so many people I hold dare to me. But I assure you, I mean you and your family no harm, I'm just here until my house is fixed. I may even leave earlier"
"Well I hope we can put this behind us and start over. Caleb gave us a proper lecture about being kind to you. He said you're fun, I'll like to see that for myself"
I should really thank Caleb for sticking up for me.
"And don't worry about those two, they'll come around. But that protective gene runs through their veins more prominent than mine, so it might be harder" He continued while I finished my coffee.
I simply nodded as I checked the time, seeing that it was almost time to leave. It was a Saturday morning, which meant I'd get to leave work early today, so I planned to go spend some time at the diner after.
"I'll get going now" I announced with a grunt as I stood up.
Luka's still sleeping" Lincoln offered sweetly, causing me
a bit skeptical. Luckily, I saw Luka enter the kitchen looking like a very sleepy
he have to be
eyes scanned the kitchen worryingly till they landed on me, which made him automatically
I thought you went off
I let the little nurse wonder off alone Luka?" Lincoln taunted
do you care?" He shot back. "Anyways let's go Victoria" he
to the door, not sparing a glance at anyone. I just muttered a quick 'bye' to
arrange for my house to be
worry about that. I already dealt with it" Luka replied coolly. I
that? This only
"I have my ways"
me a lot of stress, just let me know
wouldn't let him.. It's my house after all. Even though he's obviously rich, I
silence for another hour as I just enjoyed his presence. My favourite song came on the radio and I began to sing loudly, wiggling in my chair as I shouted at the top of my voice. I caught a glimpse of him smiling, seeming amused by my
" I said truthfully. He glanced at me
smile when I get a reason
I told him softly and carefully. I saw his jaw clench as
do you expect to do that
it? I don't know.. I just thought
about me so you wouldn't know the first thing about fixing me." His tone
wasn't trying to fix you" I whispered, feeling hurt. I didn't get why it always made him angry. He didn't answer as
so invested in me
nice guy so why wouldn't
you want it to be your duty to save me? I told you
he would've known eventually anyways. So, I took
left me at home and moved away. My aunt was called to take care of me 'until they return', but they didn't
were dead or something, but we both knew that they just didn't want me. My aunt kinda resented me for it. She loved her sister, and she never saw her as a bad person, so it was like I held onto her life. She wanted to get married, get a home for
treated me like a gem. But one day all of that changed" I paused and
she was beyond happy and I was happy for her too because of the baby. She deserved it" Here comes the hard part, I thought as I gathered
went home late. She was up and she was furious. I was kinda drunk so I wasn't being fair, I had one of those teen-age breakdowns saying stuff I didn't mean
raked my body as the guilt, shame and grief of that egregious night bathed my memory
collapsed and I had to take my drunk ass self and drive her to the hospital. Luckily we arrived unharmed and they took her into the emergency room" I muffled the words out in hopes he would understand. It had been too long since I cried. I always
the baby because of me! " I shouted at no one in particular. It just
his shoulder for comfort, gripping his shirt like he'd disappear in thin air. Maybe it was a bit inappropriate given that our friendship was still fresh, but if he believed this was the
she wasn't the same" My voice was a hush whisper, since I didn't have the energy to speak louder. I was just below his ears, so it
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