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.
since Luka's still sleeping" Lincoln offered sweetly, causing me
guess that's okay.. " I didn't trust his intentions yet, so I was a bit skeptical. Luckily, I
does he have to be
worryingly till they landed on me, which made him automatically relax in
went off
the little nurse wonder
He shot back. "Anyways let's go Victoria" he
glance at anyone. I just muttered a quick 'bye' to Lincoln as the rest stayed silent. We drove in comfortable silence
forgot to arrange for my house to be cleared and
with it" Luka replied coolly. I just
that? This only happened yesterday" I mean, I wasn't complaining
"I have my ways"
saved me a lot of stress, just let me know the costs" I sighed in relief, happy that the hard part was
he was about to say something but I wouldn't let him.. It's my house after all. Even though he's obviously rich, I knew I wouldn't be comfortable with him paying
presence. My favourite song came on the radio and I began to sing loudly,
smile more, it suits you. " I said truthfully. He glanced at me then
I
I told him softly and carefully. I saw
you expect to do that
I just thought I could,
about me so you wouldn't know the first thing about fixing me." His
to fix you" I whispered, feeling hurt. I didn't get why it always made him angry. He didn't
me anyways?"
nice guy so
I mean why do you want it to be your
If we continued this friendship, maybe he would've known eventually anyways. So, I took a while before I started speaking, just to gather
me. I mean like, they completely left me at home and moved away. My aunt was called to take care of me 'until they return', but they didn't " I started ."After realising that they weren't coming back, my aunt took care of me for years, but she was never happy." I
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 herself and kids,
would get angry that her life wasn't going as planned because of me, but she always treated me like a gem. But one day all of that changed" I paused and stole a glance at him. He looked interested as he peered
hurt but she was beyond happy and I was happy for her too because of the baby. She deserved it" Here comes the
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
guilt, shame and grief of that egregious
room" I muffled the words out in hopes he would understand. It had been too long since I cried. I always believed I was too
lost the baby because of me! "
as he pulled me on his lap, cradling me like a baby and providing me comfort. I snuggled my head in his shoulder for comfort, gripping his shirt like he'd disappear in thin air. Maybe it was a bit inappropriate
My voice was a hush whisper, since I didn't have the energy to
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