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.
Lincoln offered sweetly, causing me
I guess that's okay.. " I didn't trust his intentions yet, so I was a bit skeptical.
does he have to be
the kitchen worryingly till they landed on me, which made him
you went off by yourself" He mumbled through a
would I be if I let the little
since do you care?" He shot back. "Anyways let's go Victoria" he nodded towards the door, silently telling me
glance at anyone. I just muttered a quick 'bye' to Lincoln as the rest stayed silent. We
muttered "I forgot to arrange for my house to be cleared and
about that. I already dealt with it" Luka replied coolly. I just stared
that? This only happened yesterday" I mean,
"I have my ways"
just let me know the costs" I sighed in relief, happy
to say something but I wouldn't let him.. It's my house after all. Even though he's obviously rich, I knew I
came on the radio and I began to sing loudly, wiggling in my chair as I shouted at the
it suits you. " I said truthfully. He glanced at me then
smile when I get
softly and carefully. I saw his jaw clench as
do you expect to do that Victoria?
don't know.. I just thought I could, but he took my silence as an
about me so you wouldn't know the first thing about fixing me."
it always made him angry. He didn't answer as we drove into
so invested in me
nice guy so why wouldn't I want to
mean why do you want it to be your duty to save
this friendship, maybe he would've known eventually anyways. So, I took a while before
take care of me 'until they return', but they didn't " I started ."After realising that
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
gem. But one day all of that changed" I paused and
thought was love, but the moment she found out she was pregnant, he left. She was hurt but she was beyond happy and I was happy
fair, I had one of those teen-age breakdowns saying stuff I didn't mean and acting all bitchy. We had a full blown
my body as the guilt, shame and grief of that egregious night bathed my memory and forged my emotions into one common associate.
muffled the words out in hopes he would understand.
while I squeezed my eyes shut. "She lost the baby because of
himself 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 given that our friendship was still fresh, but if he believed this was the only way to provide me comfort, I didn't mind.
hush whisper, since I didn't have the energy to speak louder. I was
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