Historiah
In a few minutes, Jace and Luke are arguing again, and I can see the bottom of my dish. Order of the day with these two. I open the novel I've been reading on my phone and continue with my favourite hobby.
It's been a while since I got lost in a book. I wish I had hardcopies though. It just feels different. There's a ring; which barely hear over the story and pay no mind to, and then it's silence. I get comfortable in it, thankful that they finally shut up. But this silence starts to feel strange.
"What the hell are we going to do?" Jace broods, eyes dark and hiding a hint of-fear? Agitation, maybe? The mood flips on its head, and now it feels like the kitchen is a medieval execution ground. Luke sits silent, and his demeanour is familiar. It reminds me of that day when some of his family came home, and we had to leave school. He could pass for a different person entirely.
His family. It's always something to do with his family.
"What happe-"
"We're leaving here. Now." His words are firm and the aloof, and the frustrated look on him looks like he could strangle anyone that said otherwise. "Tori, pack your bags. Don't leave a single thing of yours back here." He gets up and leaves to his room. "Jace, what in the world is happening?!" It's like I spoke another language. One apart form the four he understands. After massaging his temples, he replies plainly, "We'll explain in the car. For now, just do as he said." I could be stubborn and not move an inch until he tells me exactly what is going on here (which I am being tempted to do), but I realise this isn't the time to do that. I quickly pack up everything that belongs to me, leaving practically no signs that I was ever in the room. Packing and leaving has always been something I'm good at. Luke loads everything into the trunk of his G-wagon without a word. He sits behind the wheel and runs his fingers through his hair as he always does when he's stressed. "Where are we going?" I ask slowly.
"Nowhere." He starts the car.
"And Jace isn't coming with us to nowhere?"
"He will. Later." We drive out of the area, deep into the forest. The atmosphere is so dark and heavy, it's almost hostile. What in the heavens could've made this guy so mad?! "Luke, explain what's happening right now." He keeps his eyes on the roa- apologies, trail to freaking nowhere.
"Luke Wynkinght!"
"Don't say that name!!" He stops abruptly, laying his head on the steering wheel. His breathing is heavy, and his frustration plain to see. "Members of my family are looking for me." He admits. "So, why not meet with them?"
"First, it's the last thing I want to do, and second, you're with me."
"What do I have to do with anything?"
"They would sell off half the company before letting a non-family member stay in one of our houses."
And you welcomed me with open arms?! Is what I want to say, but the word that falls out instead is, "Why?"
"I don't know, some kind of paranoia. They think at best, they'd be a terrible distraction, and at worst they'd steal company secrets."
"So, you aren't even allowed to have friends over?"
"If they aren't a member of a company we want to win over or take by force, then no." That doesn't sit right with me. "Then, every single thing you do has to be beneficial to your company?!"
"Those have been their words exactly." I need a little time to process the bullcrap I just heard. He sighs deeply. "I told them I had to leave the villa to learn a skill over the summer. And now, some of them are coming to the forest house to do whatever the hell they need it for."
"What happens if they met you there?" I ask, mesmerised by the extent his family goes to for a freaking company. "Then I'll have to shoulder the consequences." I know I shouldn't, but I go ahead and ask again, "And if I'm found there?"
"If that happens," He sits up, looks at me. "Then 'mysteriously going missing' isn't out of the realm of possibilities." I'm wide eyed. They could kill me. "But that's illegal!" He laughs, ruefully. Emptily. "You're innocent, aren't you, Tori?" He puts his hand on my cheek, brushes loose strands away. Money can cover up anything, money can take you anywhere. "And on that note..." He beams a full smile at me, like we weren't just talking about how my life is literally in danger. "We'll be camping out here for the time being!"
"Wow. How encouraging." I drag sarcastically. "Come on, the great outdoors is great for meditation and connecting to nature." He sounds like one of those hobos who live in creepy vans talking always about 'good vibes' and making peace signs. "Can't we just stay at a hotel or something?"
"We can't use credit cards right now to be careful. When Jace comes over, we'll figure out how to do that. For now, we'll use the money in my HSA account to buy whatever we need."
"HSA account? You get paid??"
"Of course I do. Just in very little amounts because I don't actually need the money. I just used a separate account for them to send it to without my family's knowledge. They don't even know I work there."
"Your life sure is interesting."
"Interesting is one thing to call it, I suppose. Have you ever gone camping?" I ignore his obvious attempt to change the subject and answer, "Nope. The thought of mosquitoes taking my blood and dirt in my hair never really made my eyes pop."
"Then, get ready for a brand-new experience, Tori. Because there will be mosquitoes and sand everywhere you go here on out." How nice. That annoying optimism of his is back. "Hey, Luke?" I avoid his eyes. "Yeah?"
"Don't be all mad and frustrated. You can't pull it off." I say it like an insult. "The whole 'raincloud over your head' is my thing, not yours." He stares at me, then bursts out laughing. "I'll be sure not to copy your thing, okay?" He's always laughing it off.
"Good."
"That sure is one way to tell someone not to be sad. Ever consider working at the HSA?" "I'll punch you if you keep talking."
"I'll be quiet then." Not like a punch from me can do very much. But the threat was effective, so what the heck. I chuckle on the inside. Yeah.It's my thing, not yours.