Chapter 19
Nick
I drove to my mother’s house in Malibu. It was her birthday, and despite our strained
relationship, I believed I should spend time with her. She had changed after we lost my father, and we had stopped being the family we once were.
“Son, you’re finally here.” My mother was at the entrance waiting for us. I handed my keys to the butler so he could take my car to the garage after opening the door for Barbara to get out.
“You can bring the paper bags when you park the car, thanks,” Barbie told him, pointing to the paper bags she had brought for my mother.
“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded and walked away.
“Hi, Mom.” I approached, and she hugged me.
“Barbie, darling, you look beautiful. I love your dress.” She made Barbie twirl on the spot.
“It’s Balenciaga. I bought it this week in Italy. I brought you gifts.” Just then, the butler returned with the bags.
“Sweetheart, you shouldn’t have,” my mother said, taking the paper bags and handing them to one of the housemaids.
“It’s no trouble, Grace. I know how much you love fashion, just like me. Now come on, you need to get ready for tonight. You’ll look stunning.” They walked into the house together.
“I’m glad you’re here.” Caitlyn, my sister, kissed my cheek.
“How’s everything?” I asked, and she made a face.
“I’ve been better p>
“I just want to get out of here and catch the next flight back to my vacation, take photos, and live, before I have to decide what to do with my future. For God’s sake, couldn’t I just travel for the rest of my life?” she questioned, looking at me.
“You could, but Mom wouldn’t be happy,” I said, remembering that my mother wanted her to study something related to medicine. However, my sister refused and decided to be free for a while. Mom was never happy with anything, well, except when she saw her friends, the cackling hens. She rolled her eyes and made me smile. Caty was very expressive.
“Where’s the fuckboy?” She looked around. “I thought he would come with you. He was always by your side,” she said, searching for Will.
“He managed to get out of this, lied to Mom saying he was sick,” I said, and she narrowed her eyes.
“Damn, he was so lucky,” she said, bringing a pink drink to her lips, which I snatched from her hand before it reached her mouth. I smelled it and realized it had alcohol.
“You’re not drinking,” I said, taking a sip. “You’re still not old enough, little chatterbox p>
“What the hell, Nick? You’re grumpier than usual. Soon you’ll turn into my grandfather, that’s for sure. Besides, I wanted to drink a little to get through this awful time with Mom and her stiff friends.” She pouted. “I swear I liked you more years ago when you were that rebellious guy who rode motorcycles, ran away from home, and pissed off Mom, the same one who got those tattoos.” She pointed at them. “Which you now hide behind those expensive clothes. You look like a Kingsman and not one of the cool ones,” she said, making me remember those days. I watched her intently as her face reflected anger. I signaled one of the waiters and asked him to bring a new pink drink. I took it, looked at her for a second, and her expression softened.
“Just one,” I said, raising my finger. She nodded excitedly, kissed my cheek, took the glass, and walked away.
“I’ll go with Amelie, I forced her to come,” she said and walked towards her, and I saw a girl with black hair, about Caty’s age, who waved at me from afar. I nodded in response.
I watched them leave and spent some time talking to family friends, who were older people. I headed to the kitchen, where our nanny, the woman who watched us grow up, was.
“Son, I’ve made your favorite dessert, apple pie,” she said as soon as I entered.
“Thanks, Nana,” I replied as she hugged me and kissed my cheek.
“My goodness, you’re getting stronger every day.” She touched my arms. “And even more handsome.” She held my cheeks and looked into my eyes, nodding but saying nothing more. “Come, sit down.” I did as she asked. I could never refuse a dessert made by her. “Barbie had come here already. She asked me not to cook food with too many things from the heat p>
“Calories,” one of the girls corrected.
“And gluten (gluten) and a bunch of things I didn’t understand,” she grumbled, making me smile for the second time that day.
“Nana, do what you think is best. Barbie won’t eat anyway,” I said and continued savoring the exquisite dessert while she nodded and proceeded to tell me how things were going in the house and with my mother, who hadn’t been the same since we lost my father.
I decided to change and go out. Being surrounded by all these people was making me uncomfortable. I put on a royal blue shirt and white pants. I headed out for a walk on the beach since it was something I enjoyed. The area is private, and very few people are seen around here. Along the way, I found a few stones, which I picked up and threw into the water. These are my favorite moments when I come to my mother’s house” which isn’t very often. I returned home and got ready for the birthday party, wearing a white shirt and black pants. As I looked in the mirror, I remembered the image of a dark–haired woman I saw this afternoon at one of the houses near the beach. I was about to confirm if it was her, but she disappeared quickly. Maybe I was just hallucinating.
“Your conscience is betraying you,” a voice in my mind said. I shook off the thoughts and headed down to the party, and to my dismay, the first person I encountered was my grandfather.
“Son.” The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as soon as I heard that word from his lips.
“Grandfather.” My voice was cold as ice.
“I wonder if you’re already taking steps to get rid of the Russells.” He patted my shoulder, presenting a familiar image to everyone.
“No, not yet. We’re still assessing the situation,” I lied. I won’t do anything against the Russells. I feel like it’s a terrible idea, and I’ve already done enough two years ago. I’ll just let him believe I’m working on it so he doesn’t take matters into his own hands. I know he would.
“Perfect. This week, they’ll be visiting us,” he said. I turned to look at him, thinking he invited Alaia. “I invited Darius and Patrick Russell. It will be a “friendly” meeting, a chance to get to know them,” he clarified, patting my shoulder. “We might gather valuable information that could help us p>
“Fine, we’ll do it,” I said, eager to end this conversation. He laughed, satisfied, and walked over to where my mother was.
The night went on. I watched everyone from the table while I drank one glass after another. On an impulse, tired of all this, I left the house and walked towards the house where I saw a silhouette of a woman very similar to Alaia. Before I realized it, I was already there, standing and watching the house from the lookout. One of the lights on the second floor was on. I stayed there for a moment, staring at that window in silence.
“This is madness,” I said to myself and walked back down the stairs to return to my mother’s house.