Chapter 7

Liam

I can't concentrate during the whole trip. My father notices this and he's mad at me. And I am furious with him for forcing me to come with him. But there are only two days left, we will return the day after tomorrow to california and I will settle my accounts with Lea. She did not get back to me the day she hung up on me, she just sent me a pitiful text to tell me she had to go to the library all day Saturday and that she was going to call me as soon as she got back. And guess what, she didn't and today is Wednesday. My dad let me out early today because he could not stand my behavior anymore, I decide to call Marc, but the asshole hangs up on me. I decide to get drunk as I have a late start tomorrow and nothing to do. I couldn't stop thinking about that Tom. I kept wondering if Lea had decided to have a boyfriend. That's the only reason I can find to justify her behavior. I went crazy yesterday and broke a few glasses. The hotel bill is going to be expensive, and my father has decided that I will pay all the expenses, but I don't care about the money. I inherited from my mother and grandparents so I am as rich as he is, or I will be as soon as I turn 21 to get my inheritance from my mother.

Two days later, we finally get home. My father's limo is waiting for us at the airport, we get in, and my father has decided that this is the perfect time to scold me.

- "Your behavior is unacceptable", he says. "And I'm not going to tolerate it anymore. Don't think you have nothing left to lose; I can destroy you, son".

I register what he says, but I don't feel like arguing with him now, I reserve my rage for one person. I remain silent all the way.

The car stops in front of my house, and I get out but before I have the chance to close the door my father says to me.

- "regain your control before Monday and be on time."

I go up to my apartment and call Marc as soon as I plug in my phone.

He does not answer. I decide to change and go visit my dear friend at the university. I take my baby, the Titanium Series FE Ti XX, which is only available in 13 units worldwide.

A few hours later I finally arrive in front of Marc's house and luckily for me I know he's there because I hear noises in the background. I knock on the door and three minutes later someone comes to open it. And in front of me I have my dearest friend in his underpants, I send him a blow in the face, and I enter without waiting.

- "damn it man. You know I could file a complaint against you for trespassing", he says behind me.

I see a half-naked chick on the couch.

- "out", I say to her.

She looks confused and looks at Marc. The latter says to her.

- "I have things to settle, beautiful, I'll call you later so we can continue where we are."

I let them finish what they have to say and head for the kitchen to have a beer. He joins me and takes a can of his own.

- "you are a pain in the ass, you should've told me you were coming to my house", he gets angry

- "where are the information I asked you for?" I Ask.

- "you could have called me you know; I would have told you everything I know."

- "I swear that if you don't fucking start talking now, I'm going to fucking castrate you"

He bursts out laughing.

- "All right. Just calm the fuck down", he says. "So, the hottie's name is Ella, she studies here too. She's in the same geopolitics class as Lea. I don't know how they know each other but they seem very close, always together, inseparable. She is single too."

- "And the guy?"

- "He's a receiver on the foot team. He's in the same economics class as Lea. He's a pretty cool guy, clean-cut, doesn't fuck around. No girlfriend from what he said", he says.

He stops and thinks what to say next. I know him very well; he's looking for the right words and I already know I'm not going to like what's coming next.

- "balance everything", I tell him

- "I told him I saw two chicks coming to practice and I asked him if he was dating one of them."

- "and" I speed up

- "he said that Ella was Lea's friend and that he got along great with her and that he liked her a lot. He also said that he went out with her on Thursday night after they finished their teamwork in economics."

- "I can see why that lying little bitch didn't answer my phone call that day", I said angrily.

- "I followed her this week; she eats every day with Ella and Tom sometimes joins them. She works alone in her corner except on Thursday when Tom meets her and when they finish, they went to the restaurant. Afterwards he walked her back to her dorm. I took some pictures, here they are."

He shows me two pictures, one at the restaurant with the two of them and she laughs at what the guy said and the other one is in front of Lea's dorm. It's in the dark but I know they are kissing. I've got the rage. She's going to regret what she did. She belongs to me. Her lips belong to me, her first kiss too. She should never have given it to another.

- "Listen", Marc says, "I know you think they are kissing but I think they are not. The picture is dark, but I think he's kissing her cheek. And if it makes you feel any better, I think Lea just sees her as a friend, nothing more."

I send the pictures to myself on my phone. And ask him.

- "Where is Lea at this hour?"

- "It's late, get some rest first. You can settle your accounts with her tomorrow. But tonight, I'm not going to let you go and do something you'll regret."

- "I don't fucking need your advice."

- "if you say so, but I'm not going to let you out. I locked the door and don't waste your time looking for the keys, you're not going to find them. So, rest and tomorrow I'll tell you where she is."

He's probably right, I'm furious and I'm sure I would not be able to control myself in front of her. I decide to sleep because I haven't slept for three days. I close my eyes and the last image I see is Lea being kissed by someone else.

My phone vibrates, I open my eyes and damn it's late I didn't set an alarm clock. It's noon. I see that I have received an email from my father's assistant, but I ignore it, for the moment I have other things to do. I brush my teeth, have a cup of coffee and send a message to Marc.

- "Where is she?"

He replies by sending me an address. I get on my motorbike and head to the location. A few minutes later, I arrive in front of a restaurant, and I see Lea with Ella and Tom outside and she laughs at what he says. There are people around, so she doesn't see me yet. I take note of her appearance and I feel the rage coming back. She is wearing a dress so short that everyone can see her panties.

I head towards them and with my bike not going unnoticed, people turn towards me. I stop in front of them and as soon as she sees me, she is stunned. She seems to lack air to breathe. I throw her a simple word.

- "climb!"