25 Secrets of Summer

...Summer POV...

I'm on your way back home from a date that I, in the first place, didn't even want to go on, and now I come back with a huge amount of trouble on my shoulders. I loved the way that Austin cared for me, and if it wasn't for him, I don't know where I would be. I would probably be coming home with a few new bruises. I look back on my life, and I know that I need to open up to someone about what's going on in my life, and if I'm honest with myself, Austin will be that man.

But first, I need to deal with whatever is waiting for me at home. After paying for the taxi that took me home. I slowly walk up the daunting stairs opening the front door. To my surprise, my mom is opening the door and standing with a big smile on her face.

"And? How was it?"

"Was what?"

"Your date?"

"Mother, I came back in a taxi…what do you think?"

"It must mean that he had to go somewhere urgently? You know he has a great many businesses that he runs and must be available at all times, you know."

"Wow, mother, I never thought you were so blind to the truth?"

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Mom, he doesn't have a business or businesses for that matter. He just wants to get his part of your fortune!"

I can't believe I've utter those words. I've never stood up against my mother, and I wonder if Austin's involvement in my life maybe made me a bit braver to know that there's someone that would stand up for me. I watch as my mother covers her mouth in shock. It's clear that she's not shocked at the truth I just told her but rather the way I spoke to her.

"How dare you?"

"I need you to know the truth, mother."

Just then, my dad pokes his head out from the study, and I know that I better keep my mouth shut now.

"I know the truth, Summer. Don't you think that I don't know Raymond? I know what a good and thoughtful man he is, and there's nothing you can say or do that will make me change my mind."

My mother still sees me as her little girl that doesn't know anything about life, but I'm standing here in front of her as a grown woman, and I think I know much more than she could ever know. I see that I won't get anywhere with her, so I just nod my head and then go back upstairs. Just as I enter my room and fall on my bed, still remembering how Austin hit Raymond around the room as if he was a feather, my phone rings.

"Hello?... Oh god, didn't I say not to call me again?... I don't think we have anything more to say to each other…goodbye James."

I can't believe that he has the nerve to still call me after everything he has done to me. He looked like the perfect man, and my parents even liked him. My parents never like a man that I bring home, but this one, they loved. It was weird for me at first as to why my parents would like him, but it soon became clear that he also had an uncle in my hometown who told him about the Knightley's treasures and only wanted a piece of the fortune.

Sometimes I hate my name, and there were many times that I wanted to change it, but then I remembered that even I still depended on their money. I just have to keep up this ridiculous charade for another few months. I'm almost at the finish line to do what I want to with my life.

I close my eyes and fall asleep. When I open my eyes, I see the most horrifying face, my sister.

"Rise and shine, honey!"

"Urgh! What do you want?"

"Didn't you know that the Christmas party is tomorrow night?"

How can I even forget that's all everyone is doing around here. They can't stop talking about everyone that's going to be here, and they can't stop organizing the house so that people would be the most impressed.

"I know this, Tina. What does that got to do with me still sleeping right now?"

She steps back as if I just said something very shocking.

"We have to go and shop for dresses, of course. If we don't go now, all the nice ones will be sold out."

"Just wait a minute…"

I get up on your elbows and frown at her.

"…you're telling me you didn't buy a dress already in October? You waited till the last day just before the party?"

She laughs so loudly that I feel the need to cover my ears.

"No, silly!" She slaps you on the shoulder.

"You're very funny; you know that?" She continues to laugh. I sit up straight, and I really don't understand why we need to go and shop for dresses if she already has one for herself.

"I've already had mine made three months ago, silly! We need one for you."

No, no, no! Hell no! She's going to make me go into every shop and make me put on every dress until she's satisfied with the dress. I love my sister, but this is just too much. I'm still recovering from our previous shopping session for presents. I just can't see myself going through this kind of torture again.

"Tina, I love you, and I'm happy that you can't wait for the party, but I've already got my dress in my suitcase."

Then she gives me her puppy face, and she starts to force tears through her eyes. She always used to do this when we were little, and she wanted something. Dad and mom used to fall for it all the time, and then they made me do it. Now that I'm thinking about it, they still fall for it. She used to get away with murder.

"Come on, sis. We never get to do things together, and you're only going to be here for another few days, and then I don't get to see you until the next Christmas party."

Damn, now she does the pitty card. It's all true, though. We don't spend a lot of time together, but it's only because she drives me insane. I sigh loudly and then look her in the eyes.

"Okay, but there's going to be some rules."

"Yay! Anything, anything!"

"No putting on all the dresses in the shop!"

"Done!"

"And I get to have the final say on my dress?"

"Done! I promise! Now let's go!"

I know I shouldn't have said yes, but I love my sister, and I'm out of here in a few days anyway. I quickly get into the shower and get something warm on as the cold has now completely set in, just in time for Christmas. We get to town, and the torture begins, but on some level, it's kind of fun spending time with my crazy sister.

She's been the only one that kind of showed me some affection. She would qualify to be the closest family member that I have. After exhausting every possible shop in town, we head back home. We turn into the driveway, and we see Raymond's car. I feel my heart sunk into my shoes.

What did he tell my family, and what is he going to say about the shiner on his eye? Are they going to have a talk with me in the study, or is Raymond going to hold it over my head? We get out of the car and carry all our bags in. We got a nice dress for me, but she bought the rest of the shop for herself. We walk through the door, and I hear my mother's voice.

"Darling, Summer. Come to the living room, would you?"

No, I don't want to, mother!

"Yes, mother."

I walk slowly to the living room and see Raymond sitting next to my mother with a cup of tea in his hand, smiling at me. Damn you, Raymond!

"Hey, Summer"

"Look who's here, darling."

"Hello, Raymond"

"Now, now, don't be shy. Give him a kiss, hello."

Everything inside me fights not to kiss him, but you don't know what Raymond would do if you refuse. You walk close and only give him a peck. He smiles, torturing you even more.

"Mother, I'm so sweaty from shopping all day. Would you mind if I just go and freshen up?"

"Oh, honey, I don't know."

"I'll be very quick. Maybe Raymond can tell you the funny story about what happened to his eye?"

I smile, looking at him, and I can see I struck a nerve.

"Okay, honey. Raymond, whatever happened?"

I turn around, and I hear him speak. "Well, Mrs. Knightley. It is quite a funny story…I fell off my horse…"

I laugh within myself at the nonsense he has to come up with now. He'll never admit that another man has overpowered him; he's too proud. Suddenly the thought of that man that overpowered him starts to settle in your mind. I have to see him again. I want to be with him and spend some more time with him, getting to know him.

Suddenly a bright idea starts to form. I'll sneak out and see if he might be at the cabin. I feel the excitement starting to bubble in my heart. I quickly get out of my window and jumps on my horse, making my way to the cabin in anticipation that he might be there.