10

It was 3am I stood on the boardwalk alone as waves hit the shores; the smell of salt lingered in the air and the small breeze whistling was the only company I had. I stood and waited; a car approached quietly to the parking lot but it was a couple going for a late night swim. I checked my phone but nothing; I put it back in my pocket and messed with my ring. I felt at peace in this spot and started humming to myself. I was spooked by someone walking up to me, I turned to Nick in all dark clothes.

I threw my hair back "So it was really you." He sighed "I'm sorry if it hurt you but I had to for our safety." I stood holding myself because it became cold "Why are you here?" He looked to the ocean "Thought I would see you before I disappear." He looked at my hand "Oh I see." I looked at the ring "I couldn't wait forever." He became upset "Oliver I suppose. I heard things but I thought it was a rumor." I smiled "Was I supposed to wait for you to figure out how you felt?"

He smirked "I knew how I felt. Was it my fault you were in danger and I had to pull myself away." I laughed "Yes. If you hadn't drawn attention to us everytime we hung out with the dangerous stunts, I'm sure no one would know." He licked his bottom lip "I guess it was my fault." I exhaled "I let go of whatever we had for each other and I'm happy. I have a normal life and I hope you find that someone for you." I started walking back to the beach; he followed shortly behind "You know damn well that relationship is a joke. He knew I'd come back, why do you think he rushed his proposal to you. He's using you."

I turned to him "And I suppose you are here to rescue me right Nick?" I walked back to him "I suppose you know we were both arrested for your "murder" but yet here you are standing in front of me. What did you expect this to come out to? Almost two years of not seeing you and I'd jump in your arms and be yours? Or shall I say your arm candy because you and I both know you don't do relationships. I was a show off and you had no intentions of marrying me, being my boyfriend and best friend. I learned that when you walked away from me when I was ready to give myself to you. I no longer have to fight for a spot and it feels amazing!" He frowned "I just didn't want to hurt you."

I yelled "And you did. You have the guts to sit here and get mad at me because I went for something I damn well deserve. I was interested in Oliver long before you. You just stepped in the way of what we were supposed to have." He laughed "Is that what you've been convinced?" I got more angry "Convinced of what? That I deserve more than being a side bitch!" He raised his eyebrows "You are far more manipulated then I originally assumed. He wants you for daddy's money! Power! He sees you as the mob bosses daughter not just Lily! But if you believe his intentions please continue."

He walked past me "Good luck." I calmed down and headed back home. I laid down, Arabella sat up "Where were you? Oliver came looking for you." I grunted "Who cares. Go to sleep." She laid back down and went to sleep. I laid there until I fell asleep.

The following morning I woke up late and went downstairs to my dad and family eating lunch "Good morning sleepy head." Oliver came up and whispered "Hey. I was looking for you all night." I brushed it off my shoulder, went to my dad and sat down "So any news?" I checked my phone, I had a text "Just ask him. I'll wait." I locked my phone and put it away "Dad, why did you come out, just curious?"

He looked at me surprised "I wanted to see you girls and Hunter." I smirked "Since when?" Tyler snapped "Enough of that." Oliver's phone rang and he left the room "Excuse me." I looked at my dad "What if this is a whole scheme?" I paid attention to his reaction and just as I thought it was true. Tyler shook his head "Stop this nonsense." I stood up "Whatever." I was about to walk in to the room with Oliver when I overheard his conversation with his dad.

I stood outside the door and listened "I can't rush this anymore then I already have dad." He paused "Yes she is on the hook. She believes all of it." He paused again "No Connor has no idea of it. Nick is dead. Yes I can confirm it. The police are involved. No I didn't see a body.... Dad I need to go I'm around alot of people. Bye." I went down the hall and made it seem like I just walked up "Is everything okay? My dad sent me to check on you." He nodded"My mom is sick and I told him to keep me updated."

We went back to the living room with everyone, I smiled "So dad there's something we want to tell you." Oliver looked at me "What's that." I pulled out my ring and showed him "Oliver and I are engaged." Tyler looked at my dad and my dad stared at me with a blank stare. Olive chuckled "Surprise." My dad put his glare on Oliver "I need to talk to you."

I looked at Oliver "What did you expect letting us live together?" My dad looked back at me "Lily not now." I placed my head on my palm "Oliver what about the business deal thing?" Tyler pulled my sister's and Hunter upstairs; I reached into my front pocket "Well Oliver." I quickly pulled a knife to his throat "What was that talk with daddy about?!?" He gulped, my dad stopped me "Lily I knew about it!" Oliver slowly lowered the knife as I was distracted by my dad "What?" He nodded "Please put it down."

I lowered the knife "Why did you say my dad had no idea?" He exhaled "I have alot to explain." I sat down "Speak!" My dad snapped "Lily!" Oliver started "I had to make my dad believe Nick was dead that I killed him. I told him your dad had no idea, he isn't dead Lily." I crossed my arms "I know." My dad looked at me "How do you know?" I gave him a dirty "Because I know his strengths and I may or may not have been talking to him." Oliver rubbed his eyes "Why?" I looked at him "Why did you lie to me? He told me everything! You both keep me so shut out and clueless."

My dad yelled "It's for your safety!" I smirked "I am the daughter of the two strongest people known trust me I know my strengths and weaknesses dad!" He yelled "You have no idea!" I got up "I figured out who you were, I figured out what was going on and believe me you better start becoming honest with me before I turn on you like your wife and my mother did!" My dad yelled "Go upstairs now!" I smirked "Do not underestimate me!" I dropped the ring in Oliver's hand "You are just as worse as Nick was! I was the idiot who trusted you!"

I felt sick again, I nearly fainted. My dad ran for me but Oliver grabbed me; the nurse came running to help. She took my temperature "You need to be seen. Your temperature is 103." I sat up "Geez I'm fine." I went to the bathroom, washed my face with water and sat down. I looked at my phone and had a text from Nick "If I don't hear back by tonight I have my answer." I text back "I know about your plan, your telling me I can trust you but played their game. Good luck on your travels. Don't contact me again."

I stood up and went to the living room, I sat down on the couch "I want to be left alone." My dad got up and stepped outside, Oliver sat beside me "I think you need to be seen." I smirked "What was that conversation really about because you told me it was about your mom." He sighed "After we got married I wanted to move somewhere we won't have to worry about any of this." I raised my eyebrows at him "Oh so your feelings are real?" He frowned "Not one day were they fake."

I laid back "my head really hurts." He reached for my hand "Come on, I'll take you." Tears came to my eyes "I can't. I'll ask Tyler or my dad to take me." He frowned "Please don't fight me on this." I exhaled "Fine." We headed to the hospital; I went back alone. I swore it was the stress I had been under. Boy was I so wrong.