Love Is Irrelevant

"Vivian?"

Reeve asks confusedly, and I realize he never knew her name.

"My mother."

An eternity-long silence follows after my words.

Reeve's lour grows.

"Are you... Sure?"

"Listen, there's a lot I've never told you about my family Reeve. And there are things I'll still never bring myself to tell you." I say.

"And most of the time, I think it's for the best."

"Did you see her do it?"

I shake my head.

"No. But the spy cams in Isabelle's room caught it. Vivian finished her off with a pillow."

Reeve stares at me disbelievingly.

"But... Why haven't you gone to the police yet Lili?!"

"I can't do that."

"May I know why not? She could easily harm you next!" He's almost raising his voice now, and I can sense his uncomfortableness.

"Trust me, she wouldn't. If she wanted me dead, you would've never met me."

Reeve sighs, running his fingers through his hair anxiously.

"This isn't right Lili. You can't stay in that house."

"I have to," I say with certainty.

"You don't know that woman like I do Reeve. She's bat-sh*t crazy. But more than that, she's also clever and heartless. That is not someone the police or anyone can deal with."

"Except for you?"

"Maybe." I smile painfully.

"If I reported her to the police, she would most likely escape their grasp like nothing. And even if she did go to jail, that wouldn't even come close to what she really deserves."

"But it would be right."

"Unfortunately for all of us, I don't know the meaning of that word anymore."

Reeve goes quiet, just staring at me.

"See? This is why I told you." I tell him.

"I could never return your feelings.  Besides, even if by some miracle I could, I'm just too f*cked up to be yours, Reeve. Look, I'm not trying to victimize myself or anything, but you deserve so much better, and you know it."

Reeve's gaze on me changes.

"You don't understand, do you?" Ludicrously, he beams warmly.

"I'm not giving up on you just yet Lili. And even if I wanted to, I wouldn't be able to. Call me cheesy if you want to, but you've cast an unbreakable spell on me."

"I don't believe that." I look away from his piercing stare.

"I don't expect you to." He says simply.

"And I won't."

His smile amplifies.

"For now."

I sigh, and decide to change the subject, knowing if I retort, the argument would go on forever.

"How do you and Nancy know each other?"

"We're actually cousins."

"Really...?" I ask.

"Yes. Though she's a bit more tolerable than her brother."

"Mh, okay."

"What about... Your father, does he know about this?" He asks after some time.

"Stepfather actually." I correct.

"And he's kind of the dead weight of the family."

"Wait... He's not your real father?"

"No. If he was, maybe I'd think twice about blackmailing him..." I go quiet realizing what I said. 

Reeve doesn't seem as unpleasantly shocked as I anticipated.

"Blackmail him with what exactly?"

"His other family. If Vivian found out, he knows he'll be good as dead, or maybe worse." I reply.

"Funny thing is, Vivian is also blackmailing him to stay with her. I'm not sure with what yet, but it's enough to make him stay with her."

"Do you happen to know who your real father is?" He asks, and I give him a look, to which he shrugs.

"Well, you seem to know far much than you're supposed to."

"I do."

"And?"

I reply distractedly.

"And... I don't care. He's living a stable life, with a less messed up family. Besides, I'm certain he doesn't know of my existence, thanks to Vivian of course."

"Don't you at least wish to tell him at some point?"

"Of course not," I say with certainty.

"Things would just get complicated. Besides, I know he's not even in the country anymore."

Reeve sighs, realizing he can't persuade me anymore.

"Mind telling me who you think it is?"

He suddenly inquires.

"I... Can't." My gaze on him falters. I have high hopes that he'll understand, just like he always does.

"But I'll tell you it's someone you know."

My gaze stays on Reeve for a minute or three.

Something in my gaze makes him frown.

"Don't look at me like that." He says.

"Like what?"

"Like you regret telling me all this."

He says.

"How can I not?" I ask.

"You're too... Perfect to be caught up in all of this."

He looks at me like I just uttered the greatest misconception of the decade.

"Everyone has their scars, Lili."

My curiosity piques and I almost implore him, but someone walks in.

"Here's your stuff."

Nancy appears, handing me a few microphones and cameras.

"Thanks." I look outside the windows.

"I should get going now."

"We'll discuss your payment tomorrow." Nancy gives me a look as I head out the door.

"Sure," I reply.

"You coming?" I turn to Reeve.

Reeve stands but doesn't follow me.

"I'll catch up with you in a minute."

His gaze is fixed on Nancy.

"Okay." I shrug and head outside.

♦

"Here are the microphones you're gonna plant." I hand Reeve three of the microphones.

"Why not a camera?"

"The microphone is less conspicuous."

"Right..." I can tell he wants to say more.

"Is there any chance I might convince you not to return to that house?"

"Not the slightest." I smile.

♦

Vivian sits on the couch, mindlessly going through her phone. Her new designer clothes and glistening diamond neckless speak volumes to me.

I wonder which millionaire she's looking to scam now. 

The only good thing, is that it looks like I'm back to being the non-existent irrelevant good-for-nothing girl.

Perfect.

I head upstairs and Vivian as I expected, doesn't even glance at me. For once in my life, I'm thankful to be invisible.

As silently as possible, I open the door and enter Isabelle's room.

Isabella is lying on the bed, eyes closed.

"Kara," I say, and her eyes open.

"So?"

"Everything's working out according to plan." She replies.

A subtle smile graces my lips.

"Good."

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