chapter 12 : The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

After an entire somewhat enjoyable day, Laira was genuinely excited about something. I pulled my backpack to the front to rummage for the house keys, while Laira idiotically grinned, gazing at the large carved mahogany door. The intricate design was indecipherable since the carvings were melded together. Upon a closer look, one could distinguish leaf patterns, flowers in bloom, but if you took a step back, the whole scene changed form. It gave me headaches, so I stopped trying to figure out, what was the meaning behind it.

To my surprise when I turned the key in the door, it was unlocked. I briefly tried to remember whether I had locked it or not when I rushed out of the door in the morning. Shaking my head, I was sure I did. I didn't ponder any longer on it and opened the door. Enid and Mason weren't in town. A burglar, maybe. Why would a burglar use the front door in broad daylight?

Stepping into the foyer, a high-pitched giggle trickled through the corridors, and shortly after a deep chuckle. Mason was at home.

" I thought you were alone," Laira whispered as she followed me through the corridor, leading to the kitchen.

" So, did I," I whispered back, even though it was completely unnecessary.

" Maybe, I should go home," Laira said as the voices got louder, the closer we got to the source.

" No, it's fine. Stay," We were still whispering, for some ridiculous reason.

" Oh, Lily," Ava beamed the moment we walked into the kitchen, and her expression darkened when her eyes fell on Laira.

" It seems that the strong winds have carried debris all the way to your doorstep, Mason," Ava disdainfully remarked, as she pushed herself to stand. I was stunned. Mason and Ava, in the same room alone. The possibilities were endless.

" I will see you tomorrow at lunch, Miss Morston," Mason crooned, smiling as he, himself stood up.

" Miss Abernathy, Miss Winters," He finally acknowledged our presence, as he walked around the table, to where Ava was.

" Mr Kinnaird," Laira meekly greeted back and took a step behind me.

" It's a date," Ava beamed as she moved her feet, while Mason placed his hand on the small of her back. Date? What date? I truly hoped that it wasn't what I thought it was.

" Mr Kinnaird, If I may, a word, please," I said before they stepped outside the kitchen. My request was loaded with eagerness to uncover the mysterious reason as to why on gods green earth they were going on a date.

" I will be in my office," Mason calmly said without even sparing me a glance. What was happening? I felt the earth underneath my feet crumble, as I fell in an endless abyss of despair. It escalated quickly. Once again, I waging a war against myself. Keep calm or explode like an atomic bomb.

" Laira, make yourself at home. I'll be back in a few minutes," I finally snapped out of the trance, and turned around to make my way to his office.

I didn't know how to broach the matter. Yes, we were lovers. The lines were blurred. In reality, I didn't know what we were. Reality, I sighed when that word popped into my head. Reality had words with me, and the pit in my stomach was telling me that they weren't kind. Stopping in front of his office door, I took a deep breath trying to keep the unease at bay. Trying, was the keyword. Failing, was another keyword. I didn't even know how to begin. No matter, it had to be done. I couldn't, I didn't want to nor needed to be subjected to the blatant humiliation.

With one last deep breath, I reached for the door handle and pushed it open, to find Mason pouring himself a drink.

" What are you doing?" That was the first question that came to mind. Was I angry? Yes, I was. Did I allow him to see that? No, way in hell.

Mason briefly glanced at me, " Pouring myself a drink," He nonchalantly replied, placing the cork back on the bottle. He was playing dumb.

" You know that is not what I asked. Now, pray tell me why are you having a date with Ava?" On the surface, I was incredibly calm, all things considered. Under the surface, I was a ball of nerves. Just as furious as the sea during a storm. I half expected that we would come to have that conversation at one point.

" First, close the door. We have guests." Mason leaned against the door leading to the back garden. He was distant, frosty. I had dealt with that Mason before. He was no fun.

" You have the stage," I said the moment I closed the door, which garnered me, a chuckle from him.

Mason hummed, " As she clearly pointed out earlier. We are going on a date. I hope this answers your question," He didn't bother to look at me, while he answered the question, and sipped on his drink.

" Mason, I'm not in the mood to play games. Why are you going out on a date with Ava?" I was losing control of my emotions. Anger trickled through. The wall was cracking.

" Funny that you mentioned games," He chuckled and sipped on his drink " At this point, I'm merely a pawn, in your game. I don't particularly enjoy being toyed with...." He coldly remarked, and I knew he was referring to the fatidic night when it all started. It was an unexpected turn of events.

" Mason," I closed my eyes, trying to gather my thoughts. It wasn't a game to me but he saw it differently.

" I'm not playing any games," I gravely countered and opened my eyes only to find him in the same position, very much like a statue.

" Is that so," He mockingly chuckled, " I believe you did. And as it happens, I'm not very often wrong," The frostiness was something, I could never stomach coming from him for some reason.

I groaned in frustration, " You're being ridiculous. I haven't been playing any games. I have no clue as to what you are referring to, but..." I stopped speaking. The words that sat on the tip of my tongue were hard to say out loud. Once I had voiced them out it would make everything real.

" Have you not entered the agreement with a hidden agenda?" He posed the accusatory question and finally turned to look at me, expressionless " Hoping for more when you know that there isn't room for more. What made you think that things would change? I clearly stated that nothing would change." Oh, boy. It changed everything. It created a vortex where hope and logic collided, creating a very unbearable hell.

" Answer me, Lily?" The gravity in his tone sent shivers down my spine and jolted me out of my musings. I scrunched my eyes closed, to shake that feeling off.

" No," It was a lie, " The agreement was for one night. You changed the rules. It changed everything and you know it," I snapped, and I had no idea that I was even capable of doing that in his presence. Needless to say, my remark had little to no impact on him.

Mason dryly chuckled, pinning me with his gaze. He wasn't amused in the least " I believe your words were and I'm only paraphrasing. It's just one time and I will be gone. You will do what you normally do and I will never bother you again. Unless you want me to," He coldly reiterated word for word what I had said that night. And that was sufficient to make me smile. I had kept my end of the bargain, he did not. I wasn't in the wrong. He was. And for the first time, I basked in the glow of my upcoming victory.

" You came back. You cannot put on me what ensued after. You're not the only one with an excellent memory. But, be that as it may, if you think that this is a game" I approached the desk, took the glass out of his hand and downed it in one go," Game over, Mr Kinnaird. I was the one who, as you said initiated this game, and also I'm the one who will put an end to it. Enjoy," I placed the empty glass back in the tray with an incredibly steady hand and turned on my heels. Holding on to that feeling, of victory. I didn't bother waiting to hear if he had more to say, but even if he did. It didn't matter. He wanted to return to his old ways. I had no control over that. I wasn't going to wait on the sidelines while he had the time of his life. I had found the strength to walk away. I held onto that with all I had. The anger and the grudge were my lifeline. I needed it to keep myself from falling apart.