Chapter 7

UNEDITED-

"Fine Sebastian.. you have yourself a deal.." So all Lu has to do is sit through a few dinners and then say no?.. easy.

"Great.. so what do you like?"

"My own space.." Lucilles stand-off-ish answer still made him smile.

"And what else?"

"Books.."

"Are you going to be this difficult the whole time?.." Somehow he found Lucille amusing rather than rude.

"Most probably.."

"Your blatant honesty is refreshing I have to admit.. all day I'm surrounded by yes men. I need a woman like you in my life.." Sebastian grinned. Lucille took note of how he spoke.. like an experienced businessman, rather than the son of one.

"Are you ready to order?" A tall suited man stood by the side of their table.

"No.." Sebastian replied without looking to the man who just walked away to the next table. "I'm sorry to cut this short but I actually have somewhere else to be.."

"Oh that's fine.." Lucille smiled and the boy stayed looking at her a few extra seconds before replying..

"So I will see you.. maybe next week?"

"Next week?"

"Yes.. don't worry I'll arrange it with your father.." He stood up and bowed.. "Take care Lucille.."

Lu nodded and waited for him to leave, texting Alberto that she's done.. Her phone immedietly buzzed.. Alberto saying he's out front. She got up and left the restaurant.

"So how did it go?"..

"Fine.."

"Radio?" He sighed..

"Yes.."

Lucille made Alberto pull over a ten minute walk from the house.. "Miss Lucille are you sure you'll be alright walking?"

"Yes.. I just need some air.." She closed the car door before he could say anything else. The car slowly pulled away and left Lucille alone to decipher her thoughts.. She didn't get very far on the matter. Lu just ended up listening to the soft relaxing sounds of nature.. The birds flying over head, a squirell cracking a nut in a tree. Someone falling over face first across the street from her. She quickly walked over to check on the man that had went tumbling.. He looked to be in his early thirties, short brown hair with the odd silver strand. "Sir are you alright?" Lucille held her hand out for the man to take, he did and she pulled him to his feet..

"I'm not even sure what happened" Once he was up he rubbed the back of his head where Lucille already knew it was bleeding. "Thank you miss.."

"Yeah.. no problem" She nodded.. The man carried on walking in the opposite direction, clearly a little embarrassed by his fall.

She watched him go for a moment, making sure he really was alright before putting in Jens number and sending a text.. 'They are arranging my marriage.. and you say this isn't hell.'

Lucille walked through the front door not long after and was greeted by her mother.. "Are you alright?" The ache in her chest at seeing her daughter be manipulated in the same way as she was grew heavier every second she spent looking at her.

"I'm fine.." Lucille nodded.

"Okay, well Phoebe is in her room with her friend and Shiloh is at music club.."

"What does she play?.. Is she any good?"

"Piano, and I dont know.. I've never seen her play.. I should do that.." Julia seemed to realise how sad her words were.. she really didn't know what Shiloh was good at besides art.

"Maybe we should go and watch her sometime. I'm sure she would appreciate it.."

"We could go now if you want? She's not due home for another hour.."

"Are you sure he won't mind?"

"Your father won't be home until tomorrow afternoon darling.."

"Ok, let's go" Lucille offered her mother the first real smile yet. Just because she is weak doesn't mean she is undeserving of love. No matter what there is always a little bit of love in your heart for the woman that birthed you. Julia quickly told Phoebe what was going on and the two made their way out of the house.

They pulled up outside the large building and Alberto got out first, going around to Julia's door, Lucille stepped out herself. Julia could barely walk across the gravel car park in her high heels.. Lucille silently offered her help and Julia latched onto her daughters shoulder for support until they got to the concrete path. They announced who they were before being let into the hall where various kids were sat practicing with their parents and friends in the rows of seats with violins, some singing, some playing the guitar.

"Lu? Mum!" Shiloh immedietly spotted them and ran over hugging them both separately.. "What are you doing here?" Her gleeful expression soon changed to confusion.

"We wanted to see you play.." Lucille smiled down at her..

"Really?" Shiloh looked to her mother..

"Of course love"

"Okay.. well we are just rehearsing.. but I can still play for you.." She smiled again, overjoyed that her two favourite people came to watch.

"What will you play?" Lu asked..

"You'll see.." She grinned cheekily..

"Well I'm sure you'll be better than I ever was.." Shiloh giggled at that before running up onto the stage.

"Lucille.. if I remember correctly you always played beautifuly.. apart from when you were messing up on purpose.." Julia started as they made their way over.

"Well it was mine and he tried to make it his. I'm sorry" Lucille apologised immedietly. "It's not your fault.."

"Don't ever be sorry for being yourself.. no matter what anyone says. Soon enough you'll be out of here and free of us.."

"What?" Lu asked, taken aback.

"It's not hard to see that you hate it here.. you're only going to hate it more when school starts" Julia looked to her daughter who was the same height as her even thought she's wearing high, high heels. Lucille was gobsmacked to say the least.

"..Being here is not the problem.. he is the problem. Even after all these years he still tries to beat me into submission, like that ever worked in the first place.."

"Except you were always taking the punishment for someone else.."

"There is also that.. but we aren't here to talk about me.." Lucille looked back to Shiloh who took her place behind the keys.. Lu nodded happily to Shiloh who grinned and looked down at her hands.. as soon as the tune began to play Lucille recognised it immedietly. It's her favourite song after all.. 'The Dock of The Bay' Shiloh pressed the keys a little clumsily but did better than most others her age.

Once the song was finished Lucille stood up clapping as Shiloh bounced back over to her sister and mother.. "Did you like it?"

"It was wonderful Shi, I can't believe you remembered.." Lucille smiled from ear to ear.

"It's my favourite song too" The little one grinned as she was pulled into a tight hug..

"I'm so proud of you.." Their mother beamed.

Shilohs eyes began to water as she reached out one arm and pulled her mum into the hug with Lucille.. Lu just took it in her stride and opened her arms wider to include her mother.. who was now also crying, holding onto her children for dear life..

"Oh I love you both so much.." Julia breathed them both in.. Even though Lucille did partially blame her mother for not being stronger.. she couldn't help but feel the safety that washes over you when you're embraced by your mother.

"I love you to ma.."

"Well.. does anyone want ice cream?" Julia asked, mostly looking to Shiloh.

"I do!"

"Why not" Lucille smiled..

After a seemingly normal trip to get ice cream the trio sat on a park bench with Alberto waiting in the carpark.

"I finished my ice cream, can I play for a little bit before we go home?"

"Go on then" Julia rolled her eyes playfully and Shiloh ran off to join a little boy on the monkey bars.

"Can I ask about your date?" Julia asked but didn't look at Lucille..

"You can ask.." Not that she will tell.

"How did it go?"

"All in all, I'd say it went as well as it could've.."

"So it did go well?" She looked at Lu surprised.

"You'll see in the end anyway.."

"I hope that whatever happens you find true happiness.."

"So do I.."

Not much was said after that.. The two watched Shiloh playing tag with the other children. Not much time past before she was tired and asking to go home. Shiloh and Julia spoke all the way home but Lucille sat watching quietly out the car window with her black shades on.

They walked through the front door and each went their separate ways.. Shiloh went to get changed, Julia went to the dining room to get wine and Lucille headed straight for the garden.. As soon as she stepped outside she realised that it had been a mistake..

"You're back.." Phoebe looked to her as she slid open the back door.

"We are.."

"Can I talk to you?" Phoebe asked, surprising everyone including herself. But she couldn't bare holding onto the questions she had couped up in her brain.

"Right now?" Lucille moved her eyes to Ellie and back to Phoebe.

"Ellie is it alright if I meet you inside?.."

"Yeah sure.." Ellie nodded and quickly left the uncomfortable situation.

"I didn't say yes.." Lucille smirked while shaking her head.

"But you were going to.."

"Just say what you want to say and I'll decide whether I want to reply.." Lucille looked back, eyebrow raised and a smug expression on her face.

"Are you getting married?" Phoebe blurted.

"Not at this moment.."

"But Jerry said you're getting engaged to Sebastian?"..

"Engaged, I only met the boy today.." Lucille scoffed as though Phoebe had told a rubbish joke.

"You think it's funny?"

"I think it's fucking bonkers." Lucille grinned.

"I have no idea what's going on right now.."

"Yeah well, join the club dear sister.." Lucille shrugged.

Phoebe waited for a moment thinking of what to say before her mind settled.. "Is there even a chance you'd forgive me?"

"Maybe, if you tried for longer than five minutes.. the first day you could barely even look at me.."

"Because you're different.. you've changed.."

"One of us had to.. and it wasn't going to be you was it.." Lucille rolled her eyes.

"I really am sorry, I will keep saying it until you believe me-"

"I believe you.. but that is not the problem, you're still the same Phoebe who never owned up to her shit..".. "I took every beating so that you didn't have to.. you promised you'd try to stop fucking up. You promised me and look where we are.. where 'you' got us..."

"I told you I never meant for this.."

"But this is what we have now, and there is no magic button to rewind time believe me, I've looked"

"Lu.. what happened to you?"

"Nothing" Lucille furrowed her brows..

"I know something happened, I can feel it.."

"Well you can't, because nothing happened.."

"You can't lie to me.."

"Whatever weirdo.." Lucille scoffed as she walked past Phoebe towards the end of the garden..

"I'm still trying!." Lucille smiled to herself as Phoebe called out. She quickly shook it off and scolded herself for even letting her sisters words have an effect on her.

About two hours later Lucille heard the backdoor open and close, then footsteps walking towards her. "Lucille?" Ellie called when she'd got a bit nearer, thinking that Lu wouldn't have heard her from further away.

"Yeah?" Lucille sat up from her laying position..

"Are you alright?"

"Better now that you're here.." Lu smirked.. Ellies words got caught in her throat, her mouth moved in attempt to speak..but it didn't happen.. "Relax I'm joking.. Where is Pheobe?" Lucille made an effort to look behind Ellie.

"She's talking to your mum.." .

"So why are you here?"

"Mrs Carnell was going to come out here to check on you, but I offered instead.."

"Wasn't that kind of you.."

"Lucille.." Ellie sighed..

"Yes?"

"You jumped out of my window.. 'and', I think Phoebe knows that you snuck out.."

"I know.." Lucille nodded.

"What on earth led you to do those things? how are your legs not broken?"

"Worry about Phoebe, she needs it more than I do.."

"I know that's not true. By the way I found your phone. It was in my garden.. for some reason.." Ellie shrugged.

"Hm, thank you.."

"You're welcome.. Oh and your mum called. I answered.. only it wasn't your mum, it was a girl named Jen?.." Ellie pulled the phone out of her pocket and handed it over.. Noticing the sore cuts on the back of Lucilles hand as she took it. They weren't there last night.

Lucille couldn't help but laugh aloud.. "Yeah.. uh, I can actually explain that-"

"No need.. Just, please don't do go to parties on your own, or accept drinks from strangers.."

"I'm never normally that idiotic.. I think you just caught me on a bad day"

"Just a 'bad' day? I'd have been traumatised.." Ellie was completely taken back by Lu's casual demeanor.

"It's a good job you're not me then isn't it.." Lucille chuckled as she laid her head back down on the grass.. Ellie couldn't help but steal a few extra glances while she thought the girl wasn't paying attention. Her eyes slowly traveled down Lucilles body from her head. Not knowing that behind the dark shades Lucille was still watching her.. Lu calmly lifted her head a little and slid the glasses down her nose to let Ellie see her eyes for a brief moment.. just to know they are on her..

A bright red hue began spreading across Ellies cheeks straight away.. Her eyebrows raised. "See you later.." And she turned quickly leaving the situation.

"What an odd little duckling.." Lu chuckled watching her briskly walk down the garden and back into the house.. Ellie looked through the glass door as she slid it closed for a few more seconds.

After Ellie went home to have dinner, the Carnells sat down for dinner together.. It seems Chris is home early.. "How was lunch?" Was the first thing he said to Lucille. Lu slowly looked up from her Sunday dinner to meet her fathers gaze. Only, she didn't say anything.. she just looked back down to her plate and shoved a few peas into her mouth. The man began to seethe.. as if Lucille was his nemesis and not his flesh and blood. It seems no matter what she did or said, or didn't say, he hated her anyway.. so why even try? "Answer me child!" He spoke through gritted teeth and slammed his fist down on the table.. causing everyone to jump and look up.. except Lucille, who just scooped a few more peas into her mouth.. unfazed by her fathers sudden outburst.

He slid his chair out abruptly, it made an unpleasant screeching sound as the wooden legs scraped across the tiled floor. Three long strides and he was by Lucilles side, taking a handful of her hair from the back of her head and almost lifting her out of her seat. Sure she could have sat there and smiled, saying it all went well.. but sometimes we don't follow the plan. At least she is not going down without a fight. Well, not a real fight or her father would surely loose his life. In this moment she had another amazing idea.. perhaps she could piss him off so much that he has to send her back. Or maybe she just wanted to feel something.

"Get off her!" Shilohs scream was the only thing that hurt Lu.. Julia quickly whisked her young daughter out of the room, leaving Phoebe and a couple of servants to watch in horror. Lucille didn't shout, or hiss, or even flinch. She just stood with her eyes closed. A rage filled Christopher knew this wasn't working.. so he slammed her face into the table, re-opening the cut on her forehead from yesterday. Finally he let go, she just sat back down, about to continue eating when Chris took her plate and threw it into the wall, where it shattered into pieces, gravy flying everywhere.

"Thanks, I wasn't hungry.." She shrugged. Phoebe kicked her foot from under the table.. Lu looked up to to find a pleading look on her sisters face, she tried to stop the girl from earning a real beating. Lu didn't care in the slightest.. she just rolled her eyes to Phoebe.. it's already too late.

"Don't you dare talk back to me.." .. "Everyone.. Out!" The staff began to leave but Phoebe stayed seated. "Phoebe.. get out" He pointed to the door. She just kept her eyes on Lucille, trying to contain her fear.. "Unless you want the same?"

Lu might not like her sister very much at the moment.. but she would not let that happen.. "It's fine Phoebe.. we're just going to spend some quality father daughter time together.. right Chris?" The moment the last word exited her mouth a backhand came flying at her face, knocking her backwards with the chair onto the floor.. Phoebe screamed. Lucilles nose exploded all over her face, a sniffling noise was all that could be heard.. Phoebe stood up but didn't move any further. The sniffling soon turned into loud laughter. Lu rolled onto her side and got to her feet, blood already falling onto to the floor and some on her shirt. She wiped her upper lip with the back of her hand, glancing down to the blood an back up to her father. "Good one" She chuckled brandishing the blood on her hand, as if they couldn't see the blood that's all over her face. "It's almost like you want people to know you beat your children.." Lu smirked, the threat was clear. Chris's eyes went wide, then narrowed towards her.

"No one would believe it.. not after what they already think of you.." Chris hissed back.

"It really doesn't matter what they think of me.. the accusation alone will haunt you forever. I'll be far away from here and you'll still be dealing with the same shit.." After Lucille spoke Chris grabbed a hold of her mouth, pulling her face to his.

"I thought you had changed.." He snarled.

"I have." She mumbled through her squeezed cheeks. Still with her hands by her sides. It's true.. she never would have spoken up like that before.

"Hmm.. If I don't see you getting the highest grades, a bloody nose won't be the worst thing to happen.." Chris finally let go of her, cringing at the blood on his hands. He grabbed a few napkins from the table and left the room.

Lucille looked down to the table emotionless "Why didn't you just leave when he told you to?"

"I couldn't.." The lump in Phoebes throat urged Lucille to look at her. Tear filled and clearly scared for Lucille.

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NOTES-

I wrote a couple of chapters in advance a while ago, so I just did a quick read through and decided I might aswell publish.. here you go😂.

I hope you enjoy but I dont blame you if you don't, take care everyone.. love love.