Chapter 2

Sylvia's P. O. V

We closed from school and I walked all the way home. Knocking on the door bell, I waited till I heard my mom's voice call me before walking in.

" Welcome dear." She greeted from the kitchen.

" Good evening mom. " I greeted as I made my way there.

" Going somewhere?" I asked, seeing her pack her home made sweaters, it was what she sold for a living.

" Yeah... A client just called me and said she needed some of them, once I'm done here, I'm off to her place. " She replied as she glanced up at me, furrowing her brows.

" Are you okay honey? You look kind of weird."

" Uhn?... Yeah am fine, of course I'm fine. " I replied, pushing my bangs away from my face.

" You sure? "

" Totally. Although school was kind of tough, it's nothing I can't handle. "

" Okay... If you say so. " My mom said, putting the sweaters in a paper bag. " I'll be leaving now. Dinner is in the warmer, put it in the microwave once you're ready to eat."

" Yes mum. Bye mom. "

" Okay dear. " Giving me a quick kiss on the cheeks, she walked out of the house. I locked the door behind her and trudged upstairs to my room. Slumping to the bed, I let out a big sigh. I felt invalid.

Incidents of today replayed in my head and I cringed. Then I remembered that guy who indirectly helped me out.

I have to admit, he's kind of mysterious.

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Author's P. O. V

Patrick Jamison arrived home, alighting from his car. His mom coming out to meet him on the way, they exchange greetings.

" Patrick?" She called.

" Yes mum."

" We'll be receiving guests this evening. I want you to be prepared. You know that family I talked to you about, they'll be visiting today."

With a quick glance at his mom, he shrugs.

" Okay Mom." He replies.

" Great." She says, smiling up at him. He shrugs and she leaves him. Ignoring everyone else, he makes his way to his room. Flinging and letting it land carelessly on the floor, he let out a sigh. Today had been uneventful as always, except for that slight intrusion from that girl. Speaking of which, he still had the letter from her. Not bothering to check it, he placed on his dressing table and went into the bathroom to have a quick shower.

Then he'll rest before he goes down for dinner.

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A knock sounded on the door and a maid walked in.

" Sir Patrick, dinner is ready. Madam said I should call you down"

Looking up from the computer he was working on, he nods slightly.

" Okay... Tell her I'll be down in a minute."

" Yes sir." She answers and closes the door behind her. Closing his laptop,he stands up and walks out of his room. Descending form the stairs he sees his family and the guests already seated at the dining table discussing.

" Oh.... There he is!" His mom announces sighting. " Mr Roberts, meet my son Patrick. Patrick say hello...oh and that's his daughter Goldie."

" Good evening." Patrick greets curtly, bowing slightly. Mr Roberts beams and turns to his mom.

" He's such an handsome young man. What a great kid you've got there Mrs Patrick."

" Oh... don't flatter me." She coes, grinning. Patrick sits down and Goldie turns to him, smiling.

" Hi am Goldie. Nice to meet you." She continues, stretching her hand for a shake. Patrick ignores it and faces ahead, making Goldie feel hurt. His mom sees this and scolds him with yet eyes but he just looks away. Dinner continued and soon there are through. The older people move to the living room to continue discussing, leaving only Patrick and Goldie.

In a bid to start up a conversation, his mom walks up to them.

" Patrick, why don't you show Goldie around while we discuss?" She suggests.

" Whatever..." He mutters.

His mom frowns and the walks over to Goldie.

" Goldie?"

" Ma'am?"

" Why don't you tag along with Patrick for a while, he'll be showing you around."

" Uh.... Okay."

To Patrick she whispers furiously, " be nice!"

Faking a smile, he turns to Goldie and requests to show her around in which she happily agrees. They check various places in the house and finally arrive at the garden when Patrick takes a seat on one of the chairs, with Goldie taking a place beside him. Silence reigns for a while until Goldie speaks up.

" How long have you been here?"

" Six months."

" Six months? Wow, that's not so long. I've lived here all my life." She says, turning to face him, a radiant smile on her face.

" Hmm.." he mumbles, taking Goldie by surprise. It's obvious she wants more than a monosyllabic reply from him. Clinging closer to him, she initiates another conversation.

" Do you have a girlfriend?" She asks again. Patrick moves further away from her, staring at the ahead. Noticing that Patrick won't give her any reply, she sighs in disappointment.

" Are you always like this?" She asks, her voice breaking. He glances at her only for a moment before looking away again.

" So you won't talk huh?" She asks again, her voice slightly raised. Suddenly gaining interest with the Firefly in front of him, he catches it and begins to observe it.

" Can you just leave me alone?" He calmly says but you could feel the undercurrent of annoyance underneath. Seeing that she's been totally ignored by him, she stands up angrily, having had enough.

" That's it! I'm leaving!" And runs out from the garden. Patrick barely moves.

The sound of approaching footsteps alert him and he looks up, it's his mom.

" I just saw Goldie running off.... With tears in her eyes. We're you mean towards her?"

" I didn't do anything mom." He replies sullenly.

" Let me guess, you barely said a word to her the entire time?"

" Maybe..."

" Patrick! When did you begin like this!? The Patrick I know was ever so eager to meet new people but ever since we've moved here, you've just been all to yourself. What's wrong?"

Patrick pressed his lips together, refusing to say anything. It was much better to sit and wait it all out.

" I can't believe you anymore. I almost don't recognize my own son again." She say, letting out an exasperated sigh. Soon she leaves him, going the same way she came.

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Patrick's P. O. V

Sure that my mom had gone and I was left alone, I let out a sigh. She's right, I never used to be like this. If only she knew.

Running my hands through my hair, I mumble to myself.

" I also didn't plan to be like this mom, but not after what happened..." I say trailing off, tears blurring my sight as my hands and feet go cold in remembrance.