Chapter Eleven: Setting Fire to the Rain


ASH

Lea and I have now been here for three days. She and I stay in Paul's guest room while Dawn and my brother stay in Dawn's room. Overall, I'm having a good time; not worrying about dad, being with Paul and Lea- and even Dawn, everything about the stupid king business is forgotten and I couldn't be happier.

Of course that ended this morning when Cyrus came back and Dawn had a lot of explaining to do. He was upset that there were now two Sicaras in his house. She tried to reason with the man, but I feel like he shouldn't be upset about this. Did he forget that I have no title after this king business settles itself? I'm literally just associated with the family who's royal by name if dad wins this. But since I am my father's son, I see where he's coming from.

The feeling is mutual however. I believe that my dad is only running for king because Cyrus put himself out there first. He wanted to be up and win against Cyrus. If Cyrus wasn't running, dad wouldn't have given this king thought a second glance. So, if Cyrus would just drop out of the running or something, dad would stop leaving us so often to get votes. And if dad became king, he wouldn't care about the rivalry so much anymore. If this happens, we could be a normal family again, as we once were so long ago.

This is all I freaking want.

That's when something catches my eye. Shiny, sharp, and exposed.

So maybe…

NO!

yes

No.

yes.

no?

yes.


PAUL

When Cyrus came back home, I was nervous for Dawn. She knew this would happen, she kept saying that she'll handle it. I got permission to stay here a while back, therefore it isn't really me I'm worried about. Dawn has been doing super risky things recently, and I hope Cyrus will handle it as well as Dawn thinks it'll go. I haven't heard yelling since the initial reactions, therefore I'm only hoping things are going smoothly in Cryus' office.

While I was in thought about the turnout of the events that unfolded, I heard a knock on the bedroom door.

"Come in," I say, loud enough so that whoever was behind the door could hear without much difficulty. When the door opens, I'm surprised to see Ash behind it.

"Hey."

"Hi," he says as he comes inside and closes the door. He looks conflicted, and the only reason why I would pick up on it is solely because of how well I know him. I doubt Lea would pick up on it.

"What's wrong?" I question immediately. I'm not one to beat around the bush.

"Huh? Oh, just in thought, I guess," he says slowly as he walks closer to me.

"Wanna elaborate?" I ask as he comes to sit down next to me.

"Are you still planning on going through with dad's plan?" He doesn't look at me as he asks this.

"I don't know," I say truthfully. I didn't want Ash to know what dad had done. Ash wants dad's love so bad, and even if he deserves to know, I rather leave him in the dark… at least for now. Because I'm still debating on what's going to happen; whether or not going through with dad's plan is a good idea. Because this wouldn't only be for him, it would be for my family. I'm torn and my morals are doing a terrible job at resolving this.

He nods slightly. My eyebrows knit together. I don't know what he's thinking and that bothers me. We usually tell each other everything. We don't keep many things from each other, but now he's being noticeably secretive and I don't know what to make of it.

"What's wrong?" I ask again, hoping for a more sufficient answer, and also to let him know that I know something is wrong.

He shakes his head, "I don't know," he says with a frown.

I let it go. I know him, when he's ready he'll come talk to me. I just hope I'm doing the right thing by letting it go. I know Ash bottles things up too much, and I don't want him exploding some day.

"Look, I know how much you rather I didn't go through with this. And if I were to be honest, I'm kind of leaning towards your side, and just staying here" he finally looks up at me, "there's a better atmosphere here. Even with Cyrus around. But then… I think about you and I think about mom and how much we suffered in the past and it just gets to me. I know I have to come up with a decision soon, I just need more time to think about all this." I hope that opening up to him will make him crack a little and finally tell me what's been going on inside his head.

"Don't worry about assassinating Cyrus, alright?" he says after a long pause as he gets up and starts walking towards the door.

well that didn't achieve anything. But I let him walk out the door. I hear an outburst and I know it's Dawn and Cyrus, so I decide to go down there and wait for Dawn. That way I'll be there for her if she needs me.


DAWN

Dad brings me in his study, he's fuming and, surprisingly, I don't care. Just like Paul, I know that Ash did nothing to hurt this family. It's their father that my dad despises. Unfortunately, by relation, they get burned too.

"What the hell, Dawn?!" he says as soon as I close the door, "What are you trying to do?"

"Nothing! All I did was invite Lea and her boyfriend over. Besides, Ash didn't wrong this family, Giovanni did. Can you divert your anger, please?"

"Dammit Dawn, you don't understand, do you? Having both of Giovanni's sons with us is showing the rest of the world that there's a truce, which, as a matter of fact I was never interested in."

"We weren't inviting Giovanni for a lunch either! Dad, it's only his kids. Besides, Paul hates his father, and he made that pretty clear at the Berlitz Ball. He totally betrayed them by being all friendly with me on camera. Also, I'm sure Giovanni isn't your fan either, therefore, he won't be interested in a truce, ever. So stop assuming what the media is going to think!" I'm livid right now, he isn't hearing anything I'm saying.

"Dawn! You can't just assume they're not the enemy! You know nothing about these boys even if you think you do! So, stop! I gave you a finger when I gave Paul permission to stay here, now you want an arm! You're never satisfied!"

"Ok, but dad if they like it better here they aren't going to want to go back home. And you know what, that will hurt Giovanni more, the press will surely be all over it. I'm not thinking about myself, I'm thinking about that end vote just as much as you are-!"

"Dawn! Let me handle the election. It's my race and I'm doing just fine on my own. Just go back to whatever you were doing," he gave up. He turned his back to me, stating loud and clear he wants me out.

I'm so annoyed. I'm trying to help him! "Fine," I say as I walk out of the office. To my surprise, Paul was sitting on the small couch outside the room. "Is this really about the votes?" he deadpans.

"What else was I supposed to say?" I barely utter. I'm still not over the argument I had with my dad, this is too much too soon.

"Seriously?" Paul says, looking at me with disbelief.

"Can we talk about this upstairs?" He nods and I lead him to my room.

"Paul, I really don't know what else you want me to say that gives any good reason as to why you and your brother are here. If I don't give my dad a convincing argument then he'll know something is up. Besides, our relationship is still a secret. I rather my dad didn't know about this until he accepted the fact that you're here, you know? It isn't exactly easy lying to him, Paul."

"I'm sorry," he says after a few moments before he raises my chin up to give me a kiss.

I don't know how this relationship is going to see itself through secrecy, we'll see after the elections I guess. Hopefully everything will go back to normal by then.


Author's note: HOLY SNAP, I'M ACTUALLY NOT DEAD. I re-read this story today and despite it being two years since I've updated (T^T), I wanted to write for this story! And so I looked into my notebook and it turns out I've already written this chapter. SO~ with many adjustments I've typed this chapter out. There's a few things I'm not too happy with because my writing style has changed, however if I change things the way I'd like to it would change the course of the story, and next chapter is actually almost complete already but I'm just going to look over it and edit the crap out of it before I upload it.

Sorry for the long wait guys, I've actually got accepted into the Nursing program I've tried so hard to get into and it's intense. It's my first week of summer vacations and I feel so awkward not studying for an exam tbh. But I miss writing, like a lot.

p.s. sorry if the formatting is off, this is the first time I'm uploading from a mac.

Anyway, as always,

Keep reading & leave a review for cyber hugs :D
PorcelainDollxx