Chapter 35
Haley opened her eyes lazily, expecting to feel Nathan's arms around her but she didn't. She sat up and saw him standing in front of the bed looking at the closet -that was open - across from it. She moved off of the bed and walked towards him and he smiled down at her before they both turned their gaze to the closet door. It was covered in scribbles and hearts and photos. She looked closely and frowned as she noticed the photo of the same girl she had seen the previous day. She looked back at Nathan as she noticed he was frowning as well. Suddenly it was like a name popped out and she read the text above it.
Thanks for being the best brother ever!
You rock my soxs!
Miss you!
Belle
"Annabelle is my little sister if you were wondering..." he said as he looked down at her and she looked back up at him.
"I...I didn't mean to stare..." she blushed and Nathan brought his hand up to cup her cheek.
"Hales...it's fine." he said softly as he bent down and kissed her sweetly on the lips before turning and holding on to her waist from behind - leading them closer to the closet door.
"You see when I was younger and still stayed with my parents Tyler, Annabelle and I use to write on each other's closet doors...that way there would be part of us there always. And I guess when I left my sister decided to redecorate the door..." he smiled and Haley looked up at him.
"You never told me you have a sister..." she said and he sighed.
"I know...it's just hard you know. She's 17...my parents didn't want her to turn out like Tyler and I did so they sent her to some private school somewhere in the country when she was just 10. I hardly ever see her and when I do she's turned into one of them. Prim and proper and all that. Tyler and I rebelled against the money...she embraced it." he explained and Haley couldn't help but look confused.
"What money? Nathan you need to explain to me where..."
"Oh god we missed dinner and breakfast!" he exclaimed as he saw his watch saying it was already morning and past breakfast as he pulled on his shirt and pants and turned back to her.
"Stay here...I'm going to please explain and then bring us back something from the kitchen...Ricardo always keeps something for us...even if it is toast." he explained as he quietly opened the door and went out, closing it behind him again. Moments later she could hear yelling come from further away in the huge house.
Haley sank down on the bed as she stared at the open closet door and her mind went wild. It wasn't making sense to her...why wouldn't Nathan tell her his family was rich...why keep it a secret? She heard Nathan's voice bellow out and she knew something was wrong. But he had told her to stay there...and well she wasn't really looking forward to being under the influence of Deb and Dan. She fell back on the bed and closed her eyes...imagining she was on honeymoon and that Nathan was going to walk in. Minutes later he finally did, carrying some breakfast but his eyes were downcast.
"Nate?" she asked and he looked up her, smiling sadly.
"What's wrong?" she asked worriedly as she stood up and walked over to him, taking the breakfast from him and placing it on the table. Nathan looked intensely down at Haley - sketching her face into his memory...not wanting to ever forget her.
"Babe you're scaring me now..." she spoke up and he leaned down and sweetly kissed her.
"There's something I should tell you..." he said softly to her lips and Haley looked even more worried.
"What is it?" she asked concerned and Nathan turned away from her...moving to the window...staring out.
"You asked me how we could afford this house...and well I wasn't really open about it was I? The thing is Hales...my parents made a lot of money...and I mean a hell of a lot...and well...Tyler, Annabelle and I all have trust funds..." he began and Haley shook her head.
"Well that doesn't sound to bad you..."
"Of three million dollars each." he said as he turned around and Haley's jaw hit the floor. She stayed silent as she stared at him for a while and Nathan started to get worried.
"Hales please say something..." he begged as he moved closer to her.
"Three...three million...you have a trust fund of three million..." she said and he nodded as all the color drained from her face. Nathan rushed over and sat her down on the bed.
"Please Haley...I didn't want to tell you...I wanted to be sure that you loved me for me..."
"So you doubted my love for you?" she asked horrified and Nathan groaned.
"No no that didn't come out right... what I meant to say is that I didn't want you to be pulled into this. The fact is I couldn't get any of it till I was 18..."
"And what? You thought I would want to be married to you till then and then break up with you so I could score money?" she asked and he held onto her face, urging her to look at him.
"Haley. I don't use my money because that's not who I am. I haven't been the heir to the millions since I was 12. I stopped being the pretty boy. I moved in with my grandfather when I was 16... and I've been working my fingers to the bone to make a living for myself. I haven't touched that money...even when I could I never used it...till lately." he explained and Haley looked at him accusingly.
"What for Nathan? What was so important to you? A car? A house? What!" she asked and he sighed as he let his finger caress her cheek tenderly.
"You. I paid for your operation...and your friend's, James Murray...the guy that was so obviously in love with you, medical bill." with that he stood up and walked out of the door, leaving Haley to her thoughts.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Haley stood in the garden near the pond - staring at the water moving. She didn't know what to think about what Nathan had said. He knew about James...what else did he know? She felt her heart grow heavier and as she always she turned to her music...softly beginning to sing a Snow Patrol song she felt fitting for how she was feeling.
Shut your eyes and think of somewhere
Somewhere cold and caked in snow
By the fire we break the quiet
Learn to wear each other well
And when the worrying starts to hurt
And the world feels like graves of dirt
Just close your eyes until
You can imagine this place
Yeah our secret space at will
Shut your eyes I'll spin the big chair
And you'll feel dizzy light and free
And falling gently on the cushion
You can come and sing to me
And when the worrying starts to hurt
And the world feels like graves of dirt
Just close your eyes until
You can imagine this place
Yeah our secret space at will
Shut your eyes and sing to me
Suddenly Haley heard clapping and she turned to find a strawberry-blonde haired girl standing behind her, clapping and she guessed that it was Annabelle. Annabelle Scott looked mature for her age and looked more like a college graduate than a 17-year-old girl. In fact, Haley couldn't help but think, she looked even older than Haley...who was just a year older than her. Haley nervously let her hand slide through her hair.
"You have a great voice...you should think of going into the music business...I know some people..." Annabelle said and Haley smiled.
"Thanks...but I'll see how it goes..." Haley said thoughtfully and Annabelle shrugged.
"No biggie! I'm Annabelle Scott by the way..." she gracefully put out her hand and Haley shook it, already feeling uncomfortable with being so formal.
"Haley James..." she said and before she could say 'Scott', Annabelle had already begun rattling off.
"Oh goody! I guess you're a guest to the Scott household then! I'm so glad that I don't have to spend my time with my parents! Argh! Anyways...how old are you did you say again?" she asked politely and Haley gave a crooked smile.
"Turning 18 in a month and you?" she asked even though she knew the answer.
"17 baby! That's so cool that we're like a year apart! We're going to have so much fun! How long are you staying?"
"Uhm...actually I don't know really..." Haley's smile fell as she thought about everything that she and Nathan had gone through.
"O let me guess...you're one of mother's debutant friends who just have to live a weekend in the Scott house before being introduced into society!" she said happily and Haley wanted to laugh at the girl's giddiness.
"Actually Annabelle Scott...she's here as my guest..." Haley froze as she heard his voice coming up from behind her and Annabelle laughed as she ran to Nathan and jumped into his arms. Nathan happily hugging her.
"Nate! You're back!" she said as she kissed his cheek and he smiled at his sister as he put her down.
"Yeah Belle...thought I'd come visit the parentals...introduce them to Haley...who I see you've met..." he said softly and Haley looked up at him, eyes pleading. Nathan gave her a secure smile before he walked over to her, taking her hand in his and kissing the back of her hand.
"Haley! Why didn't you tell me you're seeing my brother?" Annabelle asked astounded and it was Nathan's turn to laugh.
"Actually sis...she isn't seeing me...she's my wife..." a silence hung in the air as Annabelle stared between Haley and Nathan before she ran up to Haley and embraced her.
"Thank God! Now I finally have someone that understands me! I thought my brother over here was going to marry some sleaze that was just after his money! You know...like that Tracey girl!" she exclaimed and Haley smiled sweetly as she hugged back and let go.
"She's not like that is she?" Annabelle asked quickly and Nathan laughed before he bent down and kissed Haley sweetly on the lips.
"No no I can assure you Haley is none of that." he said against Haley's lips who smiled and kissed him quickly and passionately.
"Ah sweet! You guys look so cute together!" she exclaimed and the couple smiled brightly at her.
"Well I guess I'm off to greet mother and father! But we'll talk later!" she sang as she ran off.
Haley turned to Nathan as he embraced her in one of his comforting hugs and she sighed into his chest.
"I'm sorry Nate...I shouldn't have freaked out...I guess I should have just..." she stayed quiet and Nathan kissed her forehead.
"Haley...it's fine. I love you...always and forever..." he said softly and Haley smiled.
"So that was your sister...somehow I pictured her to be more...self-restrained." she laughed and Nathan laughed with her as he lead her back to the house.
"Oh did I forget to add that my sister is a total drama queen? I thought I had said that..." he joked and Haley laughed sweetly as they walked up to the house.
"You're sneaky...you knew your sister was coming to visit..." Haley said firmly as she worked it out and Nathan looked away, scratching the one day old beard on his chin.
"You did didn't you!" she laughed and he grabbed her waist and pulled her to him.
"And what of it? I just wanted you to meet my little sister...is that a crime?" he asked and Haley faked a thought before she turned her face towards his.
"It is if you don't kiss me right at this moment..."
"Well I wouldn't want to do anything illegal...again..." he joked as he leaned down and kissed her passionately.
oOoOoOoOoOo
Deb paced around in Dan's study as he watched Nathan and Haley kissing in the garden.
"I thought that would do it...she would be so hurt from the betrayal that she would leave him..." Deb said softly and Dan frowned.
"This Haley girl seems to be clinging on to much if you ask me..." he said and Deb nodded.
"What do we do now?" she asked as Dan sat down in his seat.
"I don't know...but we'll figure something out. No girl is getting her hands on those millions."