Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except for my OC's.
Hey everyone, here's the next chapter. Sorry, I know it's a day late. But, it is my longest chapter for this story so hopefully that makes up for it. Some of you might hate me by the end but, ah well. Also, I am going on a mini holiday to London to see family for a week so there will be no updates till next weekend. Sucks, I know. But, in my defense I haven't left things on a cliffhanger :)
PunkShieldGirl: Haha! :)
Wolfgirl2013: Thank you! :)
AliceLouiseVA123: Aw, don't worry. They're as strong as ever. You thought just like Seth ;) I don't even remember if you have. That's how many times you've guessed! Lol. Thanks my love :) Xx
Debwood-1999: Yeah well the sock thing is weird. I think after this chapter you might go on a rant because of what happens. So, apologies in advance. Triple bomb? Now that's an idea. Haha! I like that, daughter of either Hunter or Kane. That would be something. Dude, I totally love what you come out with! :)
CHAPTER 54:
ARIANA POV
"Did Roman come back?" I ask Dean, walking into our hotel suite. Dean shakes his head, still in the same place I found him in.
"What do we do?" asks Dean, standing up from the couch. "We have an hour and a half till you have to see Randy and he's nowhere to be found," he then says, running a hand through his hair. "You think he's hiding something from us again?" he then goes on to ask me.
"No, it's Roman," I say, even though he is still hiding what happened between him and Kane. "He wouldn't hide anything more from us," I say, realising that Dean's thinking about the same thing that I am.
"Ok, then where the fuck is he?" says Dean, being sceptical as usual. He's asking me as if I've got a tracker on Roman and know his exact whereabouts. But I understand his annoyance too, we need him for what's going to take place at seven.
"He's your best friend, not mine," I say, walking over and sitting down on the couch. However, something on the table catches my eye. "Did you order food?" I ask, noticing plastic bags on the table.
"I thought we could have dinner before you have to face Randy, that way you can actually vomit something on him when you see his face," answers Dean, making me burst out in laughter. I pat the seat next to me and he sits down.
"I love you Ambrose," I say, shaking my head and placing my arm around his neck. I place a kiss on his cheek and then reach over the table, plating our food up for us. Hmm, Mexican. I like.
"How are we going to change our plans?" asks Dean as I look on at him in disgust. No matter how much I love the man, I still find his eating habits beyond disgusting. I should get an award for putting up with that. Like he should for putting up with my attitude I guess.
"You leave that up to me," I say, a smirk on my face as I easily think about an alternative. We didn't specifically need Roman, just a third body. Roman would be ideal because he's our friend, cares about Iris and knows everything. But he's not the only one.
ISABEL POV
I give Seth a questioning look after he pushes me back. I couldn't help it. He was standing right here and he looks so good. And it's not wrong since him and Iris have broken up. Why doesn't he want me?
"Seth what's wrong?" I ask him in concern, he wanted this before and now that he's getting it he's pushed me back? It doesn't make sense. He's intoxicated so he should be more willing, not less. I thought once I drug him it would be easier.
"I," starts Seth but then he holds onto his head. I jump off the counter in concern but before I can do anything he's fallen on the floor and passed out.
"Damn it," I say to myself. I should have held off on giving him the GBH, then maybe me and him could have done a lot more. He probably pushed me off because he got a headache from the stuff. I sigh to myself and take my time getting him to sit up. Once he's leaning against the lower kitchen cupboards I start to think about how to move him. I hear a knock on the kitchen door and know who that is. I walk over and open the door. "Hey," I say to him, finally he's arrived.
"Hello," he says with a smirk on his face. He walks in without an invitation and I hear him chuckle. "That stuff works quick doesn't it?" he asks and then goes over. He props Seth onto his feet and I follow him as he takes Seth to the living room and lets him fall onto the couch.
"Thanks," I say, glad that at least Seth won't wake up on an uncomfortable floor. He won't end up with a sore back either.
"Now, let's get to business," he says and motions for me to follow him. He leads the way to the kitchen and I glance at Seth one last time before following him. "I am very happy with what you've done Isabel," he tells me and I nod my head as we stand opposite each other.
SETH POV
I open my eyes after they've left the room. I can't believe they fell for it. I actually was woozy and me dropping was definitely the GBH but I haven't actually gone unconscious. I could hear their voices but it was difficult to make out what they were saying. But, right now I'm more aware. I take out my phone and message the girls to let them know he's here. The guy that's been trying to break us up is here.
ISABEL POV
"Are you alright? Your voice sounds terrible," I point out to him. He does not sound like himself at all. If he called me right now, I wouldn't be able to guess who he was.
"Don't worry about me, this day has been the greatest day of my life," he says and then towers over me. "You've gotten done exactly what I wanted," he says, looking happy with himself for getting me to do all this.
"Now you have to give me what I want," I say to him and he nods his head. I did not do all of this for no reason whatsoever. I want what I get out of this deal.
"No problem," he says and takes out his phone. He talks to the guy on the other end and a smile erupts onto my face as I hear the conversation, finally! I am so sorry to have to have done all this to Seth but what I'm getting in return is more than worth it.
ARIANA POV
"Nikki Bella?" asks Dean, looking on at me in disbelief as I walk through the hotel room with Nikki in tow. "When you said you're going to get a third body like we needed, I thought you'd bring someone more useful," he says, Nikki letting out a gasp. My fiancé cannot get along with anyone. I conclude it.
"Excuse me, if it wasn't for me then you'd have already been caught by Kane and gotten suspended already!" exclaims Nikki, shaking her head. She looks at me and I give her a look which tells her to try and bear with him.
"Look guys, I don't have time for any bickering," I announce, not putting myself in the middle. "Dean, you're going to have to accept Nikki's part of the plan since she already knows we snuck into Kane's locker room. She's useful if we use her right. And Nikki?" I say, turning to look at her. "I am so sorry for all the crap Dean is going to throw at ya," is all I say because there's nothing more I can do.
"It's fine Ari, I've dealt with many assholes before. What's another one?" she says casually, making me let out a snicker.
"Very funny (!)" says Dean, taking this whole operation way too seriously. He acts as if he's in charge and we're supposed to do what he says. But the funny thing is, he's not and we don't. Which is just pissing him off.
"Nikki, can you give us a second," I say to her and she nods her head. I grab Dean's hand and drag him out of the room, taking him to the stairs. "Dean, what the fuck is wrong with you? Nikki's chosen to help us and you have to treat her like a human being," I instruct him but he just lets out a scoff.
"What we're doing, it's everything to do with my sister. We can't allow any fuck ups. What if she accidentally spills something? Then we're all fucking toast!" says Dean and it becomes clear his main concern here is Iris and Evan. He wants to protect them.
"You don't need to worry about that. Me and you are here to make sure Nikki doesn't screw up," I explain to him in a calm manner. The only way I need to use right now. "She understands how serious this situation is. Just give her a chance. And don't worry, nothing will happen to Evan and Iris. Right?" I say, moving in to give him a hug. I feel Dean nod his head and we go back to our suite. Hopefully, this will run smoothly.
IRIS POV
"Ok, he's there. Now what do we do?" I question Angie from my bed, running a hand through my hair. Do we go over there and confront them or wait till Seth does something?
"We go over there and catch him, obviously!" she says, getting up with Evan in her arms, clearly forgetting about my baby. I don't want him anywhere near danger.
"What if he's dangerous?" I ask, analysing the obvious risks that she isn't. Angie just sees that we've reached a goal and then goes for it. But we can't do that, especially not in this case because we don't know who the person is.
"Iris, there's me, you and Seth to fend him off," Angie points out confidently. "Plus, it doesn't matter that Isabel's there because she doesn't have a backbone when she's confronted. She barely got by last time and this time we'll decimate her," she explains to me, my doubts still clouding my judgement.
"I'm not sure," I say, shaking my head. We have no idea what this guy is like. He can come out with anything that none of us expected.
"Fine, if it makes you feel any better then I'll ring Neil and he'll come over," says Angie, handing Evan over to me and taking out her phone, dialling his number. That would make me feel better actually. The more bodies the better and since everyone else has gone off to the other house, we need someone else.
"Won't he be at work?" I question her. I'm sure he's not been around because of that.
"So? He'll run straight over," she says, shrugging her shoulders. I give her a you-guys-are-so-in-love look and she laughs. "Stop looking at me like that," she tells me off before talking to him on the phone.
"What about Evan?" I ask her, bouncing him up and down in my arms. "There is no way we are taking him over there, something could happen to him. And we can't leave him here alone either". Maybe sending everyone away wasn't the best idea.
"Bring him, but stay directly behind me, alright?" instructs Angie but I give her a hesitant look. "Look, don't worry. They're in the kitchen. If we obstruct one door, then he'll try and escape through the other. Not to mention there's 4 of us now, just stay behind us all and everything will be fine," she reassures me and I nod my head. I kiss the top of Evan's head, feeling nervous about this whole thing. Or maybe I'm just worried to find out who this person is that's playing games with us.
ISABEL POV
"Happy?" he asks me and I nod my head as he puts his phone away. "Now, what to do with that bozo?" he goes on to question. He really isn't happy with Seth is he? He always talks about him with disdain in his voice.
"What? No, you said you'd leave Seth alone after this!" I say in shock. The only reason I did this was because he promised all we'd do is break them up and then he would relish in the consequences. He didn't say anything about doing anything to Seth.
"You really think I'm going to leave him all alone after he's spent so much time with Iris?" he questions me and then shakes his head. Does he think Iris's influence has ruined Seth or something?
"Why don't you just stick to what you have to do and I'll take care of Seth?" I suggest to him, asserting myself. I know the one thing he can't be bothered to do is waste time here. He has more important things to do.
"I'd be tempted to say no but you're right, I'm not going to waste any more time on that weasel. He can just drown in his sea of regret," he says and I cross my arms over my chest. He is so completely wrong about Seth.
"He has nothing to regret, we made him do this," I state honestly. We forced Seth to make a move on me and betray Iris. If it wasn't for me they'd still be together and I wouldn't be forced to feel so guilty. When Seth first came, I'm not going to lie I wanted him. But when I saw him with Iris, I realised I needed to step back and let him live his life. If it was meant to be then him and Iris wouldn't last long.
"Don't tell me you actually feel guilty?" he asks me with a chuckle. Of course I feel guilty, I never wanted any part of this. Although, when I got close to Seth I can't say my intentions stayed pure. I did get carried away.
"Of course I do, Seth has always been a great friend of mine and despite the fact that I like him more than a friend, I never wanted this," I say, shaking my head. I was forced to do this. "I wanted to leave them be and I would have too if…" I trail off, looking up at him through my eyelashes.
"If I hadn't come and made you do it right?" he asks but I know he doesn't care. He doesn't care about emotions. He doesn't care about anyone but himself. As long as he gets what he wants, everyone else can screw themselves.
"They were happy together," I state with a small smile. Iris, Seth and Evan. They always looked cute together. But I've ruined that now. "Seeing him with her was hard but the smile on their faces, it was genuine. And you made me destroy that," I say, upset and disappointed with myself. But I can't forget why I did this.
"Don't get all emotional now," he says, letting out a laugh. "Save it for when your Mother gets back," he says but I ignore him. My Mother. The reason I did all this. At first he only threatened me with my Mom, but the last couple of days, he's had her. I don't even know how she is. At least before I could say Seth wouldn't fall for my charms but this time I had to make sure he would. Otherwise I'd never see my Mom again. "She's on her way to you after I made that phone call so you can focus on her. And Seth," he says with a wink.
"Like as if I can ever have Seth after what I pulled," I say, shaking my head. Even if Seth did decide to give us a shot, I would never be able to live with him knowing what I did to his relationship with Iris. But my Mother is all I have left so I had to do this.
"I don't care what you're going to do after this," he then says to me. "I've got what I wanted," he says with a smirk. Both our faces drop when we hear something fall. I look to the door as does he, slowly putting the hood back over his head. "You sure he got the GBH?" he then asks me.
"He drank it right in front of me," I state firmly. There's no way Seth's up and secretly wandering around. But then, if it's not him, who could it be?
ARIANA POV
"Thanks for doing this Nikki," I say, walking through the hotel with her. "Dean's just protective when it comes to Iris and Evan. He actually sees them as family," I say, trying not to let the smile that wants to make a home on my face stay.
"I get that; he just needs to trust me more. But I get it, it's difficult to with my track record," says Nikki, referring to the whole Total Divas thing a few months ago. At least she has admitted her mistake, apologised and tried to make up for it. I think that's what Iris always sees in people. It wouldn't hurt for the rest of us to act the same.
"What the hell is she doing here?" asks Randy, looking at us with an unhappy look on his face. Dean's a smart cookie. Randy said Dean can't accompany me so I brought along someone who he shouldn't have any issues with. The original plan included Roman being a part of it but he's AWOL so here we are.
"You only said I couldn't bring Dean," I state, Randy's eyes narrowing at my loophole. "So I brought someone else instead," I say with a smile on my face as I look at Nikki.
"I think I'm a better partner anyway," says Nikki, a smile on her face too, Randy looking between the both of us. Like I said before, I am so not stupid to meet him all alone.
"You can't do this," says Randy, me and Nikki crossing our arms over our chest. "I wanted to talk to you alone Ariana, why was that so hard to do?" he goes on to question me.
"Why? Anything you say to me is going to be relayed to my fiancé as well as my friends," I tell him truthfully, that's a fucking given. "And after last time when you groped and kissed me against my will, how could you possibly think I would want to meet you on my own?" I ask, truly amazed at the common sense this guy clearly doesn't have.
"If she stays, then I'm leaving," Randy then says, after thinking about it for a couple of minutes. I look at Nikki with a frown, I didn't anticipate this. Or is he bluffing?
"Fine, then leave," I say, calling out his bluff. Randy looks at me surprised but I keep my ground and give him a nonchalant look. He looks to be thinking for a couple of seconds but then makes for the door. What the fuck? He wasn't bluffing.
"Wait," says Nikki, sending me an apologetic look. "I'll go," she says, Randy turning around with a content look. I swear to god I will have no problem using anything in this room to kick the shit out of him. "But I'm waiting outside," she warns him, giving me a look that tells me to shout for her if need be. She then opens the door and leaves from there.
"Why do you have to be such an asshole?" I ask him casually, keeping my eyes on him as well as anything that seems weird in this room.
"No offence, but I'd rather talk to you alone then have another person yelling in my ear," explains Randy, his hands out in front of him. "And, it means there are no witnesses," he adds on in a low voice.
"There may not be any witnesses but I'm warning you if you try anything with me, anything, then you won't even see the beating I have for you coming. Last time I was unprepared. This time, I know exactly what I'm dealing with. You never know Randy, I might have a knife in my boot," I warn him, seeing nervousness settle in on his face. He knows I'm not beyond it.
"Relax, I'm not going to do anything like I did last time. Trust me," says Randy, that last comment eliciting a scoff out of me. Men like Randy Orton can never be trusted.
"That asshole can't ever be trusted," I hear Dean's voice as I keep the smirk that's threatening to appear on my face, hidden. Me and my fiancé think alike. Another one of Dean's ideas. If no one can be in the room with me, then he'll be there but just won't be seen.
"Just tell me what it is you need to tell me," I say with a sigh. I just want this over with so I can find out what I need to know so I can plan my next move.
"Fine, it's not like I want to do anything else anyway," says Randy which is a new thing for him. He normally stalls as much as he can so he can stay in the room with me longer. "Look, you need to warn Iris of Kane," he then tells me, an automatic frown appearing on my face.
"What's he trying to do?" I ask directly, Randy looking around as if there could be someone here.
"I don't know exactly," answers Randy at which I'm not impressed at all. He wants to tell me something about Iris but he doesn't even know what it is?
"I'm confused, what the fuck am I doing here if you don't even know what's going on?" I ask, trying to sort my mind out. What the hell is going through his brain?
"Kane is being kind of cryptic but from what I've gathered he's got something in place, something to help ruin Iris's life," says Randy, the sock coming to my mind. He isn't planning on taking Evan is he? That would ruin her life. Or parting her from Seth. Wait a second, he could be in cahoots with Macy. I'm going to have to warn Iris.
"I think everyone knows he would do anything to ruin her life, give me something else here Orton," I say, keeping a close eye on him.
"It sounds to me like he's bullshitting. I mean, he wanted you alone for that?" asks Dean incredulously. "This doesn't sound planned," he says, something which I agree with. Has he called me down here on a whim? To mess around with me?
"I don't know what else to say," says Randy and I begin to wonder if this is the first time in his life that he's being truthful. "You need to keep an eye on Iris. I'm doing what I can to find out what's going on. But he's not letting up, I don't think he trusts me. Or anyone for that matter," he explains, that being unusual. Kane not trusting Randy. "I know he's wanted to separate Iris and Seth as soon as he heard they were back together. But again, he's not told me how he's going to do this," he further explains.
"This is one shit message slash warning," comments Dean with a sigh as I hold in a chuckle.
"So, what can I do?" I ask Randy, wondering what he wants me to do with this not-so-helpful information.
"Stick close to Iris," answers Randy easily. "Wherever she is right now, keep a close eye on her. Kane's gone somewhere at the moment, he left pretty quickly. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up where Iris is just to be two steps ahead," he explains, actually making sense. If he has disappeared, then Iris needs to be warned. Her and Seth both won't see whatever it is that Kane has coming. "And of course, I'll try and let you know about anything else I find out," he adds on, my eyebrows rising of their own accord.
"Thanks I guess," I say, giving him a surprised look. "Just a query, what's in it for you? Why are you helping us? Why are you helping Iris? No offence but you've never helped us in the past," I say, thinking about how Randy's has always tried to make our lives miserable.
"My reasons are my own," says Randy, not giving anything away. "That being said, I owe her one. I owe her for something a long time ago," he says as if thinking back to a different time. "See you around," he says, leaving the room, Nikki coming in immediately afterwards.
"Did he give you anything useful?" asks Nikki at which I finally nod my head. It may have been beyond cryptic but he's given me a few openings I can investigate.
"Yeah, he did," I say, taking my earpiece out and asking her to follow me back up to the suite. All we need to do is figure out our next move and if possible, Kane's.
SETH POV
I get up and here talking, I move towards the kitchen and stand in the hallway, listening to their conversation. I don't who the guy is that's speaking cause his voice sounds all groggy, like as if he's ill or something. I need to get a clear view of him. But I can't do that without them noticing me. I shake my head as I hear how Isabel did all this for Rita. At least I can find peace in the fact that she did this for her family, not because she wants me all to herself. I feel a hand on my back and jump out of my skin as a hand is placed on top of my mouth.
"Iris," I whisper, looking at her in relief. "What are you guys doing here?" I then ask, noticing Evan in Angie's arms standing next to Neil. Angie hands Evan to Iris and luckily he's a quiet kid otherwise we'd all be screwed right now. I've seen plenty of movies where the babies' screams result in the adult getting killed.
"We're going to confront the motherfucker," says Neil in determination. I couldn't agree with him more but right now I just realised something.
"I swear you're growing on him," I mutter to myself but Angie just shrugs her shoulders. "I can't see his face in there though," I inform them all. "Isabel would see me," I add on. How can we find out who it is if none of us can see him?
"Do you have any idea who it could be?" asks Iris with worry etched onto her face. If his voice didn't sound so horrible I probably could.
"None, it sounds like he has a cold so I can't even recognize his voice," I let them know. We just need to see his face so we can finally put this whole thing to rest.
"Damn it," says Angie, looking dejected. "Do we just charge in there then?" she asks with her hands on her hips. Before we can discuss it any further the vase next to us in the hallway falls down and smashes to the floor. We all look on in shock at what Evan had just done.
ISABEL POV
"Hello? Anyone there?" I call out as he stands in the middle of the room. "I'm going to go check on Seth," I say and move to leave the room. I hope he's not woken up and is moving around, hurting himself in the process.
"Never mind that, I'm leaving," he states firmly and I nod my head. "Out the back," he adds on and makes his way to the back door of the kitchen, exactly where he came in from.
"Well get him!" I hear Angie's voice and freeze in my spot alarmingly. We both turn our head around and I look to see Seth and Neil come through the door, their eyes fixed on him. He quickly opens the door and gets out but Seth and Neil follow and chase after him. I stand there in confusion at what the hell is going on but as soon as Iris comes into view with Evan, I realize that I'd been set up. I thought I was playing with them but they were playing with me.
IRIS POV
"Never mind that, I'm leaving," we hear the voice of the guy that's trying to ruin our lives. I feel relieved he won't get near me or Evan but at the same time I know something needs to be done so we know who he is. "Out the back," he says.
"We can't let him leave," I quickly speak up. This is our only chance to catch him. If we let him go then who knows what he'll do next.
"What do we do?" questions Neil and Angie slaps his arm as if to say that he's being stupid.
"Well get him!" she says loud enough for them to hear. Seth and Neil go forward with us behind him. I see the guy at the door but his hood is way too low for anyone to see what he looks like. He shoots off fast and the guys run after him. I notice Isabel standing there in shock and confusion which is cleared up as soon as she sees my face. Seth and Neil get back but the disappointment in their eyes makes it clear that they didn't manage to get the guy.
"What happened?" Angie questions them, walking right up to both the men. I think I know. He got away and we've lost our chance at finding out about the person hell-bent on ruining mine and Seth's life.
"He went through a couple of fences and we lost him," says Neil with a loud sigh. I guess it was a lot to ask for wasn't it? Considering the vase thing just turned everything to shit. We lost the element of surprise.
"Damn it!" curses Angie. Her gaze then shifts to Isabel who's standing there looking beyond scared. And she should be. After everything she's done. "You!" she says, walking forward and pointing a finger at her. "None of us ever thought you could stoop so low," she says, shaking her head.
"Angie," says Neil but she shakes her head. I think we're all more disgusted with her than we've ever been before.
"No," says Angie, keeping her eyes on Isabel. "She's been helping someone in trying to destroy Iris and Seth's lives and since he's managed to escape, she's going to tell us who it is," she says, grabbing Isabel by the arm who doesn't say a word. "Who is the fucker that you're helping?" Angie demands and although I don't approve of the method, I think it's needed. No more standing around and waiting for things to reveal themselves.
"I…I can't tell you," says Isabel, her eyes watering up and I hate myself for feeling sorry for her. Be strong Iris, this bitch has tried to destroy your family. That's not something I can forgive.
"Why the fuck not?" asks Angie in anger. I bet it's because she feels her life will be in danger if she does tell. Although if she doesn't then it still is because of Angie.
"Angie, let go of her," I say, being the voice of reason. She doesn't do what I say so I say her name again and she finally let's go of the grip she had on Isabel. Isabel's either going to tell us or not, no amount of grabbing her arm will change that.
"If I tell you, he'll kill Mom," says Isabel, tears flowing down her eyes. "I'm sorry everyone, I really didn't want to do this," she says and then looks at Seth. "I really have always wished you and Iris all the happiness in the world. Heck, you did that for me and David," she explains, shrugging her shoulders. "For the last few days he's had Mom and he's only just decided to let her go. I-I can't let him take her away again, I'm sorry," she cries, looking down at the floor once again. I understand that but that doesn't make things right. Not in the slightest.
"We would have helped," states Seth, looking at Isabel. "We would have helped," he repeats and then shakes his head and walks out. Sensing he needs me I follow him out of the house.
"Seth," I say his name and he stops. "Are you going to be ok?" I ask him in a soft voice, concerned for him. He always thought of Isabel as a good friend and I think he saw a little bit of himself in her. That's why he's been so lenient but things have changed now.
"How can I not be when I have you two?" he says, turning around with a small smile. "I'm just beyond disappointed," he says, taking Evan out of my arms and holding him close. He kisses the top of Evan's head and a small smile appears on my face.
"She couldn't help it Seth, her Mother is the only person she has," I remind him of the reasoning behind Isabel's reaction. "She said if it wasn't for that, she wouldn't have done anything". I don't know how any of us would have reacted in that situation but she still handled it badly.
"You can't really believe that Iris," says Seth with a bitter chuckle. "If she really didn't want to do it, she would have come up with ways to try and not do it. But she went ahead and tried to break us up, so many times," he says and then lets out a sigh. I let out a sigh myself because I feel like such an idiot for the next thing that's about to come out of my mouth.
"You'd do the same for Anne," I point out to him, shrugging my shoulders.
"Not like that," says Seth with contempt in his voice. "From now on, she means absolutely nothing to me. I want nothing to do with her, ever again," he says and gets a thinking look on his face. He goes back inside and I follow him, going to the kitchen where Isabel is crying with Angie towering over her.
"You are no friend of ours," says Angie. Are her tears even real? I don't know. She's not been my friend, she's been Seth and Angie's. They know how to deal with her.
"I agree," says Seth and all of them look in our direction. "You've done what you did and we're all disgusted. You're not the Isabel I cared for as a friend and you're certainly not the girl I once had feelings for," he says as I feel a stab of jealousy. Just thinking about Seth loving someone else doesn't sit well with me. "You're a disgrace and I don't want you anywhere near my family. When they all come back tomorrow, we're telling them everything and after that none of us ever want to see your face again," he says so calmly that I actually start to feel scared. Normally when he's angry, his voice is raised. He snaps. Right now, there's something different about it.
"Seth, don't you think that's a bit harsh?" I ask him, knowing full well how scared Isabel must have been without Rita. She panicked and did what she was told. She should have come to us for help but she didn't. That's where she failed.
"Harsh? Iris, if this girl succeeded you and Seth would have been heartbroken," Angie points out. That's true as well. She tried to break up my family with Seth and I have made myself a promise that I won't let it slide so easily.
"But she didn't," I then remind them all. "Despite what she or the guy that's doing this thought, my relationship with Seth is much stronger". I look over at Isabel and see surprise in her eyes as she looks at me. If she thinks that this means she's forgiven then she's wrong. The only reason I'm saying what I am is because her actions were partly because of the fact that she was blackmailed.
"Iris, I'm a nice guy. I always try to make sure people are treated fairly and all, but this is on a whole other level," says Neil, coming up to me. "She doesn't deserve once ounce of your compassion, not one. How many times have you given her the benefit of the doubt?" Too many times is the answer. I need to learn from my mistakes don't I? I keep trying to make sure everyone else doesn't make mistakes but here I am, still making my own.
"Leave it," says Seth, looking at Neil. "Iris is like this and you won't be able to change her mind," he says, his eyes on me now which makes me feel nervous. He doesn't approve. "Let's just get out of here, I don't ever want to be in this house or in her presence ever again," he says and one by one everyone walks out.
ISABEL POV
Everyone walks out one by one and I close my eyes letting the tears fall. I haven't just lost friends today; I've lost my family. Why must life be so cruel? I get my Mother back but I lose everyone else. Once I open my eyes I see Iris standing there with a sad look as she watches me. The one person who should hate me the most is the one who's feeling sorry for me.
"I really am sorry," I tell her and she continues to stare at me, as if thinking about something.
"I don't forgive you," says Iris as I take in a sharp breath. "You know, I've never had a real, proper family in my life. Seth and Evan, they've given me that. They're more precious to me than anything else in the world and you tried to break that," she says. I think she needs to say this and I need to hear it. "I am not letting anyone take my family away from me, no matter what. For some reason, I do feel sorry for you. But that's my natural human instinct, it's how I am. I can't help it. But everything you've done, it's on you. If anything like this happened to me, Seth would be the first person I'd tell. Why? Because he's family. Something they all considered you as but don't anymore. And that's on you," she says, before shaking her head and leaving from there.
"Sorry," I say, it coming out as a whisper. Despite what she's just said I've realised one thing. Seth was right about her. She is very compassionate. She was standing against them today for me even though I don't deserve it. I never have. But I'm glad. I'm glad they didn't actually break up and are still together. He won't be happy about this but there's nothing more I can do. And I wish them all the happiness in the world because they both deserve it. I hope one day they are able to forgive me.
IRIS POV
I keep my eyes on Seth as I get ready for bed. Evan went straight to sleep as soon as I put him down. I go into the bathroom and do my toothbrush. For the first time I have no idea what to say to Seth. I've been trying to for the past few minutes but nothing seems to be coming out at all. What can I say? He feels to betrayed and hurt. It's hard to come to terms with.
"Hey," I hear his voice and see him standing at the door from the reflection in the mirror. I spit into the sink and then let the tap run, running my fingers underneath the cool water and then splashing my face with water. I grab the towel from the side and clean my face.
"Hey," I say, still looking at him in the mirror. "Is everything ok?" I ask him in concern. I honestly do not know what's going through his mind right now. Does he need me to reassure him that nothing bad will happen now? That he's a good friend even if Isabel's not? That despite what I saw when he was with Isabel I hold nothing against him?
"Fine," answers Seth before moving forward and wrapping his arms around me from behind. "I just missed you," he says, making me giggle. He can be so silly sometimes but I love him for it.
"I was gone for like 2 minutes," I say, shaking my head at his silliness.
"If it was up to her you'd be gone forever," says Seth, making me sigh. So that's what he's thinking about. The fact that there was a chance she could have succeeded in her plans and separated us both.
"Seth," I start, ready to reassure him, but he cuts me off.
"I know, I know," says Seth and I turn around in his arms. "I just…I hate to imagine what would have happened if she succeeded," he says, one hand playing with my hair. I think I forget sometimes just how much he cares for me and Evan.
"But she didn't," I remind him of the positive thing we have right now. "We're ok Mister Rollins," I say, wrapping my arms around his neck and placing a soft kiss on his lips. I don't think I can say anything to stop him from continuously going over everything in his head but I'm hoping I can distract him here and there.
"I know, I guess I just don't even want to think about you being away from me," he says, avoiding my gaze which makes me think he believes he's being stupid. Nothing he ever says or does will make me think he's stupid.
"Are you scared?" I ask him in a low voice and notice him getting alarmed. "It's ok Seth," I reassure him, running my hands up and down his back.
"I feel like an idiot, I shouldn't be scared," he says, shaking his head. I think he feels he shouldn't be because he's the guy in this relationship and he should be ready to fight things off. But I'm glad he's letting me know how he feels, instead of denying it.
"Look at me," I say and he does, his eyes gazing into mine. "People will always fear separation from the things they love. It's ok to be scared, I am too. I can't imagine ever being away from you, it scares me. But right now, you're here with me and that fear is nothing," I explain to him. Without warning he moves forward and envelopes me into a bone crushing hug.
"I don't ever wanna lose you," he says so lowly that I barely manage to hear it. I don't ever want to lose him either, the thought of it terrifies me. I wouldn't be able to cope with him leaving me again.
"You won't, I won't let you," I say with a small smile, wrapping my arms around him as well "I love you Seth, so much," I tell him, knowing he needs to hear that right now. I feel him relax against me which makes me feel a bit better too.
"And I love you," he says. I hope we can come away from this stronger than before. I never realized how much all of this really was affecting Seth but I'm glad he's revealed his feelings to me. And though a person out there doesn't want us together, we're with each other right now. Nothing will ever change that.
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