'Why, why did this have to happen?' Fiona asked herself as she walked down the halls to her locker. She was tired because she woke up early and went to bed late, but she continued to keep walking in the direction of her locker.
"Something n your mind?" came a voice that startled her when the voice said it. It was a familiar voice. A wise one that she knew that she could talk to, but in this circumstance she didn't really feel like talking all that much.
Fiona turned her head to see Dr. D standing in the doorway to his classroom. "No. I just have a lot on my mind. I am just fine," said Fiona with a slight shake of her head. She then put on a weak smile but it didn't seem to fool the old man.
"Care to talk about it? It might do you some good to talk about it and get it off your mind. Plus that and I am all ears if you need me. I am a good listener," said Dr. D in a nice voice.
Fiona thought that it kind of him to offer her some help but she felt that she didn't need anyone else's help. "No. I think this is something that I need to do on my own. Thank you for offering though," said Fiona putting a smile on her face.
"Just remember that I am always here if you need any help. It is a teachers duty to help a student if they are troubled in anyway," said Dr. D as he turned around to walk back into his classroom.
"Thank you," said Fiona to his retreating form before she started walking in the direction of her locker still a little confused but she felt that she would be able to come up with the answers that she needed if she had a little more time alone.
"They should let people out of school if it is their birthday. Sometimes I wish that my birthday was in the summer so that I would never have to go to school on my birthday," grumbled Van as he walked out of his house at his normal time.
"What are you grumbling about now? No wait let me guess, it has to do with school again?" asked Irvine with a smirk as he saw Van walk out of his house. He saw Van hang his head and that helped him get his answer to the question. His new question was what part of school was annoying him today.
"It is my birthday and I have to go to school. It is my birthday!" yelled Van in complete annoyance. "Why, why, why did my birthday have to be today of all days?" asked Van with a pout.
"Yeah. That is such a bummer. Good thing my birthday is in the summer. That way I never have to go to school on any of those days," said Irvine with a smirk because he was enjoying watching Van suffer too much at that moment.
"Yeah lucky you," said Van sarcastically as he trudged towards the school. "Why couldn't my birthday have just been on a weekend this year?" asked Van knowing that it wasn't going to be a very good day like most birthdays were supposed to be. "Oh well. Let's just get school over with so that I can actually enjoy my birthday for the few hours that we are out of it," said Van with a sigh. He knew that he was going to hate school worse than usual today, and another event that was happening afterwards.
Van turned to look at Irvine only to see him smirking. "You think that this is funny watching me suffer like this!" Van yelled into his face. Today was definitely not going his way.
"Yeah, sorry, I just couldn't help it. It is just too good to watch you squirm the way that you have been," said Irvine before he started to burst out laughing. He just continued to laugh for a few more minutes before he stopped and then changed the subject. "Somehow I have a feeling that it isn't just school that is getting on your nerves about today of all days," said Irvine with a little smirk as he turned around to face an annoyed Van.
"Yeah. There is more to it than that. Later today, I have to go over to Amy's house after school. She wants me to celebrate my birthday before I can celebrate it with my family. Celebrating with her is always the same. Go over, eat a very quiet dinner where no one speaks or it is a very boring on, and then I go home," said Van in an exhausted voice.
"Then why don't you just come up with some excuse so that you won't have to go? That way you can just get away from it?" asked Irvine actually feeling sorry for Van on this occasion.
"No can do. Unfortunately I decided to be a little kind at the end of the summer to Amy, saying that I owed her for not going on a vacation with her. This is what she used when I at least attempted to get away?" said Van with a large sigh.
"You just had to sign your own fate over on your birthday didn't you?" asked Irvine with a slight smirk on his face. "You know what you need to do?" asked Irvine still smirking.
"What is that? Run as far away as possible so that I might be able to have a little peace today of all days?" asked Van with a bit of sarcasm in his voice. He was not looking forward to this event.
"No. You need to get a better girlfriend. One that isn't as possessive and bitchy as Amy is. That is the only way for you to be able to have a nice life," said Irvine once again putting on his smirk.
"It isn't Amy that I have a problem with, it is her family. It wouldn't be fair to her to do that just because her family. She has never really been too bad to me," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders.
"Sure. She may not have a problem with you because you're her boyfriend, but what about people like Fiona and Moonbay. She can be pretty nasty when it comes to the two of them," said Irvine as he continued walking down the street. "You know what? I just thought of something," said Irvine with a smirk on his face.
"Did it hurt?" asked Van on the verge of laughing. "No, really. What is it that you thought about?" asked Van as he turned towards Irvine waiting to hear what Irvine had to say at that moment.
"I think I know someone that would be much better for you than Amy for a girlfriend," said Irvine figuring that he do a little matchmaking that would be able to help both of his friends.
"Even if I wanted to do something like that, you know that I wouldn't be able to. Out of curiosity though, who is it that you have in mind?" asked Van figuring that he could have a bit of a laugh with this later.
"How about Fiona? The two of you get along really well whenever you have a chance to talk to each other. I think that you two would make a good pair," said Irvine with a smirk on his face.
"Fiona? We are nothing but friends. Where the heck could you have gotten an idea like that?" asked Van with a very confused look on his face. 'Oh come on. I am sure that you think that it is a great idea,' came a voice in Van's head. Van just shook it off right after it spoke just thinking that he was going crazy.
"Whatever," said Irvine as he exhaled making a little fog. He didn't know why but he always found that very interesting. He did that a few more times before it started to get boring and he stopped.
Van let out a small shiver. "Sure is starting to get cold out her," said Van with rattling teeth. He decided to skip bringing a coat that day because he didn't think that he would need it. He was definitely regretting making that decision at that moment. It was times like these that he wish he had the money for a car so that he would never have to walk to every place. 'My life stinks a great deal of the time,' Van mentally told himself as he clutched himself in hopes of warming himself up.
"That is usually what happens about this time of year. It starts to get colder," said Irvine in a mocking tone. He just smirked at the look that Van gave him because of that one little comment.
Van just glared at him for that comment. "I wish that something would make this day go a little better. Like maybe I win a few million dollars. That would be just too good to be true," said Van with a sigh.
"If only it were that easy, but poor people like us can still dream. Although I am sure that if you did get that type of money you would share it with me, right?" asked Irvine grinning at the mere thought of money like that.
"Not a chance. I would use all the money for myself and not let anyone at it," said Van in a joking manner. He then started to laugh a little bit but he tried his best to hold it in. It failed though as he started laughing.
For some reason, Irvine couldn't help but laugh as well. "Come on. we have to get going or we will be late to school again," said Irvine as he started to run down the streets towards the school. Van soon took off right after him.
Van just sat there bored out of his mind as he listened to his English teacher go on and on about things. 'All right, I just don't get it. We speak English, so why is it that we have to take a class about it? I can imagine foreigners taking it but why do everyone else have to take it?' Van asked himself as he let out a slight yawn. 'I want to sleep,' thought Van as he laid his head down. Soon his eyes shut and he fell into a light sleep.
Van looked around and found himself in a dark area. "What the heck! Where am I?" asked Van as he took a look around the area. It was so dark that he could barely see his own hand right in front of his face.
A small light then went on not too far away from Van. It was very dim, yet Van could just barely make out a figure in it. He couldn't tell who it was. The only thing that he could tell was that it was a girl. There was something about her though. he couldn't place it. All he could see was her long hair running down her back. She was turning slightly and Van felt he was about to see who she was, but...
A slamming on his desk caused Van to jump up in fright. Van looked and saw a bunch of books on his desk and a very annoyed teacher standing over him with a glare in her eyes.
"Mr. Flyheight. Do you such a problem with my teaching that you would prefer to be sleeping during all of it?" asked the teacher in such a calm voice that it really scared Van.
Van knew better then to be fooled by the way she was acting. He knew that she was definitely furious at him for falling asleep. "Um, no?" said Van in a questioning voice as he scratched the back of his head nervously. 'This isn't good,' thought Van with a nervous smile on his face.
Fiona walked down the halls with a smile on her face despite all of the problems that she was having. She was thankful that her teacher needed an assistant so that she could get out of class for a few minutes to clear her head a little bit. She was feeling a little better about all that has happened to her but she was still bothered by it a little.
Walking down the halls towards her destination, Fiona couldn't help but notice Van standing out in the hallways. 'The one person I am trying to avoid right now is the one person I have to pass to get where I need to go,' thought Fiona with a sigh. 'Sometimes life can be a little too cruel,' she thought.
She was so lost in thought at that moment that she didn't hear Moonbay calling out to her from a little further behind. "Hey Fiona!" yelled Moonbay as she ran after Fiona only to be stopped by a teacher.
"Quit running in the halls and please keep quiet because there are classes in session," scolded the teacher when Moonbay skidded to a halt from her sudden appearance.
"Sorry," said Moonbay in a hushed voice as she started to walk again in the direction Fiona went. After turning a corner, Moonbay looked back and seeing that the teacher was gone, she took off again. She was about to call out to Fiona when she saw the trouble that was about to start.
Fiona continued to walk but in a slightly slower pace. Van noticed this and also how she looked a little sad at that moment. "Is something wrong Fiona?" asked Van in a slightly hushed tone so that she was the only one that could hear him.
"No," said Fiona with a slight shake of her head. She continued to walk so as to not draw too much attention. "I just have a lot on my mind is all," said Fiona quietly. 'And it is all about you,' she thought mentally.
"If you say so," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders, "but I get the feeling that there is something that you are not telling me," he continued with an accusing yet playful look in his eyes.
"There is, but I am not really up to talking about it right now. I need to deal with it on my own at this moment," said Fiona as she passed Van without looking in his direction.
"If you say so," said Van shrugging his shoulders again. "You know where to find me at least most of the time if you want to talk about it," said Van with a calm look on his face.
'Thanks but I don't think I can really do that right now,' thought Fiona as she walked away from Van. Just by talking to Van, Fiona felt a little more at ease but it wasn't much. She knew that it would still be a long time before she would ever feel great about it.
Off in the distance, Moonbay had a very confused look on her face. 'All right, that was weird. They passed by each other without even throwing one insult at each other. They even appeared to be talking. I have no idea what they were saying but Fiona looked sad about it all. Then again, she appeared to be sad for most of today. Van may be different from a few years ago but I know that he isn't one to make fun of people when they are feeling really down like Fiona. I wonder what they were saying to each other,' thought Moonbay with a confused look on her face. She then turned the other way and walked away because she knew she might only get more confused if she was to ask about it.
"I have a question Irvine," said Van as the two walked away from the school later that day. He was very curious as to the reason that Fiona seemed so sad earlier that day and he really wanted to know what was wrong with his friend.
"What's that? Do you want me to tell you how to tie your shoes again?" asked Irvine with a laugh at the annoyed looked that appeared on Van's face. It was too priceless to Irvine; he loved getting on Van's nerves.
"No," said Van giving Irvine a glare. "I was wonder if you might know what was wrong with Fiona today. I noticed that she seemed awfully sad for some reason. Do you know what is wrong with her?" asked Van with worry in his voice.
'You,' thought Irvine mentally but he decided that he wasn't going to be the one to tell Van what was wrong with Fiona. "I really have no idea. I was kind of hoping that you could tell me. You two did talk earlier in the day didn't you?" asked Irvine with curiosity.
"How did you know that?" asked Van very surprised that he knew of his and Fiona's little conversation when he was pretty sure that there was no one in the area and they didn't do anything that looked that suspicious.
"Moonbay saw. Don't worry. She just thought that the two of you were having a very silent argument while trying to stay out of trouble by talking very loudly," said Irvine remembering what Moonbay had told him.
"Oh good. When you said that Moonbay saw, I got a little scared," admitted Van. "To tell the truth. I asked her what was wrong and she didn't want to talk about it," said Van with worry in his eyes.
'Of course she wouldn't talk to you about it. You are the reason for all of it,' Irvine fought the urge to say. He succeeded though. Irvine then decided that he would try to tease Van a little. "What's the matter are you that worried about Fiona. It is only natural to worry for the people that we love a lot," said Irvine with a smirk on his face at the blush that crept across Van's face.
"I...I don't have those type of feelings for Fiona!" stuttered Van which didn't go unnoticed by Irvine. "She is just a good friend and I was really worried about her," Van said a little more calmly.
Irvine couldn't help but chuckle a little. "Chill out. I was only teasing you. No need to get so worked up about it unless you really do have those type of feelings for Fiona," said Irvine with a smirk.
Van was now looking for any sort of excuse on how to get off this conversation. It was something that he didn't feel comfortable talking about. He loved Fiona but he wasn't in love with her. It was then that something caught his eye. "Whoa, check it out," said Van once he noticed a car that was parked in his driveway.
The car was a blue mustang convertible with its top already down. The two of them could only gawk at the awesome looking car.
"You expecting anyone Van?" asked Irvine with an amazed look. By the look of the car it was something only someone with a lot of money would be able to buy. Irvine wasn't aware that Van knew anyone like that.
"Not that I am aware of. So I wonder who could be coming here on such short notice," said Van as he reluctantly stepped away from the car and headed to the door hoping to get some answers.
Opening the door he walked into the house with making no attempts to be silent. "Hello, I home," yelled Van throughout the house but there was no reply. "Hello," Van repeated but once again there was still no answer. "That's strange, usually there is someone here. I wonder where everyone is," said Van as he took a look around the house only to find no one was even there.
"Where is everyone?" asked Irvine with a confused look on his face. He thought that his family would be here for Van's birthday. 'Where could everyone be,' Irvine thought to himself.
"I have no idea," muttered Van as he looked around. Van thought that at any moment people would spring up everywhere saying, "Surprise," but it never came. The house truly was completely empty. It confused Van greatly to figure this out.
The two of them walked into the kitchen and looked for any messages as to where the rest of his family had suddenly disappeared to. It was there that Van found a small package that was addressed to him. He looked it over for a second before reaching for it. He looked for who it was from and it had a name of a man that he didn't even know.
"Who is it from?" asked Irvine trying to get a good look at the small package. He was very curious as to what was in the very small package and of the person that sent it to Van.
"It says that it came from a man named Derek, but it doesn't give any other information. I don't even know anyone by that name," said Van as he continued to look the package over.
"Better be careful then," said Irvine very cautiously. There was something very strange about it. It was then that Irvine also noticed a note that was placed under the area that the package was originally. "Hey van, Maybe this will explain some things," said Irvine picking up the note and handing it to Van.
Van took the note and looked it over. It was a very short note, being only a few words. It said, "Van, don't worry about it, it is ok. The package is not dangerous," Then there was his fathers signature. Van then turned it over looking for more but there was nothing else on the note.
"My dad says it is fine. So I guess that it is ok to open this," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders. He then tore off the top of the package and out popped three things. There were a piece of paper, a cell phone, and a key.
Irvine took one look at the key before a broad smirk crossed his face. "You do know what this means Van?" asked Irvine with the smirk still present on his face. This was just too good to be true for Irvine.
Van couldn't help but grin as well. "Oh yeah," said Van with a smirk as he threw his stuff to the side and the two of them ran out of the house at top speed. Only stopping at the car that was parked outside. "Guess this birthday didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would" said Van as he hopped into the drivers seat.
"Where to? Or should we just drive around for a while for the fun of it?" asked Irvine as Van started up the car with the key that was in the envelope. He noticed that Van appeared to think it over for a little.
While he was thinking, Irvine took out the other things that were in the envelope and took a look at them. The cell phone, like the car, looked like it cost quite a bit and had almost everything a cell phone could have on it. Irvine looked over the piece of paper and realized that they were directions to some place. "Hey Van, Take a look at this," said Irvine giving Van the directions.
"What I it?" asked Van as he took it and looked it over. "I guess that we will be heading there," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders. Before he gave Irvine the direction to make it easier for him to get there. "Where does it lead exactly?" asked Van with great curiosity.
"By the looks of it, it leads into the city. Where in the city I am not too sure," said Irvine as he tried to find out where the place was. "I guess we will just have to go there and find out what this is all about," said Irvine.
"Then what are we waiting for? We can test this baby out on the way there anyways," said Van with a grin as he got the car moving and took off down the streets towards their destination.
"So tell me, what were you and Van arguing about earlier today?" asked Moonbay curiously as the two of them walked down the streets long after school had ended.
Fiona was about to panic that Moonbay saw her and Van but was glad to hear that she thought that they were arguing with each other and not in friendly conversation. "He insulted me but I wasn't up to arguing at that moment so I just decided to remain quiet so that I wouldn't end up getting in trouble," Fiona lied.
"So, are you doing anything tonight because I am going to be very bored if you are not there for at least a little bit," said Moonbay with a sigh when she thought of her plans for the night, or her lack of plans.
'I was planning to go over to Van's despite the problems that I was having about him. It is his birthday and I wanted to wish him a happy birthday,' thought Fiona. "I do have something planned, but I can hang out with you until then," said Fiona trying to settle for at least something to be able to satisfy her friend.
"I guess that that will be ok. What is it that you have to do? I might be able to help you out if you need help with it," said Moonbay trying to find anything that would take some of her extra time away from non-busy schedule.
"No. I am sorry but I have to do this on my own," said Fiona with a small frown while shaking her head very slowly. Fiona hated lying to her friend but she didn't want anyone to know at that moment.
"Going to see that friend of yours again?" asked Moonbay with a bit of bitterness in her voice. "I have given up trying to ask who it is, but I warn you that I will find out who he is before the end of the year," said Moonbay with determination in her voice.
"I promise you that I will tell you at some point but there is too much going on right now to be telling people about it," said Fiona with a little sadness in her voice, which didn't go unnoticed by Moonbay.
"Can I ask you something Fiona?" asked Moonbay in a friendly voice. She figured that she would settle for small details instead of the whole truth.
"What is it Moonbay?" asked Fiona very skeptically. She was being cautious now so that she wouldn't give away too much information to Moonbay at that moment by saying things she didn't mean to say.
"The way you have been acting for the past few days. Does it have anything to do with him?" asked Moonbay bringing up the subject of how she was acting just like everyone had been doing today. Fiona just nodded her head and that was good enough for Moonbay. "Do you love him?" asked Moonbay figuring that she hit the nail on the head when she saw Fiona's expression. "If you love him then what is the problem?" asked Moonbay curiously.
"It is far too complicated to tell you right now. My whole problem is because I found out that I love him. It is just becoming a little too much for me to handle at this moment," said Fiona very sadly.
"Why don't you just tell him? It might help you get some of the pressure that it is causing off of your chest," said Moonbay trying to find something to help her friend.
"There are so many things wrong with doing that. Plus that and I am afraid of what his reaction would be," said Fiona in a really worried voice. Her friendship with Van meant everything to her and she didn't want to ruin that because of her feelings for him.
"I wish that I could help you but you aren't even letting me in on the little secret like you did Irvine," said Moonbay in a fake hurt voice. She was just fooling around at that moment though.
"I'm sorry," was all that Fiona was able to say before she took off at a faster speed to get to he home. She didn't want to talk about it at that moment. She hoped that Moonbay would get the idea and just drop the subject.
"Wow! Check this place out. It is huge," said Irvine as he got out of the car and looked at the giant building that the directions sent them to. Irvine was just too amazed that whoever sent the present them to a place like this.
"Are you sure that we got the directions right?" asked Van as he looked over the building with high curiosity. He wasn't sure if it was just some sort of joke or someone actually wanted them to come there.
"I am positive. I read all of the direction perfectly. Whoever sent you those present sure most be rich to want us to come to a place like this," said Irvine still looking the place over.
"I guess so. I was just wondering because this is supposed to be one of the biggest companies in our country. Why would someone that makes close to a million a year just by working here want with poor people like us?" asked Van with a lot of worry that there might be something wrong.
"Who cares? As long as we are here, why don't we try and have a little fun just being in a place like this. I have heard a lot about some of the things that go on in here and I am curious as to if they are true," said Irvine in an excited voice.
"Well then. We might as well go in and see what this is all about," said Van with a shrug of his shoulders as he walked towards the doors with Irvine in hot pursuit. Van was curious as to what this was about.
The two walked through the sliding doors in the packed lobby of the building. The two were completely amazed by all the neat things that they were seeing.
Van and Irvine walked up to the desk that was in the center of the lobby to see a girl that was about their ago sitting there typing on the computer. "Um excuse me," said Van a bit nervously as he tried to get the girls attention. The girl looked up at him and Van saw by the name on the nametag that her name was Rosa.
"Yes, what can I do for the two of you?" asked the girl in a kind voice as she brought a smile to her face in order to make a good impression on their guests.
"Yes, I received something at my house earlier today and it instructed me to come here. So I was wondering if maybe someone wanted me here," said Van thinking that the way he said that sounded very stupid.
"What is you name and I will check and see if there is anyone expecting you here," said the girl in a cheerful voice, as she turned to the computer ready to type in whatever it was that Van would tell her.
"My name is Van Flyheight," said Van. He noticed that she didn't even start typing but instead she turned to face him. "Are you even going to check?" asked Van in a confused voice.
"There is no need for that. All you have to do is go to the very top floor. He will be waiting for you up there," said Rosa as she pointed towards the elevator. She heard Van groan a little and giggled slightly.
'That is awfully high up,' said Van as he looked up. "Come on Irvine. We might as well go and figure out what this is all about," said Van as he headed to the elevator only to be stopped by Rosa.
"Wait," she said as she ran up to Van. You might want to take this with you," said Rosa as she held out a pass. "It will help you get by the security without any problems," she said as she turned around and walked back to the desk.
"Thanks," muttered Van as he turned back around and headed towards the elevator with Irvine following right behind him in excitement that this wasn't some sort of joke.
Do you have any idea on what is going on yet?" asked Irvine as he leaned against the wall of the elevator waiting for them to reach their floor. He still had no idea what was going on or how anyone here even knew Van or his family.
"None whatsoever. I am just as confused about this as you are. I wonder why someone that I don't even know would send me a car, and a cell phone. It also makes me wonder why my dad would even say this is ok even though I have no idea who this person is," said Van as he too leaned against the wall.
"I guess we will just have to see what it is," said Irvine as the elevator came to a stop on the top floor. "This will be good I think," said Irvine with a smirk as he took a step forward.
The two of them stepped out of the elevator and took a good look around the room. It a much smaller room than the one that was on the first floor. There was a large door in the center of the far wall with a desk off to the right and a large security guard off to the left.
The security guard got up when he noticed Van and Irvine walk into the room. "This floor is restricted unless you are either a worker or have special permission," said the guard as he walked towards Van.
Van then remembered the pass and quickly pulled it out of his pocket. "We were told to come here and the girl down at the desk gave us this," said Van showing the man the pass.
"Ah. You must be Van then. We have been waiting for you," said the woman behind the desk as she stood up and walked towards Van and Irvine. "It is ok Rosso. He called for them specifically," said the woman to the guard. "Hello, my name is Viola. We have been expecting you. So will you please follow me?" asked Viola to Van and Irvine as she headed towards the large doors.
Van and Irvine looked at each other and then followed after her very cautiously towards the door. The door then opened and Viola walked into the room followed by a very cautious Van and Irvine.
"He is here sir,' said Viola to a man that was sitting in a chair that faced a window that overlooked the city that was below them. With that said she quietly turned around and walked out of the room.
Van couldn't help but feel a little nervous because by the looks of this room he was one of the people that were in charge here if not the person that ran it all. Van just couldn't seem to help himself in feeling very nervous.
The chair turned around to reveal a rather young looking man. He had to only be in his early thirty give or take a few years. He wore a broad smile on his face as he spotted Van standing there very nervously. "Welcome," he said with a smile. "It is so good to finally meet you Van," said the man as he stood up.
"Um, I don't mean to sound rude but how is it that you know me?" asked Van with curiosity in his voice. He expected the man to be annoyed but all that he heard was a laugh come from the man. Van raised an eyebrow in confusion when he saw that it was coming from the man in front of them.
"I guess he really didn't tell you," said the man still smiling. He walked up to Van and Irvine. "Yep, he definitely didn't tell you," said the man as he looked over the two very confused faces.
"Who didn't tell me what?" asked Van only becoming more confused by the second. 'I wish that someone would just tell me what is going on already. I think that I will go crazy if I don't get some answers soon,' thought Van slightly annoyed.
"That would be me," came a voice from behind the two of them. This caused Van and Irvine to turn around to see his father standing there with a small smile on his face. "I am sure that the two of you are both very curious as to what is going on," said Dan as he approached the desk. He looked to see both of their headed nodding. "I own this place. It is really as simple as that," said Dan as he took a seat behind the desk.
"YOU WHAT?" yelled Van very loudly. He just couldn't believe what he was hearing. All this time he thought his dad was working for Amy's father and just barely getting by with that, but it turns out that he runs one of the largest businesses in the country. Van began to wonder if that would get him out of what Amy's father had on him. It didn't mean he would break up with Amy because she had nothing to do with it but he knew it would get him out of the blackmail.
"Wait a minute. If you are in charge here, then why is it that you have another job?" asked Irvine with confusion written all over his face. "Also, why is it that you never told him anything about this?" He continued to ask.
"To keep Van away from the media. They can really mess with people's minds sometimes with all of the attention that they could give. About my other job, it was mainly to learn more about my competition. Although I am not completely sure if he bought any of it," admitted Dan as he leaned back in the chair. "He is after all going to inherit this place once I retire," said Dan with a smirk on his face. That made both Van and Irvine even more shocked.
'I am going to be rich,' thought a shocked Van. He probably didn't have more than twenty bucks at a time in all of his life, and now he was going to inherit one of the most well known companies around. His birthday just kept getting better and better. Van just couldn't help but grin.
'Van's going to be rich? I wonder if he will be able to lend me a few thousand at some point,' thought Irvine liking the idea of having a rich friend. Now he would never be in debt to anyone again. Irvine couldn't help but grin with Van.
"Why don't you both sit down and we can talk about it," said Dan pointing towards the two seats that were right across from his desk. "Do either of you care for anything to eat?" asked Dan with a smile.
"Sure," said Irvine in an excited voice. Dan couldn't help but laugh at this. "What do you have?" asked Irvine having a hard time trying to control his excitement at the mention of food because he had yet to eat anything all day and it was really starting to get to him.
"Um, do you know what time it is?" asked Van out of curiosity. Actually it was because his girlfriend would kill him if he happened to be late for the dinner she was giving him, and that was something that he didn't want.
Dan took a look at the watch that he had around his wrist and said, "It is about five," said Dan before lowering his arm and looking at his son. He then noticed the look of panic that swept across Van and wanted an explanation.
"Oh no! I am going to be late. I am sorry but a I have to go," said Van as he headed towards the door. He didn't even look back as he ran through the door and through the elevator completely forgetting that he brought Irvine with him.
"Hey Van! Wait up," said Irvine as he got up and was about to take off after Van but a hand grabbed his wrist before he could go. Irvine turned around and saw that it was Dan and he gave a look that said that he wanted an explanation.
"Don't worry. Let Van go. I will have someone drive you back to your home. Ever been in a limousine?" asked Dan with a bit of curiosity at how Irvine would react to it. He got it when he saw a smirk cross Irvine's mouth. "Good. I will call for one," said Dan as he picked up a phone.
"I never thought that you were the one that was in charge here. I thought that it was that other man that was in here when we first got here," said Irvine looking around the room to see that he had left. 'Strange, I don't remembering him leave,' thought Irvine in confusion.
Dan hung up the phone before he answered. "That is the Vice-president for this company Derek. He is a very capable man. A bit too ambitious though. He was kind of upset when I said that Van would take over when I retired. I trust him though," said Dan as he stood up. "Come on. The limo should be here any moment," said Dan as he walked past Irvine and towards the doors. Irvine then took off after him.
"Irvine," said Dan as he stopped and waited for the elevator to get there. He looked behind him and saw that Irvine was waiting for him to tell him what he wanted. "Where was it that Van left to in such a hurry? I had some things planned that I will have to reschedule now," said Dan as the elevator rang and the two walked into it.
"His girlfriend was making him come to a dinner that she was putting on. I don't blame him for running off. He was late and that girl does not accept any excuses," said Irvine with a slight laugh.
"She is far more trouble than she's worth. I wonder why he sticks with her if she can be that demanding," said Dan as he pressed the button for the garage. "I also see how exhausted he is after he is with her. Like I said, she is more trouble than she is worth," said Dan with a sigh.
'I don't think I am going to be the one to tell him,' thought Irvine with a serious face. "I don't know but I think that he should dump her. He could definitely go for someone much better than her. I bet that if he gets any money, she will milk him dry within an hour," said Irvine with a loud laugh that Dan joined him in.
"I would have to agree with you there. She also has a really big mouth. I think she should learn to close it every once in a while. Sooner or later it is definitely going to cause some trouble," said Dan as the elevator reached the garage floor and the two of them walked out to see a limousine waiting for them.
"Listen, if you see Van. Tell him that I will talk to him a later. There were some things that are very important that I needed to discuss with him," said Dan as Irvine got into the limo.
"Sure thing. That is if I see him though," said Irvine putting an emphasis on the word if. "You will probably see him before I do anyways. There are a few things that I needed to do that will take the rest of my time today," said Irvine trying to get comfortable.
"If you do see him though, just tell him that. By the way, don't tell anyone about this. It is important that you don't. I want to keep Van out of the spotlight for now," said Dan in an important voice.
"Don't worry, I won't tell a soul," said Irvine in a sincere voice as he closed the door to the limo. Then the limo took off down the street. Irvine sitting in it happily looking over all that the limo had to offer.
Dan watched until the limo was out of sight before he turned around and walked back into the building with a smile on his face. "This sure has been an interesting day," said Dan to himself.
"Come on, come on," muttered Van as he drove down the streets as fast as he could without breaking the speed limit. He knew that he was going to get it when he got there so he figured that he had better not be any later than he was going to be.
He pulled his car into her long driver and could only curse. "Damnit! Why does she have to have such a long driveway? It is only going to make me even later," said Van with a groan of annoyance.
He then got down the driveway and after parking the car ran to the door only to find Amy was already there waiting for him with a little amusement. "Um, sorry I'm late. There were a few things that I had to do," said Van with a nervous smile as she just looked at him.
"Birthday gift?" asked Amy indicating towards where his new car was parked. The same expression remained on her face the whole time. It was a bit of a mix of amusement, confusion, a little happiness, and a bit of annoyance.
"Yeah. It is pretty cool isn't it?" asked Van proudly as he looked at his new car. "I also got a cell phone as well," said Van pulling it out. 'And a lot more than just either of these,' Van mentally told himself. He figured that he wouldn't tell her about it but by the look on her face, she already knew that he was keeping something from her.
"Really? Well that is great," said Amy putting on a cheery face. It was one that didn't really fool Van. "Now, come inside. You are already late and I am starving," said Amy grabbing his hand and practically dragging him into the house.
'I really don't like being here god. So will you please make these next few hours go by a little faster so that I can leave and enjoy the rest of my day,' Van begged into his mind as he was pulled through the doors and towards the dining room. He had nothing against Amy but both of her parents gave him the chills.
They were about to walk into the dining room when the door swung open and Amy's father walked out of it. It was almost impossible to read what it was that he was thinking about at that moment but Van could definitely tell that it wasn't anything good. Van was slightly afraid.
"Hello daddy. Van has finally gotten here," said Amy with a smile as she signaled to where Van was just dragged. She then used a lot of strength and pulled him forward so that her father and Van were now face to face.
"Hello sir," said Van a little bit nervously just like he always was in the man's presence. Van shrank back a little when he gave him a strange look before turning to Amy.
"Why don't you go in and wait for us. I need to have a little talk with Van," he said with a smile. He saw her nod before she walked into the dining room. The door closed and then he turned around. "Come with me Van," he said as he walked in the direction of his study.
"What is it that you want now Hiltz?" asked Van a little cautiously because he had no idea what Hiltz wanted with him now. He didn't reluctantly start walking after the man though.
As soon as the two of them were inside the room Hiltz spoke. "I am not dumb Van. I know exactly what has been going on," said Hiltz with a smirk on his face at the look of annoyance on Van's face. "I have known all along what your father has been up to. How he is the president of my biggest rival company. I hope you know that even though this is out in the open, you are still going by what we have gone over so many times," said Hiltz laughing at the look of fury that crossed Van's face.
"Why should I even do that exactly?" asked Van a little outraged that Hiltz could even think like he could still keep control over him even though nothing before counts anymore.
"I have a lot of things that I can use to ruin your fathers company," said Hiltz with a smirk at the look on Van's face. "I don't think that your family will enjoy that exactly. Or your mother more precisely. It doesn't have to get out though as long as you stick to the original plan," Hiltz said with a sadistic smile.
"You bastard," growled Van. He knew that Hiltz would use it against him if he were to ever find out about it. Van was now curious as to how he found out about it in the first place considering that not even Van knew about until a few hours ago.
"Life is never fair Van. Being in the business world can only make it worse," said Hiltz with a smirk as he started to walk away. "Oh, by the way, no talking about this little conversation with my daughter. She doesn't need to know about our little discussions," said Hiltz before he opened the door and walked out of the room leaving an extremely angry Van alone.
"Damn him. He is one of the reasons that I always hate coming here. Always finding new ways to make things worse than they already are for me," grumbled Van as he reluctantly followed Hiltz to go and eat. By the time that he reached the room he had cooled down a little bit and while putting on a fake smile that was more forced than anything he ever had to do in his life except for maybe going to school.
"Good you are here," said Amy pointing towards a seat that was right next to her. She kept an eye on Van as he walked over and sat down next to her. "What was it that you and my father talked about?" asked Amy out of curiosity.
Van took a quick look in Hiltz's direction and noticed him slowly shaking his head, meaning that he didn't want Van to say anything like he had told him to. "Nothing important. He just wanted to ask me a few questions," lied Van as he looked down towards his plate.
"Really, what about?" asked Amy seeing that Van seemed a little troubled by something and she knew that her father was the main cause of all of it. "What about Van?" Amy repeated her question since Van didn't answer.
"Wow! All of this looks really good," said Hiltz interrupting the little conversation. "So how did school go today?" asked Hiltz knowing what he was doing when he interrupted the conversation.
Van was sort of thank because Amy seemed to drop the subject and started talking about how the day went for her. 'He is the cause of all of this, and he does not want any of this to get out. God I hate him. Sometimes I wonder how he is related to his daughter. A lot of the time they act nothing alike,' thought Van bitterly as he sat leaned further into his chair.
By the time that the dinner came to an end, Van was more than glad to be able to get out of the place in order to get away from Hiltz. "Well, Dinner was great, thanks for having me," said Van as he tried to reach the door.
"No problem. Maybe we should do this again sometime," said Amy with a bright smile on her face as she watched Van retreating towards the door. "Maybe sometime later this month," said Amy with a smile still on her face.
'Much later,' thought Van although he didn't voice his thoughts. "I don't know. I have a lot of things to do. So it might be a while until I can try and make some free time. You know, with school and all," said Van as he reached the door.
"Then we will just have to try our best to make some time," said Amy still smiling. She then walked to the door with Van and walked out of it. The two walked out to Van's car where Van got into it. "Bye Van," said Amy as she gave him a kiss before he left.
"Bye," was all that Van said before he got the car moving and away from Hiltz. He realized that he was being kind of rude but Hiltz just sent a shiver down Van's spine whenever the two were around each other. Plus that and he was tired and he wanted to get home as soon as possible.
Amy watched as Van slowly drove out of sight with a smile on her face. When he was gone, her smile only broadened as she walked back into her house without a care in the world.
Fiona found herself walking all alone around the park that night. She knew that it wasn't a smart idea to do this at night because of what happened the first time that she did this when she first arrived in this town. However she couldn't sleep and she needed to get some fresh air.
Fiona suddenly heard the sound of a car coming up behind her. Just to be safe she moved off to the side but the car never passed. Instead it stopped right next to her. Fiona looked over to see that it was Van that was behind the wheel of the car. "Van?" asked a slightly confused Fiona.
"What are you doing out here at night? You of all people should know what happens if you are to do something like that," said Van with a smile as he saw Fiona standing there.
"Things turned out alright in the end didn't they?" asked Fiona as she faced Van with a smile on her face. She felt confident that nothing would have happened to her when she was out there that night.
"I guess. Come on. Get in, I will drive you back home to your house," said Van opening the other door for Fiona to get in. When he saw her get in a close the door he started to drive off in the direction of Fiona's house.
"Nice car, where did you get it?" asked Fiona quietly when she was looking the new car over. She wasn't aware that their family had enough money to buy something as nice as this car.
"My dad got it for me for my birthday, as well as a few other things as well. What turned out to be a bad birthday in the beginning turned out pretty good in the end," said Van with a small chuckle. Another thought then came to his head. "Is there something wrong Fiona?" asked Van quietly. Van knew that he had already asked her earlier that day but he knew that something was wrong.
"I already told you that nothing is wrong," said Fiona a little too quietly. In a way she was glad he was worried about her but she was not going to mention what was wrong with her.
"I know you said that, but I don't believe a word of it. I know something is wrong. When you want to tell me what is wrong, then I will listen," said Van settling for that instead of the truth for that moment.
'Thanks,' thought Fiona with a small smile. It was nice to know that he wasn't going to push the situation any further than it really needed to be at that moment. Fiona suddenly started to feel the sleep that she was having trouble getting earlier finally starting to come back to her.
Van drove down the road silently when suddenly he felt a light pressure being put on his shoulder. He turned his head slightly to see what it was while still keeping his eyes on the road. What he saw was Fiona with her head rested on his shoulder. Van could only smile as he drove up to her house. Instead of waking her up he just picked her up and carried her to her house.
Van walked back down to his car a few minutes later with the smile still on his face. He hopped into his car and took off down the road towards his house. He couldn't explain why it felt so right for Fiona to be in his arms for those few minutes, especially because he had a girlfriend.
Once he was at his house he immediately went up to his room and got ready to sleep because of how tired he was. As he laid there trying to sleep one thought suddenly struck his mind. He thought about all that Irvine had said to him earlier that day about Fiona being a good match for him. For some reason he couldn't get that thought out of his head and then another one popped up. 'Could I actually be falling for her?'