The Last Supper, Second Chance
This took quite a bit but now I have the chapter filled out. Enjoy
"Master Cody! It's dinnertime; I have just cooked the chicken and salad for you and Mistress Naomi! Would you please call up Mistress Gwen on my behalf, I have absolutely all my two aching aging hands full at the moment!" Valen's loud voice boomed its message over to the nearby wall that separated the neat and tidied kitchen from the living room opposite, but Valen knew the entire place by the nook and cranny especially with his talent to have his mind as clear and memorable as an elephant for that matter with his urge to say something intellectual and witty when the time would call for it made him a personal favorite of Cody's own parents who had taken him in for recommendation and he was eventually asked to take good care of their little…actually the old man cleared his throat in a tone of silent apology, grown up child when he had left the house with his sister who her exhausted and hard-working parents could not take care of with the growing stress and the whole issue of their son in a love crisis resulted in them moving to this part of the city but the butler knew that that was the start of a life without the employers in charge, and the aged man took the decisive role of parent over to himself to really engage himself in the activities of what the children were up to even if it meant, to the utter disdain of the butler and sent shudders down his spine, humiliating himself to get there. The aged man was positioned at the sink, which was exceptionally large for a mere helping tool in cleaning the dishes plus the fact that he stayed in the house just to oversee the cleanliness and other miscellaneous duties, the width stretched two to nearly covering three whole kitchen counters which were quite unnecessary to Valen as the two young people of the house did not eat much as he sighed and scratched the back of his head feeling the hairs nearly wisped through his fingers like air. He had admitted then and there that he was getting quite old and increasingly very weak during their stay when he had attempted to get some chores done which involved heavy lifting of objects he found it now a little more challenging for his own standard of fun, and soon he called on the help of Cody and Naomi frequently who told him to leave the chores to them but his own pride and sometimes the feeling not to trouble his masters with such a thing forced him to refuse politely before he continued his struggle with the object in question. His hands were wrinkled and crinkled into soggy layers of skin as he fought the germs on the plain white porcelain plates in a battle of sponge and detergent, his fingers compressing on the soft yellow tissue of the squishy item to scrub and wipe furiously trying to prevent any signs of dirt that might cause food poisoning for his masters and the guest that Master Cody now accepted into the household for the nights and days to come. Speaking of which, the butler stopped his duty as he took a glance out of the multi-glassed window with the stems of wood forming squares on the panel into the dark grey clouds that soon covered the bright sun that once shone over the city with a feeling of dread creeping into his mind as it tinged at the slightest movement outside…but his mind this time was on the expression he saw on his master's face as he led the young woman inside the house, he obviously knew her for starters but he became solid and never talked about her for the last few hours he asked him about the topic but then it was definitely a camper on that TV show.
"Master Cody! Dinner is being served right now, get Miss Gwen right to the table on my behalf!" he barked before he was greeted by the unexpected slamming open of the door as Naomi strode right into the kitchen, her black hair fluffing at the shoulders as she held a bright illuminating smile on her face while the butler merely shook his head in a deep seated sigh running his hand over his tired face the smell of the food roaming around the neat tableclothed table where the plates and dishes carrying the burden of the professionally cooked food, which the butler would have been proud of too with his great cooking skills learnt while he was serving as a kitchen aide back in a restaurant.
"So where's Master Cody?" He spoke nonchalantly to the hungry young teenager as she gave a slight smirk at the older gentleman who had his fingers holding a glass wine cup in his hand while his other held a bright blue cloth running the fabric inside out of the surface trying his upmost best to get the drinking cup ready for use. Naomi just sat at a random seat at the table, her hands just rubbing together in an eager fashion to the utter disapproving shake of the butler at the look of hunger at the dishes strewn before her like a feast.
"Oh, big brother is out to go get his denied 'girlfriend' from her room. She seems kind of off when she got here and I am starting to have some suspicions…so Valen, what do you think of your new mouth to feed?" Valen even could flinch uncomfortably at the tone which Naomi had spoken in, his back shivered a little before he began with a cleared throat as he turned his head around to give an annoyed glare at his employer's troublesome daughter with his hands crossed folded into his slim flat chest, the gloves nipping at the arms of his dark coat as he rolled his own eyes at the young girl's own attempt at gossip.
"Mistress Naomi, I don't appreciate such womanly attributes to start rumors amongst their social circle so I don't want to be so disrespectful to my employers' daughter of trouble and social dysfunction…but I do not find anything strange or even less intimidating of the poor young woman. She might have ran from someone she hated or even worse, to which I find that no obligation to stretch a helping hand for Master Cody if he sees it fit." Naomi seemed to raise her eyebrows almost wanting to open her mouth to counter the subtle insults but then she just went back to being silent again, her intrigued expression disappeared completely as she seemed to have a face of mistrust while Valen went back to washing the last of the wet soaking dishes his eyes catching the feeling of tension from the young woman before he went on the offense.
"So, Mistress Naomi…what do you think of Mistress Gwen?" The words caught Naomi's attention and Valen's as he stared at the glassed window that reflected the indication of some spite from his employer, which made him raise his eyebrow in inquiry at the girl. Naomi could just sigh outright and leaned her slim back against the doorway while her fingers were twirling her hair in loose knots, brushing her own dark strands aside in thought as she unconsciously brought her fingertip to her red lips tapping the outercrust of the lipstick surface before she just replied in a, to the ultimate surprise of Valen, concerned tone in her voice stopping with his duty to hear out the young troublemaker.
"I…I don't think frankly that she would come here, of all people to tell you the truth. I knew who she was anyway back at the front door and I couldn't really believe that Cody will invite someone like her to stay here as of what she did to Big brother…" Valen couldn't reply his own opinion, nor could he express it but all he could do to show some understanding was to just nod his head in consent. He had not even faced such a dilemma in his entire career nor his private life so far, but looking at the fact that it was the same woman who had rejected Cody to such an extent of him breaking down and running from the show for years told the butler enough of what his own family would feel…and right now they were that of absolute hatred. Naomi meanwhile paid no attention to the butler's look and just had an pained feeling in her body as she looked right through the window, staring on at the grey clouds as the large roar of rain splashed water down on the roof and road washing any kind of dirt or small litter away into the nearby drain grate…just like what Cody was trying to do years ago. She was younger at the time of seeing her big brother off to the first season, her eyes brightened when he gave that final smile at her ruffling her raven black hair in person before he started off for the journey ahead with the promise 'I'll smile for you sis, when I get there' and sure enough he kept holding on to his word during his whole stay, Naomi felt elated when she quickly tuned in for the episodes on time to the silent joy of her parents who would just have some time too to watch alongside her and support Cody for the challenges…then she showed up, stealing her brother's heart despite her parents having expressed some doubts from the girl's reactions and refusals. But Naomi held on to the belief that her brother could get a girlfriend and if he chose a goth chick she found one night that she wouldn't mind really, then the canoe challenge saw him getting hit right below the belt which sent shivers down her spine at the ordeal while her parents just cringed and her father would mutter 'Oh, not there' just to go along with the mood, but her father kept going on about his son trying so hard to win a girl's stubbornness over with his determination which the teenager recalled her dad say 'He was just like me when I tried to get the attention of your mother in high school, then university…'. Naomi sighed in absent nostalgia, those memories were the few that she could ever remember her parents spending time with her laughing and cheering their son on as well as the reaction of her dad who just yelled at the screen when Cody was voted out, his eyes rolled at the decisions of the campers while his mother just said not to worry about it…but when Cody returned, something seemed to start wedging their sibling relationship with his isolated attitude and each passing season gave a worser welcome.
"Oh? Is it because of that reality show Master Cody was on years ago, and that you having such contempt towards her as you care and don't want to see him hurt again?" Naomi had a small shiver as the butler saw a wave of shock cross over her face before it confirmed his suspicions but he shrugged off the seemingly bad feeling with a small assuring smile. "Do not worry, Miss Naomi. I may not understand this kind of contempt but I think that you should be giving her a chance to make it up to Master Cody or see what will happen if she would never notice his concern…you'll need to see for yourself before you judge, Mistress Naomi." At those words the girl seemed to lift her face at the window to have a brightened if not completely, face showing some sort of hope at the thought of the two even coming together as she smiled in some content.
"Valen, for an old man you sure know how to cheer up a worried teenager." Valen just smiled at the words as he clanked the last dry plate onto the rack itself with a slide into the empty slot before the butler finally found the chance to wipe his fingers clean from the excess detergent and foam that stuck on the cloth as well. Naomi just acknowledged his silent gesture as she took her seat at the table where the empty plates and the knife, fork and spoon laid out in order on the separate crimson colored fabric tablemat her face full of both calm and hunger at the dishes but she halted in the middle of her urge to jump in to eat ahead of everyone and decided to wait it out for her brother…and the new girl. Valen on the other hand had a look of great surprise at the sudden manners displayed by the teenager sitting there patiently after the talk waiting no doubt for Master Cody and Miss Gwen to show up, he had known his young employer for years and he had not even seen her resist the temptation to start her meal first whenever he cooked for the family including recently even he knew well enough that she would be at the table first guests or no guests…Valen however shook off the feeling with a mere chuckle to himself as he now rubbed his hands and sat at his own seat at the simple wooden furnished table in the not so large kitchen waiting for a new family member to join them in silence.
"It's nearly six…and so the young detective is late. Hmmph, is this how the police treat serious issues with such carelessness and laziness these days? How pathetic." Amos spoke with malice as he spun once more on the office chair his finger tapped and jabbed impatiently on the surface of his watch in the darkness of the control room, he had not expected the detective to even come late especially the 'threat' that he had posed towards them on the video challenge to that Cody boy…but then again, he had only planted not 200 bombs but just a mere 79 all around the cityscape at important places though some he placed in seemingly unlikely areas that even the cops with their damnable sense of catching on to the game is futile to figure it out as they would be trying to evacuate everybody before the bomb threat occurred, and by that time he would cover that base…
"Well, this is a very bad turnout and I guess that I have to take some action in order to do things and get it started around here? But then again, that boy might have something last to settle before he prepares for the Underworld…so I think I can wait for him for a couple of minutes to just do his last wishes." Amos sighed deeply under the strained eye muscles he had as he rubbed the bridge of his nose in circles to relax his eyes, though the silent scene of the control room was so very tranquil and unreal…the broken pipes and sparking wires including the twisted shot bodies of the guards gave the bomber a sense of security as he eyed the body that had slumped itself onto the surface of the control panel his body weight slamming on screens and various buttons with his eyes bulged out in horror just like Casteon had left it. The mouth was gaping open though a hole in the back of the flesh cave revealed a puddle of blood spilling out onto the cold metal piece of technology, staining the black suit of body armor which hid any signs of damage but Amos Casteon could not be so damn bothered to even try and hide his own messes due to one simple fact: he had use for anything that can hold a bomb which led him to already think of various ideas for the victims he was using and the ones he now had in custody each in separate cells. The bomber had a look of glee on his face, he could see now that the people he kept inside were not just some bunch of idiots that would be the type to willingly sit down like dogs and try not to escape because that makes his job easy, and the bomber knew deep down in his impulsive and challenging nature that he was not the type to take easy for an answer even for his own personal assignments which probably was one of the many factors that seemed to dominate his personality…so there is a way to make sure the whole challenge interesting for both him and his soon to be prey, but that wouldn't be revealed to them yet.
"This is taking too long, but then again I seem to not be the only man busy with his job." He said to himself as he walked out of the control room protected by the body armor of the murdered guard, his saferoom from the mental patients he had released to start their maddened rampage around the asylum opening the doors to the armories where the staff kept tasers, stun rifles and other types of riot equipment large enough to arm the whole block with the deadly weapons in an unstable mind's hands to use. He walked out the broken down door his feet stepped on the metal as support to vault himself over it, turning right on the trio of dark hallways which had the lights being shot out mostly by trigger happy patients who were as old as the Second World War itself and so gave them the natural instinct to act like soldiers according to whatever twisted sick-minded delusions that they were inflicted by…perfect. The bomber walked into the hallway where he spotted right in front of him the lead-ridden bodies of Squad Six and Seven that were earlier dispatched towards another sector of the institution only to get shot at by the patients screaming and yelling in joy and some out of pure madness, Casteon was even counting himself lucky to carry a gun with him at all times and his bombs were cased in a silver metal suitcase which hung in his hand as he walked past stepping indiscreetly on the bodies with some crunches of his shoes digging themselves into the skin of the body armor or horror-struck faces to which he just replied with an uncaring smirk. The sounds outside were the familiar sound of helicopter wings just steering it around the whole levels of the asylum block which was isolated on a mere short highway out of the city and land, surrounded by the wide dark sea to prevent escape, the staff rules went as far as to put fences and ban boats or docks from being built but the bomber right now could not give a real crap about that information: he was planning on never coming back out anyway. Out there across the small bridge, he knew and heard clearly, were the sounds of police sirens trying to block off his escape directly from the windows or the body of water…by then he can imagine their horrific screams and pleading to stop, but he will not give them such a chance.
"H-Help…me…" A small croak and groan followed from amongst the pile of corpses, their blood already dried and hardened into a covering layer on the tiled floor made the bomber turn his head to address a security guard lying face down on the ground with his head inclined to the side in order for him to talk to the man directly, his mouth gritting its teeth in a chatter as a feeling of cold rush over him in shivers and icy tingles indicating how long he had fought back dying. Casteon seemed unable to care or sympathize with the guard, his eyes merely resting on the guard's own blue sharp eyes but he never gave a reaction to his distress as he reached into the pocket of his coat rummaging through searching for the butt of the gun before he grasped it and drew it to tempt the man's eyes with fear and torment, the effect seemed to have its toll as the guard started to panic with his eyes widening in shock his mouth gaping open to mutter something out but Casteon silenced any thought of listening, he felt no regret for about what he was about to do anyway to the dying man lying in a pool of his own hardened blood aiming for the forehead.
"Take it as a mercy-killing." He said calmly as he shot perfectly the sound of the bullet escaping from the capsule rang in his ears like a symphony as he heard the man's breathing quiet down into a mere whisper before it became deathly silent as a graveyard, the bomber eyed the accusing stare of the man at his 'rescuer' and without remorse aimed his gun again to shoot two more shots and withdraw his gun before taking a look at his handiwork.
"Now you can't accuse me with those anymore." He said as he walked soundlessly towards the main office department a few hallways away, initiating the second stage to his plan.
Dinner looked absolutely delicious and very water-running for Gwen as she took another piece of the chicken nearby, taking the food in her mouth with delicate pace chewing on the food slowly to make sure the taste stayed there for a while and took another shot at the other dishes. Cody and Naomi watched with some sibling humor at the way the gothic artist was enjoying a meal she probably wouldn't have had for a long time, their faces then turning over to see their butler also watching the new house guest but instead of humor it was one of an anxious worried sort of look like the kind a cook makes to his sour face when it is being tested by a master critique in some hope the result would be good. Valen was literally eyeing her like a hawk as though he expected some sort of food poisoning situation to even occur when it was him who cooked the food with precision and care, one time even going as far to say he put much love into his dishes but for Naomi he gave it to show that despite his irritancy and annoyance of the bundle of energetic youth, he knew how to spoil her in the art of cooking. Gwen seemed to catch his own stare and stopped eating, her eyes raised at the strange looks the butler gave her with a twitch of his eyebrows and the corner of his lips was enough for her to bring up the subject of him being some sort of perverted old man but it didn't hurt to ask a question, her hands putting down the knife and fork as a sign for her to ask something as the two siblings had a quiet exchange of looks that spoke of some kind of sibling mischief that the young woman had not anticipated before, and that made her face flicker with a frown for a moment before she went right back to her question.
"Uh, is everything alright with you?" the butler didn't answer for a few moments, causing the girl to actually have some concern for his supposed ill health if he had one but she was thrown right off the rails as the seemingly normal butler stood up with a shiny look in his own dim eyes raising his own hand wrinkled by the washing of the plates and utensils breaking into an exclamation.
"Miss Gwen, I hope that you are enjoying your meal and that if there's any trouble with the food I am very sorry for any mistakes I may have made during the preparation! I read the whole cookbook entirely and precisely…" Gwen immediately held out her hand to stop the elderly man to prevent himself from suspecting that the food was bad in any way from her own style of eating, her voice trying to reassure the man as calmly as she could without having him bursting out into an apology.
"Um, Valen I wasn't going to say anything about the food…in fact I was going to say that the whole meal is unbelievable, I haven't even eaten like this for a long time since well Chef Hatchet back in the kitchen and his cooking was really horrible like those pancakes with insects and that challenge when he made us eat gourmet food like those testicles…" At this Valen seemed to hold his hand over his chest as he heard the things that the girl recounted of her challenges and it soon went on to the other examples in the seasons which nearly forced the butler to hurl out all of his eating on the floor right then and there, but then he could only swallow the words before he held out his hand to stop her words as Gwen could just look at the man on the verge of choking. Cody merely had a frown and shook his head in agreement at his sibling who just stared in wonder and inquiry at her brother as she shivered and cringed at the details her eyebrows raised in some half-fear and wonder at how the girl even stood against horrible tasting food, the detective didn't seem to pay much attention to what was said next as he stared ahead at the crush of his teenage years in a look of some relief seeing her again after all those years since the World Tour. However, things hadn't gone as well as he thought when he decided that leaving the whole show for good would have taken any interest or people noticing him but then he was proven wrong so far, and the feeling that slowly swelled from the torture such as when he was bullied again by the school bullies who teased and even went as far to corner him and pound him with fists and kicks away from the watchful eyes of the principal and the teachers who started to treat him with some disrespect for his character shown in the shows. He had remembered how he was suspended by the principal for no apparent reason, the only excuse he heard clearly was 'I just didn't like to see your face in the hallway' and that sent him into deep confusion at how one tiny show could have wrecked his life at any point, the times that he also recalled going home to turn on the TV to see some of the contestants on an afternoon talk show giving their opinion about the entire seasons gone by and he increased the volume to hear what they had to say…
"So, after all these experiences about a World Tour that spanned the continents and leagues stretching from the good US of A to the far East what, in your opinion, is the most important person in your life so far to get you through the competition cause we have seen romances to breakups and total relationships soured." The female host spoke on the width of the screen as she sat at an oak table that situated the woman further from the large long white couch that sat notable characters that the nerd could recognize: Owen, Trent, Bridgette, Geoff, Courtney…and especially those two at the edge of the seat away from the host as far as possible, Duncan and Gwen. Cody sat in his own couch his eyes were completely glued as he let out a silent breath in some anticipation at the question, his own hands were at the armrests clutching onto the fabric eagerly for the answer of his own friends…or should he say was, the whole time he spent after the reunion was to refuse any emails from the rest of the contestants who were asking about him and closed his account permanently in order to stop them from reaching him. His parents could just try and talk to him about other things than the show, Cody could respect how sensitive they knew he was to Gwen and the whole outburst at Owen chasing him away from the house but right now the teenager wasn't even wanting any sort of self-pity and to show his own opinion he just told his parents to leave him alone while he sort himself out about the issue…however, he already reached his solution by then. He was so lost in his own thoughts that he stared blankly with his bright blue eyes now a mere shell of its previous self a dull abyss that seemed to darken around the pupils, his eyes were baggy with some layers by him playing his own games for hours on end to rid himself of any happy memory he had of Gwen…but who was he kidding, he can't let go of her even when she chose Duncan and to his ultimate dismay and trying to comfort her about the whole messed up relationship with Courtney who had been told and got her vengeance towards the two. He watched as the screen descended down the row of contestants who had their say to the question, ranging from the most nicest to some of the worst behaved competitors who were just there to win and have no friends nor fun different for the veterans as the gameshow progressed to that of plain silliness and enjoying themselves at the same time, heck even Heather knew how that worked out during the first season and then tried to get along even though some distrusted her methods to win. But right now the screen turned towards Gwen and Duncan who were done with their little snuggling fest and they both were a little silent, their faces in thought as the audience watched on eagerly before Duncan spoke up first to start when he noticed that his girlfriend was still not ready to say anything yet and sprung into action first.
"I think the most important person was Courtney for the last two seasons, but then recently I thought about it and I found that Gwen and I had a few things in common so…yeah, if there is anyone I would say that helped me to get through the competition it was definitely Gwen. You're my world, baby." Duncan smiled lovingly at Gwen, who just had a bright blush evident to the audience just saying a long 'aww' in reply while Cody just gave a sharp snarl quietly to himself mumbling watching her just melt under his blue eyes as he leaned in for her face, Cody unable to take the pressure from seeing it his fingers went for the power button and turned the TV screen off the screen just flicking into a small flash as he leaned his head back onto the head of the couch breathing deeply. He knew that he should turn on the TV and find out what Gwen has to say, but then again he had a bit of resentment for Duncan's smiling face…it wasn't the fact that Duncan was a ruffian and he was a nice gentleman but it was the whole thing about her upsetting him with rejection and treating him badly every season, but she found some good people like Trent to dump him and go on to the bad boy who was cheating on his girlfriend with her which seemed to go against everything he saw in her as someone who would not stoop so low in her emotions. He had tried to support her after she was confused about her feelings and what it spelt for Duncan when Courtney found out on the airplane, comforting her though instead he had faced another rejection and outburst from her, but this is not because he was trying to hit on her or anything…it was him trying to be friends with her and help her out whenever she hit rock bottom, and she rejected him both as a courtier and a friend which broke him inside though he just held a smile and left her before he broke down in his own room unable to take the whole ordeal though the cameras didn't catch the scene to his relief except the whole outburst.
He couldn't resist it, he turned on the television set back to find out what she had said and the screen came to life to find that the show was nearing its end…Cody growled in frustration at his own hesitation as he switched it off again and with all his arm strength flung the remote across the couch barely hitting the table lamp as it skidded on the smooth polished floor venting his silent anger with a bite on his lips till he felt the skin start to crack before he swallowed the dark swell building in his stomach almost like a burn as he stood up slowly and walked to the remote his hand shaking as he gripped the handle and put it on the glass table as he went up to his room and closed the door to play his games in peace. He had regretted the words he screamed at Owen to the emails he sent back to anyone for months but then again, he reasoned with himself, was for the best. Gwen could say who she liked and loved and everybody just follows her life as it is, but all he knew thus far and from the show was this: he was never destined to end at her side nor be her friend for the rest of his life, and that was how he motivated himself to forget her and try to not cringe and burst at the very mention of that name in his life ever again, or so he thought…
"Cody? You have been staring at me for quite some time, are you okay?" Gwen's voice broke all of the detective's thoughts as he snapped himself out of his trance at her paled face which had a small concerned look on it as her dark black orbs locked gazes with his blue dull eyes, which lost its shine years ago. Gwen herself while looking at Cody himself noticed that while she had just put her hair in a ponytail but kept up the dyed hair and her taste in clothes was still almost the same, he had changed much more than she or in fact any of the other contestants would have thought as she found her eyes looking at what she could see as far as the table lets her to. He wasn't wearing that yellow sweater over his shirt and the rolled up sleeves anymore, dressed in a brown coat which was now hung shrouding the chair's metallic backrest from the light's glare as he continued to eat his meal as quietly as he could, the dark blue shirt unbuttoned at the top where she saw him fling his tie aside on the couch where he and his sibling were playing their console made him look much better than the crime scene where she first met him for years and she could see to her bright amusement that he still rolled the sleeves up to his elbows even under a coat. Her smile turned to a frown however when she reached his face, it was very unlike the Cody she knew with the bright positive smile and full of confident vigor in him to step up to the challenge and the unnoticeable bucktooth he had which was very nerdy, she remembered all the times that he showed his concern and care for her including the time he set Trent with her and the time he expressed his disapproval by punching Duncan for cheating with Courtney but back then she had just been so blind and too concerned about what she thought was right and what her friends thought of her to push even someone like Cody who helped her through thick and thin but was rejected as a friend to even assist her. She felt alone, and after the show her life was turned to that of a rising star in the cast of an ongoing television show but recently she had faced more downs than what she thought she would have…right now the thought of just suicide had crossed her mind more than once before she met Cody who was investigating a case about the bombing, the moment she saw him she felt so happy to see him but that moment turned sour when he bummed her off with questions of the bombing as though to him she was just another person on the street he kept safe, which did hurt her even when he tried to explain his jumpy attitude. Putting down her fork and knife once again, her eyes fell on her fellow contestant who had noticed her and put his own down too his face was still as hard as stone like this morning, it frightened her as the shadows of his eyes blackened his expression while she opened her mouth to ask.
"So, how have you been since the…reunion?" Cody seemed to tense as his muscles and body moved a little, his mouth curled into a deep frown as he eyed her for a few moments of silence before he continued with his answer.
"It was great…having no one to talk to for years on end despite the fact that they send messages to you and try to annoy you once in a damn while. Also, I have to thank Chris and Chef for giving me double the times of bullying I had back in my high school and as well as the fact my principal and teachers don't respect me anymore, coupled with the fact I have to slog out in the police department just to gain the respect that I lost with the people in my life." He said monotony, throwing the goth girl off with his ramble as he continued on without any regrets about what he meant with every word each like a weight forming over Gwen's troubled mind as she couldn't say anything and her eyes were wide and unable to say a word, Valen already could see where the point was going as he rose from his seat to interrupt with his face in great disapproval in his stern voice.
"Master Cody…"
"Brother, you should stop right now." Naomi forewarned as she stood up too hands resting on his shoulder, but Cody was too caught in his words lightly sweeping his sister's caring motion aside to see Gwen rise from her seat and stare like a cornered rat in the face of Cody's ramble about his ruined life, his look always accusing her like a serpent. Valen now went to the young woman with concern in his mind at the way his employer was treating the guest so harshly as he shot a glare at Cody to stop.
"You can say that your life is all so damn dandy and such but what about Cody? What about your old good friend Cody, I supported you and I cared about you for all three seasons but now what is happening to me after the whole rejection on national television and what did I get in return? A goddamn slap in the face!" His voice rose with each and every word, as Gwen felt herself grow smaller and much timid to even react to the whole entire ordeal before a rise in her horrible day started flashing in her mind as she started to get angry and hurt at Cody's own words coming from his mouth. Naomi was holding Cody back by resting her hands on his shoulders while Valen shielded Gwen behind his body to protect her from the outburst he had done at her, words of hurt flying at her even from the physical shielding she had as words of the butler and the detective's sister was drowned out in the whole ramble which turned into a complete shout. Gwen's head started to ache suddenly, her eyes tearing up with sobs and her head rang with the words which circled in her own mind depth taunting her and insulting her as she recalled memories from being the high school reject to Trent and then to Duncan…now to Cody who had helped her is replaced by an antithesis of his playful and confident nature, her mouth muttering words that didn't make sense under her breath as she began to build up the tone of her words trying to silence the voices of anger and disapproval.
"S-stop it…" She said pleadingly but was ignored as Valen had enough of his employer's attitude and his hands shot out towards the detective's shirt holding Cody by the shoulders and shook him out of his blind rage, his voice now killing the entire yell fest with a boom.
"MASTER CODY! You will learn some respect to your guest; I have to tell you how upset I am about you starting to cause panic and such disrespect for a companion of yours: look at yourself! You have become a near barbarian with no manners!" His eyes pierced Cody's blood-red eyes of feelings that had been released from its spell, the anger and hate had all vanished into thin air as he heard the sound of quiet sobbing in the corner before his own eyes widen in some degree of shock at Gwen who had now backed from him as he could find his legs unable to move and started to numb in the effects of the sudden explosive attitude the detective had not shown before. Quick to correct himself, he walked over to Gwen who was crumpled at the wall sitting down her head in her arms for comfort while Cody squatted down in front of her cursing at himself for his mistake as he talked to the girl again with his voice toned down to speak…he can't just say he was sorry, because he wasn't like that and like always it was not him that needed help right now and it was his own crush that was hurt by the last person she wanted to betray her like this. Naomi and the butler shared a concerned glance at each other, but Valen was the first to speak to the two young pair as he gestured to the door in an awkward silence of what had happened scooting the young teenage girl to the door her face looked at Cody in worry before she was assured by Valen's own smile which told her it was best they sorted it all out than just stand there and give them no privacy.
"Well Master Cody, Mistress Naomi and I will be leaving to…play some games. Right, Miss Naomi? Let's go right now and leave you two alone." Valen quickly excused themselves as they scurried out of the door as hastily as possible, exiting the kitchen and went into the depth of the living room where no sound could escape from there as Cody heard the shut of the door behind him. The detective just sat beside her, his hand reaching out to touch her hair before he was refused access by Gwen speaking out to him aware that the two had left already from the closing door and no one was there to see her like this save Cody as her voice was muffled by the stained clothing.
"Cody, I can't believe that you felt that way…I'm so sorry about those years ago, I was just so-so focused on my relationships and then during that World Tour I, I…" She couldn't finish her apology through the sniffs and tears staining her sleeves, as Gwen felt a blue-sleeved arm snake around her from her neck brushing against her bare exposed skin beneath the long tail of dyed hair the warmth of the touch made the goth girl flinch momentarily before she was hooked at the end and her upper body and head seemed to lose control as she softly cushioned herself on Cody's shoulder. Cody felt a lot of guilt at the outburst at the ambulance and before dinner he had figured that he could go for a night with Gwen without ever telling her how bad his life had worsened, he couldn't stand to see her of all people cry in front of him because she had a better life than his when he went back…in fact, he shouldn't have made her feel guilty in making him like this and let her stay here peacefully away from trouble. Trying to lighten the mood, he strained his mouth muscles which twitched and squirmed just for him to even produce the bright positive smile that he used to do in the past as he gestured Gwen to look up to see the attempt he was trying to comfort her with his old cheeky smile, the gesture having an effect as she recognized the Cody she made friends with in the first season onwards and a small giggle escaped her lips causing her to hiccup from the crying as she wiped her eyes with her sleeve before she spoke in an amused tone to the detective who watched her reaction with glee and genuine care as they both sat there at the wall all to themselves.
"You haven't changed that smile." She said with a short laugh, Cody noticed her clothing and realized that unlike the dark green and black clothing she wore in the past she had improved slightly with a plain white long sleeved sweater shirt the sleeves were wet with tears. He couldn't really help but smile internally at the changes he could see in the goth's own clothing tastes as he commented truthfully to Gwen who still had her head leaned in on his shoulder, the detective having to fight the urge to let his cheeks flush red as he held onto his smile.
"You changed, at least with your clothes." Gwen could just give a smile at his comment, taking it as a compliment as she looked down at herself in the bright colored top before she brought the sleeves up in front of her to see how it fitted and found to her great surprise it went with her shape, skinny enough for Cody to notice the physical changes she had and feel really embarrassed at his crude actions before the question popped into his head from the last time he had seen Gwen and Duncan together. Curious, he turned to see Gwen's head facing blankly forward as though she wasn't paying much attention to what he was about to say but the detective just went on with it and spoke out into the table his lips had somehow stopped twitching from the forced smile he had initially.
"So, does Duncan know where you are? You should have asked him first before you go anywhere, especially when it is someone who he knows is a Gwen supporter…"
"Duncan and I split three months ago, we wanted to keep in touch with each other when he moved out of the city and I stayed alone in an apartment as he was not there to acquire the necessary funds. We kind of got into a fight the last night we were together, I wanted to go along with him and he didn't want to…later I found out that Courtney had gone back to his side and so I had to find ways to get money." She explained the truth, Cody hearing her hot breath on his ear but he could say absolutely nothing about Duncan's action to leave the city but to leave for Courtney again, he had somehow had a feeling that the juvy man was that kind of person who would go back and forth between girls. But at the last statement, he flinched at the feeling of what she may have did as he turned immediately to find her looking right at his eyes, her teal black hair flowed down to her neck as he nearly mouthed the question to get a shake of her head in reply settling his fears.
"Don't worry, I didn't become that desperate. Anyway, I was lucky to be the top student studying in Arts Degree so I was able to sell some artwork to help myself to stay alive but without Duncan I just felt so lonely…I mean I still had Leshawna and other girls in the show to talk to but just living in an apartment on your own gave me some fears. When I met you today, I immediately moved out of my apartment in hopes that you would be kind enough to let me stay for good." Cody lightly pushed her away and took her by the shoulders, looking at her with his smile still hanging on his lips as he nodded in agreement.
"Of course, silly. You didn't have to say it twice…you know that I will let you stay here as long as you want, but if you wanted to stay then I'll be gladder." He said the words just pouring from the right bottom of his heart watching Gwen's face lightened up at the words to his own silent joy, but his face broke into confusion when her body suddenly moved towards the detective's own as he nearly let out a yelp of warning before he found himself snaked by her arms circling him and her head flew right to rest on his chest in gratitude. The detective was admittedly caught right off guard with the sudden action, feeling Gwen's body stick to him as she had a look of peace on her face holding him in an embrace making him feel an elated feeling of flying as he thought over what she had said to him, she was single again and he had a chance with her…but reality brought him back to the ordeal he was about to face really in the nighttime and that caused a moment's frown to cross his smile at the bomber's taunting grin as he spoke directly to his opponent in an invitation to a game with him. Amos, I'll bring you to justice for what you've done I swear on it…
"Cody, thank you. I'm happy I have friends like you." Cody began to have a small blush creeping over his cheeks as he heard her say those few words, he felt a wave of appreciation rush his head like a tide as he gave her a genuine grin as he patted her head.
"Me too, Gwen…" He said, the words of the bomber still going on in his head worrying him as he stared out to the window where the sight of the tall building off the land of the city and the sea stretched like a wide abyss while he smiled at the special moment shared between them. "Me too…"
You'll be meeting old friends…
End