When The Light Falls - Book 3, N. Y. [good beach reads TXT] 📗

bobbing side to side.

 

He wraps his lips around a toy truck as I watch him closely.

 

 

''So do you mind helping me make some snacks?'' Carla asks.

 

''Sure.'' I reply with a smile.

 

-- 

 

Carla places vegatables and pepper into a rice wrap.

 

She folds it in different directions, till it forms into a roll. 

 

I however, cut the celery in front of me into little pieces.

 

 

''So what's going on with you and Jacob? You guys seem almost awkward towards each other now. No type of fling in the conversation. I mean, since you guys had that fight in Paris, has it always been that way?'' Carla asks.

 

 She turns her head back to me, as she starts on another wet rice wrap ready to be used.

 

 

''Well, it's been...different. Since last year. But we're getting better at communicating.'' I replied.

 

 

I lied.

 

We don't know anything about each other anymore. Ever since we moved up to the suburbs of New York, we've been distant with our jobs.

 

But we've gotten through it pretty quickly, and we're making progress.

 

 

''It doesn't look like you guys are talking that much. Seems a bit different.'' Carla said turning to me.

 

I ignore her and look back at the knife, almost cutting my fingers.

 

I notice and step back.

 

 

''You're not telling me something.'' Carla says approaching me.

 

''What do you mean? I told you everything. I told you about the new workers at my company, I told you about the competition happening tomorrow and about me and Jacob.'' I exclaimed.

 

 

I clear my throat for preparation of her torturing.

 

Carla knew how to get the truth out of me.

 

 

''Tell me what's going on.'' Carla says in a stern voice.

 

 

I finally look up and set the knife down.

 

I didn't want to attempt to hurt myself or her, while i'm still trying to make things better.

 

''Okay. Before my big meet up with my blog fans...I sort of, had to make a pit stop.....at the police station.'' I said.

 

 

I flinched ready for her massive yelling.

 

''What!? Oh my god, what happened?'' she said.

 

 

She went over into the living room, before coming back into the kitchen. Closing the door behind her.

 

She steps forward, her eyes on me.

 

''You went to the police station? What happened did someone get hurt?'' Carla says concerned.

 

 

Her voice gets low as I inch to move away.

 

 

''No Carla, I went to jail. I got stripped from my friend's hands in the hospital ,where she was being treated. I got pulled away into jail. I served a year in jail.'' I shot back.

 

 

All Carla did was stand in awe, her hands covering her mouth.

 

Shock rose her my face. She never looked so horrified at me .

 

 

 

''What happened? Why did you get sent to jail?'' Carla almost yelled.

 

Her voice echoed in my head for a minute.

 

I tried not to look up.

 

 

I had enough of trying to hide it.

 

 

''For killing my dad,...my step-dad. I told you back in London, how I ran away from home right?'

 

She nods her head, hesitating at first.

 

''I never told you why. Because, I murdered my dad.'' I replied softly.

 

 

It took a minute for Carla to reply, and she finally did.

 

Her hands steady on the counter top.

 

 

''I had a huge fight with my mom, she went to work and I went inside the house. My dad was around when she left, then...everything went blank. He tried to stop me, but I kept on going. Then I ...i-'' I said.

 

 

I slowly felt the tears form in my eyes.

 

It was still a traumatizing moment to reflect on.

 

Carla's voice silently gasped. Her eyes filled with pools of tears.

 

 

''Elle...'' she finally said.

 

''I don't want your apology or emotions to have an effect on me. I just need you to listen.'' I said.

 

 

My eyes glare at her as she wipes away her tears.

 

I look over to the open window with the view of the ocean and houses in the distance.

 

 

 

''I killed him, my own dad. Then I found out later, that he was my step dad. I was so upset with Jaocb before you came to Paris with Joe. I left for Mumbai and...I found my real dad.'' I replied.

 

Carla covers her mouth again.

 

Instead of feeling the need to hug me, she stands still, watching me.

 

 

''My real dad was alive and in Mumbai, my mom lied to me. Then I got into a fight with her and things sort of drifted off from there.'' I said trailing off.

 

 

''Elle, is this true?'' Carla asks.

 

I finally look up, then nod my head. She tries not to make a sound, but she manages to let out a breath of relief.

 

Shock rose in her eyes as she looked around.

 

 

Finally she looked at me, but as if I were a stranger.

 

A new person who just existed.

 

And I was afriad that might happen.

 

 

Carla wouldn't see me the same way again, that's why I tried not to tell anyone.

 

Because I knew they would react this way.

 

 

''Then after finding my dad, I returned back to Paris, where we prepped for your wedding. Then me and Jacob had an argument and made up, that night at your wedding reception.'' I said.

 

 

I looked down trying to avoid eye contact with her.

 

''And everything's been normal since?'' Carla finally said.

 

 

Carla gives me a look. She knew I wasn't telling the whole truth with those last words.

 

But she didn't know about the hate fan mail, or the reactions I get when someone asks how long me and Jacob have been together.

 

How long we've lived in a house, together.

 

 

And it still scares me how much i've put myself in this constant mess, that I keep reminiscing. 

 

 

''Everything is not normal, your life isn't normal. Think about what happened in the past-'' Carla reassured me.

 

''But I don't want to think about the past. I don't want live in the past!'' I yelled back.

 

 

Carla backed up to let some air part between us.

 

I was tired of having to live ruthless and feel sorry myself.

 

 

To have everyone look at me like i'm an alien now.

 

I was tired of going back to the past.

 

 

''My past does not define me anymore. I went to jail, I served my time and now i'm out trying to figure out what my next plan is. Don't make it any harder.'' I shot back.

 

 

Carla approaches me again, she rubs my left arm as I shake my head rubbing my temples.

 

 

''I'm sorry I reacted the way...it's just you've never been specific about anything in your life. That's why the news was so shocking to me.'' Carla admits.

 

 

I finally looked up to see her eyes stare back into mine.

 

Happiness rose in my face again.

 

''I was part of your past, and I don't want to forgotten. Rosewood, was a memory. London was just a place for you to escape, Paris was your dream and Mumbai was your hope. New York is your home,...'' she said.

 

 

I'm silent for a second as she tries to calm me down.

 

 

''Thanks.'' I managed to replied.

 

Carla pulls me in for a hug, ease comes to mind as I squeeze her back.

 

Her tummy filling the gap between us.

 

 

And I was sure in that moment, to visit Carla again.

 

 --

 

Rikki sways her wine as she stares back to me, I however stared down at my beachy sundress.

 

At the hem at anything. I tried to ignore the tension.

 

 

Lunch was less louder than usual.

 

Rikki sucks at her teeth as I tried to come up with a good thing to say.

 

I take a deep breath. "I-"

 

''First of all, you wanna just leave the dinner party. Then, you wanna take away the time we had to relax and have girls night in, so you can jet off to Venezuela without telling any one of us?'' Rikki says.

 

 

''Look, I just can't explain...everything.'' I replied.

 

''No, explain.'' Rikki finally says.

 

 

Her stern look meant business. Jacob gives me a look.

 

If I told them about our scandalous moment in the elevator, they'll all be shocked.

 

 

 I sigh and finally answer.

 

''I promised a long time ago, that i'd visit an old friend from London that moved to Venezuela. So that's why I was gone today with Jacob.'' I said truthfully.

 

 

Rikki and Marybella burst from their worry bubble.

 

Like they never did before.

 

 

''Why didn't you tell any of us?'' Rikki says.

 

''Yeah, yesterday we were suppose to eat ice cream in my room and watch My Best Friend's Wedding. In HD!! They came out with a new version.'' Marybela complained.

 

 

''Okay sorry, I admit, I was kinda out of mind this week. But i'm back and it's almost over.'' I reply.

 

Finally the crowd of questions and confusion had passed by.

 

 

''By the way what happened to you guys after the dinner party yesterday night?'' Mark asks looking at Jacob.

 

''Uh...'' Jacob started.

 

I interuppt.

 

 

''We had a talk.'' I said looking straight at everyone.

 

 

Rikki gives me googly eyes as I try to continue.

 

I roll my eyes and come up with an excuse.

 

 

''We decided a few things for the future, and we didn't want to have to say it during a dinner. Okay, happy?'' I said.

 

''So what's the situation? Are you guys-'' Marybella asked.

 

I turn to her.

 

 

''Yes.'' I replied.

 

''I can't believe you're getting engaged! Oh, where's the ring?'' Marybella said loudly.

 

''No Bella, we're not getting engaged.'' I replied.

 

 

Bella ignores me, her fingers circling my mine trying to find the ring.

 

Her upset concern turns to me.

 

She then lets down my hand.

 

 

''Why?'' she said softly.

 

Rikki shushed her as heads turned to our table.

 

God, thanks Marybella.

 

 

''We haven't decided on when we are getting engaged. But we are planning to set a date for an engagement party.'' I assured her.

 

''So you're gonna plan a party for your possible engagement?'' Bella asks anxious.

 

''Me and Jacob will get engaged, soon.'' I reply.

 

 

A smile rose across her face. I knew hearing those words would make her happy.

 

But now I have to make up from our girls night.

 

 

I sat back down in my chair a little more comfortable as the gang continued to chat quietly again.

  

''I'm tired.'' I whispered to Jacob.

 

He pats my arm as I lean onto his shoulder.

 

"Me too," he says.

 

Chapter Eleven: The A Team

 

The phone rang as my eyes budopen. My phone screen came into view as iIyawned.

 

I grabbed it then looked at the time.

 

6:05 AM

 

 

Lauren made it a priority to wakie up early.

 

I groaned, then set down my phone.

 

I got up and luckily, almost tripped on the sheets.

 

 

Jacob was still in bed, sound asleep.

 

 

We had at least 2 hours of work and practice left before we go on to competition today.

 

It was happening.

 

Today was officially competition day.

 

 

I headed to the bathroom and locked the door. I needed all the relaxing moments I can get before my stomach tightens with nerves.

 

 

I could just imagine myself. Going on stage and falling off.

 

Just the thought made me shiver in the bathroom.

 

 

Then, I got undressed to took a shower.

 

 

I began to scrub as hard as I can from the thoughts of competition.

 

Then I realized I left a bruise on my forearm.

 

I groaned and continued, being careful.

 

 

 

I shut the water off then dried off. My clothes on the table near the sink.

 

I put on my new black t-shirt, along with green pants.

 

 

I walk back into the bedroom after. Jacob was still alseep.

 

I adjusted my shoes after putting on socks.

 

 

I head down to breakfast ,as the nervous butterflies were already starting to flood in.

 

I was gonna fail, but i've been working all week.

 

 

Sessions with Lauren and practices with Jeff.

 

It's gonna be easy peasy.

 

Maybe.

 

 

''Good morning, nervous?'' Rikki said joining me to the elevator.

 

 

She had spent most of her time up in Bella's room since I was missing from most of our stay here.

 

I was starting to