Finding Nymphaea's Haven

Chapter Six: Territorial Actions

POV

Atticus

"Hello, mother." I said to her. Hiding my aggravation from my tone. She was the last person I wanted to talk to. She always picks a fight and tries to control everything. Even after my father divorced her, she still tried to control everything he did.

Things used to be good between us. She was a kind, sweet woman once. But when my mother found out about the things my father did during their marriage, she changed into a different person. She even resented me when I wanted to stay with my father. Not wanting to move in with her and the new family she gained from a new marriage.

"Is there a reason you have called?" Her tone was bitter. I knew she didn't want to talk either. We haven't talked to her in over four years. We didn't leave things on good terms either.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Look, I wouldn't have called unless it was important. Dad's attorney has some final paperwork you need to go over and sign before the end of the week." I explained to her.

I heard her sigh as well. She knew things weren't good between us. She just never wants to talk about it.

"Alright, we can get together on Thursday. I'm free for lunch. Would that work for you?" She asked me. Her tone sounded sincere this time. I know she loves me and wants to be a part of my life. But I can't do it when she hasn't had my back when she should have.

"Yes, I can fit that into my schedule. We can meet at the café across from Lucky A's." I told her.

"Okay, good. Are you getting settled back into the house?" She asked me. I knew she was trying to make small talk. I just wasn't in the mood to go along. "Yes ma'am, I'm getting things the way I want them. I'm sorry I have to go. I'll see you Thursday, mother."

I heard her sigh. "Are we ever going to have a civil conversation, Atticus?" Her tone was sharp. Fighting back the urge to start a fight.

"I don't know, mother. Things have changed, and we have as well. I'm not sure how we can fix this relationship." I said to her. I'm feeling defeated already from this. I hate how her and I have been fighting. But she is the one who decided her stepchildren were more important.

"I can't ask you to be a part of this family. I already know that will not happen. But I do want to fix things between us and have you in my life." She started to sound like she was choking the tears back. Hearing her like this made my heart ache.

"We can talk more about this on Thursday. I promise mother. Right now, I need to finish running errands."

"Very well then. I will see you Thursday, Atticus." She said softly to me before hanging up. At that point, I sat the phone down on the counter. Pulling the hair on the top of my head. Knowing that my mother was definitely crying after she hung up made me full of rage towards myself. I immediately let out a ferocious yell. The pain and guilt I heard in that yell just made me furious with myself. I need to channel this rage into something productive before I do something foolish.

I decided to go to the gym that was in town. It was one of the smallest gyms they have in town. I knew there wouldn't be that many distractions here. Giving me the chance to lift and run this rage out. They even had a boxing area in the gym. Giving me the chance to go at the punching bag that was hanging up in there.

I was starting to feel a little more at ease then. The burn in my arms was satisfying to me. The rage and anger were pretty much drained out of me. That's the way I wanted it.

When I was done punching the bag, I went to the locker room they had for men. Stripping out of my clothes and hopping into one of the showers to rinse off. I stuck my head under the water and stayed like that for a minute. Letting the warm calm my nerves. Leaving me thoughtless. That was until I heard a voice.

"We need to talk about last night." I heard someone say behind me. I turn around to see Aris standing there. He had nothing on but some basketball shorts. His hair is looking wet from sweat. You could see sweat glistening on his chest and arms.

I gave him a devilish smirk. "About how Delilah blew you off for me?" I knew I was playing a deadly game. Aris wasn't small or weak. This man would be a challenge to fight. But I don't shy away from challenges.

"Can you put some clothes on please." He groaned at me. He looked away from me finally. "I don't want to see you naked."

"Really? Well, Delilah didn't mind it at all." I knew that would trigger him. I've been wanting to fight him since last night. He needed a good whooping to humble him a bit more.

He turned to look back at me. Not caring, I was naked still. His fists balled up by his sides. The anger in him was rising. "You bastard!" He yelled at me. He started to walk towards me. My smile grew on my face as he moved closer.

Then he stopped. I groaned at him then. "What's wrong, cousin? Afraid I'll ruin that pretty face of yours?" I kept taunting him. I love my cousin to death, but I'm not afraid to kick his ass when he needs it.

"You don't understand Atti. That girl has more secrets than you could keep up with." He shook his head and sighed. I raised my eyebrow, feeling the curiosity building in me.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I asked him.

He ran his hand over his face. The frustration grew in him over having this conversation.

"She's got a lot going on, and the last thing she needs is for someone like you to screw her over." His voice was firm this time.

"Oh, I see. You're afraid her kids will like me better than you." I said to him and started chuckling. The look on his face was a surprised look. "What? Do you think I didn't know about her having twins?"

"That's not it, Atticus. God, everything has to be a joke to you. She needs a real man." Aris was growing agitated with me now. The rage building back up in me was powerful this time.

"That's exactly what she got last night. A real man." I gave him a grin. "Now, unless you're about to tell me she's a murderer or something, I'm done dragging this out with you." I said to him as I dried myself off to put some clothes on.

"Damn it, Atticus! Just f*****g listen man." He barked at me. His patience was thin with me as well as mine was with him.

"Look, she came here to get away from someone alright. That's all I know and whoever it is has her scared. She doesn't trust no one except for the girls. This woman has had to find a new home for not just her but the kids too since they were born." He said looking at me seriously. I stopped to look at him.

Who was she running from? Who has her that scared to where she keeps having to move? It made me feel sorry for her and the twins. I can't imagine living life like that.

When I looked back at Aris, I saw the confusion in his face while he studied mine. "Don't tell me that you actually care about her now?" He said to me. His tone was judgemental all the way.

"You just can't stand having me as competition Ari. Otherwise you wouldn't make up s**t like this." I shook my head at him. Dismissing his question he asked. I'm not about to admit that I do care for her.

He rolled his eyes and scoffed at me. "Whatever, don't believe me. Just ask Justin himself since you two are so close now. Just know, if you hurt her I will end you." He stared me down for a few seconds then walked out of the locker room.

As I was getting dressed, I thought about what Aris had said. How Delilah was running from someone. Maybe it's the father of the twins. That could be why he's not in the picture. But why run from him? What was she hiding and keeping secret? Also was Aris really telling the truth?

I went about my day by going to get groceries. i didnt need a lot in the store just a few things. Made my trip there short and sweet the way i like it.

After that I went to my father's lawfirm to leave the new files on the assistants desk to give to the lawyers. I noticed the files I left Friday night are done and ready. I guess the assistant came in and did them. I haven't seen that much dedication towards the job in a while.

It was refreshing and making me start to feel out of place. It's too weird that this place mine now. I'm not sure if this is what I had planned for my future but I have an obligation to carry out this career for the family name. I owe that to him after everything.

I even I had some time to get my hair trimmed at the barber shop. I love my long shaggy hair. I pull it off better than others. I know Delilah enjoyed it already. This barber was making me wish it was her fingers that were going through my brown hair.

I can't imagine how I let her get this stuck in my head. I don't do romantic gooey things like that. I'm not sure if I can do those sorts of things for anyone.

I left there and headed to the house to drop everything off. Putting it all away then changed out of my hoodie and shorts. I stuck on some jeans and a white t-shirt. Spraying some cologne on before I walked out of the house. Making my way over to Lucky A's Bar.

I knew she wasn't working today. She's not exactly who I'm going to see but in a way I was.

After I parked my car and got out, I headed towards the bar with a mission. I walk in to see if I could spot Daisy. If I really wanted the truth, I'm only going to get it from someone that actually knows Delilah. I finally spotted her. She showed up behind the bar giving drinks to a man. I walked up and waited for her to help me next.

"Well isn't this a nice surprise!" She said to me as soon as she saw me standing there. She had a poker face while saying it. I didn't know how I was supposed to respond. I couldn't tell if she meant that good or bad. "You know Delilah isn't here today. But I'm sure you knew since she left your place this morning." She raised her eyebrows with exaggerated suggestiveness.

I let out a small laugh. She wasn't wrong I knew she wasn't here but not because she left my bed this morning. "I actually wanted to come talk to you about something." I said to her.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at me. She tilted her head slightly. Her eyes scanning me out trying to find the motive for that response.

"Oh? And what makes you think I'll help you out?" Her voice got firm when she said that to me. I'm starting to wonder if I went to the wrong friend.

Out of nowhere she bursted out laughing. Making my body jolt for a split second. Looking at her like she was a phsyco.

"Oh man! You should see the look on your face!" She tried to say while holding onto her stomach. I kept staring at her to wait for her to stop laughing so hard.

"I'm just teasing you Atticus. What van I help you with hun?" She said smiling at me. I sighed with relief when she asked me that.

"So I'm sure you already know that Aris has got it bad for her." I pointed out the obvious first.

"That boy thinks she's a damsel in distress. She might of had a hard life before she moved here but she is so far from a damsel. " She said to me as she got glasses of beer ready for a customer.

I knew that already. That woman is definitely a warrior a survivor. She didn't need anyone to save her in any way. You would just be being disrespectful thinking she couldn't save herself.

I nodded at her. "Yeah, she definitely doesn't strike me as a damsel. Aris also said something that had my curiosity."

She looked at me squinting her eyes. "Whatever that man told you is a lie. He's been trying to be territorial over her and her kids. It's really sickening considering she already turned him down."

"Even her running from someone?" I asked her. I saw her body language screamed suspicion when she stopped wiping the counter. She looked at me then looked back at the counter. She shook her head and sighed.

"Atticus, I can't tell you about that. Honestly I'm pissed that Aris even knows anything about it and now you. You need to ask her yourself. But some advice, I wouldn't."

I took a drink of the beer gave me. Letting all of this process for me. I understood why she wouldn't tell me. It wasn't her business to share but at least I know Aris wasn't lying now.

"Look, you seem like a nice guy so I'll give you some pointers. Only cause you showed my friend any interest and she needs a man already." She smiled softly at me. Then she pointed her index finger at me squinting her eyes at me again.

"If you tell her that I helped you, I will deny it and I will make you suffer." Her voice was firm when she said that.

I chuckled and raised my hands. "Your secret is safe with me."

"Alright well for starters, don't ask or push to go to her house that won't happen until she fully trusts you and after the eighth date. She loves gifts that are thoughtful and from the heart. You won't meet her kids until you've been invited to her home. She's not a fragile insecure play thing either. So if any of that is too much, then I'd suggest you walk away now." She said placing her hands on the bar. Resting some of her weight on them leaning there. Waiting to see what my next move was.

"Looks like I have my work cut out for me. I like to work hard and play harder." I said giving her a sheepish grin. She began to giggle at me for a little bit.

"I gotta say, not only are you super hot, you're also smart and in touch with yourself. Don't see a lot of men like that anymore. It's refreshing she found you." I she said to me after she was done giggling.

"I'm the one who's lucky to have found her. She's a breath of fresh ocean breeze." I said while scratching the back of my head. Feeling foolish being this open about a woman. Especially since it's her best friend of all people.

"Well, I just hope it's not a too good to be true situation. I don't want to see her hurt. She has to stop running, don't give her a reason to do it again." The tone in her voice sounded as if she was begging me not to hurt her friend.

They were scared she'd run again when they just got her in their lives. It made my chest tighten from the thoughts of seeing Delilah hurt, and it made me feel horror. I never want to see her like that, let alone do that to her.

"The last thing I ever want is to see her run cause of me. I'm sure my cousins have told you about me and my past. But I tried running from that guy I used to be until I realized I couldn't run from it. I don't want to ever go back to that guy." I told her as she listened intently.

"I've heard things, yes, that's true. But we are human Atti. We learn, and we keep making the right choices in order to reach success." She said with such enthusiasm it was like a pep talk from a coach. She was absolutely right about it, too. I just want to succeed in doing the right thing when it comes down to it.

"Besides, not everything I've heard about you is all bad." She said and started laughing. I knew right off the bat what she meant. I already had a hunch that Delilah told her friends last night. More like got pryed out of her from them. Delilah is the type of woman who doesn't really like to kiss and tell. That's what her personality came off as to me, and I find it attractive.

"Well, I need to get going. It was nice chatting with you. We should definitely not do this again." I said, winking at her when I said not. i could see myself becoming good friends with her. She's a smartass, but she's also a wise helpful one. In the end, we both wanted the same thing: Delilah to be safe and happy.