Broken Fantasy

Chapter Fifteen

Audrey's POV

It's been two weeks since I've last talked to Connor. Ever since my birthday, he followed me and gave me a cupcake and well that's all I remember. I still don't know why he is upset with me.

One thing I found odd was that Jake and Ryder both apologized to me after my birthday dinner. Although I felt lonely without Kylie and Sarah, Aaron was there for me, at first it was weird because no one has ever wanted to willingly spend time with me.

Kylie hasn't been talking to me either and I wasn't sure what happened between us. Every time I'd try to talk to her she would make an excuse and leave because she was hanging out with Sarah and her friends. I couldn't help but wonder since when did they become good friends? Her behavior towards me changed as well. She wasn't the same Kylie I knew. I knocked on her room door one day she opened the door and I wanted to ask her or she was okay. She yelled at me and told me to leave.

She's right. I am annoying.

It's almost October, the leaves drifted off the trees and flowed to the ground. Autumn is my favorite season, the smell of fresh leaves, the different colors on trees-red, green, and yellow.

Although, Aaron said no at first he said he could still help me because he only needed to go convince my grandpa. Today is the day when Aaron would meet my grandpa. I'm really nervous and scared for Aaron because he wants to meet him alone.

I was currently sitting in the living room with my grandfather who was on his phone. The tension in the room was out of the roof, making me uncomfortable. I held onto my clammy hands that were shaking. The bell rang and I got up before my grandfather could and opened the door.

A smiling Aaron was standing in front of the door and I could tell he was very nervous.

"Where are the flowers, Aaron?" I whispered. His eyes widened in surprise as he held the rose stems.

"What happened to the flowers?" I asked him and he scratched the back of his head giving me a guilty smile.

"I kind of ate them on the way here. I was hungry and since these roses were chocolate and so I ate them. I'm sorry, you just live too far." He said. I gave him a confused look and held onto the door.

"Aaron, the store is down the street which is less than five minutes away from me I-" Aaron took a step back and motioned me to turn around. It was grandpa who was standing there with a mug in his hand.

"Aren't you going to invite your boyfriend, Audriana?" He motioned Aaron to come inside with his mug so Aaron gave me the stem and came inside.

"You must be..." Grandpa asked even though I already told him.

"Aaron Axel, sir." Aaron put his hand out but grandpa didn't take his eyes off of him.

"Come with me." Grandpa walked towards his office. Aaron looked at me worried and I put my thumbs up for good luck and he went inside.

Nothing bad will happen right.

*~*

Forty-five minutes have passed by what they are doing there and why was it taking too long? I hope everything is okay.

"Hey, I think we need to break up," Aaron said quickly.

Before I could say anything he zoomed out of the room and made his way out. What did grandpa do? I barged into grandpa's office and asked, "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything." He took a sip from his cup and made his way towards the couch motioning me to sit down on the couch in front of him.

"What did you ask him?" I asked anxiously.

"I didn't say anything to him." He smiled and put his cup down on the table that is next to him.

"Why can't you listen to me, Grandpa?" I asked him. I rubbed my hand against my leg frustrated. What am I going to do now? I stopped rubbing my leg and dug my hand harshly.

"I would give up everything I had so that you wouldn't get married to him, but that isn't even an option sweetheart. I know I've failed you and I tried everything but there is no way out of it. I just went along with this boyfriend of yours and it's something," he continued as he covered his hand over his eyes.

"Grandpa what's going on?" I questioned. He has never been this weak so frustrated. I've seen him only once, and that is when grandma lost the ability to talk. It has been fourteen years since the last time grandma spoke and he only shed a tear. Now, he was sitting in front of me full blown crying.

"I can't tell you the reason but just know that Audriana I love you and I believe you can be happy with Connor. I know you aren't happy here and I'm not sure the reason why, but I just realized it. The past years I've worked full time, I never had the chance to spend time with you and when I did I barely had any time with you. With work and finding a doctor for your grandma since she hasn't been talking for I don't know what reason.. I've lost so much time with you. Finding treatments and taking care of everything else so that we could have a roof under our head, and I thought you were in good hands but seeing you now I've realized that you aren't happy here," he said and I was slightly taken aback as to where this conversation was going. Grandpa was never around because he thought that his daughter-my mother- would take care of me but it was completely the opposite of that. I never told him because every time he would come back home he'd be tired. I didn't want to tell him what happened even if I really wanted to.

"You are overlooking it, Grandpa," I told him without making eye contact.

"You aren't and I can see that and I wished I realized sooner but I know one thing. That boy Aaron won't make you happy like Connor will. I've seen how you act around him, carefree and happy. I don't want to force you into this marriage, the contract that was given to you was to seal the agreement. Even if you didn't, you would still have to marry Connor because we don't have a choice. Like I said, I wish I could tell you, but I signed a contract as well and I can't tell anyone." He gave me a sad smile.

"I wish there was some other way. I wish there weren't any problems and that your grandma would talk because it has been a long fourteen years of my life. I wish I was there for you, god knows, what you've been through. I regret it so much Audriana, I wish life didn't have to be this way. I just want all the sorrows, worries, and pain to go away. I want it to go back in time and change the decisions I've made so that I wouldn't have to go through what I'm going through now. I want to go back and hold my little granddaughter and read bedtime stories until you fall asleep. I'm really tired, Audriana, I wish I could fulfill your request but I cannot because of the choices I made in the past you have to suffer through it. I am so deeply sorry." Another tear ran down as he was shocked by his tears. Tears ran down as I felt his pain. Grandpa has been suffering a lot during the last couple of years and I didn't know that he was. He has never opened up like this before and it hurt that he thought this way. Looks like he wasn't the only one who suffered all their life but he didn't need to know that. I can't pile my other problems along with his. I got up and hugged grandpa tightly.

"It's okay, you don't have to be sorry. Grandpa, you are very important to me even if you weren't there the little things that you would do for me made me really happy. You can hold me now, everything will get better grandpa eventually." He needed to know that I wasn't upset with him and that I'd always be there for him. It wasn't his fault it's just the situations he'd been put in. He thought about saving his family and had gone through a lot just so that we could have a roof under our head. I've always longed for parents and right now my grandpa and grandma were my parents.

*~*

Today was the day, we were going to Connor's house and I was really nervous. After the talk with grandpa, I left but realized that I left my phone at his office. I found grandpa sitting on the floor helplessly as he watched a video on the TV of him and grandpa when they were young. There was a baby in grandma's hand which was probably mother but there was a girl next to them jumping up and down yelling mommy. Who is she? Is that their daughter? I thought they only had one daughter. I slowly grabbed my phone and walked out of the room. I went to bed and couldn't stop myself crying because it hurts to see one of your loved ones suffering. I wanted him to be happy with grandma. What did grandpa do that made him this way?

"Hurry we are leaving," Mother yelled out. I looked at myself once more and made my way downstairs. I found grandpa brushing grandma's hair as he kissed her forehead, but grandma gave no reaction. It didn't stop grandpa from smiling, it's like he was used to it.

"Let's go," mother said and we all made our way out. I noticed Rachel was on her new phone. She got a better version because they said that she needs it more than me even though she is four years younger than me. We were never close and I wished we were because I wanted to spend time with her.

Growing up she talked to me only when it was necessary. When she was in seventh grade she stopped talking because she thought it wasn't cool. Ever since then, I've tried to talk to her but she'd ignore me in return.

"Rachel, do you need anything? Are you okay?" Mother asked. Rachel rolled her eyes and said, "I'm okay, now stop asking me." Mother got out of the car and went back to the house to get a couple of things.

"I wish they'd stop asking me," she muttered to herself.

"At least they care," I told her. She looked at me and didn't say anything.

"Audrey, will you do as we say? Don't cause a scene there if you do watch what will happen to you when we get home," Father said angrily.

"Okay," I muttered and put my head against the window, so much for caring.

I felt Rachel shift in her seat and asked, "Why do you treat Audrey differently?" She looked at our parents curiously.

"We don't," Mother said.

"Yes you-" I cut Rachel off before the fight would get worse.

"How far are we?" I asked and for once mother looked pleased. Probably because she didn't want Rachel to know.

"Not that far. We're here," Mother said and once they parked the car, they told us to come out. Rachel grabbed my arm pulling me back, preventing me from leaving. I turn around to see her hesitant about something. Did she want to tell me something?

"Are you happy with this marriage?" she asked. I was taken aback by her question because this is the first time we had an actual conversation.

"Of course I am, squirt," I said. It's been so long since the last time I called her that.

"Let's go," I said while smiling but she stopped me once again.

"I'm sorry for everything," she said. I looked at her confused but she quickly brushed it off and left. What? I got out of the car and made my way inside. The Black's home was a lot bigger than ours and it was beautiful.

"You're here." Lauren said as she hugged me tightly and I reciprocated. She pulled back from the hug and the warmth disappeared.

"Come," she motioned to what seems to be their living room. Connor, Chloe and their grandma were playing a game on one side of the room. Steve and Jullian were sitting on the couch talking. Steve and Lauren were completely different from Connor. I still don't see the resemblance. My grandpa sat next to Jullian, Connor's grandpa and talked. I sat down on the empty couch that was in front of them and Lauren stood up hitting her glass with a fork. Getting all of our attention.

"I think we should set the date for the engagement and the wedding when it should be?" Lauren asked.

"Should we do it next month or-"

"Lauren, sorry to interrupt you but can we have it in December?" I asked. Lauren nodded ignoring my mother's option of doing it next month.

"Then we will have the wedding in February," Lauren said.

"In May." Although we both said it at the same time, we chose completely different months. I knew that I couldn't stop the wedding and that is why I had a plan.

"I believe it will be a bit too late," Jullian said.

"I don't think it will because they will be done with school and it won't affect our studies," Steve said. I could feel my parents glaring at me but I didn't care at the moment this needed to be done.

"I agree with Audrey." Steve gave me a smile and Lauren nodded.

"We shall have it at the end of May then," Lauren said. I sighed internally thank god, they are giving us time. I felt Connor staring at me, but I didn't dare to look at him.

"Audrey, I have to give you something. We'll be back soon." She motioned me to follow her and we went to what I believe was her room. She grabbed the box that was on her table and gave it to me.

"This is a necklace that has been passed down for centuries, it's our family heirloom"

"Really?" I asked. It didn't look old at all. Lauren laughed and said, "No. I wish I was just joking with you, but we can start now." She was giving this to me? She gave me so much, more than what my mother had given me.

"It's yours," she said and I looked up at her with my teary eyes. I can't take this.

"You have to, take it as your engagement gift." There was no use fighting her. From what it looks like, she'd probably make me take it at the end even if I didn't want to. I knew that I couldn't keep this gift because I wasn't going to be the next Mrs. Black. I wanted to stay in this moment forever. If only I could freeze time.

"Mom, what are you doing in my room?" Connor asked. His room? I thought that it was hers.

"Fine, I'll go." Lauren made her way towards the door and so did I but she stopped me.

"You two get to know each other and take your time, don't worry I'll take care of the rest downstairs." She smiled brightly, closing the door she went out. Well this is very awkward.

"Why are you standing there? Get out of my room, go hide in the bathroom or something and stay away from my mother. Don't get too attached to her, this is only temporary," Connor spat out harshly. I flinch back at his tone, why is he being rude to me? I thought everything between us would be okay so what happened?

"I already know that she will never be, why do you think I call her Lauren and not mom?" I said softly. Slightly scared that he might use the same tone on me.

"I don't care. Sarah is going to be here in a bit just, you know what, go to Chloe's room. They'll think that I'm with you the whole time anyways, it's a good cover up," he said. If that's what he wanted then I will. It's not like I wanted to be here when she's here.

"I'm here, babe." I turn around to see Sarah coming in from the window. Connor goes by her side and helps her in. She kissed him and I looked away. I'm not sure why but I felt hurt.

"What is she doing here?" Sarah said angrily. That smile dropped faster than a roller coaster.

"Her family is over. They told me to hang out with her, but I'm not so she's going to go to Chloe's room while you're here with me." Connor said and Sarah smiled. She gave me a look and pointed at the door.

"What are you waiting for, aren't you going to leave?" I held onto the necklace tightly and Connor must have noticed it because I was holding it.

"Before you go, give the necklace to Sarah, it doesn't belong to you it belongs to Sarah." He's right. It never belonged to me, who am I to keep this? A part of me wanted to because it was from Lauren but I couldn't. I turned to give it to Sarah, but she snatched it right out of my hand. Sighing, I turned around and left making my way towards Chloe's room.

"Come in." she said once I knocked on the door. Chloe looked at me confused and asked, "What are you doing here?"