Chapter 12 - Her aunt is my mother
2183 Words
For a moment, the café was deathly silent. I saw the confused look Joe was giving David. I couldn't believe my ears, was it true? David's mother was Joe's all time? That means she's the witch who cursed her husband. How could I have missed this for so long?
"I think we need to talk somewhere private." Joe came out from behind the bar and stood next to David.
"Lets go find table."Isabella smiled as she made her way to the giant table at the back of the café.
I stared wide-eyed at David and Joe for some time, unable to believe what had just happened. I felt a tiny pinch in my side, then I furrowed my brow and looked to see whose fault it was. Of course, it was Cassian who made me move rather than staring stupidly at the current situation. Finn and Isabella were already comfortably ensconced at the table. Lucy took the seat closest to Isabella. David and Joe soon moved out of sight, giving us privacy. I made myself comfortable on the sofa close to Uncle Finn. Cassian soon joined me.
"What will you girls eat?" Isabella's green eyes shifted to me, then to Lucy.
"I'll probably swallow the whole elephant. Maybe we'll order pizza?" Lucy's eyes went to me.
"Probably a few family pizzas would be good for our table." Finn smiled and raised his hand, and soon the waiter stopped at our table.
"How come they've never met all these years?" Isabella's eyes shifted to Finn.
We all sat there, a little confused. Not feeling Joe is David's mum. Probably according to legend, she should be called Joan, which is her real name. I will be sure to tell Chloe all this news. Are my thoughts lying? Will Chloe and David not be related, or maybe Joan is Chloe's fake aunt. Damn it. I can't imagine what an awkward moment it's going to be when I tell her everything.
"Sarah, what are you planning to do after school?" Isabella's voice interrupted the thoughts running through my head.
"I'll probably leave town. It will be time to go to art college." I turned my eyes towards Isabella, looking at me with a slight smile on her face.
"I hope you haven't forgotten that you can work for me?" Isabella's eyes sparkled as she weighed this possibility out loud.
"Isabella is right. This would be a great internship. You'd see if the arts are your forte." Finn looked at me with a slightly furrowed brow.
"I need to pass exams first, so maybe I could take my time?" I raised my eyebrows at Finn.
"What are your plans, Lucy?" Finn leaned into the table, nodding slightly towards Lucy.
"I'm too young to plan my future." Lucy rolled her eyes with a silly smile.
I know exactly how much my sister hates things that lead to the future. Lucy feels very young and unprepared for adult life. Although she has been attracted to biology from a young age, and her dream job is to be a doctor, she is in no hurry. Of course, if I were her, I wouldn't be in a hurry either, and she has her whole life ahead to deside.
"Sarah, are you planning to get a job for the summer?" Finn raised his eyebrows, looking straight into my eyes.
"I think she could work in this café. She knows every corner of it." Lucy's eyes shifted towards me, a small smile gracing her face.
"And what does this young man do for a living? We haven't had a chance to get to know each other properly yet. What's your name?" Isabella's eyes shifted to Cassian, who was sitting quietly next to me.
"Excuse my bad manners. Cassian Harrison, nice to meet you. I work for the company." Cassian smiled as he looked into Isabella's green eyes.
Working for the company? Cassian, you must be out of your mind. It's not a good topic of conversation, especially with my Aunt Isabella. She's the head of a company, not just any company, of course, but a real estate company. I hope she does not come up with one of her millions of stories about how much she has traveled, what she has seen, and where she has lived.
"Sarah, it looks like your boyfriend is very hot." Isabella leaned closer to me, lowering the tone of her voice.
I saw Cassian's eyes instantly rest on me. I know he heard every word Isabella said. Every single person at the table heard, ehh that's my Aunt Isabella. Never holds her tongue. I rolled my eyes and smiled, then leaned in closer to Isabella.
"He's not my boyfriend, and he's a real bastard." I replied to Isabella's words in a low voice.
Finn and Lucy immediately started laughing out loud, and Cassian smiled broadly while rolling his eyes. Our joke was interrupted by a waitress carrying two large pizzas. I wonder where David and Joan have been for so long. They must have a hell of a lot to talk about. The wonderful smell of pizza touched my nose, making my stomach growl.
"Sarah, when was the last time you ate anything?" Finn's eyes became a little more serious than usual.
"I don't want to see a single piece left on this table." Isabella shot an angry glance at everyone sitting at the café table.
"Sarah, how did you meet Cassian?" the unexpected question left Uncle Finn's lips.
I gave Cassian a confused look. I hoped he had some compelling story in mind. He surely can't tell that he's a vampire who swore to my mother to protect my life. It's not a story that belongs at an all-human dinner table.
" We met quite unexpectedly. My uncle works as a school teacher. One day I was helping him in his office, and that's when I met Sarah." Cassian smiled as he looked at Isabella.
"How sweet, the school drools love." Isabella took a bite of her pizza as her eyes turned towards the window for a moment.
"You started without me?" David sat on a chair near my sister.
"Is Joan your mother?" My eyes immediately darted to David, who grabbed a slice of pizza.
"Sarah, it's not nice to attack someone like that." Isabella wrinkled her eyebrows in an angry look, trying to educate me.
"Isabella doesn't worry. They are childhood friends. I'm sure they know more about each other than they should." Finn fisted Isabella in the shoulder, smiling broadly.
"Perhaps we can leave the family subject for another time?" Cassian's eyes lingered on me for a moment.
Then the reality of how ugly it is to talk about David's mum probably hit everyone sitting there. It's not that he doesn't want to tell or that it's a secret. Certainly, no one thought that memories of my mother might torment me. I spent a lot of time at this table with my family. But now, none of my family members are there. Neither Mum or Dad. We all saw each other so long ago, enjoying a simple lunch. I am not in the least bit disturbed by this subject. Deep in my heart, I have come to terms with the idea that I am alone. Of course, I am not entirely alone but look at the beautiful people around me. However, my real family does not walk this earth right now. I have another family that will always be in my heart. They are Uncle Fin and David, who have known me since I was a little girl. Aunt Isabella is like an older sister to me. Who always looks at me with such care and love, so much like my mother. Cassian is always there in times of misfortune or trouble. I still marvel at how he always manages to be in the right place at the right time. Of course, let us not forget my younger sister, who is a magnet for my pranks and bad decisions. How many silly childhood pranks, running away from home and innocent lies were invented. An accomplice in my evil deeds and a little helper who will always stand up for me. Only two people are missing to complete this wonderful circle of dear people. My eyes were fixed for a moment out of the window on the people hurrying by.
"Sarah, calling the earth?" David's voice drew me back to the table.
"Yes, yes, I'm listening?" I turned my eyes towards David, who was watching me with a slight wrinkle in his forehead.
"Can we talk somewhere a little more private?" David's eyes went for a second to Cassian, who was sitting next to me.
"Sure." I nodded, letting David know I was listening.
I leaned away from Cassian a little to get up. But suddenly, his hand touched mine, stopping me from standing up. My confused gaze went to Cassian, who was already looking at me. I wrinkled my forehead as I looked at Cassian, my eyes going to mine and his hand under the table. What the hell is Cassian doing not letting me go with David. He's probably worried about my safety, but David wouldn't hurt me for anything. After just two seconds, Cassian let go of my hand with a deep sigh.
"Sarah, are you coming?" David's voice sounded behind me.
David had already risen from the table and was waiting patiently for me to follow him. I took one last look at Cassian, who was sitting at the table with Finn, Isabella, and Lucy. The green eyes slowly followed me until I finally disappeared from view. I could see the smug look on his face. I just didn't understand why he was so worried. I stopped in the small corridor that led to the café's toilet. David was waiting for me, leaning against the wall, his brown eyes never leaving mine. What was so important was that he couldn't wait until the end of the meeting.
"David, what happened?" I leaned against the wall in front of David, waiting for a decent answer.
"I need to talk to you about Chloe." David's face looked a little more serious than usual.
"Sure, what about her?" I wrinkled my forehead, trying to figure out where this conversation was going.
"How do I tell Chloe that Jonah is my mom?" David crossed his arms over his chest, his confused gaze fixed on me.
"I can do that." I offered without thinking about it for long.
"You don't understand. Chloe is the other half of my wolf. I can't just say that her aunt is my mother. How will she react? Are we related? It's a total nightmare." David ran his hand over his face, struggling to get the words out of his mouth.
"Calm down. I don't think Joan is Chloe's aunt. I'm sure there's a hole in her family tree. Even though they've known each other all their lives." I sighed, trying to reassure David.
"I think we need to invite her to the café and explain everything. Maybe my mum could give her a proper briefing." David's eyes darted behind me for a moment, then returned to my eyes.
"How come you didn't meet your mother before? Joan has worked here all her life." I raised my eyebrows at David.
" I never go to the cafés in this town. I have lived in Wathfar all my life. I used to stay at your house or by the lake with Finn and your family. That's probably why I didn't get to meet her." David shrugged his shoulders, trying to find the correct explanation for a simple event.
"We'll figure it out. Calm down. I'll call Chloe in a minute. I'll invite her here. Then we'll all talk." I took my mobile phone out of my pocket.
"Maybe there's no need to be so hasty?" David looked at the phone in my hands with big eyes.
"Everything will be fine. I've known Chloe all my life. You'll figure it all out. There's no reason to react so hotly." I put my hand on David's shoulder, looking into his dark eyes.
"Sarah, you don't understand. If she leave me, I can't stand it." David looked at me with frightened eyes. "I might even die." He muttered under his nose.
"No one will die today. Don't be a coward." I dialed Chloe's number on my phone, putting the mobile to my ear.
As the beep beeped in my ears to announce the call, my thoughts sank for a moment. Why is David so worried about Chloe? I've never seen him so distracted, so nervous, and yet so excited. Is this whole mate thing that important? Could he die if Chloe decides not to be with him? But that's nonsense. Chloe has a great affection for David. I don't think she would just up and leave him for no reason. We need to meet her as soon as possible and tell her everything.
"Hello?" Chloe's soft voice rang on the other end of the phone.
- Writer
