A Love Tragedy

Chapter 11

“What you did in the car with my parents was amazing, you need to teach me that.” Michaela told me as we walked in the plaza towards Matt’s restaurant. 

“That was just bullshit mixed with enough logic to make a few plausible sentences.” I casually replied.

“I don’t care what it was because it was brilliant.” She was clearly happy about it. I couldn’t care less really. After my speech in her parents car, they agreed to let Michaela and I go to lunch and that was the end of all the conversations. We were immediately greeted by a waiter once we reached the front of the open air restaurant.

“Good morning.” The waiter politely greeted us. “Would you guys like a table for 2?”

“We actually have a reservation.” Michaela told him.

“Name please?” The waiter asked as he went around a counter then checked a register.

“Mills, party of 3.” 3? I thought that Michaela and I were having lunch together, who is the 3rd seat for? Maybe it was for Vincent. He is her boyfriend so it would make sense.

“Certainly, follow me.” He ticked off something on the register then went around the counter and grabbed 3 menus before leading the way into the restaurant. The whole restaurant was actually beautifully arranged and definitely looked fancy enough to probably overcharge for their meals. We stopped by a round glass table with a small leafy plant as the centerpiece.

“Would you like to wait until the other person arrives before you order?”

“I think we’ll just have some drinks for now.” Michaela answered him as she took her seat so I sat down as well.

“A brandy for him and a cappuccino for me.” Michaela order for us while the waiter placed the menus on the table in front us.

“I’ll be back shortly.” The waiter nodded then quickly walked away from our table. I looked at Michaela for an explanation but she clearly didn’t get the message.

“Stop staring at me like some sort of creep.” Michaela instructed me as she opened her menu but I closed it and grabbed it out of her hands.

“Explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Everything.”

“You’re going to have to be more specific.” Why do she have to be so irritating right now? She’s the one that forced me to come to lunch with her and I made up a pretty solid story for her parents so why couldn’t she just answer my damn question?

“Why is there a reservation for 3?” I decided to ask her.

“Because we’re expecting someone else.” Obviously. She looked at me with a cocky smile so she was clearly prepared for all my questions, or at least she thought she was.

“The reservation was listed under Mills, who exactly is that person?” I saw her look past me for a moment before focusing on me again. I was tempted to look around to see who or what grabbed her attention but I kept my focus on her as well. I needed answers and she was the only one who could give them to me.

“He is right behind you.” She began standing up so I decided to do the same. I didn’t know who this ‘Mills’ person was but I was interested in meeting him now and hopefully he’ll be able to answer my questions.

“Henri, it’s nice to see you again.” Michaela told him once he reached her and embraced her. I sized him up and I was actually kind of jealous of his confident yet elegant character. He definitely didn’t look that much older than me so I wasn’t intimidated by him.

“Despite being summoned here, it’s nice to see you too.” Looks like Henri was here against his will as well. Just what was Michaela planning?

“I needed you guys to meet.” Michaela told him then turned to me. “Henri Mills meet Hunter Lodge.”

“It’s nice to meet you Mr Mills.” I told him as I shook his hand.

“Likewise and please call me Henri, Mr Mills is my father.” Henri replied.

“Call me by my name then as well.” I stated.

“Excuse me.” The waiter returned again with a small tray on his right hand. He placed the glass of brandy down in front of me before placing Michaela’s steaming cappuccino in front of her as well.

“Mr Mills, is there anything I can get you?” The waiter asked him. If the waiter knew him then he must be a regular customer here. I was getting more intrigued with this whole situation by the minute.

“I’ll have the same.” Henri told him as he pointed to my drink. The waiter nodded his approval then left us once again.

“Let’s take our seats so that I can find out why I’m here then.” Henri told us.

“You and me both.” I added which left Henri smiling.

“So you don’t know what’s happening here either?”

“Not a clue. I was interrogating her before you came so I thought you might have the answers.”

“I’m just as in the dark unfortunately.” Both of us immediately turned our attention to Michaela and hoped that she could answer our questions. She quickly grabbed her bag and searched for something before placing my red book on the table. I honestly didn’t know how she got it or what that had to do with us being here. Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect from her anymore.

“This is why we’re here.” She informed us.

“You stole my book again?” I asked her.

“Technically I didn’t steal your book the first time, I borrowed it. But yes, I did steal it this time.” At least she wasn’t denying it. It actually left a smile on my face for some reason.

“I need to start locking that book up then.”

“Is that book yours?” Henri asked me.

“Yes.”

“Do you know who the author is then?” Wait, how did he know about my book?

“It turns out that Hunter here is the author.” Michaela informed him.

“So you wrote that book?” His sounded impressed more than anything.

“Yes.” I confirmed. “I’m sorry but how do you know about my book?”

“Henri is a friend of my family so he visited us once and saw me reading your book. He wanted to know more about it so I let him read a couple of chapters.” Michaela explained.

“That’s… just great then.” I gave her a fake smile then took a sip of the drink in front of me. Now it made sense why she ordered me the brandy; she knew I was going to need something stronger than juice once I found out what she did.

“Who else read it?”

“No one else, I swear.” I could tell that she was being truthful there so I didn’t bother taking that matter further.

“So why do you have my book this time?” I asked her.

“I want to give it to Henri.” She calmly stated. “Before you say no, just let me explain.”

“I don’t even like having that book out of my room, what makes you think that anything you say will make me want to give it to a complete stranger?” 

“Because I want Henri to publish it.” I honestly didn’t expect her to say that. “Look, this is one of the best romantic stories I’ve read in a while and what makes it even better is that it’s real and relatable. It doesn’t only inspire love but gives hope to everyone who has given up on love. People need to read this. Naomi told me that you wrote this for Stella and I know that she would agree that the world needs to read your story.”

“You didn’t know her so you don’t know what she would’ve wanted.” I bluntly replied.

“Hunter, you don’t have to decide now. Take a couple of days and while you do that then I’ll read the book and pitch it to my team. If you don’t want to publish it then I’ll give the book back to you and we can drop this whole thing. It’s your decision so don’t feel pressured by anyone.” Henri clearly had experience dealing with situations like these. I didn’t know him so I didn’t like the fact that I would be giving my book to a complete stranger even if he was friends with Michaela. Hell, I didn’t even know Michaela that well. I was about to respond before I heard Henri’s generic ringtone.

“Excuse me, I have to take this.” He stood up as he answered the call then walked away from the table.

“I don’t like you.” I stubbornly told Michaela once we were alone. The waiter returned and set Henri’s drink down on the table in front of his empty seat.

“That’s to be expected. I haven’t really given you reason to like me anyway.” She definitely got that right. I wasn’t living with my parents anymore so there was no reason for me to try and keep things civil between Michaela and I. I had every reason to take my book, stand up and walk away from her and this whole meeting.

“What’s stopping me from walking out of here with my book?” I grabbed my drink then took another sip as I waited for her answer. She clearly had everything planned so she had to have an answer lined up for that inevitable question.

“Stella would…”

“Don’t you dare finish that sentence.” I warned her. I wasn’t angry but I could definitely feel my mood souring the more she mentioned Stella’s name. “You don’t know her and you never met her so you don’t get to use her to justify whatever this is.”

“I’m sorry but this is about her as much as it is about you. The story you wrote is not just about two random people falling in love; it’s about you and Stella and if she was even half the woman you portrayed in the book then she’d be the one sitting here and telling you this instead of me.” I looked into her eyes and I could see the conviction with which she spoke. It definitely reminded me of Stella when she was determined to get me to do something I didn’t want to do that would ultimately make me happier but I felt something in me breaking instead of rejoicing that someone could believe in me the same way Stella could.

“I can’t do this.” I replied as I stood up.

“Hunter, I know this is a lot to just spring on you and you must be overwhelmed…”

“You can’t begin to understand what I’m feeling.”

“You’re right, I don’t know what you’re feeling right now but I know that once you see the joy and happiness this story brings to people then maybe you can find peace in the fact Stella is still able to make people happy just like she wanted for you.” I felt a tear build up as I recalled Stella’s last words to me but I refused to release it. Naomi must’ve told Michaela what happened that night, I guess they didn’t keep secrets from each other.

“Just… stop.” I couldn’t find the words to talk anymore. I turned around and quickly made my way out of the restaurant and out to the street. I jumped into the first taxi I saw and immediately gave the driver directions to the only place I wanted to go to right now.

“Hunter.” Mrs D greeted me once I entered the kitchen in my parents house. “You just missed lunch but there is still more than enough food if you want.”

“No thanks.”

“I didn’t hear your car pull up, where did you come from?”

“Stella’s.” I immediately saw the older woman’s sad expression which ignited my painful emotions as well.

“Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. I just wanted to talk to her parents about something but they weren’t at home.”

“So you decided to come home rather.”

“I want to talk to my parents.” I could hear my whole family sitting outside in our backyard so that’s

probably where they had lunch.

“They’re outside. Good luck.” Mrs D gave me a smile but I could still see the sadness in her eyes. I took that as my cue and exited the kitchen. All eyes immediately turned to me as I went closer to the wooden picnic tables my family were sitting on around. They pushed all the tables together to form one long one so that everyone could sit at one table I suppose.

“You missed lunch Hunter.” Aunt Vicky stated.

“I know.” I replied. I didn’t like the fact that they weren’t supporting me but they were still family so I had to respect them.

“How was your date?” It would only be Harper who would ask that question right now.

“It wasn’t a date.” I answered her.

“You made it pretty clear yesterday that you were finished with the family so why are you here right now?” My father’s oldest brother, Michael, asked me.

“I needed to speak to my parents but I’ll come back later.” I turned around and made my way into the house again.

“Leaving already?” Mrs D asked me.

“Yep, just going up to my room quickly.” I informed her then made my way up the staircase to my room. I was immediately greeted by the scent of my grandfather’s cologne as I entered my room. I saw two suitcases next to my cupboard so I guess my grandparents were using my room. I looked around and saw a lot of my things that I still needed to take. I opened the draw under my desk to see if there was anything important that I might need but my eyes were instantly fixated on the box that housed my grandmother’s ring. I grabbed it then opened it and stared at the masterpiece as I allowed all my memories of Stella to overwhelm me.

“Your grandfather definitely uses a little too much cologne.” My mother’s voice snapped me back to reality. I quickly wiped away an undetected tear while closing the box before turning to her. I saw my father standing behind her as well. They really are inseparable. Well I did say that I needed to talk to both of them so it was understandable this time.

“It covers the ‘old people’ smell I guess.” That put a smile on their faces.

“Everyone seemed like they had a good time by your house last night,” my father stated.

“Some a little too much.” My mother’s words left a smile on my face this time.

“They’re old enough to handle themselves. I’m actually surprised that they’re all here and not still passed out at my house.” I knew that they didn’t want to fight their parents on that issue especially since they were probably a bit hungover.

“They weren’t allowed to miss the family lunch.” Did that mean that I was allowed to miss it? My father probably didn’t expect me to come even if he did invite me after what happened yesterday.

“Harper mentioned that you went on a date with Michaela, how did it go?” I knew my mom would be the one to ask about that but I didn’t have anything to hide there. I was going to tell her the truth because I wanted to talk to them about what happened anyway.

“It wasn’t a date. It was more of a business meeting.” That certainly got my father’s attention.

“Business meeting? Are you accepting a job at the Andrew’s business?” My father raised an eyebrow as he awaited my answer. Was I not allowed to accept a job by their company? They fired me and I needed to earn some money somehow so I don’t think that they were allowed to control where I went to work.

“No. Michaela introduced me to a guy named Henri Mills.” My father’s interested immediately looked like they peeked now.

“Henri Mills from Writing Mills Publications?” Writing Mills Publications, I knew them. They were one of my division’s clients at my parent’s company. They produced the town’s newspaper as well as published books for many authors worldwide. It all made sense now.

“I think so.” I wasn’t 100% sure that it was the same person but it was beginning to look like it.

“Honey, why did you meet them?” My mother asked this time. She clearly wasn’t concerned about the ‘who’ part.

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you guys about.” I took a seat on the chair by my desk and silently motioned for my parents to enter my room. My father closed the door behind him then made his way to my bed next to my mom.

“I wrote a book for Stella last year and I wanted to give it to her for her birthday this year but obviously I can’t anymore. Michaela took the book and read it then Henri read a couple of chapters when he was by their house and they liked it so Henri wants to publish it.”

“That’s great news. Well done.” My mother certainly supported that decision but I was still uncertain about how I felt about it.

“Is it not good news?” My father probably picked up on my lack of enthusiasm.

“I don’t know.” I answered him as I shifted my gaze to the window. I didn’t feel like I could make eye contact with any one of them without breaking apart right now.

“It feels good to be validated like this by someone like Henri but… I just don’t know.” That was as honest as I could get.

“Do you want to publish your story?” My father was definitely asking the hard questions that I didn’t want to face right now.

“It’s not just my story, it’s Stella’s as well. It’s about our life and how we fell in love.”

“Stella is not here to help you make this decision so you have to do it for her.” He wasn’t holding back it seemed but somehow that felt comforting.

“You knew Stella better than anyone, what would she want you to do?” My mother calmly asked me. I knew the answer to that but I struggled to say the words.

“She wanted me to follow my dreams. She’s the one that even got me those empty books.” I looked over at the empty bookshelf where her empty red books used to rest and smiled as I remembered how she surprised me with it on my birthday last year.

“I know. I nearly ended up in hospital because of those books.” I gave a light chuckle at that. Stella’s messy nature left the books lying around while she tried to figure out the best place to put the shelf. My mom came home that evening and nearly tripped on the books when she entered my room to find out what Stella was up to.

“The day before she died she told me that if I was serious about my writing then I would publish it.” Their expressions immediately softened but I didn’t need their sympathy right now. I needed them to help me make this decision.

“You have Stella’s answer then, what’s yours?” My mother asked me. Couldn’t one of them at least ask simple questions?

“I always dreamed of becoming an author one day and I thought to myself that just getting one of my stories published would be the best feeling in the world so why is fulfilling my dream breaking me up so much?” Another tear escaped it’s barricade but this time I let it complete it’s journey.

“Because Stella isn’t here to celebrate this moment with you.” My mother quickly stood up then crouched down in front of me then grabbed my hands. “But we are. We’re proud of you and this achievement no matter what you decide. If you’re not ready to publish your story then your father and I will still be here to help you until you feel like you’re ready but only you can make that decision.”

“Thanks mom.” I replied as more tears decided to make their way down my face. She stood up then slowly pulled me up into her embrace. I let myself break apart in her loving embrace. Everything I was feeling just poured out of me as clung onto my mother. I didn’t know how long I held her but I didn’t want to let go.

“This doesn’t change anything.” I softly stated but I refused to let go of my mother. My tears finally dried up leaving only the aching of my broken heart.

“We know.” It’s been a while since I heard my father sound so gentle. It was so uncharacteristically perfect.

“We’re still your parents so don’t think twice about coming to us for help when you need it.” My mother’s soft kiss on my cheek made it feel like everything was perfect just for that second before reality quickly dug it’s teeth back in me.

“I’m going to go but I’ll get my things out of here by next week.” I finally released my mother but she kept her warm hand on my shoulder.

“There’s no rush honey.” I gave my mother a smile at that.

“This will always be my home and you guys weren’t always the perfect parents but you were the best parents I could have ever asked for. I have to move forward on my own though but I know that you guys will always be here for me when I need it.”

“Always.” My mother agreed.