Toxicity

Four

Mackenzie's P.O.V.

6 November, 2018

My days weren't going as much good as I thought it would be. I mean, business is good. The problem is the police wouldn't ever stop keeping an eye on me.

Austin usually stays at Johnny's house nowadays as the police all around our house creeps him out. They're still trying to look for more evidence in my home and back yard if they can find something more than a ring.

And today's Austin's birthday, well the first birthday I wouldn't be organizing. It'd be Johnny hosting it in his house as my one would be packed with police. I highly requested them so that they don't roam around my son's birthday party too when I'd be there. But they obviosuly didn't fully listen to me and sent two officers.

"Mommy!" I hear Austin's voice and turn back. As I see him running towards me, a smile appears on my lips.

"Happy birthday my little guy." I kneel down and hug him. "Are you enjoying the party baby?"

He nods his head after pulling back. "Yeah I am. And look what daddy bought me." He points out the tux he's wearing. "It's just like daddy's, isn't it?"

I laugh a bit. "You're looking really handsome."

"Mommy, are the police still outside our house?" He asks, like he asks every other day. I run my fingers through his hair and try to avoid the answer.

"Aren't you gonna see what gift I brought for you?" I ask and a million dollar smile appears on his face.

"Yes, I want to see it!"

"I put that on the table there, go take a look at it." I point him out and he runs his way there.

"Well, well, well, look who's here." The smile playing on my face disappears and I stand up. "How's everything going on Mackenzie?"

"I'm fine," I reply to Lauren with a deep breathe. Well, I think I was fine just a second ago. "Happy birthday to you too, well, as it's your birthday also."

"Thank you, even though I didn't expect or needed the wish."

I mentally sigh. I'm just sick of her taunting me like this. "Look Lauren, I know you still hate me for I took Austin's cutody from your brother. But today, I'd like you to leave me alone. Please, it's my son's birthday and I'd want to spend time with him. So, if you'd excuse me."

"So, what do expect me to do to you?" She stands in front of my way. "Love you? Worship you? For what you did to my brother? For what you are doing to my brother? You clearly know Mackenzie you are no better than-"

"Woah, woah, woah, easy guys." Johnny breaks in. "It is not a perfect timing for arguing. There are kids here, okay?"

"Make your sister understand it, she's the one who chose to talk to me first." I cross my arms.

"Well, I have better things to do. See you later John." She rolls her eyes and walks away.

"Do you have to tell me anything now too?" I ask Johnny. "Can't you just walk away with your sister?"

"No I can't. Cause, I need to make sure that it went right into your brain that don't cause any chaos in my son's party." His voice was low but yet I could hear the venom splitting out of them.

"Oh yeah?" I laugh a little, a sarcastic one. "As if he's not my son too?"

"Listen Mackenzie," he looks by the kids playing and takes my hand, leading me to the kitchen and said, "I don't want you to do anything else wrong."

"Wow, fantastic." I clap my hands. "You-" I point my finger at him. "you're the one who maybe framed me in this whole drama and now you're trying to tell me I'm the wronged?!"

"Well, I'm not doing anything. It's the police who are suspecting you that you are the one behind Jessica getting missing. I just don't get it how they didn't arrest you after finding her ring from your yard." He continues after a beat. "Cause you deserve rotting in jail."

"Think whatever you want to, but the truth will come out." I try to get past him but he stops me and bangs my back with the wall.

"I'm not done yet." There was hatred in his eyes and I could clearly see that it was for me. "If Mackenzie, if there is one more single prove that you kidnapped Jessica, I surely would hire the best lawyer in the country and make sure you wouldn't get out of jail for the rest of your life."

"Then why don't you just do it now? Huh?"

"You know there are reasons." He tucks me hair behind and smiles. "Only if you weren't Austin's mother then I'd have done it a long time ago."

"You can never do it. Cause I will be proved innocent." I clearly reply him. "Now get that through your thick brain."

He smirks as he caresses my cheeks softly. "We'll see what happens and how you don't end up going to jail, Mackenzie." And with that, he left.

I didn't have a talk with Johnny or Lauren after that. I saw Shawn at the party too, but like always, we didn't talk or look ways. Austin was having pretty much fun with his friends. After he cut the cake, he offered it to Charlotte first. As he took another piece and was coming by my way, I was about to kneel down...but rather than giving it to me, he ran past me.

I was shocked at what he did but then when I turned back, I understood he went to offer it to Skylar, his favourite teacher. Who the heck would even invite her despite that bastard?

"Really Mackenzie? You still crave for a piece of cake?" I could hear Johnny laughing as he stands beside me.

Speak of the devil and the devil will come.

"I am not craving for a cake." I look at him. "I'm just thinking why did you invite Skylar. As far as I know, she isn't supposed to be in the guest list."

"Come on, I didn't do that. I just gave a few invitation cards to him and told him to invite whomever he wants to." He gives his glance towards Austin. "And you do know how much talented my son is."

"Mr. And Mrs.-" A young lady appears in front of us and in the middle of her sentence she stops, "I'm sorry, well, you guys must be Austin's parents, right?"

"Yes, we are." I pass her a genuine smile. This is the introduction I hate to give to people.

"I'm Charlotte's mother. You know, Charlotte, Austin's freind." She introduces herself.

"Yeah, we do know you. Thank you very much for bringing your daughter here today. Our son likes her company a lot." I try to look as much formal as possible.

"Well, my daughter does it too but," she stops a beat. "I'd like to talk to you, both of you."

"About what?" Johnny furrows his eyebrows.

"About Austin." She replies and I nod my head so that she can continue talking. "He is, well, don't feel bad but I thought it's necessary for to tell you. Remember that he came to Charlotte's birthday party a few months back?" She asks me.

"Yes, I do." I confusingly reply.

"That day, her cousins were there too. And when she left Austin alone for some moment to play with one of her cousins, he-" her face gets pale as she stops. "he got really mad about that fact and he...punched her cousin."

"What?!" Johnny snaps out. I could say that he is as much shocked as me.

"Why are you telling it to us now?" I ask her.

"There wasn't any serious injuries and I thought it'd bother you guys for nothing so I didn't tell it to you. But that wasn't the last time he acted like this. Charlotte told me that he doesn't let anyone play with her except of only himself. He's really possessive over her. Plus he has anger issues too." Charlotte's mom continues. "I think you guys should make him understand that it's not good. I'm sorry but if it keeps going then I can't let my daughter stay near your son, it's not good for her too."

I was out of words while she spoke. Johnny was thinking something deeply, not uttering a word too. "I know your family has problems. You both aren't married and don't live together. But, I'd like to tell it to you, for the sake of both our children, try to control Austin. He's just a kid. But he still needs to understand."

"What the heck are you talking about? My son-" I pull Johnny's hand to stop him.

"She's right. I know him Johnny. I also know that he behaves a bit weirdly sometimes." I tell him.

"Well, I know my son too. He is perfectly fine! He has no problem, alright?" Johnny's voice was a bit louder than usual and I squeeze his hand tightly, gesturing him to calm down, at least for now.

"We'll see what we can do. Thanks for letting us know." I somehow manage to push out a smile and she leaves.

"Bullshit." Johnny mutters underneath his breathe. "Some lady would come and talk nonsense about my son and you would just take her side?"

"She wasn't actually wrong, Johnny. I can see from where he has got this anger issues and possessions." I point out.

"What are you trying to say? He got it from me?"

"Surely he did." I roll my eyes.

"Seems like he doesn't have your genes at all?"

"He does. But he is a total copycat of yours! So obviosuly he got these problems from-" I stop as my eyes linger towards the kids. "Where's Austin? Wasn't he supposed to be here?"

"He was here a second ago." Johnny also turns back.

"Wait, I'll go and find him." I quickly start to look for him, every corner of the house. But he was gone. When I started to panic, I saw Johnny at the staircase, sitting down and talking to him. While I was mentally punching myself for not checking the stairs and the second floor, I make my way towards him.

"Austin, baby, are you fine?" I sit beside him and ask as I saw his face was turned off. He didn't turn towards me or neither towards Johnny and answers,

"Blue left. I thought we would play all night but her mommy told her it was time to go."

"Awh, don't be sad. You know that she can't stay for too long. And how were you even supposed to play with her all night? Don't you have school tomorrow?" I kissed on his head and gave him a comforting hug.

"I don't think Blue's mommy likes me." He mumbles quietly and I look at Johnny, who was probably making it up what to say.

"Why wouldn't she like you? You're a good boy." I try to cheer him up.

"But she doesn't like it when I play with Blue." He answers.

"You only think that she doesn't. But I'm sure she does like it, why would she not?" Johnny says.

Austin kept quiet for a few moments. "Blue once asked me why don't we all stay together." He looks up at Johnny. "Why?"

"You can stay with daddy more often if you want. There's no problem." I tell him.

"No, but then I'll miss you." Austin looks by my way.

"Champ, don't worry about it okay, we-"

"You never answer it to me why we don't stay together!" He cuts Johnny off. "You have to tell it to me now!"

"Austin, but we can't. You won't understand." I caress his cheek.

Without saying anything else, he stands up and rushed upstairs. Johnny was about to follow him but I made him stop.

"Let him get some time alone, he'd come downstairs soon. Don't worry." I silently utter the words.

Johnny rolls his eyes. "You know one thing Mackenzie? If you just didn't break off the engagement that day, then our son wouldn't have to face this consequences." He says and rushed off upstairs.

I sigh and bury my head in the crook of my knees. Did I really do it wrong? Is it really affecting my baby this much?

No, what I did was fine. He'd understand it when he'd grow up. He's just a kid now, he needs time. And soon, he'd make himself suitable with the situation.

Hopefully everything would be fine.