Untangling Strings

Chapter Twenty-Four

My feet brought me to the kitchen where Olive is. Perfect. She's the only one I have to say goodbye to, then I'll leave. But before I talk to her, I should book a cab.

"Hope."

I looked up from my phone and Olive was gesturing for me to get closer to her. I walked towards her, "Olive, I just came down here to say goodbye. I'll never forget your kindness to me. Thank you." My voice was shaking as I said the last two words.

"Let them fall down, Hope."

"What?" I confusedly asked.

"Those tears. Your eyes are too glassy for me to not notice."

"Oh," I blinked my eyes hoping that the tears would either instantly dry or fall back to where it came from.

"Is it because of the one Piece was talking to a while ago. I might have heard some things."

"My mom's probably waiting for me, I should go. Bye, Olive." We hugged each other, then she pulled me away but still held my arms and studied my face.

"I will miss you, Hope." She smiled sadly as I completely pulled myself away from her. I turned my back and headed to my room.

Just right in my front door, Piece was pacing back and forth like a nervous idiot.

"Excuse me, I have to pass and get inside that room."

His head snapped to my direction, "Hope, we have to talk."

"I thought so. That's why I called you earlier, but it seems you have other matters to attend to."

"No, listen-"

I cut him off, "You listen. Let me pass through to grab my bags because a cab will arrive anytime. So, move."

"What? You're leaving?"

"Do you have control when guests leave?" He was speechless. "Then move."

"You know we have things between us. I just wanted to sort those out with you."

"I also thought we have, or rather had. But I guess I'm wrong."

I shoved him out of my way. I do not have any ounce of patience left. As the door swung open, I grabbed my bags and exited the room immediately. He's still standing in front of me like a total asshole. "You can now pace all you want."

"Hope, wait. I'm sorry, okay? I now figured it out. You were standing there for a while and you heard us. Just please let me explain. I know you think I'm such an asshole, but please..."

Why the hell does he always know what's running through my mind? "There's nothing to talk about. It was nice to meet you."

Before he could say anything, a screechy voice called him, "Piece, I'm waiting for you. You do know I have jetlag and I need you to put me to sleep." Is she a newborn that needs to be cradled to sleep? I never thought such a woman would be put into existence. I can feel every nerve in my body about to explode. I could not stand hearing her voice and the words that would come out of her mouth. I can feel my blood reaching the boiling point. Before I lost control of my fist that badly wanted to land on her throat, I ran my way downstairs and out of Alcott's.

The cab arrived just in time and I immediately slid myself inside. I am torn between looking back and leaving this place. I shut my eyes. I am torn. So was my heart.

The ride seemed to be too long. I wanted to be home, dive into my bed, and just process everything I'm feeling. I did a good job keeping my tears at bay while I looked out the window until a familiar scene caught my eyes.

Once the cab stopped, I hopped out of it and took the deepest breath I could and walked towards our front door.

"Hope, is that you?" Mom's voice filled the house. She's got one heck of strong senses.

"Yeah," is the only word I could manage to get out of my mouth.

"Kitchen, sweetie."

I walked to the kitchen and found mom washing vegetables while dad was seated at the barstool. "Oh, my baby girl's home." Dad pulled me into a tight hug and kissed the top of my head.

"Isn't she supposed to be resting?" I raised my left eyebrow facing my mom but my question was towards dad.

"And who do you think will prepare the food? No one, and literally no one in this house tried to learn how to cook." My eyebrow is still raised and my stare was locked on her. "And besides, I feel better. So, stop looking at me like that, Hope Casandra."

"Fine," I mumbled. Guilt starts to creep under my skin as I realize all those years being away, not helping mom nor anyone in this family while chasing my not-meant-to-be-chased dreams. What a pathetic selfish human being I am.

"Lady, why don't you get your ass to your room, unpack, and rest. I'll call you later for lunch." I could hear my mom talking but I couldn't understand her words.

"W- what?" I responded.

"Sweets, your mom said get some rest."

I nodded.