Inheritance

Chapter 16

"Wow, that's great dear. But, surely you aren't ready for marriage quite yet." My uncle heeded.

"I second that." Mr. Andrew, who was Patricia's father and my uncle's best friend, also endorsed my uncle's warning.

"She might be slow, but I'm sure she's not that dense." Patricia added.

"Guys, relax. I'm not getting married anytime soon. Besides, Patricia here is the one who seems to be going strong with Mr. Kendall Fine." I muttered the last part under my breath, but it had apparently been loud enough for everyone to hear.

The conversation now shifted in the direction of Kendall and Patricia, which was quite satisfying to watch. Personally, I hoped to learn more about the dynamic of their ongoing relationship. I already knew they were sleeping together, but what I truly wanted to uncover was just how serious things were between the two of them. 

It didn't help that Kendall's mixed signals over the past several weeks had been giving me a potent case of whiplash. One minute he wanted me, and the next he treated me like an absolute piece of trash.

"We're enjoying each other's company. That's all." Kendall's response carried a sense of finality that left no room for further questioning. I, on the other hand, had an agenda of my own.

"Romantically or platonically?" I challenged.

"None of your damn business, Sasha." Patricia added.

"Oh, I see. You don't like me getting in your business? That's funny, seeing as though you're always in mine."

"Ladies, that's enough-" Mr. Andrew tried to simmer down the heated conversation, but was rightfully ignored by the both of us.

"There's no business for me to be in. You're twenty six years old and have never been in a relationship. Quite sad, if you ask me. No one wants you and I'm not surprised why. Just look at yourself, pathetic." Patricia huffed out, quieting the entire table from the brutality of her words.

I began to shrink into an invisible shell, as I took a glance around only to be met by several pitying faces engrossed with sympathy. Feeling humiliated, I decided I no longer wanted to be at the dinner. As I left the table, I ignored the echoing calls of Frank and my uncle asking me to stay.

"Patricia, what is wrong with you? You owe Sasha a huge apology." My uncle's definitive voice boomed throughout the boat, but I had already turned the corner into the hallway leading to the rooms.

As I entered my suite, I immediately closed the door. Removing my heels, I lied on my bed and stared up at the ceiling. I knew that Patricia's hurtful words hadn't been true, but they were still painful to hear. Maybe it was because a small part of me actually did think there was some candor in them. Any guy I was ever even remotely interested in always went for Patricia. That fact now included Kendall.

Turning on my side, I faced the oval-shaped window. The sound of the yacht clashing against the waves had a calming effect on my racing heartbeat. Three consecutive knocks on my door weren't enough to get me up from my bed.

"Don't come in." I stated, still facing the wall.

"Sasha, it's me." Kendall's rich voice reached my ears, despite the barrier placed between us. My heart seemed to involuntarily clench at the sound of my name leaving his lips.

"What do you want, Kendall?" As much as I really did care for him, I didn't want to see him. More so, I didn't want him seeing me in this state. Again.

"Can I come in?" 

I didn't respond, hoping he'd simply take the hint and go away. 

"Please."

As difficult as it was, I refused to let him into my room. He would only confuse my emotions even more with his unreliable actions and bittersweet words.

 "No, you can't. Why don't you go be with Patricia, and leave me alone. I'm done with your games."

When I didn't hear anything else from him, I knew he'd left. A small part of me had wanted him to beg me to open the door before he tore it down himself. But I knew better. Kendall Fine would never do that, especially for the likes of me. 

Finally able to relax in my bed again, my intentions to sleep were delayed a while longer when my phone was bombarded with multiple messages from Coco.

Coco: Sasha?!

Coco: I'm so sorry, you didn't deserve that.

Coco: I'm going to talk some sense into Patricia. Everyone at the table is letting her have it.

Coco: I was going to follow you to your room, but, knowing you, you'd probably like to be left alone tonight. Get some sleep and we'll talk in the morning.

Coco: Love you babe💞

I ignored her messages, turning off my phone. She was right, I did want to be alone. I needed time to sort through my emotions before speaking with everyone in the morning. They'd most likely be waiting to see whether I was okay. 

I'd be fine, like I always was.

~~~

When morning finally came around, the yacht set sail back to the New York Harbor. I managed to stay bordered up in the confines of my room until noon, which was when I knew I could no longer avoid the inevitable. That, and I was terribly hungry.

Still cloaked in my pajama set, I scurried to the breakfast lounge. To my relief, no one was there. An assortment of muffins, bagels, pancakes, and various pastries were still left out. Grabbing a plate, I filled my canvas with a chocolate muffin and a few of the packaged pastries.

"Girl, I know you haven't been avoiding me all morning?" Coco's voice nearly caused me to drop the muffin from my plate, as I wondered just where she'd spontaneously appeared from.

"I wasn't avoiding you, per se. I just wanted to be alone." I replied, knowing that it was becoming even more difficult to withhold the many secrets I'd been keeping from her.

"I'm your best friend, Sasha. No matter what, I'll never leave you alone." She cued, as she approached me from behind and showered me with a warm hug.

"I know and I hate you and love you for it at the same damn time." I leaned into her touch, grateful that she'd actually come to check in on me . 

I let her know that I was feeling much better. Rather, I think the cause of my much needed distance last night was less on Patricia and more on the fact that I'd been dealing with so many pent up emotions within the last few weeks. I was tired of crying, especially for people who continued to disrespect me at every opportunity. 

Coco's watch buzzed, as an alarm went off. I looked at her expectantly and she mouthed a quick 'sorry.'

"Oh, don't worry. That was just the alarm I set to call 911, if you still hadn't come out of your room when we got back to New York." She remarked, holding in a cunning laugh.

"Shut up, you're so annoying." I groaned, not able to restrict the chuckle that involuntary slipped as a result of her dark humor.

~~~

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~Chelly😘😘